BROOKS
Students delight in the Lunar New Year Lion Dance
FROM THE ADVANCEMENT TEAM
Thanks to the generosity of our community, we exceeded our Annual Fund goal! Your support has deepened our impact, allowing us to continue enriching the PBS experience in meaningful ways beyond the PBS campus. Since we last caught up, our students have ventured to places such as Muir Woods, CuriOdyssey, and Hidden Villa, bringing their learning to life and making lasting memories. We know all our fellow PBS students remember their favorite field trip!
We were honored to welcome Dr. Denise Pope, Stanford lecturer, author, and co-founder of Challenge Success, back to PBS for another insightful workshop on student well-being and academic balance, as part of our Educating the Whole Family speaker series, made possible by the Annual Fund Dr Pope shared valuable strategies for supporting students in a highpressure world while fostering engagement and joy in learning.
As we move into spring, excitement is building for beloved PBS traditions and new experiences. Students are eagerly anticipating the PBSA Ice Skating Social, Literacypalooza with author Mac Barnett, and the always legendary Stan Drake Invitational, where 5th-graders will take on our faculty and staff in an epic kickball game, with PBS legend Stan Drake himself pitching
For our younger alums, we can’t wait to see you at the Young Alum Homecoming on Friday, April 4 a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate together Read on to RSVP!
We are continually grateful for your support and alum spirit We hope to see you soon!
With gratitude,
Amanda Tachis ‘03 Assistant Director of Advancement and Community
make memories on
It’s never too late to contribute to the Annual Fund. Give Now at www.phillipsbrooks.org/support-pbs
Amanda Tachis with the Advancement Team (and some happy kiddos!)
Students
a field trip to Hidden Villa
GREETINGS FROM BROOKS
Wow what a season it’s been! Fall and winter have been roaring with excitement In December, we welcomed our Incoming Head of School, Jennifer Bohnen, to a campus visit for her first joyful meetings with parents, guardians, faculty, and staff! On a more solemn note of living our core values, our students came together as “Families” to create colorful, handmade bookmarks to accompany a thoughtfully curated collection of books sent to children who lost books and belongings in the L A wildfires (I tried to make one too, but let’s just say … um ... mine didn’t quite match the artistry of our PBS students. My fine motor skills are still developing!). And then just when I thought I was the only big, golden, majestic creature around the Lunar New Year Lion Dance happened! Those fancy yellow lions gave me a run for my money, but let’s be honest I know I’m still your favorite creature on campus. There's so much more to tell, and this issue is packed with happenings!
If you have an idea, please submit it to alum@phillipsbrooks.org
Brooks the Lion, PBS Mascot
Handmade bookmarks created for children in Los Angeles
Lunar New Year Lion Dance
FROM THE INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL
I hope this 5th edition of “Brooks” finds you well The year is flying by, and I’ve so enjoyed getting to know many of you alums as well as our wonderful parents, guardians, faculty, and staff. One of the greatest joys of this role has been seeing the impact of the Annual Fund in action. With the addition of so many new field trips and excursions, I find myself regularly waving goodbye to happy busloads of students and welcoming them back at day’s end, full of stories and discoveries.
Looking ahead, we are busily preparing for the Annual Spring Benefit for Financial Aid on Saturday, April 26 this year ’ s theme, Level Up, promises a fun, video game–inspired evening in support of our Financial Aid program. Please pay special attention to the invitation to purchase tickets later in this edition I hope you’ll join us to make a meaningful impact!
At the same time, we ’ re eagerly preparing for Incoming Head of School Jennifer Bohnen, who will officially join PBS this summer Exciting times are ahead, and I look forward to sharing them with you
With gratitude and warm regards,
Diane Rosenberg, Interim Head of School
Diane Rosenberg, Interim Head of School
Dr. Denise Pope joined us for a workshop on student well-being.
Tickets are on sale now for Level Up, this year ’ s Spring Benefit on Saturday, April 26. We invite all alums (21+) and alum families to power up for an unforgettable evening! This year, we ’ re turning up the fun with retro arcade vibes, nostalgia, and a celebration of community spirit all while making a meaningful impact.
100% of the proceeds from this event directly support our Financial Aid program.
