LIVE OAK MAGAZINE
Live Oak School supports the potential and promise of each student. We provide a strong academic foundation, foster skills to effect change, and develop courageous and conscientious learners from all backgrounds. We inspire students to advance equity and inclusion, to act with compassion and integrity, and to pursue a lifelong passion for learning.
liveoaksf.org
We are pleased to share with you the Winter 2023 issue of Live Oak Magazine. In the pages of this issue we recognize the changemaking legacy of one of our longest-tenured faculty members, we take you through the ways we are preparing our youngest learners to be creative problem-solvers and impactful risk-takers, and we share see some snapshots of how we are constantly growing and evolving our program to meet the dynamic needs of our school community.
When our dedicated faculty commit to instilling a sense of joy in everything they do, our students’ lives are changed forever. Former kindergarten teacher John Gaudino’s four decades at Live Oak greatly influenced generations of students by teaching them the transformative power of curiosity, the excitement for pursuing their passions, and the appreciation for the diverse perspectives they will encounter in their lives. We are constantly amazed at the joy that our students bring to their pursuits as they build on their kindergarten foundation.
When our students have space both physically and figuratively to explore, try, and reflect, they realize their incredible learning potential. Our unique AnjiPlay curriculum is supporting students’ creativity as they come up with infinite ways to construct and collaborate through intentional play. Along the way, kindergarten, first, and second graders are understanding that there is no single method or viewpoint that “works”, but rather a multitude of ways tasks can be accomplished. We are eager to see how they will transform the world with this enduring knowledge.
When our program is built around the needs of our community, we are able to find new ways to support each individual’s transformation. From the ways we intentionally build relationships among our middle school community, or work towards developing collective ownership for our school, to the inquisitiveness with which our students are embracing emerging technologies, we are shaping our program with our students’ potential in mind. We look forward to witnessing the ways our students approach the world responsively.
I am fascinated by the transformation I see around Live Oak each and every year. Our students expand their academic skills and learning boundaries; our faculty and staff challenge themselves to think deeper about their practice; our families integrate into the fabric of Live Oak in more meaningful ways. At this midway point in the school year, we are already witnessing that transformation taking place. I feel such pride in being a part of this school and I hope you share the same sense of wonder at the ways in which our students are preparing to transform their world.
Virginia Paik Head of School P ’20
WHAT’S BREWING @ LIVE OAK
Gratitude Returned
In September, third graders wrote letters of gratitude to the Maui Humane Society, thanking their staff for helping animals following the Maui fires. Shortly thereafter, Maui Humane Society CEO Lisa Labrecque paid 3 East a special visit to return the favor. Labrecque shared about the Maui Humane Society's work, answered questions from the curious audience, and expressed her appreciation for the class's kind words before leaving with extra towels and handmade animal toys courtesy of the class.
An Apple a Day
Back by popular demand! Live Oak's inclusive tradition of having apples available for anyone to enjoy returned early in the Fall. Live Oak first started providing fruit around campus in 2002 as a simple way of providing a quick bite for students, staff, or visitors, while ensuring a healthy snack option for all. Next time you are on campus, help yourself!
Family, Fun, Food
Around the Live Oak World brought a wonderful celebration of Live Oak's diverse cultures. We enjoyed a great Sunday afternoon in October sharing food, music, crafts, dance, while building community on the rooftop.
Connecting Over Coffee
We were happy to welcome parents/guardians back on campus to kick off the new school year. The Parent Guardian Association hosted a Back to School Welcome Coffee in the Grand Hall for the first time in person since 2019. The event provided a great opportunity for parents/guardians to reconnect and look forward to a new year.
See more photos from Around the Live Oak World.
See the video of Maui Humane Society staff reading the third graders' letters.
WHAT’S BREWING @ LIVE OAK
Yosemite
Seventh graders spent four days learning about the outdoors, hiking, and building important relationships with their peers and teachers at Yosemite National Park in mid-September. This was the first time Live Oak traveled to Yosemite. This year's trip came earlier than in years past, helping the group connect for the year ahead.
