2012 #48 Fall/Winter GCS News by Tia Biasi

C R H U H S C C H E O C O A R L G NEWS Fall/Winter 2012, No. 48

New York, NY

High School Opens

On September 4, 2012, the High School Division of Grace Church School was officially in business. Fifty-nine ninth graders gathered at 46 Cooper Square for orientation. The next day, every ninth grade teacher with the division administrators accompanied the class to the bucolic Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, NY, for three days of bonding, outdoor activities like zip lining among other physical challenges, and just plain fun. They had one continued on page 7 major assignment: discuss and decide what they would

A Time Capsule for ¤‚6¤ On September 14, 59 ninth graders met at 86 Fourth Avenue to escort the Junior Kindergarten to the High School for a Time Capsule ceremony. They were followed by the eighth grade with Kindergartners, and so on until Cooper Square held the entire school. continued on page 7

SPOTLIGHT ON CURRICULUM:

Foreign Language Because learning another language is a long journey, and eventual fluency in it is a life’s work, at Grace we aim not only to instill in students fluency, literacy, and cultural competency in spoken world languages—French, Mandarin, and Spanish—but also to foster a desire in students to want to learn, to push forward, and to continue with language study beyond their years at Grace. Creating a personal connection between a given language and culture and each student is essential. To that end, we employ a multitude of different techniques founded in years of research about language teaching methodologies; access to modern tools like digital texts, electronic recording devices, video conferencing, online activities, interactive whiteboards, continued on page 12

a MESSAGE from the HEAD CONTENTS 2 Message from George Davison

Beyond Socrates Tools for excellent teaching

4 High School Opening Celebration 8 Leading Donors Reception

hile society evolves and transforms, the education industry has been criticized for remaining essentially unchanged. If you were step into WABAC machine with Mr. Peabody and Sherman of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame, and travel back 2400 years to Athens, you would find Socrates in his olive grove surrounded by 16 to 20 students engaging in dialogue. How is it possible that the basic set-up of the classroom has not changed? Yes, we now have books, pencils, desks, iPads, SMARTBoards, heat and A/C, but what is really going on in class is the interchange between the students and the teacher. Socrates was one heck of a great teacher. Everyone knew it then, and we still read his work and model his style today. He set the standard—but for 2400 years? If education has not changed because it relies on the teacher, why haven’t we improved on the concept of a teacher? Last year, I participated in a panel discussion where one of the panelists posed that school reform would never truly succeed because, in his words, “excellent teaching was not scalable.” Machines have taken over many formerly human tasks at a consistently excellent level and at a much lower cost and are easily replicated for larger and larger markets. The panelist’s lament was that there just were not enough humans with the skills and inclination to deliver excellent education to the increasing number of students. Thomas Edison thought motion pictures were the answer and that schools would teach using movies. While film has enhanced learning, no one believes that the one-way communication of a movie is sufficient. Chris Whittle and Benno Schmidt thought that they had the scalability issue licked with the Edison Project, where the excellent teachers would be in a TV studio and lessons would be delivered to students via satellite with only teaching assistants required in the classrooms. The Internet has given rise to several different iterations of this same idea. Some are for-profit ventures and are completely virtual, like Rosetta Stone, the University of Phoenix and the Kahn Academy. Colleges with campuses like Stanford and Harvard have their own version, though they still include instructors in the mix.

10 Sandy 12 Meet Your Trustees 13 News Around School 21 Tell Zelda 22 New Faculty and Staff 24 Teachers Going Places 26 Alumni Profile: Emi Knafo ’96 30 Alumni News

GCS NEWS Fall 2012 No. 48 Director of Development

Joyce Kuh Associate Director of Development

Tia Biasi Communications Director

Kate Marcus Database Manager

Robert K. Brown Development Assistant

Ryann Supple Photography

Jean-Robert Andre Tia Biasi Kim Chaloner Tivadar Divéki Arvind Grover Joyce Kuh Kate Marcus Jacob Perman Rebecca Pitler Dan Rufer Eric Schneider Ryann Supple Design

The Blank Page New York, NY GCS News is published for students, parents, alumni and friends of the school.

Can school be a communication between a human and a machine? We at GCS have invested heavily in information technology, but none of it replaces the human-to-human interaction. Our technology-based tools are designed to enhance teacher-student communication. These tools, akin to a hammer or a saw, make the human task easier. As with any tool, students must be taught how to use technology safely and with expertise. You would never hand a student a hammer and saw without including basic training in their use. Tablets now provide lightweight texts for greater utility than the old-fashioned textbook. Multi-media access allows students and teachers to go more deeply into subject matter. With technology,

“Can we identify what has made Socrates a teacher for the ages even though he taught without any tangible tools? ” the danger is more likely to be distraction rather than injury. Nevertheless, instruction in the safe use of tools remains an important task of the school. The question remains, for what sort of future are we preparing our students? There is no question that the machine will be ubiquitous in their lives. That is not a new change; the rise of machines came at the end of the nineteenth century, and what we have now are merely different machines. The key is that our students must be ready to interact easily with a variety of intelligences, including machines and their offshoots, like artificial intelligences, in order to be poised for success in the future. Thomas Edison’s revolutionary plan did not succeed because the motion picture, while allowing information to enter into the human consciousness through the visual realm, is unidirectional and as such, not an interaction. Online schools are multidirectional and responsive, but are only two-dimensional, which is why the more effective ones bring the teaching assistant model to bear. With the power and wealth of one of the world’s great universities to

George P. Davison

back the endeavor, Stanford University’s Online High School has worked diligently to get all of the pieces right. Designed to be worldwide, students can work together with a teacher online in a virtual class in real time. They can even e-chat during the presentation portions of the class. The school limits class size to 15. So far 75 students have graduated, 69 of whom have enrolled in four-year colleges. Tuition is $14,500, and enrollment is capped at 100 students per grade. Stanford has essentially created an independent school in an online platform, where the students get everything they would in the academic end of the school except human contact. And while Stanford seems to have successfully harnessed the technology for the virtual classroom, it does not solve the “scalability” issue. If we return to the olive grove in ancient Athens, can we identify what has made Socrates a teacher for the ages even though he taught without any tangible tools? Socrates believed in dialog between the teacher and the student. He wanted to guide students to understanding through questions. The material studied was of general interest to all in the group, but each student needed to come to knowledge through understanding. There are those who mistake knowing something for understanding. If one knows something, one can repeat the information when asked, in its original form. If one understands something, one can use it in the form appropriate to the circumstance. Can the machine understand this fine distinction? Not yet. But the live teacher can. When people ask what is the key characteristic of a good teacher, my response is that she or he must have empathy. I do not think that we can teach adults to be empathetic. We can teach them a host of teaching techniques that will make them more effective as teachers, but they need to be able to read students’ feelings in order to meet their learning needs. Recently, two teachers initiated a meeting with me for ideas on how to best meet the learning needs of a student. After some dialog, the teachers came away with a set of recommendations that should make a positive difference for the student and the class. Without the quality of empathy, those teachers probably would not have come forward. And that same quality will allow them to know if they are really succeeding, as they pick up on non-verbal cues, read it on the faces of their students and recognize it in the timbre of their voices.

The good teacher surveys all students in the class, whether they are active or passive in the context of the class and registers their emotional state. A 1976 study by Rosenthal and Buck demonstrated that 80% or more of communication is non-verbal. The good teacher has the natural empathy to understand the difference between the quiet student’s face that says, “Yes I know it,” and the verbal student who is giving an answer to test her understanding and responds simultaneously both verbally and non-verbally. Is this skill set scalable? At our level the answer is yes. No school ever gets 100% of its hiring right. We have had teachers who thought that teaching was just about them or their content. It is the job of the administration to find ways to direct those people to other fields or schools. We do know from many studies (Darling-Hammond, 1999) that there is a direct correlation between student success and teacher education in teaching techniques. This is true at all disciplines and all levels. Teacher education in content has no effect on student success, but teacher education in techniques has an identifiable impact. Obviously the teacher needs to know her or his field of study, but that, while necessary, is not sufficient for success. What that means at a practical level is that all teachers need to be involved in a constant process of education and exploration. We seek to have all of our teachers undertake meaningful professional development every year. We have a senior administrator whose task it is to encourage faculty to take advantage of the professional development opportunities available. Our faculty annual goal-setting exercise is designed around developing an innovation goal, one that provides for something new and more effective in her/his practice. Great teachers are those who know that there is always some way to better reach the needs of his or her students and are always willing to look to new resources, concepts and ideas in the realization of that goal. Great schools are those that are prepared financially, intellectually and culturally to support those teachers. And yes, if Socrates applies for a job, we would hire him in a minute.

An Opening Celebration at ›§ Cooper Square

On September 13, over 600 parents and friends gathered amidst balloons, flowers, music, food and drink to explore Grace’s new high school facility. Members of committees instrumental in the creation of the division, the architects, teachers and administrators conducted tours over polished terrazzo floors inlaid with GCS quatrefoils to art studios with skylights, up-to-date science labs, modern classrooms, myriad student commons, etc. Finally, Board Chair Douglas Evans, cut the ribbon releasing a banner that declared: “By George, We Did It!”