Each year, the auction is one of the most anticipated parts of the Spring Benefit, and we need your help to make it truly special! We invite every member of the PBS community to participate by donating unique items or experiences. To donate an item or experience to the auction, simply use the donation form.
You can learn all about the Spring Benefit by reading our FAQs. We hope to see you there!
HAPPENINGS ON CAMPUS
Our faculty and staff enjoyed filling up boxes with the sweet treats at the Baked Goods Bazaar, made possible by our wonderful PBSA volunteers. Their generosity added an extra touch of kindness to our community, making the season even more festive
The PBS core values of kindness and community were at the heart of our 3rdgraders' Supplies4Farmworkers drive with DREAMers Road Map! They collected dried foods, new clothes, toiletries, and blankets to support local farmers in need, and surpassed their goal of 1,000 items!
Our community experienced an unforgettable performance by the Kuumba African Drum Group at GATHER, showcasing the vibrant dance and rhythms of West Africa. Kuumba means "creativity" in Swahili, and the creativity of movement and music was certainly alive!
Our 5th-graders had a powerful learning experience with the Mobile Museum of Tolerance. This interactive museum, traveling across California, brings important lessons on powerful subjects such as civil rights and combating hate. We’re grateful for the opportunity to engage in these impactful workshops and reflect on the importance of empathy and respect.
Blue skies and big smiles came out at the Winter Playground Social! After a few false starts and reschedules due to rainy weather, we finally got the perfect day to enjoy snacks, laughter, and time together on the playground plus a special visit from Brooks!
Our Spirit Store Co-chairs sporting the latest PBS swag
This edition’s Faculty Spotlight highlights PBS Librarian Maeve Knoth, who had the honor of serving as Chair of the Newbery Selection Committee. Recently, the committee selected The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly as the winner. We spoke with Maeve about the fascinating process behind selecting this prestigious award—committee members are tasked with reading hundreds of contenders’ books over the course of the previous year!
Maeve, how did the committee go about collaboratively selecting the winner?
There is a formal process, developed over 100 years by the Association of Library Services to Children, on the collaborative selection of the winning book. We suggest, nominate, discuss, and vote on books all year. I worked hard to build a strong community so that when we had to really hear each other's concerns about books we love, we were able to change our minds. It is not easy to have someone show you weaknesses in a book you love! It is also important to clearly explain strengths in a book and give supporting evidence. Remaining partners in this important work was key!
Maeve Knoth in her element, capturing students’ attention through reading aloud
The winning Newbery Award book
What stood out most to you about the winning book and author, The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly? And who should make sure to read it?
Erin Entrada Kelly juggled so many things and did them all beautifully. This is science fiction, adventure, kid-taking-his-mom's-car-without-permission, and even historical fiction if you are too young to have lived through Y2K! There are three important central characters who are distinct and well-drawn. The setting is so vivid both time periods and place and Kelly's themes about each of us being a part of making history and awareness of every moment as we live it are important and timely. I appreciate a science fiction novel that has a positive view of the future. Most of our 4th- and 5th-graders will enjoy and appreciate the novel and I hope our middle school alums will take a chance on it too.
From this experience, what will you take back into your role as Librarian at PBS?
One of the most important aspects of my job is teaching children that their opinions and thoughts should be backed up by evidence. Do you think that the hero of the story was scared? Show me where the author gave you that idea You think that Communism started in China? Where are you getting your information? Good book evaluation uses those same skills so my own teaching and practice overlap well. Of course meeting authors and sharing those stories with students helps them see that authors are, like them, people who work on their own writing, ask for help, and have ideas to share with the world.
The Story of Laine’s Garden
Laine’s Garden warmly welcomes students, faculty and visitors at the entrance of Phillips Brooks School. It is a playful oasis dedicated to the life of Madelaine Mammen, an old soul remembered for her delightful spirit, spunky nature, boundless empathy, and deep love for nature The garden offers a space where students and community members can connect with nature, whether through quiet reflection or hands-on learning.
