News December 2012
The Monthly Newsletter for Gill St. Bernard’s School
Inside 2
Signature Events
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Turkey Day
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Fashion Show
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Student News
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Pasta Night Fundraiser
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Plaza Suite
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Student Life Recap
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Middle School Quilt Drawing
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“Brainiac” Event
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American Literature Class
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Crazy Hat and Hair Day
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Book Fair
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Lower School Computer Lab
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Middle School Dance
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Faculty News Feature
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NJAIS Innovation and Collaboration in Art and Foreign Language – Joanne Bodnar and Hope Napolitan
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Peter Schmidt Named Finalist in
The Chronicle of Higher Education Contest
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Athletics
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Varsity Girls Cross Country and Boys Soccer Teams Named Prep B Champions
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Varsity Sports Round-Up – Soccer, Cross Country
10 Head Soccer Coach DeFalco Earns 100th Career Win
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New Varsity Fencing Coach Jared Hammond
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Dates to Remember
From the Headmaster It is hard to believe that the holidays are already upon us. Perhaps because of the time lost following Superstorm Sandy, it seems the calendar has switched to December faster than ever this year. While GSB was very lucky to have come out of the storm largely unscathed, we were not spared the loss of time. Many of our events and activities including tests, class trips, performances, conferences and athletic contests were pushed back two weeks or even more as our families and the surrounding area recovered from the storm. I am happy to say, however, that despite the significant interruption in our school calendar, the GSB community has recaptured its momentum. The many events and activities in the weeks ahead will make this self-evident. The holidays are always a busy time of year in any school, but our various concert programs take the season to an even higher level. With more than seven theatrical performances and musical concerts at our school, in addition to countless art projects and special presentations, the fine and performing arts are on display throughout December. We have already experienced the Jazz Band Concert along with the Lower School performance of Annie, Jr. I eagerly anticipate the Upper School concert as well as the annual Primary School production of The Nutcracker! Also adding to the excitement in December is the start of winter sports. Our ice hockey team–now a varsity program–already recorded its first win (against High Point Regional High School) last week. The varsity swim team began its winter season a few days ago with a strong
Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
Headmaster Sid Rowell.
showing against Morristown-Beard. This week, fencing and cheerleading begin their seasons and tonight marks the regular-season debut of our boys and girls basketball teams. Many of the winter sports at Gill St. Bernard’s School–basketball especially–provide great opportunities to spend time with family and friends as we support our student-athletes. I hope that you will enjoy all that GSB has to offer this season. Your attendance at many of the various events means so much to our students, teachers and coaches. Please visit our school calendar online for a complete listing of the many performances and athletic matches we have coming up. I plan on attending many of these special events and hope to see you there as well. Happy holidays to you and your family. Warm Regards, Sid Rowell
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The Monthly Newsletter for Gill St. Bernard’s School
December 2012
GSB Donates 563 Turkeys to Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary of “Turkey Day” The Gill St. Bernard’s School community donated 563 turkeys to the New Jersey Community Food Bank as part of “Turkey Day,” or “Take a Turkey to School Day,” on November 16. As is custom, the “Turkey Day” celebration included silly costumes and hats, a reading of author Jack Pretlutsky’s poem The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven by Lower School Librarian Hope Preston and a song and dance led by Middle School Music Teacher Amy Southerland. Additional “Turkey Day” readings also included those done by seniors Svetozar Brankov, Laura Wood, Ryan LePre’ and Campbell Wentworth-Ping, who read ’Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey and A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman. Also there to share the story of his life as well as his book entitled Sarah Gives Thanks with third through fifth grade students was local author Mike Allegra. Allegra later met with various classes, ranging from Upper School creative writing to Middle School history.