Getting Geared Up
There was a fresh look around Mariposa Street this Fall as we rolled out a new line of Live Oak Lightning merchandise. New Lightning soccer scarves, socks, and hoodies were hot commodities, while the pajama pants, hats, and beanies added a comfortable look to complement the sports gear.
Lightning in the Lead
The Fall middle school athletics season proved to be an all-around success for the Lightning student-athletes. The two varsity and two junior varsity volleyball teams competed and improved week in and week out. The Varsity White team and the JV White squad each qualified for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the cross country team established a program-first by sweeping all four divisions in a single meet only to repeat the feat over three meets in a row, including the league finals.
See more photos from the seventh grade trip to Yosemite.
Celebrating Staff Milestones
The following faculty and staff members are celebrating notable milestones in their tenure at Live Oak. We appreciate all their work!
15th Year at Live Oak
Karen Olsen
Learning Specialist
Ruby MacDonald
Employment Resources Manager
Naomi Hamburger
Fifth Grade Teacher
10th Year at Live Oak
Alayna Kramer
Kindergarten Teacher
Renata Martin
Middle School Science & Humanities Teacher
5th Year at Live Oak
Michelle Andelman
Seventh Grade Humanities Teacher
Keren Bein
Second Grade Teacher
Jordan Drosd
Fifth Grade Teacher
Lisa Duque
Fifth Grade Teacher
Sofia Garcia Guzman
Extended Care Program Coordinator
Shannon Gomez
Second Grade Teacher
Francisca Guzman
Director of Development
Yvonne Hendricks
Lower School Counselor
Edward Pertcheck
Middle School Math Teacher
WHAT’S BREWING
@ LIVE OAK
Fun With Fairy Tales
This year's middle school play, Fairy Tale Sketchfest, brought a fast-paced, modern twist to some classic stories of old. The performers dazzled in three sold out shows in late October with a hilarious mix of singing, dancing, and acting that had the audience hooked.
Leading With Spirit
The Live Oak community joined together for a spirited Halloween parade through Jackson Park. To help get in the holiday spirit eighth graders led the first middle school Halloween assembly, providing a leadership opportunity to middle school students.
See more photos from the performances.
See more photos from the Halloween parade.
A LIVE OAK LEGACY
John Gaudino’s Lasting Impact on Live Oak Learners
After a 42-year career at Live Oak working in the afterschool program, teaching fifth grade, and ultimately settling into a decades-long post as a kindergarten teacher, John Gaudino’s impact is still felt in the Live Oak community. Gaudino moved on from Live Oak at the end of the 2022-23 school year, but our school was fortunate to have his caring and inspirational presence guiding generations of Live Oak students.
INSPIRE EVERY LEARNER
By expanding the breadth and depth of our curriculum we will inspire the passion and achieve the potential of every Live Oak learner. liveoaksf.org/forward
John came to Live Oak in 1978 when the school was less than a decade old and had fewer than 60 students enrolled while he was still a student at the University of San Francisco. He started by providing an engaging afterschool experience for Live Oak students before serving a stint as a long-term substitute teaching fifth grade. Before long the school had a kindergarten opening that proved a perfect fit for John’s passion, patience, and commitment to play. It is not an understatement to say that John has been a cornerstone of the school’s growth and evolution. Whether it was seeing John’s smile as he was enveloped by a swarm of kindergartners exploring the City, his keen understanding of the development of young children, or his dogs Jonesie, Shotzie, and Foxy paying special visits to campus, we appreciate everything John contributed over the years and wish him all the best!
caring
"John was one of my favorite teachers. He always said 'Hi' to me and he always asked how I was doing. He brought such a good vibe and kindness in the kindergarten classroom. It was so fun and such an incredible experience to be with John."
-SIENNA '26
"John encouraged me and my classmates to think outside our own perspective. Like putting myself in someone else’s shoes, or think of how I can ask more questions. Overall, John is the reason that I expanded my thinking and learned the ideas like 'play is work' and 'mistakes are magic.'"
-TULA '25
"Even after kindergarten he didn’t stop joking with me and even let me perform for his students. He always treated me well and he liked me for who I am."
