LREI News 2011

Leading Progressive Education Since 1921

news summer 2011

Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School | lrei.org

news summer 2011

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LET THERE BE ART Construction begins on the Charlton Street Arts Pavilion

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REMEMBERING THE FIRE Fourth graders study the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in honor of its centennial MOZARTS IN THE MAKING The Young Composers and Improvisors Workshop raises the bar

5

ENGINEERING SUCCESS LREI Robotics competes in the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship LIVING THE THEME Summers at LREI amps it up with theme days

6

GRADUATION 2011 Overheard at commencement

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FIRST CLASS LREI welcomes its largest ninth grade class in school history

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FACULTY & STAFF NEWS

10 FAREWELL TO MICHAEL PATRICK œ $QG D ZDUP ZHOFRPH WR $P\ =LPPHUPDQ 11 MEET OUR NEW TRUSTEES 12 $/801, ,1 7+( 1(:6 $ ORRN IRUZDUG DQG EDFN ZLWK FKLOGUHQ¡V ERRN DXWKRU 1HOO -RFHO\Q œ 14 REUNION 2011 16 CLASS NOTES

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR I always thought 90 would feel old. But at 90, LREI feels young, full of life and focused both on our distinguished heritage and on what will be a long and exciting future.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our faculty and students on all that was accomplished during WKH VFKRRO \HDU 7KHUH ZHUH GD\V ZKHQ \RX FRXOG DOPRVW KHDU WKH VWXGHQWV¡ PLQGV DQG ERGLHV stretching to meet the challenging experiences set out by our superb teachers. Thank you, as well, to all LREI IDPLOLHV IRU \RXU VXSSRUW RI \RXU FKLOGUHQ DQG RI WKH VFKRRO LQ DOO RI WKH IRUPV LQ ZKLFK LW ZDV RӽHUHG $QG RI course, congratulations to the Class of 2011! We are so proud of you.

Please read these pages carefully so as to make sure that you are up-to-date on all that made the 2010-2011 school year such a success.

As we move towards the 2011-2012 school year, we invite you to keep up with life at LREI through lrei.org and our social media initiatives )DFHERRN 7ZLWWHU )OLFNU /LQNHG,Q ,I \RX DUH QRW D PHPEHU RI WKH FRPPXQLW\ ZKR LV KHUH HDFK GD\ , LQYLWH \RX WR YLVLW DQG VHH ÓžUVW KDQG KRZ WKLV \HDU ROG VFKRRO PDQDJHV WR NHHS LWV ULFK SURJUHVVLYH KLVWRU\ ÓžUPO\ DW WKH FHQWHU RI ZKDW ZLOO VXUHO\ EH D IUXLWIXO WHQWK GHFDGH Happy 90th, LREI! Best,

Phil Kassen

2Q WKH FRYHU 3KRWRJUDSK E\ 7LÓ˝DQ\ 5DPRV Âś

Bidder sweet: On May 11, the LREI community came together at Capitale to celebrate and support the school we love.

Below: Big Auction Committee &R &KDLUV -HVVLFD 0HOL OHIW

and Emma Fine (right).

PHOTOS BY BRIANA E. HEARD AND THEDIGITALPHOTOBOOTH.COM

BIG AUCTION 2011

LREI NEWS

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Summer 2011 1

Rendering of the Arts Pavilion, looking east from Varick Street.

LET THERE BE ART CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL In September, LREI will break ground on the Charlton Street Arts Pavilion.

7KH ӞYH VWRU\ VSDFH ZKLFK ZLOO EH ORFDWHG LQ WKH EDFN RI WKH FRXUW\DUG ZLOO KRXVH ӞQH DUWV VWXGLRV D GLJLWDO ӞOP ODE DQ DOXPQL DUFKLYH DQG a theater shop. ´:H DUH VR YHU\ H[FLWHG WR ӞQDOO\ EH EXLOGLQJ D VSDFH WR PDWFK RXU unmatched arts program,� says Director Phil Kassen.

Set to be completed for the fall of 2012, the Arts Pavilion will support /5(, VWXGHQWV¡ ZRUN DQG DOVR EH XVHG WR KRVW FUHDWLYH DUWV SURJUDPV IRU WKH ORFDO FRPPXQLW\ 7KH SURMHFW FRPHV DIWHU ODVW \HDU¡V KLJK VFKRRO campus expansion, during which we opened a sky-lit student center, D VRXQGSURRI PXVLF VXLWH D FROOHJH RԀFH DQG VHPLQDU URRPV

Find out more about the Building for Action Campaign at lrei.org/buildingforaction.

STILL TO COME Performing Arts Center (PAC) &KDUOWRQ 6WUHHW¡V DVVHPEO\ VSDFH ZLOO EH UH RXWӞWWHG ZLWK QHZ VHDWLQJ DQG D EXLOW LQ VWDJH Science and Math Center 7KUHH ӿRRUV RI QHZ VFLHQFH DQG PDWK classrooms will be added over the PAC. Sustainable Spaces The Building for Action Campaign will continue to fund green renovation projects for lower and middle school classrooms and common areas.

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PHOTOS BY TED RODRIGUEZ AND VINAY CHOWDHRY

Left and above: 7KH +LJK 6FKRRO¡V sold-out spring musical, Hairspray.

/5(, VWXGHQW ÓžOPPDNHUV SUHPLHUH WKHLU GRFXPHQWDU\ “Pediatric Cancer Researchâ€? at the Westport Youth )LOP )HVWLYDO ´*DWÓžVK Âľ DQRWKHU ÓžOP FUHDWHG LQ 0HGLD $GYRFDF\ FODVV ZRQ %HVW 'RFXPHQWDU\ DW WKLV \HDU¡V Toronto Student Film Festival.

