Foote Prints Fall 2021

Foote Prints Fall 2021

The Foote School On the cover As part of a geometry unit, 4th graders used a bicycle wheel to learn about acute and obtuse angles.

On this page Grade 4 teacher Toby Welch ’73 works with a student to measure angles using a bicycle wheel.

“We were using the bike wheels for a weaving project and I realized I could also use them to teach the students how to use a protractor,” says Toby, who is an avid cycler.

3 14 16 82 4 12 26 30 32 37 40 68 70 88

From the Head of School Revealing the masterpiece beneath Full Strength Seven years after its founding, Foote’s summer enrichment program has reached a major milestone.

Lighting the Darkness How Foote teachers and students made meaning of a year unlike any other

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Experimental. Innovative. Free-Wheeling Fifty years ago, Foote created its 9th Grade program— and a new model for a signature year.

News at Foote Connecting the Dots Graduation 2021 8th Grade Celebration Faculty Farewells New Board Members Report of Giving Alumni Weekend

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Class Notes Why I Teach

Foote Prints Fall 2021 82

Fall 2021 | Vol. 48 No. 2

The Foote School

50 Loomis Place, New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 777-3464 • www.footeschool.org Foote Prints is published twice a year for alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty and friends.

Editor Andy Bromage Class Notes Editor Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 Design AHdesign, Angie Hurlbut Thea A. Moritz Photography Stephanie Anestis, Andy Bromage, Joe Charles, Judy Sirota Rosenthal Copy Editor Anne Sommer Contributors Jody Abzug, Amy Caplan ’88, Joe Charles, Sheila Lavey, Cindy Leffell, Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 Board of Directors Kavitha Bindra, President George Atwood Elon Boms Emily Brenner, Secretary Wick Chambers ’62 Annette Charles Ron Coleman ’04 Danielle Ginnetti Mona Gohara Rebecca Good Francie Irvine George Joseph, Vice President Michael Krauss Anna McGaw-Mobarak Jason Price Andy Rapkin, Vice President Geert Rouwenhorst, Treasurer Alexandra Shor Brett Weiss Mai Wu ’84 Ex Officio Aléwa Cooper, Head of School J. Richard Lee, Immediate Past President The Foote School does not discriminate in the administration of its admissions or educational policies or other school-administered programs, and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or non-job-related physical disability.

5th graders studied pop artists Wayne Thiebaud and Claes Oldenburg and then illustrated some of their favorite foods using oil pastels on cardboard. Pear portrait by Lora Kenyon.

THI S S PR IN G ,

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From the Head of School

Head of School Aléwa Cooper at 9th-grade graduation in June

Revealing the Masterpiece Beneath The following is an excerpt from Aléwa Cooper’s remarks to 9th graders at graduation on June 10. are familiar with the famous statue of David. Michelangelo took two years to sculpt it after two other artists rejected the block of marble because it had many imperfections. The story, though probably apocryphal, goes that when Michelangelo was asked how he made what is arguably one of the finest works of art ever produced, he said, “It was easy. I just chipped away the stone that didn’t look like David.”

I ’ M S U R E YO U ALL

You may be asking yourself, “Why is Ms. Cooper sharing this (probably fictitious) quote with us?” You all have worked hard this year to prepare for your next step, high school; you will work hard in high school to prepare for college; you will work hard in college to prepare for a job and the so-called “real world.”

I share this story to say this: You don’t have to wait to become the person you want to be. You can be that person —and I will argue that you are that person—right now, just like David was there under that imperfect block of marble.

Moving forward, the work of your teachers, your school,

“ Our goal at Foote is not to fit you into a mold; it is to free you from any kind of mold at all.” your parents and, most importantly, yourselves is to keep chipping away at all of those messages and influences that are not you in order to reveal the masterpiece beneath.

Our goal at Foote is not to try and fit you into a mold; our job, if we’re doing it right, is to free you from any kind of mold at all.

For us, you are already the artists, teachers, musicians, activists and, based on last night’s Poetry Cabaret, comedians that are going to light this world on fire.

It’s our job to make sure you always see what the people who love you see in you right now. Use this time to figure out what your passions are, what you stand for, what your contribution will be. That is the work that will serve to chip away at some of those imperfections. And that is when the true masterpiece can emerge. Just remember that even a masterpiece like Michelangelo’s David has imperfections that give it character.

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News at Foote

Teaching Hard History 7th graders led a ceremony to place a ‘witness stone’ at the Pardee-Morris House in New Haven for a woman named Pink Primus who was enslaved there in the 1700s. Modeled after the Stolpersteine in Europe—stone cubes with the names and life dates of victims of Nazi extermination—the Guilford-based Witness Stones Project works with schools to place similar cubes at New England locations where individuals were enslaved.

Led by Humanities teachers Sheila Lavey and Skye Lee, the student project was three years in the making and challenged 7th graders to research primary documents from the 1700s and present written and oral research.

O N J UNE 2 ,

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A 6th grader uses a media bias chart to evaluate news organizations based on two criteria: how much original fact-based reporting they do and their political bias.

Can You Spot the Biased News? questionable information and outright fake news—much of which looks indistinguishable from real news. It’s enough to leave your average grown-up feeling a little unmoored. So imagine the challenge for adolescents.

THE INTE R NE T I S AWA S H IN R UM O R S ,

As part of the 6th-grade technology curriculum, teacher Ethan Schoenherr leads a four-part unit on media bias. The classes introduce students to several tools for evaluating the credibility and bias of various news organizations, including a curriculum for helping children find credible information on the internet that was developed by Common Sense Education. The goal is to empower students as consumers of news by boosting their media literacy.

(far left) A church record from East Haven, documenting the marriage of Pink and Stepna Primus, which 7th graders used in their research. (left) 7th-grade students and faculty at the Pardee-Morris House.

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News at Foote

Head of School Aléwa Cooper introduces Virginia Sole-Smith.

Confronting Pandemic Anxiety and Diet Culture for parents and educators on topics relevant to their lives this year, and Zoom allowed us to reach even wider audiences. On June 2, Foote hosted a well-attended talk by author Virginia SoleSmith titled “The Pandemic, Diet Culture and Our Kids.” Middle School is a fraught time for body image in normal times, and the pandemic—with added stress, isolation and increased reliance on social media—has contributed to an alarming rise in dieting, obsessive exercise and eating disorders among tweens and teens nationwide. Virginia, the author of The Eating Instinct: Food Culture, Body Image, and Guilt in America, talked about this phenomenon and shared current research on how kids learn body anxiety and fatphobia at home, in school and in our broader culture. She offered evidence-based advice for parents and educators on how we can work together to create a more weight-inclusive culture and raise happy, healthy kids of every size.

FO OTE CO NTINU E D TO H O S T TALK S

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Preserving the Sound waits for nothing— not even a global pandemic. While Covid stopped many activities this year, the dedicated members of the Environmental Action Group met on the morning of Saturday, May 15, for a trash cleanup at Long Wharf beach, a property owned by the New Haven Land Trust (now called Gather New Haven). Walker Holmes, a Foote parent and Gather New Haven board member, joined the cleanup and educated students about the numerous conservation areas and farms the organization owns around New Haven. It was a beautiful day with lots of crab sightings, and the group was able to prevent several big bags worth of plastic and other garbage from polluting the ocean.

PR OTE C TING LO NG I S L AND S O UND

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News at Foote

Field Day Reimagined Field Day this year had a different flavor thanks to some innovative, Covid-safe games devised by the Physical Education faculty. Among the new events was the sponge relay, in which teams had to pass a sopping wet sponge down the line and ring it into a bucket before running back to soak it again; whichever team had the most water in their bucket when the clock ran out was the winner. Favorite games like sack race and modified relay races harkened back to pre-pandemic Field Days. In place of tug-o-war and the fireman’s carry, students tried to land soccer balls and frisbees into bullseyes painted onto the fields. Throughout the day, dance music pumped through loudspeakers, so students, teachers—even our preschool friends at Calvin Hill, who watched the games in wonder—could get their groove on.

PA S S THE S P ON GE !

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(above) Eighth graders sprint off the starting line for the 50-yard dash. (left) First graders pass the sponge in a new Field Day relay.

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News at Foote

Glad for the Jab of the essential role that schools play, Connecticut teachers and school staff were prioritized for the Covid-19 vaccine in March. Special clinics were set up in New Haven, including one at Wilbur Cross High School run by Fair Haven Community Health Care, at which many Foote faculty and staff members received the twodose Moderna vaccine. Afterward, teachers took “vaccine selfies” to show their gratitude for the vaccine and their appreciation for the health care workers who have sacrificed so much for the safety of all during the pandemic.

IN R E CO GNITI O N

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Kids’ Podcasts We Love “Whether you are passing the miles or the minutes, listening to a great podcast as a family will most definitely lead to more interesting conversations and stronger connections.”

—Jennifer Friedman, Head Librarian

Recommendations from Foote’s Faculty WOW IN THE WO R LD

Has your child ever wondered why shoelaces come untied or how studying flamingos can help humans? Wow in the World is a podcast that invites kids and their grown-ups to explore and uncover amazing stories in science, technology and new discoveries. Appropriate for all ages (preschoolers through adulthood), our entire family looks forward to the weekly episode as well as bonus “Two Whats!? And a Wow!” features as well.

—Chrissy Khachane, Head of Lower School

WH O SMAR TE D?

It’s an educational podcast for elementary school kids made by the people behind the Netflix series Brainchild. The episodes are pretty short—around 12 minutes each—and they range in topics from Bigfoot (is it real?) and your nose (how does it work?) to Gummy Bears (why are they bears, anyway?). My second grader loves it!

—Jim Adams, Grade 5 Teacher

B R AINS ON !

Brains On! researches a wide variety of scientific questions that kids have and answers them in fun, age-appropriate ways. Each episode explores a particular question, and listeners can even submit ideas for episodes. While adults and families may enjoy this podcast, I think it’s best for children in grades 5 and below. I love this podcast because I am curious about everything, and Brains On! satisfies some of my curiosity while encouraging more of it.

—Kim Birge-Liberman, Middle School Science Teacher Fall 2021 | 11

Connecting the Dots

The Great Wall of Foote Chinese teacher Wenyan Witkowsky introduced a new unit to her 2nd graders about the Great Wall of China. They began with an overview of China (where to find it on the map, the meaning of its flag) and read a picture book called Ming’s Adventure on China’s Great Wall. They learned all about the history, length and cultural significance of the wall—one of the greatest feats of engineering in human history. They talked about the Chinese Emperor who began the wall, Qín Shı̆ Huáng, and the terracotta army he built.

L A S T S P RI N G,

Then one of her students said matter-of-factly: “Let’s build the Great Wall.”

“Honestly, it had not occurred to me to build it,” Wenyan recalls.

But sensing an opportunity for a hands-on project—and with a genuine sense of adventure—Wenyan decided that her students should build a Great Wall...in miniature!

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Wenyan ordered project bricks and rounded up all the hot glue guns she could find. With help from teachers Kim Yap, Hilary Pearson and Eleanor Evins, the 2nd graders got to work. Over five class periods the students designed a base layer, built a foundation, added a second level and constructed a watch tower. Students added stairs, warriors and other embellishments, learning the Mandarin word for each one.

(left) Students lined up their wall sections outside their classroom before maintenance staff moved them to the upper athletic field for a photo op. (above) First, Wenyan arranged students on the field to spell the Chinese characters for “China.”

Next, students’ wall sections were placed in the rough shape of the real Great Wall. Finally, Foote’s communications specialist, Joe Charles, took a drone photograph and superimposed the outline of China to give a sense of scale.

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Horizons at Foote

FULL STRENGTH Seven years after its founding, Foote’s summer enrichment program has reached a major milestone.

B Y KE L O N D A MAUL L , EXECU TIVE DIRECTOR

launched in 2015, building off the success of the longstanding Footebridge Program, we were just three grades and a vision. With Horizons, children come to Foote’s campus for nine consecutive summers—from Kindergarten through 8th grade—to engage in project-based learning, swimming, art, yoga, STEM and other enriching activities. This past summer, we reached our goal of full enrollment, with 144 students in grades K–8.

Our success was by no means assured and is a testament to the deep commitment of Horizons families, teachers, staff, donors, board members and volunteers.

W HE N H O R IZON S AT FO OTE

After a virtual summer in 2020 due to Covid-19, it felt great to be back in person in 2021! The pandemic has created many challenges, but our students rose to the occasion despite declining academic and social engagement over the past year. Our assessments showed Horizons students gained two to five months of growth across Grades K–8, preparing them for a smooth return to in-person learning in New Haven public schools in late August. While on campus at Foote this summer, Horizons students were masked and physically distanced indoors and engaged in joyful academic 14 | Foote Prints

learning activities that aligned with Connecticut state standards. We also graduated our first class of 8th graders at a heartfelt ceremony attended by students, their families and former Horizons teachers.

We learned from Foote’s experience with Covid during the school year, utilizing outdoor spaces and tents for meals and outdoor learning. In addition, we increased our focus on social-emotional learning. Our full-time social worker supported teachers and students with classroom minilessons, guided meditations, individual family support and referrals to outside services.

New partnerships this year focused on quality programming and supporting the whole child. Yale University’s Hospitality team managed the distribution of our daily meals, and every child received a healthy breakfast, lunch and snack. In addition, students received fresh produce each week to take home.

Our program offerings have expanded dramatically since our launch in 2015 and now include art, music, dance, sewing, golf and educational field trips. We have new sports (above) Horizons at Foote enrolled 144 students last summer and graduated its first 8th-grade class.

“ Thank you for hearing our voices and creating a safe space for us to learn together.”

—Horizons 7th grader

choices, including swimming, and this year introduced water polo in partnership with Albertus Magnus College and Hydras Water Polo. Students also had the chance to learn steel pans with music teacher Debby Teason; try golf through a partnership with the First Tee National Golf Program; and learn dance, yoga and field hockey.

Our Middle School program has expanded to reflect the traditional school setting, with time each week for Englishlanguage arts, math, science, humanities and life-skills courses. We are also proud to share that we will support all of our newly graduated 8th graders in high school this year with a mentorship program that helps them transition to 9th grade and plan for post-secondary education and the workforce.

Students had the chance to learn golf through a partnership with the First Tee national golf program.

A Horizons 8th grader tests out a rollercoaster she designed during science class.

As the program has grown, so has our dedicated faculty and staff. Our team now includes six head teachers for Grades K–5, three head subject-area teachers for Grades 6–8, nine assistant teachers, 18 interns, a reading specialist, a Middle School interventionist, a social worker, four swim instructors and specialists to support art, music, dance and yoga classes. In addition to the executive director, a full-time development coordinator and assistant supports year-round initiatives.

The Horizons model (in which children begin in Kindergarten and return for eight summers) builds lifelong friendships and positive bonds which creates a loving and joyful environment inside and outside of the classroom. As one of our 7th graders put it in a note of appreciation, “Thank you for hearing our voices and creating a safe space for us to learn together. I love all the new enrichment this summer.”

2nd graders proudly show off their innovative language-monster paintings, a project inspired by artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work.

A big thank you to our Health Office for helping ensure our safety this summer; our facilities team for supporting operational needs and security; and the Technology Department for access to MacBooks, Chromebooks and copiers for staff and students. Finally, a shout out to our friends of Horizons, who make all of this financially possible.

We are very grateful!

Horizons at Foote is an academic and enrichment program dedicated to creating opportunities for New Haven Public School students from low-income families by providing a joyful, safe, inspiring learning environment and empowering students to thrive in school and engage in an ever-changing world.

Caribbean steel pans, taught by instructor Debby Teason, was a new offering this year.

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Feature Story

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Lighting

the Darkness

How Foote teachers and students made meaning of a year unlike any other

T

he January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol took place on a Wednesday afternoon. At the time, Foote students were at home, learning remotely so that everyone could be tested for Covid-19 before returning to campus following the winter vacation.

As the nation watched the violence unfold in real time, Foote teachers had to figure out how best to help their students make sense of the shocking and deadly event— all without physically being together.

“We knew January 6 would be a big deal for the kids,” recalls Middle School humanities co-chair Deb Riding.

“ Our students really appreciated relating the lesson to something so media-pervasive and important.”

—Jake Burt, Grade 5 teacher

After a quick huddle, Deb and fellow humanities teacher Alison Moncrief Bromage decided on an initial approach.

At their next Zoom class, the teachers led their 8th graders in a “close reading” of two contrasting photographs.

8th Graders made protest signs as part of a humanities project inspired by “Protest Pile,” an installation by Branford-based artist Cindy Tower.

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The first was the now-iconic photo from a 2016 Black Lives Matter protest in Baton Rouge. It shows a Black woman, Ieshia Evans, standing statue-still in a flowing sundress as police in riot helmets and body armor move in to arrest her.

The other photograph, from the January 6 insurrection, shows a white man carrying a Confederate flag walking freely through the Capitol, encountering no visible resistance.

“We were looking at the body language, the setting, the context,” explains Alison.

Eighth graders also examined images from just outside the Capitol, which appeared to show police opening the barricades for the rioters to walk right through. It turned out those images served as an object lesson about the perils of making snap judgments. As investigations later revealed, the Capitol police were not in cahoots with the mob; they were simply outnumbered and retreated to more tightly defend the entry points to the Capitol.

Understand the context. Consider the source. Dig deeper for facts. Ask yourself what you would do in the same situation.

Examine how people are treated differently and ask why.

These are the principles that guided the students’ learning.

Like the rest of America, Foote teachers and students found themselves confronted with a confluence of worldaltering events during the 2020–2021 school year: a global pandemic that upended how we live and learn; the largest civil rights uprising in half a century; and an unprecedented presidential election and violent insurrection aimed at the foundation of American democracy.

Learning about Covid-19 was scary and unknown, Kindergarten teachers Susan Keegan and Alexandra Wittner sought to reassure and empower Foote’s youngest learners by teaching them how to take care of themselves and one another.

W HE N S O MU CH A B O U T COVID

In the Kindergarten classrooms, ‘persona dolls’—plush dolls used to teach lessons about kindness and inclusivity— each had their own face mask and modeled how to wear it properly. Handwashing—sometimes a hasty chore for little ones—was slowed down and explicitly taught to ensure proper technique. To reinforce what physical distance feels like, students used hula hoops and outstretched arms (aka “Falco’s wings,” a reference to the school’s falcon mascot).

“We practiced flapping our Falco’s wings to make sure we didn’t bump into anyone else, and we would flap around campus,” says Alexandra. “We worked tirelessly from day one to integrate our protocols and new routines into the daily fabric of the Kindergarten experience so that every child felt safe and ready to learn with the start of each new day.”

Emotional well-being was just as important as physical safety, Alexandra says, especially as the pandemic and its attendant restrictions dragged into a second school year.

The classroom mood meter—developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and used in every Foote classroom—was a vital tool for teaching the Kindergartners to recognize, express and, ultimately, regulate their emotions. Each morning, and throughout

Rather than leaving them in the background, Foote teachers brought these tragedies to the forefront, viewing them as opportunities to engage in learning that is authentic, important and relevant to their students’ futures. And they did what Foote teachers do so well, tailoring lessons to the developmental needs of their students.

The conversations and lessons built on these current events is an extension of what Foote’s been doing for years.

The curriculum is grounded in problem-solving, critical thinking and historical context that encourages students to view events from many angles. And over the past year and a half, there were more angles than ever to consider.

“ The mood meter helped give students a voice to share how they were feeling during this difficult time.”

—Alexandra Wittner, Kindergarten teacher

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Kindergartner Isla Gordon uses feelings cards in the Calming Corner, a quiet place in the classroom where children could go when they were feeling overwhelmed. Teachers Alexandra Wittner and Susan Keegan created other tools to help students regulate their emotions during the worst of the pandemic, including a list of “chill skills” and a class mindfulness jar.

White dots spray-painted 6 feet apart around campus help students remember to remain physically distant.

the day, the children would plot their mood in one of four color-coded quadrants on the graph to indicate how they were feeling, and then discuss the feelings that belonged in each color.

“In our classroom, students designed a Calming Corner as a space they could visit if they were having big emotions in the blue or red quadrant. They decided that the space should be primarily green so that it will remind friends when they visit that they should use behaviors to help them move into the green, or calmer, quadrant,” Alexandra says.

“The mood meter helped give students a voice to share how they were feeling during this difficult time.”

way to incorporate current discourse on vaccines into a unit about how to use evidence effectively in an essay. Fifth graders examined four types of evidence: statistical (“The vaccine is 98 percent effective”), testimonial (“Dr. Fauci says the vaccine is safe”), anecdotal (“I got the vaccine and I’m fine”) and analogical (“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine works the same way the flu vaccine does, so if you trust the flu vaccine, you should trust the Covid one too.”).

There’s a deep body of research on the power of writing to process emotions and heal, and as the pandemic reached the one-year mark, humanities teacher Lara Anderson asked her 6th graders to write short personal essays reflecting on what they had lost and gained over the past 12 months.

“When Covid first hit I remember being pretty neutral, thinking nothing much would happen. But then the months went by, one by one by one,” wrote one 6th grader.

“While Covid made me very sad, it has had a lot of really positive after-effects. I really got to know myself during quarantine, and that included getting back into art and improving a lot with guitar. Covid is stressful, but in all honesty, I do not think I’d be the same person if the pandemic did not hit.”

As Covid vaccines became available—and, almost as quickly, controversial—Grade 5 teacher Jake Burt found a creative

Fourth graders made masked self-portraits that, when opened, revealed personality traits they like best about themselves.

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Middle School students expressed their reactions to the Derek Chauvin trial verdict on an impromptu “graffiti wall.”

“Our students really appreciated relating the lesson to something so media-pervasive and important,” says Jake.

“They came in the next day sharing the types of evidence they heard presented on the radio, via the web or during TV news reports. I think they found it empowering to understand the metacognitive reasons behind how information is delivered to them.”

Science teacher Katie Larsen found that her 9th graders had widely differing understandings about how, exactly, viruses work. So when her curriculum got to the section on viruses and bacteria, they took a deep dive into SARS-CoV-2.

“The first question we asked was, ‘Is a virus alive?’” Katie explains, adding that students soon discovered that viruses are considered nonliving, even though they can reproduce and have RNA. Katie and her 9th graders looked at the coronavirus’ structure—with its now-familiar spike protein—and how a virus gets its genetic material into human cells and then replicates. They learned about the difference between lytic viruses (such as SARS-CoV-2) which make people sick right away, and lysogenic ones (such as HIV), which can take years to make a person ill.

“Last year, they were just hearing all these bits and pieces about Covid. Some of them had a false sense that they understood it and others would say they didn’t understand how vaccines work. So it was just a way to smooth out all of that and make sure they were all on the same page,” says Katie. “They love this stuff!”

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A Racial Reckoning by a Minneapolis police officer in May 2020 touched off a nationwide wave of protests and presented teachers everywhere with difficult decisions about how best to teach about race and injustice in America. At Foote, teachers and students have been examining these topics for years, but Floyd’s case made the conversations more visceral and more urgent.

THE MU R D E R O F GE O R GE FLOY D

Michael Milburn, Foote’s 9th grade English teacher, found an approach from an unlikely source: Spike Lee’s film of the Broadway musical American Utopia, composed and performed by David Byrne of Talking Heads fame. In the film, Byrne’s ensemble performs the song “Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)” by Janelle Monáe, a shout-out to Black victims of police violence.

“When I first heard the song, I was scouting for projects to add variety to our 9th-grade English Zoom sessions as we approached the remote learning periods following Thanksgiving and winter breaks,” explains Michael. Hearing the contrasting versions of the song—by Byrne and Monáe—complemented the 9th graders’ year-long study of the Black Lives Matter movement and gave students a platform to talk about the possibility of change—both in the world and in themselves.

When it came time to start rehearsals for the annual 9th grade Poetry Cabaret, Derek Chauvin was on trial for Floyd’s murder, and “Say Her Name” was made part of the students’ variety show—with George Floyd’s name added to the list of Black Americans killed by police.

“Listening to the students’ rehearsals of ‘Say Her Name’ and watching it performed on the last day of school allowed me, and I hope the students, to reflect on a challenging year and the way that poetry can make experience sing,” says Michael.

Student interest in the Derek Chauvin trial was high, and several Middle School classes livestreamed various parts of it to better understand the inner workings of the criminal justice system.

“My 8th graders asked me whether I thought he’d be convicted and I said that, sadly, I was not optimistic,” says Deb Riding. “This is the first case like this that 8th graders have followed.”

