Footsteps Winter 2016

footsteps Winter 2016

Our Mission At Marin Primary & Middle School we make education meaningful, while encouraging pride in self, respect for others, and enthusiasm for learning. we treasure childhood.

We honor and enjoy children’s natural curiosity, competence, and exuberance.

we teach to reach children.

Using teams of teachers and educational methods tailored to how children learn best, we connect with our students, build trusting relationships, and make learning relevant, memorable, and fun. we teach children to reach.

Asking not “how smart is the child” but “how is the child smart,” we guide our students to see their full potential, and we equip them to pursue it with passion and purpose.

we inspire children to make a difference.

We value academic excellence, personal integrity, and community action and encourage our students to become informed, engaged, and ethical global citizens.

c letter 4

Julie’s Letter

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around campus 6

School Happenings

10

Did you Know?

features 12

40 Years Later:

Remembering the

Founding of

MP&MS 16 Technology

It’s Not the End,

It’s the Means

18

SEL and Monday

Morning Meetings

20

The Global

Citizenship Project

22

A Letter from Sam

Cross, Board Chair

24

Parents Association

Update

alumni 26

Alumni Focus

27

Alumni Update

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t n s

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The rain is coming down outside my office window as I write, just after greeting our bootclad (just like those on the cover!) students in the parking lot. The path to the door included perfect puddle jumping opportunities for many of the youngest preschoolers while primary school students hustled inside under hoods and umbrellas, and middle schoolers raced through the rain toting raincoats in hand!

An ongoing joy offered by a school with preschool, primary, and middle school students is the chance to recognize and celebrate the characteristic, develop-

community; global citizenship and community service, to sustainability efforts on campus and beyond.

Our 40th year marks the beginning of another step in

mentally appropriate differences as our students mature.

the timeline of our growth as a school. As we implement

Watching the different stages of growth on display in the

the goals announced in the recent Strategic Plan, we are

parking lot is a great way to begin the morning!

especially excited about the upcoming growth of the

This edition of Footsteps, coming to you at the

middle school program, with additional students in sixth,

midpoint in a busy and exciting 40th year for Marin

seventh, and eighth grades. Aligned with this growth

Primary & Middle School, includes updates on new

will be enhancements to the academic and specialist

initiatives and areas of our program that continue to

programs, especially science and math, and facilities

grow in depth and strength each year. Looking back at

improvements including a new science lab, an art deck,

the vision and goals developed by co-founders Roberta

and classrooms. More information on Middle School 2.0

and Jim Heath and first head of school David Heath, I

can be found on our website, www.mpms.org.

appreciate their vision and recognition of the critically

Stay tuned for news about upcoming events over

important elements necessary to create an engaging and

the second half of the school year. Your support and

inspiring educational environment for students.

engagement is so important as our school continues to

You will see this vision in action today, through the work of teachers and a dedicated and inspiring faculty, from the deep integration of technology to enhance learning and reflection; the focus on the development of skills needed to foster an effective and caring learning

thrive!

school happenings on and around campus

Welcome Picnic

Coastal Cleanup

This year’s new families may have been unfamiliar with

On Coastal Cleanup Day, the MP&MS middle school

MP&MS, but they do know a thing or two about having fun,

community comes together to rid local beaches of trash

especially when meeting longstanding MP&MS families.

and debris. Starting at 9:00 a.m., fifth, sixth, seventh, and

After their first two weeks at school, new students were

eighth graders grab trash bags and get to work cleaning

joined by their parents and returning families for the

the beach. Finding items such as cigarette butts, plastic

Welcome Picnic, allowing families to meet in an informal

bags, and even diapers, middle schoolers properly dispose

setting. After lunch, parents relaxed in the shade of the

of these unwanted items, leaving the space cleaner and

amphitheater and got to know one another while the kids

safer than when they arrived. When asked about her

investigated the schoolyard, played games, enjoyed arts

experience, seventh grader Grace Furey Peters remarked,

and crafts, listened to music, and had their faces painted

“It’s great to be able to help make the world a better and

with help from eighth grade volunteers. The activity and

cleaner place.”

good cheer on this sunny September day capped an extremely successful start of the new school year.

