The View, Fall 2018

View THE

NEWSLETTER FOR PARENTS, STUDENTS, ALUMNI FAMILIES, GRANDPARENTS AND FRIENDS

Fall View and Annual Report 2017-2018

Many Hands

Dear Friends OF Open Window School, Back when we developed our last strategic plan in 2013, one of the most important goals was to “advance and broaden the K-8 school program.� In the ensuing years this goal has come to fruition in many ways. It can be seen in how our talented faculty have extended gifted education far beyond a simple acceleration model.

At every grade level, we have added authenticity, narrowing the divide between what children do in school and what adult professionals do in the workplace. We challenge, support, and trust students to do real work that matters and has an impact beyond the classroom. Similarly, our arts and extracurricular programs have flourished, fostering confidence, personal expression, and love of learning through visual arts, drama, and music classes, and programs such as chess, debate, martial arts, and cross-country.

1 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

“While our students build strong academic skills as well as a deep understanding of the world, the greatest gift we provide them may be the ‘softer skills’ embodied in the five SEL competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

It is these skills that are crucial to opening future educational and professional opportunities as well as equipping our students to lead happy, healthy, and meaningful lives.”

Perhaps most significantly, we have come to better understand the vital importance of social and emotional learning (SEL) and integrated it into everything we do.

While our students build strong academic skills as well as a deep understanding of the world, the greatest gift we provide them may be the “softer skills” embodied in the five SEL competencies of self-awareness, selfmanagement, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. It is these skills that are crucial to opening future educational and professional opportunities as well as equipping our students to lead happy, healthy, and meaningful lives. Our commitment to SEL is symbolized in this year’s campus banners which feature the guiding themes of social and emotional learning as well as original student artwork.

The nine-year journey Open Window School students experience represents an incredible and steady process of maturation. In this issue you will read the thoughts of kindergartners as they prepare to move up to first grade and eighth graders as they reflect on their homestay experiences in Costa Rica. How does a child progress from the tentative days of kindergarten to staying in a stranger’s home in a foreign country where all conversation is in a different language? This is the culmination of an intentional process, whereby students learn self-confidence, appreciation of diversity, problemsolving skills, and ethical responsibility. Like any good

educational idea, social and emotional learning has become a cliché—every school claims to do it, but nobody does it like Open Window, and the results are spectacular.

The lessons that our students acquire in their formative years here set them up for a future of success; however, each one of them eventually defines what success means in their lives. We are thrilled to give you an update on some of our first eighth grade graduates who just completed their undergraduate studies last year. The range of their interests represents our finest hopes for our students, and we are excited to follow them as they embark upon their adult lives.

It’s been said that it takes many hands to make a lasting difference. We are so fortunate to have amazing, dedicated educators and the resources to inspire and nurture our students. None of this is possible without the generosity of our entire community. On behalf of 340 bright, eager to learn children, I thank all of you for your support.

Go Bobcats!

Jeff Stroebel Head of School

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 2

Social AND Emotional Learning AT Open Window

By Counseling Team: Lauren Hutchinson, Connie Thorson, and Sara Nied and Middle School Deans: Amanda Wisniewski and Erin Wallace

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at Open Window is intentional and integrated throughout a student’s day and in each classroom. Our leadership team, counselors, and advisors collaborate to develop curriculum that addresses current student needs. It is based on evidencebased CASEL core competencies: 3 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

SELF-AWARENESS

The ability to recognize emotions, thoughts, and values and understand how they influence behavior.

SELF-MANAGEMENT

The ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations.

SOCIAL AWARENESS

The ability to take perspective of and empathize with others.

RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships.

RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING

The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVISORIES AND SEL The Advisory Program at Open Window School provides a twicedaily meeting space for students to meet in small groups and oneon-one with their adult advocate in the middle school. Students check in each morning with their advisor to get a head start on their day and meet for a longer period in the afternoon to connect as a community, build positive psychological and academic habits, and develop a greater sense of self and the world around them.

GOALS OF ADVISORY:

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING ABOUT DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

• Ensure the well-being of all students at Open Window School and teach best practices in self-care and advocacy.

•D evelop a healthy student self-concept and ability to independently self-manage skills, interests, and responsibilities.

•C ultivate a positive Open Window community, practice pro-social skills such as empathy and problem-solving with peers, and enjoy a sense of belonging and celebration of the middle school experience.