John and Anne Zaccaro, John and Jane Sullivan 4

Chris Harland, Sarah McCain, Ashley Leeds and Bobby McCain

Kerrie Ferrentino, Teri and David Chase and Rachel Barkow

Hugo Mahabir and Doug Evans

Andrea Garvey and Mark Gibson Judy Rivkin, Katusha Davison, George Davison

Elyce Arons, Isca Greenfield-Sanders ’92, Sebastian Blanck

Drew Goldman and Thatcher Bell

Chris McClelland, Nicola Kotsoni, Ann McClelland, Leslie Maheras, Beverley Wilson, Tom Maheras, Jo Shane, Blanche Johnson, Carin Giddings

Kate Platt, David Lawrence , Vicky Hurley

Jared Friedberg, Mitali Sohoni, Laurent Vernhes

Gary Spindler, Annette and Mitch Theiss, Kate Spindler

Jason Slibeck, Carter Wiseman ’59, Philip Douglas ’64

Jake Alspector and Doug Evans

Marianne Diorio and Sara Queen

Melanie Choukrane and Sandy Pelz

Laura Mintz ’04, Sierra Perro ’04, Julia Mintz ’04, Eric Schneider

Michael Green, Ines Carrera Junco

Timothy Paulson, Chrissy Brogan, Mary and Colbert Cannon

Olivia Douglas, Raqiba Bourne Robert Kantor and Denise Shirley

Thomas Fritton, Audrey Manley and Allison Gollust

Sarah Couri and Gary Fagin

Susie Gilbert and Camilla Campbell

Melissa Davis, Rick Kim, Matthew and Julie McAskin

High School Opens

A Time Capsule for ¤‚6¤ continued from page 1

continued from page 1

choose to put into the time capsule at Cooper Square, to be opened 50 years after its dedication. The faculty assignment: to perform an abbreviated, al fresco version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which will be a student production in late January. On September 10, this enthusiastic, and now cohesive, group of freshmen began the routine of academic life at GCS. But “routine” may be the wrong word for their experience in 60,000 square feet of the state-of-the-art facility. Monday, Tuesday and Friday, the day begins with a fitness activity of choice—Pilates, spinning and circuit training at the New York Health and Racquet Club, swimming at the University Settlement House, hip hop in the dance studio at 46 Cooper Square and ultimate Frisbee at 86 Fourth Avenue. Energized, they attend 80-minute academic classes that may include a lecture, Q and A time, homework review, collaborative work, time to talk to the teacher. Wednesday is Lab Day, when there are no classes, but students may pursue electives, engage in independent study, meet with teachers, work in the art studio, participate in vocal and instrumental music ensembles and dance groups. The fall sports season fielded teams of soccer and volleyball; fencing and squash started in November with more sports to come as the year progresses. The word about Grace’s High School is out. Director of High School Admissions, Camilla Campbell, reports that applications for next year are pouring in, not only for the new ninth grade class but also for additions to the next year’s tenth grade.

Deliberations about the time capsule contents had yielded nine categories of items. One category, The Printed Word, included among other items a letter from each ninth grader to his or her future self; a copy of the September 14, 2012, New York Times; copies of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (a classic today) and “The Life of Pi” (would it be a classic in 50 years?). Other items: photos of 2012 cars; nutrition facts from packaging of selected foods; speeches of President Barack Obama and candidate Mitt Romney; a one dollar bill; Vogue and People magazines; apple seeds; iPhone with popular apps and a charger enabling it to work in 2062. At the ceremony, a representative for each category explained, some with humor and some quite seriously, why each item was chosen. Students in the other grades contributed pennies to the capsule because ninth graders, looking ahead, predicted that pennies will be obsolete. The ceremony concluded with High School Division Head, Hugo Mahabir, sealing the capsule.

LEADING DONORS RECEPTION The school thanked its leading donors at a reception in October.

Annette Theiss, Filip Rensky, Mitch Theiss and Tracey Frost-Rensky

George Davison, Lee and Robert Attanasio

Miyoung Lee, Elizabeth Beier, Karin and Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

Joanne Ramos, Jay and Gabriella Bockhaus

Myrle Wall and Currie Estreich 8

Sarah Cogan, Dana Foote, Alexandra Howard and Audrey Meyer

Lee Godfrey, Michael El Hadj, Brian Hessel, Trinh Nguyen, Yun Jae Chung

Thomas Fritton and David Ford

Drew Goldman, Leona El Hadj, Dana Farrington, Seifali Patel and Neil Shah

Chantal Gut and Maggie Towles

David DiDomenico, Jen Geiger and Jim Marcovitz

Development Chair Bobby McCain

Camille Orme, Robert Trevino and Doug Evans

Chris Panczner and Bruce Usher

Jeffrey and Sophie Drubner, and Olivia Douglas

Naomi Usher and Lisa Nelson

SANDY AND

GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL THE PLAYERS Head George Davison Dean of Faculty Arvind Grover Parents’Association Susie Gilbert Co-Presidents Olivia Douglas High School Camilla Campbell Admissions Director Assistant Head Carol Collet Head of Early Childhood Cheryl Kelly Chef Manager Jude Sheehan PA Volunteers Vigdis Burke Melinda Weir Director of Technology Akbar Ali Herndon

Tuesday 10/30 11:27 am

George, has anyone put eyes on the buildings? I’m wondering about any potential water infiltration, particular in the high school kitchen being that it is on the lower level. Friday, 10/2§ 1:01 pm possible homework assignments, We should definitely start should pick up a book that they Our friends in the press are working on carpool plans given have always wanted to read and that the Mayor just said it might having a good time predicting get it started. There is something be 3-5 days for subways to get the “Perfect Storm” and especially calming about reading back online. “Frankenstorm.” If school is with the sound of rain and wind —Arvind Grover going to close, you will receive in the background. a pre-recorded call from me at Tuesday 10/30 11:31 am —George about 6am. Hopefully this will Olivia and I are available to go all be a weather non-event. Monday 10/29 11:48 pm to both buildings if needed. Have a great weekend, stay dry. At approximately 8:30 pm this —Susie Gilbert —George Davison evening, “an unforeseen event 11:53 Sunday 10/28 10:42 pm knocked the lights off for about Tuesday, 10/30 As you all know, we are without 250,000 customers across a Governor Cuomo just ordered electric power Downtown. We the MTA to shut down all public broad swath of Manhattan” (NY Times). Unfortunately, I believe cannot safely hold school withtransportation effective 7pm out electricity. Therefore, GCS this includes Grace Church tonight. Therefore, we at GCS School as I have not been able to is closed until power is restored. will be closed for Monday. We I am going to ask the faculty to will monitor the situation, but it connect with any of our servers since mid-evening. I hope every- come up with some projects for is likely that, given the track of one is safe and able to appreciate the students to do during this the storm, that full service may extra time off that will not only not be restored in time for us to our forced time at home. help us keep learning, but also —Akbar Ali Herndon hold school on Tuesday. help all of the students remember —George Tuesday 10/30 10:18 am this unique time, so keep checking Monday, 10/29 1:28 pm It does not look good for the your email and phone messages. The Mayor has closed the NYC restoration power anytime soon. Thanks. If we get information that Public Schools. So we will fol—George suggests that Con Ed will be on low suit and be closed Tuesday. Tuesday, 10/30 1:00 pm before the Brooklyn subways I am hopeful that things will be I will start to make a list of work, we may want to work working to allow us to hold the students living outside of Halloween Parade on Wednesday on a car pool for faculty and Manhattan and send it around. families similar to the one we morning. —Olivia Douglas My suggestion for today is that worked out in advance of the transit strike in 2005. everyone who has finished all —George 10

Tuesday 10/30

1:57 pm

The Early Childhood children could draw in journal pages and dictate their thoughts to their parents. Most of the children, particularly in Kindergarten, could do their own writing. Since the Kindergarten is studying about NYC this year, this would be a great activity. —Cheryl Kelly

Tuesday 10/30

2:11 pm

George and I are working on a faculty carpool plan plus a way for teachers to easily share activities with parents. Details on that to come shortly. —Arvind

Tuesday 10/30

6:11 pm

I just heard the head of Con Ed say that the 14th St. Transmission station will take 3 or 4 days to get back in service. Therefore it is probably Monday for our reopening. —George

Tuesday 10/30

6:17 pm

Yikes...amazing. I miss my friends! —Cheryl

Wednesday 10/31 12:28 pm We are in day 3 of the Frankenstorm and it has taken Halloween from us. But fear not, we will have Halloween at school at a date to be determined. All

serve lunch as there is no guarantee that we would get a delivery in time so we will ask parents to make lunch for Monday. Jude and Mike can see what food they can get to cover those who do not bring their own. Olivia and Susie, can you check with the International Family Night (scheduled for Nov. 5) people? If they had food Wednesday 10/31 2:40 pm stored at school, it has probably gone bad. Do we want to put Neville has succeeded in transmitthings off for two weeks and ting the payroll. Thanks to Neville try again? and the Business Office team —George —George

of the information is pointing to a restoration of electricity sometime on Friday or Saturday which would allow us to return on Monday 11/5. I am sure that all of you are going as stir crazy as I am. Parents and students, we have put together a Google document that has assignments and ideas for students of all ages. —George

Thursday 11/1

8:55 am

George, I think we might want to reach out to our Jersey HS students to check in on them. —Camilla Campbell

Thursday 11/1

12:10 pm

I received an email from the Blue School that their building was flooded and they may have trouble reoccupying. I offered some of our unused classrooms at the High School if they are out of the building for a month or two. —George

Thursday, 11/1

2:41 pm

We still have no hard information about when the power might go back. We are hoping for a full opening for Monday. We are continuing with building our carpool database in case we have power but no subways to Lower Manhattan. If you live outside the neighborhood, please visit [Web site] and add your information. —George

Thursday 11/1

5:15 pm

Con Ed is spreading the word that the power will come back on Saturday. I have asked Cammy, Pete, Mike, Jude and Akbar to see if we can get people in on Sunday to get the buildings up and ready. We do not know yet what the subways will look like on Monday and I will send out another appeal on the carpool. We will probably not be able to

Monday: We will start with a whole community Chapel in the Church (in the big gym if there is any problem with being in the Church) at 8:30. At the Chapel service we will discuss ways that we as a community can help others in our city who faced much more damage and hardship. International Family Night: Will be held as scheduled from 6pm to 8pm. Please keep a lookout for announcements from the team leading it about supplies that they might need. Tuesday: Election Day/Parent Thursday 11/1 5:46 pm Visiting Day will be held as normal. George, I spoke to Jude today Wednesday and Thursday: and have an update on the will be normal days. food—most of it hasn’t been Friday: Halloween and we will delivered and he felt good about have the costume parade for JK-9. having things ready for the If we need to activate the car evening. The team is up for it. pool we will send out informaOne thought Susie and I had tion on Sunday. was to wait to email about details Finally, the homework given like Monday lunch until power for the students during this week is back—some people are just has been in the spirit of learning too overwhelmed right now to and growing. We know that there process details. The PA team are people who have not been is happy to source extra bread able to access the Google doc and cold cuts for those that and/or do not have the books, may forget lunch. resources or light to do the work. —Olivia No one will be penalized for Thursday 11/1 7:20 pm their inability to do things and all I went in the other day and trans- who do things will be honored ferred perishables to the freezer for their efforts. If there is one hoping to salvage what we could. thing beyond reading a good — Jude Sheehan book that I would have everyone Thursday 11/1 10:52 pm do, is a journal of their impressions of the extraordinary week It seems to me that we should and any interviews, comments have a Chapel service to weland impressions from others. come everyone back, parents, It would be a great project to faculty, student and staff. It is a collect all of those into a volume moment to bring us all together. for all of us to keep. I am excited —George to see everyone soon. Friday 11/2 2:07 pm —George Con Ed seems to be exhibiting a Friday 11/2 2:27 pm high degree of confidence that Jose and I just left school. power will be back on sometime The kitchen is in good shape. tomorrow. That will give us a Monday’s lunch will be: day to get the buildings up and • Sweet potato bisque running. We have to clean out • Marinated flank steak the kitchens and fire up the • Tofu Francese boilers. Restart the IT etc... • Buttermilk biscuits Here is the plan for next week:

