Issuu

Head of School Matthew A. Gould, Ph.D. Editor Leanne M. Gill 2021-2022 Board of Trustees Josh Spencer, Chair Matthew Gould, Head of School Frazier Schulman, Vice Chair Serge Learsy, Treasurer Mary Pat Alcus, Secretary Jeff Carswell Alicia Davis Michelle Fling Lee Anne Jillings ’78 Andrew Kay Alex Nephew Del Renigar Nisreen Schneider Elinor Scully Jen Sides Jeff Spigel Brad Steuart ’73 Debbie Tang Nate Tyrrell John Woo Melissa Zettler

Front Cover Norwood pre-kindergartners love the new log climbing structure on the PK playground. It helps to develop balance, strength, coordination, confidence—and it’s fun! Photo by James Kegley. Photography Norwood Faculty & Staff Norwood Parents Leanne M. Gill James Kegley Our Mission Norwood School’s child-centered program inspires confident, compassionate, independent, and creative thinkers who embrace lifelong learning.

Design Square Spot Design Printing Caskey Group

Fall Play: Dearly Departed SEE PAGE 17 /

WATCH THE SHOW: vimeo.com/norwoodschool

VIEW MORE PHOTOS: norwoodschool.smugmug.com/November-2021

NORWOOD SCHOOL MAGAZINE

FEATURES

4 Getting Closer! In just a few months, Norwood will open the doors to the new Marriott Early Childhood Building, a beautiful, light-filled, 21,000-square-foot learning space for grades PK-2. Read about the progress on this exciting new addition to our campus.

6 Facing Our Fears A Rose Hair Tarantula named Hairy Dude and a California Kingsnake named Rey helped Norwood fourth graders face their fears while exploring the value of the month, courage.

10 In the Classroom: Norwood’s Academic Leadership Team Read about the mission and goals of the Academic Leadership Team and meet Norwood’s new director of curriculum and instruction.

14 Alumni Profile: Katharine Uhre Gregorio ’90 When Katie Gregorio took a closer look at her great-aunt’s career as a foreign correspondent in Europe during the height of the Cold War, she discovered an incredible story and the perfect topic for her first book.

27 Celebrating the One and Only Debbie Pakaluk!

After 30 incredible years at Norwood, Debbie Pakaluk, our eighth-grade science teacher extraordinaire, will be stepping away from teaching to focus on her health. We invite you to send a special message to celebrate and thank Debbie for her countless contributions to our school.

DEPARTMENTS

2 Letter from Head of School 16 Campus News Classroom: Party House for the Birds / Robotics Team Advances to State Championship! Art: Fall Play: Dearly Departed Puts the Fun in Family Dysfunction Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 4th Graders Lead the Way in Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. / Latinx KidLit Book Festival / AATSP Poster Contest: Valuing Our Roots and Building Our Future Athletics: Fall & Winter Sports Headlines / Spirit Week Basketball Game / Middle School Swim Team Championship Faculty: 2022 Henderson and Hudnut Grants Kindness: The Great Kindness Challenge / The Power of Flowers / First Class Kindness

24 Class Notes

Dear Friends,

Spring is a time for growth and renewal, and we are experiencing an abundance of both here at Norwood School. Much of our growth is obvious; we see it every day as we watch the progress of our incredible new building for grades PK-2, the Marriott Early Childhood Building. We see growth in our students, especially during this time of year, as they prepare for the transition to a new grade in the fall. We also see it in our faculty, who continue their journey as lifelong learners, always looking for new professional development opportunities to enrich their teaching skills. Concurrent to the construction of the Marriott Early Childhood Building is major renovation work on the first floor of the Middle School. During the summer, the entire first floor will be under construction to create new, expanded spaces for choir, handbells, orchestra, and band. These signature programs will finally have the space to really elevate the exceptional music education that Norwood students receive. We will also expand the Cohen Common Room to create additional space for lunchtime dining and middle school chapel. Read more about these exciting developments on page 5. The Norwood playground, too, is about to get a refresh—actually, more than a refresh, let’s call it an overhaul. After more than 25 years of providing Norwood students with endless fun and games, the playground is looking a bit tired. So, under the deft and inspired leadership of Associate Head of School and Head of Lower School Mike Risen, a playground task force made up of lower and middle school teachers is exploring creative and exciting new playground designs. And you can be sure that they will be consulting

with the experts: our students! Stay tuned for more information as this fun project gets underway.

Renewal is evident just about everywhere. After two years of twists and turns, ups and downs, and starts and stops, we are seeing and feeling a renewed sense of normalcy in our students’ Norwood School experience. Our divisions are holding in-person chapels for the first time since March of 2020. In-person cross-curricular and collaborative learning is ramping up in both divisions. Intersession took place in February with a fun mix of downtown excursions and on-campus adventures. Students are enjoying more in-person multi-grade activities, like buddy gatherings and enrichment activities. Be sure to turn to the “Campus News” section of this issue to read more about the incredible accomplishments of our students and faculty during these past few months. Looking ahead, Norwood’s future shines brighter than ever. We recently completed a new strategic plan, Your Journey Starts Here, a bold and exciting document that will chart the School’s course for the next five years. The plan consists of a number of goals, initiatives, and strategies that leverage Norwood’s unmatched expertise in PK-8 education, spectacular campus, and our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to deepen the School’s enduring value in the lives of our students. As a head of school, I couldn’t ask for a better team of teachers, staff members, trustees, and parents to help build the plan. Certainly, the lion’s share of my

appreciation goes to Jeff Carswell and Frazier Schulman for their hard work and partnership as co-chairs of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. I am so energized by what’s to come at Norwood, and I hope you are, too. Throughout the past two years, I have been immensely proud of the many ways our school community has stepped up, persevered, and found innovative and creative ways to keep learning on track and our students engaged in joyful and challenging child-centered learning activities. As you can imagine, this hasn’t been an easy time for any school, but Norwood has thrived because of an amazing community of people who have adhered to a carefully crafted and everevolving health and safety plan, while providing extra care and support to our students and teachers. For me, spring is the best time of the school year. I am grateful for buoyed spirits, bounces in steps, warmer days, the spring musical, the excitement for finishing a grade and the anticipation of starting a new one, and, of course, commencement. This year, with the hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, I am especially grateful for the new beginnings that come with spring. Yours sincerely,

Matthew A. Gould, Ph.D. Head of School

THE MARRIOTT EARLY CHILDHOOD BUILDING IS GETTING CLOSER!