-NICK '25
"He brought fun into all the classes. He made me laugh a lot and feel welcomed. No matter what we were doing, he had this light-hearted, sarcastic style that we found so fun even as kindergartners. He had a way of helping us make the most out of our education, while also teaching us simple common sense things about doing what's best for yourself and making good decisions."
-TAO '24
PLAY IS W O RK
BUILDING A FOUNDATION OF COLLABORATION
Live Oak unveiled the array of wooden blocks, ladders, climbing cubes, folding pads, and rolling cylinders in September 2022. Since the materials have been in use, the campus’s courtyard is constantly buzzing with discussion over how and what to build. The AnjiPlay curriculum — a unique early childhood education philosophy from Anji County, China is geared toward promoting “self-directed, uninterrupted, and unguided play” for young learners. This curriculum dovetails perfectly with Live Oak’s intentional development of an academic program that encourages academic risk that leads to real learning, while rewarding the curiosity that brings out joy in the process. When Live Oak students collaborate on creative building like combining multi-shaped blocks and rectangular blue mats into interconnected structures or crafting a network of ladders and wooden ramps to traverse the courtyard they are showing that play time is more than just letting out physical activity; it’s thoughtful, challenging, and expressive work.
Making the equipment especially unique is that Live Oak is one of only two primary day schools in the U.S. along with Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School at the University of Pittsburgh — currently integrating AnjiPlay into its K-2 curriculum. Engagement in each students’ full minds and bodies has been the core of the AnjiPlay approach at Live Oak. PROMOTE THE LIVE OAK WAY We will communicate researchbacked methods and philosophical motivations for underlying Live Oak's teaching and learning, and conscientiously tend to our school culture. liveoaksf.org/forward
Open-Ended Risk-Taking
Kindergartners
at Live Oak learn right away that "mistakes are magic" and a "guess is a gift". Because the AnjiPlay experience is intended to be student-led, our youngest learners develop a keen sense of healthy and curious risk-taking that yields very exciting outcomes: they see what they are capable of physically, mentally, and collaboratively. By trying different materials or configuring them in unique ways, students engage in their own inquiry-based learning through play. As their comfort levels evolve in trying new approaches, they are building a foundation that will translate to their willingness to participate in a class discussion or take on a leadership role. At every step in their K-8 experience, Live Oak students are reminded that real, meaningful learning comes from pushing their limits.
Self-Directed Exploration
One of the core tenets of the AnjiPlay curriculum is helping develop an open-ended experience that encourages students to use the equipment in whatever ways they want. By design, faculty do not intervene unless a safety matter arises. This self-directed engagement allows students to try out materials in a variety of ways and learn from one another. Some students may choose to build carefully constructed structures, while others prefer more physical use of the mats and ladders; by observing and interacting with one another, the AnjiPlay experience leaves space for endless possibilities. Learners take this practice into their other academic areas by understanding that problems do not always get solved in one way and that bringing one’s own perspective, vision, or style to a challenge develops a wide range of methods for approaching any new situation or task.
"ALL THE KIDS WHO RAN TO US AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, NO LONGER COME TO US. THEY ARE LEARNING HOW TO BE INVOLVED WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND THE MATERIALS, AND THE ADULTS ARE PURPOSELY 'USELESS’ IN SOLVING, BUILDING, CREATING. THAT IS THE STUDENTS’ JOB.”
Audrey Soriano, Kindergarten Teacher
"ANJIPLAY IS ABOUT JOY, CURIOSITY, AND CREATIVITY; ALL OF THOSE QUALITIES WE HOPE OUR LEARNERS CAN EMBODY AT LIVE OAK."
Lianna Kali, Director of Instructional Innovation
Reflection & Revision
“WE WERE DOING SCIENCE AND LAB REPORTS AND THEY WERE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIPS TO TEST OUT DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTS. JUST LIKE THEY DO WITH THE ANJIPLAY MATERIALS, THEY ARE PROBLEM SOLVING, GETTING COMFORTABLE COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER, AND BEING FLEXIBLE."
