A Joyful Noise: A Mustard Seed Newsletter Summer 21

Inside: Goodbye Mr. Postema!

a Joyful Noise!

Summer 2021

We Celebrate You!

Thanks for walking with us in a hard year! You were a huge part of our resilience, creativity, and growth during the pandemic.

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Snapshot of a school year during COVID-19

Welcome, Ms. Tashjian!

What does God look like?

Mustard Seed welcomes a new academic director of grades two through eight.

Celebrating diversity through conversation and action.

Stories of hope from the 2020-2021 school year.

Celebrating success in a hard year

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

- Proverbs 16:9

Let’s start with the obvious: this year hasn’t been anything we expected it to be.

You probably experienced this, too! Nevertheless, the community of Mustard Seed planned and made it the best of possible outcomes. Thank you for walking alongside us this year! Your prayers and financial support made all the difference! The following snapshots are slices of our school life from the past year. Challenges brought creativity; at times, distance learning brought us closer together. The photos and their stories are just a small sample of the good things that happened, the growth that occurred. Together, we celebrate more than just surviving a pandemic year, we celebrate thriving! We couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks!

Sixth grade stands against hate

Sixth grade students led the school in creating a display of prayers and hopes for loving and honoring all people and standing against hate. Students at Mustard Seed School made promises to themselves, beginning with “as a changemaker I will…” and filling in the blank about how they would stand up to and bring change against the hatred that is being shown to Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, LGBTQ+, Latinx, Middle Eastern, and Indigenous communities. The ribbon colors reflect the beautiful array of skin colors in this world.

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Teachers continue UDL professional development

In the fall of 2020, teachers began a yearlong professional development study in Universal Design for Learning with instructors from the CAST Institute. As they continue their education, teachers are already implementing UDL in classrooms as a method to help all students succeed by providing flexiblity and reducing barriers to learning. ULD helps students by providing multiple means of engagemet, representation, and expression.

Preschool learns about artist Faith Ringold

This week children in the preschool Sky Class were introduced to artist Faith Ringgold, and were excited to hear that she is still living…right here in New Jersey! Ringgold’s art spans many mediums including paint, mixed media sculptures, performance art, and children’s stories. Some of her art can even be seen in Subway stations in New York City. The children watched a short video, in which Ms. Ringgold talked about her life growing up in Harlem, her art education, and evolution as an artist.

National Aviary virtual field trip

First grade students participated in a virtual field trip with the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA. They met a bird friend named Austin and observed his feathers, beak, and feet and learned about his habitat and food sources. He had speckled brown feathers for blending in with trees, grasping feet for catching small animals, and a hooked beak for tearing meat. He was a Eurasian Kestrel!

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8th Grade Profiles Visit @mustardseedschoolnj on Instagram and Facebook for more stories.

Niki Lee After nine years at Mustard Seed, Niki Lee will attend the Dominican Academy as a Friedsam Scholar. She is excited to meet new friends, join an assortment of clubs, and thrive in a close-knit community similar to MSS. At the beginning of her time at MSS, Niki was very shy and rarely spoke or raised her hand. Niki has been able to overcome this through the help of three special teachers: Ms. Kuperus, Ms. McCallihan, and Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith, her chorus/music teacher, was especially encouraging when Niki was too shy to sing by herself. Now, Niki is a lot more comfortable in singing and sharing her voice.

Niki wants to help others in the future through gifts that MSS has helped her develop: leadership, compassion, and creativity. She hopes her career choice will allow her to use these traits to make the world a better place.

A ballet dancer since Kindergarten, Niki currently dances with Hariyama Ballet. She has competed twice at the

Youth America Grand Prix, as well as the Jewels festival.

Ballet has taught her how to persevere and to keep going when things feel tough. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family and crocheting cute amigurumi for them.

Because of the wonderful community at Mustard Seed, Niki has really grown as a student and a friend. She will miss all of her teachers and can’t thank them enough for all they’ve taught her and the care that they’ve shown her.

Joshua Lowney Joshua Lowney will attend Saint Peter’s Prep high school in September as an Ignatian Scholar. He is looking forward to making new friends, immersing himself in a diverse community, and having new experiences.

One teacher that made a difference in Josh’s life is Mr. Choi. Josh would like to thank him for introducing him to many interesting ideas in history, science, and math.

Mr. Choi will always be an important figure in Josh’s life.

When he looks back at his time in Mustard Seed, what immediately comes to mind are some of the characteristics and skills Josh has developed: determination, the ability to analyze, and a quick wit. He believes that these will help him succeed in a variety of situations. He has also learned to be independent.