The Marriott Early Childhood Building is well underway and on schedule for completion in September. In the fall issue of the Norwood Magazine, we reported that construction had started on the Marriott Early Childhood Building, our incredible new 21,000-square-foot learning space for grades PK-2. At that time, the foundation had been poured and the steel framework was in the works. Now, with just a few months to go before we open the doors, the new building is looking, well, like a real building—a beautiful new building filled with space and light and the promise of many exciting learning adventures ahead. Over the winter, windows were installed, exterior masonry and finishings were completed, electrical and plumbing work was put into place, and the roof was finished. Workers are now tackling interior walls, flooring, and installation of the elevator. The summer worklist is especially exciting: painting, lighting, cabinetry, and the suite of technology equipment that will support teaching and learning. Outside, the landscaping and hardscaping will be completed, including the library terrace and lower school courtyard. Of course, a building like this deserves a special entrance! When students in grades PK-2 come to school in the fall, they will shake Mr. Risen’s hand and enter through the Steuart Building doors just like they always have. But instead of heading downstairs, students will turn left and walk through an inviting hallway/ gallery featuring a unique art installation and the relocation of Mr. Risen’s office. “Without giving anything away, the gallery space will honor Norwood’s commitment to knowing each individual student,” shared Mike Risen, associate head of school and head of lower school, “and we’re really excited to share it with everyone in the fall.” Head of School Matthew Gould added, “The opening of our new building creates an

More Campus Enhancements

The new building isn’t the only campus enhancement to look forward to!

opportunity for enhancements throughout our facilities, benefitting students and teachers in every grade.” Third and fourth grade homeroom classes will be relocated so that the entire Lower School will encircle the Gosnell Courtyard, creating a dynamic and beautiful outdoor space for our younger students to learn, play, and gather. On the lower level of the Steuart Building, the old K-2 classrooms will be refurbished into new space for third grade, as well as the After Care and Enrichment programs. The Marriott All-Purpose Room, which has served as a temporary prekindergarten classroom since the start of construction, will revert to a meeting and gathering space in the Steuart Building. Additionally, the middle school community will benefit from additional classrooms and some high-impact renovations to the first floor (see sidebar for more information).

New Playground!

“The Marriott Early Childhood Building already feels like a part of our campus,” said Matthew. “Teachers have toured their future classrooms and are beyond excited about the how the new spaces will enhance their teaching and deepen their students’ learning experiences. We simply can’t wait to open the doors and fill the spacious, child-centered classrooms, community spaces, library, and music room with students and teachers. It truly is a dream come true and an important milestone in the vision set forth by Mrs. Marsh 70 years ago.”

Middle School Renovations!

Another big campus enhancement project is the main playground. The current equipment has served Norwood well for more than 25 years, and it’s now time for a new playground. Mike Risen, associate head of school and head of lower school, is currently leading a task force made up of lower and middle school teachers who are charged with exploring creative and inspiring new playground designs that will stimulate imagination, connect with nature, provide physical challenge, and foster social interactions and creative play. This process will, of course, include consultation with the experts: the students of Norwood! We look forward to sharing details once this exciting project gets underway in the months ahead.

With grades PK-2 moving into the new building, space opens up for much-needed additional classrooms for the middle school program, including dedicated math and world language classrooms. In addition, plans are underway for some high-impact renovations to the first floor of the Middle School Building, most notably bigger rooms for the middle school music ensembles (band, strings, handbells, and chorus) with improved instrument storage. “These Norwood signature programs will finally have the space to really elevate the exceptional music education that Norwood students receive,” said Matthew. In addition,

Planning is in the works for “grand opening” and ribbon-cutting events for the community in late August and September. Alumni and past parents who would like to tour the new building are invited to contact Kate Barnes in the Development Office at 301-841-2212 or kbarnes@norwoodschool.org.

the Cohen Common Room will be expanded to create additional space for middle school lunch and chapel. “After a full year of eating in a tent outdoors, our students will be ready for and deserve a more comfortable dining environment!” said Dennis Campbell, head of middle school. 5

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What are you afraid of? Heights? Flying? Maybe you’re afraid of the dark or monsters under your bed. People have all kinds of fears, and according to experts, avoidance is a bad strategy for managing those fears. Instead, facing your fears can actually calm your brain’s fear center, the amygdala, by adapting it to the very thing you’re afraid of. Fourth graders put this theory to the test as they explored February’s value of the month, courage.

Rosanne Jones teaches “Animals Alive!” at Summer at Norwood and is also a longtime After Care teacher.

“We spent some time discussing the meaning of courage in class,” said fourth grade teacher Elena Lostoski, “and the students understood that it’s not about being fearless but actually about being afraid and facing those fears anyway.” What the students didn’t know was that they would have the opportunity to put their own courage to the test. Two of the most common fears are arachnophobia (extreme fear of spiders) and ophidiophobia (extreme fear of snakes). Fourth graders agreed that spiders and snakes can be pretty scary things. Little did they know that they would soon come face to face with

a tarantula and a kingsnake. Behind the scenes, the fourth grade teachers had already arranged a visit with Norwood’s longtime After Care teacher Rosanne Jones and two members of her home menagerie: a Rose Hair Tarantula named Hairy Dude and a California Kingsnake named Rey. “The students did not know about the visit in advance,” said Ms. Lostoski, “but when the moment came, we assured them that they could decide what level of interaction with the animals they were comfortable with. Many of them took full advantage of the opportunity, and decided they were ready to face their fears.”

“For some students, this was a huge accomplishment, and it was great to see how good they felt about overcoming their fears.” -elena lostoski, fourth grade teacher

Before bringing Hairy Dude and Rey out of their covered tanks, Ms. Jones, who teaches the “Animals Alive!” class at Summer at Norwood, spoke to the students about their diet, habitat, and personality. Fourth graders had a lot of questions, and as they became more familiar with each species, they also became less afraid. They began to realize that sometimes our fears are based on what we don’t know. Finally, it was time for the big moment. Ms. Lostoski carefully removed Hairy Dude from his tank, demonstrating how calmly he sat in the palm of her hand and how to pet him. She then brought 8

the tarantula around to each student, checking in with their comfort level. “I was afraid at first,” said one fourth grader, “but when I saw my friends doing it, I knew I could do it, too.” One by one, each fourth grader held Hairy Dude, remarking how “cool” he was, especially when he began to spin silk from his feet! Next, it was time for Rey’s guest appearance. Ms. Jones lifted the approximately five-foot snake from his tank. At first, Ms. Jones walked around to each student, giving them the chance to observe the snake up close and pet him if they wanted. Once students were comfortable with

Rey, they each took a turn holding him. “For some students, this was a huge accomplishment, and it was great to see how good they felt about overcoming their fears,” shared Ms. Lostoski. “We were so proud of the fourth graders as they faced their fears head on,” she continued. “We hope this experience will have an impact at other moments in their lives when fear gets in the way of trying or learning something new, and they can remember to call on the courage they showed in this moment.”

“We hope this experience will have an impact at other moments in their lives when fear gets in the way of trying or learning something new, and they can remember to call on the courage they showed in this moment.” -elena lostoski, fourth grade teacher

Value of the Month Program Norwood focuses on a set of core values as a school, with one assigned to each month. These values are discussed in the context of daily chapel and in the classrooms through age-appropriate stories and examples. Students apply these values to their daily interactions with classmates and their community.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Norwood’s Academic Leadership Team

Matthew Gould, Ph.D. Head of School

Mike Risen Associate Head of School and Head of Lower School

Dennis Campbell, Ed.D. Head of Middle School

CLARIFYING ITS MISSION AND GOALS IN SERVICE TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS When you look inside a Norwood classroom, you typically see a teacher, sometimes

Ryann Williams Berry Director of Curriculum and Instruction (through June 30, 2022)

two teachers, and a group of students enthusiastically engaged in a learning activity. They might be working on a writing assignment, finishing an art project, observing a chemical reaction in a science experiment, practicing new vocabulary words in Spanish, or using manipulatives to solve a math problem. What you don’t see is the presence of a team of educators that pervades every classroom at Norwood: the Academic Leadership Team. Composed of the head of school, division heads, director of curriculum and instruction, director of student support services, and the director of diversity, equity, and community, the team is responsible for supporting the faculty and ensuring delivery of the best and most equitable education possible for every student at Norwood. “Whether it’s through professional

development, program development and planning, coaching and mentoring, hiring new teachers, or managing day-to-day scheduling, we work in service of the faculty who teach our students,” explains Head of School Matthew Gould. “When we provide exceptional support to our faculty, it means an exceptional learning experience for our students.”

continues...