On the day the verdict came down, Foote’s campus had an anxious, almost somber feel. Middle School faculty decided that whatever the verdict, students would need a place to express their feelings, ask questions and process the heavy meaning of the moment. This was especially true for students of color.

So the teachers plastered huge sheets of paper around the buildings to make “graffiti walls,” where students could react to the verdict anonymously, building on one another’s messages in a sort of silent, running dialogue. “It’s scary to think that something this obvious took so long to debate,” one student wrote. Another student scrawled, “No amount of court cases can bring back a life,” to which two other students reacted, “Yes!” That’s a view shared by 8th grader Benjamin Kruger, who vividly remembers the lively class discussions about the meaning of justice and accountability following the verdict.

“Justice means this will never happen again,” Benjamin says, noting that Chauvin’s guilty verdict couldn’t ensure that outcome. “Even with Chauvin going to prison, you can never bring back a life.”

“ Even with Derek Chauvin going to prison, you can never bring back a life.”

—Benjamin Kruger, 8th grader

Diving into Democracy and spin, there was a lot to learn about the candidates, ideas and forces that shaped the most watched presidential election in modern American history. And while the campaign itself was mired in negativity, Foote teachers chose election-related projects grounded in hope, empowerment and creativity.

IF YO U CU T THR O U GH THE N O I S E

Humanities teachers Sheila Lavey and Skye Lee saw an opening to engage their 7th graders in lessons about civil discourse and how to argue effectively, a lesson supported

by The New York Times/Scholastic magazine Upfront and the iCivics curriculum. Students were also assigned to ask their parents about their pandemic voting plan: whether they planned to vote in person, by mail or absentee.

Evaluating news—and spin—was another focus of 7th-grade humanities. The students had to find and present examples of fake news and clickbait on social media and explore how it spreads, why it can be dangerous and how they can help stop the cycle.

“The students examined which issues are important to them, many for the first time, and researched which candidate represents their interests,” says Skye. “It’s a cool age because many said this is the first time they cared about a presidential election.”

Meanwhile, in Deadra Hart’s music class, 8th graders created their own ads for the 2020 election. “First they analyzed ads from the 1968 presidential election, focusing on the use of images and sound,” Deadra explains. “Then the 8th graders had to become ad executives, using music, sound effects and voice-over to persuade, communicate and connect with their audience.”

A student-made sign posted in the Marian Spiro patio last fall

Cathy Pamelard, director of the Learning Support Program, worked with 5th graders on an elections project that opened a wide lens on electoral systems and candidate positions.

Students used the PBS Electoral Decoder website to examine voting trends all the way back to George Washington’s first election and they researched the candidates’ positions on climate change, the pandemic response, education, health care, racial justice and women’s rights.

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Third graders made their own voter ID cards as part of a mock election, the last part of a unit about democracy.

strategy. The students then researched and analyzed the positions and personal characteristics of the candidates in preparation for writing a persuasive essay.

Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem served as the inspiration for several poetry and art projects, including this painting by 8th grader Norah McPartland.

“The point of the extensive research prior to writing an opinion piece on a candidate was to make students ‘construct’ a point of view based on careful research, using reputable sources,” says teacher Liam Considine. “Following Election Day, we continued to study the unfinished story of who won, again using a wide variety of sources and contrasting opinion pieces.”

“A few of the children wrote and performed a news report describing the candidates’ stances on the issue they researched,” adds Cathy, “without revealing if they themselves preferred a certain candidate’s platform.”

Third graders, meanwhile, decided to learn about elections by holding one. With real recess equipment as the candidates, 3rd graders held a mock election on Election Day, November 3, as the final step of a multipart unit about democracy. They “registered” to vote by filling out online applications and created their own voter ID cards.

Informed opinions was a theme in the 9th-grade humanities course as well. Aided by materials from the News Literacy Project, 9th graders analyzed political memes and electronic resources for misleading or outright false claims. Students also watched the presidential and vice-presidential debates and then deconstructed them in class for content and

A primary election was held to narrow down the choices for new recess equipment to two finalists: beach balls and badminton sets. After beach balls emerged victorious (by a 20-point margin!) teachers led conversations focused on how students felt after being on either the winning or losing side of the vote.

“ Seventh grade is a cool age because for many students, this was the first time they cared about a presidential election.”

—Skye Lee, humanities teacher

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In the chaotic aftermath of the presidential election, culminating in the January 6 insurrection, Foote teachers dedicated time in class to allow students to express feelings and worries and to ask questions. “One thing I’ve been thinking about these past couple of days is why people do these types of things,” a 6th grader wrote in a reflective essay. “It’s so much more rewarding, so much better, to be nice and kind.

“This is not an easy time but with the help and support of others, we can make the world a more accepting and inclusive world,” the student continued. “Be nice to everyone, wave, smile and crack a joke.” n

From Tragedy, Learning and Healing

BY CINDY LE FFE LL , P ’0 9 , ’ 11 T W E NT Y YE AR S AGO, the world trembled

and reeled with the events of September 11, 2001.

Foote’s Class of 2002 had just begun their 9th-grade year. They struggled to cope with the fear, anger, sadness and uncertainty of that moment. As a way to process and express these emotions, they decided to create a memorial using art and poetry. Together with artist and Foote alum Edward Kubler ’56, and guided by English teacher Michael Milburn, they created a cenotaph inspired

by Tibetan prayer wheels. A cenotaph is an empty tomb or monument erected in honor of a person or group of people whose remains lie elsewhere —a very fitting tribute to the lives lost that day.

Each side of the tiles on this interactive sculpture contains a poem (or excerpt from a poem) written by a member of the Class of 2002. The tiles spin and, like a prayer wheel, as they spin they release the words and sentiments of the poems to the world. These poems continue to resonate with today’s Foote students.

Fall 2021 | 23

Around Campus

NE W R HY THM S In the spring, Middle School music classes took place outside and students experimented with some new techniques such as bucket drumming. “Bucket drumming was a great way to reinforce rhythm reading, build listening and ensemble skills, and have fun with contemporary pop music!” says music teacher Deadra Hart. Pictured, 8th graders practice rhythm patterns to the song “High Hopes” by the band Panic! At The Disco.

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Fall 2021 | 25

Graduation 2021

THE R E WA S N OTHIN G typical about 9th

grade for the Class of 2021. The pandemic cancelled almost all travel (including the Cape Cod retreat and the China trip), as well as the 9th-grade play. Instead of moving around campus, 9th graders stayed put in the library and teachers came to them.

And yet the year was marked by joy and resilience—from reading time with Kindergarten buddies to a modified, outdoor Poetry Cabaret.

On June 11, Head of School Aléwa Cooper welcomed families to the outdoor graduation ceremony and shared a story about the sculptor Michelangelo to illustrate how the 22 graduates—through hard work and guidance from their parents and teachers—can reveal the masterpiece of their authentic selves (see Aléwa’s letter on page 3).

Departing Athletics Director Brad McGuire offered a heartfelt reflection, drawing on

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the message he gave to student athletes at the start of each sports season to demonstrate respect and accountability in their lives.

In announcing the class correspondents, 9th-grade parent Amy Caplan ’88 reassured graduates that the friendships they made at Foote will last a lifetime. “You will always have a home here at Foote and lifelong

friends with whom you will always be able to share and relive these moments.”

Grade 9 advisors Megan Williams and Liam Considine spoke about each graduate individually and the contributions each made to their class and the greater Foote community.

Graduation speaker Elisha Cooper ’86, an award-winning author and illustrator, spoke about the contradictory feelings of togetherness and isolation that students may be feeling after a year of pandemic learning (see speech on page 26).

Before proud parents and teachers, graduates were awarded diplomas and academic prizes, performed on steel pans and made one last memory as students on Loomis Place.

Accolades & Gifts Foote School Prize The Class of 2021 Outstanding Scholarship Award Ryan Diffley Hank Ferguson Camila Granda Isak Hopfner Grace Laliberte Lisa Liu Kiran Makam Jean B. Shepler Fine Arts Prize Sophie Gangloff Lisa Liu Class Correspondents Hank Ferguson Camila Granda Hannah Lee Diploma John Cunningham, former Science Co-Chair Julian Schlusberg, Drama Chair Class Gift $6,750 for financial aid at Foote Ninth-Grade Parents Farewell Gift $5,500 for faculty professional development, financial aid and the library 100 percent parent participation

Graduates Will Attend Avon Old Farms Cheshire Academy Choate Rosemary Hall Deerfield Academy Guilford High School Hamden Hall Country Day School Hamden High School Hopkins School Mountainview High School New Haven Academy Phillips Academy Andover St. Joseph High School The Sound School

Fall 2021 | 27

Graduation 2021

Finding Just the Right Word The following is the 9th-grade graduation address by Elisha Cooper ’86, an award-winning author and illustrator based in New York. Elisha’s books have won the Caldecott Honor and the Robin Smith Picture Book Prize and have been named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year. His latest book, Yes and No, was released in April 2021.

commencement address ever. It will change your life. Years from now, you will remember it. The teachers here will remember it, and they will require that its inspiring words be memorized by every student. The parents here will be so impressed by my wisdom that they will raise millions of dollars for new buildings and badminton courts that will bear my name.

And the administration will chisel the text of this speech in a marble monument out front so that all who enter the school will be transformed by my genius, and if you’re anything like the student I was, when I was here at Foote, you’re probably listening to this and thinking: Who is this guy? What the hell is he talking about? And where is a piece of paper and a pencil so I can start writing down the dumb things he’s saying; maybe draw a caricature of him; and show that drawing to my friend sitting next to me and make her laugh.

THI S I S GO IN G TO B E THE B E S T

When I was at Foote, I did that a lot. Drawing, doodling.

Little sketches in the margins of my class notes. Drawings of goats—since I grew up on a farm outside of town—drawings of the trees outside the classroom windows, drawings of Yale football players, caricatures of my teachers. After class I’d show the drawings to my friends, and not to the teachers. In art I drew all the time, in the open. At recess I played touch football, racing around these fields and dreaming of playing in the Yale Bowl, and in the library I got lost. I loved being lost in the library. All those aisles and shelves, packed with books.

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Children’s books, history books. Stories, art. I loved how language and art interacted. The beauty, even, of a single word.

I’ve been thinking about language a lot this year. As a writer, I’ve been wondering how to describe our pandemic year, if there was one word that could encapsulate it. At some point this winter I wrote about the word “Yarg,” which sounded like a swear word, like Walt Whitman’s “barbaric yawp,” but more defiant, and when I looked it up it turned out to be a kind of Cornish cow cheese wrapped in nettles, which sounded about right. Though, not quite. I was looking for a word that could handle complexity. Both the good and the bad.

I returned to thinking about one word when I was writing this address. I was in Brooklyn, sitting outside a café, drinking a cortado. I was trying to think about what it means to be a student this year, but I was struggling, in no small part because I have a basic distrust of speeches like these, commencement addresses that are supposed to be meaningful and profound. Some old guy trying to impart wisdom blah blah blah. Because, really, what do I know?

But, I also like words very much. And at some point, maybe after I got my second cortado, a small word came to me.

Well, two words.

Apart.

A part.

“ In this upside-down year, we’ve been alone, but also together.

Torn apart by the pandemic; a part of the response.”

—Elisha Cooper ’86, graduation address

Maybe it’s too clever, this play on words. But as I thought about these twined words—apart, a part—they seemed to perfectly describe this strange, split, upside-down year.

How we’ve been alone, but also together. Disconnected, connected. Isolated, involved. Torn apart by the pandemic, a part of the response. Driven apart by politics, a part of protests for racial equality. Apart. A part. Swinging wildly between the two.

And then, I thought how this word, these words, could describe my experience as a student. Here at Foote, then in high school. A part of friends and teams, and apart from them. And at Yale, where I played in the Yale Bowl, a part of the team, but apart from it as a nerdy guy who liked to draw.

And now, as an author, which in its solitariness may be one of the most apart pursuits, but in its desire to connect wants so much to be a part.

As I warmed to my idea, I thought more about what it must be like to be a student in this bifurcated year. How being a student is already bifurcated. How it is to be both anxious and confident. To feel attractive and ugly. Smart, dumb.

Outside, inside. Lost, found. All these normal conflicted feelings, and then add a year that has not been normal.

And how this is true for all of us, how at different times we can almost be different people. How we, to acknowledge Whitman again, contain multitudes. And what was interesting to me, as I circled this idea, holding up these words and considering them from different angles, was how we can change within a season, a week, a day, an hour.

How we are not static, but fluid.

Speaking of fluids, it was around now that I got my third cortado at the Brooklyn café where I was writing, and now I’m going to switch to present tense, because I can, because with words I can do anything.

I’m standing in line, waiting to order. The espresso machine is making that schwooshing sound. The afternoon light is playing in the trees outside the café windows, the leaves are sort of bouncing, and I remember how I drew in class, and I think I’ll open this address with a joke about doodling.

I come back to my seat. Down the street I hear the deep rumble of a truck shifting gears, and I imagine you will remember your favorite teacher here, that advice she gave you. A large man bikes by on the sidewalk. His bike is creaky. I bet he’d be a great anchor in tug-of-war and I imagine the worry before a game or a test or a dance and the exhilaration afterward, how afterward you’re almost molecularly different. Behind me on Atlantic Avenue, I hear horns. A traffic jam. That paper you were struggling to write, the phrase that clicked. The church across the street opens its door. And then, singing. That class that started so badly, then turned.

The day’s light is lower now and I’m in flow and I imagine you will remember that one perfect day, and the awful one too, the place you alone went to, to study or dream. To compose yourself anew. Your time here, the accumulation of your days as they shift and change and maybe, maybe, maybe, what you have been doing these last years is figuring out how to… what?

How to move. To shift. How to be apart, then, a part.

To be fearful, then brave. To hurt, and heal. How to light upon an idea, then adjust. How to be a self-generative spark. To see injustice in the world, and act on it. To see the damage to our land, and get to work. All this shifting, instilled in you by your teachers, friends, family, parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers, and ultimately, instilled by you. An ability that will allow you to navigate high school, college, and beyond and oh my goodness look at what I am doing!! I am that guy now, trying to be meaningful and profound.

Whatever.

We can mock and be serious, we can be both in the same sentence, within the same word even, the same breath.

So let’s think of another word, one that would describe this ability to shift. And what would that word be? What is it? Is the word resilience? Persistence? Is it grit? Curiosity?

Some alchemy of all of them? I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.

Because it is in you, this word, whether you like it or not.

So take it, this unnameable word, take it and go. Away from this school and over these fields of time, out past the Elisha Cooper Badminton Courts and the marble monument to this speech. Go! Fall 2021 | 29

8th Grade Celebration

THE Y D E S CE ND E D a long flight of stairs

from the Jonathan Milikowsky Science and Technology Building onto the recess field, where they sat in physically distant family pods. Proud parents and teachers looked on as 8th graders, who endured a school year unlike any other, celebrated their accomplishments on June 10. Under a cloudless spring sky, 33 departing students received certificates while 23 were introduced as the 9th-grade class of 2022.

Eighth grader Asher Joseph read an original poem he wrote for the occasion that beautifully captured the challenges of being in school during a global pandemic.

“As long as my mic is unmuted, as long as the green highlight frames my place at the table, I will be heard by this community we have created, human by human, promise by promise,” Asher read.

contributions and academic successes. In his address to the class, departing Drama Chair Julian Schlusberg cited a line from Arthur Miller’s famous play All My Sons to impart an important life lesson.

“There’s a universe of people out there and we have a responsibility to it,” said Julian, quoting a line from the character Chris Keller.

Students read reflections 8th graders had written about one another, celebrating their

In his own words, Julian went on, “We have a responsibility to lead an ethical life, to take action in the name of decency and goodness and kindness. Sometimes it’s scary and sometimes it’s lonely to do what you know in your heart is the right thing.

But it doesn’t matter what age you are.

You are old enough right now to make a difference and to matter.”

“ You encouraged me to unmute my mic, you encouraged me to speak up.”

—poem by 8th grade student

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Leadership Roles for the 2021–2022 School Year Ninth-grade President Grayson Neuman Amnesty International Rania Das, Ameya Patel, Levi York, Olivia Zlabys Chorus Juliet Koff, Veena Scholand Coding Finn Earnshaw Community Council Annie Cady, Ada Goren Environmental Action Group Vivienne Maleska, Grayson Neuman Falco Jaden Ewen Footenotes (Literary Magazine) Alice McGill, Becca Yimlamai Foote Steps (Yearbook) Emile Krauss, Benjamin Kruger, Becca Yimlamai F-STAND Forrester Larsen, Charlie Sudmyer, Julian Theodore Jazz Rock Ensemble Graham Possick MathCounts Ameya Patel, Julian Theodore

Departing 8th Graders Will Attend Amity Regional High School Choate Rosemary Hall Greens Farms Academy Guilford High School Hamden Hall Country Day School Hamden High School Hopkins School North Haven High School Sacred Heart Academy The Taft School Wilbur Cross High School

Accolades & Gifts Outstanding Scholarship Award Krish Agarwal Kennedy Anastas Nia Bradford Helena Chaine Ella Chun Charles Ellis Raymond Ellis Caroline Hergan Nicholas Huber Asher Joseph Norah McPartland Joshua Moskowitz Grayson Neuman Holly Pisani Eric Roberts Wyatt Sloan Sofia Urios-Siebert Dylan Whang

Eighth-grade Parents Farewell Gift $7,000 for faculty professional development and financial aid 80 percent parent participation National Latin Exam Students across the U.S. and in many foreign countries, from elementary school to the college level, took the National Latin Exam. The exam contained 40 questions on a variety of topics such as grammar and syntax; Latin sayings and mottos; and Roman history, religion and culture.

Awards were given to students who scored above the national average. Thirty-seven of our Latin students received awards.

Congratulations to them all!

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Faculty Farewells to six members of the faculty this year who educated generations of students.

FO OTE S AID GO O D BYE

Jacqui Fritzinger JACQ U I TAU GHT FR E N CH and Spanish at Foote for 16 years and

was an educator for a total of 34 years. At Foote, she taught children how to love the French language—and how to speak it well. Her scholarly passion for languages both inspired and challenged her students, and she successfully supported learners with a wide range of strengths, styles and needs. As Modern Language Department chair, Jacqui adopted a new, computer-savvy French textbook series and introduced students to wonderful poems for the annual poetry recitation contest. A dedicated advisor to Grades 6, 7 and 9, Jacqui was always a passionate advocate for the French program and a compassionate and thoughtful colleague.

Susie Grimes ’75

Brad McGuire

S U S IE D E D I C ATE D a combined 19 years to Foote families.

OVE R 14 YE AR S , Brad brought progressive changes to our

Over several stints spanning four decades, Susie generously shared her gift for creative, project-based teaching and held numerous roles: 3rd-grade head teacher, associate teacher in Grades 1–5, library associate, alumni and development staff member, coach and substitute teacher. She brought a calm, kind and thoughtful approach to each role and had a talent for getting the most out of her students by placing them at ease. A devoted Foote alumna from the Class of 1975 and the parent of three Foote alumni, Susie frequently hosted gatherings on reunion weekends that kept her tight-knit class even closer. As a teacher, Susie made deep and lasting connections with her students and brought beauty and dedication to all of her teaching.

Physical Education curriculum and expanded student participation in interscholastic sports. He began as a PE teacher and succeeded Ted Willis as department chair and athletics director. Under Brad’s leadership, the PE program evolved to become more inclusive by providing students with a choice of competition levels; the school added a wellness curriculum in 6th grade; and cross country and squash and were added as fall and winter sports, respectively.

Brad also chaperoned several 9th-grade trips to China and was a reliably positive and upbeat presence on campus. His work to promote sportsmanship, cooperation and spirited competition will echo on Foote’s fields and in the gym for many years to come.

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Cathy Pamelard UND E R C ATHY ’ S LE A D E R S HIP , the Learning Support Program

made great strides—prioritizing early intervention and improving documentation and communication. Numerous children benefited from working directly with Cathy over her 19 years at Foote, and her calm and steady demeanor was grounding for students. Cathy was a generous leader and passionate advocate for using differentiated instruction to reach students of various learning profiles. A childcentered educator, she was fond of saying, “Put the child in the middle of the table and let’s all focus on what is best for that child.” Cathy also co-chaired professional development and the committee to implement the RULER emotional literacy program at Foote, and she always supported students and colleagues alike with grace and enthusiasm.

Cindy Raymond

Julian Schlusberg

CINDY HA S HA D an indelible impact on generations of students

J U LIAN I S E ND ING an extraordinary 51-year career as a drama

over her 34 years as a math teacher at Foote. She has taught students across the grades and math levels. One of Cindy’s special skills is supporting students outside of the classroom, and she went to great lengths to ensure that they understood the topics covered.

A longtime 8th-grade advisor, Cindy spearheaded the annual Halloween Parade and Fair and coordinated the popular bake sales for the Amnesty International club; in these roles, Cindy empowered students to use their voices for justice and change. Cindy brought much humor to her job, and her hearty, contagious laughter would frequently pierce the silence during Middle School student plays in the Sandine Theater. Whether giving extra help during study hall or helping a disorganized student bring order to their desk, Cindy has been a kind and generous teacher and a good friend.

teacher, 21 of which were spent at Foote. Julian taught generations of students the joy and rigors of theater arts, co-founded Foote’s Summer Theater Program in 1981, developed a K–9 drama curriculum at Foote and directed more than 70 productions. One of Julian’s favorite quotations comes from To Kill a Mockingbird, when Atticus Finch says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” That’s what Julian did in the theater every day: help students to better understand the human experience by giving them a chance to walk in the shoes of characters from a range of dramatic works.

Along with numerous awards for excellence in theater education, Julian earned the gratitude of the countless students and families who benefited from his intelligence, creativity and gentle wisdom.

Fall 2021 | 33

Faculty Honors were celebrated for a major milestone: 15 years at Foote.

At an in-person faculty gathering in the Hosley Gym, colleagues paid tribute to the honorees, speaking movingly about the difference they have made in the lives of students and families.

THI S S PR IN G , S IX FACU LT Y AND S TAFF ME MB E R S

Lara Anderson, Middle School Humanities

Tina Cunningham, Music Chair

Hilary Pearson, Grade 2

Sally Nunnally, Spanish

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Amy Caplan ’88, Associate Director of Development and Alumni Programs

Kim Yap, Grade 2

Faculty News New Head of Middle School most recently Head of Middle School at North Shore Country Day in Illinois, became Foote’s Head of Middle School on July 1.

B AR R IN G TO N “ B AR RY ” FU LTON JR .,

What inspired you to become an educator?

For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be an educator. Even at a young age, there was something about helping other people learn new things that felt meaningful to me. I dreamed of being a teacher—regardless of subject—in a self-contained classroom like the ones I was learning in. At Williams College, I fell in love with literature and, believe it or not, grammar and the structures of the English language. Early in my career, and through my association with The Louis August Jonas Foundation’s Camp Rising Sun in Rhinebeck, New York, I learned that there were so many ways to teach and impact people.

Our world has undergone some profound changes this past year. How, if at all, has that changed your thinking about what middle school students need?

This year has deepened my understanding of the importance of educating the whole student. All of our students have an innate desire to explore, try new things

What books are on your night stand right now?

Right now, I am reading Angie Thomas’ Concrete Rose, a prequel to The Hate U Give.

Additionally, I am rereading the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman before diving into watching the not-so-new (but-new-to-me) series on HBO.

and, of course, push boundaries as they learn more about themselves and more about the people and places around them.

Students need support as they learn about themselves and try on different hats, so to speak, and I want Foote to continue to be the place that supports that growth.

You’re a hip-hop dancer. Tell us more!

It’s been a while since I last danced or performed, but I first fell in love with dance as a teenager at Camp Rising Sun, where another camper introduced us to hip-hop dance. We learned a number of routines and performed them for our camper community. At Williams College, I joined a dance crew after my second audition and gained exposure to choreography and performance techniques.

I was named the group’s director in my junior and senior years. Teaching dance to others became a passion, and I was given the opportunity to add hip-hop dance programs at a number of schools at which I was also hired to teach English.

Meet Our New Faculty & Staff FO OTE W E LCO ME D 12 new members of the faculty and

staff this year, who bring a wide range of professional and personal experiences to the school community.