Josh hopes to follow his mother in the world of Wall Street when he is older. He hopes one day that he can be the next Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan.

Josh would like to thank his teachers for their encouragement, feedback, and guidance throughout his time at MSS. He would like to thank all of the people who made a positive impact on him, especially his friends. Josh will miss seeing his teachers and friends. He will miss the unique school celebrations and events. Above all, Josh will miss the kind and supportive environment of Mustard Seed, and all of the people who have helped him grow into the person he is today.

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Goodbye, Mr. Postema!

On June 30, 2021, Tom Postema retired!

Abby Hall Choi succeeded him as the fourth head of school in the school’s 40+ year history.

It’s time to bid farewell and happy retirement to Head of School Tom Postema. For ten years, he’s led Mustard Seed School and been a champion for students and teachers. We celebrate the gift that he has been to the community.

Here’s a quick look at his 38+ year career as an educator and administrator. Mr. Postema’s first teaching job was at Columbia University, where he taught freshman philosophy. He took that philosophical perspective with him as a math teacher at Eastern Christian High School.

He then taught middle school students in a small school in Hoboken…Mustard Seed School…before taking the Mustard Seed model to a school in Alaska.

In 1986, he and Michele, and their three children, Antje, Erica, and Chris, ventured to the Christian Academy in Japan. There Mr. Postema was a math teacher and administrator for 18 years before they moved on to Gyeonggi Suwon International School in Korea for three more years serving in the same capacity.

There was only one school that would draw them back to the United States. According to Mr. Postema: In 1989 when we were considering where our children would go to school when we came back to the US, we knew that Mustard Seed was the only place for them. It was because of the inclusivity of the mission and the recognition that each child is a child of God. This mission and the teachers’ outworking of that mission made our children who they are. My early experiences at the school shaped how I teach and lead.

When the call came for him to serve as head of school in 2011, it was a dream come true. Since then, Mr. Postema has whole-heartedly served the school community, working to ensure that a Mustard Seed education is available to students of all backgrounds. During his tenure, Mr. Postema has raised millions of dollars to benefit students, including $3 million for the Together for Tomorrow campaign. He led the school through a successful accreditation process. Oversaw the completion of one strategic plan and a solid start to another. And successfully guided the school as it remained safely open through the challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Above all, though, he is most proud of the team that he has built, one of incredibly talented teachers and administrators.

Mr. and Ms. Postema moved to Mr. Postema’s hometown of Ann Arbor, MI, in July. They look forward to being closer to their family, including Mr. Postema’s parents, daughter Erica and her husband, Tim, and their children.

To the faculty and staff, he says, “Keep the mission in mind as you teach. Learn from your students and from each other. End each day with a prayer of gratitude for what you have been able to do that day. You are in the presence of brilliance. The students you have will do great things, if fact they already have.”

Although he will miss the school community, Mr. Postema will carry his deep love of Mustard Seed School with him. And he knows that this isn’t a goodbye forever; just a goodbye for now. He believes that the ties are not cut, instead the bands of connection are stretched over the miles and years.

Thank you, Mr. Postema!

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Preschool students create astronomy collaborative art

This beautiful piece of artwork was made by many hands using many materials by the preschool Trees Class. It is the culmination of thinking and creating that began with the study of astronaut Mae Jemison. As the children learned about space, they considered stars and then painted stars to fill the sky, thinking about how far or close they might be. As they imagined themselves as astronauts flying in space, children drew more than one draft, adding details and color. When finished, children chose where they wanted to place themselves in the field of stars!

Thanks, change maker!

You made a difference this year!

Over the last year, you’ve been a steadfast force for good. You’ve helped us live out our mission to remove barriers to education. Thanks to you, we were able to raise almost $800,000 for our students and families! Our community came together for the Merry Match, our first virtual Change Makers Benefit, and more.

Wow!

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Shakeh Tashjian Joins Mustard Seed School as Academic Director of Grades TwoEight Thomas Postema, Former Head of School, Parent ’95, ’98

I’m pleased to announce that Shakeh Tashjian has joined our team as the Academic Director for Grades Two to Eight. On July 1, she replaced Abby Hall Choi who is now Head of School, and Shanna Pargellis, who is taking a sabbatical year. We had many highly qualified candidates for the position. I’m excited about the experience, leadership, and energy that Ms. Tashjian brings to Mustard Seed.