Clem Miller

First Grade Family Day

A month into the school year, fifth and sixth graders set

Family Day in first grade is the culmination of a month-

off for a four-day adventure to the Point Reyes Clem Miller

long study of the many ways to be a family. Families are

Environmental Education Center. The trip began with

invited to come to the classroom to join as students share

the sixth grade class heading out a day early, preparing

the activities they had prepared for the day’s events.

the site for the fifth graders who arrived the following

This year, some of the activities included reciting a family

day. Sixth graders, having experienced being new to

poem, teaching the audience words in Spanish and sign

middle school the year before, were well aware of the

language, sharing a technology project involving family

challenges associated with entering a new division and

similes, and engaging in a family engineering building

used their leadership skills to support the fifth graders

challenge. Finally, the first graders invited their families

over the course of the trip. Together students, naturalists,

to play arcade games they designed and built using

and teachers engaged in a community-rich experience

cardboard boxes and electronic littleBits. The games

honoring the area’s spectacular coastline. Highlights

came to life with moving parts and bright lights to make

included a stop at Bear Valley Visitor Center and a hike

them more difficult and attract the attention of would-be

to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Students studied plant life

players. A fun time was had by all as balls were thrown

and animal tracks and listened to Dennis Belliveau, who

through holes blocked by moving fans and cars were rolled

brought his yurt and shared a tie-dye activity. This fifth

down brightly lit ramps blocked with obstacles.

and sixth grade MP&MS tradition continues to challenge our students and helps them develop strong connections in our community and with the natural world.

school happenings on and around campus

Service Learning Initiatives

Harvest Festival

Service learning projects lie close to the hearts of

MP&MS has a rich tradition of schoolwide events that

MP&MS students, and they take an active role in making

engage our greater community. Certainly one of our most-

a difference in both local and global communities. This

loved celebrations is the annual Harvest Festival which

year a massive pile of clothing was sorted, classified, and

took place this year on October 24 in the David R. Heath

boxed by 35 student volunteers for the Caring Closet drive

Outdoor Education Center. Students made baked goods

benefiting students at Laguna and Tomales Elementary

and craft projects using the bounty of the garden nurtured

Schools. There, they met with social worker and MP&MS

over the previous months, and played games in celebration

parent Pam Taylor and learned about the challenges faced

of the harvest. Certainly a highlight of day’s festivities was

by many families who work on ranches and dairy farms

the collaborative musical performance by student fiddlers,

in West Marin. Service learning at MP&MS also extends

teachers Jason Jones, Ferenc Dobronyi, and Michael Wray,

to the whole family. At the Horse Hill Community Service

parents, and outside artists. In the spirit of sharing and

Day, students and their parents helped remove invasive,

giving thanks, fresh fruit, vegetables, and other food items

non-native plants and seeded the area with native grasses.

were collected and then donated to a local food bank.

Participants had the chance to meet the herd of horses on the hill, clear the area, and reduce fire risk, making the hill safer for the horses and the greater community. Through these initiatives, MP&MS students and families are able do something tangible to make a difference, learn many valuable lessons, and experience the joy of giving back to the community.

Book Fair

The Importance of One-to-One

The MP&MS Parents Association transformed the library

“Raise your hand if you can give me an example of

into an alligator-filled marsh for the annual book fair from

technology,” said technology innovation and integration

November 16 through 19. This year’s theme was “Deep

specialist Chris Corrigan in a fall class with fourth graders.

in the Swamp” and the tables of books, wall murals,

Chris stood at the front of the room with an iPad and

and original artwork character cut-outs transported the

explained to the students that they would receive their

shoppers into another world. Family night was certainly

own iPads to use at school throughout the year to support

the highlight, when children and adults shared food,

their work in the classroom. While excited to begin using

arts and crafts, music, and an enchanted swamp walk in

their iPads, the students first had to learn about the AUP,

the garden. This year’s collaboration with Copperfield’s

or Acceptable Use of Technology Policy. This is a critical

bookstore was a huge success and included inspirational

set of rules that guide MP&MS students’ technology use

“Title Talks” by special guest and bookseller Susan Ryan

and encourage good digital citizenship. As students

as well as a magical puppet show performance of The

develop research and information fluency, they are

Three Little Pigs by The Magical Moonshine Theatre. This

simultaneously acting as critical thinkers, problem solvers,

three-day long event is one of MP&MS’s most popular and

and decision makers. As part of this program, Chris meets

is a celebration of our collective love of books and our

regularly with teachers to help plan technology integration

commitment to lifelong reading.

that supports curricular goals and learning objectives in thoughtful and purposeful ways.

did you know?