LREI NEWS

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Summer 2011 3

LOWER SCHOOL

REMEMBERING THE FIRE 2Q 0DUFK D ӞUH DW WKH 7ULDQJOH :DLVW &RPSDQ\ NLOOHG ZRUNHUV PRVW RI WKHP young immigrant women. The tragedy — considered the deadliest in New York City history until 9/11 — occurred on Washington Place, a short walk from our buildings.

7KLV VSULQJ LQ KRQRU RI WKH ÓžUH¡V FHQWHQQLDO IRXUWK JUDGH WHDFKHUV 'LQD 3RPHUDQ] .DWH Treitman, Farrah Khan and Nicole Keller incorporated in-depth study of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire into their unit on European immigration to the Lower East Side. Students visited WKH 7HQHPHQW 0XVHXP VDZ DQ H[KLELW DW 1<8¡V *UH\ $UW *DOOHU\ DQG UHDG SULPDU\ GRFXPHQWV IURP &RUQHOO 8QLYHUVLW\¡V 7ULDQJOH )LUH RQOLQH GDWDEDVH 7KH\ XVHG DOO WKH\ OHDUQHG LQ DQ RULJLQDO musical, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Flames of Change,â&#x20AC;? directed by Lower School Music Teacher Ledell Mulvaney.

New York University professor Dr. Elayne Tobin, who recently led a year-long series of lectures and trips related to the Triangle Fire, was impressed by the performance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I applaud everyone for the historical accuracy, well-roundedness and extremely high quality of the musical,â&#x20AC;? Dr. Tobin wrote in an email to students and teachers after attending the show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the women of the Triangle would have been moved, as I was.â&#x20AC;?

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MOZARTS IN THE MAKING /5(,¡V SURJUHVVLYH SURJUDP KDV DOZD\V EHHQ

EAMIR and Garageband to compose during

YCIW students have the opportunity to hear

rooted in song. For 90 years, teachers have

their regular, twice-a-week music classes,

their original pieces performed live. In

encouraged students to sing, play, listen

then they post their scores online, where they

the fall, Matt arranged for brass and

and experiment with sound. But last fall,

get feedback from composer mentors.

percussion professionals to play a private

this tradition went high-tech with our Young

show for student-composers. In the spring,

Composers and Improvisors Workshop (YCIW),

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technology has helped transform our music

he brought in an ensemble of conservatory

a program that has raised the bar for

classroom,â&#x20AC;? says Middle School Music Teacher

musicians from Mannes College to perform

students at LREIâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and progressive

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for students and parents in the Charlton Street

educators across the city.

of the Vermont MIDI Project (vtmidi.org), an

Performing Arts Center.

interactive music mentoring and discussion The gist: Fifth and sixth graders use computer

project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before we started, several students

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saw themselves as passionate music

the YCIW will continue to grow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The goal is

makers, but some had never

to include other New York City independent

considered music as a means

schools next spring, and to add composer

of creative expression.â&#x20AC;?

mentors as more schools take part.â&#x20AC;?

After months exploring melodies, rhythms and chord progressions,

Listen to student compositions at lrei.org/yciw.

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HIGH SCHOOL

ENGINEERING SUCCESS Our High School Robotics Team scored a ticket to the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship (FTC Worlds) after a stellar showing in the New York City FIRST Tech &KDPSLRQVKLS DW WKH -DYLWV &HQWHU LQ 0DUFK /5(,¡V WHDP SODFHG ÓžUVW DJDLQVW RWKHU private and public schools from the Tri-State area. The group also won the PTC Design Award for innovation and function. $W )7& :RUOGV LQ 6W /RXLV WKH IROORZLQJ PRQWK WKH WHDP SODFHG WK RXW RI WHDPV ,PPHGLDWHO\ IROORZLQJ WKH WULS WKH WHDP Âł OHG E\ FDSWDLQ /LDP &RKHQ Âś Âł VWDUWHG WKLQNLQJ strategy for next year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is what robotics is all about: One is never done. There are always improvements that can EH PDGH WKDW ZLOO PDNH RQH¡V URERW GR ZKDW LW ZDV GHVLJQHG WR GR HYHQ EHWWHU Âľ /LDP ZURWH LQ the High School Blog at the start of the season.

SUMMERS AT LREI

LIVING THE THEME Three days this summer, Summers

It should also be goofy. By getting in

at LREI left the building. In the

on the fun and taking risks themselves

SURJUDP¡V SODFH" $ IDUP RQH ZHHN

(non-dancers dance, non-actors act,

an ocean the next, and then, to cap

non-singers singâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;loudly!), counselors

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model positive behavior for their campers, DJHV WKUHH WKURXJK

<HV UHDOO\ 7KH\¡UH FDOOHG WKHPH

Thirty former and current LREI students joined the Summers at LREI VWDÓ˝ WKLV \HDUÂłD FDPS UHFRUG

days. In recent years, Summers

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If kids see grown-ups stepping out of their

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FRPIRUW ]RQHV WKH\ IHHO IUHH GR WKH VDPH

D N D ´:DFN\ :HGQHVGD\V¾ EXW WKLV \HDU¡V

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express themselves,â&#x20AC;? says Cari.

with wall-to-wall artwork, original song and dance numbers, and costumes to the themes of Down on the Farm, Deep Sea Divers DQG 'HHS )UHH]H 7KH DOOLWHUDWLRQ is delightfully incidental.) â&#x20AC;&#x153;The goal is to completely recreate the space VR WKDW LW¡V D PDJLFDO SODFH 7R XV WKDW¡V exactly what camp should be,â&#x20AC;? says Cari Kosins, Director of Afterschool and Summer Programs.