Over the last 25 years, Ms. Tashjian has devoted her career to independent school education. She has served as a Head of School, a Dean, and a High School and Middle School math and science teacher. She has worked at the Solomon Schechter Day School, Hovnanian School, Dwight-Englewood School, and NJ Seeds.

In 2018, she was a Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University Teachers College.

Ms. Tashjian’s goal as a leader is to create a space that is professional, nurturing, learner-centric, diverse, and collaborative. She believes the role of the teacher is to know and inspire their students, serve as a judgementfree mirror to help students learn how to learn, and to

effectively communicate guidance and feedback. Ms. Tashjian believes the difference between a good school and a great school is the supportive relationships within the community. Alongside faculty, staff, students, and parents, she’s ready to work together and strive for even more excellence. She enjoys partnering with parents to propel the success of their students to the next level.

Ms. Tashjian looks forward to collaborating with our team to continue designing education that meets the children’s individual needs. She understands that learning differently is not wrong, having less does not make someone lesser, and worshipping differently is not a sign of weaker faith. She has the conviction and passion to bring that kind of leadership to Mustard Seed.

Ms. Tashjian grew up in Virginia and her church community was an important part of her identity. She lives with her husband, son, and dog, who are the center of her life. In her spare time she can be found enjoying hot yoga, a great book, or nature. The most meaningful word to describe her, she says, is Armenian. “It encompasses my Christianity, compassion, determination, and appreciation for life.”

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What Does God Look like?

Tania Oro-Hahn, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Parent ‘14, ‘17 What does God look like? Does God see color? Does he care about color? What does it mean to be made in the image of God? I had the opportunity to visit the fifth grade and talk about these questions. We looked at two Bible passages. One from the beginning that showed us how God created humanity in his image. And the other from the end of the Bible. It is a picture of heaven, the world made anew by God. And it is full of color, diversity, and praise.

“There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” – Revelation 7:9 Diversity is God’s doing and a reflection of the creator. As people made in the image of God, each of us, everyone, reflect God’s creativity and grace. We are children of God, in every shade.

Diversity, equity and inclusion matter deeply to God and to our school. Here are some ways in which our institution, our leaders, and classrooms are developing spaces for greater learning, reflection, and conversations.

“Are we going to talk about George Floyd?” -sixth grade student.

“We’re going to talk about all the things even if they are hard to talk about.”– Mrs. McCallihan.

We had a wonderful Black History Month Celebration. The focus of our celebration was centered on Black excellence and joy. Students and staff looked and learned from both familiar and unfamiliar Black leaders. The middle school studied the principles of Kwanzaa, and studied Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem, The Hill We Climb.

The Black History Month Celebration was also a bit of an inauguration for our school. Beyond researching people and principles, students and staff engaged in authentic dialogue on issues of race, equity, and inclusion. Some of it was difficult. Conversations on equity are moving beyond our staff meetings and coming into the classrooms as they should. Student conversations centered around bringing greater awareness and equity to our school and community. Black History Month was a fantastic way of inviting students into the conversation that staff have been having on a weekly basis in the Middle School for over a year. Students are not merely reflecting on representation or interpersonal issues of race. They are also asking reflective questions that focus on systemic racism.

In Mr. Licato’s health class students looked at policies that impact healthcare and how privilege impacts rehabilitation. They began asking questions that helped them to see systemic inequalities. Like Mr. Licato, teachers on the fourth floor are making more space for children to read, draw, write, create, and discuss what it means to make our classroom a place of belonging for all of the children.

Time to reflect on our practices as teachers is strengthening our ability to see our blindspots so we can correct, grow, and truly welcome all into our curriculum and our community. We are committed to pursuing the diversity we see in heaven. We long for Mustard Seed School to be a place where every nation, tribe, and people find a place of welcome.

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As part of the ESL program at Asia Cambridge Private School in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, Fifth grade students worked with Kyrgyz students, helping them by speaking to them in English. Kyrgyz students are teaching our students how to say a greeting in Kyrgyz! Due to time differences, they couldn’t meet in realtime - but they met via pre-recorded videos.

Thank you Ms. Litman for this very exciting project!

Gloria Miltner: Honoring 29 years of service

After 29 years of loyal service, Gloria Miltner retired at the end of the 20-21 school year. For three decades, Gloria provided a familiar and welcoming place for students, parents, teachers, and alumni. Some of her happiest moments were when she was able to see alumni come in with their own children ready to start school - including her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren!