About MP&MS professional development?

Here are some of the programs our staff participated in last summer.

STEAM: Nueva Design

Child Development:

Diversity, Cultural

Assessment Task Force:

Thinking Institute: Ferenc

Children Learning with

Competence: Teaching

Amy Taylor, chair (LRC),

Dobronyi (Projects Lab),

Nature Institute: Joan

Tolerance: Bringing Social

Paige Missamore (K), Jesse

San Domenico iTeach Tech

Lynch, Caitlin Nassar, Claire

Justice Curriculum to Life:

Swagerty (first grade), Sarah

Workshop: Daydra Bell (sixth

Charbonneau (preschool),

Jennifer Lucas (first grade),

Abbey (third grade), Susan

grade), Jesse Swagerty (first

Children at the Heart of

Meike Wanberg (fifth

Humphrey (fourth grade),

grade), Teach 21 – Project-

Learning: Mitzi Medrud

grade), Teaching About the

Dan Harrison and Mitzi

Based Learning: Kristi Durst

(preschool), Gesell Institute

Holocaust–Belfer National

Medrud (preschool), Madeline

(third grade), ICB Artists’

Developmental Observation

Conference for Educators,

Mendelsohn (LRC), Whitney

Workshop: Margot Koch (art),

Training: Leila Poutiatine

Holocaust Museum: Madeline

Sutak (PE), Leila Poutiatine,

New Strategies in Teaching

(preschool director)

Mendelsohn (LRC)

Erin Murphy, Dave DeMartini,

Math: Kelly Checo (LRC)

and David Gottlieb

Information Literacy, Library

Social Emotional Learning:

Language Arts and Social

Masters Programs:

Media Skills: American

Greater Good Science Center

Studies: Lindamood Bell –

Masters in Education, USF/

Library Association Annual

Educator Institute: Elizabeth

Visualizing and Verbalizing

University of the Pacific:

Conference: Ellen Abrams,

McLeod (counselor), Institute

Training: Amy Taylor (LRC),

Rebecca Wunderlich (fifth

Junia Ziblay (librarians),

for Social & Emotional

Workshop/Coaching with

grade), MEd. for School

Graduate Coursework in

Learning: Darinee Hoonsuwan

Amy Symons on Curriculum

Nurses, Cambridge College,

Library and Information

(second grade), Charlie

Development, Differentiation:

Boston: Stephanie Mink

Sciences: Junia Ziblay

Queary (drama), Ellen Abrams

Daydra Bell (sixth), Meike

(school nurse)

(library), Paige Missamore (K),

Wanberg (fifth), Liz Brown

Responsive Classroom: Christa

(fourth)

Butler (third)

did you know?

About sustainability at MP&MS? In today’s world, what could be more pressing than educating our students about how to care for the Earth? Respect for our environment is an important focus at MP&MS as we help students develop an understanding of their role in securing a safe and sustainable future for our world.

Students learn and

Each year our middle

Recent campus renovations

Students are encouraged

practice environmentally

school students head to

involving upgraded lighting,

to explore ideas and

responsible habits through

Stinson Beach to participate

heat, plumbing, and

creative solutions to water

outside and in-school

in California’s Coastal

temperature-controlling

preservation and solar

service commitments and

Clean-up Day, collectively

shades have reduced our

energy. The challenge of

by observing the choices

amassing over 100 pounds

carbon footprint. Students

inspiring and preparing

we make as a school

of trash and recyclable

can see the power collected

students to make a

community. Reducing our

items in a mere three hours!

from the solar panels in the

difference in the world is

contribution to landfills is

Our parent-led Green Team

garden, and learn about the

especially clear through

a good place to start. Our

facilitates opportunities for

importance of managing

the lens of environmental

recycling program includes

environmental stewardship

storm water runoff from the

sustainability, and deeply

composting food scraps,

by coordinating family

bioswale recently added to

important to the MP&MS

using metal or compostable

service learning projects

the campus.

community.

plates and flatware, and

throughout the community,

collecting rainwater from

as well as engaging

the roof near the garden.

specialists and speakers to

Seventh grade students sort

share their expertise and

our recyclables each week

resources.

while fourth graders collect and deposit compost in the garden.