First row, from left: Rebecca Rosenbaum, long-term substitute music teacher; Suhna Park, Learning Support Program teacher; Katie De Vries, Drama chair; Kathleen O’Rourke, Lower School associate teacher and assistant director of After School Program; Catherine Freeman, French teacher; Carrie Boyce, Physical Education chair and Athletics director Back row, from left: Barry Fulton Jr., Head of Middle School; Ross Holzschuh, teacher intern; Elizabeth Roberge, art associate; Rebecca Ruiz, Spanish teacher Not pictured: Heather Henry, school nurse; Miguel Paulino, Spanish teacher Fall 2021 | 35

From the Board President

Passing the Baton of the Foote Community for 17 years, first as a parent; then as a member of the committee planning the Jonathan Milikowsky Science and Technology Building; and later as a Board member and, for the past three years, Board president. Reflecting on this journey as I end my term, I can honestly say that my pride in Foote has only grown stronger through the years.

I HAVE B E E N A ME MB E R

A successful school stands upon three pillars: parents, teachers and administrators, and Board members. This past school year presented significant challenges for all three. Parents worried about their children’s physical and mental health. Faculty and administration wrestled with how to connect with students under such restrictive conditions. The Board was concerned with the emotional well-being of the entire community and the potential economic fallout from a protracted pandemic.

I am proud to report that the entire school pulled together in common cause to put children’s emotional and academic wellbeing at the center of every decision.

For over 100 years, the Foote School has risen above pandemics, world wars, economic tailspins and civil unrest to grow and prosper. For 17 years, and especially over this past year, I have witnessed firsthand the commitment of Foote families and staff to the success of our students.

As I hand the reins to Kavitha Bindra, our next Board president, and as we slowly emerge from the pandemic, I feel incredibly confident that she and Head of School Aléwa Cooper will provide the leadership that will allow Foote School to innovate and thrive into its next century.

J. Richard Lee P’09, ’13, ’21 Past President, Foote School Board of Directors

to emerge from the shadow of a global pandemic, I am grateful for the centering role that Foote School played in the lives of so many of our families over the last year and a half. Thanks to the tireless work of the school leadership and faculty, as well as our dedicated health consultants, the school was able to offer in-person learning for the bulk of the academic year and to provide critical social and emotional connections for our children even during the bleakest periods of the pandemic.

A S W E B E GIN

In the coming year, as Board president, I plan to focus on reconnecting the Foote community and on renewing the values that bind so many of us to this school, while ensuring that all members of our community feel welcome and included. There are many lessons to be learned from the pandemic and I look forward to partnering with my Board colleagues and Head of School Aléwa Cooper to ensure that Foote continues to offer world-class education that is in keeping with our values and responsibilities as an independent school based in New Haven.

I am grateful to my predecessor, Richard Lee, who served as Board president through an unprecedented set of challenges and helped to keep the ship not only afloat but cruising into the future. I look forward to receiving his wise counsel, as well as guidance and input from the Foote community, in the year ahead of us.

Kavitha Bindra P’25, ’29 President, Foote School Board of Directors

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Board of Directors Meet Foote’s New Board Members Annette Charles P’26, ’29 ANNE T TE HA S WO R K E D for over 20 years with nonprofit organizations, government

units and foundations on strategic planning, community engagement, program and policy design, impact evaluation and operational improvement. She holds M.P.P. and M.S.W. degrees from the University of Michigan and works in public interest consulting at Aim and Arrow group. Recent planning engagements related to child learning and well-being have included public and private schools; nonprofits providing after-school programs; local and state health- or education-related departments; professional associations; and local or statewide collaborative groups. Annette lives in New Haven with her husband, Kerwin, and their two sons, Lucas (Grade 5) and Cyrus (Grade 2).

Ronald Coleman Jr. ’04 R O N R E CE IVE D HI S B ACHE LO R ’ S degree from Tufts University in 2011 and was the

captain of the soccer team during his senior year. He returned to New Haven as a Teach for America corps member in 2011 and taught middle school mathematics and coached basketball at Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy. Ron received his master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University while serving as director of the New Haven Program at Teach for America Connecticut. He currently leads the Grow Your Own effort for the Texas Education Agency and is excited to scale the impact of New Haven Counts, a nonprofit he founded with fellow teachers in 2018 focused on math proficiency, financial literacy and youth development.

Brett Weiss P’28, ’30 B R E T T I S THE S E NI O R vice president of Strategic Markets at Avaap, an industry-focused

technology management and advisory services firm where he specializes in guiding health care providers through business and process transformation using modern enterprise software. A frequent industry speaker, Brett offers a dynamic understanding of health care IT, trends and technologies available to address the challenges of a volatile market. Brett earned his B.A. in international business from the University of Arizona. Along with the global travel his job often demands, he enjoys skiing, hiking, boating and playing sports with his family. Brett lives in Madison with his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters, Avery (Grade 3) and Elle (Grade 1).

Mai Wu ’84 MAI I S A P R IN CIPAL at Apicella + Bunton Architects in New Haven, where she led

design and construction of Yale’s 493 College Street, an award-winning office and classroom building that earned LEED Gold certification. More recently, she led design and interiors for the Yale Manuscripts & Archives library renovation. Prior to joining the firm, she worked at Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects. Mai has a Bachelor of Arts in architecture from Yale College and a Master of Architecture from the Yale School of Architecture. Mai has been a teaching fellow for the Architectural Practice and Management course at the Yale School of Architecture. She volunteers for the Yale Alumni Schools Committee and the Yale School of Architecture Annual Fund. She and her husband, John, live in Westville.

Fall 2021 | 37

Board of Directors Departing from the Board FO U R D E PAR TIN G ME MB E R S of the Board of Directors have graciously and successfully served

for two consecutive terms. We heartily thank them for their wonderful efforts on behalf of Foote.

Constance (Cecie) Clement ’62 Cecie chaired the Governance & Nominations Committee for the past three years, helping the Board recruit amazing new members. In this capacity Cecie worked with three current parents to identify potential parent and alumni nominees for the Board, including her Foote classmate, Wick Chambers ’62. Cecie is a very active and supportive alumna and recently received the 2021 Foote Alumni Achievement Award in recognition of her illustrious career as deputy director of the Yale Center for British Art and for her service to the school.

Nadine Koobatian Nadine was an active member of the Parent Teacher Council from the time her eldest son, John (’14), began at Foote in 2009. Nadine first joined the Board as co-president of the PTC in 2011 and served ex officio for two years in that capacity. In 2013, she was elected to the Board for her first four-year term. Over eight years on the Board, she has served on the Governance & Nominations Committee, the Development Committee and the Education Committee.

She spent her final term as secretary of the Board and was a member of the Executive Committee, lending her expertise in nonprofit management to help guide the school through numerous transitions. All three of her children, including Elizabeth ’16 and Nicholas ’19 are Foote alumni.

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Jennifer Milikowsky ’02 Jennifer graduated from Foote in 2002 and was elected to the Board as a young alumna in 2013. She has provided great insight specifically relating to her time as a student. Jennifer has simultaneously served on the Buildings & Grounds, Development and Finance committees during both of her four-year terms. Jennifer also serves on the board of Solar Youth, a New Haven nonprofit organization focused on youth development.

Stephen Murphy Steve is vice president for finance and chief financial officer at Yale University and lent to our school his deep knowledge of budgets and finance. He joined the Board in 2013, became its co-treasurer in 2014 and served as the treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee until his departure. Steve co-chairs the Finance Committee and has been a member of the Investment Committee. His expertise was critical for establishing the Centennial Campaign to double Foote’s endowment in 2016 and for its successful completion in June 2020. Steve’s twin daughters, Abigail and Julia, graduated from Foote in 2020.

PTC News

Building Real Community in Virtual Times

THE 2 0 2 0 – 2 0 21 S CH O O L YE AR was defined by creative thinking

and reimagining our traditional events as we continued to celebrate our community despite the challenges caused by the pandemic.

We joined together both virtually and in person and grew more appreciative of what makes Foote such a special school community.

The multiple virtual events we hosted were eagerly attended and served as a balm in these times of separation. Head of Lower School Chrissy Khachane read a bedtime story via Zoom to younger students, while Head of School Aléwa Cooper and new Head of Middle School Barry Fulton hosted a virtual hangout for middle schoolers. These events were an enormous hit, with pajama-clad students coming together at bedtime to share in imaginative storybooks and connect with friends—complete with microwave popcorn for every student provided by the PTC! In January, the PTC gifted a Beamo Giant Flyer to each Foote class.

Students from Kindergarten to 9th grade delighted in inventing all sorts of new games with these giant flyers, which they used during recess throughout the remainder of the year.

During the cold days of February, we warmed our hearts with a virtual 5K road race. All members of the Foote community were invited to run their own 5K race, with family members or school cohorts, and each student received a Foote fandana to wear as a headband, hairband, scarf or cap.

During a year when sharing food at school was off-limits, we tried to fill the gap. We provided baking mixes (from Small Kitchen Big Taste) for parents and children to make for virtual Parents’ Night in the fall. On Valentine’s Day, we sponsored a free kids’ virtual cooking class with The Dynamite Shop, learning to cook gumbo and cornbread on Zoom together. During Middle School Project Week last winter, the PTC provided middle schoolers with individually wrapped single-serving snacks from Sweet Cioccolata.

In March we hosted the very informative program, “Parenting During the Pandemic,” with clinical psychologist Dr. Anna Levy-Warren.

Over 50 parents joined this Zoom event to hear helpful tips and find solidarity as we navigated unprecedented terrain.

With Covid easing in spring, the PTC held the annual Faculty Appreciation Breakfast in person. Parent volunteers contributed stunning fresh flowers for a make-your-own-bouquet bar for our faculty and staff. The PTC sponsored a baked goods and coffee

truck, and our dedicated faculty and staff felt loved and valued during an especially challenging year!

Though unable to host our usual fundraisers, we still provided summer reading books for all students. We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of our parent community and for one another during this past year. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the parents who volunteered to make all of these memorable events possible.

Jennifer Lucarelli P’27 & Bruce Seymour P’27 2021–2022 PTC Co-Presidents Have an idea for a schoolwide event or activity?

Email ptc@footeschool.org. For PTC news and events, join and stay connected on the “Foote Parents” Facebook page.

Fall 2021 | 39

Report of Giving

Pulling Through Together A S I E NTE R my fourth year back at

Foote—this time as an employee, rather than a parent—I cannot help but reflect on my eight-year affiliation with this wonderful school and realize how incredibly challenging and fulfilling the last two years have been. Despite the global pandemic and the resulting economic and societal upheaval, our Foote community has not only survived, it has thrived.

In spring 2020, we created a special Covid Relief Fund to support families who lost jobs or were impacted by the economic downturn. Reopening campus for in-person learning last fall presented an array of obstacles and challenges, many of which also came with added costs: outdoor tents (one for each grade) to hold classes in the fresh air; additional staff to accommodate the smaller—and safer—class sizes; technology to connect with immunocompromised students who were learning off campus; and a seemingly unending supply of cleaning supplies such as liquid soap and hand sanitizer.

Generous contributions from our Foote constituents helped make these adaptations possible.

Like all Foote faculty and staff, my own schedule became a bit more hectic with the addition of new responsibilities. Because

40 | Foote Prints

parents were not allowed on campus as a safety measure, a group of us facilitated drop-off and pick-up each day, and I greatly enjoyed getting to know more students and their families and finding new ways to connect as a community during this time.

Community is defined as a feeling of fellowship with others as a result of shared attitudes, interests and goals. And what a community Foote is! I am deeply appreciative of the financial support offered by our community this past academic and fiscal year, with donations to the Foote Fund, contributions earmarked specifically for financial aid, gifts to the endowment, payments of generous pledges to the Centennial Campaign and gifts to the Covid Relief Fund. Our third annual Giving Day was especially successful (details on the next page). Our 9th-grade farewell gift had 100 percent participation from families, and departing 8th-grade families donated over $7,000 for financial aid and faculty professional development.

I am overwhelmed by the myriad ways our community has dealt successfully with the health and financial crises while continuing to generously support the school.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you.

Jody Abzug Director of Development and Alumni Programs

Giving Day Success!

GIVING DAY 2 0 21 HA D A S LI GHTLY different feel this pandemic year, as big

gatherings were off limits. What didn’t change was the overwhelming support from the Foote community! While students were not able to congregate in the main building to celebrate, Falco greeted families on Loomis Place during morning drop-off and Giving Day goodies (cookies, pencils and Foote swag) were delivered to all students in their classrooms. Dollars and donations increased from last year, and some fun, creative videos raised everyone’s spirits. Watch them at footeschool.org/giving-day. Stay tuned for our 4th annual Giving Day on 2-22-22.

24

370

87

122

45

Hours

Donations

Alumni Gifts

Parent Gifts

Venmo Donations

$75,000 raised—Thanks to you!

Fall 2021 | 41

the

Centennial Campaign

Future Secured AT THE S AME TIME Foote celebrated its 100th birthday, in 2016, the Board of

Directors embarked upon a strategic plan to ensure that the school would not only survive but thrive in its second century. An outgrowth of that plan was the Centennial Campaign: Secure Foote’s Future, whose ambitious goal was doubling the school’s then-$9.8 million endowment in support of four goals:

> attract and retain the best teachers by paying competitive salaries > sustain socioeconomic diversity by maintaining a robust financial aid policy and by minimizing tuition increases > increase faculty of color by further stepping up recruitment efforts to identify candidates of color and to commit immediate resources to this critical goal > ensure robust enrollment by investing in people, programs and facilities

Thanks to generous support from so many, the campaign exceeded its goal and finished more than a year ahead of schedule! As of September, the endowment stood at $24 million, nearly two and a half times what it was when the campaign launched. The campaign benefited from the expert leadership of campaign co-chairs Cindy Leffell and Rich Bershtein, former Head of School Carol Maoz and a committed Steering Committee.

The Centennial Campaign represents unprecedented giving and fundraising for Foote. The $14 million raised for the Campaign was given and pledged by 150 donors listed on the following pages. Gifts ranged in size from $50 to over $1 million; 18 gifts to this campaign were over $100,000; and we were especially fortunate to receive four donations of $1 million or more from members of the Foote community.

Throughout the campaign, named funds were established to honor or memorialize highly respected members of the Foote community, including the Ann Baker Pepe Endowed Fund for Financial Aid; the Jay Cox Endowment for PPRRSM; the Carol Maoz Endowed Fund for Financial Aid; and the newest fund, the Francie Irvine and Bob O Class of 1981 Scholarship Fund.

The generous support from alumni, current parents, parents of alumni, grandparents, faculty, former faculty, staff and friends has truly secured Foote’s future.

42 | Foote Prints

“

When we started this campaign, we knew we were shooting for the stars and understood the incredible impact our success would have on Foote’s future. Our determination to truly make a difference for Foote unified the whole community behind our campaign and allowed us to exceed even our most ambitious dreams.

We are so thrilled by and grateful for the outpouring of dedication and love that solidly helped secure Foote’s future.”

—Richard Bershtein, P’16, ’18, ’21, ’24, ’25 Centennial Campaign Co-Chair

best teachers financial aid donors to the centennial c ampaign The following individuals and foundations donated to the Centennial Campaign: Secure Foote’s Future, more than doubling the school’s endowment.

Anonymous (8) 116 Crown Jody Abzug Cecle & Josef Adler Melinda Agsten Myles Alderman ’75 Nancy Osterweis Alderman ’52 Suzanne & Jason Alderman Laura & Victor Altshul Jay Angeletti Nick Appleby & Bethany Schowalter Appleby ’82 J. Elaine Arena Anne & Gordon Armour Vernon Armour* Tony Astmann ’73 George Atwood Edward Bailey ’96 Joanne & Paul Bailey Karena Bullock Bailey & Peter Bailey ’91 Ann Baker Pepe & Greg Pepe Marshall & Margaret Wilmer Bartlett ’58 Donna & Bill Batsford Chandra Benevento ’91 John E. Benevento Chay & Richard Bershtein Jessica Drury Bieler ’75 Jay Cha & Jim Bigwood ’68 Joan Bigwood ’75 Stephen Binder ’78 Kavitha Nair Bindra Ranjit Bindra Christopher Blackwood ’09 Izabela Blackwood David Bloom ’81

*Deceased

Kim Bohen & Doug James Dr. Sandra Boltax-Stern & Dr. Harold Stern Stephanie & Elon Boms Mary Ann & Geofrey Bonenberger Andrew & Sarah Netter Boone ’89 Anne Marie Boustani & Marcus Conti David Bovilsky ’81 Tom Brand ’88 Emily & Dean Brenner Grace & Jay Bright Elizabeth Brochin Jennifer Brown & Ian Ayres Cristina Brunet & Joe Craft Patricia Palluotto Burns ’72 Jeannette Q. Byers ’65 Molly Meigs Cabral ’68 Anne Tyler Calabresi ’48 & Guido Calabresi ’46 MaryBeth & Andy Calderoni Frances Calzetta Susan Canny ’96 Matthew Carpenter ’03 Melissa Castleman & Jordan Peccia Wick R. Chambers ’62 Judith Chevalier & Steven Podos Barbara & Geoffrey Chupp Rob Clark ’68 Nancy Clayton & Brad Collins Constance Clement ’62 Patrick Clendenen ’81 Sequella & Ronald Coleman Maura & Joe Collins Kathy J. Cooke & David A. Valone Dody & Jay Cox Lucy & Peter Cox Catherine Smith Cuthell ’68 Georgianne De Maio Rosemary & Thomas DeFilippo John Deming ’66 Karen Miller Dibblee ’68 Nat DiMario ’13 Sheree & David DiMario Elizabeth Daley Draghi ’77

Janice & Alex Dreier Sarah Drury ’72 Eileen & Andy Eder Nicole Eldredge & Matthew Milikowsky ’95 Susan S. Ellis Amy Estabrook ’72 Deborah Everhart & George H. Davis Stephen Fair ’97 Emily & Christopher Fasano Elizabeth & Niall Ferguson Frances Reed Field ’75 Danielle Flagg ’81 Janice & Severio Fodero The Foote School Drama Program The Foote School Summer Theater Program Suzanne & Paul Fossett Deborah Freedman & Ben Ledbetter Joan & Richard Freedman Jennifer & Alan Friedman Ann Gabriel Anne & James Galinsky Lillian Garcia & Bruce Mandell Anna & Bryan Garsten Gartner GE Foundation Silvia Gee Kevin C. Geenty ’57 Melanie Ginter Martha Vietor Glass ’68 Dr. Amira Gohara Mona Gohara & Kiran Makam Mitchell Goldblatt Joanne & David Goldblum Rebecca Good & Manuel Rivera Carol & Mike Gordon Maria & Charles Granquist Betsy & Len Grauer Hanna Holborn Gray ’43 Margaret Clement Green ’61 Ruth Greenbaum Della Greenberg Georgia Fiedler Ford Griscom ’75

Fall 2021 | 43

recruit faculty

“

The opportunity to give back to Foote through the Centennial Campaign brought back a flood of memories of the careers of our three children (Tobias ’06, Charlotte ’08 and Robinson ’14).

Fairy houses on an all-school art installation day inspired by Andy Goldsworthy’s work. Discovering chalk marks along the path measuring the respective lengths of whales. Building cardboard dulcimers while studying the origins of ‘Amazing Grace.’

We realized that the common denominator was the people who made them happen. We have seen the foundations Foote built and strengthened in our children.

With our campaign gift we hope we can help the faculty stay rock solid for the next generation of the collective Foote family.”

—Anne & Gordon Armour, P’06, ’08, ’14

44 | Foote Prints

Birgir Gudjonsson Andrea Gurwitt ’81 Jonca Gurwitt ’75 Rob Gurwitt ’72 Philip Hamburger ’72 Jennye Hansen Mrs. Ramey W. Harper* Judith Hawke Sheila Hayre & Pericles Lewis Saylor Heidmann The Hellerman Family Lee Anne & Peter Hicks ’73 Hilary Fayen Higgins ’81 Alexandra Hokin & Glenn Levin George Holden ’68 Dr. Elizabeth Holt ’79 Art Howe III ’68 Bernadette Huang & Geert Rouwenhorst Judith S. Hull ’63 Alison & Christopher Illick Avlin & Suguru Imaeda Sarah Infantino The Iovino Family Nina Iovino Francie Irvine & Andrew McLaren James Johnston ’68 Preethi Varghese-Joseph & George Joseph Gerald Kahn Todd Kelley ’81 Michelle & Todd Kennedy Dr. Tammon Jay Kleeman ’81 Meghan & George Knight Nadine & Greg Koobatian Jean & Nick Lamont Jennifer LaVin ’81 Peggy LaVin Philomena & John LaViola Amy & Rich Lee Cindy & David Leffell Mary & David Lesser Jane & Richard Levin Jonathan Levin Rebecca Levin ’00

*Deceased

Andrea Luedecker ’98 Marla MacKenzie Janet Madigan, M.D. Burton G. Malkiel Elizabeth Manwell Carol & Michael Maoz Edward Martin ’15 Dorothy Martino Ginger Stevens May ’96 Julia G. McCarthy Lily A. McCarthy Michael McCarthy ’12 Rita A. McDougald-Campbell Kate McKenzie & Craig Crews Susan & Andrew Metrick Roslyn & Jerome Meyer Jennifer Milano & Michael Sessine Jennifer Milikowsky ’02 Sharon & Daniel Milikowsky York Miller ’64 Sandra Milles Salvina & George Montano Edward Mooney Deborah & David Moore Erin & John Morley Gardiner Morse ’72 Bonnie & Toby Moskowitz Pamela & David Mulligan Mary P. Murphy ’92 Victoria & Stephen Murphy Jennie Bailey Nally ’88 Greta S. Nettleton ’72 William Newton ’64 Carole Nicholson Barbara & Bill Nordhaus Emily & Ryan Oakes The O’Keefe Family Louise Vietor Oliver ’58 Rocco Orlando Emily Oster ’95 John Oster ’00 Sharon Oster & Ray Fair Julia Paolillo ’07

of color invest in people programs & facilities The Patwa Family Annie Paul Barbara Pearce & Norman Fleming Libby & Trevor Peard Clayton Pepe ’10 Laura & Frank Perrine Celia Pinzi & Mark A. Healey Carol & Wesley H. Poling Elizabeth Prelinger ’68 Christina & Jason Price Joyce & David Price Michael Prichard ’81 Kathy & George Priest Linda Raftery & Philip Spiro Jennifer & Andrew Rapkin Cindy Raymond Deborah A. Rhoads Rosemary Ripley ’68 The Roche Family Michele Brantle Rogat ’75 Shae & Paul Rosenthal Philip Ross ’64 Fred Rossomando Diane & Harvey Ruben Anne Sa’adah ’69 Susan Saccio Mary Sanders & Mark Shifman Scout Sanders ’04 Lisa Sandine ’81 Robert Sandine Sandra & Lamin Sanneh John Sasaki ’87 Catherine & Robert Sbriglio Maxwell Sbriglio ’12 Brooke & Lee Scharfstein Julian Schlusberg Steve Schneider Katherine Scully ’81 Nancy Segal Wendy Sharp & Dean Takahashi Pauline Vietor Sheehan ’61 Amy Sherman & John McCarthy Jane Shipp

Alexandra Shor D. Ellen Shuman & Douglas Rae Susan & Linfield Simon Margaret J. Smith ’77 Stacey & Cutter Smith Penny Snow Linda & Charles Sommerfield Musa Speranza & Joseph Shin Margie & Alan Starensier Beau Davin Stengel ’96 Marcus Stern ’75 Susan Swords Stevens ’62 Marcy Stovall & Jim Farnam ’65 Jeffrey & Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 Lissa Sugeng & Michael Krauss Laura & Leland Torrence ’68 Leland R. Torrence David & Lisa Farrel Totman ’56 Haven Tyler ’82 Katharine Schleifer Vavpetic ’86 Zaida & Edward Venter ’72 Alexander W. (Sandy) Vietor ’64 David B. Vietor ’55 Richard R. Vietor ’56 Erika Villa Theodore Vlock ’13 Catherine Hosley Vouwie ’72 Marian & Herra Vulpe John Warburg André Warner ’98 Kristen & Barclay Welch ’74 Gary Peck & Bonnie Welch ’79 Harry Welch ’42 Thomas Mason & Talbot Welles ’81 Elizabeth & Steven Wilkinson Jade Wu Brian Wysolmerski ’07 Kiran Zaman & Sabooh Mubbashar Rosamund Zander & Hansjoerg Wyss Pat & John Zandy Lori & Robert Zyskowski

150

donors $14 million

raised!