Fielding Winters Director of Curriculum and Instruction (as of July 1, 2022)

Sara Gallagher Director of Student Support Services

Billy Vargas Director of Diversity, Equity, and Community

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AS OF FOCUS

Professional Dev’t

2. Faculty Support & Coaching

3. Student Support

CURRICULUM REVIEW

Matthew goes on to say that “without question, Norwood’s teachers create the real magic in the classrooms. The Academic Leadership Team is simply there to make sure they have a solid stage beneath them—the support and tools they need to be successful.” The team meets once a week to examine the latest research and best practices in education, provide consultation and advice to one another, share success stories, ensure continuity between divisions, collaboratively problem solve, and work on new initiatives. Most recently, the group has been focused on the development and integration of the racial literacy curriculum and laying the groundwork for a year-long comprehensive review of the social studies and history curriculum from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

FACULTY SUPPORT & COACHING

5 AREAS OF FOCUS

FACULTY HIRING

STUDENT SUPPORT

In addition, throughout this school year, the team has dedicated significant time to reflecting on its mission and how to best serve teachers and students through that mission. The result of these conversations is the creation of the following new mission statement made up of six tenets that better clarify the team’s goals and tighten the focus of their work on behalf of Norwood’s teachers and students: Academic Leadership Team is committed to: n

Pursuing Norwood’s mission relentlessly; Using a student-centered lens in decision-making; Promoting holistic student learning and growth;

Developing collaborative relationships built on trust; Cultivating an inclusive and dynamic culture; Practicing ethical and equitable leadership.

One of the key members of the Academic Leadership Team is the director of curriculum and instruction, the person who works with the team and the faculty on the overall planning, delivery, assessment, and ongoing improvement of curriculum and instruction. For the past three years, Ryann Williams Berry has held this position, expanding the professional development and new faculty orientation programs, co-developing a robust health and wellness program for faculty and staff, redesigning the

“With the opening of the new building this fall, renovations to current learning spaces, and the launch of the new strategic plan, there is so much to look forward to, and I’m honored to be in a position to serve all of Norwood’s teachers in creating the best learning experiences possible for our students.” -fielding winters, director of curriculum and instruction (as of july 1, 2022)

middle school schedule for hybrid learning, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the School. Earlier this spring, Ryann was named the new middle school division director at Holton-Arms School and will begin this next step in her career in July. In the meantime, Ryann is preparing to pass the baton to Fielding Winters, who will be Norwood’s new director of curriculum and instruction as of July 1. Fielding has been teaching at Norwood for 12 years in addition to serving as the lower school math coordinator. “We’re very excited that Fielding will step into this important position at Norwood,” says Matthew. “Her extensive experience in the classroom as well as with curriculum development will bring valuable insights and contributions not only to the Academic Leadership Team but to the entire faculty.” Fielding played a key role in bringing the Bridges math program to Norwood, which has included faculty training and ongoing professional development. “This is such an exciting time to be able to expand my role at Norwood,” says Fielding. “With the opening of the new building this fall, renovations to current learning spaces, and the launch of the new strategic plan, there is so much to look forward to, and I’m honored to be in a position to serve all of Norwood’s teachers in creating the best learning experiences possible for our students.”

Introducing Norwood’s New Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Fielding Winters Fielding has been teaching in the Lower School at Norwood since 2010, first as a science teacher, then a math teacher, a third grade homeroom teacher, and now as the lower school math coordinator while she continues to teach third and fourth grade math. She started her teaching career as a science teaching intern at Sidwell Friends School and as a lead teacher and science specialist at Green Acres School, where she was also the faculty liaison to school administration. Fielding holds a B.A. in history from Brown University, as well as a B.S. in biology, an M.A. in educational measurement and statistics, and a Ph.D. in human development with a specialization in educational psychology—all from the University of Maryland. While at Maryland, Fielding was an instructor and graduate assistant in the Department of Human Development and received the Distinguished Teaching Assistant Award from the Center for Teaching Excellence. She has been an active participant in professional development and grant opportunities at Norwood, including those in the areas of differentiated instruction, Responsive Classroom, and Bridges math curriculum implementation planning.

ALUMNI PROFILE

Katharine Uhre Gregorio ’90 HOW UNCOVERING A FAMILY SECRET LED TO PUBLISHING A FIRST BOOK

When Katie Gregorio took a closer look at her great-aunt’s career as a foreign correspondent in Europe during the height of the Cold War, she discovered the incredible story of how this courageous woman, Katharine Clark, risked her life in the name of truth, justice, and freedom. After years of rigorous research, Katie turned her great-aunt’s story into her first book, The Double Life of Katharine Clark, published and released by Sourcebooks in March. Katie’s academic and professional careers provided the perfect platform from which to launch her first book. After Norwood, which Katie attended for grades 2-6, she went to Holton-Arms School and then Dartmouth College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in history. She also holds two master’s degrees: one in international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and another in business administration from The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Katie currently works in product marketing at Adobe. It’s an exciting time for Katie, who lives in San Francisco with her husband, Jon, and their two children, Will (9) and Sophie (5). >

When and how did you learn of your greataunt Katharine Clark’s fascinating story?

My mother is a wonderful storyteller, and I grew up hearing all sorts of family stories. Because Katharine and I share the same name, I particularly paid attention to the stories about her. I knew that she worked as a foreign correspondent, became a reluctant mother, was the first woman American reporter to enter Berlin and Warsaw, covered the Hungarian revolution with her stories running on the front page of The Washington Post, and appeared on Meet the Press (which I don’t cover in the book) in its early days. There was always this story about Katharine smuggling important papers to the West, but my mother was fuzzy on the details. I did not pay attention to this thread until I saw a plaque for a special collection at Georgetown University’s library that had my great-uncle’s name on it. I was visiting my parent’s house from studies in London, and I had work to do on my master’s thesis. The existence of the special collection made me curious, and I started investigating. What I found was incredible. How long did you research your greataunt’s life and what was your process?

This book took me 10 years to research, write, edit, and navigate through the business side of the publishing process. I was incredibly fortunate with my research. I had four boxes of letters, reports, and notes that comprised the special collection at Georgetown. From these materials, I outlined a chronological sequence of events and then determined what the best story should be. This exercise also helped me identify areas where I needed to conduct further research. I used newspaper and magazine articles written by my great-aunt and greatuncle and their contemporaries, books written by the communist dissident my great-aunt befriended, and interviews with my mother, uncle, and the dissident’s son to round out the facts for my narrative.

with a publisher, and marketing the book—is actually the bulk of the process.

weekly creative writing time. I loved writing detective stories about my friends and some took up more than 20 pages.

How did you handle writer’s block?

I was fortunate that I never had writer’s block. Because I wrote this book while I held a full-time job and became a mother of two, a lot of the book I worked through in my head before I committed words to paper. When I had a free moment, I would write for as much time as I had. Did you find that you have anything in common with your great-aunt?