40 years later: remembering the founding of mp&ms

Ref lections by roberta heath bradshaw Even though it has been 40 years

his commitment to their education.

school and changed our name to

since Marin Primary & Middle School

Soon after that first meeting we hired

Marin Primary & Middle School.

opened, I can still remember so

him as our director and the three of us

vividly when we began thinking about

started Marin Primary.

starting a school.

It was very exciting to create our

David was our director for 27 years and through his leadership, vision, and dedication, the school grew and flour-

It was 1974 and my husband Jim

vision and goals for the school. We

ished. One of his most important jobs

Heath and I had three wonderful chil-

wanted a place where children felt

was to find exceptional teachers who

dren. Craig was 7, Jeanne was 2, and

safe, where they felt good about

shared our vision. He hired wonderful,

Kristy was 1. At that time I had some

themselves, where they were re-

dedicated, loving, bright, and talented

ideas about what children needed to

spected and listened to, where they

teachers – some of whom are still

best grow and learn. The ideas came

loved learning, where they were

with us today. He brought all aspects

from my own experience during my

provided an excellent education,

of the school together… exceptional

years at school and as a primary

and where each child’s potential was

teachers, parents, staff, and Board

school teacher. One thing I believed

honored and nourished.

members to create a wonderful space

is that children learn and grow the

I remember wondering how we

that supported the well being and ed-

best in an environment where they

were going to create such an environ-

ucational growth of children. Although

feel safe, loved, and respected. In l971

ment. David knew, he just naturally

David is no longer with us, we will

I had tried to find these qualities in

knew what to do. It was so inspiring

forever be grateful for his dedication

a nursery school for our oldest son

to watch him take the reins and follow

to the children and families of MP&MS.

Craig but neither of us was happy

our collective vision.

with the schools we found.

As our girls were approaching

We developed a very supportive

We now have another wonderful Head of School, Julie Elam. She has

Board of Directors who helped us with

carried forth the original vision of the

preschool age, I reflected deeply on

everything from the legal issues, the

school with deep commitment and

the qualities I wanted in a school

non-profit status, and the financial

dedication. She has brought so much

setting. I suddenly had the thought,

needs of the school. They also pro-

kindness and joy from the amazing

why don’t we create a school? At first

vided us with invaluable support of

new schoolyard, to her everyday

I wondered if it was possible and then

our ideals.

personal conversations with parents

I realized, of course it was. I told my

In September of 1975 Marin Primary

and students, to her incredible knowl-

husband and he completely sup-

Preschool opened its doors at a rented

edge about how children grow and

ported the idea. These thoughts were

space in the Marin Lutheran Church.

learn. She has unwavering support

the beginning of what Marin Primary

We had a Board of Directors, a Director,

and dedication to MP&MS.

would become.

David Heath, a teacher, and six stu-

We realized we needed a wonderful, experienced, dedicated, and

I am so pleased that our grand-

dents, one of whom was our daughter.

children are now attending MP&MS. It

In 1980 we outgrew the church

is such a joy to be with them as they

loving director who shared our vision

basement with approximately 50

and who could help us create such

children and moved to our current

a place for children. After much

location. At first we only had the pre-

nings of the school and look now at

searching we met David Heath. He

school building but parents wanted

the magnificent, warm, and loving

even had the same last name as

their children to stay at the school,

environment it is today, I am inspired

ours. In our first meeting we were

so we added classes and ended up

by, awed by, and so very grateful to

very inspired by his dedication to

taking over the entire facility.

everyone for providing such a special

the well-being of children as well as

In 1991, we added the middle

grow, learn, and thrive at the school.

As I remember the humble begin-

place for children.

1975

1980s

1990s

Marin Primary opens its

The vision and core values

Under David Heath’s

doors at the Lutheran Church

of the founders and the

leadership, the school

on Meadowsweet Drive in

founding head of school,

develops robust specialist

Corte Madera with six children

David Heath, remain central

classes in the performing/

and one teacher. The founders

to MP&MS in moving forward.

visual arts and physical

envision a school where

At the heart of the school’s

education, and adds a unique

childhood is treasured, and

mission lies a deep respect

projects lab while continuing

where teachers respect the

for childhood. The integrated

to refine its programs. David

pace of each child’s journey

curriculum provides ample

provides an entrepreneurial

from childhood to adolescence,

opportunities for children to

spirit and vision which remains

recognizing the many ways

explore their passions and

strong and alive. The Learning

in which children learn,

attracts dedicated teachers

Resource Center is created,

striving to educate the

with a deep understanding of

a library is built as the result of

whole child.

children and learning.

a dedicated parent’s initiative, and the middle school opens.