LREI NEWS

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Summer 2011 5

GRADUATION

2011

â&#x20AC;&#x153;LREI graduates possess something very

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I estimate that from this class we will

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eventually have seven doctors by my count

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and likely several more PhDs. We will have

thoughtful connection to the outside

at least ten artists, photographers and film-

world â&#x20AC;&#x201D; something Elisabeth Irwin made a

makers, quite a few tech gurus, a few

central part of her approach to education. An

choreographers, musicians, writers, and

understanding that being creative is not just

actors, but only one magician.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Ruth

an option, it is a necessity. A dedication to

Jurgensen, High School Principal

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look out into the crowd, the wonderful

Chair of the Board of Trustees

faces who anticipated this day since when you ZHUH ӞUVW ERUQ ¾ ²2OX 2GXELUR œ

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why is this school different from all other schools? We recognize, and embrace, the fact that people change. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t equate â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;chal-

â&#x20AC;&#x153;...what our class really is, is a unique collection of individuals.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Margret Wiggins â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;11

lengingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bad.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t confuse our own narrow perspectives with the truth.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Peter Bonfanti, High School Math Teacher

6

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will be there with you always.â&#x20AC;?

-Phil Kassen, Director

Team Wiggins. From left: mother Chris Fleming, father and former trustee -LP :LJJLQV 0DUJUHW :LJJLQV Âś $OLVRQ :LJJLQV Âś DQG /LO\ :LJJLQV Âś recently awarded a Fulbright scholarship to teach in Indonesia. During their time at LREI, each daughter received the Elisabeth Irwin Award, selected by the faculty for outstanding contributions to the community, personal motivation

3+2726 %< -8/,$1$ 7+20$6

and academic achievement.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are here today to celebrate these young adults and their accomplishments.

They have been asked during their time at LREI, whether two years or 14 years, not only to accumulate a wide range of skills and concepts, but to apply all that they have learned, to make knowledge their own and to use it for some larger purposeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to SDUWLFLSDWH WR LQÓżXHQFH WR OHDG Âľ â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Phil Kassen, Director

LREI NEWS

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Summer 2011 7

FIRST CLASS A RECORD-SIZED NINTH GRADE

,Q 6HSWHPEHU /5(, ZLOO ZHOFRPH QLQWK graders to the High School â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the largest FODVV LQ RXU VFKRRO¡V KLVWRU\ ´:H FRXOGQ¡W EH PRUH WKULOOHG 7KLV LV DQ DPD]LQJ JURXS RI VWXGHQWV DQG ZH NQRZ they will be a great addition to our DFDGHPLF FRPPXQLW\ Âľ VD\V -XOLD +HDWRQ Director of Admissions.

The Class of 2015, which includes 29 â&#x20AC;&#x153;students moving up from the Eighth Grade, enters the High School at a time

A meet-and-greet on Charlton Street: Rising ninth

full of growth, as we break ground on

graders mingle with their

the Charles Street Arts Pavilion and

3HHU /HDGHUV DW WKLV VSULQJ¡V

redesign the ninth through twelfth

New Student Welcome Party.

grade curriculum.

Students who started LREI at age four cut the ribbon before walking down the Bleecker Street steps, an Eighth Grade Moving Up tradition.

High School, Reimagined

8

What does â&#x20AC;&#x153;progressiveâ&#x20AC;? mean today, when answers to

Our faculty and student redesign team will continue its

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work during the coming school year, examining academic

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and community expectations and increasing technology

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integration in order to equip LREI students with the skills

Edward E. Ford Foundation to rethink the high school

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curriculum for the 21st Century.

changing every day.

FACULTY & STAFF NEWS Lower School Woodshop Teacher Peggy Resnick¡V VROR DUW VKRZ UDQ DW 3$6 JDOOHU\ IURP -XQH WKURXJK -XO\ :RUN E\ /RZHU 6FKRRO $UW 7HDFKHU Ann Schaumburger ZDV IHDWXUHG LQ D VKRZ DW $ , 5 *$//(5< WKDW RSHQHG -XQH LREI librarians 6WDF\ 'LOORQ -HQQLIHU +XEHUW 6ZDQ -HVVH .DUS Âś and Karyn Silverman presented a program at the American Library Association Annual Conference in New Orleans titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Embedded Librarian: Engage, Evolve, Educate: A new model of school librarianship.â&#x20AC;?

Works by Ann Schaumburger (above) and Peggy Resnick (below).

School Secretary Mary Shea DWWHQGHG WKH *UHHQ 0RXQWDLQ :ULWHU¡V Conference in Tinmouth, Vt. Director of Admissions Julia Heaton and Director of Afterschool and Summer Programs Cari Kosins were selected for the New York State Association of ,QGHSHQGHQW 6FKRROV¡ (PHUJLQJ /HDGHUVKLS ,QVWLWXWH D WZR \HDU FRXUVH RI VWXG\ ZKLFK NLFNV Rӽ $XJXVW

6WD\ XS WR GDWH ZLWK RXU IDFXOW\ DQG VWDӽ¡V ODWHVW DW OUHL RUJ IDFXOW\BVWDӽ.

A Return to China, by Grace Cohen *UDFH WDXJKW WKH ¡V (now called Third Grade) for over 40 years.

0\ FRQQHFWLRQ WR &KLQD EHJDQ LQ ZKHQ ÓžYH

nine years. When she told me she was getting

students from Beijing came to LREI. Ching Chun, a

married in October 2010, I knew I had to go back.