•B uild academic and emotional skills that allow students to act as they would most wish and make the most of their talents, abilities, and interests.

•T o establish a positive 1:1 relationship with an adult who will act as advisor, champion, and coach.

Fifth grade students participated in a digital citizenship activity called “Trillion Dollar Footprint” by Common Sense Media. This activity put students in the decision-making role of hiring a teen host for a TV show. They researched the online history of two potential candidates and learned: •P eople’s online information can be harmful or helpful to their reputation and image.

•E veryone has a digital footprint with information that can be searched, copied, and passed on; it can be seen by a large and invisible audience, and is impossible to take back once it’s out there.

•Y ou are in control of your digital footprint! What image do you want to show now and in the future?

Icon image credit: https://www.commonsense.org/education/scope-and-sequence

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 4

Social AND Emotional Learning AT Open Window KINDERGARTEN Napping?

No, learning how to belly breathe

FIRST GRADE One definition of friendship: taking turns and sharing the love of reading together THIRD GRADE Sharpening communication skills through interviewing and careful listening

FOURTH GRADE Fourth graders take over eighth grade flag-raising responsibilities to build leadership

5 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

SECOND GRADE Working as a team with an active physical challenge

SEE SEL IN ACTION FIFTH GRADE Building a better advisory community through norm setting and making agreements

SEVENTH GRADE Polishing the skills of expressing gratitude and appreciation

SIXTH GRADE Using team ingenuity and creativity to solve an engineering challenge

EIGHTH GRADE Practicing empathy and relationship skills with their kindergarten buddies

TEACHERS (Yes, even teachers do SEL!) Noticing how effective communication and teamwork impact positive outcomes

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 6

The Importance OF Social AND Emotional Learning IN

Kindergarten

by Esther Magnotti, Kindergarten Teacher

Kindergartners experience many wonderful social and emotional learning lessons throughout the year. One example is an SEL lesson called “Bugs and Wishes,” which shows students how to communicate feelings while also communicating a desire for change.

Students create a bug wand and a wish wand with the words, “It bugs me when and I wish . They practice by role playing different scenarios of things that often bug them and use their wands to help remember what to say. Cutting in line, interrupting, pushing, being too silly, and telling secrets were some of the examples that students often report as situations that “bug” them. Kindergartners go over respectful responses that they could use if someone comes to them with a “Bug and a Wish” statement. The core competencies touched on in this lesson are: Self-Awareness, Relationship Skills, Self-Management, and Responsible Decision Making.

7 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

A very important part of being a kindergartner is learning about who they are and how to connect with those around them. Each day, a variety of social and emotional learning lessons are weaved in to allow students to mindfully think about choices and actions and the impact of those choices.

Morning Meetings include a greeting where students practice making eye contact, using a loud clear voice, and appropriate handshaking. This process sets a tone and expectation for inclusion in our classroom community. Asking important questions such as, “What are feelings? Why is it important to know and share how you are feeling with those around you? How can you solve a problem with your classmates? What are some strategies you can use to calm down? How big is a problem and what should be the appropriate level of reaction? What do the words community, cooperation, gratitude, empathy, and courage mean?” is at the heart of kindergarten conversations that help to build the foundation of lifelong social and emotional skills.

Me: Was it helpful for you? Did it make you feel better knowing some answers to your questions?

Mirabel: Yeah. That gave us a chance to look around and know. For example, do we have to earn the ball chairs? I thought you had to earn them before.

Warren: I think you get to sit on whatever you choose.

Me: What kind of seating choices will you have?

Warren: There are these high chairs as high as I am, up to my waist, cushions that are rubber on the floor, or if you weren’t good in kindergarten you would have to stand.

Mirabel: But you get to choose where you sit.

Me: I think you get to make a choice to stand or sit.

FROM THE KINDERGARTNER PERSPECTIVE

Warren: That’s right!

THE BUDDY BENCH

By Carolyn Lucas

Last June, at the end of a school-year that seemed like a near lifetime to a kindergartner, I had the privilege to sit down with two kinder friends Mirabel and Warren to talk about Social and Emotional Learning. I was curious about the impact from a kindergartner’s perspective.

After brief introductions, I asked the kinder reporters to fill me in on some phrases I had heard around kinder-town. Without asking directly about their SEL experience during the year, I mentioned some things I would love to know more about: worries and wishes, the buddy bench, and self-talk. Here is what they told me.