2000s

2010

2016

Phase I of the campus

By 2010, the school receives

MP&MS shares its plans for a

renovation Master Plan begins

Division of the State Architect

new, enhanced middle school

led by parent and architect

approval for Phases II and III of

program – Middle School

Peter Pfau and the Master Plan

the Master Plan. In June 2013

2.0. After careful study with

Committee. New fences, gates,

Phase II – The Schoolyard

educational experts, these

and signage is installed and a

Project, a plan to renovate the

plans focus on increasing the

toddler playground is built for

playground, play structures,

overall size of the middle school

our youngest students. The

and the construction of the new

over the next three years,

renovations continue from

amphitheater – begins.

restructuring the schedule to

2009-2010 with the revamping

Over $2.8M is raised

provide flexibility for a dynamic

of the interior hallways, the

to support the project.

curriculum, incorporating 21st

installation of skylights, as well

In March of 2014 the new

century skills, and creating new

as improved electrical systems.

schoolyard opens to the delight

and efficient spaces with the

Finally, school restrooms are

of students, faculty, staff,

flexibility to meet the needs

ADA upgraded, the preschool

and parents and creates a total

of – and foster collaboration

kitchen is built, and the

transformation of MP&MS.

between – middle school

school exterior gets a new coat of paint.

students and teachers.

technology

it’s not the end, it’s the means Chris Corrigan, MP&MS technology innovation and integration specialist, explains why we teach technology in schools and the importance of the integration of technology and 21st century learning skills. use technology to enhance learning

music. Then you have students who

class in educational technology with

Every year I start my graduate

and reflection. It’s about how they use

have worked on the core research

a simple question: Why do we teach

technological tools to solve problems.

and writing skills, but have built upon

technology in primary schools? The

I often feel the best use of technology

them as well. They have manipulated

answers are always the obvious ones:

is seamless – almost invisible. You

media to elicit a response and can

“Kids need to know it,”

don’t notice that a carpenter is using

think critically about media directed

“It gets the kids excited,”

a hammer per se, you just notice that

at them. They have used a variety of

“It will help them get jobs in

she has built something.

tools in concert to address a problem.

the future,” “My school paid a ton of money

Likewise, technology helps address

They have developed facility with the

an invisible curriculum. More and

devices and apps. They have commu-

more we hear talk about 21 century

nicated their ideas in several ways

learning skills: problem solving, collab-

allowing those with a variety of learn-

Now although these answers are all

oration, resiliency, critical thinking,

ing modalities and intelligences to

legitimate and, for better or worse,

communication, and media literacy.

draw upon their individual strengths.

and bought all this stuff.”

This last one is always my favorite.

correct, they fail to hit on the true power of technology in the classroom.

st

On my end, I hear teachers’

More importantly they can begin to

concerns about working these skills

assess if the technological solution is the best for a problem at hand.

When talking about classroom

into their already robust curriculum.

technology, the key word is “integra-

“I need to cover fractions; how am I

tion.” It amazes me that even today

going to fit in this new stuff?” This

nology education, don’t think about

in the Bay Area, people still see the

is where tech integration provides

particular devices, platforms, or apps.

teaching of technology as an end,

the answer. We can still cover core

Any of these are likely to change or

rather than a means.

content, but by presenting the stu-

become obsolete by the time you

So... when thinking about tech-

dents with problems and projects that

finish reading this paragraph. Think

measured by a set of observable

incorporate technology as a means

about how technology is used. Think

outcomes or a rigid skill set, rather it

to address the work, the 21 century

about how technology can support

is something fluid. It’s not “Can you

learning skills cover themselves.

the lessons at hand and the students’

Technology proficiency is not

set a tab and insert a photo in Word?”

st

There is no need to rewrite proven

varied learning styles. Think about the

It’s more about “How can you use

curriculum or units. Rather, adjust

larger, unseen aspects of the curricu-

technology to do research, synthesize

them to allow for the use of technolo-

lum, those abstract skills we all know

ideas, and express your knowledge

gy. Teach the research paper, but then

to be important but until recently

in a variety of ways for a variety of

have students record the paper, add

have been almost too intangible to

audiences?” It’s about how students

some images, set it to appropriate

address in a classroom context.

monday morning community meeetings

By Elizabeth McLeod, MP&MS school counselor

A longstanding tradition at Marin

meetings. Students stand up and name

projects are highlighted.