While my great-aunt Katharine and I are very different, the one trait we likely share is perseverance. As I mentioned, the act of writing a book can often be the easy part on the path to publication. To find an agent, have the manuscript published, and then to position it so it sells is very challenging. Nothing happens quickly or as planned, so a consistent and persistent mindset to overcome challenges and detours that arise on the journey is critical. Will you be writing another book?

I hope so. I have a several ideas for other stories. My younger sister Emily Uhre (Norwood Class of 1995) and I are in the midst of collaborating on a children’s book. How did your career path lead you to writing your first book?

I truly believe that life is a journey. All of my experiences—my travels, my education, and my career path—have exposed me to so many new things and adventures. Over the years, I’ve had to find my voice to tell stories—from crafting internal memos to garner support for a decision to writing out persuading presentations to win business to imagining a creative campaign or website with copy that resonates with the target consumer. At some point I realized that I could apply these same skills to tell this amazing family secret. So, one day I just began writing.

What surprised you the most about your book-writing experience?

As a young student at Norwood, did you think that you would grow up to write and publish a book?

The most surprising aspect of writing a book is that the actual writing is one of the easiest parts of the process. Doing the research, figuring out how to tell the story, and executing the business aspects of publishing—landing an agent, signing

I have always loved to read and write, but I’m not sure I ever dreamed I would write a book. I do have a vivid recollection of sitting at my desk in Mrs. Irwin’s fourth-grade classroom scribbling across ruled paper with my pencil during our

What are some of your favorite Norwood memories?

I loved my time at Norwood. A couple of recollections that stand out are: my state project on Tennessee in third grade for Mr. Hollander, my term paper in fifth grade with Mrs. Hillis on the Bermuda Triangle, performing at the National Archives with Mrs. Lutterman, making clay figurines and prints in art, our daily assembly after shaking Mr. Ewing’s hand, and taking my grandparents to Mr. Earle’s science class where he put his curriculum away for the day and instead held a contest about military trivia. What advice can you offer current Norwood students who love to write?

Read and write as much as you can. Read across all different genres, eras, and geographies. Pay attention to what pulls you in, the voice, the plot, the setting. What books make you feel like you are right there with the characters? How do they do it? Then think about something you know and start writing about it. Even it’s just several sentences in a journal a day. Play with how to replicate that same feeling you experience when reading a book. After several days, re-read what you wrote and ask yourself if you could make it better. No one writes a book in a day or a month or even a year. It’s created with discipline and practice. If you love it, you will make the time to do it. What’s on your reading list these days?

I always have a long TBR list. I just finished reading several non-fiction books about science, so I’m now diving into a detective novel by Anthony Horowitz. I’m also halfway through the last book of the Percy Jackson series. I promised my son I would read the series in parallel with him. My daughter cannot read quite yet, so we read 1-2 chapters a night and are halfway through the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. As a mother and book lover, I’ve enjoyed discovering new books and revisiting old favorites with both of my children. When you’re not reading and writing, what keeps you busy?

I love spending time with my family. 15

1 & 2 Kindergartners in Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Wilson’s homeroom provided colorful shelter and delicious food in their Party House for the Birds. 3 Members of the White Hawks robotics team prepare for the state championship of the FIRST Lego Robotics Competition.

Campus News: Classroom 2

Party House for the Birds Kindergartners in Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Wilson’s homeroom have a favorite spot to explore during recess: a mini “forest” of trees located to the right of the Marsh Building entrance. They call it the “Party House.” Just before winter break, this special venue became the topic of weeklong inquiry-based research project answering the question, “Who can use the Party House while we are away from school?” The kindergartners decided the birds of Norwood could take up residence in this favorite recess spot, which prompted all kinds of inquiry about what birds need in the winter. Their research included speaking with Norwood’s resident bird expert (and math teacher) Stan Smith, reading books, and engaging in field work. Our feathered friends don’t just need food in the winter, the kindergartners concluded, they need a place to throw a party! But parties take planning, so Norwood’s young bird experts got to work creating all the necessary 16

elements for a festive soiree: food, beverage, and decorations. They filled orange halves with tasty seeds, made strings of Cheerios and berries, and built little birdhouses (just in case the partygoers needed a rest). They even made an inviting and colorful sign for the entrance to the “Party House for the Birds”. Apparently, the birds of Norwood had an excellent time in their party house. When they returned from winter break, the kindergartners observed that not a berry or seed had been left behind, just a few empty strings dangling from the tree branches. The sign of a truly great party!

Robotics Team Advances to State Championship! On February 19, the Norwood White Hawks robotics team competed in the regional FIRST LEGO Robotics Competition, their first competition experience, and placed fourth out of 23 teams, qualifying them to advance to the state championship to be held virtually this spring.

According to Juan Ramirez, Norwood’s director of technology and the team’s lead advisor, the White Hawks, all sixth graders, also won the Judge’s Award. “The Judge’s Award goes to a team that stands out for its effort, initiative, creativity, and respect toward others,” explained Juan. “I’m so proud of this group for their hard work, their great attitude throughout the tournament, and for handling the interview portion like pros.”

“I’m so proud of this group for their hard work, their great attitude throughout the tournament, and for handling the interview portion like pros.” -juan ramirez, director of technology and robotics team lead advisor

The FIRST LEGO League brings together teams of students ages 9-16 to engage in research, problemsolving, coding, and engineering while building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. As part of the challenge, teams also participate in a research project to identify and solve a relevant realworld problem.

transportation innovations that better connect and grow communities and economies around the world. The White Hawks designed a robot/rover that controlled a series of missions designed to improve package delivery for trucks and vans.

This year, teams explored the future of transportation. From the shipment of packages in rural and urban areas, to disaster relief delivery and high-tech air transit, participants were asked to reimagine faster, more reliable, inclusive, and sustainable

Congratulations to the White Hawks and to Mr. Ramirez, as well as to Jose Melendez and Arya Shafie from the Technology Office, and science teacher Casey Kunkel for supporting and guiding the team.

Arts FALL PLAY:

Dearly Departed Puts the Fun in Family Dysfunction When Bud Turpin, the patriarch of the family, keels over dead in the opening scene of this year’s fall play, Dearly Departed, audience members knew they had an interesting story ahead. And a funny one, too, because it is clear from the moment the curtain goes up that the Turpins are a crazy bunch. Norwood’s seventh and eighth graders did an outstanding job bringing out the crazy during four hysterical performances held on the Murray Arts Building stage November 18-20, 2021. Bud’s passing brings together various family members, an assembly of mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands, and wives who can’t stand each other. Amidst the chaos, the Turpins manage to finally pull together and help each other through their hours of need, and finally, the funeral. The hilarious show, written by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, proves that family is family especially when they get on your nerves. Performances were live for two guests per cast and crew member and also livestreamed for all to enjoy from home. No matter where or how the show was viewed, audience members delighted in the hilarious production with its fast-paced scenes and over-the-top physical comedy. Cast members nailed the rhythm, timing, pace, and expression of their lines, and the crew brought it all together with excellent lighting and sound effects. As always, we thank the Norwood theatre family for their talent and dedication in working with the cast and crew: director Mia Fisher, technical director Kirby Mahoney, costumer Rachael Feola, costume manager Stephen Crisp, and set designer and props manager Marie Darling. “This was my first time seeing a Norwood School fall play and I was blown away by the professionalism and talent of these young actors,” said Dennis Campbell, head of middle school. “I know that many of them can be comedians in the classroom and hallways, and it was great to see them channel all that comedic energy into these excellent performances. Bravo to all!”