• Roasted sunchokes • Local apples If the power does not come back tomorrow I will make adjustments. — Jude

Friday 11/2

8:46 pm

THE POWER IS ON. See you on Monday. —George

Saturday 11/3

9:16 am

We could make jokes about how fearless the Vikings are or how weather-resistant Nordic people can be but in reality it is the great spirit of the GCS community that will make the annual International Family Night a big hit on this Monday, November 5. Please recover from your cabin fever and join us for all things Scandinavian! We will have plenty of food and drink, crafts for the kids and live entertainment to lift the spirits! —Vigdis Burke and Melinda Weir

Saturday 11/3

4:09 pm

Could anyone who has no way of getting into Manhattan on Monday, please email on Sunday morning and we will work on the carpool. The school will pay for any garage costs for anyone who transports students and or teachers in where there is no public transport available. Thanks —George

Saturday 11/3

7: 12 pm

As of noon today, our network and servers have been confirmed as up and functioning for the first time since Monday evening. —Akbar

Monday, ⁄⁄/∞

8:30 am

The entire community, including many parents, gathered for the chapel service, which conveyed thanks for the safe return of our families and focused on the obligation of the fortunate to reach out to those in need. Kim Chaloner provided an expanded a list of local organizations needing volunteer help.

MEET YOUR TRUSTEES Daniel L. Berger Dan Berger is a partner in the firm of Grant & Eisenhofer. He specializes in litigating complex individual and class actions on behalf of plaintiffs, principally in the areas of securities fraud and unlawful discrimination. He received a B.A. from Haverford College, and a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law. He has served on the Grace Church School Development Committee and High School Capital Campaign Committee, on the GO Project Board, and on several other boards of educational and not-for-profit organizations. He and his wife, Melissa, have a daughter, Olivia, at GCS. He has two older children: Zach, a financial analyst at Citibank; and Ethan, a sophomore at Ringling College of Art and Design.

James Berman Jim Berman is a Principal and General Counsel of Select Equity Group, Inc., an investment advisory firm in New York. Prior to joining Select Equity, he was an attorney with White & Case LLP. Jim received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters of International Affairs in Soviet Studies from Columbia University, and a J.D. from NYU School of Law. He serves on both the Audit and Development Committees of Grace Church School. Jim and his wife, Lisa Rechsteiner, have two children at GCS: Thea, a fifth grader and Oliver, in the first grade.

Tom Geniesse Tom Geniesse is the founder and owner of Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit in New York, which he established in 2006. Prior to that, he was chairman of Quisic, an e-learning company in the field of business education, which he co-founded in 1996 in his garage. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Tom worked in the television business, developing and producing a variety of series and movies. He received a B.A. in English from Williams College. Tom has served on the Finance Committee of Grace Church School. He has also served on the boards of Chelsea Day School and Fountain House. He and his wife, Jan, have three children at GCS: Joseph in the sixth grade, Robert in the fourth grade and Julia in the second grade.

Margaret Towles Maggie Towles worked at Boston Consulting Group and most recently at dELiA*s, the teen fashion company, where she was the director of inventory planning. Maggie received a B.A. in intellectual history with a minor in Chinese at the University of Pennsylvania. Maggie is a member of the Grace Church School Development Committee and High School Capital Campaign Committee. In addition, she has been a key player in the scholarship benefit auction for several years. She currently serves as chairman of the board of Room to Grow, a not-for-profit organization that supports babies born into poverty. She and her husband, Amor, have two children at GCS: Stokley in the fifth grade, and Esmé in the second grade.

SPOTLIGHT ON CURRICULUM:

Foreign Language iPads and laptops, continued from page 1 all enhance and inform the program. Students commence second language study in third grade when they choose to study either French or Spanish. In seventh grade, students may add Latin to their schedules. In ninth grade, students are able to opt into Mandarin as their primary language, and may study Latin as an independent study. As eleventh and twelfth graders, students may opt for advanced study or new language study at NYU. From seventh to twelfth grade, students have the powerful opportunity to experience second languages and culture firsthand through international trips. These trips are coupled with home stays with local families. Students of French spend two weeks in Antibes, France, attending classes at the Centre International d’Antibes. Students of Spanish have the opportunity to spend two weeks in Cadiz, Spain, where they attend classes at the Mundo Lengua Institute. Our current exchange program to Southern China will expand to include a language immersion option as our Mandarin program grows. During trips, students not only live the typical life of a student their age, but as a group, they travel around the local areas to visit and learn about historical and cultural aspects of each country. We are regularly looking to expand options for students to explore language in local contexts and expect to add even more destinations as the high school grows. At the end of their chosen language sequence, students continue their study of a second language with confidence and proficiency. They are also better equipped to understand the political, social and economic differences that separate countries and form distinctive cultures, in addition to having gained a more in-depth knowledge about their own culture. A particular culture’s language is seen as a large part, but only a part, of this deeper knowledge about other civilizations. Currently nine faculty members with a great range of experience in French, Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish teach students in the third through ninth grade, and the departments will expand as the high school reaches full size.

NEWS AROUND SCHOOL

Eighth Grade Graduation The traditional Eighth Grade graduation continues at GCS, as students marked the end of their time at 86 Fourth Avenue last June. Alternating between laughter and tears, students and parents participated in the service in Grace Church followed by a reception in Tuttle Hall.

HIGH SCHOOL HELP FROM ALUMNI In October, five alums from the classes of 2003 and 2004 dropped in to the new high school for breakfast and a chat on “What I wished I had known in High School.” The ninth graders tuned in intently and asked questions about everything from choosing activities and managing their time to dealing with parents. The alums, Ginger Chou, Max Dworin, Sam Harland, Noah Wunsch and Jasmin Stanley fielded them expertly and honestly, and were pleased with the chance to connect with some of GCS’s future fellow alums.

HALLOWEEN CONCERT

On Halloween day musicians in the High School Division topped off the first quarter with a noontime concert of singers and instrumentalists. 13

NEWS AROUND SCHOOL

In Case of an Actual Emergency Assigned various grim conditions to simulate trauma victims, Grace students soberly embraced their roles. Writhing in pain on a gurney, clutching a gaping wound through which intestines protruded, and occasionally crying real tears, the group of seventh graders threw themselves into an emergency pediatric preparedness drill at Beth Israel Hospital in May. Mandated by NYC, the drill aims to help train hospital staff in dealing with children affected by disaster. Beth Israel was the first hospital in the city to conduct the drill, and Grace students were the first volunteer victims.

VIP DAY The headcount in the Early Childhood and Lower School divisions swelled as students brought their grandparents and special friends to school last spring for VIP Day for Grandparents and Special Friends. Fortified by a light breakfast and a warm welcome from George Davison, VIP guests were proudly escorted by students from class to class throughout the morning.

NEWS AROUND SCHOOL

Russian Spectacular

A Musical Treat

At an October assembly, an accordion player and dancer captivated Early Childhood and Lower School students with music, gravitydefying dance moves, Russian lessons, mouthfuls of tongue twisters and the creation (along with the students) of a spontaneous percussion band. At the end, the enthusiastic audience cheered a resounding “Spasibo!”

Our very own Ms. Gong, the Mandarin teacher, is a classicallytrained player of the guzheng, the Chinese zither. After giving a beautiful recital for the fourth grade (and answering their many questions about the instrument), she performed an encore for the Upper School. Listen and watch her remarkable performance on the GCS Teaching and Learning Blog www.learning.gcschool.org.

ROOFTOP RENEWAL The Early Childhood play roof has had a makeover. Last May, the Women’s Dermatologic Society donated a retractable sun-protective awning. Over the summer the school replaced the play surface with a new durable flooring, tough enough for 80 pairs of little feet in perpetual motion.

NEWS AROUND SCHOOL In the spirit of supporting solidarity among girls and women all over the world, the Dean of Community Life, Kim Chaloner, and the Diversity Council hosted an evening panel discussion and salon screening of the documentary series Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, inspired by the book by Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas Kristof. The evening began with a shortened version of the four-hour series, which features women and girls worldwide suffering from gender-based violence. GCS freshman Micaela Macagnone and history teacher Mark Weinsier discussed their 2011-12 work with the Somaly Mam Foundation and Micaela’s founding of the Girl Up! organization at the High School. As the evening ended, each attendee was inspired to keep the conversation going about girls and women at school, at home and beyond.

Half the Sky

APPLES TO APPLESAUCE

GCS Digs It: Family Community Service Day

A slew of volunteers, kids and parents, turned out on an October Saturday to dig, plant, prune, weed and rake at East River Park for a Lower East Side Ecology Center project. Masterminded by parent volunteers Gráinne De Búrca, Vikki King and Naomi Usher, this was a hands-on event that made a difference. The Junior Kindergarten went to Dr. Davies’ Farm to pick apples. In a farm to table effort, they made applesauce and enjoyed the fruits of their labor for dessert. JK applesauce recipe Pick as many apples as you can carry. Cut them up (no need to peel them) and compost the seeds and stems. Put the apple pieces in a pot with a little water, an inch or so, and simmer over low heat, until the apples turn into applesauce. 16

THREE GENERATIONS OF WALLS Alumni parent and grandparent Duane Wall was the featured speaker at a Lower School Assembly last spring; with daughter Cara Wall ’84 and granddaughter Eleanor Livings in second grade.