Top row: (l. to r.) Ella Valdes ’13, Mark Leonhard ’13, Matt Raymonds ’21 and John William Murphy ’13; Brian ’21 and William Young ’21 with their sister Mary Young ’25. 2nd row: (l. to r.) Garrett Rowe ’15, Alexander Rowe ’13 and Scoey Young ’13; (l. to r.) Jenna Arasim ’13 and Nicole DeRosa ’13. 3rd row: (l. to r.) Max Lieblich ’14, Ryan LaPre’ ’13 and Laura Wood ’13; Along with many Lower School students, Aryanna Wasser’s Primary 4 class made “Turkey Day” hats. bottom row: Charlotte Tuohy ’26 does the “Turkey Lurky,” led by Middle School Music Teacher Amy Southerland; Jamie Maus ’22 listens as local author Mike Allegra reads his short story, Sarah Gives Thanks.
Aside from seeing the entire GSB community participate in “Turkey Day” activities, this year’s celebration also saw local organizations stand up to help GSB donate a combined total of 8,100 pounds of poultry to those in need. Among these was the organic and sustainable restaurant Ninety Acres–part of the Natirar Resort in Peapack-Gladstone–which not only added a special “GSB Turkey Day Stuffing” to its menu throughout the month of November, but also contributed much of the $300 in donations received on “Turkey Day.” “This significant contribution was used to purchase an additional 23 turkeys on top of the school’s original 540 collected,” said Community Service Coordinator and Director of Studies Peter Schmidt. Chester Township’s local ShopRite grocery store was also responsible for providing 10 complimentary turkeys to the New Jersey Community Food Bank on behalf of Gill St. Bernard’s. Second Grade Students Participate in Thanksgiving Tradition Gill St. Bernard’s second grade students concluded a lesson on the Pilgrims and shared their knowledge about Thanksgiving during a feast in Evans Hall on November 15. Beginning this September, the Class of 2023 learned of the harsh conditions and rough storms encountered during the Pilgrims’ voyage to the New World while pretending to be America’s original Pilgrims, and studied the history around The Mayflower Compact. “This simulation gave students a closer look at everyday life in the Plymouth Colony as students vicariously experienced life in the New World, made decisions and faced consequences just as the Pilgrims did,” said Lower School Teacher Mary Tuohy. Also joining the students at GSB’s Thanksgiving day feast were numerous parents who represented various Indian tribes such as the Squanto and Wampanoag, and provided the “Pilgrims” with traditional items like turkey, corn, potatoes and berries. Before indulging in this wonderful meal, second grade students also performed a play about the Pilgrims for their parents. “Students, and parents, now have a deeper understanding of why the Pilgrims gave thanks and why we honor them today,” added Tuohy.
Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
(L. to r.) Kate Chen, Brendan Halstead and Nickolas Gattoni dress as Pilgrims at GSB’s second grade Thanksgiving day feast.
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The Monthly Newsletter for Gill St. Bernard’s School
GSB Parents’ Association Hosts 17th Annual Fashion Show Models from Saks Fifth Avenue, dressed in this season’s hottest fashion trends, were greeted with cheers from 200 GSB parents and friends at the 17th Annual Parents’ Association Fashion Show–Destination Fashion: The World is Your Runway on December 4. The event, which had been rescheduled due to Superstorm Sandy, took place at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. The day included a buffet lunch, boutique shopping and “Not-Just-Baskets,” a collection of luxurious raffle items ranging from electronics to this year’s BLING item—“Why Cook Tonight?”—which featured gift cards to area restaurants valued at over $1,200.
December 2012
events that enrich the lives of all members within the GSB community. Congratulations to this year’s event chair people, Cheryl Devine, P ’20, Ellen Herrlin, P ’18, ’19 and Michele Johnson, P ’18, ’20. They wish to extend their thanks to all who attended, donated and supported this year’s fashion show. This 16 oz., BPA-free tumbler, suitable for hot or cold beverages, was sold at this year’s fashion event by the Parents’ Association. If you would like to purchase a GSB Tumbler ($10), please contact Ginny Needham-Doyle at extension 219.