WORRIES AND WISHES

Both: We recently had a meeting with the first graders. We wrote them a letter and they answered our questions face to face. The letters could include three worries and wishes. If someone did not have worries or wishes, they could ask a what.

Warren: I wanted to know if we get to go down to the playground ALL the time. We found out we only get to go down at the middle recess, unless it’s a special occasion.

Me: What is the Buddy Bench? I’ve seen them around in the play areas.

Mirabel: If no one is including you, then you sit on the buddy bench. If you see someone on the buddy bench, you go over to them and say, “Would you like to play in my game?” If they say, “No thank you,” then you can say, “OK, you can play in my game later if you want.”

SELF-TALK

Mirabel: I had to do self-talk once.

So, self-talk is about when you’re on a diving board and you’re like, “I’m so scared! I chose the high dive and now I can’t go back. I need to jump into the pool. This is scary, but I can do this.”

So, you say to yourself, “You can do this! I’m going to jump into the pool!

Hey dad, get a picture!”

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 8

EIGH T H G R A D E C O S TA R I C A H A L L M A R K T R I P:

SEL Skills Required

“I am very thankful… I had the time of my life that I will never forget.”

9 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

When evaluating the skills gathered over years of an intentional program of social and emotional learning at Open Window School, how do you measure growth? There are no final exams or grading tools, only moments where you see the results of learning unfold in real-life situations. One amazing example of this is the eighthgrade hallmark trip to Costa Rica, where students are invited into the homes of families in the town of Tres Equis. While immersing themselves in a new geography and culture, trying new cuisine, and learning to apply bug repellent as part of a regular morning routine, students are also displaying the immeasurable skills collected through their years of SEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.

Here is what this looks like in the words of eighth grade students:

How were you able to establish relationships in Tres Equis?

“Through soccer, I made relationships with people. I was friendly and talked about our common interest of soccer.” —Andrew “I established relationships…by trying to talk about similar interests with other kids there and tried to speak as much as possible in Spanish.” —Chelsea “I was able to fit in with the community by trying to make connections with the local kids through soccer or taking walks and attempting conversation.

Our host mom’s grandchild made fast friends with Anika, and she showed us around town. We chatted with her, and getting to know the place we were staying made us more comfortable in our surrounding.” —Elsa At any point did you consider the point of view of your host family who were hosting strangers in their house?

“Yes, I did, very frequently because of how I considered doing the same with people from other countries… It is extremely nice and caring for them to do this, and I am very thankful…I had the time of my life that I will never forget.”

—Andrew What were the social norms of your host family and how were they similar or different than what you’re used to? How did you adapt?

“Some social norms were to always have music on, as a form of entertainment and a way to connect with others.” —Chelsea “Some social norms that were very different in Costa Rica… our (host) family had a lot of other people over a lot of the time, which doesn’t happen in our family. We might have a family over for dinner one night, but it is very unusual to have another over the next day. It was really nice to see how close the community was with one another.” —Elsa

“I established relationships… by trying to talk about similar interests with other kids there and tried to speak as much as possible in Spanish.”

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 10

Bobcat Days Each year in spring we have many opportunities to welcome our greater community to campus to experience a bit of what it means to be a Bobcat.

These events have included, Lower School Grandparent and Special Friend Day, STEM Day, Middle School Grandparent and Special Friend Day, the Lower School Celebration, a Spring Arts Experience with visual arts displayed throughout campus, a variety of movement and music performances, and a play by the seventh and eighth graders. In 2018, to make these events more accessible for visitors and special friends both near and far, we condensed all the events into a two-day extravaganza and called it Bobcat Days. With shuttle busses and food trucks, the event offered a first-hand glimpse into our school.

11 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR SPRING 2019 BOBCAT DAYS, MAY 29-30

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 12

Alumni Reunion

by Angie Hurlock

13 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

It was a day of memories. Graduates of Open Window School met on a steamy June 19 afternoon to share ice cream, stories, and laughter on the Open Window School campus.

Former students came from far and wide to touch base with old friends and favorite teachers. Visitors included alumni just graduated from Open Window a few days earlier, to those fresh from graduating from high school — and beyond.