Fall 2021 | 45

Donors The individuals listed have made a contribution to the annual Foote Fund, an endowed fund, the capital campaign or Centennial Campaign between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this list. Please contact the Development Office if you notice errors or omissions. The symbol C indicates individuals who have informed the school that they have made a planned gift.

foote fund donors Anonymous (48) Carmela A. Abbenante Patricia Abbenante & Camilo Romero Sakena Abedin Jody Abzug & Jim Irzyk Rikki Abzug Sheila Abzug The Adae Family Annie & Jim Adams Justus Addiss ’73 Shirin & Ron Adelman Sarah Afragola ’01 Melinda Agsten Heba Abbas & Amaar Al-Hayder Suzanne & Jason Alderman Sandy Allison & Jim Horwitz Lucy Ambach Ruth Coffey & Sunil Amrith Lara C. Anderson

Marjo Anderson & Mark Dollhopf Kyeen & Richard Andersson The Anestis Family Alexander Anestis ’20 Betsy Angeletti Kate Angoff & Jeremy Angoff ’92 Nick Appleby & Bethany Schowalter Appleby ’82 Licella & Juan Arboleda Anne & Gordon Armour Katharine Arnstein ’63 Mary Asel Caroline Atherton Herbert James Atherton ’88 Kate Bigwood Atkinson ’70 George Atwood C Kayleigh & Stephen Axon Samuel Babbitt ’42 Michelle Baez Joanne & Paul Bailey

Lotte & Bernard Bailyn Cristina Baiocco & Giuseppe Moscarini Ann Baker Pepe & Greg Pepe Pat & Bill Bakke Tizzy Freedman Bannister ’74 The Banta-Garcia Family Emily M. Barclay ’61 Christine Wilmer Barkus ’69 Chris Egan & Elaine Barse ’81 Emily & Walden Bass Donna & Bill Batsford Nancy & Joel Becker Suzanne Beitel Raina Sotsky & Morris Bell Ximena Benavides & Patrick Dean Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Berenbroick Carrie & Bill Bergantino Kathleen Fredlund & Benjamin Berkowitz ’94 Seth Greenstein & Annie Berman-Greenstein ’96 Ellen Bernstein Chay & Richard Bershtein Margaret J. Berthold Jay Cha & Jim Bigwood ’68 Peter Bigwood ’73 Stephen Binder ’78 Kavitha Nair Bindra Kimberly & Phil Birge-Liberman Izabela Blackwood Adriana Blanco & Richard Bernstein

How We Move

Foote students are constantly in motion: dancing, jumping, swinging, balancing, skipping, hopping and running. Movement is built into the curriculum in intentional ways to develop locomotor skills, physical fitness and confidence. It is also, simply, how children play and express joy. Over the spring, we trained our camera lens on the ways Foote moves and found inspiration and healing in the familiar rhythms of life on Loomis Place. Pictured here, 7th graders learn to dance the Charleston during outdoor music class.

46 | Foote Prints

*Deceased

**Matching Gift Program Participant

C Centennial Society

Morley Bland Natalie Wilmer Blenk ’62 Kim Bohen & Doug James Gail & Abe Boms Stephanie & Elon Boms Marcia Tucker Boogaard ’50 Andrew & Sarah Netter Boone ’89 Rebecca & John Booth Kaitlyn & Tristan Botelho Michelle Bradford & Kossouth Bradford ’87 Talya Braverman ’17 Jennifer Jackson Breitling ’91 ** Emily & Dean Brenner Glen Brenner Keri Brenner Linda Brenner & Tony Green Frances & Jonathan Brent Grace & Jay Bright Jane Brody Alison Moncrief Bromage & Andy Bromage Ginny Bromage Seeley & Preston Brooks ’79 Jamie & Benjamin Bruce Lori Bruce & Noah Messing Shiv Bunjun Donald Burt Lauriann Burt ’21 Susan Hilles Bush ’47 Lucas Butler ’03 Lisa Buxbaum Jeannette Q. Byers ’65 Polly Byers ’74 Rachelle & Derek Byron Alison & Adam Cady John Cady ’19 Hong Li & Chunlin Cai Anne Tyler Calabresi ’48 & Guido Calabresi ’46 Mary Beth & Andy Calderoni Ann Waters Calkins Susan Canny ’96 Lena & Carmine Capasso Magdalena Capasso Amy Caplan ’88 April & Colin Caplan ’94 Francine & Robert Caplan Lauren & Michael Caplan Susan Carney & Lincoln Caplan Drs. Jessica Cardin & Michael Higley Meg Bluhm Carey ’59 Matthew Carpenter ’03 Linda Hamilton Carr ’42 The Carroll Family Rives Fowlkes Carroll ’57 Linsley Craig Carruth ’85 ** Maria Casasnovas & Lorenzo Caliendo Anna & Rob Casey

Understanding the Terms The annual Foote Fund supplements tuition income. Foote Fund dollars support academic and extracurricular programs, faculty salaries, financial assistance—virtually every part of the school’s operating budget. Without the Foote Fund, Foote’s budget wouldn’t balance, and we would have to reduce offerings to our students, increase enrollment or raise tuition to make up the difference. The Foote Fund is an annual effort, beginning in September and ending on June 30 each year. Parent volunteers reach out to encourage all parents to contribute. Foundation and corporate grant applications are strengthened when we can report high participation figures from our parent body.

A capital campaign is a fundraising effort over several years to raise money to improve campus facilities or strengthen endowment. Contributions are often multiyear pledges.

A capital campaign enables the school to undertake significant improvements that could not be funded by the operating budget or the Foote Fund.

Endowment is critical to a healthy school. Endowed funds are invested with the goal of providing a stable, sustainable source of annual income. Interest from endowed funds supports critical goals in perpetuity. Foote’s current endowment of $20 million provided more than $421,000 last year to support student scholarships, faculty professional development and other priorities. The National Association of Independent Schools recommends that an independent school maintain an endowment equal to its operating budget, which in 2019–2020 was $11.6 million.

Larysa & Matthew Cassella Marilyn & Victor Cassella Melissa Castleman & Jordan Peccia Carolyn & Richard Cavallaro Carol Ann Bradburn Celella ’72 Dorothy Clark Chadwick ’73 Xiaoling Yuan & William Chaine Patricia S. Chamberlain Wick R. Chambers ’62 Jenny Chan & Jonathan Goldstein Stephanie Chan & David Huang Annette & Kerwin Charles Jaimie & Joe Charles Xuedan Wang & Haiwei Chen Beverly & Richard Chevalier Judith Chevalier & Steven Podos Tammy & Rupert Chinatamani Christina Ching-McGrath ’06 Christine Won & Hyung Chun Mary Beth & Andrew Claflin Annie Clark Rob Clark ’68 Sandra & Rodney Clark Laura & Fred Clarke Barbara & Samuel P. Clement ’65 Constance Clement ’62 Keri & John Climie Edward Coady ’05 Leslie Virostek & John Cobb

Deborah Coen Martha Daniels Cohen Merrill Barden Collins ’85 Alison & Liam Considine Kathy J. Cooke & David A. Valone Aléwa Cooper & Markell Parker Erica Corbin Sarah & Hugh Corley Dody & Jay Cox Cristina Brunet & Joe Craft Amy Cohn Crawford ’90 Gwendolyn Creaser Kate McKenzie & Craig Crews Frederick “Ted” Crosby ’59 Alex Crowley ’83 Mr. & Mrs. Douglas J. Crowley ’56 Tina & John Cunningham Patrick Curran ’18 JoAnn Hong-Curtis & Jeptha Curtis Nancy Curtis ’50 Sarah Cussler & Jeffrey Brock Judy & Hugh Cuthbertson Catherine Smith Cuthell ’68 Jessica Lee & Ferenc Czeyda-Pommersheim Ruth Damon Michael Davis Amanda & Stewart DeCew Sarah DeCew Jordan DeFreitas Fall 2021 | 47

The DeLaurentis Family Matthew DeLaurentis ’20 John Deming ’66 Engin & Zeynep Deniz ** Hamita Sachar & Ohm Deshpande Mark Bernard & Katherine DeVane ’82 William C. DeVane ’84 John Tarutis & Paula DeVeau Paul & Deborah Di Capua Karen Miller Dibblee ’68 Rick & Melissa Dickson Amanda & Ray Diffley Anna Diffley ’13 Miriam & Daniel DiMaio Kate & Sam Doak Pam Dodge Alan & Elisabeth Doft Elizabeth Daley Draghi ’77 ** Janice & Alex Dreier Laura Ferry & Justin Driver Sarah Drury ’72 Evan M. Drutman ’79 Laurie & C. Dary Dunham Lee Dunham ’55 McKinne Dunn & Todd Schlachter Anne & Stewart Dunn Ann S. Earley Rachel Ebling & Edward Moran The Eden Family Elizabeth Eden Andy & Eileen Eder Wes Eder Julia Simon-Kerr & Florian Ederer Cathy Edwards & Mike Wishnie

Brinley Ford Ehlers ’83 Elizabeth Jonas & Tom Eisen Samia Naaim & Adnane Elarabi Christopher Durlacher & Nora Elton ’96 ** James D. English ’46 Paul Epply-Schmidt Laura & James Erlacher Eleanor & Paul Evins John Ewell ’57 Kristen Fairey Caitlin Farrell ’12 Dylan Farrell ’11 Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Farricielli Emily & Chris Fasano Sheiba Feizizadeh & Amir Esmailpour The Fejos Family Catharine Barclay Fender ’64 Elizabeth & Niall Ferguson Maria & Jerry Ferraro Polly & Andy Fiddler John-Paul Fischer Nadia & Andrew Fisher Ashley Fitton ’91 Danielle Flagg ’81 Edie & Steve Flagg Kathy & Mike Flanagan Daniel K. Fleschner ’94 Barbara & Jeffrey Fletcher Stephen Fontana ’78 Thomas Fontana ’82 The Foote School Class of 2021 The Foote School Parent Teacher Council Christine & Alan Forman Ke Xu & Oscar Fornoles

How We Move

Four square remains a popular recess activity across the grades.

48 | Foote Prints

*Deceased

Pamela & Sharon Fortin The Freeman Family Francine Freeman John Palmer Freeman ’20 Patricia Freeman Jennifer & Alan Friedman Suet Yin Sarah Fung Sondra Lender & Ben Fussiner Lynn & Richard Gabbard Tim Gabbard ’05 Lee Gaillard ’52 Maria Lara-Tejero & Jorge Galan Xiaoli Gao Adelyn I Garcia ’15 Lilah Garcia ’17 Noelia Garcia ’19 Nicole Musayeva & Khanlar Gasimov Silvia & Rich Gee Kevin C. Geenty ’57 Colin Gershon ’94 Barbara Gibson Bryan Gildenberg Afton & Will Gilyard Danielle Ginnetti John Ginnetti Tristen Giovanelli Maria Fernanda Arellano Castano & Antonio Giraldez Romero Cara McNelly Susan & William Goggins Dr. Amira Gohara Mona Gohara & Kiran Makam Priscilla Meléndez & Aníbal González Rebecca Good & Manuel Rivera Katharine Goodbody Shelley Goodstine & Jose Gomez Justin Goodyear ’88 Victoria & Colin Gordon The Goubourn Family Avery Grauer ’87 Betsy & Len Grauer C Janie Merkel & Jonathan Grauer ’85 Margaret Clement Green ’61 Alyssa Greenwald & Edward Wittenstein Cosma Gregg ’25 William Gregg ’27 Zareena Grewal & Hamada Altalib Jennifer Griffiths Lamar Grimes Tim & Susie Campbell Grimes ’75 David Griswold Kerin Adelson & David Grodberg Rob Gurwitt ’72 Anne Brooks Gwaltney ’72 Alix Hahn Kimiko Ishiguro & Bret Halpern Natalie & Matthew Hambor Cara & Robert Hames **Matching Gift Program Participant

C Centennial Society

Heidi Hamilton & Omari Caldwell Leslie DiMella & Marc Hammarlund Jennye Hansen Tina Hansen & Adam Hopfner Dorothea & Robert Harper-Mangels Debbie Weil & Sam Harrington Myra & Andrew Harris Bonnie & Randy Harrison William Harrison & Kathryn Pennypacker Harrison ’59 Deadra Hart Kristin Hawkins & Tony Markese Sandra & Charles Hawkins Slava Hazin Ryan Charles Healey Asefeh Heiat & Masoud Azodi The Hellerman Family Juri Henley-Cohn ’93 William Henning ’60 Elise & David Hergan Crystal Herron Brook Hersey ’74 Barbara Hill Harald Hille ’52 Frederick Hilles ’52 John T.R. Holder ’76 C Dr. Elizabeth Holt ’79 Stephen Holt ’82 Jayne & David Homer Shyoko Honiden & Aryeh Abeles Richard Hooker III ’60 Sally Hopfner Carla & Robert Horwitz Art Howe III ’68 Janet & Tain-Yen Hsia Sue & Ben Huang Caitlin Simon & Gregory Huber Judith S. Hull ’63 Angie Hurlbut & Andrew Nyhart Alison & Christopher Illick Francie Irvine & Andrew McLaren C Edward Irzyk Jeremy Irzyk ’14 Jordana Irzyk ’14 Carol B. Isaacs Bonnie & Ed James Louise Bluhm Jeanne ’54 Margaret Bozyan Jefferys ’49 Priscilla Jencks Mary Barnett & David Jenkins Robin Jenkins ’82 Miriam & Jeff Jennings Ann & Mike Johnson Carolyn & Jonathan Johnson Dr. & Mrs. Dirk Johnson Edward R. Johnson ’54 Holly Johnson ’81 Kathy Johnson

How We Move

A 2nd grader soars on the tire swing on the Lower School playground.

Lynda S. Johnson Robert Johnson James Johnston ’68 Ola Kadhim & Ali Al Tameemi Preethi Varghese-Joseph & George Joseph Susana Smetana & Peter Kagan ’83 Gerald Kahn Nancy Ely Kales ’55 Michael Kane Julianne & Titus Kaphar Penny & Allan Katz Özler & Ege Kayaarasi Susan Keegan Suzanne Kelley Todd Kelley ’81 Hayley & Bryan Kelly Kimberly & Frank Kenna Bianca & Gretchen Kennedy Michelle & Todd Kennedy Virginia Kerr Linda Keul Henley Christine & Anil Khachane ’93 Dr. & Mrs. Vasant Khachane Sumiya Khan The Khokha Family Christine Kim & Douglas Kysar Barbara Kinder & Joseph Adams Amy Justice & Joseph King Lynn Leong & Yiming King Gretchen Kingsley Alexandra Daum & Alexander Kleiner ’00 Diana E.E. & Fred S. Kleiner Meghan & George Knight Camille & Jon Koff Candice & Donald Kohn

Liza Konnikova & Dean Yimlamai Nadine & Greg Koobatian Deb Kotchen Sandra Dias & Frank Kowalonek ** Lissa Sugeng & Michael Krauss Nate Krauss ’17 Allison & Charles Kreitler Bonnie & Bob Kreitler Abigail Kruger ’20 Charlie Laing & Kate Brooks Laing ’82 Mislal Andom-Lake & Michael Lake Deborah & David Laliberte Margy & Rich Lamere Rachel Lampert & Rick Goodwin ** Katie Lannan John Lapides Natalie Lapides ’08 ** Margaret & James LaPosta Sheila Lavey Peggy LaVin Hannah & James Leckman Deborah Freedman & Ben Ledbetter Emma Ledbetter ’03 Lucie F. Ledbetter ’08 Amy & Rich Lee Skye Lee Cindy & David Leffell Katie & George Levesque Amy & Jonathan Levin ’87 ** Joshua Levine ’05 Jean & Bruce Lewellyn Naomi Libby David M. Lima, M.D. Wendy Lipp Margah & Tom Lips Fall 2021 | 49

How We Move

Fifth graders return from recess in the community garden on a beautiful spring morning.

Bonnie & Kevin Liston Samantha & Timothy Liston Karen & Bill Longa ** Austin Mixsell & Katharine Lorimer ’97 Lizzie Reinhard & Peter Lorimer ’01 Stephen Randazzo & Laura Lovejoy ’84 Jennifer R. Lucarelli Kathleen Lufler Margaret & Stanley MacDonald ’51 Portia E. & Roderick W. MacDougall Deborah & Patrick Madden Katherine Campbell & Matthew Maleska** Jon Malkiel ’87 Carole & Robert Mangels Nancy & Hugh Manke Elizabeth Manwell Maria Markham & Andrew Putnam Samantha Mashaw ’04 Karla Matheny Michelle & Charles Matouk Kristi & Kevin Mattingly Kelonda Maull Angela Maupin & Graham Boyd Donna Rehm-McCabe & Michael McCabe Nicolas McCabe ’12 Janet McClure ’65 Melissa & Timothy McCormack Gabriel McCray ’20 Michele & Jesse McCray Matthew McDonald 50 | Foote Prints

Duby McDowell ’75 Anna McGaw-Mobarak & Ahmed Mobarak Becky & Brad McGuire Robert McHugh & Annie Disesa McHugh ’68 The McPartland Family Paul Meeks Beth Mello Emily Melnick & Matt McDermott Alexandra & Carlos Mena Benjamin Barnes & Aleagia Mercer-Falkoff ’95 Jayne & Ted Merkel Susan & Andrew Metrick Jennifer Milano & Michael Sessine Karen & Morty Milberg Michael Milburn Jennifer Milikowsky ’02 Nicole Eldredge & Matthew Milikowsky ’95 Lisa & Philip Miller Sandra J. Frawley & Perry L. Miller ’58 York Miller ’64 Tracy Milowitz Susan Mindell Meredith Mira & William Rankin Sherry & Steve Moffitt Eileen & Bill Moncrief Deborah & David Moore Karen Orzack-Moore & Daniel C. Moore Hannah Morris Sarah Morse *Deceased

Bonnie & Toby Moskowitz Christopher Mudry ’19 Duffy & Eric Mudry Vivian Mudry ’18 Melanie Crowley Mullan ’84 Charlotte & Charles Murphy Colleen & Michael Murphy Grayson Murphy ’95 Victoria & Stephen Murphy C Eliza & Minor Myers The Nadzam Family Maria Nagy & Albert Iaroi Tina Newman & Adam Naples Roopashree Narasimhaiah & Harsha Panyadahundi The Nast Family Joan & Michael Nast The Navaratnam–Tomayko Family Susan Neitlich & Matthew Broder Zhiqi Qiu & Andrew Neitzke Walker Holmes & Justin Neuman Marv Neuman Pete Neuman ’80 Joanna Baumer Noble & Lawrence Noble Barbara & Bill Nordhaus Jeffrey S. Nordhaus ’82 Jane Whittlesey North ’45 Lynn & David Novicki Sally Nunnally Caleb Nyhart ’18

**Matching Gift Program Participant

C Centennial Society

Noah Nyhart ’14 Jared K. O’Hare ’15 Judy & Kevin O’Hare Patricia Fiorito Oakes ’60 Sean Oliver Signe & Nick Olivieri Landon Osborn ’04 Inge & Bob Osborne Cassie Pagnam ’01 Christine & John Pakutka Catherine & Christophe Pamelard Deborah Johnson & Joseph Paolillo Julia Paolillo ’07 Julie Paquette & Derek Steinbacher Katja Seim & John Parapatt Julia Parker Bettina Patterson The Patwa Family Miguel Paulino Evelyn Pearson ’16 Hilary Pearson Andrea & Michael Peed Emily Peel Paola Pérez ’10 Raysa Pérez ’16 Laura & Frank Perrine Dr. E. Anthony Petrelli ’53 Elizabeth Petrelli ’96 ** Kathy & Paul Philp Laurel & Keith Pisani Liz & Greg Platts Stefanie Markovits & Benjamin Polak Carol & Wesley H. Poling Jane McCall Politi The Possick Family Carroll & Stanley Possick Elizabeth Prelinger ’68 Andrew Price ’17 Christina & Jason Price Wendy & Dan Price Hannah E. Price ’15 Joyce & David Price Claire Priest ’86 Kathy & George Priest Donna & David Pruett Josie & Richard Queen Denise Quinn Teddy Rabel Tyra & Jeffrey Rabel Kendra Raguckas Ayesha Ramachandran Jennifer & Andrew Rapkin Maryam Rashid & Kaiser Toosy Anli G. Raymond ’15 Cindy Raymond Dorleen & James Reidy Deborah A. Rhoads Thabisa & Charles Rich

Debra Riding Naomi Senzer & Brad Ridky Mark Righter ’80 Sandy & Jim Righter Barbara Riley Marcus Rivera Janet & William Rivers The Roberts Family Sarah Blanton ’93 & Eamon Roche ’80 Cristina Rodriguez & Aaron Dhir Donald O. Ross ’62 Nicholas Rostow ’64 Bernadette Huang & Geert Rouwenhorst Brian Rutledge Eesa Sabooh ’19 Mariah Sage Seymour & Bruce Seymour Robert Sandine C Christin & Ben Sandweiss Dr. & Mrs. Clarence T. Sasaki Robert Saulsbury Veronica Saurett & Pablo Perez Catherine & Robert Sbriglio Maxwell Sbriglio ’12 Allyx Schiavone ’85 Ashley Schnabel The Schneider Family Lily Schneider ’11 Abha Gupta & Stephen Scholand Amy Marx & Robert Schonberger The Mark Schpero Family Drs. Rosemary Balsam & Paul Schwaber Sarah & Jamison Scott Lauren Seltzer & Jared Verrillo Peter Setlow ’57

Charlotte-Louise & Kameron Shahid Hilary Shank-Kuhl ’68 Chloe & Matthew Shaw Susan C. Shaw Amy & Colin Sheehan Mary Sanders & Mark Shifman Seunghee Ko & Jiwoong Shin Brice Shipley Alexandra Shor Will Silva ’66 C Diane & David Sklar Brett Slater Clifford Slayman Leslie Stone & Michael Sloan Kelly Small Meg McDowell Smith ’69 Roger K. Smith ’75 Deanna Smooke & Dr. Mitchell Smooke Sandra & Henry Snow Adam Solomon Laura Davis & David Soper Andrea & Brian Sorrells Joyce G. & James A. Spencer Musa Speranza & Joseph Shin Shipra & Vinod Srihari Eric Stahura Laura & James Stanley Karen & Dennis Stephens Alinor Sterling & Steve Mentz Marcus Stern ’75 Ginger Stevens May ’96 Flo & Roger Stone Jaden Stone ’17 Katherine & Kenneth Stone

How We Move

Third graders climb the “big toy” on the Middle School playground.

Fall 2021 | 51

How We Move

An activity walk painted on the pathway outside the arts building turned walks across campus into a fun challenge.