In addition to shopping at boutique vendors such as Simply Fabulous, 5 Diva Girls, Jo Malone, J. McLaughlin and Windswept, event-goers also tried their luck, and their keys, at the ever-popular Pandora’s Box. Those lucky enough to open the lock to Pandora’s Box selected a wrapped gift—not knowing its contents—and walked away with items from Coach, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Saks, Neiman Marcus and the like. The event raised more than $30,000 for the Parents’ Association, which helps to fund special programs and
STUDENT NEWS Community Service Club Hosts Fundraiser to Benefit More Than Me Foundation
left: Cynthia Flanagan P ’20 unlocks Pandora’s Box; right: (l. to r.) Headmaster Sid Rowell with Fashion Show Chairs Ellen Herrlin P ’18, ’19, Cheryl Devine P ’20 and Michele Johnson P ’18, ’20.
and enjoy the all-you-can-eat pasta, salad and dessert that was provided. Funds collected will be used to send young women to school in West Africa as well as pay for school supplies.
GSB’s Community Service club hosted a pasta night fundraiser for the More Than Me Foundation in Founders Hall on November 15. The More Than Me Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to provide education for young girls in Liberia, the fourth poorest country in the world. Approximately $350 in proceeds were raised through GSB’s fundraiser event, which drew more than 30 people who came out to show their support for this good cause Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
(L. to r.) Iman Jebara ’13, Sucheta Swaminathan ’13, Wesley Spear ’13, Jaclyn Hammond ’13 and Svetozar Brankov ’13.
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The Monthly Newsletter for Gill St. Bernard’s School
December 2012
GSB Players Present Plaza Suite The GSB Players continued a longstanding tradition of excellence and artistry as they proudly presented Neil Simon’s 1970s production, Plaza Suite, on November 15 through 17. Nicholas Bilynsky ’13, who assumed the role of a waiter in the play, regarded Plaza Suite as “the fall production of a lifetime.” This comedic production–set in room 719 of a New York City hotel–consisted of nine cast members depicting three sets of occupants from Forest Hills, Hollywood and Mamaroneck. Characters included a not-so-blissfully married couple Sam (Xauen Zirpolo ’15) and Karen Nash (Katherine Giordano ’14) who revisited their honeymoon suite, movie producer Jesse Kiplinger (Robert Anderson ’13) and his old flame Muriel Tate ( Jessica Kundla ’13) who reunited after many years, and parents Roy (Andrew Devine ’13) and Norma Hubley ( Jana Bernard ’13), along with their daughter Mimsey (Emily Fischer ’13), who suffered cold feet on her wedding day with Bordon Eisler (Mycroft Zimmerman ’16). According to Performing Arts Chair Paul H. Canada, Plaza Suite was the perfect choice for this fall’s drama, allowing every senior actor to star as a lead character in their second to last production as GSB Players. “It gave six students the opportunity to play lead roles, as the play is essentially three one-acts that all take place in the same hotel suite,” Canada said. Among those six seniors who will say farewell to the GSB theater program this school year, three–Bernard, Devine and Kundla–have participated on the Gill St. Bernard’s stage since grade nine. “Jana, Andrew and Jessica have been dedicated members of the GSB Players since their freshman year, and all have had both leading and supporting roles,” Canada noted, also stating that no matter what part they were given, each always maintained a positive and hard-working attitude at both rehearsals and performances. “It’s not what part you get, it’s what you make of the part you get,” shared Bernard, who made her debut on the GSB stage while serving as one of several cheerleaders in the Middle School play, Grease. Bernard will play the eighth and final role of her GSB career as Marmee in the spring musical, Little Women, before heading off to college next fall. Similar to Bernard who would like to study theater at the institution of her choice, Kundla also has goals of earning a fine arts degree in musical theater from one of the nation’s top musical theater programs. “I know that the level of training and experience I have received at GSB will allow me to pursue what I love at the college and, hopefully, professional level,” said Kundla. “Being a GSB Player has given me the best high school experience I could have ever asked for, both on and off the stage.”