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

For the Open Window School class of 2014, graduates now look to college. Many shared their plans, which include: Vanderbilt University, Yale University, Stanford University, Art Institute of Chicago, Brown, Columbia, University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and many more. To see an extensive list, see the sidebar.

For the class of 2018, graduates head to Bellevue High School, Brentwood College School, The Downtown School, Eastlake High School, Eastside Preparatory School, Inglemoor High School, Interlake High School, ‘Iolani School, Issaquah High School, The Lakeside School, Liberty High School, The Overlake School, and Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Mark your calendar now for next year’s alumni event, set for 2:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2019. All alumni are invited for this fun afternoon to share friendship and memories.

INTRODUCING THE NEWEST GROUP OF ALUMNI: OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL’S CLASS OF 2018 “I love how I was taught to embrace challenges, to enjoy struggles, and overcome hardships. Over the past years, I have learned not to see these as obstacles but as opportunities for growth.”

— SAMANTHA, CLASS OF 2018

Below, you’ll find the colleges and universities that Open Window School alumni tell us they’re going to this fall.

Please let us know where your Open Window alum is going — to school, grad school, or new role — by emailing us at alumni@ows.org or share on the Facebook: Open Window School Alumni Group.

(Please note: Bolded schools are those our 2014 graduates are attending.)

Amherst Art Institute of Chicago Ballet West Academy Bellevue College Brown Bryn Mawr Cal Poly - San Louis Obispo Carnegie Mellon Claremont McKenna College of the Atlantic Columbia Howard James Madison Marquette Macalester Middlebury Northeastern Occidental Pomona Purdue Smith Stanford Texas Tufts University of Pennsylvania University of San Diego University of St. Andrews USC University of Washington Vanderbilt Washington University in St. Louis Whitworth Williams Yale

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 14

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL EIGHTH GRADE CLASS OF 2010

Where

ARE THEY

Now?

TATE CRENSHAW High school: Mercer Island High School.

University: USC Marshall School of Business. (Received many honors including; Honor Society, a Comparative History Award, a soccer award, and he was on the Dean’s list.)

Tate’s plans for next year involve moving to New York City to work in Management Consulting for Capgemini. | Something Tate learned at Open Window that has stuck with him as an adult is to stay curious. | His favorite Open Window memories were the field trips: Camp Colman, recording stories at the studio at Jack Straw Productions.

15 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

The Class of 2010 Open Window graduates have a special place in the history of the school. These were the first group to graduate as eighth graders from the expanded middle school program, once known as Vista.

Current students may not even be aware of this legacy, though they have already established a shiny gold patina on the bronze bobcat’s nose affixed to the plaque in Robinson Hall honoring this Class of 2010. Eight years ago, these alumni graduated, went on to high school, traveled near and far for university and college experiences, and now are heading into their adult lives. William Kennedy, Board of Trustees member and parent of two alum, Matthew Kennedy (Class of 2010) and Weston Kennedy (Class of 2014), reached out to the families of the Class of 2010 to find out where they are now and to learn what they remember about their time at Open Window. These are several responses.

KELLEEN CUMMINGS High school: Seattle Academy College: Lewis and Clark College (Graduated cum laude with recognition for serving as chair of the SAAB grants, studied abroad in Ireland, and was a member of the Lavender Graduation.)

Kelleen will be taking a UW accreditation program for editing, working with the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, working at Island Books, and taking care of newly adopted cats, Tojo and Talia. After certification, she hopes to start working for a small press. | Something Kelleen learned at Open Window: “Sometimes, enough is enough. Learning how and what that means is difficult, but the challenges given to me at OWS started my path on understanding self-care. In order to grow to my best self, I had to learn that there is more to me than academics.

I learned amazing academic concepts, but I also learned

life lessons in time management and the importance of cultivating personal, nonacademic interests. My teachers truly pushed me to put my self-value in more than the letter grade.” | A favorite memory was the sunset at Jones Island on the seventh grade sailing trip.

TOM HUTCHINSON High school: Lakeside University: University of Notre Dame (Graduated magna cum laude.)

Tom’s plans for next year are to work towards a UW Master’s in Environmental Engineering, focusing in habitat restoration. “Mr. Montgomery inspired me on this path.” | What stuck with Tom? Mr. Costello taught that organization is the key to success. His favorite Open Window School memory is playing football and soccer on the extremely bumpy grassy knoll. He also remembers when they performed the sixth grade play, written by Mr. Montgomery, where they imagined themselves in 2020. “That’s so close! Weird.”