Keren
Bein,
Second Grade Teacher
Akeycomponent of the AnjiPlay approach is for students to reflect on their own play, presenting students with questions about what they are learning, how they are using the materials, and why they engage with the materials the way they do. After an AnjiPlay session, students will often sit down and their teacher will ask questions about their play: "What materials did you use? What did you create? How did it make you feel?". Over the first year of using these materials, Live Oak faculty are noticing the social-emotional growth that is developing greater agency among their students. Students recognize where they may want to try something new next time or how they might cooperate with their peers in productive ways moving forward.
Collaborative Problem-Solving
Live Oak students are constantly collaborating with one another. Getting comfortable with making compromises and exchanging ideas begins in the first years of our students' learning journey. Within the AnjiPlay landscape, there are many opportunities for students to resolve conflicts, team up on a creative project, or make up a fantasy game scenario. Even with aspects like cleaning up the materials at the end of a session, students learn right away that their contributions matter; they are part of a bigger ecosystem that demands their cooperation.
From this comes a very palpable independence among kindergarten through second grade students, and that is precisely by design. Live Oak faculty work hard to support each child's ability to communicate with their peers and in turn students learn to receive feedback that leads to productive outcomes, be it in tackling interpersonal conflicts or in charting the best course of action for an academic task.
“They have proven to be resilient in shrugging off conflicts and keeping those small problems in perspective,” says first grade teacher Jaime Spray. “Kids are showing the ability to use their words and advocate for themselves if they need it.”
As students engage with one another regularly in the courtyard through the AnjiPlay materials, they learn from their peers. They assess different ways of looking at the materials and apply their own perspectives. Often they do not realize that what they are doing is paving the way toward their future in and out of the classroom.
“These are the foundational skills that allow them to tackle harder academic programs and concepts in the future,” adds kindergarten teacher Kendall Jones. “And they learn to rely on each other.”
OUR EVOLVING PROGRAM
New practices and developments within Live Oak's dynamic academic program.
BUILDING DIGITAL STEWARDSHIP
One of the projects in the sixth grade minicourse, Digital Stewardship, involved analyzing algorithmic bias in ChatGPT. Students noticed how the emerging technology leaned toward yielding White men and women in search results and favored more Western features in its facial recognition algorithms. This knowledge is helping students be savvy, safe, and social as they begin adopting artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT.
MUSICAL CONSTRUCTIVISM
Lower school music classes have been focusing on the art of improvisation, giving students the chance to shape their own musical compositions. This creative practice complements their constructivist approach to their other subject areas building meaning, making connections, layering on knowledge and skill. At the lower school music festival this year, watch for these young musicians to demonstrate this skill by improvising a piece on the fly! On top of that, Live Oak is building off of last year’s successful "community music classes" where lower and middle school music classes collaborate and learn together twice per term. In keeping with other cross-grade activities on campus, having different grades team up to share songs and instruments is strengthening our Live Oak School community through music.
INSPIRE EVERY LEARNER
By expanding the breadth and depth of our curriculum we will inspire the passion and achieve the potential of every Live Oak learner. liveoaksf.org/forward
JOBS PROGRAM TAKING SHAPE
Under the direction of kindergarten teacher
Alayna Kramer, Live Oak has been developing a schoolwide jobs program matching each grade with developmentally-appropriate roles within the school's day-to-day functions. Jobs are intended to fill existing needs on campus, while helping students apply skills from their curriculum, building a shared sense of ownership for the operation of the school and pride in performing their duties collaboratively. An eventual system of "passing the torch" to each successive grade will allow students to become teachers and leaders in helping train their younger peers. First graders operating the Live Oak Post Office, third grade library assistants, fifth grade communications team, and sixth grade supply managers are examples of the roles students may eventually fill.
EXTENDING ACCESS, DEVELOPING LEADERS
Beginning two years ago, Live Oak started prorating Extended Care program fees for families participating in the Adjusted Tuition Program. The result has been a considerable increase in participation across the board, offering a consistently-enriching experience for all Live Oak students. As Extended Care participation grows into 200+ students on any given day, more students are able to take part in the variety of sports, clubs, and field trips offered after school. In addition, this year Live Oak rolled out a new counselor-in-training program with Tae Kwon Do one of the most popular Roots & Branches activities that puts experienced middle school students in a leadership position with their lower school participants, helping them build valuable teaching skills.