top row: (L. to r.) Bellhop Mycroft Zimmerman ’16 waits for his tip, as Katherine Giordano ’14 rambles on about her personal history inside Suite 719; Nicholas Bilynsky ’13 writes an order for champagne; (L. to r.) Xauen Zirpolo ’15 and his secretary Emily Fischer ’13 review important documents. second row: (B. to f.) Hot shot movie producer Robert Anderson ’13 attempts to seduce a married Jessica Kundla ’13; A no longer scared bride, Emily Fischer ’13, finally emerges from behind what was a locked bathroom door; (L. to r.) Andrew Devine ’13 and Jana Bernard ’13 take a bow. bottom row: (Top l. to r.) Robert Anderson ’13, Nicholas Bilynsky ’13, Emily Fischer ’13, Mycroft Zimmerman ’16, and Xauen Zirpolo ’15; (Bottom l. to r.) Jessica Kundla ’13, Jana Bernard ’13, Andrew Devine ’13 and Katherine Giordano ’14.
Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
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STUDENT LIFE RECAP
Middle School Students Contribute to “Run for the Roses” Quilt Middle School students grades five through eight spent the morning of November 14 drawing on squares for what will become a quilt representing the Gill St. Bernard’s School’s tight knit community. An annual tradition for more than 20 years, the quilt-making process begins with a group of parent volunteers who meet in the beginning of December to choose the best 20 squares clearly depicting the year’s theme such as Run for the Roses. These 20 Alexander Roch ’18. squares are then used to create a quilt that is raffled off at GSB’s annual auction. This year’s auction will take place on April 27, 2013 at The Westin Governor Morris in Morristown, N.J.
Fourth Grade Students Display Inventions at “Brainiac” Event The Lower School Science Department hosted a “Brainiac” fair for fourth grade students in Evans Hall on November 16. With parents and teachers in attendance, this event allowed students from the Class of 2021 to display their very own Jason Savas ’21. inventions as well as “market” each project to a live audience. Such inventions included an umbrella coat by Isabel Orazietti, Lego picker-upper by Brian Young and robo mower by Michael Fritzlo.
Students Rely on Outsider’s Perspective to Better Understand Education as it Relates to Author Thoreau
December 2012
the purpose and value of education while participating in a panel discussion with Headmaster Sid Rowell and Director of Studies Peter Schmidt on November 19. In a lesson whose original idea developed from a passage in Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, both Rowell and Schmidt first shared their individual thoughts on education, and later reconvened to address several follow-up questions in a group setting approximately one week later. “The ultimate goal of this project was for students to listen to what both Mr. Rowell and Mr. Schmidt had to say, and then come up with questions that would not only engage each further, but also elicit possible diverging opinions,” said Lutz. While Rowell and Schmidt’s responses were more similar rather than opposing, topics of discussion during the panel included students’ responsibilities for making the most of each learning experience, as well as ways in which education should change to mirror an ever-evolving world. According to Rowell, teachers should encourage students to become independent thinkers. Likewise, Schmidt said that teachers must be accessible and promote learning beyond the classroom. Rowell also expressed his opinion that schools should make accommodations to coincide with changing cultures, demographics and economies. Schmidt agreed that the world’s current way of learning may limit one’s capabilities. Aside from meeting with Rowell and Schmidt, additional methods suggested by Lutz to help students better understand Thoreau’s Walden ranged from temporarily giving up material possessions that may cause a distraction to separating oneself from society when completing written projects.
top: Corrine Chowansky ’15 listens to a response from Director of Studies Peter Schmidt. bottom: (L. to r.) Lauren Small ’15 and Shane Burchard ’15 listen and take notes during Headmaster Sid Rowell’s response. Alexander Roch ’18.