10 year old without a word of English, was assigned

In some ways, it was like I was returning home. The

to my class. In 2000, when I was ready to retire,

bride and groom met us in the airport in Shanghai.

Xu Hong, a teacher from China, came to LREI for a

The school where I taught was so welcoming, and

\HDU LQ UHVLGHQFH 7KH IROORZLQJ \HDU RQ ;X +RQJ¡V

many of my colleagues were still there.

invitation, I traveled to China to teach in her school.

I taught 14 classes and saw 680 students a week! It

Millions of miles away, and it was clear: My return

was unbelievable to an American educator.

WR &KLQD DW DJH DFWXDOO\ EHJDQ \HDUV EHIRUH that, with all roads leading to LREI!

Soon after I returned home, one of the 680 students and I began a correspondence that continued for

LREI NEWS

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Summer 2011 9

FAREWELL TO

MICHAEL PATRICK â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;71 /5(, FHOHEUDWHV 0LFKDHO 3DWULFN Âś and his countless contributions in ten years as board chair. Michael â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a student at LREI from Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade â&#x20AC;&#x201D; reconnected with LREI shortly after graduating from law school. He helped form and lead the LREI Alumni Association in the early 1980s, and was later elected by the Board as a general trustee, a son Ian chose to attend LREI, Michael got back involved. He was reelected to the Board in 1999 and was named board chair two years later. Under 0LFKDHO¡V OHDGHUVKLS /5(, KDV EHHQ able to attract the very best teachers, support families and students, renovate the Sixth Avenue campus and expand the Charlton Street building.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD CHAIR Amy Zimmerman graduated from Yale University, where she studied literature.

She went on to study drama and work in New York City as an actress, singer, director and producer. Since having children â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all four of whom now attend LREI â&#x20AC;&#x201D; she has been a full-time mother and has provided leadership on several boards, including the Empire State Pride Agenda, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the Abbot Academy Association, and the West Village Nursery School, where she was Admissions 'LUHFWRU IRU IRXU \HDUV 7KLV LV $P\¡V ÓžIWK \HDU DV DQ /5(, WUXVWHH $P\ KDV KDSSLO\ married her wife Tanya Wexler three times and is still hoping one of those times will be UHFRJQL]HG E\ WKH 8 6 *RYHUQPHQW

10

PHOTOS BY LAURA HAHN AND BRIANA E. HEARD

position he held until 1992. When his

MEET OUR NEW TRUSTEES

Kaiko Marie Hayes is the Assistant Dean for Administration at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Prior to Tisch, Kaiko worked in the Bloomberg administration, most notably as Chief of 6WDÓ˝ DW WKH 1<& 'LVWULFWLQJ &RPPLVVLRQ +HU area of expertise is in local, national and international arts and cultural programming from her work in the Corporate Giving/Cultural Programs division at Altria/Philip Morris

Alexis Wright LV WKH 'HDQ RI &KLOGUHQ¡V

DQG WKH 1<& 'HSDUWPHQW RI &XOWXUDO $Ó˝DLUV

Programs at Bank Street College of

She received a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence

Education. He began his career in

College, where she served on the Board of Directors. Kaiko also is a graduate of The

education at Rye Country Day School,

Cambridge School of Weston, a progressive independent school located in Massachu-

ZKHUH KH WDXJKW ÓžIWK DQG VL[WK JUDGH

setts where she is a member of the board of trustees. She lives in Brooklyn with her

VFLHQFH $IWHU WHDFKLQJ IRU ÓžYH \HDUV

husband and son, who will be an eighth grader at LREI this fall.

Alexis served as the middle school principal before leaving to become the middle school principal at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Alexis

Frank Portella has taught at LREI since

later moved back to Rye Country Day

2005 and is now a sixth grade core teacher.

School, where he served as the Assistant

He received a B.A. at New York University and

Head of School before moving to Bank

FRQWLQXHG RQ DW 6WHLQKDUGW¡V JUDGXDWH SURJUDP

Street College. Originally from New York

in English Education. Shortly after, Frank

City, Alexis earned a B.S. in Human

accepted a teaching scholarship at Temple

Ecology from Rutgers University and an

University, where he earned another M.A. and

0 $ LQ 0DULQH $Ó˝DLUV DQG 3ROLF\ IURP

taught undergraduate writing for several years.

the University of Miami. He and his wife,

Frank won the Pan American Tournament in

Allison, live on the Upper West Side with

%UD]LOLDQ -LX -LWVX DQG LV RQH RI /5(,¡V -XGR

WKHLU \HDU ROG GDXJKWHU 0RUJDQ

coaches. Also a comic book enthusiast, he helps UXQ /5(,¡V &RPLF %RRN &OXE RQ )ULGD\V

Carrie Borows is a native New Yorker who, as a child, used to

6HDQ 3DURÓ˝ is the third

walk past LREI and daydream about having a family with children

generation to lead his family-owned

attending such a hip NYC school. She is a happy mother to a

real estate development company.

\HDU ROG GDXJKWHU JRLQJ LQWR 6HFRQG *UDGH DW /5(, DQG D

He graduated from the University of

happy wife to a partner of 11 years. She enjoys all family activi-

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ties including theater, NYC cultural excursions and family game

Law School, where he met his wife.

night. She is passionate about every aspect of LREI and hopes to

They live in New York City with their

FRQWULEXWH PHDQLQJIXOO\ WR DQ LQVWLWXWLRQ WKDW KDV EURXJKW IXOÓžOO-

two children, both in the Lower

ment to her family.