Faculty and Staff nurture Laine’s Garden during a Faculty In-service Day
Sitting on the bench in Laine’s Garden, you’ll find this heartfelt tribute
Students enjoy time together in Laine’s Garden
The Story of Laine’s Garden
As soon as Laine could sit up in a car seat, she was a part of the PBS community, and wellknown for shouting “Mathew Mammen, 3rd grade” when picking up her older brother from the carpool line. She officially joined as a member of the ELC, where her favorite activity was art and playing “family” with her best friends. She was especially thrilled to enter Kindergarten, and happily modeled her uniform jumper months before starting school. She was small in stature but large in personality and could always seem to charm fellow students and faculty to “do things her way. ” She was proud to say that she was “small but mighty.”
Her absence left a deep impact on the school and community at-large. The garden reflects that love. All grades and faculty came together to add elements to the garden, designing mosaics, choosing plants, and making art The centerpiece of the garden is the bench It was designed by her Kindergarten classmates, recognizing her favorites (the color purple and My Little Pony) and incorporating their artwork The creation of the garden gave the community a way to grieve and heal. Its continued existence serves as a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and cherish life’s simple, beautiful moments. Just as Laine’s spirit touched so many, her garden continues to touch each visitor, radiating a sense of peace, joy, and lasting remembrance.
Story contributed by Anna and Mathai, Parents of Laine Mammen
Laine in Kindergarten
In Loving Memory of Laine Mammen
ALUM SPOTLIGHT: TAYLOR FRANCIS, ‘03
Let’s take a look at what your classmates have been up to in recent years!
Taylor Francis ‘03 began down the climate path after seeing Al Gore’s The Inconvenient Truth during his time at PBS. The film lit a passion for climate justice that encouraged Francis to join in giving the “Climate for California Kids” presentation at various schools from 2006 to 2010. After college, while working at a fin-tech company, he found he was missing the climate mission he supported through middle and high school. Alongside two co-workers, Francis jumped back into action.
In 2019 they co-founded Watershed with the goal of helping companies to measure, reduce, and report their carbon emissions. As Watershed has grown, they have worked with well-known companies like Sweetgreen, Airbnb, Walmart, Blackrock, and FedEx. Today, Watershed has offices in San Francisco, New York, and London. As they continue to expand, their overall goal is to remove or reduce 500 million tons of CO₂ emissions from the atmosphere every year.
What lesson or value from your time at PBS do you feel influenced you the most?
“Kindness. Kind Kid’” was a core value of PBS during my time on campus One of our core values at Watershed is intensity and care. We want people to have the intensity in our mission, but to still be caring and proactively care. That kindness is something I remember from my time at PBS ”
Taylor Francis in 5th Grade
Taylor Francis today!
ALUM SPOTLIGHT: DAVID HARRIS ‘03
David Harris ‘03 was surrounded by the energy of Silicon Valley from a young age, sparking his early fascination with technology and innovation. His path to the tech world began at PBS and continued at Menlo School before college At Northwestern, Harris was actively involved in student government and the university’s Annual Dance Marathon, a notable event dedicated to supporting charitable causes
Eager to gain firsthand tech experience, he secured competitive internships at Apple and Google, refining his skills and deepening his industry knowledge After graduating from Northwestern University with a degree in economics, Harris joined Meta, where he now works in product management a role he loves for its ability to bring ideas to life. Outside of work, Harris enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, is an avid long-distance runner, and enjoys cooking for his family
What lesson or value from your time at PBS do you feel influenced you the most?
“Philosophically, the emphasis on kindness comes to mind. Our team at Meta was working on guides on how to best collaborate with one another, and I thought about the importance of kindness because of my time at PBS. I believe it laid the foundation for me, and for all of us, to build meaningful, positive relationships with one another ”
If YOU would like to be the focus of a Spotlight for the next edition, we’d LOVE to hear from you! Please contact: alum@phillipsbrooks.org
David Harris in 5th Grade
David Harris today!
g Alums and 018-2024 to g on Friday, g back the ver, with an or local food , and some alendars and e the Date
We are excited to invite back our young alums and their families from the Classes of 2017–2024 to the PBS Young Alum Homecoming on Friday, April 4! This year, we ’ re bringing back the tradition bigger and better than ever, with an evening full of PBS spirit. Join us for local food trucks, beverages, and some awesome PBS swag!
Make new friends, but keep the old - one is silver and the other’s gold!
Didn’t RSVP yet? Great news—we’ve extended the RSVP deadline! RSVP by March 21
Young alums reunite at last year ’ s event