A CONNECTED LEADERSHIP CULTURE
Middleschool advisories are focusing on developing meaningful relationships through structured community circles, which build in intentional space for connection, positive self-talk, and a sense of belonging. This foundation was laid during the first outdoor trips of the year to Yosemite (7th grade) and Pinnacles (6th), which took place in mid-September earlier than in years past allowing students to ground their relationships in shared experiences. Cementing these relationships is a new series of monthly middle school assemblies providing choice, ownership, and leadership opportunities for students as they craft an engaging assembly experience for their peers.
This past summer, Live Oak welcomed Maurice Hill, Jr. to head up its admissions office. Maurice had previously served as the dean of upper school enrollment at Cranbrook Schools outside Detroit. All told, "Mo", as he is commonly known, brings years of admissions experience at a variety of independent and boarding schools in the Midwest and East Coast. With a particular passion for using admissions as a tool to open up access for young learners, Mo has hit the ground running at Live Oak, building a foundation
student, but we can make sure that every family that interacts with our school has a deeper understanding of who we are, and they leave our school knowing what they should be looking for in their future community.
that is paving the way for many to experience a transformative education for years to come.
How would you describe your admissions philosophy?
There are two things I keep in mind throughout the admissions process: First, an access and inclusion mindset helps everyone. A successful admissions process provides opportunities for prospective families to not only learn about our school, but to learn about themselves, too. The reality is that we cannot accept every
Second, we are building a community. There is no single “type” of Live Oak student or family, so we’re not trying to find someone to “fit” into our community. It’s important for us to think about what the applicant and their family can bring to our community and what the school can provide the applicant so that they can realize their fullest potential.
What experiences have you had that influence your approach to admissions at Live Oak?
Professionally, I’m lucky to have experienced the admissions process in many roles: as a college counselor, leading a multicultural admissions program, traveling domestically and internationally
"IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE APPLICANT AND THEIR FAMILY CAN BRING TO OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT THE SCHOOL CAN PROVIDE THE APPLICANT SO THAT THEY CAN REALIZE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL."
FRAMING OUR "WHY"
How a commitment to access guides admissions with first-year Director of Enrollment Management and Admissions, Maurice Hill, Jr.
to meet prospective students. I’ve learned that a successful admissions program begins and ends with the relationships you build with people and their communities.
Personally, I think the most impactful admissions experience I’ve had was being denied from Cranbrook Schools the first time I applied as a rising ninth grader. I ultimately received a full scholarship to Cranbrook as a rising junior and, a decade later, led their upper school admissions team. I learned that denial doesn’t mean you can’t have an impact and to also use disappointment as fuel to continue moving forward!
How have you started to learn about the Live Oak community?
I’ve enjoyed being present and engaging with our community! It’s been a lot of fun walking the halls, entering classrooms, serving lunch, going to AnjiPlay, attending opening and closing circles, seeing the progression of different units, attending the Solar Eclipse Watch, learning about our students during the community assemblies, and so much more.
So far, where do you see more long-term opportunities to grow in order to provide access to a great education?
Live Oak’s relationships with the San Francisco preschools are extremely important and valuable
to our admissions process, and I look forward to continuing those relationships and establishing new ones. I also feel that we can do more with those communities and neighborhoods from which we have students and communities we don’t currently have students. I believe that students don’t have to abandon their community to join ours and I have a few ideas on how that translates to the admissions process and the K-8 experience. Stay tuned!
increase diversity of our community and expand resources to support socio-economic diversity, while ensuring that all feel a sense of belonging.