View more photos from Dearly Departed: norwoodschool.smugmug.com/ November-2021

Watch the show: vimeo.com/norwoodschool

NEXT UP! Shrek The Musical Jr. May 5, 6, & 7

Campus News: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion View more photos: norwoodschool.smugmug.com/ November-2021

Watch the video: vimeo.com/norwoodschool

4th graders lead the way in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Months before MLK Day, Norwood’s fourth graders were exploring how to honor the civil rights leader during an all-school chapel scheduled for January 21. In November, the entire class traveled to downtown D.C. to recite the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. King himself delivered the speech at the March for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. Prior to the visit, fourth graders and their teachers studied the speech, reflecting on the meaning of Dr. King’s famous words, both then and now. Each student was assigned a portion of the speech to memorize and recite. 18

And recite they did—with confidence, conviction, and emotion. The moment was filmed, and the video was shown to the Norwood community at the virtual MLK chapel in January. “We are incredibly proud of these students,” said Matthew Gould. “The video was quite powerful— everyone felt it—and we are grateful to the fourth graders and their teachers for sharing their work with the entire community. It was such a special way to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King.”

Latinx KidLit Book Festival In early December, eighth grade Spanish students participated in the 2021 Latinx KidLit Book Festival, a virtual celebration of Latinx authors, illustrators, and books for students, educators,

and book lovers everywhere. The festival, which streamed live on YouTube, offered two days of free panel discussions, craft sessions, and illustrator draw-offs with Latinx authors and illustrators. Prior to the festival, each participating eighth grader read a book by one of the festival authors and then submitted a question for the author to answer during a panel discussion. Panels included topics like “It’s Career Day! Explore Careers in Publishing,” “Learning to Trust Your Voice When Writing YOUR Story,” and “Add a Little Bit of Magic: Fantastical Latinx Stories in Young Adult Literature.” Ellen Pulupa, world languages coordinator and middle school Spanish teacher, was thrilled to learn that five excellent questions

from Norwood students were selected for festival authors: n

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process? What impact do you see your books having in 30, 40, 50 years, not only on Latinx people, but the world? If you had to do something differently as an early author to become a better writer today, what would you do? How long does it take you to write or illustrate a book? Which of your characters from your books do you relate to the most?

And there’s more good news! The students were entered into a drawing to win a set of 30 books written by a festival author for their classroom library, and a Norwood eighth grader won!

DEI 1, 2, & 4 Fourth grade teachers and students explored the meaning of the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln and MLK memorials. 3 Fifth graders hold their posters that were selected to be sent to AATSP for the 50th anniversary of the organization’s annual poster contest. 5 Eighth grade Spanish students were excited to receive a classroom set of When We Were Them by Laura Taylor Namey, a prize awarded during their participation in the Latinx KidLit Book Festival.

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Ellen shares that later in the year, students will use what they learned to create stories based on the structures outlined by the festival authors. We can’t wait to see the results!

AATSP POSTER CONTEST:

Valuing Our Roots and Building Our Future Creativity abounds in every subject area at Norwood, and it was particularly alive when fifth and sixth grade Spanish students participated in the 50th anniversary of AATSP’s (American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese) annual poster contest. The contest encourages cross-curricular collaboration

between social studies, art, technology, and Spanish. Spanish teacher Vicky Masson says she was especially drawn to this year’s contest because of the theme: Valorando nuestras raíces y construyendo nuestro futuro (Valuing our roots and building our future). “Maybe what struck me the most was the present implication in the balance between past and future, moreover in the uncertain times that we live in,” explains Vicky. In class, students brainstormed words and phrases that captured the theme. For example, the word “valuing” evoked words like life, family, culture, sports, graduation, and other things important to them. To represent “roots,” they mentioned trees, soil, nature, as well as flags, culture, music, food, and religion. For “building,” they

referenced cranes, puzzles, and bricks. The words “our future” prompted topics like space, planets, flying cars, UFOs, and spaceships. Many students reported that listening to each other’s ideas ignited new insights into their own learning and for their own poster. “The greatest challenge,” says Vicky, “was for them to think from a Hispanic/ Latino point of view and consider that lens in their drawings.” When presenting their finished hand-drawn posters to classmates, students worked on language structures and new vocabulary to express their thoughts and ideas. “The project gave me the opportunity to introduce students to topic and conclusion statements,” explains Vicky. “I am proud of students’ progress and the language development that occurred during this assignment.”

A group of Norwood faculty, including world language and art teachers, selected three posters from each grade to be submitted to the AATSP chapter contest coordinator. Chapter coordinators then select posters to advance to the national contest director. Winning posters will be announced May. “I think the poster contest was a fun assignment because I got to learn more about Spanish while I had fun drawing the poster and making creative ways to represent the themes,” said one student. Another commented, “I think this project has transformed how I see the world because when looking at my poster, I see the Spanish culture and the lively and happy future ahead.”

Campus News: Athletics

1 The Varsity Conference Girls Soccer Team celebrates a win on Fall Spirit Day. 2 The Varsity Conference Boys Basketball Team poses for a photo after their tournament win. 3 The Varsity Conference Boys Soccer Team kicked their way to a winning season. 4 This year’s Spirit Week game between the eighth graders and the faculty provided plenty of exciting action.

Fall & Winter Sports Headlines TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! Varsity Conference Boys Soccer Varsity Conference Girls Soccer Varsity Conference Volleyball Varsity Conference Boys Basketball

UNDEFEATED! Varsity Boys Blue Soccer

Spirit Week Basketball Game Faculty steps it up in crunch time in a 50-48 win over the eighth graders Like all good showdowns, this year’s Spirit Week basketball game between the eighth graders and the faculty had its exciting moments, momentum swings, and a finish that came down to the wire. In the end, the faculty defeated the eighth graders, 50-48, in the Rales Athletic Center. “We always look forward to this game,” said Athletic Director Mitch Weisbrot, “but this year, we were especially thrilled that we able to hold the game for the first time since 2019.” Due to health and

safety protocols, only seventh and eighth graders were permitted in the gym, but the rest of the school, and families at home, were able to watch the livestream. “The addition of three announcers, all eighth graders, provided excellent play-by-play commentary for the whole community,” Mitch added. The faculty put the first 4 points on the board, but the eighth graders quickly found their rhythm and took the lead at the two-minute mark. They maintained that lead throughout the first half using their speed, fast breaks, and layups. With a halftime score of 26-18, Mitch appeared worried during a courtside interview. “Hopefully, we can keep up,” he said, “but we’re getting a little tired out there.”

The faculty found some energy late in the second half and took a 41-40 lead. The eighth graders responded with a quick three that put the team back on top. A steal and free throw by the faculty tied the game 48-48 with 14 second remaining. The eighth graders missed a couple of opportunities to get back on top, but the clock got the best of them, and the faculty were able to add 2 more points in the final seconds. “It was everything you’d want in a game,” said Mitch. “The eighth graders played hard and had speed on their side, but in the end, a bit of end-of-game scrambling by the more experienced team won the game. Most importantly, a great time was had by all!”