School, and dog.

LREI NEWS

|

Summer 2011 11

NELL JOCELYN â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;08 ALUMNI IN THE NEWS Years at LREI: 14 Where she is now: The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Class of 2012. &R DXWKRU RI FKLOGUHQ¡V ERRN ´2QHV DQG 7ZRVÂľ ZLWK PRWKHU 0DUWKH -RFHO\Q (Tundra Books, May 2011) Major: Photography Minor: Art Education What inspired you to write the book?

'XULQJ P\ VHQLRU \HDU DW /5(, , WRRN D FODVV FDOOHG 'DQJHURXV /DQJXDJH OHG E\ -XOLD +HDWRQ DQG , GLG D FROODJHG ERRN IRU WKH ÓžQDO SURMHFW , UHDOO\ HQMR\HG GRLQJ LW VR P\ mother and I decided to illustrate â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ones and Twosâ&#x20AC;? together.

How did you split up the work?

My mother handled the writing part but we split the illustrating pretty evenly. We would pick separate pages and work until we got stuck, and then trade and start where the other left RÓ˝ , ZDV VXUSULVHG KRZ VPRRWKO\ ZH ZRUNHG WRJHWKHU

12

What projects are you working on at the moment?

What would be yourpost-college dream job?

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, DP KRSHIXOO\ JRLQJ WR KDYH P\ WHDFKLQJ FHUWLÓžFDWH E\

EXW LW LV LQ WKH YHU\ HDUO\ VWDJHV ,¡OO DOVR EH ZRUNLQJ RQ P\ VHQLRU WKHVLV

the time I graduate, so I would love to teach art. Phil said

DOO \HDU VR ,¡OO KDYH D ORW RQ P\ SODWH

, ZDV ZHOFRPH WR KDYH D MRE DW /5(, EXW ,¡P QRW VXUH KRZ serious he was about that. I also would love to travel for

How did LREI prepare you for college?

a bit before I settle down.

I had a lot of opportunities to explore what I wanted to do in college.

LREI helped me get two internships senior year, and I was always allowed to shape my assignments and projects, working them into what I was interested in (collage, photography, etc.).

What was your favorite class at LREI? 7KDW¡V WRXJK 'DQJHURXV /DQJXDJH ZDV GHӞQLWHO\ D IDYRULWH EXW , DOVR ORYHG FKHPLVWU\ DQG , ZRXOGQ¡W EH ZKHUH , DP ZLWKRXW P\

PHOTO BY NICOLE GIUSTI

photo classes.

Does your LREI class stay in touch?

I still keep in touch with most of my friends from LREI. The Alumni &RXQFLO VHQGV XV FDUH SDFNDJHV Âł 0 0¡V DQG FKRFRODWH FRYHUHG espresso beans â&#x20AC;&#x201D; so we always text and call each other when we get our gifts.

Starting this fall, visit lrei.org IRU PRQWKO\ $OXPQL LQ WKH 1HZV SURÓžOHV .QRZ VRPHRQH ZH VKRXOG IHDWXUH" Email Laura Hahn at lhahn@lrei.org.

LREI on the Road Director Phil Kassen is coming to a city

Need an intern?

Need an internship?

near you!

-RLQ RXU /LQNHG,Q JURXS DQG After a successful spring event in Santa 0RQLFD KRVWHG E\ -DUHG &DUQH\ Âś DQG his wife Diedre Wallace, we are arranging alumni gatherings across the country. Some towns on our to-visit list: Boston, D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando and Chicago GDWHV RQ SDJH 6KRXOG ZH FRPH WR \RX" Weigh in on where we go by emailing

connect with other professionals in the LREI community. Go to linkedin.com and search for â&#x20AC;&#x153;LREI.â&#x20AC;? Once a member, you can post and view job openings, network with people in your industry and wear your LREI FRQQHFWLRQ SURXGO\ RQ \RXU SURÓžOH

alumni@lrei.org.

LREI NEWS

|

Summer 2011 13

REUNION

2011

LREI welcomed over 80 alumni to the 26th Annual Alumni Reunion, held on

2Q 6DWXUGD\ -XQH PHPEHUV RI WKH &ODVV RI

campus. Classes ending in â&#x20AC;&#x153;1â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;6â&#x20AC;?

ZHUH RÔ&#x20AC;FLDOO\ KRQRUHG EXW JUDGXDWHV of all classes, as well as current and former

[

[

Happy Birthday, Class of 1949!

6DWXUGD\ -XQH DW WKH &KDUOWRQ 6WUHHW

of celebration.

7KH &ODVV RI NLFNHG RÓ˝ WKH GD\ ZLWK

1949 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 16 of them! â&#x20AC;&#x201D; celebrated their 80th birthdays and

a lunch at Charlton Street. Alums of all

62nd year reunion at LREI. Each alum brought memorabilia

years gathered later for an afternoon tea,

and pictures of their families; some brought authored books,

during which Director Phil Kassen hosted

others brought paintings.Director Phil Kassen joined them for

DQ LQ GHSWK GLVFXVVLRQ RI /5(,¡V \HDUV RI

conversation, before they ended the school day in a very LREI

leadership in progressive education and our

ZD\ ZLWK D VLQJ D ORQJ %RE %HOHQN\ Âś DQG $QQ (SVWHLQ

plans for the future.