NEWS AROUND SCHOOL

SIXTH GRADE:

Into the Wild The sixth graders spent five days and four nights in the wilds of Greenkill, a wooded paradise a few miles from Port Jervis, NY. Students hiked, using compasses and maps, explored nature, climbed a rock wall, participated in a production of “The Lorax” and a mock town hall meeting on the conversion of public land. They made their own candles and Jacob’s Ladders. They played soccer every night and during free time on the open fields. They watched an historian fire 18th century weaponry, an eagle owl fly overhead and felt the contracting muscles of anacondas and pythons around their arms. Students ate a lot, bunked in dorms and along with their teachers and the help of trained naturalists, discovered and investigated species of fungi, plants, trees, insects and wild animals. They explored, ran, learned, laughed, fell and got up every day of the week.

At Play in the Fields of Governors Island

MODEL UN TEAM A group of seventh and eighth graders in the Model UN/Debate Elective participated in the October 27 annual Model UN Conference. Accompanied by teachers Nigel Richmond and Rick White, they traveled to the Horace Mann School at 7:30 am (on a Saturday!) and spent the whole day representing various countries: Bahrain, Peru, Argentina, Papua New Guinea, et al. The kids formed committees and represented their country’s interests on a variety of topics: global refugee problems, narcotics trafficking, the controversy over the arctic waterways, Kurdish statehood, and freedom of information.

They arrived in droves by boat, from ports in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, to play ball, ride bikes, tumble, and revel in the beautiful Sunday Family Rec Day at Governors Island. Parents Rob Bratskeir and Doug Bourne planned the event along with physical education teacher Chanté Stone. 17

NEWS AROUND SCHOOL

Go Grace!

The High School Division brings new athletic opportunities to GCS. Starting this year, team sports now include Cross Country, Squash, Fencing, Track & Field, and Tennis. In addition to the sports traditionally offered at GCS, the Athletics Department is pleased to have 15 teams competing in interschool leagues in 2012-13. Keep up with sports at Grace on gcschool.org/athletics.

Japanese Excursion

ยกViva Espana!

Just after finishing the school year last June, seventh and eighth grade students flew to Japan where they spent one more week in classes in Yukuhashi, our 18th exchange with the middle schools there. The trip included plenty of excursions: digging for clams, cave exploration, sightseeing with host families, a tea ceremony, calligraphy lesson, and a trip to Hiroshima. Seventh and eighth graders traveled to Cadiz in the south of Spain for a ten-day cultural and linguistic immersion program. They experienced Andalusian cuisine, music, dance, history, and not to mention, the beautiful beaches. After morning Spanish classes they practiced the language during their afternoon tours and with their host families in the evening. ยกVale! 18

NEWS AROUND SCHOOL

DIVERSITY DINNER Panelists at the Diversity Dinner this fall included several administrators, staff and faculty, who offered thoughtful accounts of their experiences as men of color in education. Adults heard varied perspectives and a wide range of experience while the younger set delighted in the playtime together. Everyone enjoyed the mouthwatering dinner that followed. The annual event, in its 26th year and organized by Linda Cooper, Head’s Assistant and Advisor to Families and Students of Diverse Cultural Backgrounds, along with the Diversity Council, is highly anticipated as much for its meaty subject matter as for the delicious barbeque ribs.

LGBT Educators Meet at GCS

The high school division kicked off the school year by hosting the LGBT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender) Educators Group for a panel discussion on LGBT curricular inclusion in schools. Well attended by GCS faculty, staff and guests from other schools, the back-to-school panel inspired lively discussion on LGBT issues in classrooms up through the high school level, gender and sexuality along lines of race and class, teaching LGBT high school literature, integrating LGBT history into school curricula, and current national trends in school curricula regarding LGBT inclusion.

NOT SO GRIM FAIRY TALE GCS parents Gary Fagin and Tory Weil produced an abbreviated version of Humperdinck’s opera, “Hansel and Gretel,” for the Lower School and Early Childhood divisions. Gary conducted the musical ensemble and Tory starred as Hansel. Cast members included Admissions Director Margery Stone as the sandman and Junior Kindergarten teacher Casey Haltom in dual roles: father and witch.

Vasant Valley VIP Visits Arun Kapur, head of our partner school in Vasant Valley, India, stopped by to speak to GCS students while visiting New York. Third grader Sahil Pratik Shah and Mr. Kapur had a conversation in Hindi, and Sahil reported: “Kids learn Hindi and English, but some speak Marathi. Then you have to have a teacher who speaks Marathi. You have different teachers to teach the different languages.”

NEWS AROUND SCHOOL

INTERNATIONAL FAMILY NIGHT

Scandinavia

Intrepid Vikings miraculously produced International Family Night on the first day back after Sandy had closed the school for a week. Tables groaned with Nordic bounty: Swedish meatballs, herring, salmon with dill sauce, pumpernickel bread and succulent ham. Among the potables were cheery cups of Glรถgg, all followed by entertainment from Ingrid and the Smorgasbroads. Vigdis Burke, Melinda Weir and Carin Giddings led the expedition.

FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS

Exit AD SCAENAM SINISTRAM SAVE THE DATE

Dr. Sam Wheeler taught 26 years of GCS students Latin, Bible and World Religions. He is a passionate teacher, an avid learner, and a prolific farmer. In May, the community gathered to toast our extraordinary colleague and friend and bid him res secundae in his retirement.

Make plans to join us for

MAY FAIR on

Saturday, May ›, ¤‚⁄‹

Sam and Barbara Wheeler, their son Isaac and grandson Zachary

Tell Zelda

Send news to zpwarner@earthlink.net

FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS The party celebrating the opening of Grace Church High School was a huge success. Parents, faculty, staff, past and present, gathered to rejoice at this milestone. Alumni were well represented and it was gratifying to hear how many enjoy reading about the people who were so important to them while they were at Grace. They asked about so many of their former teachers and if you keep me informed, I can keep them informed. Please contact me at zpwarner@earthlink.net. Former Headmaster Charles Arlin and wife Jane, who taught science at GCS and later at Chapin, are now living in the rectory of St. John’s Church in New City, NY where he is the interim pastor. Prior to that he was the interim at Holy Cross Church in Kingston, NY…So much for retirement!!! Their four children are all married and they are the happy grandparents of 10. Charles wrote, “I think of Grace Church School often and was at Grace Church for a wedding last summer. The school has changed tremendously and I

am impressed at what has happened. Please let people know that we haven’t forgotten the school.” Marilyn Heineman and Doug Levine are colleagues at Brearley. Marilyn is a member of the Learning Skills Department and Doug, in addition to teaching Phys.Ed., is the Advisor to Class XI. He is also the Director and Head Coach of the Brearley Volleyball Camp. Roy Lobel went to Midwood High School in Brooklyn after leaving Grace and then went on to Francis Lewis High School in Fresh Meadows, NY and recently retired as Assistant Principal for Social Studies. Here are some excerpts from the NYC Dept. of Education website posted by one of his former students: “It is not very often that a man with the wisdom and talent that Mr. Royden Lobel has decides to become a teacher in the New York City public schools. Mr. Lobel was my teacher for AP World History and his influence on me was profound. He made class fun and I still cite many of his

“Lobelisms.” He knows everything and anything (about his subject) and is always there to help with school and life. Besides being an incredible teacher, Mr. Royden Lobel is also a role model. He inspired me to become a teacher and I hope I can be half the teacher and the man that he is.” Congratulations to Maggie Staats Simmons who welcomed her first grandchild, Elizabeth Jane Bullock last April. The family had a great time in East Hampton last summer becoming acquainted with Elizabeth Jane and enjoying all of her new discoveries. Mary Telford Williams and the men in her life—husband, Hyram, sons Isaac, Jackson, and Lucas—are now living in Austin, TX. She is teaching at a preschool with wonderful on-campus opportunities to explore the wonders of nature. She recently shared in the joy of one of her student’s first sighting of a “real” rainbow, “not a picture in a book or something on TV.”

Do you enjoy reading about former colleagues? They would love to read about YOU! Please send me an email with your news. 21

FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS

NEW FACULTY Mischa Antonio French B.A. Durham University Experience: George Watson’s College (Edinburgh, Scotland), Abraham Joshua Heschel School

Katherine Cheung Learning Specialist B.A. Johns Hopkins University; M.A. New York University; Ph.D. candidate New York University Experience: The School at Columbia University; Beth Israel Medical Center

Iris Cortes Spanish B.S. New York University; M.A. Teachers College, Columbia University Experience: Mott Hall, Global Neighborhood Secondary School, The Heritage School

Sarah Couri Director of Library and Information Systems B.A., M.L.S. University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign Experience: New York Public Library

Robert Davis Kindergarten Assistant Teacher B.F.A. University of North Carolina, Charlotte Experience: Trinity Episcopal School (Charlotte, NC)

Alexander Dillon History B.A. Macalester College; Ph.D. Harvard University Experience: Lawrence Woodmere Academy, College of the Holy Cross, Teaching Fellow, Harvard University

Erica Drew Junior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher B.A. University of Rhode Island Experience: GCS substitute teacher, NYC Public Schools

Peter Fischer Voice B.M. Westminster Choir College of Rider University Experience: 10 years at GCS (substitute and interim), Irvington Presbyterian Church, River Arts Music Program

Elsa Garrow Crowley Latin B.A. Trinity College; M.Ed. Saint Joseph College Experience: Staten Island Academy, Spartanburg School District Seven (SC)

Xueyang Gong Mandarin B.A. Shaoxing University; M.A. New York University Experience: The Packer Collegiate Institute, Ross School

Muna Gurung Writing B.A. Lake Forest College; M.F.A. Columbia University Experience: Columbia University

Cynthia Jackson Biology B.S. Milligan College; M.A.T. Georgia State University; M. Ed. Teachers College, Columbia University Experience: The Browning School, PBS Channel Thirteen Education Consultant

Nick Kadajski Music B.A. Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester Experience: 5 years at GCS (substitute), Brooklyn public schools

Kristina Marantz Junior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher B.A. The New School Experience: Learning Leaders NYC Public Schools, Surfers Healing

Jason McDonald Technology Integrator B.A. Fordham University; M.S. Brooklyn College; PhD. candidate Fordham University Experience: The Packer Collegiate Institute, UNIS

Claire Bigelow Nalley French B.S. Trinity College Experience: The Chapin School, Maison de la France, Ministère de Tourisme

Leslie Peña Spanish B.A. New York University Experience: City and Country School; Village Community School; Cultural Institute (Tampico, MX); Felix de Jesus Rougier School (Tampico, MX)

FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS

Suhna Pi Grade Two Assistant Teacher B.S. New York University; M.A. Teachers College, Columbia University Experience: P.S. 41 and NYC Public Schools

Jennifer Pommiss Dance B.A. Oberlin College; M.F.A. Ohio State University Experience: Greenwich Academy, Belvoir Terrace (Lenox, MA)

NEW STAFF Peter Ayee Maintenance Staff

Miriam Burns Admissions Associate A.B. Dartmouth College; M.B.A. Columbia Business School; Ed.D. Teachers College, Columbia University

David Carmant Maintenance Staff

Jacob Root

MiChelle Carpenter

English and World Literature A.B. Harvard College; M.A. Yale Divinity School Experience: St. Bernard’s School, The Winsor School (Boston)

Dean of the Class of 2016 B.S. Drexel University; Ph.D. candidate, Rutgers Univ. Experience: Kumon of North America, The Packer Collegiate Institute, The Park School (Baltimore)

Paul Rossi

Eileen Cheng

Mathematics B.A. Cornell University; M.A. Hunter College Experience: HBO.com, Bespoke Education, Ivy League Essays

Kitchen Staff

Leah Silver Lower School Assistant B.A. Brandeis University

Melanie Choukrane Director of College Counseling B.A. Sarah Lawrence College; M.A. Teachers College, Columbia University Experience: The Brearley School, Barnard College, Sarah Lawrence College

Elizabeth Herman Friday Receptionist M.B.A. University of Southern Mississippi

Charlene Sung

Robert O’Neill

Junior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher B.A. Boston College; M.A.T. University of Southern California Experience: Bronx Global Learning Institute for Girls

Maintenance Staff

Wendell Reynolds Maintenance Staff

Stefanie Victor

Stephanie Venetsky

Visual Arts B.F.A. Rhode Island School of Design, M.F.A. Yale University School of Art Experience: Trinity College, Housatonic Community College

Kitchen Staff

Sonia von Gutfeld Lower School Assistant B.A. Yale University Experience: The Cathedral School

Coco Yang Kindergarten Assistant Teacher B.A. Connecticut College; M.A. Teachers College, Columbia University Experience: Dance Teacher at Marymount

Andrea Warmack Assistant to the Dean of Faculty B.A. candidate, Hunter College Experience: External Affairs Department at Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services.

Lindsey Willis School Counselor B.A. Mount Holyoke College; M.A. University of Chicago Experience: Horace Mann School, Ackerman Institute for the Family

Sonia Willson Administrative Assistant to Head of High School B.A. Brooklyn College Experience: Friends Seminary 23

TEACHERS GOING PLACES Akbar Ali Herndon California Unplugged service. Even the cell service was spotty. For all Imagine a vacation where you see great places intents and purposes, there were no options for and even spend time with special people, but all online communication. the while your attention is involuntarily lockedInstead of technology, what Vichy Springs did in on problems at work. You take the vacation, have was a number of “champagne baths” simipay for the vacation, but miss the vacation. This lar to those found at the Vichy baths in Central is the toll technology can take by always being France—naturally warm, bubbling, carbonated connected. And this is why my summer vacation to springs that flow into individualized soaking tubs. California was based on unplugging the technology as California’s Vichy Springs are estimated to be over five often as possible, therefore being on vacation from million years old. It was very easy to stop wondering New York and technology, too. about email messages once we got into a rhythm of I could not afford to disappear from technology soaking in the mineral pools several times a day, and construction projects communications for two Email and swimming, hiking and just enjoying the extraorentire weeks, so my goal was to have a tech free Internet were not dinary setting. Slowly, the effects of living an (as much as possible) vacation. I could only do missed as my brain always on/always connected life began to drop this through backward planning, similar to once again seemed away. By the time we left the area four days later, developing lesson plans. I selected times and to reorganize I did not think about who might be trying to locations for scheduled unavailability, then itself around new reach me. I had to trust that the supports I left in prepared my staff and contacts not to expect to priorities. place were working. hear from me during those periods. On the eighth day we flew south to San Diego I began my vacation with my family by flying to San where after two days of the beautiful Balboa Park and San Francisco and enjoying the great food and shockingly Diego Zoo, we drove two hours northeast to Palms steep hills for three days. For every one of those first Springs. Yes, the temperature hit 110 degrees each three mornings, I woke up with some problematic day we were there, but we were saved by slow, aspect of technology installations on my mind. long days spent in the swimming pool or adjacent Throughout the day, I felt the automatic wish to hot tub, air conditioned rooms and once again no check in. online communication. Email and Internet were As noted in my journal on the first day: not missed as my brain once again seemed to [Unplugging] has to be gradual as I set up a reorganize itself around new priorities. After two temporary escape. weeks we flew home from San Diego from what On the second day, I switched from online jourfelt like the first true vacation I have in many years. nal entries to handwritten entries. We also visited In truth it was the first vacation I have made space for the fantastic Technology Museum in Cupertino. Little by unplugging. by little, I set up affairs so that by the fourth day, I did not Now that I am free of its [technology’s] driving force, have to turn my computer on. I am not sure there is any difference [between this There is always more to attend to—reading one and] the stop that comes from any true vacation. I [more] email or following one topic leads to vacate and by stopping, my more essential needs ‘another drink.’ Being on the computer feeds and interests re-emerge in balance. my desire to be online. It’s a spark that I really had not realized the level of expectaattracts… tions imposed by email. I intend to find ways to On the fourth day we drove two hours North of San Francisco to the Vichy Springs Spa, a introduce freedom-from-technology into the cabin resort with neither television nor Internet Grace Church School culture.

Schuyler Semlear Ecuador and Galapagos Islands In early August, I left NYC for my 18-day adventure to the Amazon and Galapagos islands. My flight arrived in Quito, Ecuador, which is the second highest capital city in the world at 9,350 feet. The trip would take me from 9,350 feet to sea level and back. On my first day in Quito, I took the TeleferiQo (tram) to the top of Pichincha volcano with an altitude of 12,943 feet. I ascended early in the morning to gain access to the best views before the afternoon clouds covered the mountaintops. This vantage point provided a spectacular overview of Quito in the valley below. The Cotopaxi volcano could be seen in the distance with an even greater altitude of 19,347 feet above sea level. Quito was one of the first World Cultural Heritage Sites as declared by UNESCO. The city is spread out in different neighborhoods with the most stunning architecture and churches in Centro Historico. The plazas were bustling with people selling goods, artisanal crafts and many different Ecuadorian street foods. I stumbled upon an amazing cultural experience at the Church of San Francisco and partook in a Catholic mass in Spanish. Not only was this a unique cultural event, but also it allowed me a chance to observe the exquisite architecture and guild work of the church that had been built in the early 16th century. I had the opportunity to take a local bus to Mitad del Mundo, also known as “The Middle of the World.” Here I went to two museums, one on the real equator: 0’00’00. This science-focused museum was spectacular in that simple experiments showed the clear presence of the equatorial force. One of the most interesting experiments demonstrated the lack of strength on the equatorial line, but the regaining of that strength just north and south of the equator. I also successfully balanced an egg on a nail (a great accomplishment at the equator)! Two days into my trip I flew from Quito to Baltra Island airport in the Galapagos Islands. It was a short flight, but a vastly different climate and environment. It was here that I boarded the motor vessel “Tip Top III” for my 8-day Galapagos expedition. The Galapagos Islands are a chain of volcanic islands, many of which are still active. Each island is unique, not only in the way it looks, but in the types of species that reside there. What stunned me most about these bio-diverse islands was how the animals did not fear humans. My guide explained that because of the regulations in the Galapagos Islands, humans are just another animal, and as long as we don’t threaten them, we are able to observe the unique wonders from just inches away. Each day in the Galapagos, an Ecuadorian naturalist with 30 years of experience in the Galapagos led my group. What struck me the most was how after 30 years, he still was excited about discovering and observing the many plants, animals and geographic formations. A typical day consisted of two hours on land, one hour of snorkeling,

free time and then snorkeling and another land excursion in the afternoon. I saw many animals including marine iguanas, sea lions, blue footed and red footed boobies, frigate birds, many species of heron, and my favorite: the Galapagos penguin. One of my most memorable experiences will be snorkeling off of Punta Vicente Roca, where I swam with penguins and drifted in the surf with over 30 Pacific green turtles. The Galapagos allowed me to observe firsthand how animals have adapted to live in their environments. I learned about a cactus that has fine hairs, not spikes, because it has evolved over time due to a lack of natural predators. Another unique adaptation was a scorpion that lost its venom due to a lack of predators. When humans first came to the Galapagos, they did not understand its unique and mystical wonders. Many invasive species were introduced, some of which are still wreaking havoc on native species. After the Galapagos, I returned to Quito for two days, and then flew to Coca airport in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Here I boarded a motorized canoe on the Napo River for a two-hour ride covering 70 kilometers. Along the way, I saw oil refineries as well as the unique formations of an ever-changing river. We were welcomed to the NAPO Wildlife Center by the Kichua Ayngu peoples. At the welcome center, we boarded a paddle canoe and embarked on a two-hour ride through black water swamps and creeks. During my five days in the Amazon, we explored many different ecological niches of the rainforest. One morning, we ascended to the canopy from a birding tower upon an old kapok tree. It was here that I observed red howler monkeys, blue and yellow macaws, as well as many other vibrantly colored birds. The walks through the flooded palm swamps brought the forest floor to life with spiders, heron and well-camouflaged frogs and toads. Our local guide explained the importance and medicinal uses of many rainforest plants. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to observe first hand such unique and diverse landscapes. I got a view into Ecuadorian culture and the importance of church and family. The Galapagos amazed me in its ability to house unique ecological niches while also supporting a flourishing eco-tourism industry. My Amazon experience allowed me to witness how natives to the land have realized the importance of protecting and conserving the environment and, as a result, they have managed to protect and maintain the Yasuni National Park, which is considered one of the most biodiverse biospheres in the world. This experience has strengthened my teaching and aided me in introducing a new unit on animal adaptations to the third grade. I greatly thank the 8th Grade Parents Fund for making this life changing adventure possible. Visit gcschool.org/ecuador for more photos.