Primary & Middle School is the Monday

specific people and experiences that

morning community meeting. Here

have touched their hearts, resulting in a

students stood up and announced

students, faculty, and staff gather by

genuine feeling of abundance.

that they had donated their hair to

division or all together to start the week

In middle school, administrators,

In one memorable meeting, several

organizations like Locks of Love –

with intention and shared purpose.

teachers, and students report on

an organization that provides hair

The meetings begin by pausing and

projects, and students have an

prosthetics to disadvantaged children

practicing mindfulness together. During

opportunity to share their interests,

with medical conditions or treatments

these moments, students and teachers

questions, and passions in a variety of

that cause them to lose their hair. The

are invited to focus on their breath or

creative ways.

audience was surprised when a first

the sound of a bell. Sometimes they

Humor and storytelling appeal to

grader proceeded to have her hair cut

are led through a guided visualization

middle school minds and serve as

right there in front of everyone, and

or another form of focused attention.

vehicles for life lessons and thought-

listened carefully as she and her hair

Each of these experiences can cultivate

provoking questions that set the tone

stylist shared personal stories of people

self-awareness and unite the energy

for respectful and engaged learning.

in their lives who had benefited from

and focus of the group.

A preview of the week is offered as

similar hair donations.

In primary school, classes take turns

are fun and practical goals such as a

All community meetings are an

leading the meeting so everyone learns

“politeness tip of the week.” Often

example of the MP&MS mission in

what is going on in other parts of the

current events are discussed in a

action. They relate to and extend

school while practicing leadership and

way that makes them relevant and

classroom learning, making them

communication skills. The topics are

connected to life at school.

meaningful and public. The gatherings

varied and range from sharing science

Several times a year, the primary and

discoveries or lessons learned through

middle school students gather together

friendships. Students see themselves

solving playground conflicts to students

for SPARK community meetings.

as contributing and belonging to

reciting poetry or leading a song.

SPARK stands for Safety, Personal Best,

something greater than themselves.

also encourage cross-grade

Accountability, Respect, and Kindness.

Through this sense of connection and

focus on an “SEL Tool in the Spotlight,”

Students and adults who have

purpose, students start each week

such as appreciation. As a result, a

demonstrated these qualities in big and

feeling safe and connected –

ritual of sharing what we’re grateful

small ways are honored and various

the optimal conditions for learning

for is built into the structure of the

“making a difference” service learning

and growth.

At regular intervals, the meetings

the seventh grade

GLOBAL

citizen project

By Jen Klem-Clarke, seventh grade teacher

What does it mean to be a global citizen? How are we

The project doesn’t end with their educational short

connected to people across the globe? How can we help

films. Service learning is a huge component to the GCP.

solve the problems and injustices that plague our world?

We volunteer locally and fundraise for a global cause every

These are the questions seventh graders tackle in October

year. Last year seventh grade students raised over $3200

before deciding on a Global Citizenship Project (GCP).

for Free the Children, an organization that was started by

Over the first two months of humanities we plunge into current events and generate possible topics for further research. We also wrap our minds around how closely we are

a Canadian seventh grader in 1995 to help children around the globe.

Our students also inspired the junior kindergarten

connected to everyone on the globe through inter-depend-

through eighth grade classes (and individual adminis-

ence. It is exciting to watch the students become outraged

trators and faculty) to collect small change in order to

by social injustice and begin to ask complex questions

purchase goats for families in developing countries. We

about how the world works economically, politically, socially,

purchased more goats than any other school in California!

culturally, technologically and environmentally.