Diana T. Stovall Barry Stratton ’58 John Stratton ’54 Kelly Streeter Rebecca & Gordon Streeter Betsy Leavy Stroman ’55 Leila Wood Stuhr ’82 Rebekah Sturges & Jack Harris Tom Sturgess ’62 Jeffrey Sudmyer & Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 Chun-yi Sun Edee & Paul Sutton Shannon Sweeney ’00 Andrew Sweet Katharine M. Swibold ’75 Kiran Tahir & Martin Nguyen Suman & Manish Tandon Deborah F. Teason Ania Drejer Teel & Randy Teel Denise & Don Terry Molleen Theodore & Andrew Leonard Ming Thompson & Daniel Mattingly Sharon & Andrew Tievsky Kaki Tinsley & Bo Burris David Totman & Lisa Farrel Totman ’56 Edna Travis & Barney Adams Ann Hunt Tritz ’45 Rusty Tunnard ’63 Cary Twichell ’76 Cristin Siebert & Eduardo Urios-Aparisi Lynne & Ralph Valentine Michael Velez 52 | Foote Prints

Mrs. Josiah G. Venter Alexander W. (Sandy) Vietor ’64 Erika Villa Philip Corso & Taryn Villano ’83 Tracy Vogel & Bob Demarest Lee Vorderer & Bob Bass Catherine Hosley Vouwie ’72 Katharine Adams Walker ’63 Dawn & Scott Walsh Ellen Sherk Walsh ’73 Emily Wang & Daniel Colón-Ramos John Warburg Jake Ward ’89 Kerri Kelshall-Ward & John Ward Annie Wareck ’85 Barbara Wareck John Wareck ’84 Sheila & Lawrence Wartel Anne Watkins & David Berkowitz Carol Wittner & Howard Weiner Marjorie Weinstein-Kowal Erica & Gordon Weiss Royanne & Eugene Weiss Bonnie Welch ’79 Harry Welch ’42 Toby Welch ’73 Thomas Mason & Talbot Welles ’81 Caleb Wertenbaker ’88 Andria & Moshay West Eugenia Lovett West ’36 Rebekah & Alexander Westphal Christine Ko & Peter Whang Mr. & Mrs. Ki Whang *Deceased

Barbara Rockenbach & Daniel Wilderman Susan & George Wildridge ** Eleanor Wilkinson ’97 Marie Wilkinson ’79 Robert F. Wing ’53 C Anita & Robert Withers John Witt Vicki & Andrew Wittenstein The Wittner Family ** Katherine Wolf Jonathan Krant & Katherine Wolfgang ’75 Song Cha Won & Chang Sik Won James Wrenn & Harriet Calhoun Wrenn ’43 Drs. Iris & Barry Wu Loli Wu ’82 ** Louise Wu Mai Wu ’84 Brian Wysolmerski ’07 Caroline Hendel & John Wysolmerski Michael Wysolmerski ’05 ** Zhirong Jiang & Zhiqun Xi Kim Yap & Andrew Lewandowski Iain York Malachai York ’19 Zev York ’15 Sylvia Thayer & Philip Zaeder Kiran Zaman & Sabooh Mubbashar Ning Sun & Hongyu Zhao Peihua Gu & Jiangbing Zhou Li Lin & Jidong Zhou Xiaoli Wang & Ting Zhou Dr. & Mrs. Albert Zimmermann Amanda & Richard Zubek Matching Companies IBM Microsoft Nike Gifts for Special Purposes Jody Abzug & Jim Irzyk Melissa Castleman & Jordan Peccia Wick R. Chambers ’62 Constance Clement ’62 Evan M. Drutman ’79 Jennifer & Alan Friedman Cosma Gregg ’25 William Gregg ’27 Preethi Varghese-Joseph & George Joseph Susan Keegan Elizabeth Manwell Lynn & David Novicki Catherine & Robert Sbriglio Maxwell Sbriglio ’12 Kiran Zaman & Sabooh Mubbashar

**Matching Gift Program Participant

C Centennial Society

giving day donors Anonymous (30) Jody Abzug & Jim Irzyk Rikki Abzug Sheila Abzug Annie & Jim Adams Shirin & Ron Adelman Heba Abbas & Amaar Al-Hayder Ruth Coffey & Sunil Amrith Lara C. Anderson Kyeen & Richard Andersson The Anestis Family Alexander Anestis ’20 Licella & Juan Arboleda Anne & Gordon Armour Mary Asel Herbert James Atherton ’88 Kate Bigwood Atkinson ’70 George Atwood C Stephen & Kayleigh Axon Michelle Baez Lotte & Bernard Bailyn Ann Baker Pepe & Greg Pepe Emily M. Barclay ’61 Chris Egan & Elaine Barse ’81 Nancy & Joel Becker Suzanne Beitel Ximena Benavides & Patrick Dean Carrie & Bill Bergantino Kathleen Fredlund & Benjamin Berkowitz ’94 Seth Greenstein & Annie Berman-Greenstein ’96 Ellen Bernstein Chay & Richard Bershtein Margaret J. Berthold Jay Cha & Jim Bigwood ’68 Peter Bigwood ’73 Kavitha Nair Bindra Kimberly & Phil Birge-Liberman Morley Bland Kim Bohen & Doug James Gail & Abe Boms Stephanie & Elon Boms Rebecca & John Booth Kaitlyn & Tristan Botelho Michelle & Kossouth Bradford ’87 Talya Braverman ’17 Jennifer Jackson Breitling ’91 ** Emily & Dean Brenner Glen Brenner Katherine Brenner ’30 Keri Brenner Linda Brenner & Tony Greenr Zachary Brenner ’25 Jane Brody Alison Moncrief Bromage & Andy Bromage Ginny Bromage

Lori Bruce & Noah Messing Shiv Bunjun Lauriann Burt ’21 Lisa Buxbaum Rachelle & Derek Byron Alison & Adam Cady John Cady ’19 Mary Beth & Andy Calderoni Lena & Carmine Capasso

Amy Caplan ’88 April & Colin Caplan ’94 Francine & Robert Caplan Michael & Lauren Caplan Meg Bluhm Carey ’59 Linda Hamilton Carr ’42 Larysa & Matthew Cassella Marilyn & Victor Cassella Wick R. Chambers ’62

How We Move

Ninth graders descend the Jonathan Milikowsky Science and Technology Building stairs at the start of June’s graduation ceremony.

Fall 2021 | 53

Stephanie Chan & David Huang Annette & Kerwin Charles Joe & Jaimie Charles Haiwei Chen & Xuedan Wang Beverly & Richard Chevalier Tammy & Rupert Chinatamani Christina Ching-McGrath ’06 Mary Beth & Andrew Claflin Constance Clement ’62 Keri & John Climie Edward Coady ’05 Martha Daniels Cohen Aléwa Cooper & Markell Parker Amy Cohn Crawford ’90 Gwendolyn Creaser Frederick “Ted” Crosby ’59 Mr. & Mrs. Douglas J. Crowley JoAnn Hong-Curtis & Jeptha Curtis Judy & Hugh Cuthbertson Jessica Lee & Ferenc Czeyda-Pommersheim Ruth Damon Michael Davis Amanda & Stewart DeCew Sarah DeCew Jordan DeFreitas The DeLaurentis Family Matthew DeLaurentis ’20 John Deming ’66 Engin & Zeynep Deniz ** Ohm Deshpande & Hamita Sachar Mark Bernard & Katherine DeVane ’82 Paula DeVeau & John Tarutis

Paul & Deborah Di Capua Karen Miller Dibblee ’68 Melissa & Rick Dickson Amanda & Ray Diffley Anna Diffley ’13 Pam Dodge Elizabeth Daley Draghi ’77 ** Janice & Alex Dreier Laura Ferry & Justin Driver McKinne Dunn & Todd Schlachter Rachel Ebling & Edward Moran The Eden Family Elizabeth Eden Julia Simon-Kerr & Florian Ederer Brinley Ford Ehlers ’83 Adnane Elarabi & Samia Naaim Christopher Durlacher & Nora Elton ’96 ** Emily & Chris Fasano Amir Esmailpour & Sheiba Feizizadeh John-Paul Fischer Nadia & Andrew Fisher Ashley Fitton ’91 Kathy & Mike Flanagan Barbara & Jeffrey Fletcher Stephen Fontana ’78 Thomas Fontana ’82 Ke Xu & Oscar Fornoles Pamela & Sharon Fortin Francine Freeman J.P. Freeman ’20 Suet Yin Sarah Fung Richard & Lynn Gabbard

How We Move

With interscholastic sports cancelled last year, students had the option to participate in two intramural “mini seasons” in the spring: one offering fall sports such as cross country (pictured) and the other offering spring sports.

54 | Foote Prints

*Deceased

Tim Gabbard ’05 Adelyn I. Garcia ’15 Lilah Garcia ’17 Noelia Garcia ’19 Silvia & Rich Gee Kevin C. Geenty ’57 Colin Gershon ’94 Bryan Gildenberg Afton & Will Gilyard Danielle Ginnetti Susan & William Goggins Mona Gohara & Kiran Makam Rebecca Good & Manuel Rivera Katharine Goodbody Jose Gomez & Shelley Goodstine Justin Goodyear ’88 Avery Grauer ’87 Janie Merkel & Jonathan Grauer ’85 Margaret Clement Green ’61 Alyssa Greenwald & Edward Wittenstein Jennifer Griffiths Lamar Grimes Tim & Susie Campbell Grimes ’75 Kerin Adelson & David Grodberg Anne Brooks Gwaltney ’72 Alix Hahn Natalie & Matthew Hambor Cara & Robert Hames Jennye Hansen Dorothea & Robert Harper-Mangels Debbie Weil & Sam Harrington Kristin Hawkins & Tony Markese Charles & Sandra Hawkins Slava Hazin Juri Henley-Cohn ’93 William Henning ’60 Elise & David Hergan Crystal Herron Harald Hille ’52 Dr. Elizabeth Holt ’79 Stephen Holt ’82 Jayne & David Homer Shyoko Honiden & Aryeh Abeles Angie Hurlbut & Andrew Nyhart Francie Irvine & Andrew McLaren C Edward Irzyk Jeremy Irzyk ’14 Jordana Irzyk ’14 Louise Bluhm Jeanne ’54 Margaret Bozyan Jefferys ’49 Mary Barnett & David Jenkins Robin Jenkins ’82 Carolyn & Jonathan Johnson Dr. & Mrs. Dirk Johnson Robert Johnson Penny & Allan Katz Suzanne Kelley Todd Kelley ’81 **Matching Gift Program Participant

C Centennial Society

Hayley & Bryan Kelly Kimberly & Frank Kenna Michelle & Todd Kennedy Virginia Kerr Christine Khachane & Anil Khachane ’93 Barbara Kinder & Joseph Adams Lynn Leong & Yiming King Gretchen Kingsley Alexandra Daum & Alexander Kleiner ’00 Diana E.E. & Fred S. Kleiner Camille & Jon Koff Deb Kotchen Lissa Sugeng & Michael Krauss Nate Krauss ’17 Abigail Kruger ’20 Charlie & Kate Brooks Laing ’82 Mislal Andom-Lake & Michael Lake Margy & Rich Lamere Rachel Lampert & Rick Goodwin ** Katie Lannan John Lapides Sheila Lavey Peggy LaVin Hannah & James Leckman Skye Lee Alexandra Hokin & Glenn Levin ** Joshua Levine ’05 Jean & Bruce Lewellyn Wendy Lipp Samantha & Timothy Liston Stephen Randazzo & Laura Lovejoy ’84 Kathleen Lufler Portia E. & Roderick W. MacDougall Katherine Campbell & Matthew Maleska ** Carole & Robert Mangels Maria Markham & Andrew Putnam Samantha Mashaw ’04 Michelle & Charles Matouk Kristi & Kevin Mattingly Kelonda Maull Angela Maupin & Graham Boyd Donna Rehm-McCabe & Michael McCabe Nicolas McCabe ’12 Gabriel McCray ’20 Michele & Jesse McCray Matthew McDonald Becky & Brad McGuire The McPartland Family Paul Meeks Jayne & Ted Merkel Jennifer Milano & Michael Sessine Sandra J. Frawley & Perry L. Miller ’58 Tracy Milowitz Susan Mindell Meredith Mira & William Rankin Sherry & Steve Moffitt Eileen & Bill Moncrief Hannah Morris

How We Move

The Lower School playground lost an oak tree last spring but gained a fun new obstacle course.

Bonnie & Toby Moskowitz Christopher Mudry ’19 Duffy & Eric Mudry Vivian Mudry ’18 Colleen & Michael Murphy Victoria & Stephen Murphy C Eliza & Minor Myers The Nadzam Family Maria Nagy & Albert Iaroi Tina Newman & Adam Naples Roopashree Narasimhaiah & Harsha Panyadahundi The Nast Family The Navaratnam-Tomayko Family Walker Holmes & Justin Neuman Caleb Nyhart ’18

Noah Nyhart ’14 Sean Oliver Signe & Nick Olivieri Inge & Bob Osborne Maddali Paci Atallah Cassie Pagnam ’01 Christine & John Pakutka Deborah Johnson & Joseph Paolillo Julia Paolillo ’07 Katja Seim & John Parapatt Miguel Paulino Evelyn Pearson ’16 Michael & Andrea Peed Veronica Saurett & Pablo Perez Paola Pérez ’10 & Raysa Pérez ’16 Kathy & Paul Philp Fall 2021 | 55

Laurel & Keith Pisani Andrew Price ’17 Christina & Jason Price Hannah E. Price ’15 Wendy & Dan Price Claire Priest ’86 Jeffrey & Tyra Rabel Kendra Raguckas Ayesha Ramachandran Jennifer & Andrew Rapkin Maryam Rashid & Kaiser Toosy Anli G. Raymond ’15 Cindy Raymond Deborah A. Rhoads Thabisa & Charles Rich The Roberts Family Anonymous Cristina Rodriguez & Aaron Dhir Donald O. Ross ’62 Bernadette Huang & Geert Rouwenhorst Brian Rutledge Eesa Sabooh ’19 Mariah Sage Seymour & Bruce Seymour Allyx Schiavone ’85 The Schneider Family Lily Schneider ’11 Abha Gupta & Stephen Scholand Sarah & Jamison Scott Lauren & Jared Verrillo Seltzer Charlotte-Louise & Kameron Shahid Chloe & Matthew Shaw Amy & Colin Sheehan Seunghee Ko & Jiwoong Shin Brice Shipley Alexandra Shor Diane & David Sklar Brett Slater Clifford Slayman Leslie Stone & Michael Sloan Kelly Small Roger K. Smith ’75 Adam Solomon Eric Stahura Laura & James Stanley Karen & Dennis Stephens Flo & Roger Stone Barry Stratton ’58 Rebecca & Gordon Streeter Rebekah Sturges & Jack Harris Jeffrey Sudmyer & Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 Chun-yi Sun Edee & Paul Sutton Shannon Sweeney ’00 Kiran Tahir & Martin Nguyen Denise & Don Terry Ming Thompson & Daniel Mattingly Sharon & Andrew Tievsky 56 | Foote Prints

Kaki Tinsley & Bo Burris Lynne & Ralph Valentine Michael Velez Alexander W. (Sandy) Vietor ’64 Erika Villa Philip Corso & Taryn Villano ’83 Lee Vorderer & Bob Bass Dawn & Scott Walsh Jake Ward ’89 Kerri Kelshall-Ward & John Ward Carol Wittner & Howard Weiner Erica & Gordon Weiss Royanne & Eugene Weiss Bonnie Welch ’79 Harry Welch ’42 Toby Welch ’73 Andria & Moshay West Rebekah & Alexander Westphal Christine Ko & Peter Whang Barbara Rockenbach & Daniel Wilderman Eleanor Wilkinson ’97 Marie Wilkinson ’79 Katherine Wolf Song Cha Won & Chang Sik Won James Wrenn & Harriet Calhoun Wrenn ’43 Drs. Iris & Barry Wu Iain York Malachai York ’19 Zev York ’15 Li Lin & Jidong Zhou Xiaoli Wang & Ting Zhou Jennifer & Bernard Zielinski Jennifer Zielinski & Bernard Zielinski Amanda & Richard Zubek

8th gr ade farewell gif ts Sakena Abedin Kimberly & Phil Birge-Liberman Michelle & Kossouth Bradford ’87 Larysa & Matthew Cassella Xiaoling Yuan & William Chaine Christine Won & Hyung Chun Sarah Cussler & Jeffrey Brock Janice & Alex Dreier Emily & Chris Fasano The Freeman Family Maria Lara-Tejero & Jorge Galan Nicole Musayeva & Khanlar Gasimov Elise & David Hergan Caitlin Simon & Gregory Huber Jessica & John Illuzzi Carolyn & Jonathan Johnson Preethi Varghese-Joseph & George Joseph Ola Kadhim & Ali Al Tameemi The McPartland Family Emily Melnick & Matt McDermott Jennifer Milano & Michael Sessine Bonnie & Toby Moskowitz Melinda Papowitz & Gary Markowski Laurel & Keith Pisani The Roberts Family Amy Marx & Robert Schonberger Leslie Stone & Michael Sloan Shipra & Vinod Srihari Cristin Siebert & Eduardo Urios-Aparisi Christine Ko & Peter Whang

How We Move

The freedom to move about outdoors throughout the school day has been shown to increase concentration and academic performance. *Deceased

**Matching Gift Program Participant

C Centennial Society

9th gr ade farewell gif ts Amaar Al-Hayder & Heba Abbas Zareena Grewal & Hamada Altalib Ximena Benavides & Patrick Dean Chay & Richard Bershtein Amy Caplan ’88 The Carroll Family Sarah & Hugh Corley Amanda & Ray Diffley Wes Eder Elizabeth & Niall Ferguson Xiaoli Gao Mona Gohara & Kiran Makam Tina Hansen & Adam Hopfner Sumiya Khan Meghan & George Knight Deborah & David Laliberte Katie & George Levesque Catherine & Christophe Pamelard Kelly Streeter Ania Drejer Teel & Randy Teel

honor ary gif ts In Honor of Jody Abzug Mary Asel Kim Bohen & Doug James Jane Brody Jordana Irzyk ’14 Susan Mindell Katherine Wolf In Honor of Jody Abzug, Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 & Mary Beth Claflin Amy Caplan ’88 In Honor of Herbert Atherton Herbert James Atherton ’88 In Honor of Amy Caplan ’88 Jody Abzug Kavitha Nair Bindra In Honor of Amy Caplan ’88 & Colin Caplan ’94 Francine & Robert Caplan In Honor of Mary Beth Claflin Jody Abzug In Honor of Aléwa Cooper Erica Corbin Camille & Jon Koff Denise & Don Terry In Honor of the Deming Family Nicholas Rostow ’64

How We Move

Fourth graders jump rope outside their classroom on an early spring day.

In Honor of Foote School Faculty & Staff Sheiba Feizizadeh & Amir Esmailpour Shyoko Honiden & Aryeh Abeles Kelonda Maull Malachai York ’19

In Honor of Anne LaVin ’78 & Jen LaVin ’81 Peggy LaVin

In Honor of Sarah Gamzon Alison Moncrief Bromage & Andy Bromage

In Honor of Cathy Pamelard David Totman & Lisa Farrel Totman ’56

In Honor of Ângela Giannella Claire Priest ’86 David Totman & Lisa Farrel Totman ’56

In Honor of Tracey Ruotolo Alison Moncrief Bromage & Andy Bromage

In Honor of Andres Emil Gonzalez ’11 Priscilla Meléndez & Aníbal González In Honor of Susie Grimes ’75 Alison Moncrief Bromage & Andy Bromage Melissa & Timothy McCormack David Totman & Lisa Farrel Totman ’56 In Honor of Jeremy Irzyk ’14 & Jordana Irzyk ’14 Rikki Abzug Sheila Abzug In Honor of Watson Ivancic Chun-yi Sun In Honor of Susan Keegan Shirin & Ron Adelman Lamar Grimes In Honor of John Kleeman ’60 William Henning ’60

In Honor of Michael Milburn Meghan & George Knight

In Honor of Donna Santomasso Shirin & Ron Adelman In Honor of Julian Schlusberg Omid Azodi ’16 Ian Biggs ’01 Alison Moncrief Bromage & Andy Bromage Mary Beth & Andy Calderoni Dody & Jay Cox Kenneth Festa Tristen Giovanelli Carl Hooks ’10 Priscilla Jencks Meghan & George Knight Camille & Jon Koff Margy & Rich Lamere Hannah & James Leckman Emma Ledbetter ’03 Charlotte & Charles Murphy The Nadzam Family Carol & Wesley H. Poling Anli G. Raymond ’15 Eesa Sabooh ’19 David Totman & Lisa Farrel Totman ’56 Fall 2021 | 57

In Memory of Hunt Deming ’64 John Deming ’66

How We Move

In Memory of Milton DeVane Mark Bernard & Katherine DeVane ’82 In Memory of John Hare ’72 Greta S. Nettleton ’72 In Memory of Eugenia Hotchkiss ’35 David Griswold Eugenia Lovett West ’36 In Memory of the Grandparents of Jeremy Iryzk ’14 & Jordana Irzyk ’14 Jody Abzug & Jim Irzyk In Memory of Dr. Albert D. Jenkins Jr. Robin Jenkins ’82 Members of the Environmental Action Group comb the beach at Long Wharf for trash during a beach clean-up.

In Honor of Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 Jody Abzug Ellen Bernstein In Honor of Jaden Stone ’17 The Stone Family In Honor of Lily Sutton & Ryan Hagen Edee & Paul Sutton In Honor of Erin Sweeney ’02 Kathy Johnson In Honor of Virginia Wilkinson Marie Wilkinson ’79 In Honor of Rob Withers Alison Moncrief Bromage & Andy Bromage In Honor of Alexander Wittner Carol Wittner & Howard Weiner In Honor of Nancy Worms Julia Paolillo ’07 In Honor of Louise Wu Drs. Iris & Barry Wu

In Memory of Edward Kubler ’56 Eleanor Wilkinson ’97

memorial gif ts In Memory of Jeremy Berkowitz Kathleen Fredlund & Benjamin Berkowitz ’94 In Memory of George & Clariss Bers Edee & Paul Sutton In Memory of Guy & Jill Bigwood Kate Bigwood Atkinson ’70 Peter Bigwood ’73 In Memory of Martha Brochin Susan Canny ’96

In Memory of Hannah Lee ’08 The Schneider Family Lily Schneider ’11 In Memory of Mary Mendenhall ’57 Rives Fowlkes Carroll ’57 In Memory of Dr. V. Navaratnam The Navaratnam-Tomayko Family In Memory of Owen Osborne ’98 Inge & Bob Osborne

In Memory of the Bozyan Family Margaret Bozyan Jefferys ’49 In Memory of Margaret Brooks Seeley & Preston Brooks ’79 Stephen Holt ’82 Charlie Laing & Kate Brooks Laing ’82 In Memory of Betsy Buchmiller Lynn & David Novicki In Memory of Norine Mel Cartoceti Peggy McCarthy Berman & Barry Berman In Memory of Mrs. Corbier Frederick “Ted” Crosby ’59

In Memory of Joseph Saccio Catherine Cox Linda Feinstein Renee Fendrich Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Feinberg Sylvia & Howard Garland Richard Lewis Damijan Saccio ’85 Francine Saccio Susan Saccio Carol & Sanford Schreiber Judith & Arthur Topilow Barbara Tran & Robert Gazzale In Memory of Milos Saccio ’83 Damijan Saccio ’85

In Memory of Anna Deming ’35 John Deming ’66

58 | Foote Prints

In Memory of Calla Pearl Kaphar Julianne & Titus Kaphar

In Memory of Steve Salsbury Robert Saulsbury *Deceased

**Matching Gift Program Participant

C Centennial Society

In Memory of Phyllis Brown Sandine Deborah Bovilsky In Memory of Evan Schechner ’15 Zev York ’15 In Memory of Eriberto Scocimara Nadia & Andrew Fisher In Memory of Marion Spiro Gretchen Kingsley In Memory of Jim Sturgeon Anonymous In Memory of Donald Tomayko The Navaratnam-Tomayko Family In Memory of Betsy Welch Gary Peck & Bonnie Welch ’79 Harry Welch ’42 In Memory of Diana Yilas Lee Gaillard ’52

centennial societ y

gif ts to endowed funds

The Centennial Society recognizes the generosity of those who have chosen to remember The Foote School in their wills or through a charitable trust, gift annuity or life insurance plan.

Ann Baker Pepe Endowed Fund for Financial Aid Jay Angeletti Donna & Bill Batsford

Anonymous (2) George Atwood Carole Broadus Caren & Tom Carpenter Suzanne Jackson Cartier ’52 Mary Beth & Robert Congdon Carol Gordon ’53 Betsy & Len Grauer John T.R. Holder ’76 Francie Irvine & Andrew McLaren Sharon Lynn Kagan Sandy & Curly Lieber Melissa Matthes & Daniel Theriault Victoria & Stephen Murphy Robert Sandine Will Silva ’66 Robert F. Wing ’53

In Memory of Margarete Zuccon Suzanne Kelley

Benevento Family Scholarship Fund John E. Benevento Betsy Welch Scholarship Fund Gary Peck & Bonnie Welch ’79 Harry Welch ’42 Centennial Endowment Anonymous (1) Suzanne & Jason Alderman Tony Astmann ’73 Joanne & Paul Bailey Karena Bullock Bailey & Peter Bailey ’91 Chay & Richard Bershtein Kavitha Nair Bindra Stephanie & Elon Boms Anne Marie Boustani & Marcus Conti Eileen & Andy Eder Jennifer & Alan Friedman Anna & Bryan Garsten

How We Move

The Middle School playground is a hive of motion and energy as viewed from above.

Fall 2021 | 59

How We Move

Student athletes play intramural tennis at Albertus Magnus College’s courts.