Gloria was the heart and soul of the front office: sitting at our front desk, she greeted students, parents, and visitors. She cared for sick children. Provided more administrative support than we can possibly list. And she always had a secret stash of treats that she was willing to share! We are so grateful for her deep commitment to Mustard Seed and its mission.

Gloria plans to spend her retirement watching her great-grandchildren become MSS alumni and hopes to stay in touch with her coworkers and friends. She will always be an important part of the Mustard Seed School community. From all of us at Mustard Seed, thank you for your many years of service and care! Now go get some rest!

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Remembering Lynne Connell Jennifer Gautier, Staff Member

I met Lynne shortly after she moved to the U.S. from New Zealand through a mutual friend. I was immediately struck by her joyful and delightful nature. Lynne loved life. And she loved the Lord. These two constants in her life drove everything she did and blessed numerous people along the way.

Years later, Lynne and I both came to work for Mustard Seed (in the same year!). Lynne Lynne works with a student in the middle school worked as a paraprofessional, providing learning support services. She worked side by side with students, mostly in the middle school. By the time they graduated, these students were like family to her. Lynne knew her students’ likes and dislikes, their fears and dreams. She walked through highs and lows with them. Students knew Lynne as a safe haven, someone who cared, they could be vulnerable with, and trust.

Not surprisingly, staff members felt similarly. Lynne was a person who took the time to listen. And remember.

If you shared an anecdote with Lynne about a favorite food or something you enjoyed, chances are a little package would show up on your desk. She kept a cache of little treats and cards for birthdays and special occasions. She delighted in making others happy. Even the grumpiest delivery person succumbed to Lynne’s charm when met at the top of the stairs with a cheery greeting and a cool cup of water.

Lynne lived her faith and that was obvious to those around her. If you shared a struggle, concern, or prayer request, Lynne would check-in to see how things were going and ask how she could continue to pray. It was not uncommon to get a morning text message of encouragement from Lynne.

I often marveled at her ability to continually reach, touch, and remember so many people--their families, their worries, their joys. Lynne lived her faith: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

We have been honored to teach these wonderful children this year! First grade students hold up signs with their honoring word for the 2020-21 school year. We honor all students for their growth this year.

We are grateful for your support in making this possible!

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Dear Friends, As I look back on this past year, I’m so proud of our community. The 2020-21 school year tested and stretched our resilience and creative problem solving skills. Despite new challenges, we remained committed to a truth we know: how and who you learn with matters.

To keep our students and staff safe, our classes were structured into strict cohorts. Teachers used online and hybrid resources to keep students connected and growing. Alongside many new technologies, hands-on exploration continued to play a large role in all subjects, whether it was the worm study in second and third grade, the catapult design in grades six through eight, or preschoolers tending to their ant farm, we were learning through doing.

I’m inspired by how our staff forged pathways for students to keep learning with and from each other in meaningful ways, even in an isolated year.

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Fourth and fifth grade students developed STEAM partnerships as they researched and presented together digitally.

Eighth graders designed I Love Math Day activities for younger students.

Students in second grade became reading buddies for students in preschool.

Middle school students peer tutored across grade levels..

Sixth, seventh and eighth graders met to connect and share about their reading in weekly advisory meetings.

Kindergarteners visited gardening expert Ms. Pargellis.

If we can do all of this while learning new ways to prioritize care for student health and safety, just imagine what we can do next! We’re thankful for your constant support - we couldn’t do this without you!

What will school look like this fall?

As we look to the start of the 2021-22 year, we are prepared. Over the last year and a half, our staff have become experienced in mitigating risk while adapting curriculum to different scenarios. We will closely follow recommendations from the CDC, local, and state health departments.

As always, our top priority is the health and safety of our students, families, and staff.

On campus learning will be held five days a week.

Classes will continue to function in cohorts.

All school staff and students will continue to wear masks per recent guidance from the American Association of Pediatrics and the CDC. Visitors will continue to be limited in the building.

Abby Hall Choi HEAD OF SCHOOL

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EN! P O SE e!

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Academy of Holy Angels Beacon Christian County Prep High School Dominican Academy (3 Siena Scholars, Friedsam Scholar, Fra. Angelica Scholar) Doane Stuart School High Tech High School Holy Angels (Mother Caroline Scholarship) Hudson Catholic Montclair Kimberly Academy Notre Dame School of Manhattan Paramus Catholic High School Siena High School Saint Peter’s Prep (2 Ignatian Scholars) Weehawken High School

Mustard Seed students accepted into top tier high schools