ALUMNI PROFILE EMI KNAFO ’·§

urgery on a goldfish (it needed bladder repair). Mending the wing of a great blue heron (humeral osteotomy). Dental exams and pregnancy checks on endangered zebras. Sterilizing Galapagos tortoises to help restore a delicate ecosystem on Pinta Island. Monitoring the health of Cape buffalo and wildebeests in South Africa. Any of these are in a day’s work for Emi Knafo ’96, a zoological veterinarian. “We’re kind of jack-of-all trades,” Emi says of her specialty. Unlike dog and cat or horse and cow specialists, “we are supposed to be able to do everything for the non-domestic species—reproductive care, surgery, medicine, anesthesia.” And she does. As a third-year resident in zoological medicine and surgery at Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Emi works on a huge range of animals. Training for this elite specialty is long and rigorous. There are only six such programs in the country, and they are highly competitive. For as long as she can remember, Emi has wanted to be a veterinarian. She had originally wanted to work with horses, so in her senior year of high school, she interned with both a horse vet and the Central Park Zoo. It was there that she realized she wanted to be a zoological veterinarian and she never looked back. “There was never really any question. So it was a little scary pursuing it because people will always tell you, this is really hard. You should have a plan B. And

I said, ‘there can’t be a plan B.’” The array of skills a zoo vet picks up is greater than you would guess. As a student in 2005, Emi traveled to South Africa with a group called Envirovet, where she worked with a team testing for tuberculosis in a collection of Cape buffalo and wildebeest around national parks. The program required all participants to be gun proficient before entering the bush for their work, though they did not carry guns. The only gun Emi had ever picked up was the AK-47 she practiced with, which no one really believed when she used it win first place in a moving target competition. During her residency, Emi was asked to be one of three veterinarians involved in a project to help restore Pinta Island tortoises in the Galapagos. Emi sterilized hydride tortoises to be released on the island

in an effort to engineer the eco-system back to a place suitable for the indigenous tortoises. Since then, the last Pinta tortoise in existence, Lonely George, died. A team from Yale is searching the genes of other Galapagos tortoises to find a genetic relative to repopulate the island. Emi is currently finishing up her first residency treating patients including squirrels, kangaroos, baby bears among a long list of other species. She is looking ahead to a possible second residency in dog and cat surgery with the aim of specializing further in surgery before taking her board exams for both Zoo Medicine and Surgery. Emi recalls learning about taxonomy in biology class with Sandra Geehreng at GCS “I thought she was a great teacher and I loved biology class. I remember her teaching taxonomy and memorizing all those names for different classes of invertebrates. I thought that was really cool and thinking that I never knew that words like that even existed!” She said she will appreciate it again when she has to remember all that taxonomy for the board exams. As for the future, Emi would like stay in academia after completing her residencies. “I love being in an academic institution, I like having specialists of all varieties around the hall who are easily accessible for consultation or a hand.” Private practice and consulting are options, too. “There is room for all of it.”

REINVENTING A SCHOOL LIBRARY ABIGAIL KAMEN HOLLAND ’°⁄

A guide to using the Internet that was published in 1997…a book on how to drive, written for a British audience…a spelling primer from the 1920s. What do these books have in common? Not much, except they were all found on the dusty shelves of the library at Park East High School, where I spent last year as an intern as part of my training to become a school librarian. How I got there is a story of luck and connections—GCS connections, of course. I had actually debated with myself whether to attend my 30th Grace Church School reunion. Certainly I had fond memories of attending Grace through 5th grade. In fact, I got my start as a librarian by shelving books for Mrs. Boucher. But I wondered if anyone would remember me; I had probably set foot there only once or twice in the last 33 years! My fears were allayed when I walked into the refectory (wait a minute, it’s actually the library now) and was greeted by several old friends, all of whom looked exactly the same, only grown up and wearing something other than navy jumpers or striped ties. As the conversation turned to what everyone was doing with their lives—some pretty interesting things, I might add—I described my plans for a second career as a librarian. My classmate Suzy Ort immediately took interest. As the assistant principal of a small public high school in East Harlem that had just received a generous grant from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer to renovate their library, she was looking for an intern to tackle the project. Suzy, who has a doctorate in education and has worked at Park East High School for ten years, has made it her mission to revive the library, which has been dormant since the last librarian’s departure

eight years ago. The $600,000 grant for renovation would go a long way toward an attractive new space with modern furnishings, but Suzy needed someone to guide the vision. I dove in head first. The first step was a major one: weeding the old books. I reduced the collection of 6,000 books by about half with the acronym MUSTY in mind: Misleading (books with inaccurate information), Ugly, Superseded (by newer editions), Trivial, and Your Collection Has No Use For. High on the list to discard was encyclopedias and other reference books. Plans called for an adjacent computer lab, which would enable students to conduct research online—especially if a librarian is there to guide them to the best resources. Next I had to set up an automation system for the library. The previous librarian actually had a card catalog! At the end of the school year I had the exciting task of ordering new books. The budget allowed for only 150 books, but that’s a solid start for a library that has not purchased any new materials since 2005. As I continued to observe Suzy in action, it became clear that every bit of progress at Park East is hard won, especially watching her navigate the thickets of Department of Education policies, school budgets, and construction deadlines. Ever determined and resourceful, Suzy even found private funding in order to hire a librarian, which her staff budget would not otherwise allow. Reader, I got the job. So this year I transitioned from a rewarding but daunting internship to an equally challenging and no less rewarding position as an official librarian. I owe it all to the special bonds that GCS creates—and to the good fortune that Suzy and I reunited last spring.

The Grace Church School Alumni Association presents

GCS AFTER HOURS

Show & Tell January ‹⁄, ¤‚⁄‹ It all began with FIRSTS, a storytelling extravaganza. We moved on to THINGS I DIDN’T LEARN IN SCHOOL, strange, wonderful and ridiculous demonstrations. This year, we bring you SHOW & TELL. Sounds old fashioned and simple to be sure, but make no mistake— this is GCS AFTER HOURS, an unpredictable live event, with music, cocktails,snacks and a lineup of alums, parents and faculty on stage with a new interpretation of SHOW & TELL.

Join Jason Hackett ’°›, irreverent emcee in black tie, Pierce Jackson ’‚‚, downtown DJ extraordinaire and a cast of GCS All-Stars showing and telling all.

Tickets $⁄∞ All are welcome

(21 and older, please)

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Alumni Association, hosted by the Alumni Board and open to all alumni of Grace Church School, will be held on January ‹⁄st at 6:30 pm. Find out more about the Alumni Assoiciation’s growing presence at GCS. Come for the meeting; stay for GCS After Hours!

SAVE THE DATE Scholarship Benefit Auction

Reserve your seat for this year’s exciting event at gcschool.org/afterhours

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March ‡, ¤‚⁄‹

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ALUMNI NEWS

1949

The archival photos in the most recent annual report generated lots of conversation. Peter Blaxill and Hale Bradt from the class of ’49 chatted about this one: Hale wrote: I was amused to see that old baseball team photo on page 10. The three boys in the front right are (left to right) Peter Blaxill, Gerry Ianelli, and Rocky Martino, my classmates back then. I suspect it was not really a baseball “team” but rather that they were out playing baseball that day and took the picture. This prompted me to look up Peter. I just had a long wonderful chat with him. He is into writing poetry now and is doing well. Peter offered more details in a follow up email: I had given the booklet a brief look-through but missed the picture. I think it’s the oldest one in it. I had to laugh because I had never seen it before. Did we really look like that? I recognized Gerry and Rocky but not the two others but the man looming over us in the back was called Mr. Bessinger although I can’t remember what he taught us. We weren’t really a team. We just played each other at recess time in the yard outside the school. No uniforms. Just what we wore to school each day. I think I had been a Grace only a year or two before. My mother, my brother, Sidney, and I had returned to New York after living in Bermuda for a number of years where my brother and I went to school (I am still wearing the blazer from the school in the photo.) We had to come back because England and Germany were at war in 1939. My brother, Sidney, also attended Grace for a while until he moved on to boarding school. He sang in the choir too. I stayed on at Grace through 1946 when they closed down the all-boys version of the school. Sometime later it reopened as a co-ed elementary institution. I was supposed to go through high school there, and would have graduated in the class of 1949 if it hadn’t closed down. I moved on to another high school and attended Bard College majoring in drama, graduating in 1953. After being drafted into the army for two years, I returned and went to a drama school on the GI Bill and started a career as a “Theater Professional,” mostly as an actor but I did stage man-

aging and technical work as well. During my rather “checkered” career, I appeared at various times on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Kennedy Center in DC, stock and you name it. Most of my work was in regional theater around the country. I am retired now and have turned to writing poetry. A few have been published in a literary magazine and I am preparing to get more published hopefully. I’m also doing readings around town when I have a chance. I am also an associate artistic director for an Off-Off Broadway company: Break-A-Leg Productions here in the city. I got a good laugh out of the picture. It is hard to believe so many years have passed.

1951

Jan Campbell cruachan@bellsouth.net

Class Agent Jan Campbell reports: Diana Oliver Turner’s oldest granddaughter, Rejane, is to be married in November, another granddaughter is working at Juniata College, grandson Kobren (at 6'4") is playing football and another granddaughter, Rachel is starting high school! The horrible part of this all is that we are not old enough to have grandkids doing these things! As usual, her children are excelling: Todd, Prince George’s County, MD legislative officer, is regularly written up in papers/magazines for many things political, her youngest daughter Teri, was given an award for her work with at-risk teenage girls and her oldest, Athena, spent a whirlwind two weeks in Great Britain scoping out locations for exchange students to/from Juniata. Gotta say, Diana has got to be one proud parent. As for Jan, she is the exhausted owner of a new dog— Ember—an Australian shepherd/Catahoula mix. Jan says “she is charming, very loving and has much more energy than expected, but it sure does keep one on the move! Since no word has been forthcoming from the rest of the class, I have to assume that all are happily engaged in activities that keep their body, mind and soul happy and fulfilled.”

1954

Cynthia Pyle c.m.pyle@nyu.edu

1956

Pamela Soden pasoden@aol.com

1957

Mike Klein just retired after 38 years in the healthcare field, where he worked as a VP of operations. He has been married for 38 years and has two children, Jordan and Tracy. He says he misses the good days.