Sixteen students from Andrew Lutz’s 10th grade American Literature course gained an outsider’s perspective on Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
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The Monthly Newsletter for Gill St. Bernard’s School
December 2012
“Crazy Hat and Hair Day” Teaches Students about Diversity “Crazy Hat and Hair Day” saw Lower School students dress in goofy-looking hats and show off oddly colored and styled hairdos on November 20. Aside from promoting fun throughout the Lower School division, “Crazy Hat and Hair Day” also taught students the value of diversity. Using books to spread the message that everyone is unique in his or her own way, several stories including Barney Saltzberg’s Crazy Hair Day and Irene Livingston’s Finklehopper Frog were read aloud during a morning assembly in Evans Hall.
from left: (Top to bottom) Austin Lustig ’25; Carmen Chaump ’23; (L. to r.) Cecilia ’26 and Sofia Criscola ’25 with Lower School Director Peggy Campbell-Rush; (L. to r.) Aidan Richardson ’23 and Riley Bittman ’23; Mikayla Garguilo ’23.
Annual Book Fair Raises Funds for Library and School Programs Gill St. Bernard’s hosted its annual book fair from November 27 to November 29 in Evans Hall. With books and games for children, parents, teachers and grandparents of all ages, funds from this year’s book fair will be used to purchase new reading materials for the Lower School library, as well as textbooks and SMART Boards, and will also help contribute to author visits via Skype. In addition to supporting GSB, buyers at this year’s book fair were also encouraged to donate books to the Red Bank Primary School in Red Bank, N.J., an effort to replace those that were lost as a result of Superstorm Sandy this October. Stella O’Connor ’21 shares her “wish list.”
Class of 2026 Falls into Holiday Spirit While Learning Basic Computer Skills Aside from learning to use the keyboard and mouse with Tracey Roberts’ fourth grade class, children in Alison Passerelle’s Primary 4 class also prepared for the upcoming holiday season by creating digital snowmen and
Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
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The Monthly Newsletter for Gill St. Bernard’s School
December 2012
gingerbread houses with their veteran classmates in the Lower School computer lab on November 28. A genuine display of students helping students, both classes will meet once a month throughout the school year, giving older students an opportunity to act as mentors to their younger peers.
Fifth and Sixth Grade Students Host “Candyland” Themed Dance (L. to r.) Leigh Reid ’21 and Cecelia Criscola ’26 make a snowman.
Gill St. Bernard’s fifth and sixth grade students hosted a “candyland” dance in the school’s old gymnasium on November 30. With numerous Middle School dances held throughout the school year, this evening provided students the opportunity to spend time with friends in a relaxed and carefree environment. Whether dancing the night away or indulging in snacks, fun was had by all at this month’s event.
(L. to r.) Ava Diggins ’18 and Amanda Lazar ’18.
GSB Faculty Members Share Knowledge at NJAIS Conference Together, GSB’s Lower School Art Teacher Joanne Bodnar and French Teacher Hope Napolitan were among several Gill St. Bernard’s faculty members chosen to participate in the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools’ (NJAIS) Biennial Professional Development Conference this October 15. Their presentation entitled Art and World Languages Coming Together: Collaboration and Innovation was well received and focused on developing collaborative, cross-curriculum lessons. Both Bodnar and Napolitan, who have worked together for a number of years and frequently host collaborative events, recently attended a Monet event at the N.Y. Botanical Gardens as well.
(L. to r.) Gill St. Bernard’s faculty members Joanne Bodnar and Hope Napolitan present at an October 2012 NJAIS Conference.
This year’s NJAIS conference, which was hosted at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls, N.J., also included presentations from the following Gill St. Bernard’s faculty members: Wonderwriting: Freewriting in the Primary Classroom – Debora Miller;
Creating a Cross-Curricular Multi-Media Project – Brett Mershon and Joanna Hayes;
Let the Sunshine in – Cindy Wyatt with Liza Jones Hards of the Elisabeth Morrow School;
What is Guided Inquiry and Why Use it in Schools? – Randell Schmidt;
Puppet Stick Theater and Paper Slide Videos – Lynn Prosen and Jill Fedon;
Singapore Math in the Classroom – Kristina Lasher and Sara Swartz;
Brain-Based Reading and Writing – Peggy Campbell-Rush;
Exploring the Future – Robert Orr.
Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
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The Monthly Newsletter for Gill St. Bernard’s School
December 2012
Peter Schmidt Named Winner in The Chronicle of Higher Education Contest The Chronicle of Higher Education recently requested proposals from its readers to describe–in 500 words or less–concepts for a new kind of college that they would create if they could start it from scratch. GSB Director of Studies Peter Schmidt, who was among scores of professors, administrators, undergraduate students and more to enter a proposal, was selected by his peers as one of five finalists. While some entries chosen contained abstract and idealistic ideas, and others offered many details about budgets and curricula, Schmidt’s proposal, which was chosen as the ultimate winner and appeared in The Chronicle of Higher Education on November 23, was titled College of the Global Village and read:
With an emphasis on experiential learning through a multidisciplinary investigation of varied meanings and practices of the good life; an immersion into the experience of new languages, including those of literature, the visual and performing arts, and the STEM disciplines; and the acquisition of an additional spoken and written language through living and learning in a culture where that language is primary, it is the objective of the College of the Global Village, through disciplined engagement, to strive to refocus learning on depth of experience rather than breadth of knowledge. Through a first year in which students participate in four immersive blocks of study, each eight weeks long, College of the Global Village requires all students to participate in a course of research and writing in which everyone is expected to construct meaning and to create knowledge rather than being mere receptacles of previously digested information.
Through a topic of one’s choice from the arts and humanities or a STEM discipline, students will be matched with experts in their chosen field, including those from academia as well as nonteaching professionals with whom students collaborate on a research-andwriting project that enables them to explore both the process of deep research and the complexities of ideas leading to the written work they will produce.
The year concludes with a languageimmersion experience in a part of the world that is unfamiliar to the student, engaging awareness of self and others through navigation of territory beyond the boundaries of his or her experience.
A second required block is “The History of Science and Ecology,” in which students learn the principles of those disciplines through field study of the relationship between the allocations and usage of resources in their college community and local economy.
During the second and third years at the College of the Global Village, all students are asked to fulfill eight additional learning blocks, through choices of multidisciplinary courses such as “A Guided Inquiry Into the Role of Museums and Concert Halls in Civil Society” and “The Transformation of the World From Nation-States to Global Networks.” The emphasis of those and additional offerings is to enable the students to develop practical applications of their learning in a context greater than a single classroom affords.
A third block is devoted to engagement with great books, in which students converse with authors and their characters about the moral choices they faced and the implications of these choices in both the texts and the life experiences of the students.
The fourth year is spent in a guided internship overseen by a professor or community leader, which includes a weekly integrative seminar with all students in their internships, to share their diverse learning experiences.
Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
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December 2012
ATHLETICS Varsity Teams Take Prep B Championships Gill St. Bernard’s varsity girls cross country team successfully defended last year’s Prep B Championship by earning its second consecutive title at Blair Academy on November 13. While it was GSB’s very own Dana Klein ’14 (19:10) who finished runner-up at the meet, also helping to defeat Villa Walsh Academy by just two points to close the race were Emily Quinn ’13 (19:19) and Alexandria Benoit ’14 (19:58) as they took third and fourth place, respectively. Top-20 finishes were seen by Sahara Ensley ’16 (12th/21:28), Rebecca Richardson ’14 (14th/22:10) and Natalia Sachs ’13 (20th/23:18) as well. Also garnering a 2012 Prep B Championship title was GSB’s varsity boys soccer team, which defeated Newark Academy 2-1 in double overtime to claim its first outright independent school Prep Championship since 1997. While it was James Reiner ’14 who scored off a pass from Jae-Chiang Wong ’13 three minutes into second overtime for the win, Jack Lowe ’15 also assisted a Nicholas Blackman ’13 goal late in the first half to open scoring. This goal was followed by one from the Minutemen, who tied the game shortly after halftime.