Faculty 2022 Henderson and Hudnut Grants A commitment to lifelong learning is just one of the hallmarks of an exceptional Norwood faculty. For four decades, two important endowment funds—the Welles and Lucia Henderson Fund and the Thomas Hudnut Fund—have provided support for exciting, rejuvenating, and inspiring faculty learning experiences outside the School’s normal professional development program. Congratulations to this year’s Henderson and Hudnut recipients, all first-timers who will be using their grants to visit exciting places around the globe to deepen knowledge or simply to restore, renew, and gain inspiration.

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HENDERSON GRANTS The Welles and Lucia Henderson Fund was established in the early 1980s to support proposals that will have a broad impact on student learning by enhancing and enriching existing curricula or initiating new curricular programs. Stephen Czarkowski Middle School Strings Teacher Travel to Czech Republic to attend an international conducting workshop.

Virginia Murphy

Fourth Grade Homeroom Teacher Travel to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and London to enhance fourth grade reading and social studies curriculum.

Victoria Wilbur

Middle School Swim Team Championship Norwood swimmers had a strong showing in the Washington Metropolitan Private Middle School Swim Championship meet held February 22, 2022, at HoltonArms School. The meet included approximately 200 swimmers from 13 schools located in the Washington, D.C. area. “While Norwood doesn’t have an established swim team, we do have a number of students who swim competitively outside of school,” explained Laini Bettencourt, physical education teacher and coach. “The meet was not held last year due to the

pandemic, so we were thrilled that it was back and that 11 of our competitive swimmers had the opportunity to participate on behalf of Norwood.” Norwood’s small but mighty group more than held their own against the competition. The boys team placed third out of 10 schools, and the girls team placed fifth out of 11 schools. Two Norwood swimmers placed first in both of their events, and our relay teams placed second and third for both the medley and the freestyle. “I am so proud of this group,” said Coach Bettencourt, “and I am already looking forward to next year’s meet.”

Middle School Reading and Language Arts Teacher Travel to Costa Rica to explore animal habitats of the region to strengthen the sixth grade endangered species unit.

HUDNUT GRANTS The Thomas Hudnut Fund, also established in the early 1980s, supports faculty enrichment and renewal above and beyond normal professional development activities. Laini Bettencourt Physical Education Teacher Key West, Florida

Hannah Epstein Lower School Music Teacher New York City (Broadway!)

Risa Seidman Middle School History Teacher and Advisor Japan

Chris Ward Lower School Science Teacher Northern Italy 21

Campus News: Kindness The Great Kindness Challenge Nurturing a kind and caring community is always a priority at Norwood, but back in February, just before Valentine’s Day, the entire school participated in The Great Kindness Challenge, a week-long celebration that shined a spotlight on the importance of being kind, compassionate, and respectful. Led by lower school counselor, Rachelle Bowman, Kindness Week at Norwood featured a number of special activities, including kindness chapels hosted by the fourth graders, kindness posters displayed throughout the School, hugs and high-fives from the Blue Hawk during morning carpool, and taking on a specific kindness challenge such as smiling at 25 people or slipping a nice note in a friend’s backpack. A favorite activity was adding paper leaves to the kindness trees in both the lower school and middle school entrances. On each leaf, a student, teacher, or staff member had written a random act of kindness they had received. “It was really powerful to see the branches of the trees fill quickly with hundreds of kind acts,” said Rachelle. “I’m not surprised, of course, because Norwood is such a kind community, but the kindness trees were a wonderful visual reminder.” Another highlight of Kindness Week was a special project in lower school art classes where every student made two Valentine’s Day cards to be given to residents of local senior communities. Art teachers Bat Boulandi and Sam Pinkerton worked with students to expand their creative abilities and use a 22

variety of techniques and materials (red glitter—lots of it—was a popular choice!) to make beautiful cards. The best part? At the same time, seniors were busy making cards for Norwood students!

“The whole goal for the week was to spread even more kindness throughout our community, and we definitely achieved that,” said Rachelle. “Kindness needs to grow and spread,” said one fourth grader. “It can’t just stay in one place because there wouldn’t be enough for the world.” We couldn’t agree more!

The Power of Flowers Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, sixth graders used the power of flowers to bring some cheer to local seniors. Students in all four advisories brought in cut flowers of their choice, and then all flowers were placed on a long table in the hallway. Sixth graders were then able to “shop” for flowers and create their own floral arrangement in a decorative mason jar. “They really let their creativity run wild,” shares sixth grade advisor Mimi Mulligan, “and I think they were pleasantly surprised that you don’t have to be a professional florist to create something beautiful and special.” More than 60 arrangements were delivered to the assisted living and memory care unit at Sunrise Fox Hill in Bethesda. “The staff there couldn’t believe the bounty of flowers,” reports Mimi. “I later heard from them that the residents were overjoyed to receive the arrangements, showing that just a small gesture like this can make a world of difference in the lives of others.”

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“It was really powerful to see the branches of the trees fill quickly with hundreds of kind acts.” rachelle bowman, lower school counselor

Kindness 7

First Class Kindness Third graders in Hannah Ingram’s homeroom put their stamp of approval on the idea of spreading kindness by setting up a Kindness Post Office in their classroom and promoting the service to the entire lower school community. Students, faculty, and staff were invited to write letters of kindness and drop them off at the Kindness Post Office for prompt delivery.

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“Our classroom culture has included kindness from the start. We invite a community member into our classroom each week to celebrate and appreciate them. Our Kindness Post Office sprang out of that consistent practice of paying attention to and lifting up the people around us. Their kind hearts are evident in the thoughtful, personalized letters

they’ve written to faculty and staff members, thanking them for their contributions to Norwood,” shared Hannah. Once these letters are brought to the Kindness Post Office, “kindness connectors” add a kindness stamp and even date-stamp the letters for tracking purposes—just like a real post office. The third-grade kindness connectors especially enjoyed their mail delivery duties, which involved traveling the School with a mailbag full of letters and personally delivering them with great fanfare. “I’m not sure who was happier,” reported Hannah, “the teachers and staff members receiving the letters or the third graders who delivered them!” One thing is certain: the Kindness Post Office achieved its goal of spreading kindness throughout the Norwood community—signed, sealed, and delivered with a smile!

OPPOSITE PAGE 1, 2, & 3 Paper leaves representing random acts of kindness were added to the kindness trees on display in the lower school and middle school entrances. 4 During Kindness Week, lower school students made Valentine’s Day cards for residents of local senior communities. 5 Third graders in Hannah Ingram’s class get ready to deliver letters from the Kindness Post Office. 6 Beautiful floral arrangements were created by sixth graders and delivered to the assisted living and memory care unit at Sunrise Fox Hall in Bethesda.