0F:LOOLDPV Âś FRRUGLQDWHG WKH ZHHNHQG ZKLFK DOVR LQFOXGHG a dinner Saturday night and a brunch on Sunday morning. &KHHUV WR \RX Âś HUV

14

IDFXOW\ DQG VWDÓ˝ FDPH WRJHWKHU IRU D GD\

In Memoriam $OIUHG *HOOHU œ ZDV PLVVHG DW WKH &ODVV RI ¡V UHXQLRQ RQ -XQH $OIUHG GLHG RQ 0DUFK 0HPRULDO VHUYLFHV ZHUH KHOG LQ 0LDPL )OD

............................................... $OLFH %XVHFN Âś died at home on Saturday, March 5 after a long battle with lymphoma cancer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She lived a full and good life as mother, musician, artist, community volunteer, lover of life and fun, and was beloved by very many,â&#x20AC;? writes her son Paul.

...............................................

(ODLQH /DQGLV .RVWHU œ D SXEOLVKHU DQG OLWHUDU\ DJHQW ZKR ZRUNHG ZLWK -R\FH Carol Oates, Stephen King, Toni Morrison and more, died on August 10, 2010 in New York. She is survived by her husband Bill Koster and GDXJKWHU (OL]DEHWK ²$3

............................................... .HQQHWK /HZLV Âś , who attended LREI for four years, died on -DQXDU\ +LV FODVVPDWH DQG IULHQG 9LWWRULR 0DHVWUR LQIRUPHG LREI of his passing.

............................................... '\ODQ &ODUN œ , dearly loved son of Christine Semenenko and Anthony (DVWEXUQ &ODUN GLHG RQ -XQH '\ODQ DWWHQGHG /5(, WKURXJK 0LGGOH 6FKRRO and graduated from Hartwick College in 2009. His passion was for all things In the evening, alumni enjoyed wine and SDVVHG KRUV G¡RHXYUHV LQ WKH &KDUOWRQ Street Courtyard. Alumni Council President 0DWWKHZ &LSULDQR œ SUHVHQWHG ORQJWLPH WHDFKHU DQG VWDӽHU +\ .UXW]HO ZLWK RXU Honorary Alumnus award, and Board 0HPEHU 5REHUW 5RVHQWKDO œ SUHVHQWHG WKHQ %RDUG &KDLU 0LFKDHO 3DWULFN œ ZLWK our Distinguished Alumnus award.

1H[W \HDU¡V UHXQLRQ LV VHW IRU 6DWXUGD\ -XQH 2. We will honor classes ending in â&#x20AC;&#x153;2â&#x20AC;? and ´ Âľ ,I \RX DUH LQWHUHVWHG LQ KHOSLQJ RUJDQL]H \RXU FODVV¡V UHXQLRQ SOHDVH FRQWDFW /L]D Sacks at lsacks@lrei.org or ext. 291.

metal: both in sculpture and music. -NYT

...............................................

John Cipriano, a valued member of the LREI community for over 25 years, died RQ 2FWREHU -RKQ ZDV DQ DGRULQJ KXVEDQG WR ZLIH %HWK DQG ORYLQJ SDUHQW WR 0DWWKHZ Âś SUHVLGHQW RI WKH /5(, $OXPQL &RXQFLO DQG $QDOLVD Âś college guidance associate.

...............................................

Edmund O. Rothschild IDWKHU RI /5(, DOXPV (PLO\ Âś 2OLYHU Âś DQG WKH ODWH -RVKXD Âś GLHG RQ 0DUFK VXUURXQGHG E\ IDPLO\

...............................................

5KRQD 6DÓ˝HU PRWKHU RI -RUGDQ Âś *DE\ Âś DQG -RQDWKDQ Âś SDVVHG DZD\ RQ -XO\ DIWHU D ORQJ LOOQHVV 5KRQD ZDV D NLQG and gentle person and a loving mother to her three children and wife to husband Amos.

...............................................

Sheran Theodoro, a longtime Greenwich Village resident, died March 20.

She was the loving wife of husband Gus and parent to daughters &KULVWLQD Âś DQG $WKHQD

LREI NEWS

|

Summer 2011 15

CLASS NOTES 5XWK 0HUVRQ 1HOHVNL /5 Âś writes,

6WHSKHQ :DQGQHU Âś is a Visiting Fellow at

%RE 6DUOLQ Âś writes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In my semi-retirement,

´$UL]RQD LV D ORQJ ZD\ IURP %OHHFNHU 6WUHHW

the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. In

my wife and I have discovered home swaps,

physically, culturally and politically, of course.

November 2010, his book, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Solving the Re-

WKH ODWHVW RQH LQ 6\GQH\ $XVWUDOLD ,¡YH DOVR

The weather is great!â&#x20AC;?

HPSOR\PHQW 3X]]OH )URP 5HVHDUFK WR 3ROLF\ Âľ

started up Rock Around the Block Tours

ZDV SXEOLVKHG 3ULQFHWRQ 8QLYHUVLW\¡V ,QGXV-

(rockaroundtheblocktours.com),

-RDQ 6WXGHU /HYLQH Âś , who lives in

trial Relations Section recently awarded him

walking tours about rock history in

0RUQLQJVLGH +HLJKWV HPDLOV ´$W ,¡P VWLOO

WKH 5LFKDUG $ /HVWHU 3UL]H IRU WKH 2XWVWDQG-

New York City. One of them, of course,

doing social studies, working as a commu-

ing Book in Labor Economics and Industrial

is set in the Village.â&#x20AC;?

QLW\ DFWLYLVW ¾ 6DQGUD ´&KDS¾ &KDSPDQ /5(,¡V

Relations for 2010.