Varsity Sports Round-Up *RESULTS AS OF 11/27/2012 Varsity Boys Soccer: Record: 20-3-1 Season at a Glance: With several days off due to Superstorm Sandy, GSB’s varsity boys soccer team VARSITY BOYS SOCCER returned to the field to face Jae-Chiang Wong ’13. Oratory Prep in the Prep B semifinals on Friday, November 9. Leading the boys to a 6-0 victory over Oratory was Jack Lowe ’15 with two goals and two assists. He was followed by Tim DiBisceglie ’13 with Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
left picture: Varsity Boys Soccer– Prep B Champions. right picture: Varsity Girls Cross Country–Prep B Champions.
one goal and two assists. Justin Durcan ’14, Bijan Eizadkhah ’13 and Jae-Chiang Wong ’13 also added one goal apiece to help GSB reach the Prep B finals for the second time in just three years. Defensively, Goalkeeper Michael Renna ’13 was backed by James Reiner ’14, Nicholas Baker ’13, Stark Kirby ’13 and Ryan Osterman ’13 throughout the shutout. Moving on to the Prep B finals on Saturday, November 17, the varsity boys soccer team next earned a very close 2-1 victory over Newark Academy in second overtime. While it was Reiner who scored the Knights’ winning goal off a pass from Wong three minutes into double OT, Lowe also assisted Nicholas Blackman ’13 for a goal late in the first half. Renna made several crucial saves throughout the game as well, including a penalty kick just before halftime. GSB began state tournament play with a 4-0 win over Moorestown Friends School on Tuesday, November 13. This came as a result of stellar defense from Osterman, Baker, Kirby and Matthew Decker ’16. Meanwhile, Eizadkhah (two), Reiner, and Blackman all scored goals to pace the offense. The winning continued on Thursday, November 15, when Renna earned a school record, his 15th shutout of the season, during the Non Public B South Sectional semifinals against Wildwood Catholic. Also contributing to this 4-0 victory was Eizadkhah with two goals and one assist, DiBisceglie who added two assists, and Durcan who chipped in with one assist to help the Knights advance to the sectional finals for the second time in just two years. Goals were also seen from Reiner and Theophilus Timothy ’13. On Monday, November 19, GSB earned a dramatic double overtime shootout win over Trenton Catholic in the Non Public B South Sectional finals. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, 9.
The Monthly Newsletter for Gill St. Bernard’s School
Bijan Eizadkhah ’13 tied the score in the 52nd minute and the game remained a 1-1 draw through regulation and two overtime periods. In the shootout, Eizadkhah, Wong, Lowe, DiBisceglie and Durcan all converted penalty kicks, while Renna earned the victory in goal to send the Knights to their second consecutive state final. The boys later fell 2-0 to North champion Montclair Kimberley Academy during the Non Public B State Championships held Monday, November 26 at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. Varsity Girls Soccer: Record: 9-7-1 Season at a Glance: Defenders Kaila Gong ’15, Kelly Stefanick ’13, Brianne Adornetto ’13, and Kimberly Lindquist ’13 VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER helped goalkeepers Jessica Elizabeth Todd ’15. Ferrando ’13 and Alyx Schrecengost ’15 post an 8-0 shutout over Benedictine Academy in the first round of the NJSIAA Non Public B State Tournament on Friday, November 9. Those goals scored by Kathryn Bednarsky ’14 (four), Margot Chowansky ’13 (two), Adornetto (one) and Renee Turner ’16 (one) also led head coach of nine years–Jonna DeFalco– to her 100th career victory with the Gill St. Bernard’s varsity soccer program. Student-Athletes Carly Meyers ’14 and Elizabeth Todd ’15 chipped in with assists for the Knights throughout the game as well.