“I’m not sure who was happier, the teachers and staff members receiving the letters or the third graders who delivered them!” hannah ingram, third grade teacher

THIS PAGE 7 Lower school art teacher Bat Boulandi guides students in making Valentine’s Day cards for residents of local senior communities. 8 & 9 Throughout Kindness Week, fourth graders displayed posters with uplifting messages as students arrived each morning. 10 & 12 Sixth graders made floral arrangements to be delivered to residents of the assisted living and memory care unit at Sunrise Fox Hall in Bethesda. 11 Third grade teacher Alleyne Aiken is thrilled to receive a letter from the Kindness Post Office. 23

Class Notes 1955

Tom Weil has been retired from an international law practice for a few years, during which time he has taught several seminars at Yale University on “Global Energy Sources, Uses and Issues” and served as a trustee of the River & Rowing Museum in Henley-onThames (rumor has it that he is to blame for encouraging former head of school Dick Ewing to come out for crew, which ended up with his being elected to the National Rowing Hall of Fame). Tom remains very involved with writing and lecturing on rowing history and seeking a home for a national rowing museum in the U.S. He enjoys keeping up with his 2-year-old granddaughter who lives in Silver Spring. A future Blue Hawk, perhaps?

1960

Scott Watson is now a semiretired lighting design consultant living outside Philadelphia. Both of his children graduated from Norwood as well and are doing fine but living outside the D.C. area. Between them, Scott has four delightful grandchildren.

1964

Nancy Brooks says she has been blessed to have spent COVID-19 time with her family. Her sons, Nathan and Nick, both returned home and worked remotely. Nancy has served as president of the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia and is rotating off the board. She is also completing her term as chair of the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Outreach Committee. The Brooks family has discovered the joys of vacationing in the Outer Banks and has rented oceanfront homes in Southern Shores, North Carolina. Nancy shares that Halekulani, their Dachshund Rescue of North 24

America dog, turned 14 in January and is still spry. Chip Heartfield recently sparked a rousing conversation among former Norwood classmates from the Class of 1965 when he posted this gem of a photo (see photo 6) on Facebook. Who remembers their Norwood holiday pageant?

1969

Charles Pardoe is retired and living in Abu Dhabi where his wife heads up New York University’s campus. They spend their time there during the school year and in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in the summer. He also enjoys regular visits to Bethesda to see his father and even passes by the old Norwood Parish building often and can’t believe that the playground felt so spacious when he was a Norwood student.

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1979

Tim Cooney is excited to announce that his company, Cape Cod Cellars® | Martha’s Other Vineyard®, will be opening its flagship store on Boston’s Newbury Street this spring. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by. And if you’re not in the area, you can still get lots of information by checking out their website at www. capecodcellars.com.

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Laurie Hunsicker enjoyed the occasion to visit Norwood a few years ago when both of her daughters’ sports teams played Norwood.

1980

Ed Forgotson has spent most of the past two decades working at CBS Sunday Morning. Along with his wife, J.C., and son, Jerome (now age 10), he moved back to Maryland from New York City in

1 Scott Watson ’60 and his wife, Charleen, enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren: Mac Watson ’96 and daughter Stella (6), Carolyn Watson Flood ’93 and daughters Samantha (17) and Josephine (13). 2 Tom Weill ’55 shared this photo of his son and granddaughter. 3 One of the beautiful home décor items created by Barclay Sharon ’82 and available on Etsy (Sand Bucket Studio). 4 Charles Pardoe ’69 and his wife, Mariet Westermann, in the mountains of the U.A.E. 5 Jay Luchs ’84 is a commercial and residential real estate broker in Los Angeles. 6 A fun conversation ensued after Chip Heartfield ’64 posted this Norwood memory on Facebook. 7 Samantha Staffier Burman and Laura Davis, both from the Class of 1992, ran into former Norwood kindergarten teacher Shirley Miller at their daughters’ lacrosse game. 8 Isabel Junkin Hardesty ’00 is busy with these three!

2016. He would love to hear from any classmates—here in D.C. or further afield! He’s a Facebook holdout, so it’s best to reach him at edforgotson@gmail.com.

1982

Barclay Sharon is currently living on Fripp Island in South Carolina, having moved there from Charlotte, North Carolina, four years ago after she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. She decided that indeed “life is too short” and moved to the place that brings her the most joy. Turns out that her Norwood art classes with Starr Kopper led her to her current career as an artist. Barclay creates home decor items with all the shells she has collected. Look for Sand Bucket Studio on Etsy.

1983

Lolly Ward reports that she is living with her husband, two children, two dogs, and two chickens in Portland, Oregon, where she is the cofounder and director of LineStorm Playwrights. She recently edited an anthology of plays for Applause Books called Go Play Outside, and she continues to be a freelance editor, working with screenplays in development to help smooth their way into production.

1984

Jay Luchs writes that he has been living in Los Angeles for 26 years now, having moved there a few days after graduating from the University of Virginia. It was supposed to be a summer trip and he never left. He works as a commercial real estate broker at New York-based Neemark, representing landlords and various tenants focused on the luxury retail space. He also started a residential division years ago with a friend, selling luxury homes in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Brentwood, the Pacific Palisades, and Malibu. Note that while he does

go to Rams games, he’s still a die-hard Washington football fan and takes great pride in watching games every week. Go, Commanders. Bring back the glory days, please.

Caitlin is the vice president of business development for Concierge Auctions, where she enjoys working domestically and internationally on luxury property sales.

1990

1995

Virginia Andres and family moved to the Twin Cities in 2019, where she is currently the middle school principal at St. Paul Academy and Summit School. Her husband, Chuck, who is the former director of technology at Norwood, works in the tech office as the IT systems specialist. Their daughters, Olivia (seventh grade) and Fiona (third grade), are enjoying school and friends. While starting a new school and settling in a new city has certainly been interesting during the pandemic, Virginia reports that they are all doing well. Katie Uhre Gregorio recently published her first book, The Double Life of Katharine Clark, a narrative nonfiction book detailing the life of her great-aunt, who was a foreign correspondent behind the Iron Curtain in the 1950s and 1960s. Be sure to check out more about Katie and the writing of the book in the alumni profile featured on page 14.

1992

Samantha Staffier Burman and Laura Davis Stifel are still close friends, and their daughters play on the same lacrosse team. Recently, when they were together for a game, they ran into their former Norwood kindergarten teacher, Shirley Miller, who was at the game watching her granddaughter!

1993

Caitlin Keys is living in Denver, Colorado, and was recently married in St. Helena in Napa Valley. Her best friend since kindergarten, Victoria Will Jackson, who recently gave birth to her third son, was in attendance, as was her sister, Erin Keys MacDonald ’88.

Kerry Elson teaches kindergarten and first grade at Central Park East 2 Elementary and Middle School in New York City. She also has been contributing short humor to newyorker.com and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. She thanks Mr. Hollander for introducing her to satire in sixth grade!

1996

Kara Green reports that she is now a principal at LGA Capital, working in structured commercial real estate, finance, and private equity capital industries.

2000

Isabel Junkin Hardesty welcomed a new baby in 2021. She says she now has three pale, red-headed little boys! And Katie Wiacek recently joined the governing board of the organization for which Isabel is executive director, ShoreRivers.