Director of Diversity and Community, and her

'DQLHO 5RVHQEORRP Âś OLYHV LQ 7HDQHFN 1 -

partner Wendy Curtis serve on Morningside

)URP +RSHZHOO -XQFWLRQ 1 <

as does his fellow LREI classmate and friend

*DUGHQ¡V &RPPXQLW\ 5HODWLRQV &RPPLWWHH

(PP\ %DUVK Âś emails, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clark and I

0DUJRW (PEUHH )LVKHU Âś . He emails,

which Levine started and chairs. The group

FHOHEUDWHG RXU WK DQQLYHUVDU\ RQ -XQH

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our daughter Emily (who prefers Emma) is

works to build relations with the community

and are looking forward to our golden one

a freshman at Bryn Mawr. She did a pioneering

RXWVLGH WKHLU FRPSOH[ RUJDQL]LQJ UHF\FOLQJ

next year. He is gold and our relationship is

independent study project on the achieve-

HÓ˝RUWV IRRG GULYHV DQG ÓžHOG WULSV

yummy. Our grandchildren (all in California)

ment gap in her senior year of high school

are also yummy, but too far away.â&#x20AC;?

in Teaneck. Our son, Sam, is a junior in the

-DQH 5RODQG 0DUWLQ Âś , emerita professor of

Science & Technology Academy of Bergen

philosophy at University of Massachusetts

3HWHU / 0\HUV 3K ' Âś , who lives in

County Academies, the county-wide magnet

Boston, sent LREI her recently published book

Brooklyn, co-authored two health reference

school, where he is lead trumpet player in the

´(GXFDWLRQ5HFRQӞJXUHG ¾ 2Q WKH WLWOH SDJH

ERRNV ZLWK 5LFKDUG ,VUDORZLW] ´,OOLFLW 'UXJV¾

MD]] EDQG DQG RWKHU HQVHPEOHV Âľ

of our copy, she wrote: â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the schoolthat is

and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alcohol,â&#x20AC;? for ABC-CLIO, and was

always in my thoughts.â&#x20AC;?

appointed to the National Addiction Studies

$ODQ 6ROZD\ Âś has been with the U.S.

Accreditation Commission.

'HSDUWPHQW RI -XVWLFH IRU RYHU \HDUV DQG

(OLVDEHWK 5HLHU Âś who lives in Staten Island,

KLV ZLIH 3URIHVVRU (OL]DEHWK 0DUVK FRQWLQ-

writes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;After approximately six years, I have

7RP :HLQJHLVW Âś UHWLUHG ODVW -XQH DIWHU

ues at Quinnipiac University School of Law in

ÓžQDOO\ UHFRYHUHG IURP D VHULRXV LOOQHVV ZKLFK

years in academic ophthalmology, 20 years

Hamden, Conn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Life has been good so far.

at times, left me in a wheelchair. I am now

of which he was Professor and Head of the

Our son Michael is in Ph.D. program in Rus-

pain free and almost 100 percent mobile.

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual

sian at the University of Virginia. Our

,¡P XQEHOLHYDEO\ KDSS\ ¾

Science at the University of Iowa in Iowa

daughter Kathryn is sophomore at

City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I help out at our local Veterans

Washington and Lee University in Lexington,

Administration Hospital

Va.â&#x20AC;?

in Iowa City, working with our residents and medical

0DUJRW $YHU\ Âś starred in Arlene

students, but have been

+XWWRQ¡V ´$V ,W ,V ,Q +HDYHQ ¾ DW WKH &KHUU\

spending the majority of

/DQH 6WXGLR 7KHDWUH WKLV VSULQJ ´,I \RX¡UH

my time doing photogra-

coming to the 6/4 reunion, plan on taking in

phy, traveling and spend-

P\ VKRZ ÓžUVW Âľ VKH SRVWHG WR )DFHERRN

ing time with our four

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was in the original production 10 years ago

children and two

LQ (GLQEXUJK ,W¡V EHHQ D MR\ WR UHYLVLW DQG WR

granddaughters,â&#x20AC;? he

WU\ P\ KDQG DW D GLÓ˝HUHQW UROH Âľ

writes via email. $DURQ 6RUNLQ Âś received an Academy In May, 'DQLHO %URGVN\ Âś

Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for

was elected chairman of

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Social Network.â&#x20AC;?

7KLV VXPPHU 6DUD 0XUDGR Âś KDG D SDLQWLQJ H[KLELWLRQ

the Metropolitan Museum

titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sombrasâ&#x20AC;? at Sala Deus MĂĄquina in Madrid, Spain.

RI $UW¡V %RDUG RI 7UXVWHHV

16

(OHDQRU 5RFKH %DUNHU Âś and Valerie

who still plays in his band Carney

5RFKH Âś KDYH VWDUWHG D QHZ QRQSURÓžW

(carneyband.com) with his brother

venture called The Simple Gifts Project

=DQH &DUQH\ Âś , performed his single â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rise

(simplegiftsproject.org) which they hope

Above,â&#x20AC;? featuring Bono and The Edge, on the

will help schools around the country raise

$PHULFDQ ,GRO ÓžQDOH LQ 0D\

SAVE THE DATE!

Alumni Calendar 2011-2012

money, while at the same time raising money for worthy programs serving children here

$OLVRQ :LJJLQV Âś is teaching second grade

and abroad. The project launched this fall and

at Stevens Cooperative School in Hoboken

they already have schools signed on in places

DQG -HUVH\ &LW\

as diverse as Aspen and inner city Baltimore. $OH[ =KDQJ Âś graduated from Columbia $GDP 3RZHUV Âś , owner/executive chef of

University in 2010 with a B.A. in English

Fetch Bar and Grill (fetchbarandgrill.com),

and philosophy. He is currently a master

competed on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Choppedâ&#x20AC;? on Food Network

student at Beijing University, studying ancient

RQ 0D\ +LV FODVVPDWH 6WHYH &RUQLFN Âś

Chinese literature with a focus on pre-Han

spread the news via the LREI Alumni

philosophy, science and customs.