Dr. Amira Gohara Alexandra Hokin & Glenn Levin** Bernadette Huang & Geert Rouwenhorst Avlin & Suguru Imaeda Meghan & George Knight Lissa Sugeng & Michael Krauss Cindy & David Leffell Burton G. Malkiel Lillian Garcia & Bruce Mandell Roslyn & Jerome Meyer Jennifer Milikowsky ’02 Bonnie & Toby Moskowitz Victoria & Stephen Murphy C Jennie Bailey Nally ’88 Emily & Ryan Oakes Anne Sa’adah ’69 Alexandra Shor Kiran Zaman & Sabooh Mubbashar Rosamund Zander & Hansjoerg Wyss

Danielle Flagg ’81 Andrea Gurwitt ’81 Hilary Fayen Higgins ’81 Todd Kelley ’81 T. Jay Kleeman, M.D. ’81 Peggy LaVin Michael Prichard ’81 Lisa Sandine Schuba ’83 Katherine Scully ’81 Thomas Mason & Talbot Welles ’81

Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund Greta S. Nettleton ’72

Hannah Lee ’11 Memorial Fund Jennifer & Alan Friedman Amy & Rich Lee Amy Sherman & John McCarthy Margie & Alan Starensier

Class of 1975 Scholarship Fund Anonymous (1) Class of 1981 Scholarship Fund Anonymous (1) David Bloom ’81 Patrick Clendenen ’81 Chris Egan & Elaine Barse ’81

60 | Foote Prints

Fair-Oster Family Scholarship Fund Stephen Fair ’97 Falco School Spirit Fund Catherine & Robert Sbriglio Gene J. Takahashi Scholarship Fund Wendy Sharp & Dean Takahashi **

Jay Cox Endowment for PPRRSM Anne & Gordon Armour Mary Beth & Andy Calderoni Jean G. Lamont Scholarship Fund Rita A. McDougald-Campbell Jean Shepler Miller Endowed Fund Patrick Clendenen ’81 Lisa Sandine ’83 Margaret J. Smith ’77 Jonathan Milikowsky ’98 Scholarship Fund Janet Madigan, M.D. Jennifer Milikowsky ’02 Sharon & Daniel Milikowsky David Newton André Warner ’98 ** Levin Endowed Fund for Library Materials Rebecca Levin ’00 Mary P. Murphy ’92

Jay Cox Endowment for Financial Aid Anne & Gordon Armour Catherine & Robert Sbriglio

*Deceased

Marshall & Margaret Wilmer Bartlett ’58 Family Foundation Endowed Technology Fund Margaret Wilmer Bartlett ’58

**Matching Gift Program Participant

C Centennial Society

Martha Brochin Endowed Fund Susan Canny ’96 Penny Snow Milos Saccio ’83 Fund Ann Claesgens Catherine Cox Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Feinberg Linda Feinstein Renee Fendrich Sylvia & Howard Garland Barbara Tran & Robert Gazzale Richard Lewis Damijan Saccio ’85 Francine Saccio Susan Saccio Carol & Sanford Schreiber Penny Snow Judith & Arthur Topilow Orten L. Pengue Jr. Scholarship Fund Omid Azodi ’16 Peggy McCarthy Berman & Barry Berman Ian Biggs ’01 Mary Beth & Andy Calderoni Dody & Jay Cox Kenneth Festa Carl Hooks ’10 Camille & Jon Koff Jean & Nick Lamont Hannah & James Leckman Emma Ledbetter ’03 Nancy & Hugh Manke Charlotte & Charles Murphy Carol & Wesley H. Poling The Rinaldi Family Catherine & Robert Sbriglio Maxwell Sbriglio ’12 Julian Schlusberg David Totman & Lisa Farrel Totman ’56

horizons at foote 2021 Anonymous (10) Margaret Abbott Jody Abzug & Jim Irzyk Rikki Abzug Laura & Victor Altshul Priscilla & Jeremy Anderson Marie & Warren Andiman Nick Appleby & Bethany Schowalter Appleby ’82 Anne & Gordon Armour Joanne & Paul Bailey Ann Baker Pepe & Greg Pepe Donna & Bill Batsford Richard & Alice Baxter The Reverend & Mrs. Richard E. Beattie Megan & Warren Belt Daniel Biemesderfer Willa Biewald Julia & Sidney Bogardus Grady Bohen ’16 Kim Bohen & Doug James Michelle & Kossouth Bradford ’87 Judith Brennan Emily & Dean Brenner Grace & Jay Bright Alison Moncrief Bromage & Andy Bromage Mr. & Mrs Benjamin Bronstein Daniel Bronstein Titsa Bronstein Lynn Brotman Suzanne Bunzel

Jeannette Q. Byers ’65 Rachelle & Derek Byron Jesse Cala Penny & Chris Canny Amy Caplan ’88 John Carpenter & Deborah Fong Carpenter ’82 Mary Cullen & Anthony Carroll Mary Ann Bickford Casey ’52 Sean Casey Marilyn & David Cataldo Harriet Cellini Patricia S. Chamberlain Henry Chauncey Judith Chevalier & Steven Podos Alexandria Chu Mary Beth & Andrew Claflin Annie Clark Constance Clement ’62 Roxanne & Kevin Coady Leslie Virostek & John Cobb Aléwa Cooper & Markell Parker Alix & Joshua Copel Linda Corradi Dale Coudert Alice Cox ’06 Lucy & Peter Cox Dody & Jay Cox Mr. & Mrs. Douglas J. Crowley ’56 Tina & John Cunningham Laurie Curtin Judy & Hugh Cuthbertson Deb Dale

How We Move

Phyllis Brown Sandine Memorial Scholarship Fund Deborah Bovilsky Patrick Clendenen ’81 Anne Sa’adah ’69 Lisa Sandine Schuba ’83 Polly Fiddler Art Fund John Sasaki ’87 Catherine & Robert Sbriglio Maxwell Sbriglio ’12

Interscholastic sports were cancelled last spring, but Foote and Hopkins managed to meet for a single day of games.

Fall 2021 | 61

Lygia Davenport Jennifer Davies Darwin Davis Joyee Deb Annie Delgado Lisa DeLima & Bobby Alter Jane & Bill Dennett Victoria DiSesa ’66 John Doherty Patricia Doukas Audrey Downey Julia Simon-Kerr & Florian Ederer Susan Ehrenkranz Tom Eisen & Elizabeth Jonas Ilona Emmerth Kathleen & Thomas Ennen Caty James Everett ’91 Marcy Stovall & Jim Farnam ’65 Deena Ferrara Polly & Andy Fiddler Edie & Steve Flagg Susan Forster & Bill Riley Ellen Cohen & Steven Fraade Bob Frank Raffaella Zanuttini & Bob Frank David Brotman & Caroline Friedman ’07 Jennifer & Alan Friedman Juliet Friedman ’14 Deborah & William Friedman Casye Gabbard ’95 Cori Gabbard Lynn & Richard Gabbard Tim Gabbard ’05 Anna & Bryan Garsten

How We Move

Lower School students practice counting in Mandarin by playing hopscotch.

62 | Foote Prints

How We Move

A Kindergartner navigates across the rope bridge on the Lower School playground.

Jayne Geiger Jessica & David Gillespie Mona Gohara & Kiran Makam Rebecca Good & Manuel Rivera Sally Gottesman Maria & Charles Granquist William Graustein Carol Grave Tim & Susie Campbell Grimes ’75 Joann Guay Noreen & Peter Haffner Bruce Meyers & Ken Harvey Saylor Heidmann Tracy Heilman Sally Hill Harald Hille ’52 Ruth Hoberman Beverly Hodgson & John Leventhal Wendy & Richard Hokin Caitlin Simon & Gregory Huber Thomas Igoe Francie Irvine & Andrew McLaren C Jeremy Irzyk ’14 Robin Jenkins ’82 Katie Jewett Raph Johnson Nina Scherago & George Jones Nancy & Joseph Juliano Matthew Kansler Helen Kauder & Barry Nalebuff Maureen Kelleher Hillary Kennedy Barbara Kinder & Joseph Adams *Deceased

Lilian King Arthur Klausner Rachel Kline Brown Deborah & David Laliberte Annie & Ned Lamont Jean & Nick Lamont Patricia Langdon Harrison Lapides ’12 Hannah & James Leckman Kendall Cox LeClerc ’98 Deborah Freedman & Ben Ledbetter Amy & Rich Lee Molly LeVan Elena Levin ’14 Alexandra Hokin & Glenn Levin Naomi Libby Sylvia & Martin Lipnick Yollanda London Lisa & Ted Lovejoy Laura Pappano & Thomas Lynch Paige MacLean James & Kaye Maggart Lillian Garcia & Bruce Mandell Isabella Mandell ’18 Nancy & Hugh Manke Cynthia Mann Margaret & Marc Mann Wendy Marans Lynn Street & Donald Margulies Anne Martin & John Pescatore Kelonda Maull Jamie McCauley The McCurdy Family **Matching Gift Program Participant

C Centennial Society

Beth Mello Susan & Andrew Metrick Roslyn & Jerome Meyer Sharon & Daniel Milikowsky Gail Mirza Sally & Henry Mixsell Robert Monks Aroop Mukharji Victoria & Stephen Murphy C Susan Myers Manu G. Nathan ’97 Inge & Bob Osborne Sydney R. Osborne ’15 William Osborne Sharon Oster & Ray Fair Maddali Paci Atallah Arati Pandit The Patwa Family Rebecca Paugh Libby & Trevor Peard Hilary & Erik Pearson Laura & Frank Perrine Richard L. Petrelli ’57 Jeffrey Plaut Carol & Wesley H. Poling Mindy & David Pritchard Kevin Reish Joan & Barry Richter The Rinaldi Family Sarah Blanton ’93 & Eamon Roche ’80 Jim Rogers Barak Rosenbloom Bernadette Huang & Geert Rouwenhorst Robert Sandine C Eliza Sayward ’97 Debra & Ted Schaffer Jodi & Marc Schneider Drs. Rosemary Balsam & Paul Schwaber Amy & Colin Sheehan Kristine & Paul Sheiffele D. Ellen Shuman & Douglas Rae Diane & David Sklar Helen Slater Stephanie Smith Adam Solomon Laura Davis & David Soper Barbara & Leonard Stern Ginger Stevens May ’96 Tracy Stone & Michael McGarry The Styron Family Jeffrey Sudmyer & Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 Amber & Timothy Swensen ’09 Adi Taylor Deborah F. Teason Lisa Tenerowicz Elias Theodore ’20 Molleen Theodore & Andrew Leonard

Sarah Thomson Jennifer Torres David Totman & Lisa Farrel Totman ’56 Lynne & Ralph Valentine Paul A. Virostek & Family Dinny & Charles Wakerley Dawn & Scott Walsh Kerri Kelshall-Ward & John Ward Barbara Wareck Dawn Bradford-Watt & Robert Watt Armistead Webster Carole Weisberg Sandy & Dick Whelan Leslie & Jonathan White Susan & Jeffrey White S.O. White Betty & Jim Whitney Rona & Michael Wilker Virginia & John Wilkinson Stephen Wizner Annie Woodhull & Gordon Thorne Caroline Hendel & John Wysolmerski Kiran Zaman & Sabooh Mubbashar Pat & John Zandy

In Honor of Kim Bohen Sara Gottesman

In Honor of Laura Altshul Morel & Jeffrey Alexander Annie Clark Ruth Hoberman Beverly Hodgson & John Leventhal Margaret & Marc Mann Kiran Zaman & Sabooh Mubbashar

In Memory of Robert Nangle Karen Nangle

In Honor of Wick Chambers ’62 Constance Clement ’62 In Honor of Dody & Jay Cox John Doherty Cindy & Joe Goldberg In Honor of Ali Hokin & Serena Levin ’17 Leslie & Jonathan White In Honor of Francie Irvine Bruce Meyers & Ken Harvey In Honor of Kelonda Maull & Laura Altshul Jody Abzug & Jim Irzyk In Honor of Susan Shaw Jean & David Clark In Memory of Melissa Gabbard Nancy & Joseph Juliano

In Memory of Carol Virostek Paul A. Virostek & Family

How We Move

Third graders sled through the Sacred Woods during a snowy recess.

Fall 2021 | 63

Endowed Funds

endowment for curriculum enrichment

endowment for facult y professional development

In the early 1980s, the Board’s Finance Committee recommended the purchase of zero coupon bonds as a strategy to create the school’s endowment. It was an important decision for the school: When the last of the zero coupon bonds matured in 2003, the initial investment of $310,000 had returned $1.6 million. Over the years Foote’s endowment has continued to grow, and it now stands at $24 million.

A distribution is made annually from interest earned on invested funds.

Friends of Foote Theater Endowment— established in 2002 by David and Deborah Moore to fund costs associated with the outstanding drama program.

Joya Marks Endowment for Professional Development—created in 2001, and in 2007 named in honor of Joya Marks, Lower School Head (1993–2007), to provide support for professional development opportunities to enrich the lives and work of Foote School teachers.

unrestricted endowment Bershtein Family Endowed Fund— established in 2016, and named in 2020, as part of Secure Foote Future: the Centennial Campaign by Foote parents Chay and Richard Bershtein in honor of their five children.

Bob and Mary Beth Congdon Centennial Endowment Fund—established in 2017 in honor of Foote’s Centennial. Proceeds are used at the discretion of the school’s Board of Directors.

Class of 1968 50th Reunion Endowed Fund—established in 2018 by the Class of 1968 in honor of their 50th reunion.

Proceeds are used at the discretion of the school’s Board of Directors to support the school’s mission.

S. Prescott Bush Clement Endowed Fund— established in 2007 in honor of S. Prescott Bush Clement ’35. Proceeds are used at the discretion of the school’s Board of Directors.

endowment for campus & facilities Jay Cox Endowment for PPRRSM— established in 2017 to recognize Jay Cox’s dedication to maintaining and developing The Foote School campus and facilities during his three decades as Business Manager.

Jean Shepler Miller Music Fund— established in 2009 by alumni who studied music with Mrs. Shepler during her long career at Foote (1953–1991), to provide support for the school’s Music Department.

Jonathan Milikowsky Memorial Technology Fund—created by classmates, family and friends in memory of Jonathan Milikowsky ’98 to provide annual support to the Technology Department, particularly for new technology and innovative uses of technology.

Kindergarten and Mixed Age Group Programs Fund—established by the parents of Foote students Aya and Hadi Abu-Alfa in 2010 to support and enrich the Kindergarten and Mixed Age Group programs.

Levin Fund—established by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Levin to fund the purchase of books and materials to enrich and extend the collection of the Frank M. Perrine Library.

Library Endowment—gifts to endowment for support of the Frank M. Perrine Library.

Margaret Brooks Endowed Fund—established in 2010 in memory of Madame Brooks, French teacher at Foote and parent of Preston ’79, Kate ’82 and Nat ’87, to support the school’s Modern Language Department.

Marian W. Spiro Fund for Science Enrichment —established in honor of Marian Spiro, science teacher at Foote (1970–1989), to enrich and enhance the school’s science programs.

Marshall Bartlett and Margaret Wilmer Bartlett ’58 Family Foundation Endowed Technology Fund—established in 2017 with gifts to provide ongoing annual support for technology needs.

Martha Brochin Endowed Fund for Library Books—established in 2004 in memory of Martha Brochin, a Foote School parent and much-loved pediatrician.

Polly Fiddler Art Fund—established by parents and former students in recognition of Polly Fiddler’s outstanding work as an art teacher at Foote for more than three decades (1978–2009), to support the school’s studio art program.

64 | Foote Prints

Violet Talbot Endowed Fund—established by parents and faculty in honor of Kindergarten teacher Violet Talbot at the time of her retirement in 2001 to provide support for teacher training and for financial aid for children of color.

endowment for financial aid Anne Schroeder Vroman Scholarship Fund —created in 2006 by Barent Vroman in memory of his wife, a member of the class of 1946.

Benevento Family Scholarship—established in 1987 by the Benevento Family.

Stephen Binder ’78 Scholarship Fund— established in 2017 with a specific focus on support for students from the city of New Haven.

Bohen-James Endowed Fund for Financial Aid—established by Foote parents Kim Bohen and Doug James, who served on the Foote Board for a decade.

Carol Maoz Endowed Fund for Financial Aid—established in 2020 in honor of Carol’s Maoz’s long commitment to increasing financial aid and diversity at Foote School over her 11-year tenure as Head of School.

Carolyn Foundation Endowment— established by generous gifts from The Carolyn Foundation in 1989 and 1998, this fund has grown to over a quarter-million dollars, providing significant annual funding for financial aid for children of color from New Haven.

Celentano Scholarship Fund—created to recognize the many contributions of Freddie Celentano, who worked at Foote as a member of the maintenance staff (1963–1977).

Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund— established in 2015 in memory of John Hare ’72 (1958–2015).

Class of 1975 Scholarship Fund— established in 2016 by members of the Class of 1975 to mark Foote’s centennial year.

Fair-Oster Family Scholarship Fund— established in 2018 by Foote parents Ray Fair and Sharon Oster and their three children— Stephen Fair ’97, Emily Oster ’95 and John Oster ’00—in gratitude for their rewarding and meaningful experiences at the school.

Frank M. Perrine Scholarship Fund— established in 1991 in recognition of Frank Perrine’s many contributions to Foote as Headmaster (1967–1992).

Frederick L. Holborn Scholarship Fund— established in 2018 by Hanna Holborn Gray ’43 in memory of her brother, Frederick L. Holborn ’41, a professor of American foreign policy.

Gene J. Takahashi Scholarship Fund— created in 2010 by Dean Takahashi and Wendy Sharp, Kerry Takahashi ’07 and Kai Takahashi ’09 in honor of Dean’s father.

Hannah Lee Memorial Endowed Fund— established in memory of Hannah Lee ’08 (1993–2004), this fund provides annual support for the school’s financial aid program.

Janis Cooley-Jacobs Scholarship Fund— established in 1999 after the death of Foote parent and pediatrician Janis Cooley-Jacobs.

Jay Cox Endowment for Financial Aid— established in 2017 in recognition of Jay Cox’s 35-year service to The Foote School as Business Manager and teacher and his dedication and leadership in building a strong financial aid program.

Jean and Edward Kirby Endowed Fund— established in 2013 by their son, John T. Kirby ’69, in recognition of their love of the school and the central role it played for three generations of the Kirby family.

Jean G. Lamont Endowed Scholarship Fund —established in 2004 in recognition of Jean Lamont’s commitment to diversity and a strong financial aid program during her tenure as Head of School (1992–2004).

Jonathan Milikowsky Scholarship Fund— established in 2007 in memory of Jonathan Milikowsky ’98 by his parents, Sharon and Daniel Milikowsky, brother Matthew ’95 and sister Jennifer ’02, the fund provides financial aid for a student in grades 6–9 who demonstrates intellectual curiosity, cheerful engagement with classmates and teachers, kindness, optimism and appreciation and respect for others.

LaViola Family Scholarship Fund— established by Philomena and John LaViola in honor of their grandchildren, Alexandra LaViola ’06 and John LaViola ’09.

Mandell Family Summer Sabbatical Program—established in 2017 in honor of Madison ’15 and Isabella ’18 to support summer sabbaticals for Foote’s outstanding teachers.

Margaret Hitchcock Fund—established in memory of Margaret Ballou Hitchcock, Foote English teacher and head of the Upper School (1931–1957).

Martha Babcock Foote Fund—established in memory of the founder and first Headmistress (1916–1935).

endowment for learning support Milos Saccio Fund—established in memory of Milos Saccio ’83 (1967–1979), who was a 6th grader at Foote at the time of his death, to provide annual learning support with the intention of helping children reach their full potential.

restric ted funds The school also appreciates and relies upon the support provided by Restricted Funds. These funds are not endowed—the principal is spent as needed over the years.

Orten L. Pengue Jr. Scholarship Fund— created in 2008 by parents and students in honor of Ort Pengue’s many contributions to Foote’s theater program.

Classical Book Fund—established in 1996 to honor Latin teacher Carol Ross and used annually to provide library and classroom resources to enrich the study of classical Greece and Rome.

Pasi-Sachdev Family Fund—created in 2005 by the Pasi-Sachdev family to reflect their deep appreciation of the Foote School community.

Falco School Spirit Fund—established in 2009 to fund campus activities and build a sense of community.

Ann Baker Pepe Endowed Fund for Financial Aid—established in 2018 to honor Ann Baker Pepe’s dedication to the Foote School community over 20 years as Director of Development and Alumni Programs and her steadfast commitment to increasing diversity and strengthening the school’s financial aid program.

Friends of Foote Theater Fund—established in 2002, to provide support for expanded opportunities in educational theater made possible by the construction of the Robert D. Sandine black box theater.

Phyllis Brown Sandine Memorial Scholarship Fund—established in 2002 by ISIS (InnerCity Scholarships for Independent Schools) in honor of Mrs. Sandine, a Foote parent and longtime friend of the school and an advocate for early childhood education. The fund provides financial aid specifically for New Haven children enrolled at Foote.

Fund for Community Outreach— established in 2012 to provide funding for meaningful community outreach programs offered at Foote in support of the greater New Haven community.

How We Move

Simone Brown Fund—established in memory of Simone Brown, Class of 1981, following her death in 1983.

The Betsy Welch Endowed Scholarship Fund—established in 2015 to honor Betsy Welch’s commitment as Director of Admissions (1976–1993) to enrolling students from a broad range of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Timothy and Mary P. Doukas Fund— established in 1997 by Mr. and Mrs. John Zandy in memory of Mrs. Zandy’s parents.

Vlock Family Endowed Fund—established in 2018 by alum Ted Vlock ’13 in honor of his family.

Field Day resumed last spring after a year off for the pandemic. Students participated in new games and old favorites such as the shuttle baton relay.

Fall 2021 | 65

Around Campus

66 | Foote Prints

A DAP TATI O N After a full year without sports, Foote returned to the field—and the court—last spring. Playing other schools remained off the table. But as the pandemic loosened its grip on Connecticut, Foote’s athletics department figured out a way for students to get their game on: two mini-seasons of outdoor intramural sports. Students had a choice of fall sports (soccer, field hockey and cross country) and spring sports (softball, baseball, tennis and lacrosse.) A new option was outdoor basketball, coached by Foote alumnus Victor Joshua ’09 on the pavement near the community garden.

Fall 2021 | 67

Alumni

Virtual Reunion 2.0

once again virtual, Alumni Weekend 2021 was a reminder of all that we have to celebrate and of the depth of our connection. One upside to a Zoom event is the ability for far-flung classmates and former faculty to participate. We were joined by alumni spanning class years 1951 to 2021, as well as many beloved former faculty members. The weekend provided an opportunity for our new Head of School, Aléwa Cooper, to meet alumni and learn what makes the extended Foote community so special.

ALTH O U GH W E W E R E

On Friday evening, May 7, we convened for a virtual happy hour. Alumni Council co-chair Jen LaVin ’81 welcomed all in attendance before we entered breakout rooms organized by decade for more intimate conversations and reminiscences. Elizabeth Daley Draghi ’77, co-chair of the Alumni Council, kicked off the virtual assembly on Saturday morning, May 8, at which alumni gathered to celebrate this year’s award recipients (see sidebar).

Elizabeth made note of the Class of 1981’s 40th reunion 68 | Foote Prints

and the very special endowed fund their class began in commemoration of the occasion. The Francie Irvine and Mr. O Class of 1981 Scholarship Fund was established this year to honor the class’s very exceptional 9th-grade teachers and to support financial aid at Foote.

Aléwa shared an in-depth report on her first year at Foote’s helm and reported on the school’s efforts to manage both in-person and remote learning during various stages of the pandemic. Foote alumni were happy to learn that the essence of Foote’s mission of joyful teaching and learning remained central throughout the year as the school’s leadership continuously adapted to the changing circumstances of Covid-19. Outdoor classrooms, weekly testing, limited class quarantines, reimagined spring sports, and several other innovative solutions were highlighted.

In closing, Aléwa shared an upbeat slideshow featuring snapshots of Foote students engaged in learning activities across campus over the past year.

One upside of a Zoom reunion is the ability for far-flung classmates to participate.

Following the assembly, an open meeting of the school’s alumni council was held. The meeting was well-attended and featured a discussion with two 9th-grade students, Julien Gangloff and Audrey Pamelard.

Alumni Weekend was especially moving this year, evidenced by the many happy and bittersweet tears shed.