In the past, students have volunteered locally at the Marin

Because students pick their own global issue, they are

Food Bank and Family House in San Francisco. This year

engaged and excited to learn, teach others, and act in

we are forging a relationship with Homeward Bound in

order to help their cause. First, students research using

San Rafael.

multiple sources, including an interview with an expert on

By the end of the first semester the main goal is for

their topic. Some interviews have involved employees of

every seventh grader to be aware of the wider world, have

large corporations about sweatshops, doctors about infant

a stronger respect for diversity, take responsibility for their

mortality and infectious diseases, Peace Corps volunteers

actions, and have a sense of their own role as a world cit-

about what they have witnessed abroad and scientists

izen. The Global Citizenship Project has become a right of

about pollution in the Bay. Next, they write a formal

passage in the middle school and many students continue

research report before creating an educational short film

to look for ways to give back to our community and wider

for their classmates.

world once finished.

LIVING OUR MISSION, REACHING FOR THE FUTURE a letter from sam cross, mp&ms board chair

In this edition of Footsteps, you will find wonderful examples of learning, growth and inspiration and I’m confident these stories will reinforce your commitment to Marin Primary & Middle School, as each of us play a role in realizing our school’s mission in the classroom, on the playground, and in the greater community.

This is my family’s ninth year at MP&MS and, as

• Solidifying MP&MS’s financial sustainability by growing

Board Chair, I am honored to partner with Julie Elam, our

enrollment and reducing the school’s dependence on tui-

Head of School, and to interact daily with our faculty and

tion while attracting and retaining teachers who exemplify

staff, while leading an extraordinary group of trustees.

our commitment to excellence.

Being Board Chair also allows me to spend a significant

As I wrote in my letter to the community that accom-

amount of time with students as well as current and pro-

panied the Strategic Plan this past October, we are now

spective parents. It has been tremendously rewarding for

embarking on the final phases of our Master Plan with

me to get to know our school community so well.

the first step being the addition of a new science lab, art

On occasion, when I’m at an MP&MS function or leading

deck, and middle school classrooms. We have been very

a prospective parent on a school tour, I am asked, “What

fortunate to work with alumni parent Peter Pfau, of Pfau

does the Board of Trustees do?” The Board of Trustees is

Long Architecture, a nationally recognized award-winning

comprised of twenty two individuals who work directly

firm based in San Francisco, in the design of our school’s

with the Head of School to ensure MP&MS’s sustainability

campus. The design Peter has created for this phase of

and act as stewards of its mission. The Board also defines

the expansion will be as impactful on our campus and

MP&MS’s strategic priorities as we recently outlined in our

our students’ learning experiences as the beautiful new

2015-2020 strategic plan, Living our Mission, Reaching for

playground has been on the school’s exterior space.

the Future. MP&MS’s strategic plan encompasses three key

Please look out for information in the coming months

priorities that will guide the work of the administration,

which will provide further detail on this phase of our

faculty, and board over the next five years. These priorities

growth and how you can contribute to this wonderful

include:

project.

• Enhancing our academic program with advanced curriculum, technology, and an expanded middle school to prepare our students for high school and beyond.

• Continuing to transform our campus to support our evolving program with inspiring, flexible, and innovative learning facilities.

I look forward to seeing you at school!

Warmly,

parents association update

The first half of the school year seems to have flown by! Perhaps that’s because the MP&MS community has been so busy with the many events hosted by the Parents Association. The year started off with a bang at the Welcome Picnic where students and their families were treated to a picnic lunch, games, music, and arts and crafts. Next up was the Harvest Festival where students made baked goods and craft projects using the bounty of the garden. Both young and old enjoyed eating treats, listening to the band, and taking a chance at the pie walk.

At the Halloween Parade, fun was had by all from the smallest preschooler to the tallest eighth grader. Speaking of fun for all ages… the return of the Sock Hop was highly anticipated and did not disappoint. Fiftiesinspired decorations turned the MPR into a dance hall where guests enjoyed music, dancing, dinner, and root beer floats. At this year’s Book Fair, the library was transformed into a swamp where everyone wanted to read, read, read! None of these events could have happened without the dedicated parents who donate their time and energy to make these events so successful.

The fun continues at the MP&MS 40th Birthday Bash, our annual auction gala, on Saturday, March 5, 2016! Tickets are on sale now (www.mpms.org/auction) for this fabulous night of fine food, dancing, and fun!