ALUMNI NEWS

1958

DeeGee Godfrey durellgodfrey@optonline.net

SAVE THE DATE! ∞∞th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹

Durell Godfrey and Fred Covan caught up at GCS in August. They spent a couple of hours refreshing their memories and seeing all the changes at 86 Fourth Avenue, recalling classmates and fearful moments as students. Approaching the office of Head George Davison, Fred noted that it was always a bad sign to enter that door. They also toured the High School at length, noting the architectural references to the school they knew. Running into our architect at the High School, they got a quick history of the area and how elements in the design referred to an era long past —as far back as when three tribes of Native Americans came together to meet at what is now Cooper Square. While here, Fred autographed his book, “Crazy All the Time,” which he gave the school in 1994 without a signature. He wrote: “To all my dear friends at GCS. I loved this place and you are lucky to be there.”

1959

Ted Chaloner climbed Mt. Kilamanjaro in July, with GCS in his pack. HE HIKED TO THE TOP OF MT. KILMANJARO. That’s up more than 19,000 ft. He writes: My adventure included climbing Kilimanjaro, going on safari to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, and a visit to Zanzibar. Accompanying me on the climb was Martin Cohen, my wife’s cousin, and 10 other intrepid hikers from the US, Canada and Australia. Our expedition was lead by a wonderful head guide, Godlove Kiwesu, three assistant guides, a cook, an assistant cook, a waiter and 54 porters! We were higher than the clouds.

Because only 43% of those who attempt the climb make it to the top, I asked my daughter Kim (the duck), and granddaughters Sabina (the mosaic sun) and Ramona (the bracelet) to make me good luck charms. They worked—here’s a photo of me at the top with their talismans. My son, Chris Chaloner, joined me for a safari and trip to Zanzibar.The Ngorongoro crater has the largest concentrated gathering of wildlife in the world. Up close, we saw Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Cape Buffalo, Rhinoceros, and many others. We visited a Maasi village. Here I am with the Chief. Zanzibar was tranquil and beautiful.

1961

Diane Falk dianemfalk@yahoo.com

1962

Alan Bernheimer abernhei@yahoo.com

Class of ’62 ∞‚TH REUNION Abe Caceres released a new album of world music for chorus in October. Download the spectacular mix of European music, ragtime, Afro-Latin rhythms, jazz, black gospel, Andean music, and holy hip hop from his website www.worldhousemusic.org. Last May, nine members of the class of ’62 made their way back to Grace Church School to celebrate their 50th reunion. From as far away as New Zealand and as nearby as 14th Street, the old friends enjoyed an afternoon inhabiting old familiar spaces, poring over photos and touring the high school space under construction. They capped off the festivities with dinner at the home of Elinor Ratner, mother of Peter ’62. Peter Ratner made the trip back from New Zealand to serve double duty: the 50th reunion was quite an attraction, but it paled in comparison to the other reason for his trip—the birth of his grandaughter, Lilith Eleanor Minnick, who arrived on May 24. 31

ALUMNI NEWS

1963

Cathy Guyler clguyler@att.net

SAVE THE DATE! ∞‚th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹

1973

Elizabeth Bailey ebailey@nyc.rr.com

SAVE THE DATE! ›‚th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹

1975

Martha Bailey baileymart@gmail.com Valerie Paley VRPaley@aol.com

1976

Ethan Silverman emanproductions@nyc.rr.com

Ethan Silverman took over as the Director of Annual Giving at the Dwight School Foundation this fall.

1977 1965

David Ratner dratner@hurrlaw.com

1966

Jill Brandon Wilson Evitt brandonathome@alum.conncoll.edu Patricia Butler Whitehill whitehillt@carnegiemuseums.org

1967

Verne Deffner Uvezian vleven1953@yahoo.com

1968

Paul Rittenberg paul.rittenberg@foxnews.com

SAVE THE DATE! ›∞th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹

1969 1971

Rodney Hobbs Rodney.hobbs@aya.yale.edu

Mary-Paula Bailey Allegaert mpallegaert@gmail.com

Best excuse of the week: Mary-Paula Bailey Allegaert wrote to say she couldn’t attend the recent Alumni Board meeting because “I am editing all day and into the night so won’t be able to make meeting or call. (On a small world note, I’m editing with Laura Millstein who is a new GCS HS parent!)” Photo evidence to the left.

1972 32

Sidney Monroe sidneysmonroe@gmail.com

Nancy Weigner Shapiro Toddlers2@aol.com

Rachael Bradley Swift says she is enjoying living in California again after 13 years of living away.

1978

Michele Minters Queen mich7@knology.net

SAVE THE DATE! ‹∞th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹ Chris Walker moved to Washington, D.C. in June, to become executive director of the National Endowment for Democracy International Forum for Democratic Studies. He and Dilara, his wife, and sons Talis and Sandis live in Arlington, VA.

1979

Conni Walsh Langan cwalsh@watchmewin.com

Fran Thorpe Peyer writes: Born and raised in NYC. I married in 1983 and moved to Wisconsin in 1990. I have two kids and my own business, Empire of Janesville, teaching and performing music and drama.

1980

Paul Jelinek paul_jelinek@yahoo.com

Class agent Paul Jelinek reports: This is my first year as class agent and it has been an absolutely sensational experience reconnecting with former classmates. I had an existential encounter with Grady Carson (one of my closest, oldest childhood friends from both Grace and high school) before I took on the role of class agent—about a year ago in Washington Square Park where we used to play together, I serendipitously ran into Grady playing with his two kids, Ansel (10) and Dashiell (7). Grady was

ALUMNI NEWS in town visiting as he now lives in El Cerrito, CA (East Bay of the Bay Area) where he works for a nonprofit educational publishing house called Developmental Studies Center. Grady still plays the drums—he’s in a rock and roll band-—and coaches his son’s baseball team. Reconnecting with Grady provided the impetus to speak with Lars Kry. We got together for what I hope is the first of many lunches. Lars, gregarious and full of life as ever, has had a dramatic life, to say the least. After graduating from Yale with an M.B.A., Lars worked at L’Oreal in NY and Paris and then went on to found his own boutique advertising shop. His life took a dramatic turn for the worse almost ten years ago when he was in a terrible automobile accident. After coming out of a coma and a long rehabilitation process he savors every moment of his life. He has two boys, ages 12 and six, and is now writing his memoirs—I, for one, am looking forward to the read and to more get togethers. I also connected with John Allison. John has been married for 18 years and has four children—three girls (14, 12 and 11) and a nine-year-old boy. John is as a partner at K&L Gates, a law firm in Charlotte, NC. He says “My family went on vacation to Yellowstone this summer and had a wonderful time. I would highly recommend it for families with children no younger than mine—lots of hiking for the best views. Otherwise, I just try to keep up with my kids’ school and sporting activities.” Ivory Johnson lives and works in Washington, DC. He owns a financial planning practice, managing money and, as he says, “making sure the government or unforeseen circumstances don’t take too much of what people accumulate.” Ivory also writes a blog for CNBC online and periodically does appearances on the TV Network. His son Ivory III is 14, just started high school, plays violin for the orchestra and runs track—his 4 x 800 relay team just took fourth place in the country and the USATF Junior Olympics. Stephanie Nilva lives in the East Village and is the executive director of Day One (dayone.ny.org), a fantastic non profit that is the only organization in New York City solely devoted to the issue of teen dating violence. Stephanie has lived most of her adult life in Manhattan with a brief three-year stint in San Francisco. She recently she had the honor of being selected as a finalist in the New Yorker’s weekly cartoon caption contest. Congratula-tions Stephanie on your creative talents!

I found Taub Swartz, who left GCS in the second grade, and he did not fail to remind me that I owe him lunch money (he also recalls my practicing a tennis serve with no ball or racquet in the school yard). After years in the financial services industry (UBS, Morgan Stanley), Taub is now the CFO of a digital media company. He has two kids, ages seven and 11, and is happily married living in Ohio. Matthew Whitworth has been working at Janet Borden, a top NYC photography gallery based in Soho, for the last 23 years. Matthew met Janet Borden when he went to the school for visual arts at SUNY Purchase. Matthew lives in Greenwood, Brooklyn and says he is passionate about scuba diving and has taken several trips to Cozumel, Mexico. Anna Li, my Vassar College classmate, is happily married, living in downtown Manhattan with her fiveyear-old daughter Lili Li, who is in kindergarten in Chelsea. Anna is an event producer and is writing articles on getting a NYC child into Kindergarten. Another Vassar grad, Larry Mercado, lives in Bayside, Queens. Married for eight years, he has a sixyear-old daughter and works as a business analyst/project manager with ABN AMRO. He writes, “I can’t play basketball anymore (bum knees), but I am an avid runner.” Luzette Sanchez Puddicombe lives in Tampa, FL, and is married with three children—Samantha (8), Nate (7) and Ben(5). She writes, “Life is great.” Karla Silverman is enjoying life as a perennial New Yorker. She is married with two girls, Ruby (12) and Violet (9) and lives on the Upper West Side along with a guinea pig named Dwayne. Karla was a dancer in her twenties and then went back to school and became a midwife/nurse practitioner. She worked for many years providing care for women in community clinics in Washington Heights and the South Bronx before taking her current position at a not-for-profit healthcare consulting firm. She is currently working on a big project with sixteen community health centers in New Orleans. As for me, after graduating from Vassar College I got my M.B.A. at NYU and spent the better part of the last 15 years working in the media and entertainment industry for large companies (Discovery, Nickelodeon, A&E) and now for a interactive television start up. I live near GCS, just off Union Square, with my wife, Kate, and little Stella, my gregarious 17-month-old daughter. Kate and I are passionate about adventure travel (she says we have been to 80 countries between

ALUMNI NEWS us) although that has taken a little less of our time lately as Stella can only manage a 4-hour flight to the Caribbean (fine by us for now). I would love to hear from other classmates and hope to organize a get-together soon.

1981

Lisa Kellar lisa.kellar@yahoo.com

1982

Chris Collet crcollet@aol.com

1983

Lori Wasserman littlelor7@aol.com

1988

SAVE THE DATE! ¤∞th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹

1991

SAVE THE DATE! ‹‚th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹

Alex Edlich alexander_edlich@mckinsey.com

Marc Goldwyn mistogold@mac.com

Sia Sotirakis, upon receiving the Annual Report “Reflecting Forward” sent this note: “I just opened up the brochure and was so touched looking at all the black and white photos. Made me nostalgic for the Grace experience. Such an extraordinary school and community.”