Facebook page. /LO\ :LJJLQV Âś , who graduated from -LOO 0DFHN $OYDUH] Âś is living in the Bay

3LW]HU &ROOHJH LQ 0D\ ZDV DZDUGHG D

Area, running the internship program for

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship for

RYHU LQWHUQV DW 0R]LOOD )LUHIR[ ´/5(,

2011-2012. While she will spend the majority

still remains my top educational experience

of her 10-month stint in Indonesia teaching

DQG \HV , ZHQW WR FROOHJH Âľ VKH HPDLOV -LOO

high school students, Lily also plans to

LV D PHPEHU RI /5(,¡V /LQNHG,Q JURXS

FRQGXFW UHVHDUFK ZKLOH VKH¡V WKHUH ´, DP

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Feel free to contact me if you are thinking

QRW VXUH \HW RI ZKDW , ZLOO ÓžQG RQFH DEURDG

about computer science, are interested

but I have initially proposed to research the

LQ RSHQ VRXUFH RU ORYH 0R]LOOD¡V PLVVLRQ

HÓ˝HFWV RI FRUSRUDO SXQLVKPHQW RQ VWXGHQW

and the open Web!â&#x20AC;?

performance,â&#x20AC;? she said via email. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Needless to say, I am unbelievably excited

This fall, 0DUF 6KXOGLQHU Âś , who is work-

and honored to be among the ranks of past

ing on his doctorate in psychology at Yeshiva

and present Fulbright Scholars.â&#x20AC;?

University, will intern with $QGUHZ :HLVV œ , 3K ' /5(,¡V PLGGOH VFKRRO DQG KLJK VFKRRO

(PHU\ &RKHQ Âś stars in the independent

SV\FKRORJLVW 0DUF¡V GDXJKWHU ZDV D FDPSHU

movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hungry Ghostsâ&#x20AC;?

at Summers at LREI this year. $PD %LUFK œ ¡V

(thehungryghostsmovie.com), which was an

VLOHQW VKRUW DQLPDWLRQ ӞOP ´$ 3OXPEHU¡V 7DOH¾

RÔ&#x20AC;FLDO VHOHFWLRQ DW WKH 6DQWD %DUEDUD ,QWHU-

(aplumberstale.com) premiered in

national Film Festival, the International Film

-XQH DW $QWKRORJ\ )LOP $UFKLYHV VKH

Festival Rotterdam and the Warsaw Interna-

shared via Facebook.

tional Film Festival.

5HHYH &DUQH\ Âś is currently starring

1HOO -RFHO\Q Âś co-authored â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ones and Twosâ&#x20AC;?

as Peter Parker in the Broadway production

ZLWK KHU PRWKHU 0DUWKH -RFHO\Q

RI ´6SLGHUPDQ 7XUQ 2ӽ WKH 'DUN ¾ ´5HHYH

7KH FKLOGUHQ¡V ERRN ZDV SXEOLVKHG LQ 0D\

was everything we could have hoped for: an

by Tundra Books.

9/14 Alumni Cocktail Party 6L[WK $YHQXH 3OD\ 5RRI S P

$OXPQL &RXQFLO .LFNRÓ˝ 0HHWLQJ 6L[WK $YHQXH /LEUDU\ S P

LREI on the Road: Chicago Time and place TBD

LREI on the Road: Orlando Time and place TBD

Young Alumni Breakfast Charlton Street 9:00 a.m.

Alumni College Panel Charlton Street, 6:15 p.m.

Young Alumni Taco Day &KDUOWRQ 6WUHHW S P

Homecoming Basketball Game & Party Thompson Street Athletic Center, S P

LREI on the Road: San Francisco Time and place TBD

LREI on the Road: Seattle Time and place TBD

LREI Art Auction Time and place TBD

WK $QQXDO $OXPQL 5HXQLRQ Charlton Street, time TBD

DPD]LQJ YRLFH DQG D WUXO\ FKDULVPDWLF SUHV-

Visit lrei.org for upcoming

HQFH ¾ 8 ¡V OHDG VLQJHU %RQR ZKR ZURWH WKH

events throughout the year.

music and lyrics for the show, has said. Reeve,

LREI NEWS

|

Summer 2011 17

1RQ 3URÓžW 2UJ U.S. Postage PAID New York, NY 3HUPLW 1R 6L[WK $YHQXH New York, NY 10014

join us

FACE FORWARD ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR KLV VHQLRU SURMHFW DW D QRQSURÓžW IRU SXEOLF VFKRROV /XFDV 5pQLTXH 3RROH Âś WRS VKRW portraits of his classmates as an honors projectâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and a gift WR KLV FODVV ´, FDQ¡W VD\ , OHDUQHG DQ\WKLQJ QHZ DERXW P\ classmates during the process, mainly because the nature of LREI had made it so that I already knew them well,â&#x20AC;?

VDLG /XFDV ´%XW WKDW¡V SUREDEO\ ZKDW , ORYHG PRVW DERXW it: The portraits were fun to shoot because, more than DQ\ SKRWRJUDSK\ ,¡G GRQH EHIRUH , ZDV WU\LQJ WR FDSWXUH a personality and a character of people I knew and loved.â&#x20AC;?

Lucas will attend Amherst College, where he plans to study anthropology, environmental studies or photography.