2003

Beau Briggs recently moved to Dallas from Palm Beach, Florida. He started the Bank Loan Desk at Goldman Sachs, growing it from a team of just one to a team of 11. He manages a portfolio of loans across healthcare, financial sponsors, and cross markets. Doug Eacho and his wife, Rebecca, have recently moved to Toronto. Doug, a historian of avant-garde theatre and dance, is an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. He would love to connect with any Norwood alums in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). Emilie Kimball recently published a book, Global China: Assessing China’s Growing Role in the World, which provides the most current,

We would love to hear from you! Send news about your career, family, travel, recent get-togethers with Norwood classmates, and just about anything else to info@norwoodschool.org. Photos (JPG, 1MB+) are encouraged! Fall issue deadline: Oct. 1, 2022

broad-scope, and fact-based assessment of the implications of China’s rise for the United States and the rest of the world. Lacy Morgan, after having to reschedule her wedding three times due to the pandemic, finally got married on September 19, 2021, in Healdsburg, California. Stephanie Watson and Samantha Cooper McIntee both had baby boys in 2020 and are godmothers to the each other’s sons. Stephanie is also the godmother to Samantha’s daughter.

2004

Alex Stadnik Gruenewald and her husband opened an Allstate Agency in 2019. She reports that it has been an interesting adventure having a new business during a pandemic! They had their third child, a boy named Austin, on April 2, 2021, and have kept busy adjusting to life as a family of five. As a side note, they are having a hard time finding the right early education environment for their oldest daughter, and they realized it’s because Alex’s standard is Norwood—it’s hard to find something as excellent as Norwood in upstate New York! 25

1 Beau Briggs ’03 works at Goldman Sachs in Dallas. 2 Stephanie Watson and Samantha Cooper McIntee, both from the Class of 2003, with their husbands and children. 3 Margaux Lynn Korengold, daughter of Will Korengold ’06, was born on October 4, 2021. 4 Three times a charm! After having to reschedule three times, Lacy Morgan ’03 finally enjoyed her wedding day on September 19, 2021. 5 At the Napa wedding of Eric Schluntz ’07: (left to right) Alec Downie, Andrew Duffy, Jack Moore, Eric, Michael Walker, and Tom Mullins, all from the Class of 2007. 6 Anne Mercer Schoenfeld ’08 (left) and Megan Klebanoff ’09 recently caught up in Charlottesville, VA. 7 From the Class of 2011, (left to right) Seb van Bastelaer, Jack McPherson, Gregory Light, and a friend in Paris.

2006

Will Korengold and his wife, Kathryn, welcomed their first child, Margaux Lynn Korengold, on October 4, 2021.

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2007

Erik Schluntz got married last September in Napa, California, and enjoyed a great turnout from the Norwood Class of 2007.

2008

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Carl St. John is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. He is studying evolution and conservation of fishes in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic including Alaska, Siberia, and Northern New York. He studies these systems not only because he likes them (!), but also because climate change is shrinking the amount of habitat left for cold water fishes, and we need to learn more in order to help save them from extinction.

2009

Megan Klebanoff is graduating in May from Duke University with an MBA and a Master of Environmental Management focused on energy finance. This summer, she’ll be moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, to join Apex Clean Energy full-time as a business development associate. Megan recently caught up with Anne Mercer Schoenfeld ’08 in Charlottesville.

2011

Jack McPherson writes that he has been fortunate to maintain several strong friendships from his time at Norwood. Two of those most cherished friends are Sebastian van Bastelaer and Gregory Light. This past summer, Jack and Seb had a fun visit to Paris, where Gregory is studying at Le Cordon Bleu.

2013

Colleen Carroll graduated from Emory University in May of 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in English and history. She received highest honors on her honors thesis titled “Gender, Heroines, and Society in Pride and Prejudice and The Mysteries of Udolpho,” in which she explored the ways fiction can contribute to a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of women in history. To complete this ambitious 100page project, Colleen used many of the research skills she first began honing during the eighthgrade history paper at Norwood. Following graduation, she started working as a content publishing coordinator at Nexus Marketing, a small marketing agency in Atlanta.

2016

Sydney Giunta is sophomore at Temple University’s Klan College of Communications, majoring in advertising.

2018

Ainsley Ganti and Riley Herron represented their respective high schools, Potomac School and Maret School, on It’s Academic.

2019

Deeya Mistry published her debut novel, A Series of Moments, with Norwood classmate Inshera KankamBoadu. Inshera did the cover art and Deeya wrote the book, which is featured on Amazon.

2020

Piya Scielzo launched her own business a few years ago (Pops by Piya) with the help of local Children’s Business Fairs. This year, Piya stepped up as fair organizer, bringing this great event to the community.

Celebrating the one and only

Debbie Pakaluk! After 30 incredible years at Norwood, Debbie Pakaluk, our eighth-grade science teacher extraordinaire, is stepping away from teaching to focus on her health. It’s hard to imagine the eighth-grade science lab without Debbie presiding over the many experiments, including the legendary Sludge Project, but we know she leaves it in impeccable condition and ready for her successor.

As Norwood’s only eighth-grade science teacher since the Middle School opened in 1998, Debbie has literally taught every Norwood graduate since that time, preparing them to tackle the rigors of high school and college science, as well as inspiring many graduates to pursue careers in science. She also found the time to make important contributions outside the science lab. Debbie created and ran the extensive seventh and eighth grade community service program, which sends students to 13 different agencies over the course of six school days and three weekends. And that’s not all! From 1992 to 1997, Debbie taught first grade, third grade, fifth grade, and sixth grade. As the School prepared to expand from sixth grade to eighth grade, she served as a member of a group of faculty members, administrators, and consultants that outlined the plans for the new middle school program. In 1997, she was awarded a Fulbright Teacher Exchange grant to live and teach in Wales for an entire school year. When she returned, Debbie taught Norwood’s first seventh grade class and went on to teach the first eighth grade class the following year.

Scan the QR code to send a special message to Debbie! Debbie has made countless contributions to our school. She has opened the hearts and minds of so many students, and now, it is time for the Norwood community to open its hearts and minds to her. Scan the QR code to send a message to Debbie by May 17, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Kate Barnes in the Development Office at 301-841-2212 or kbarnes@ norwoodschool.org for details.

JOIN US!

Class of 2018 Spring Reunion! Wednesday, May 4, 2022 6:00 p.m. at Norwood

Look for your invitation in the mail! If you have any questions about the reunion, please contact Kate Barnes, Director of Alumni Outreach, at kbarnes@norwoodschool.org or 301-841-2212.

We can’t wait to see you!

Ages 3-14 1 & 2 Week Sessions: June 27 - August 12, 2022

For more information or to register, visit:

summeratnorwood.org

STEM

DANCE

ACADEMIC

ROBOTICS

ART

THEATER

ROCK CLIMBING

WATER PLAY

SPORTS

KAYAKING

PRE-K

COOKING

Stronger together... The return to a full, vibrant, and busy campus filled with devoted educators and happy children has lifted our spirits beyond measure. Without doubt, we are stronger together—in and out of the classroom! We are also incredibly fortunate to have the financial resources to be able to respond, innovate, and take advantage of new opportunities, no matter the circumstance. The Norwood Fund plays a significant role in our financial strength, and we ask that you help to sustain that strength with a gift to this year’s Fund. Thank you.

Give to THE NORWOOD FUND today! www.norwoodschool.org/give

Is it time to update your contact information? If you have a new address, email, or telephone number, please let us know by contacting the Development Office at 301-841-2205 or developmentoffice@norwoodschool.org. Don’t miss out on any news or invitations from Norwood!

¿Qué hora es? Third graders in Sra. Cotter’s class created these colorful clocks as they practiced telling time in Spanish.

Stay Connected! 30