liveoaksf.org/forward
CLASS OF 2023
The Class of 2023 is making an impact at the following high schools:
Abe Bogaty Saint Ignatius High School
Adrian Kucheria S.F. University High School
Alex Kenworthy Archbishop Riordan High School
Allie Nielson S.F. University High School
Amedé Thierry S.F. University High School
Andrew Martinovsky College Prep High School
Angelina Babler-Kuebler Drew School
Anika Talwar Lick-Wilmerding High School
Arthur Cohn Dunn School
Aywin Wu International High School
Ben Bogaty Saint Ignatius High School
Ben Friedland S.F. University High School
Carter Dirkes Urban School
Coleton Namie Lick-Wilmerding High School
Dagny Suro Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
Devin Jerome Lick-Wilmerding High School
Eleanor Massillon International High School
Ella Siu-Shapiro Urban School
Ellie Wasem-Klementz Bay School
Emilie Fu Pacifica Christian High School
Eric Leo Bay School
Errol Carter Saint Ignatius High School
Ethan Kraska S.F. University High School
Haruna Koizumi Lick-Wilmerding High School
Ian Tingley Lowell High School
Iman Williams Lick-Wilmerding High School
Inaya Abdulkariem Menlo School
Johnny Doherty Lick-Wilmerding High School
Kei'Yanii Dawson Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
Layla Leo Bay School
Lily Kurek International High School
Logan Wittenberg Saint Ignatius High School
Makayla Lundy S.F. University High School
Marabelle Crabtree Saint Ignatius High School
Maya Jayaram Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
Mira Korngold Lick-Wilmerding High School
Natalie Babler-Kuebler Urban School
Odysseus Gallagher Urban School
Oliver Kloots Washington High School
Rex Williamson Saint Ignatius High School
Sadie Franklin Saint Ignatius High School
Sarina Patel Bay School
Sean Hutchins Bay School
Selim Richards Lowell High School
Seren Roberts Bay School
Temma Passaro Lick-Wilmerding High School
Tristan Galang Sterne School
Van Fillbrandt Saint Ignatius High School
Violet Hesslein Saint Ignatius High School
Viviana Soriano Dunn School
Zoe Roseman Urban School
WHATEVER CHALLENGES THE WORLD HAS FOR US, NOT ONLY WILL WE OVERCOME THEM, WE WILL ALSO LEARN FROM THEM.
WHAT KIND OF A PERSON ARE YOU? HOW CAN YOU MAKE A CHANGE IN THIS WORLD? EVEN IF IT IS JUST A SMALL ONE.
CONTINUE PUSHING BOUNDARIES AND TRANSFORM YOURSELF INTO THE BEST VERSIONS OF YOURSELF YOU CAN BE. BE UNIQUE, BRAVE, AND BRIGHT, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY: BE YOU.
-Seren Roberts '23, Holly Horton Award Recipient
-Fernanda Sanchez '19, Alumni Speaker
-Kei'yanii Dawson '23, 8th Grade Speaker
COMMUNITY & ALUMNI NEWS
UNVEILING THE FRONTIER OF AI: SAM BOWMAN'S TRAILBLAZING RESEARCH
Sam Bowman ‘02, a rising star in the world of artificial intelligence (AI), has been making waves with his groundbreaking research that’s shaping the future of technology. Building on his lifelong curiosity, Bowman’s journey into the world of AI was no accident.
Growing up tinkering with computers and fascinated by how they think, Bowman pursued a degree in Computer Science at Stanford University, where he found his passion for AI. His knack for understanding complex systems and his unyielding determination set the stage for his groundbreaking work in the field.
Bowman’s research focuses on creating AI systems that learn and adapt in ways akin to the human brain. He’s delved deep into developing algorithms that mimic human cognition, allowing machines to not just process information but to understand, reason, and learn from it. This cutting-edge work is propelling AI beyond mere data processing, towards machines that comprehend and make decisions based on context and experience.
One of Bowman's most notable contributions lies in developing AI models that excel in natural language processing. Imagine talking to your phone as if it were your friend, and it understands not just the words you say but the meaning behind them. That’s the kind of innovation Bowman is pushing forward.
What makes Bowman's work truly remarkable is its potential to transform industries. From healthcare to finance, his research opens doors for AI to revolutionize how we work, communicate, and solve problems.
For Bowman, it’s not just about creating smarter machines; it’s about enhancing our lives. He envisions a future where AI becomes a trusted companion, aiding us in making better decisions and unlocking new possibilities. His work isn’t just shaping the future of technology; it’s shaping the way we interact with it, making it more human-centric and accessible to everyone.