Remembering Betsy Richardson Long-time MP&MS teacher Betsy Richardson passed away on January 15 following a sudden and short illness. Many knew Betsy as a beloved second grade teacher during her eighteen years at MP&MS. She was involved in many initiatives at the school, including co-founding the Canal Alliance Community Service Program. After retiring from MP&MS in 2008, Betsy continued to inspire young writers on campus through her leadership of the After School writing club. She was also a co-leader of the biennial trips to Ecuador involving many MP&MS families.

A L U M NI F O C U S O N G R A NT S H A P IR O , ‘ 1 3 MP&MS graduate and Branson junior Grant Shapiro, 16, has been president of Saving Sight and Sound since

an orphanage. It was really eye-opening. That’s what made me want to start this.

he launched the non-profit with his brother Spencer in 2011. As president and assistant medical technician, Grant

Q: What do you do as an assistant technician?

has been able to help nearly 100 uninsured Marin County

A: I ask patients questions about their medical history: Do

residents receive free eye exams, glasses, medications for

they smoke or not, what medications they use. I determine

eye diseases, and for some, corrective surgery.

what type of eye issue they have, how close it is to the

Grant has expanded the foundation to a community

pupil, I look to see if it’s progressed toward the pupil or has

engagement club at Branson, which now has 26 members

covered it. I take their vision with an eye chart and then

and raises money through bake sales and other efforts.

we use a lamp to do a screening to check for glaucoma,

The non-profit offers monthly clinics at 2020 Ophthalmic

cataracts, and pterygiums, a growth that can grow over

Consultants in Greenbrae.

your pupil and make you blind.

Recently, he sat down with the Marin Independent Journal and answered the following questions about

Q: Why is this important to you?

his non-profit, his inspiration, and why he likes to work

A: Vision is one of the most important senses. A lot of

with patients:

these are important to catch early because left untreated could lead to blindness.

Q: What inspired you to start Saving Sight and Sound?

A: Both my parents are doctors. They took me and my

Q: What is your favorite part of working with patients?

brothers to a lot of third-world countries where we were

A: Just seeing how this changes people’s lives — the

exposed to a lot of places where people don’t have access

immense impact it has. To see them so genuine, so grateful

to medical care. We went to Leon, Mexico, where there was

— that’s why it’s worth doing.

Many thanks to Marin Independent Journal

Our graduates’ college choices reflect the strength of their academic preparation. MP&MS students apply to and are accepted by leading institutions around the country and abroad. MP&MS graduates from the last four years are attending a variety of institutions, including: American University

Santa Clara University

Babson College

Santa Monica College

Boston College

Scripps College

Brown University

Seattle University

California College of the Arts

Skidmore College

Cal Poly, Pomona

Smith College

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Southern Methodist University

California State University, Chico

Southern Oregon University

Central St. Martin’s College

Stanford University

Chapman University

Syracuse University

Claremont McKenna College

Tufts University

Clemson University

Tulane University

Colby College

University of Arizona

Colorado College

University of British Columbia

Columbia College, Chicago

University of California, Berkeley

Cornish College of the Arts

University of California, Davis

Dartmouth College

University of California, Irvine

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

University of California, Los Angeles

Emily Carr University of Art & Design

University of California, San Diego

Emory University

University of California, Santa Cruz

Exeter University, England

University of Colorado, Boulder

George Washington University

University of Miami

Harvard University

University of Michigan

Humboldt State University

University of New Hampshire

Lewis and Clark College

University of Oregon

Middlebury College

University of Puget Sound

Northeastern University

University of San Diego

Oberlin College Conservatory

University of San Francisco

Occidental College

University of Southern California

Oregon State University

University of Victoria, Canada

Otis College of Art and Design

Washington and Lee University

Pitzer College

Washington University

Pomona College

Wellesley College

Queens University, Canada

Wesleyan University

Reed College

Whittier College

Regis University

Willamette University

San Diego State University

Stay in touch! Please send us your news for upcoming issues of Footsteps.

Marin Primary & Middle School 20 Magnolia Avenue Larkspur, CA 94939

the mp&ms parents association presents

40

TH

BIRTHDAY BASH

put on your dancing shoes and join us in celebrating 40 years of marin primary & middle school dinner & auct i o n saturday, march 5, 2016 • california academy of sciences rsvp by february 22, 2016 www.mpms.org/auction

tickets on sale now!