The weekend showcased the beauty and resilience of

the Foote community, which is built upon the strong foundation of enduring relationships and a shared commitment to the mission of our school.

You can view the assembly, including the Head of School’s reflections and the presentation and acceptance of the three awards, at www.footeschool.org/alumni/reunions.

Alumni Achievement Award THI S YE AR ’ S Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Constance “Cecie” Clement ’62 by her

cousin and classmate, Wick “Red” Chambers ’62. Cecie’s distinguished career at the Yale Center for British Art spanned four decades and saw Cecie serving as the deputy and interim director of the center as well as developing a conservation plan to preserve the Louis Kahn-designed building.

Additionally, Cecie completed an 8-year tenure on Foote’s Board of Directors, where she held numerous roles, including vice president and chair of the Governance & Nominations Committee.

Cecie spoke of how grateful she is for her Foote education, especially the supportive environment and her exposure to the arts, noting that at an early age the school “instilled the values of kindness, fairness and gratitude, as well as the importance of teamwork, listening and curiosity.”

Foote Community Award AF TE R A HE AR TFE LT introduction by his grandson, Kyle Gelzinis ’14, Julian Schlusberg accepted

The Foote School Community Award. Julian taught all 10 grades (K–9) during his Foote career, allowing him to work with every student in the school. In addition, Julian directed the 8th- and 9th-grade plays and ran the beloved Summer Theater Program. In his acceptance speech, Julian reflected on an incredible teaching career spanning 51 years at two different schools. Julian shared wisdom gleaned from his 30 years teaching theater at Hamden High School that informed the highly successful theater program he built at Foote. Julian closed his talk by noting that over this past year “Foote became more creative, more resilient, more innovative than ever.” In summing up some of the lessons of his career, he noted: “Educational theater teaches children to be responsible, to trust others, to be trusted, to be collaborative and cooperative, to be able to think critically, to be independent. These are the qualities all of us need for the living of a good life.”

Daniel Giannella ’96 and Nara Giannella ’01 movingly introduced our second Community Award recipient, their mother, Ângela Giannella, beloved Spanish and French teacher who retired from Foote in Spring 2020.

In her remarks, Ângela spoke from the heart, and her acceptance was both emotional and exuberant in a style reminiscent of her teaching. She reflected on using games, songs and projects to teach languages to young children. Ângela reminded the group that despite challenges we can have “joie de vivre”!

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Class Notes Please note that we report news about Foote alumni, as well as their passings, as we become aware of them.

“ We loved having our kids at home with us just when we expected an empty nest!”

—Beth Taylor ’67

1936

1943

We extend our sympathy to Florence Russell, whose brother, David Russell ’39, passed away in December 2019.

We are sad to report that Theodore Babbitt passed away on November 14, 2020.

Hope Waters Thomas is keeping in touch with friends and family through phone calls and Zoom, as well as through interesting classes at The Learning Institute at New England College. Hope writes, “I only wish that all schools could have the resources and dedicated teachers of Foote.”

1938

1944

We are sad to report that Rev. Linwood Urban passed away on January 29, 2021.

We are sad to report that John Barclay Jr. passed away on February 6, 2021.

1939

1945

Class Correspondent: Anne Clement shclement@comcast.net

Class Correspondent: John Gardner jhgardner@earthlink.net

1937

We are sad to report that David Russell passed away in December 2019.

1942 Class Correspondent: David Hitchcock Jr. hitchdl@aol.com We extend our sympathy to Samuel Babbitt, whose brother, Theodore Babbitt ’37, passed away on November 14, 2020.

1946 Class Correspondent: Kent Healy kenthealymv@gmail.com We extend our sympathy to Kent Healy, whose wife, Maureen Healy, passed away on May 21, 2021. Guido Calabresi and his wife, Anne Tyler Calabresi ’48, met at The Foote School in 1944. On May 20, 2021, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary!

We’d love to hear from you!

Please contact your class correspondent or Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 at asudmyer@footeschool.org to share news about you and your classmates, or visit www.footeschool.org/alumni.

Help us solve a mystery: Grade 1 teacher Margy Campbell Lamere shared this photo from Foote in the 1940s when it was on Saint Ronan Street. We believe there are Campbells in this photo, but aren’t certain who is who. Can you help identify the people in this picture?

Email Amy Sudmyer ’89 in the Alumni Programs Office at asudmyer@footeschool.org.

70 | Foote Prints

All three of their children also graduated from Foote: Bianca Calabresi ’77, Anne Calabresi ’79 and Massimo Calabresi ’82.

1948 Anne Tyler Calabresi and her husband, Guido Calabresi ’46, met at The Foote School in 1944. On May 20, 2021, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary!

All three of their children also graduated from Foote: Bianca Calabresi ’77, Anne Calabresi ’79 and Massimo Calabresi ’82.

1950 Class Correspondent: Mary Pigott Johnsen jlmpjohnsen@west-point.org

1951 Class Correspondent: Emily Mendillo Wood birdofmilford@gmail.com We are sad to report that Stanley MacDonald passed away on April 15, 2021.

1952 Class Correspondent: Harald Hille harald.hille@gmail.com Wilford Welch chaired his 1961 Yale Class Reunion last spring and led the class in focusing on climate change and how classmates could get involved with working on the climate crisis. Wilford co-led a panel with Nancy Osterweis Alderman on climate change and is the author of In Our Hands: A Handbook for Intergenerational Actions to Solve the Climate Crisis. Nancy shares, “It was wonderful to work with Wilford after all these years. At Foote School, Mrs. Hitchcock spoke often about the importance of getting involved in politics and getting engaged in world issues. She adored how Eleanor Roosevelt functioned in the world and spoke of Mrs. Roosevelt’s efforts as examples of what could be done, and what we could do when we became adults. Mrs Hitchcock would be pleased with this Foote School class.”

1953 Class Correspondent: Robert Wing wing.1@osu.edu We extend our sympathy to Mary Lou Venter Briggs, whose mother, Dorothy Venter, passed away on April 27, 2021. Bob Wing writes, “In March, as we emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic (and when my email service was restored after a long lapse), I tried to contact all 13 surviving classmates for whom I have email addresses and was pleased to receive quick responses from eight of them. Those eight are all well (although not without aches and pains) and several reported similar news: getting vaccinated, not traveling and not being able to visit with children and grandchildren.

Celestine LaFarge Nicolas reports from the Netherlands that she continues her dance lessons and workshops but by Zoom rather than in person. She has been doing heavy work in her remarkable garden and has a flock of chickens to keep her busy. Wil Aaron, in northern Wales, keeps in shape by hiking in the mountains of Snowdonia and looking after his bees. Jordy Mott is now living in Berkley, Michigan (a suburb of Detroit), close to one of his daughters.

His other daughters are in Alabama and Colorado and his sons are in California.

Eligio Petrelli has been taking Zoom courses and walks in East Rock Park. Mary Lou Venter Briggs and husband Jim stayed in Williamstown this winter instead of going skiing in Idaho as they usually do. I am sure the whole class would like to send condolences to Mary Lou on the death of her mother at the remarkable age of 107. Butch Butterworth was ‘slogging it out alone’ in Morriston, Florida, in March but planned to return to Mount Carmel, Connecticut, for the summer. Marilyn Jordan Schulz and her husband, Roger, have been seeing hospitals more than they like but are hoping for greater mobility soon. Cathleen Greaves Rowlette has been much affected by the pandemic, missing her son’s wedding on the Caribbean island of Tortola, as well as other occasions, but was anticipating the opening of the lawn bowling season. Finally, I would like to mention the names of five classmates who I hope are well but from whom I haven’t heard recently: Carol Gordon, Lee Warren Buss, Katherine Tiernan O’Connor, Brenda

Sweeney Filley and Sarah Willard Penegar.

If any of you see this, please consider this a request to get in touch with your class correspondent!”

1954 The Class of 1954 needs a class correspondent. If you are willing to collect news from your classmates, please contact Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 in the Alumni Programs Office at asudmyer@footeschool.org.

Stephen Mendillo is still active in film and television and on stage. He shares that he finds the stage to be the most rewarding and his favorite. Ed Johnson had a rocky year in 2020 after losing his wife and his close friend, Ted Kubler ’56. Ed is fighting cancer himself and trying to deal with the pandemic. He prays that 2021 and 2022 are much smoother.

1955 Class Correspondents: Lee Dunham wlhdunham@gmail.com Nawrie Meigs-Brown grannyn13@gmail.com

1956 Class Correspondent: Will Amatruda willtam88@hotmail.com We extend our sympathy to Lisa Farrel Totman, whose daughter, Serena Totman Bechtel ’84, passed away on July 13, 2021.

1957 Class Correspondent: Kevin Geenty kevin@geentygroup.com Kevin Geenty is still practicing commercial real estate—both sales and leasing—and is working to keep his investment building full of tenants. Kevin is doing a little bit of motorcycling and occasionally drives his 1930 Model A Ford Roadster.

1958 Class Correspondent: Barry Stratton barrystratton@yahoo.com

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1959 The Class of 1959 needs a class correspondent. If you are willing to collect news from your classmates, please contact Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 in the Alumni Programs Office at asudmyer@footeschool.org.

1960 Class Correspondent: Happy Clement Spongberg happyspongberg@earthlink.net We extend our sympathy to Margaret Howe Emmons, whose brother, Thomas Howe ’70, passed away on January 26, 2021. We extend our sympathy to Happy Clement Spongberg, whose husband, Stephen Spongberg, passed away on March 18, 2021.

1961 Class Correspondent: Muffie Clement Green m_c_green@sbcglobal.net

1962 Class Correspondent: Donald O. Ross doross48@gmail.com We extend our sympathy to Samuel Howe, whose brother, Thomas Howe ’70, passed away on January 26, 2021. Ellen Faller writes, “Summer finds me alive, well, vaccinated, and still living in Clinton, Connecticut. I have enjoyed Zoom meetings with college classmates, reading, making masks and volunteering for the Peabody Museum from home.” Sam Howe shares, “Jules and I have left Massachusetts in Holderness, New Hampshire, and South Portland, Maine. Lots going on in both places for this retiree. I drive back and forth regularly.

Our daughter, Merra, has moved to Maine from Washington, D.C., while still working for the Marine Mammal Commission and is getting married in September. Our son, Carter, has just moved from Los Angeles to Brooklyn and is modeling for Nike and Converse as well as doing his own photographic shoots of musical artists and clothing lines. Jules might retire someday but for now is continuing to market for a Midwest insurance company, American Family.” Deborah Abbott writes that she now has three grandchildren: Eamonn Carter Abbott Miner, Lyra Joy Gold-Abbott 72 | Foote Prints

Cam Henning, Jim Farnam and Jon Hooker, all Class of 1965, enjoyed a summer night at Jim’s pond in Wallingford, CT. and Sabine Avery Abbott Miner. Don Ross shares, “I sold the great old family house in Newport and moved into something much smaller on a temporary basis as we search for a much smaller home, with a first-floor bedroom, in the Newport area. I enjoyed having our two sons, their spouses and all four grandchildren with us for the summer.

Retirement? No, I am still having a lot of fun. I don’t think of it as work. I still manage to get a fair amount of tennis in on the great grass courts at the Newport Casino. Please, classmates, come and stop by in Newport whenever you are nearby. And please send me any updates on what you are all doing.”

1965

1963

Class Correspondent: John N. Deming Jr. jndjr@yahoo.com

Class Correspondent: Susan Stratton susanstratton4@gmail.com Katharine Adams Walker is still living in Boston and still consulting.

1964 Class Correspondent: Verdi DiSesa verdi.disesa@gmail.com Verdi DiSesa shares, “We are proud to report we have three grandchildren: Margaret (Maggie) Annesley DiSesa, born July 5, 2019; Georgia Elizabeth DiSesa, born September 3, 2020; and Douglas Falconer DiSesa II, born May 19, 2021.”

Class Correspondent: Eric Triffin eric_triffin@aya.yale.edu Jim Farnam, Cam Henning and Jon Hooker enjoyed a summer night together at Jim’s pond in Wallingford, Connecticut. Jim writes, “We all went to preschool together at the Gesell Institute Preschool on Prospect Street then were together at Foote and Andover through 1968, so in the same school from ages 3 to 17!”

1966

We extend our sympathy to Peter Venter, whose mother, Dorothy Venter, passed away on April 27, 2021. Grace Hammond Boss is currently taking an Adventures in Learning course at Colby Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire. Grace writes, “The four-week course, The Age of Fighting Sail, delights my love of sailing and history. On July 3, I was one of 80 vendors selling arts and crafts at the Hebron Fair in Hebron, New Hampshire.”

1967 The Class of 1967 needs a class correspondent. If you are willing to collect news from your classmates,

please contact Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 in the Alumni Programs Office at asudmyer@footeschool.org.

Beth Taylor writes, “We loved having our kids (Anika, 22, and Toby, 18) at home with us just when we expected an empty nest! We cooked, baked, hiked and played pool. Now Anika has a job, a beau, her own apartment and her own pets! That was fast! Toby is finally at college in person at Berklee College of Music, where he is studying composition. I am still practicing psychoanalysis psychiatry with a fun new crop of bright and adventurous young adults who found themselves suddenly stuck in their childhood bedrooms.” Sara Miller Mauch shares, “Duane and I didn’t go to Maine last summer but we are going this summer. We will overlap with my brother, York, and his wife. Our son, Jared, and his tribe of redheads will join us in August.”

1968 Class Correspondents: Rob Clark rclark@perrigo-inc.com Leland Torrence lelandtorrence@optonline.net We extend our sympathy to Arthur Howe III, whose brother, Thomas Howe ’70, passed away on January 26, 2021.

1969 Class Correspondent: Meg McDowell Smith megsmithvt@gmavt.net

1970 The Class of 1970 needs a class correspondent. If you are willing to collect news from your classmates, please contact Amy Stephens Sudmyer ’89 in the Alumni Programs Office at asudmyer@footeschool.org.

We are sad to report that Thomas Howe passed away on January 26, 2021.

1972 Class Correspondents: Rob Gurwitt robg@valley.net Greta Nettleton gretan@optonline.net “Catharsis: Sister of Cathar.” Gardy Morse’s memorable last-ditch test definition sent a small group of members of the 9thgrade branch of the Class of ’72 off on a high note from a Zoom get-together. The purpose of the gathering was to provide information to Foote archivist Cindy Leffell for her article on the 50th anniversary of Foote’s first 9th-grade class, which, of course, would be us (see page 82). Sarah

Drury, Amy Estabrook, Rob Gurwitt, Cathy Hosley Vouwie, Michael Lipson, Gardy, Polly Prelinger—and, in an unexpected but wonderful addition, Bob Sandine and Virginia Wilkinson—all gathered in June to reminisce about the Bambuti, Greeks, Renaissance Florence, bog and mountain field trips, and the remarkable air of experiment and freedom that marked that year. Others in the class have been busy, too. “We have moved twice since May,” writes Emily Freedman Stollar. “We sold our home in Vienna (Virginia) and are living in a high-rise in Tysons Corner. We also built a new home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, that has quickly become a hub for family and friends…. We also welcomed a new granddaughter.” Emily and her husband, Larry, now have seven grandkids: “fun, noise and so much chaos!” She’s heading for retirement at the end of “what has been a very busy real estate year. I’ve been at it 27 years and have loved it.” Bob Meyer’s got two grandkids, too, and has been able to get to Boston from Florida to see them.

Though, he writes, “sadly, cannot see son as he and his wife are in very restricted Japan…. This year has been about grandkids for ourselves and others. This coming year will be about attending numerous weddings stayed during Covid suppression.” This has been a year of extremes, Louise Preston Werden says, “between long-distance travel or staying at home for months at a time.

Work is caring for a chronically ill family

The 9th-grade class of 1972 on a Zoom call with school archivist Cindy Leffell and former faculty members Bob Sandine and Virginia Wilkinson (see story on page 82).

Fall 2021 | 73

member, challenging as well as rewarding, with no retirement in sight.” She remains in Peterborough, New Hampshire, “knitting baby gear for a second grandchild on the way in October. I stay connected serving on two community boards of directors.”

A daughter, Pemi, lives in Australia with her husband and 18-month-old, and Louise was able to visit before the pandemic struck. Then she put her youngest daughter, Hope, on a plane to go spend two weeks there—which is when the shutdown happened—and Hope remained there for months before finally making it home.

Louise’s other kids have taken advantage of the loosening of restrictions to visit from the West Coast. Finally, in a remarkable turn of events, Gardy Morse found a long-lost copy of the 6Y movie Zero to Infinity. “Kind of wonderfully, where 6X’s Kick the Dust was a heart-wrenching tragedy, Zero to Infinity is a slapstick comedy. But because we were all so clever, it ends with a sober twist, calling out for—dare I say it—a sequel!” He points out that you can still make out Jim Gordon in his star turn as the caveman, Ted Venter as an ancient Roman citizen, Larry Chao and John Hare as supporting Romans, Betsy Doolittle as a Victorian dandy—and many other memorable actors and roles. “I have an important part as an extra in the background in the Mystic Seaport scene,” he adds.

1973 Class Correspondents: Peter Hicks phicks@websterbank.com John Persse johnpersse@bhhsne.com

1975 Class Correspondent: Jessica Drury sjsaz@optonline.net We extend our sympathy to Georgia Fiedler Ford Griscom, whose sister, Katrina Fiedler Kujan ’78, passed away on May 31, 2021.

Susie Campbell Grimes welcomed a new grandson, Thomas (Wes) William Cashel IV, on July 15, 2021.

1976 Class Correspondent: John Holder johnholder@comporium.net 74 | Foote Prints

Clockwise from left, members of the Class of 1982: Mark Osborne, Loli Wu, Stephen Holt, Clark Thompson and Micheal Drury, who met at McSorley’s Old Ale House in the East Village in New York City.

1977

1981

Class Correspondent: Elizabeth Daley Draghi gdraghi@sbcglobal.net

Class Correspondents: Nicolas Crowley nyjcrowley@hotmail.com

1978

Jennifer LaVin jen2766@gmail.com

Class Correspondent: Stephen Fontana stevef1701@aol.com

1982

We are sad to report that Katrina Fiedler Kujan passed away on May 31, 2021.

Class Correspondent: Bethany Schowalter Appleby bethany.appleby@gmail.com

1979

1983

Class Correspondent: Bonnie Welch bonniewelch@taftschool.org

Class Correspondent: Brinley Ford Ehlers brinleysf@aol.com

We extend our sympathy to Francesca Danforth de Frise, whose father, Frederick Danforth, passed away on June 13, 2021.

We extend our sympathy to Mark Danforth, whose father, Frederick Danforth, passed away on June 13, 2021.

1980

1984

Class Correspondent: Liz Geller Brennan gelbren@aol.com

Class Correspondent: Ann Pschirrer Brandt annie.brandt@rocketmail.com

We extend our sympathy to Ted Danforth, whose father, Frederick Danforth, passed away on June 13, 2021.

We are sad to report that Serena Totman Bechtel passed away on July 13, 2021.

1985

1991

1998

Class Correspondent: Carter LaPrade Serxner lapserx@gmail.com

Class Correspondent: Bo Bradstreet ebradstr@gmail.com

Class Correspondents: Andrew Lebov aklebov@gmail.com

Alexandra Fayen works as a school social worker in Madison, Wisconsin. Her sons, Roland and Torsten, are both 31 and married. Alexandra has four grandchildren.

She shares, “I came home this summer and enjoyed seeing New Haven friends and family.”

1992

Elisabeth Sacco Klock saccopotatoes@gmail.com

1986 Class Correspondent: Jody Esselstyn jesselstyn@gmail.com We extend our sympathy to Rachel Totman Davis, whose sister, Serena Totman Bechtel ’84, passed away on July 13, 2021.

1987 Class Correspondent: Jonathan Levin jdlevin@stanford.edu We extend our sympathy to Christina Chen, whose father, Frederick Chen, passed away on June 3, 2021. Aaron Rhodeen and his wife, Nikki, live in Katy, Texas, with sons Samuel, 9, and Blake, 7.

They miss New England and hope to return to the North soon.

1988 Class Correspondent: Sara Mulligan Farina saramulligan13@gmail.com

1989 Class Correspondent: Toya Hill Clark trose7@hotmail.com

1990 Class Correspondent: Amy Cohn Crawford amycohncrawford@mac.com Alex Rhodeen is the proud papa of Carter Phoenix, 7, and is living in Atlanta where he is an entrepreneur.

Class Correspondent: Katie Madden Kavanagh katieblee@hotmail.com We extend our sympathy to Alyssa Chen, whose father, Frederick Chen, passed away on June 3, 2021.

1993 Class Correspondent: Jenny Keul jennykeul@gmail.com

1994 Class Correspondent: Arna Berke-Schlessel Zohlman arna.zohlman@gmail.com We are sad to report that Christopher Langbein passed away on May 5, 2021.

1995 Class Correspondent: Jack Hill seaburyhill@aol.com

1996 Class Correspondents: Brett Nowak nowak.brett@gmail.com Katy Zandy Atlas katy91@gmail.com We extend our sympathy to Julia Langbein, whose brother, Christopher Langbein ’94, passed away on May 5, 2021.

1997 Class Correspondent: Eliza Sayward elizasayward@yahoo.com

1999 Class Correspondent: Jeremy Zuidema jmzuidema@gmail.com

2000 Class Correspondents: Alex Kleiner alex.m.kleiner@gmail.com Shannon Sweeney smsweeney07@gmail.com Ian Lebov is working on a home renovation in Santa Cruz, California. Ian’s family of four will be living in two camping trailers during the project. Ian started a new job in the skateboarding industry this summer.

Annabel Rhodeen Spring manages an art gallery, Edel Assanti, in central London.

Congratulations to Alex Kleiner and his wife, Alexandra Daum, on the birth of Samantha in April 2021. Samantha joins big brother Teddy.

2001 Class Correspondent: Cassie Pagnam cassie.pagnam@gmail.com We extend our sympathy to Sarah Eisenstat, whose father, Stanley Eisenstat, passed away on December 17, 2020. We extend our sympathy to Victoria Swensen, whose father, David Swensen, passed away on May 5, 2021.

2002 Class Correspondent: Hope Fleming hope.fleming@gmail.com

Tera Nova Zarra performed at The Connecticut Renaissance Faire over Labor Day weekend and performed at the New York Renaissance Faire each weekend through October 3. Lily Rhodeen relocated happily to Atlanta, where she works for a global logistics company.

Fall 2021 | 75

Julia Tinetti ’05

Julia Tinetti ’05 and Cassandra Madison

Separated at Birth was working at a New Haven bar in 2013 when she noticed a tattoo of the Dominican Republic on the arm of a new waitress named Cassandra. Julia was adopted from the DR as a child and, as it turned out, Cassandra was too.

Cassandra contacted Julia and, after much discussion, persuaded her to take a DNA test to see if she could possibly be her parents’ other child. “She drove 8 hours straight from Virginia and showed up at my door and said ‘let’s do this,’” recalls Julia. “I didn’t initially want to explore it because nine times out of 10 these things will be a letdown.”

The women soon became close friends, talking about adoption over brunch and dinners. Co-workers noticed that the two even looked alike, and the women would jokingly refer to one another as “my twin.” In a total long shot, Cassandra suggested that they compare adoption papers to see if they had some connection.

Two and a half weeks later, Julia got word that her DNA results were ready.

She nervously opened the 23andMe app on her phone and hit the ‘relatives’ button. “The first name that came up was Cassandra Madison: sister. I closed it out and reopened it three times. I could hardly believe it!”

“Nothing on my paperwork matched hers,” Julia recalls.

Julia wasn’t planning to share their story publicly, but Cassandra posted it to TikTok and the story went viral.

The sisters have since been featured on CNN, The Washington Post, Good Morning America, The Drew Barrymore Show, Access Hollywood, the Today show—the list goes on and on.

Julia says it’s been a whirlwind balancing all the publicity and her full-time job as a mental health professional in Old Lyme.

J U LIA TINE T TI

In 2015, Cassandra got married and moved to Virginia and the two fell out of contact. Five years later, however, Cassandra decided to send a DNA kit to 23andMe to try and unspool her family history.

She discovered that she had a cousin living in Glastonbury, Connecticut.

From that cousin, Cassandra learned that her biological mother had passed away in 2015 but that her father was still living in the DR. She went to visit him and he revealed that, in fact, he and Cassandra’s mother had given up another child for adoption about 18 months after Cassandra.