Sam is currently an Associate Professor of Data Science, Linguistics, and Computer Science at New York University. He is also a member of the Technical Staff at Anthropic.
Editor's Note: This article was written by ChatGPT and reviewed by editorial staff. It is intended to demonstrate the spirit of AI potential, as well integrating the theme of innovation and transformation throughout this issue.
ACTIVATE CHANGEMAKERS
We make a commitment for students to think of themselves as changemakers and global citizens. liveoaksf.org/forward
Listen to Sam's featured appearance on Vox's science podcast Unexplainable from July 2023.
QUESTIONS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL? ASKKARL IS YOUR GUIDE TO THE NEXT CHAPTER
Harry O. '24 has always been captivated by the world of technology. From a young age, he exhibited a keen interest in understanding and leveraging the power of tech to solve real-world problems. This passion for technology, coupled with a curiosity about artificial intelligence, spurred him to create AskKarl last year. AskKarl is a user-friendly chatbot, designed to be a comprehensive AI for anyone seeking detailed information about high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. With this tool, Harry aims to simplify the often overwhelming process of high school research, making it more accessible and informative for students and parents alike.
"The journey of developing AskKarl was both challenging and rewarding," Harry said. "I dedicated myself to collecting and analyzing data from various high schools across the Bay Area, programming the AI to provide accurate and useful responses. When faced with the high costs of server hosting, I didn't back down. Instead, I took on the challenge of learning how to solder and built my own server using an Arduino. This not only solved a practical problem but also deepened my understanding and skills in both software and hardware. AskKarl is more than just a project; it's a reflection of my commitment to using technology to solve real-world problems. I encourage everyone to use AskKarl to explore and learn about the different high schools available in our vibrant Bay Area community."
Alumni Insight
In November, we welcomed back a group of current high school alumni to share their experiences at their respective high schools with an audience of eighth graders and their families, the first time Live Oak has hosted an alumni panel like this since 2017. The group represented many of the high schools that Live Oak regularly sends its students: Lick-Wilmerding, Drew, School of the Arts, Urban, among many others. The panelists provided valuable first-hand insight into the high school application process and the unique features of their various schools.
Try AskKarl for yourself!
ALUMNI NEWS
Showtime!
Alyssa Mitchel '07 premiered her show Regard at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in August. Mitchel worked with the Contemporary Jewish museum as well as six Bay Area contemporary dancers and two live musicians (a cellist and guitarist), while also collaborating with fellow Live Oak alum Liv Losee-Unger '09 (ORLUarts) after the two reconnected at the Live Oak alumni reunion in the Spring of 2022. Losee-Unger designed six mobile murals that each of the six dancers transported throughout the Yud gallery during the eighty-minute piece. Regard was inspired by the lives, work, and ideas of Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber (1878-1965) and Jewish painter R.B. Kitaj (1932-2007). During the process of creating Regard, Mitchel was awarded choreography residencies at Berkeley Ballet Theater and Studio 210, where she contributed pieces to the larger productions. Mitchel was also awarded grants from the San Francisco Arts Commission, Yerba Buena Community Benefit District, and Joe Goode Performance Group. Her work earned her a feature in the San Francisco Chronicle and the cover story of the Jewish News of Northern California. Outside of her productions, Mitchel serves as a math tutor, currently tutoring several Bay Area students independently and working part-time at her high school alma mater, The Urban School of San Francisco. Follow Alyssa's work at her website: alyssaevemitchel.com.
Have an alumni update? Want to stay connected with Live Oak? Scan the code and let us know what you are up to!
Performing with Passion
Lile Blue Coley '14 has recorded four full-length records, two EP’s, and a play for crowds in North America and Europe. In addition to performing at San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in August, she performed in the musical “Weightless” for six years as part of a cast that was nominated for a Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk Award in 2023. After a decade of work, Lila recently finished composing their first original musical. After graduating from Live Oak, Lila attended International for the first two years of high school, before turning to homeschooling so she could perform full-time. This past May Lila graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a focus
Live Oak was such a tender and healing space for me. I came to Live Oak as a seventh grader, newly moved to San Francisco after a very negative chapter at my previous middle school in New York, and every teacher, student and community member I crossed paths with at Live Oak showed me such kindness that I still look back on that time with deep gratitude and acknowledgment of how it brought forth a profound and lasting shift in terms of my wellbeing.