MATTHEW KENNEDY High school: The Overlake School University: Georgia Tech Matthew recently graduated with honors from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, specializing in Operating Systems & Devices.

He interned at Microsoft for the last two summers and started working fulltime in July 2018, on the Xbox Game Streaming team. While at Georgia Tech, he spent his free time with the Wreck Racing team, which is a student group that builds and races “budget race cars.” He loved it and was elected “Lead Engineer” for the team in his senior year. | Something he learned at Open Window that has stuck with him: How to persuade with supporting evidence. “Convince me.” | His favorite Open Window memory was sailing on the Carlyn Sailboat.

EVAN DE KRUIF High school: Eastside Catholic University: Technical University of Delft After Evan graduated from high school, he moved to Delft, Netherlands where he went straight into an intensive Dutch language program for July and August of 2014 so

he could start university at the Technical University of Delft that September. He studied Computer Science and plans on continuing his studies at TU Delft for a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI). | Along with his studies, he has been working part time for almost 3 years as an IT assistant for the American International School of Rotterdam. He enjoys studying, working, and living in the Netherlands. | Evan continues to have many fond memories of his Open Window years. His favorite teacher of all time is, of course, Mr. Montgomery. The class trip to Costa Rica is one of many fun memories and adventures.

MICHAEL MORIKUBO High school: Lakeside School University: Johns Hopkins University Michael’s plan for next year is to pursue a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

KYRA THRUSH High school: Tahoma High School (Graduated salutatorian, received recognition for achievement on AP exams and world language classes.)

University: University of San Diego (Graduated summa cum laude from the honors program with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and minors in philosophy and math.)

Kyra was an early admit to Phi Beta Kappa and was involved with her Greek sorority Alpha Delta Pi. This next year, she will be continuing her education by beginning a Ph.D. program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at Yale. | The biggest thing Kyra learned at Open Window was that you always have to push your boundaries and tackle what is unfamiliar or uncomfortable. | The memory that stood out to her most was the last day of the sailboat trip in the seventh grade to the Salish sea; her classmates elected her to be their captain for a few hours. It was a brief moment in time when she not only felt overjoyed at their willingness for her to practice leading them, but she gained valuable insight into how much teamwork is required of a half decent leader—it’s not about just telling the team what to do, but listening to what needs to be done.

Join our closed alumni group and let us know where you are now.

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 16

A U C T I O N S P R I N G 2 0 18

Paradise WHERE

BEGINS

17 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

by Angie Hurlock

It was the stuff of dreams — a getaway to an oceanside cabana, the sparkling sea, with steel drum music in the background, and the heady scent of the flower lei. But for the Open Window School community, this dream was reality. It was the “Where Paradise Begins” Auction on March 24, 2018, at the Golf Club at Newcastle.

The journey to paradise was piloted by Tiffany Bernal and Melanie Crowson, who brought together more than 20 parent volunteers to pull off a successful auction filled with flowers, foliage, and fun.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and creative team of volunteers to make our escape to paradise a warm reality,” said Crowson.

At first, the weather didn’t cooperate, with more than two inches of snow falling on the area overnight. Yet the sunny outlook of Crowson and Bernal fired up the volunteers, who decorated the ballroom and tent with huge foliage, balloons and the many items for sale that night. Once the doors opened to the community, the sun was shining and it was time for warm breezes, soft sand, steel drum music, and exotic flavors.

One of the most popular items available were the teacher experiences.

“The experiences were amazing this year, making this auction more successful than ever,” said Molly Rubin, director of development. “The generosity of our faculty and staff, in donating their time for these musthave experiences, has been overwhelming.”

The raffle, which allowed the winner any item in the live auction, was won by the Rouaix family, who selected a week in paradise on Mykonos Island, Greece. Then the paddles started with the live auction, and they went up again and again. Frenzied, fun bidding included: a week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; a sleepover at the Museum of Flight for 25 children; suite tickets to the Seahawks; and many more. Open Window School auction classics, such as Head of School for the Day and Camp Seymour VIP cabin, incited bid pandemonium and many happy smiles.

This year’s Fund-A-Wish focused upon the endowments that invest in the school’s future — financial aid offerings and in professional development for our faculty and staff. Families and friends of the school generously donated more than $180,000, ensuring funding for many future generations of Open Window students and the further investment in our excellent teachers.