76 | Foote Prints

Next March, Julia will fly to the Dominican Republic with Cassandra to meet their biological family. The sisters have seven other siblings who grew up and still live in the DR. “When Cassandra and I go down there, we’re having a party. Aunts, uncles, nieces, the whole neighborhood!”

Sorrel (left) and Wes Cashel, children of Hannah Grimes Cashel ’04 and grandchildren of Susie Campbell Grimes ’75

2003 Class Correspondent: Adam Shapiro adamshapiro1488@gmail.com We extend our sympathy to Alexander Swensen, whose father, David Swensen, passed away on May 5, 2021.

2004 Class Correspondents: Dillon Long know33@gmail.com Dana Schwartz danaschwartz5@gmail.com Hannah Grimes Cashel and her husband, Tripp Cashel, welcomed a son, Thomas (Wes) William Cashel IV, on July 15, 2021.

Wes joins big sister Sorrel.

2005 Class Correspondent: Gabriella Rhodeen gabriella.rhodeen@gmail.com Gabriella Rhodeen Bonnell lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Jesse, and their petulant cat Frank. Monisha Sachdev is chief pediatric resident at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

2006 Adam Gabbard adamdgabbard@yahoo.com

Celia Aniskovich ’07

Class Correspondents: Audrey Logan logan.audrey@gmail.com Kate Monahan accepted a position as director of shareholder advocacy at Trillium Asset Management. She engages with portfolio companies to improve their environmental, social and governance policies and practices. Kate and her fiance, Joe McKenna, will be based in Boston.

Christina Ching-McGrath Schoenherr and current Foote technology teacher Ethan Schoenherr are the proud new parents of a baby girl, Molly Shirlee Schoenherr, born on April 21, 2021.

2007 Class Correspondents: Kenny Kregling kregke01@comcast.net Symphony Spell symphony.spell@gmail.com Julia Paolillo started a Master of Education in learning design, innovation and technology at Harvard University in September. Julia was awarded the Pennoyer Scholarship for students from the New Haven area.

Telling Their Stories IN HE R S H O R T C AR E E R , Celia

Aniskovich has produced and directed a string of high-profile documentaries and podcasts for Netflix, HBO, Wondery and Discovery. And it all started in a cornfield in Iowa.

As a teenager Celia was a big baseball fan, so her father took her to Dyersville, Iowa, to visit the baseball diamond used in Field of Dreams. That next summer, Celia moved to Dyersville to interview locals about the themes of the movie and their own lives, which she used as the basis for an original play titled “Go the Distance.”

“That was my first foray into storytelling,” Celia says.

After graduating from Fordham, Celia joined the NBC Page Program and did stints on Nightly News and Morning Joe. Her time there coincided with a rash of school shootings, including Sandy Hook, and she grew disillusioned with the limits of mainstream media in covering important stories.

“You had 90 seconds to tell a story that needed so much more. I wanted to tell stories but felt like this wasn’t the medium to do it.”

Molly Shirlee Schoenherr, daughter of Christina Ching-McGrath Schoenherr ’06 and husband Ethan

Today, Celia is a freelance producer and director based in New York City who has earned credits on a number of true-crime documentary series. In

2020, she co-produced the hit Netflix series How to Fix a Drug Scandal, about Massachusetts crime lab chemists who tampered with evidence, leading to the largest single mass dismissal of criminal cases in U.S. history.

More recently, Celia hosted a six-part podcast series for the Wondery network titled Spy Affair, about the mysterious Russian national Maria Butina who was jailed after becoming entangled with Trump-world politics and the NRA. “It’s very easy and dangerous to think of the subjects of documentaries as characters, and they are not. They are real people like you and me. As a storyteller, you have an incredible responsibility in your hands.”

Celia’s latest project is a feature documentary that premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October about Woodstock ’99, the ill-fated music festival marred by intense heat, sexual assault and vandalism.

“If there’s anything that unifies my work, it’s to not see things in black and white, to see the grey areas,” Celia explains.

Celia heaps credit onto now-retired Foote Drama chair Julian Schlusberg, who took Celia under his wing at a critical time. “I’m not sure I would have the determination to pursue this if it was not for the love and care Julian put into me and every one of his students.”

Fall 2021 | 77

2008

Victor Joshua ’09

Class Correspondents: Michael Milazzo michael.milazzo12@gmail.com Kate Reilly Yurkovsky kate.yurkovsky@gmail.com

2009 Class Correspondents: Chris Blackwood christopher.blackwood@tufts.edu Eva Kerman edk2123@barnard.edu

Ball in His Court a phenomenal basketball player as a kid. During his final game at Foote he scored an incredible 53 points. “That was cool,” Victor recalls with a humble nonchalance.

VI C TO R J O S H UA WA S

As a high schooler at Hamden Hall, Victor and his team won the New England championship and he was selected as tournament MVP. That feat helped earn him a full scholarship to play at Saint Anselm College, where he led the team in assists and steals during his senior year.

“The recruitment process was actually a headache because as a young kid you don’t know how to navigate the recruiters’ phone calls and letters,” says Victor.

Planning for his post-college basketball career was even more nerve-wracking.

Ultimately, he received an offer to play for a professional team in Spain—an opportunity that promised travel but not much in terms of pay or a clear path to the NBA. Victor turned it down and instead took an accounting job at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He thought his basketball career was finished.

Two years later, in 2018, Victor returned to basketball, this time as co-founder of a youth mentorship organization called RespeCT Hoops, which runs individual and group basketball clinics.

78 | Foote Prints

The program meets Wednesday nights at Yale’s Payne Whitney Gym to run individual and group basketball clinics.

“We take kids under our wing and give them a home to play basketball and learn about life,” he says. Crucially, Victor also shares his knowledge of recruiting with any athletes who are heading toward college or professional hoops.

This fall, Respect Hoops launched a partnership with Farnam Center, a New Haven youth development organization, to provide basketball as part of their after-school programming.

“The model is that students come for one hour of homework and tutoring, one hour of basketball and one hour of life skills, such as learning to do their taxes,” Victor explains.

We extend our sympathy to Timothy Swensen, whose father, David Swensen, passed away on May 5, 2021. Caroline Monahan is enjoying the second year of her master’s in public policy, social policy and social innovation at Sciences Po Paris, where she is focused on corporate social responsibility.

2010 Class Correspondents: Brandi Fullwood brandi.n.fullwood@gmail.com Clay Pepe cpepe@guidepoint.com Menaka Sachdev is working remotely in Providence and working on her music career.

2011

Victor founded Respect Hoops with three good friends—who also played college basketball—and juggles running the organization with his day job as a special education paraprofessional for Grades K–5 at Celentano School in New Haven.

Class Correspondents: Nate Barton natebarton95@gmail.com

In addition to all that, Victor now coaches at North Haven High School, and this past spring, he coached Foote middle schoolers during a spring outdoor basketball program.

Class Correspondents: Harrison Lapides jharrisonlapides@gmail.com

“The relationships you make in basketball are so important to your life.

My coaches had the passion to create a relationship with me through basketball.

I want to try to do that for other kids.”

Britney Dumas bdumas13@gmail.com

2012

Cassidy McCarns cassidy.mccarns@yale.edu

2013 Class Correspondents: Lawson Buhl lbuhl@umich.edu Anika Zetterberg ahzetter@syr.edu Lawrence (Lawson) Buhl graduated from the University of Michigan in spring 2021. He is working in Chicago, Illinois, as a private equity analyst for RCP Advisors. Anika Zetterburg just finished her first year as an MFA candidate in illustration at Syracuse University. Anika is currently working on building her own freelance illustration business. Teddy Vlock participated in the Olympic games in Tokyo this summer in the sport of showjumping as a member of the Israeli equestrian team.

in public policy. Tess reports that she is staying resilient by leading a book club for kids in the Bronx, which has been very impactful.

In Memoriam

2016 Class Correspondents: Omid Azodi oazodi1@gmail.com Evelyn Pearson evie.pearson11@gmail.com

2017 Class Correspondents: Graley Turner graleyturner@gmail.com Hilal Zoberi hzoberi20@choate.edu

Theodore Babbitt ’37 November 14, 2020 Rev. Linwood Urban ’38 January 29, 2021 David Russell ’39 December 2019 John Barclay Jr. ’44 February 6, 2021 Stanley MacDonald ’51 April 15, 2021 Thomas Howe ’70 January 26, 2021

2014

2018

Class Correspondents: Robinson Armour rarmour22@amherst.edu

Class Correspondents: Alexandra Collins alexandrabcollins03@gmail.com

Sophia Matthes Theriault sophiamtheriault@gmail.com

Pablo Rollán pabloo.rollan@gmail.com

Serena Totman Bechtel ’84 July 13, 2021

Jordana Irzyk worked at Horizons at Foote this summer teaching 8th grade and will attend graduate school at Oxford University for a master’s degree in migration studies.

Henry Jacob was awarded the Alpheus Henry Snow Prize at Yale University.

The prize is “awarded to the senior who, through the combination of intellectual achievement, character, and personality, shall be adjudged by the faculty to have done most for Yale by inspiring in his or her classmates an admiration for the traditions of high scholarship.”

Patrick Curran worked at Horizons at Foote once again this summer. Patrick is attending the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

Christopher Langbein ’94 May 5, 2021

2015 Class Correspondents: Anli Raymond anliraymond15@gmail.com Will Wildridge william@wildridge.org William Badrigian is a senior at Drew University in the honors program. William is an economics major and was named an NCAA All-American in Fencing. Tess Friedman finished her junior year at Syracuse University, where she is majoring

2019

Katrina Kujan ’78 May 31, 2021

Jack Hansen, Former Staff June 18, 2021

Class Correspondents: Josie Cancro josie.cancro@gmail.com Malachai York malachai@yorkfamily.net

2020 Class Correspondents: Zainab Khokha zmkhokha786@gmail.com Tristan Ward tristan103417@gmail.com Elias Theodore shares that he is enjoying Wilbur Cross but he was eager for in-person school to resume. Elias writes, “Going outside during the day, even if it’s only for a few minutes, has been super helpful.”

Fall 2021 | 79

A number of Foote alumni and current students worked as interns in the Horizons at Foote summer program this year.

Front row, from left: Tristan Ward ’20, Charlie Sudmyer ’23, Paola Perez ’10, Lily Goren ’20, Zainab Khokha ’20, Emma Yan ’21, Sophie Gangloff ’21, Batu Kayaarasi ’21. Back row, from left: Jonas Ward ’21, Jasmine Xi ’19, Patrick Curran ’18, Katie Martin ’13, Elias Theodore ’20, Katherine Lima ’17, Julia Kosinski ’18, Sian Lewandowski ’18, Grace Laliberte ’20, Kiran Makam ’20, Jeremy Irzyk ’14.

Not pictured: Jordana Irzyk ’14, Nicholas Carpenter ’19

Faculty News Technology teacher Ethan Schoenherr and his wife, alumna Christina Ching-McGrath Schoenherr ’06, are the proud new parents of a baby girl, Molly Shirlee Schoenherr, born on April 21, 2021. Music teacher Dana Kephart Queiros and husband James Queiros welcomed a daughter, Josephine Judith Queiros, on August 7, 2021. Head of School Aléwa Cooper and Markell Parker were married on August 7, 2021, in New York City. Close family attended the rooftop ceremony in person while friends joined via Zoom.

Josephine Queiros, daughter of music teacher Dana Kephart Queiros 80 | Foote Prints

Former Faculty News We are sad to report that former maintenance staff member Jack Hansen passed away on June 18, 2021. We extend

Head of School Aléwa Cooper and Markell Parker married August 7, 2021.

our sympathy to former 3rd-grade teacher Windy Chen, whose husband, Frederick Chen, passed away on June 3, 2021.

Former Kindergarten teacher Anna Casey is working at Bement School in Deerfield, Massachusetts, as the Lower School Head and reports that she “couldn’t be happier!”

Henry Gilbert Lebovitz was born on January 5, 2021, measuring 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and 21 inches, to Lori Calderoni Lebovitz and Charles Lebovitz. Lori worked in the Foote After School Program and at the front office. Henry is the grandson of MaryBeth Calderoni, formerly of the Business Office.

Henry Lebovitz, grandson of former Foote bookkeeper MaryBeth Calderoni

Giving Day 02.22.2022 Put your best Foote forward

“At the end it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better.

It’s about what you’ve given back.” ~denzel washington

Make your gift early at www.footeschool.org/give Fall 2021 | 81

Looking Back

Experimental.

Innovative. Free-Wheeling Fifty years ago, Foote created its 9th-grade program —and a new model for a signature year.

BY CINDY LE FFE LL

(above) The pioneering Class of 1972 in 9th grade

FO OTE ALUMNA AMY E S TA B R O O K ’ 7 2

has vivid memories of walking on a spongy bog in Bethany, learning about lady’s slippers and carnivorous plants. She was on a biology field trip as a 9th grader, doing the experiential learning that 9th graders now take for granted. But in 1971 it was all brand new.

The school began considering adding a 9th grade as early as 1962. In those days, a majority of Foote boys went to boarding school for their high school years. Ninth grade at these boarding schools (as well as at independent day schools) was considered a “leveling 9th”—a year to bring students together who had come from many different types of schools.

For its first half-century, Foote was a K–8 school. But in the fall of 1971, Foote welcomed its first 9th-grade class.

Because of the rigorous Foote education, many Foote students found themselves bored during this year.

82 | Foote Prints

“ They were letting us find our way.”

— R O B GU RW IT T ’ 7 2

The Class of 1972 reunited on Zoom in June

Alternatively, some who were on the younger side were asked to repeat 9th grade in high school. If Foote had a 9th grade, it would allow those repeating students to have two distinct 9th-grade experiences. Additionally, public high schools at the time typically started in 10th grade. For those and other reasons, adding a 9th grade at Foote seemed to make sense.

In April 1968, a feasibility committee presented results of an in-depth study to Foote’s Board of Directors at the annual meeting of the Foote School Association, the governing body of which all Foote parents are members. It had concluded that there was both educational and emotional merit to adding a 9th grade to Foote.

The committee had polled parents and students in the 6th and 7th grades and found that a majority of every group favored adding the grade. Two months later, in June 1968, the Board made it official.

It decided that the 6th grade class at the time would be its first 9th-grade class, in the 1971–1972 school year. This allowed time to plan the curriculum and resources and to “sell” the idea to the parents. Also, that 6th-grade class was a large one, meaning it would likely yield an adequate class size.

Then-Head of School Frank Perrine selected teachers Bob Sandine and Virginia Wilkinson to build the curriculum and encouraged them to think innovatively.

Ninth grade would not simply be a continuation of the Upper School, as the Middle School was known at the time.

It would have its own purpose, its own

rhythm, its own unique features and spaces to truly be a high school year. Bob and Virginia developed a core curriculum that combined history, literature, civics and science in an open-classroom model. They settled on three themes: ecology—the world around us; man—the world inside us; and the city—men for cities, cities for men. Despite Foote’s progressive bona fides, gender equality apparently didn’t translate to the naming of curriculum in 1971!

The 9th graders had their own unique space as well. The lower level of the main building (which now houses the offices for Development, Communications, and Alumni Programs) had been the old woodworking shop. This large, open room became the 9th-grade home. Students and teachers sat together around one large table (a precursor

Faculty members Virginia Wilkinson and Bob Sandine co-taught the first 9th-grade class.

Fall 2021 | 83

to today’s Harkness table method) and discussed the topics.

“We let them paint murals on the rough shop walls,” Bob recalls. The students kicked off their shoes, put up their feet and spent hours talking, listening to records, feeling a sense of ownership of this private space.

Virginia remembers walking her students all over New Haven, taking advantage of the urban classroom. She and Bob confessed that while it looked to the students like they had a fully formed curriculum in place, much of the year was untested and free-wheeling. As spring approached that year, they were still planning how the final units would take shape.

Rob Gurwitt was a member of the pioneering Class of 1972.

He loved the intriguing curriculum and the freedom the teachers extended to him and his classmates. “They were

letting us find our way.” He also enjoyed being on the familiar turf of Foote’s campus but having a separate space.

Ninth graders actually didn’t interact much with the rest of the school, he recalls. To Rob, the year didn’t feel especially rigorous but he remembers more of what he learned that year than most other school years.

Sarah Drury ’72 appreciated how congenial the class was— “maybe too congenial,” she recalls. With everyone around one conference table, there was no opportunity to hide.

Students were always “on” and always visible. Still, many in that original class of 15 students remain close. In fact, seven of them—plus Bob and Virginia—joined in a Zoom call in June to share memories of Foote’s first 9th-grade class.

By all accounts, the core curriculum that Bob and Virginia developed that first year was highly successful for the

50 YE ARS OF 9TH GR ADE S IN CE IT S IN CE P TI ON IN 197 1 , Foote’s 9th-grade program has evolved to include a number of signature

experiences that unite Footies across the generations.

9TH GR A D E P L AY

Since Foote’s first 9th grade staged Sophocles’ Antigone in 1972, every 9th grade has performed a play that involves full participation of the class. In the early years, each student had to appear on stage.

Today, students can choose to participate behind the scenes working lights, sound and props.

W E S T R IVE R S T U DY

This field biology study of New Haven’s West River was started in 1994 by science teacher John Cunningham. Ninth graders have since amassed an incredible 27 years of data on the river, which are used by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to track changes in water chemistry and to document invasive species in the river.

CHINA E XP E R IE N CE

C AP E CO D R E TR E AT

While the 9th grade had overnight trips from its inception, the Cape Cod retreat began in 1994 when Foote launched Project Week for Grades 6–9. Prior to the Cape Cod trip, 9th graders would spend a long fall weekend camping and hiking in Vermont.

84 | Foote Prints

Foote began its exchange with a sister school in China in 1998.

In 2004, Foote students first travelled to China to visit their new sister school—Yali Middle School in Changsha—and began hosting Yali students for a four-day visit to Foote in the fall.

students. Unfortunately, there was pressure from the secondary schools to move back to a more traditional structure so that the students could be awarded proper high school credits for their 9th-grade year. Polly Prelinger ’72 loved 9th grade at Foote so much that high school was a great letdown. She felt restricted after the freedoms of Foote’s experimental year.

The basement space wasn’t used for 9th grade beyond that first year. The following year, the Class of 1973 moved to a large space on the upper level of the Middle School building.

They also began to assume leadership positions in school clubs and activities, becoming more integrated with the rest of the grades.

was in the attention it paid to this age group. She saw how important it was for teenagers at an often-awkward age to complete more of their development in a familiar, supportive setting and in a place where they could model behavior for their younger schoolmates and be leaders of the school.

Half a century later, Foote’s 9th-grade year owes much of its spirit to that trailblazing group of teachers and students.

Signature experiences such as the 9th-grade play (the Class of 1972 staged a production of Sophocles’ Antigone) continue to this day—connecting present to past as Foote moves ever into the future.

Francie Irvine was an advisor and taught French to 9th graders during its first decade and noted how unusual Foote

Cindy Leffell volunteers as the school’s head archivist, co-chaired the Centennial Campaign and served on the Board of Directors from 2009 to 2018. Her two children, Alex ’09 and Dahlia ’11, are Foote alumni.

P O E TRY C A B AR E T

MAY DAY S WO R D DAN CE

The 9th-grade Poetry Cabaret began in the 1994–1995 school year. The brainchild of Bob Sandine, it initially featured students reciting traditional poems in the former cafeteria and evolved under English teacher Michael Milburn to include spoken-word poetry, music and comedy sketches performed in the black box theater.

HAR KNE S S TA B LE ME TH O D

With the 2012 opening of the Jonathan Milikowsky Science and Technology Building, 9th graders again had a room of their own with a custom Harkness table to enhance group discussions.

Originally performed by the 8th grade, the sword dance later became the signature dance and farewell performance of the 9th grade at Foote’s annual May Day celebration, with each team donning themed costumes.

MA J O R W R ITING P R O JE C T

For years, 9th graders completed a major writing project as a capstone to their Foote experience. Students could do any kind of writing— a novella, short stories, poetry, an essay, drama—but had to first submit a proposal to Bob Sandine for approval.

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From the Archives

86 | Foote Prints

HE ALING THR O U GH AR T On June 11, 2003, members of the Class of 2002 returned to campus to meet artist Edward Kubler ’56 and see the cenotaph he created using poems the students had written as a means of processing the attacks of September 11, 2001. Inspired

by Tibetan prayer wheels, the spinning poetry tiles capture the voices of students on the cusp of adulthood, struggling to make sense of the tragedy. Twenty years later, the students’ voices continue to ring through their poetry, as new generations of Foote students pause to read the words etched in stone.

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Why I Teach Teaching is about the joy of watching students take risks, from the small to the Herculean.

BY S HE IL A L AVE Y

Well, then…that is an excellent question indeed. Even as I earned my teaching credentials, I thought that I would end up in law school. Then I did my student teaching at Battle Creek Central High School; juniors no less. It became very clear that I wasn’t much older than they were—so I had to hold a firm line. I did…and I grew not only in my novice teaching skills but also in my appreciation for the really hard work teachers do each day. I also fell for the students—their quirks and their realities—including a single mother who did her level best to get to school every day with the goal of going to nursing school. That’s grit!

W HY D O I TE ACH?

Toward the end of that year, I was being observed by my coordinator on a day that the seniors were running am0k.

One of my students turned to the coordinator and explained that the misbehavior had nothing to do with me and that I was a good teacher. Later, the coordinator told me that the student’s willingness to speak up for me spoke volumes. As part of my student teaching, I also observed middle school classes. The students were noisy, goofing off and, well, a bit smelly. I thought I would never teach at that level.

Years later, I took a middle school teaching position at an independent school in central Connecticut and fell in love.

It was hard and exhausting but it also brought great joy.

Independent schools, with their small class sizes, taught me that teaching is a profoundly human endeavor and that the relationship between teacher and student is vitally important. It taught me that I have more to learn from my students than I could have foreseen. Middle school students are young enough to still love their teachers and yet old enough to have really serious conversations. That said, five minutes later they are making up songs about the British Royal Family. They are the perfect blend of curious, serious and silly.

After many years at this school, I decided I wanted a change, so I taught for a year in the Farmington Public Schools before my second child was born. I learned a tremendous 88 | Foote Prints

amount about teaching from my colleagues there, but I missed the close relationships with students.

When I arrived at Foote in 2002, it was like coming home.

Independent schools allow for, celebrate and put those very human relationships first. They are not about bricks and mortar; they are about teaching, learning, interacting, communicating with students and families. Foote gave me that sense of family and community that I had really missed.

My time at Foote has been about building enduring, lifelong relationships. For me, that means sending a happy birthday video to a former student when she turns 18. It’s celebrating the doctoral thesis defense of a student I have known since her 7th-grade year—whose first question to me in 7th grade was to ask me if I was aware that my shirt was inside out.

Foote allowed me to form a relationship with an alumna as she navigated ECA, UConn and her MSW from Penn—the first in her family to do so. Teaching is about the joy of watching students take risks, from the small to the Herculean.

Teaching also means helping students learn that failure is part of the human experience and dusting themselves off after they fall. It’s about those moments when you know that a student finally understands a concept after much struggle and determination, or deciphers a primary document written in Colonial English—in cursive and in 1748. It’s about teaching the big ideas and the small ones, about watching a ceremony in which students place a Witness Stone, the first in New Haven, at the Pardee-Morris House with the name of the woman, Pink, who was enslaved there. It’s about the fruition of their very hard work being celebrated. It’s about the idea that there is never, ever a dull moment in middle school grades. And yes, it’s about explaining why we all need to use deodorant every day. That is why I teach.

Sheila Lavey has taught Middle School humanities at Foote since 2002 and is department co-chair. She is the mother of Colin Dooman and Jack Dooman ’17.

Thanks to your support, every day feels like getting a triple word score! the foote fund

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To join these words with friends, go to www.footeschool.org/give.

Two final words: Thank You!

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Mark Your Calendars

Feb

Giving Day

May

Alumni Weekend

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Join us for Foote’s fourth annual Giving Day. Your collective contributions will further our mission to provide experiential learning within a diverse and inclusive community. Show your support and spirit by wearing grey and maroon. Find more information and donate early at www.footeschool.org/giving-day.

Friday, May 6, & Saturday, May 7, 2022 All alumni are invited to join us for Alumni Weekend.

Classes ending in 2 or 7 will have special reunions.

Watch for details in the mail and register at www.footeschool.org/reunions.

Foote Prints Vol 48.2