December 2012
Provines ’13 (27th/19:37) and Svetozar Brankov ’13 (30th/19:54). Both Steck (17:17) and Andersen (17:26) also led the boys to a seventh place team result after posting top-10 times at the Non Public B Group Championships in Holmdel on November 17. Varsity Girls Cross Country: Record: 7-3 Season at a Glance: Shortly after earning their second consecutive Prep B Championship at Blair Academy on November 13, the varsity girls cross country team also finished second at the Non VARSITY GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Public B Group Championships Natalia Sachs ’13. in Holmdel Park on Saturday, November 17. The squad was led by Dana Klein ’14 (3rd/19:22), Emily Quinn ’13 (4th/19:28), Alexandria Benoit ’14 (5th/20:17), Madeline Quinn ’10 (23rd/21:58) and Sahara Ensley ’16 (25th/22:04).
Jared Hammond Named GSB’s New Varsity Fencing Coach This winter season, the GSB Athletic Department welcomes head varsity fencing coach Jared Hammond to its program.
Varsity Boys Cross Country: Record: 6-3
Hammond, who holds previous experience both coaching and participating in fencing at the high school, intercollegiate, national and international level, joins GSB from Haverford College in Haverford, Penn., where he helped lead his team to the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association Championships as an assistant coach.
Season at a Glance: GSB’s varsity boys cross country team earned an overall fourth place finish during the Prep B Championships at Blair Academy on November 13. VARSITY BOYS CROSS COUNTRY Close behind the Knights’ Mycroft Zimmerman ’16. second and third place runners– Brian Steck ’13 (17:11) and Patrik Andersen ’15 (17:13)– were teammates Jacob Kruger ’15 (13th/18:22), Andrew
Prior to beginning his coaching career, Hammond also fenced for both Bernards High School and later New York University (NYU), where he earned much success for himself and his teams. Aside from being named a two-time AllState fencer and leading his high school team to its first-ever NJSIAA State Championship, Hammond also become a two-time captain at NYU where he still remains an all-time record holder in career fencing wins. While attending NYU, Hammond trained with national and Olympic coaches to become a Division III national champion in sabre as well.
Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
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The Monthly Newsletter for Gill St. Bernard’s School
Head Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Jonna DeFalco.
Head Soccer Coach DeFalco Earns 100th Career Win Head Coach Jonna DeFalco earned her 100th career win with Gill St. Bernard’s varsity girls soccer team following an 8-0 victory over Benedictine Academy in the first round of the Non Public B State Tournament on November 9. According to DeFalco, earning her 100th win could not have come at a better time, as this fall proved a very sentimental season. “I have been coaching most of the juniors and seniors on this year’s team since they were in fifth and sixth grade–both here at GSB and at the club soccer level,” said DeFalco. “So being able to share this milestone with them, as upperclassmen, is truly special.” Now in her ninth season as GSB’s varsity girls soccer coach–and with an overall record of 100-69-7–previous experience held by DeFalco also includes playing Division III intercollegiate soccer while pursuing a B.A. in psychology at Rowan University. “I am thrilled for Jonna to have achieved this milestone number of career victories. She’s worked tirelessly on behalf of our studentathletes over the past nine years, and the girls soccer program has grown under her leadership,” said Director of Athletics David Pasquale. DeFalco, who also holds a M.Ed. in athletic counseling from Springfield College in Mass., currently teaches Middle School health and assists with the Early Childhood Physical Education program at Gill St. Bernard’s. She serves as the school’s Middle School basketball and softball coach as well. Gill St. Bernard’s School • St. Bernard’s Road • Gladstone, NJ 07934
December 2012
Dates to Remember Friday, December 14 Winter Athletic Season Opens Wednesday, December 19 Upper School Holiday Concert Thursday, December 20 Early Childhood Performance – The Nutcracker Jr. GSB Strings Ensemble Winter Concert Friday, December 21 Holiday Break Begins
To view more school events, or information on the above, please see GSB’s online calendar.
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GILL ST. BERNARD’S SCHOOL St. Bernard’s Road P.O. Box 604 Gladstone, NJ 07934 908-234-1611 www.gsbschool.org
Children in Alison Passerelle’s Primary 4 class worked with fourth grade students to create digital snowmen and gingerbread houses.
(See article page 6.) Snowman by Angela Davis ’26.