Lila Blue Coley '14
Caretaker with Purpose
graduated as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) this past Spring and earned a promotion to Infection Prevention (IP) Nurse with the Generations Health Care organization where she currently works at Smith Ranch Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in San Rafael. Basconcillo completed the accelerated nursing program at Unitek College Concord-Vocational Nursing and is currently working on her Bachelor’s in Nursing at the same school.
I believe that Live Oak has helped me with my study habits and helped me in excelling in high school and college because of the resources, study tips, and extra help during aftercare that they provided. I was able to place out of a couple of classes when I started high school. I even graduated a year early!
Lois
Basconcillo '10
WHAT IS A CHALLENGE I AM SEEING AROUND ME?
HOW DO I APPLY MY GROWING SKILLS TO SOLVE IT?
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE ACTION?
WHY DOES UNDERSTANDING MYSELF HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE WORLD?
Live Oak students ask these types of questions every day as they blend their comprehensive curricular learning with the diverse perspectives that exist within their classroom communities, all with intention to transform the world for the better.
It is through this inquiry, exploration, and exchange of ideas that Live Oak students build a foundation for what they need and help provide the world what it needs in the process.
SAVE THE DATE
MAY 10
Grandparents & Special Friends Day
Please join us when we welcome our Grandparents and Special Friends to Live Oak for a glimpse of the school day, connection with teachers and staff, and the joy of sharing the Live Oak experience with the special people in our lives.
MAY 2024
Class of 2020 Reunion
We look forward to seeing our alumni celebrating their time at Live Oak along with their successes beyond Mariposa.
Legacy Gift '23
The Legacy gift is something we thought about as an eighth grade family as a parting gift. Our family is proud to do our part to secure a vibrant, inclusive, joyful, and safe learning community for generations to come.
The vision of Live Oak is ambitious and collectively we can do our part to ensure those dreams become a reality. I invite each family to participate in philanthropy at Live Oak. This shared responsibility is also a tradition to carry forward.
Nate Lundy P '23, '26, Trustee
SECURE ASSETS
We will understand the resources necessary to align our vision and offerings, as well as deepen our financial resilience. liveoaksf.org/forward
The Class of 2023 Legacy Gift is $167,230 — a portion of which will be added to the Futures Fund for the expansion of mission-driven programs and facilities. Thank you to the families of the Class of 2023 and the Legacy Gift Captains who helped champion this effort: Tracey and Felix Massillon, Barbara Klementz and Julie Wasem, Nate and Tammy Lundy, and Jacquie and Jamie Roberts.
Anonymous Amone Corp.
Apple
Martin Babler and Peter Kuebler
BlackBaud Giving Fund
Nicholas and Eva Bogaty
John J. and Jenn Carter
Barrett and Tria Cohn
Tom Crabtree and Patricia Callaway
Eric and Kathleen Doherty
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Matthew and Stephanie Fillbrandt
Marc and Darleen Franklin
Peter and Heather Friedland
Johnny and Glenn Galang
Alexis Gallagher and Ringae Nuek
Liza Gleason and Tony Thompson
Google Gifts Matching Program
Monique Guidry
David and Ashley Hesslein
Santosh and Dawn Jayaram
Jason and Tracy Kenworthy
Bear Korngold and Willow Schrager
David Kraska and Laura Bremer
Richard Leo
Nate and Tammy Lundy
Felix Massillon and Tracy Massillon
Macario Namie and Courtney Towle
Robert and Kara Passaro
Sunil Patel and Zankhana Patel
Peter Richards and Ayse Hortacsu
Kim Richman
Jamie and Jacqueline Roberts
Steve Roseman and Jeanne Jew
Schwab Charitable Fund
Monica Soriano
Francisco Suro
Pankaj and Jyoti Talwar
The Walt Disney Company Foundation
Wasem-Klementz Family
Paul and Heba Williams
Drew Williamson and Jill Jarrett
Evan and Carla Wittenberg
Alphonse Wu and Donna Tse