Everyone met afterward at the after party, which offered dancing, a photo booth, many tater tots, and much more, as Open Window families celebrated an amazingly successful auction.

Be prepared for more fun in your future. Mark your calendar for this year’s Open Window School Auction Mad Hatter Gala, scheduled for March 23, 2019, at the Golf Club at Newcastle. Tickets go on sale in February 2019.

For more information, contact auction@ows.org.

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 18

WEL C O M E O U R N E W FAC U LT Y A N D S TA F F !

Did you know…?

MAEVE MULVIE

JOYCE MARQUARDT

AMANDA WISNIEWSKI

First Grade Teacher

Middle Spanish Teacher

• I studied abroad in Sydney, Australia

• I went to high school with Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., professionally known as Snoop Dogg.

Middle School 5-6 Dean of Students

•M y hobbies include making furniture and interior design.

•M y choir recorded McDonald’s “The $1,000,000 Menu Song” for the commercial and the floppy record that was handed out during the 1988-89 ad campaign.

TRISTA BAMER

•W e are outdoor enthusiasts, spending weekends rock climbing, hiking, camping, or skiing, depending on the season.

• I study Human Excellence, ask me what this means.

KAYESEE SCHERMERHORN

Fourth Grade Teacher • I am really into organic gardening, and my family eats mainly from our large garden throughout the summer and fall.

• I rode my bicycle from Seattle to Portland, 205 miles in a day.

IRÁN MEDEROS Middle Spanish Teacher •W e got our chihuahua Juanito because our daughter loved the dog Alonzo Federico de Tito from the movie Oliver & Company.

• I taught high school math for 14 years.

19 | OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018

Middle School Special Programs Coordinator •M y favorite book is Just Mercy

by Bryan Stevenson.

• I am a HUGE Seattle Sounders fan, despite being born in Portland, Oregon.

KIM WORKMAN

JEY WOOLF

ROBIN SMITH

Kindergarten Associate Teacher

Lower School Floating Instructional Assistant

Middle School Associate Teacher, Sixth Grade Humanities

• I was cast as Snow White at Tokyo Disneyland • I have been transformed from a beach/water “flat-lander” to a hiker and snowshoer.

• I have 5 kids and 1 grandchild.

• I have moved as many times as I am old!

• I ’m in the book Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts by Susan Cain under a pseudonym! See if you can figure out who I am.

• I love traveling on trains!

I once took the train from Columbus, Ohio to Seattle, Washington — it took 54 hours.

JENNA TOLLEFSON Second Grade Associate Teacher • I teach dance and coding classes.

• I love baking, especially cakes and cookies.

RICHI THOMAS Middle School Associate Teacher, Fifth Grade Humanities • I moved to Seattle in August this year.

• I love roller coasters.

ROBERT HEALD Middle School Associate Teacher, Seventh Grade Humanities • I ’ve traveled to nine different countries in the past calendar year.

welcome HANNAH BLACKSIN

Fourth Grade Associate Teacher

• I ’m an avid skier.

• I love to travel and have visited, worked, and/or lived in 30 different countries.

• I play the ukulele.

OPEN WINDOW SCHOOL | THE VIEW | FALL 2018 | 20

Non-profit Org US Postage PAID Seattle, WA Permit No. 315

6128 – 168th Place SE Bellevue, WA 98006 openwindowschool.org CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

FPO

View THE

FALL 2018

EDITOR

Carolyn Lucas

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS OFFICES

Annual Report CONTRIBUTORS

Jeff Stroebel HEAD OF SCHOOL

Lauren Hutchinson, Connie Thorson, & Sara Nied SCHOOL COUNSELORS

Amanda Wisniewski & Erin Wallace MIDDLE SCHOOL DEANS

Esther Magnotti & Kinder Reporters KINDERGARTEN

Eighth grade contributors COSTA RICA HOMESTAY

Angie Hurlock DIRECTOR OF PARENT RELATIONS & SPECIAL EVENTS

William Kennedy BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER

PHOTO CREDITS

Cover, Andrew Mechling Auction, Ser Chia Vidigami Photo Community DESIGN

Christa Fleming

Follow us on social media:

@OWSBobcat

facebook.com/OpenWindowSchool

@OWSBobcat