1992

Isca Greenfield-Sanders studio@iscags.com

1984

Jason Hackett kieran.jason.hackett@gmail.com

1985

Evan Silverman emsnba@yahoo.com

1986

Charles Buice charlesbuice@hotmail.com

Katherine de Vos katherine.devos@alumni.duke.edu

Michael Kuh michael.kuh@lw.com

Amy Sonnenborn amysonnenborn@gmail.com

Gwyn Welles gwynwelles@yahoo.com

1993

James Benenson james@jamesbenenson.com

Alexandra Strubing AlexStrubingParadise@yahoo.com

1987

Kate Baker katebaker6666@gmail.com Tyler Maroney tylermaroney@gmail.com

Sasha Petraske talked about the reasons for his signless, reservations-only tavern, Milk & Honey in The New York Times last summer, revealing that it all started because of promises he made to his landlord, a grade school chum. Hmmm.... Things are changing, though. The bar moved uptown, and will have a sign. And he’s released a cocktail app, which also involved a grade school friend—Kelly Chang, who helped develop it.

SAVE THE DATE! ¤‚th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹ Kyle Kliegerman married Lisa Jorjorian last June in Chicago.

ALUMNI NEWS

1994

Sophie Rosenblum SophieRosenblum@yahoo.com

1995

Rachel Friedman zabarkes@post.harvard.edu

Jonathan Inbal dropped by GCS in June. He’s working in a bio lab at NYU after more than four years teaching in Indonesia and Korea. He’s looking ahead to graduate school to study math, evolutionary systems and biology.

Brian Platzer brianplatzer@gmail.com

1999

Andrea Marpillero-Colomina andrea.vm.colomina@gmail.com Pierce Jackson piercej@papermag.com

Eric Lockhart is working at the International Rescue Committee, serving as Executive Director for the New York chapter of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, studying for the GRE and GMAT, and still playing basketball.

Zoe Jackson married Eric Render on July 14, 2012. GCS alumna Anna Lewis ’95 was in attendance, and brother Pierce Jackson ’99 DJ’ed. Andrew Umans writes: My wife Elizabeth, new baby Clara (born May 25, 2012) and I are living happily in Seoul, Korea, and encourage any GCSers passing through (however unlikely that may be!) to pay us a visit.

1996

Callie Siegel calliesiegel@gmail.com

Barney Kulok had an exhibition of new work at the Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery in New York in September. His first monograph, Building, was published by Aperture in October. The book includes an essay by architect Steven Holl and an afterword by filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn.

1996

Lucy Horton lucy.horton@me.com Eric Raicovich eric.raicovich@gmail.com

1998

Melissa Paige mapaige@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE! ⁄∞th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹

Laurah Samuels married Andoni Goicoechea on August 18 in Clinton, CT. Both are in their third year of law school—Laurah at Columbia and Andoni at Cardozo.

2000

Courtney Allen callen@mail.widener.edu

Isabel Foxen Duke launched a new website dedicated to coaching chronic unsuccessful dieters and women struggling with compulsive behaviors around food. www.isabelfoxenduke.com. Bo Wulf is the digital media ad publications coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.

2001

Cecilia Magnusson cimagnet@gmail.com Tilden Marbit marbit.tilden@gmail.com

Cecilia Magnusson has been living in London for the past three years, where she initially did a master’s at LSE for the first year and has been working in consulting since. She’s been having a great time there, but can’t say she doesn’t miss the sidewalks of New York. Jenny Mancino reports she’s been living in Washington, D.C., since graduating from college and has loved her time there. She is currently working at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. and has been spending lots of time with her sister, Whitney ’96, and baby niece, Ruby!

ALUMNI NEWS

2004

Roma Chatham Sarah.Chatham@gmail.com

Sonya Dhar is working with a data analytics company as a project manager (and doing a little substitute teaching at GCS on the side). John Wulf just graduated from Hamilton College where he served as captain of its baseball team.

Tilden Marbit writes: Recently moved to College Park, MD to start a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Maryland. In addition to pursuing this degree, I play in the graduate fellowship woodwind quintet, which has the name SIREN. Rachel Weber Nehme reports that she has been living in Austin for the past two years and is loving it.

2002

Samantha McCoy smccoy@gmail.com

Nicholas Marmet writes: I’ve been living and studying in St. Petersburg for the past year and am working on my master’s thesis on the Russian Internet.

2003

Will Horton willhhorton@gmail.com Jasmin Stanley JasminStanley@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE! ⁄‚th Reunion Celebration May ‹, ¤‚⁄‹

Margaret Harris and Gavin McCutcheon announced the birth of their son, Lochlan Fitzgerald McCutcheon, on July 17th.

Natalie Tagher is in New York and is in the Executive Development Program at Bloomingdale’s, where she will learn to become a buyer.

2005

Marketa Ort marketaort@gmail.com

Lorcan McGonigle: After Grace, Lorcan attended Groton and then Pomona College, where he is now a senior physics major preparing to apply to graduate programs in astronautical engineering. Julian te Neues dropped by with classmate Navid Ahmazedeh for a visit with Mrs. Collet, Mrs. Cooper, and a look around the school. Julian just completed his first year studying political science and business in Madrid at St. Louis University. Navid is working and living in Long Island.

2006

Peter Shapiro poshapiro@gmail.com

Annalise Lockhart not only lives around the corner from her sister Sonja ’08, who joined her at Stanford this year, but she’s also helping her out with playing the mellophone in the marching band, where Annalise heads the mellophone section.

ALUMNI NEWS

2007

Cecilia Smith cecill237@gmail.com

2009

Elenore Simotas elenore.simotas.18@gmail.com

2008

Chris Pelz blooboy1@mac.com

2010

Lizzie Evans lizzie.evans96@gmail.com

Kimberly Golding: Williams is going really well so far. I joined a freshman comedy group and we do parodies of the freshman experience. I’m also taking some really interesting classes, like American studies and drawing. Over all things are really great.

2011

Cora Browner corabrowner@yahoo.com

Ben Harland: I had a relaxing summer where I was lucky enough to spend some time with my old Grace pals. College has been a lot of work, but I am finding it very satisfying.

SAVE THE DATE!

Nathaniel Monteverde: I am enjoying my time here at NYU Stern. I am planning to double major in finance and accounting. I hope everyone else is enjoying thier college experience as much as I am. Hudson Orbe: I spent the summer working on my solar plane project through Collegiate and vacationing in London with my family. Chris Pelz: Jon and I are off to a wonderful start at Bates. We are studying economics, chemistry, and continuing our Japanese studies in language and history that we started at Grace. Hello to all of our friends back home. See you all soon! Ben Smith: Hello! I am enjoying my first semester here at Babson College! I love the entrepreneurial spirit that the school has and I cannot wait to start my own venture, as many of my peers already have. I won my student government election, becoming a senator for the freshman class. And I also have come back from my retirement of basketball, playing inter-mural basketball here. There is a whole lot of work...but I am enjoying the experience nonetheless. See you all soon!

2016 A SPECIAL CLASS of ¤‚⁄§ REUNION at the MAY FAIR Saturday, May ›, ¤‚⁄‹ Micaela Macagnone reports: Christian Henry is currently attending Fieldston, his favorite classes are architecture and history. He is the only freshman on the football team, and will be doing basketball and football later in the school year. Blu Detiger is loving Dalton! Her favorite classes are math and biology, and she enjoys her discussion-based history and English classes. She likes Dalton’s art program, and is part of the Jam Club, Dalton Radio, Film Appreciation Club, Performing Arts Committee, and multiple educational rights clubs. Lola Loening is also at Dalton, and her favorite classes are math, English and ceramics. She is part of the Film Club and the Environmental Club. Chanler Shamamian is at The Spence School and her favorite class is history. She is pat of the Microfinance Club, the Glee Club, the Human Rights Club and is doing community service. She is also on the soccer team. Karsten Monteverde is having a great time at Browning. His favorite class is math, and he is on the Browning soccer team. Outside of school, he is doing more soccer, basketball and track.

ALUMNI NEWS

WHEN GRACE HAD A HIGH SCHOOL ca. 1940

IN MEMORIAM

Harold Cohn, father of Jonathan ’86, October 13 Aaron Feinsot, father of Lauren ’77, John ’74 and Paul ’72, Former GCS Board Chair and member of the original Board of Trustees, August 8 Manheim Fox, father of father of Jonathan ’87 and William ’01, on September 23 Evan Frances, mother of Scott ’71 and grandmother of Sophie ’16 and Sam ’04, June 30 Celeste Holm, mother of Ted Nelson ’50, July 15 Charlotte and Jules Joskow, grandparents of Matthew ’95 and Nicholas ’00 Yglesias, July 2012

Barbara Monroe, mother of Sidney ’72, Dean ’77 and Loren ’82, September 6 Ethel Rudd, grandmother of Audrey ’19 and Parker ’21, June 14 Ellen Russotto, mother of Luca ’96, September 23 Alfred Siesel, father of David ’70 and Anne ’71, October 23 John Stacks, father of Nicole Ruane ’84, September 4

CLASS OF ¤‚‚° — COLLEGE CHOICES* COLLEGE

Isabel Balazs Charles Brillo-Sonnino

Brown University U. of California/Santa Barbara

COLLEGE

Antonio Pazos

SUNY Albany

Christopher Pelz

Bates College Bates College

Alexandra Clark

Trinity College (CT)

Jonathan Pelz

Kieran Coyne

Wesleyan University

Lily Platt

Amy Eisenstadt

Vassar College

University of Rochester

Jumari Robinson

Columbia University

Liam Fistos

Cornell University

Jennifer Samuels

Grinnell College

Cole Gimbel

Skidmore College

Alexandra Simonian

Kimberly Golding

Williams College

Benjamin Smith

Benjamin Harland

Harvard University

Maya Johnson Angelica Kotsoni Max Liu Sonja Lockhart Amina Mahdi Matthew Marani

Colby College New York University Lehigh University Stanford University

Kirby Spivey Paris Starn Beatrice Steinert

Davidson College Babson College Dartmouth College Bard College Brown University

Lily Susman

Barnard College

Allegra Sussman

Barnard College

Amherst College

Paulina Tarrant

Brown University

Skidmore College

Luis Velasquez

Amherst College

Rebecca McSween

Vanderbilt University

Ondine Vinao

NYU-Steinhardt

Nathaniel Monteverde

New York University

Livia von Bonin

Emerson College

Hudson Orbe

Princeton University

* list incomplete

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