Spring/Summer 2021 Periscope

Spring / Summer 2021

50 YEARS YOUNG! DECADE SPOTLIGHT: THE 2010s

In This Issue

SPECIAL SECTION:

PAGES 4–11

CENTERFOLD

Curriculum Connections

5O Years Young!

Decade Spotlight: The 201Os

PAGES 12–14

Alumni Corner

PAGE 1

Head’s Column PAGE 2–3

Traditions Old and New

BACK COVER

PS1 Celebrates 50 Years!

Save the Dates

THE PERISCOPE Volume 31, Number 2 Editors: Amanda Perla Alan Ball Designer: Mary Cay Walp PS1 Pluralistic School 1225 Broadway Santa Monica CA 90404 (310) 394-1313 (310) 395-1093 fax To learn more about our school, visit our website www.psone.org

Head's Column

It was in 1978 that Margaret Mead received the Planetary Citizen of the Year Award. It was likely around that time that I became aware of her most famous quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” I have used the quote ever since—in many of my speeches and in many personal interactions with others; it is emblazoned on a bulletin board that all can see whenever they are crossing from one side of the PS1 Pluralistic School campus to the other. Why? Because it is a message that I want each child to connect to as they think of how they can make a difference in this world, how they can positively influence others, how they don’t have to possess a special title or position of importance to bring about lasting change. All you need is a good idea, an ability to share that idea and work with others, and a persistence and commitment that continues unabated to your core beliefs despite obstacles you may encounter along the way.

It is also a quote that I share with adults. I have long believed that non-profit organizations like schools exist so that people can belong to something greater than themselves because it is in the connections between us that things get discussed, that plans for change emerge, and that actions occur. I have always seen PS1 as being that place for many. Every family, every staff member, and every teacher had other choices to make in which they would become engaged. And yet you all chose PS1— so many of you have told me that you saw in PS1 a beacon for change as a place where you could be yourself, a place where you could make a difference, and a place where others were also committed to going beyond the status quo.

Ellie and I founded PS1 in 1971. I knew from an early age that I wanted to change the world—I didn’t know how, and I didn’t know what vehicle I would choose, or what would choose me! As I was seeking ways that I might be able to be a changemaker in the world, I read many books that turned me on to the perils and possibilities that early education

could afford. One was a book written by James Herndon in 1965 entitled The Way It Spozed To Be. Herndon was a first year teacher who saw first-hand the cavernous discrepancy between what schools said they were doing and the reality that young children experienced—the difference between intent and impact. He witnessed the appalling failure of school systems and the teachers in those schools to reach many kids. These failures drove those who lacked opportunity further into apathy and rebellion and made them destined to lack success and fulfillment in their later life. Within two years of that first exposure, we opened PS1. I was 24 years old.

Why start an independent school? I harken back to the Margaret Mead quote. I thought it was a “small group of thoughtful citizens” that could come together to demonstrate a better way. I didn’t know in 1971 that we would flourish as we have, that we would impact so many over 50 years, that the idea and vision and mission would resonate for so many, and that we would together change the world for so many, young and older alike. I felt that schools needed to be communities where all members felt a sense of belonging and connection. In realizing the extent to which millions of children were stifled in school, a better way— a better system—needed to be created.

I knew that pluralism was our national motto, and that this aspirational concept could become real if each person were celebrated, if differences were identified and embraced, and if we lived this hopeful concept in our daily lives. In this sense, we are all gifted, and each and every one of us deserved to be seen in this way! When most babies are born, they are recognized by their loved ones as being special—what if they were treated in the same way as they developed their attitudes about life and learning in their formative elementary school years? Thus was our school named Pluralistic School where the vision “Celebrate the Many; Build One” was born. I was convinced that the advancement of pluralism in the world requires focus on pluralism in

Change the World the early years of education to help each child be engaged in life and learning. That is how I wanted to become a changemaker.

I wanted to work to prepare students for the world and the future that they wanted.

And that could best be achieved by opening their minds and their souls to all sorts of possibilities; that each child had the potential to make a difference; that our job was not to channel children into pre-determined thinking but to help them realize that they could work to create the world that they wanted. DREAM– THINK– DO. Enjoy this issue of PeriScope to see how different classes at PS1 have approached the topic this year. In this year of unprecedented change, our classes focused on becoming changemakers.

Over the past fifty years, we have created together a special place in PS1. In that, we are ALL CHANGEMAKERS!!! We have proved Margaret Mead right!

As we wrote all readers of PeriScope in a separate message a month ago, next year will be my last as the Head of PS1 Pluralistic School.

Visit www.psone.org/about/headsearch for my announcement. I will retire then from the day to day running of our school. The seeds have been planted; the vision and mission are securely established. The future of children’s lives will be made better by the contributions you have made and are making—many roots are embedded in the fabric of our school. I will be leaving the school in good hands to continue to carry out its mission for generations to come. There will be changes at PS1 —there always have been. The vision has remained constant. So many of you who attended PS1 in the past have gone out and become changemakers and influenced others … who have influenced others … who have influenced others. This is how we make a better world … together.

—Joel Pelcyger, Head of School 1

Traditions Old & New

Annual Fundraising Gala: Family Drive-In Movie Night Thanks to the ingenuity of our parent volunteer organizers, this year’s almost-in-person Gala took place at Barker Hangar and featured a screening of Shrek for all families to enjoy!

What a tremendous evening of festivities—The movie! The Drive In! The stilt walkers and roller skaters! The car photo booth! The snacks! Our MC’s: Pedro, Eva, Danielle and Sunny! Guests packed a picnic and brought the entire family for some “reel” PS1 community!

Proceeds benefited PS1’s Financial Aid Endowment. We raised close to $150,000, thanks to the generosity of many. It was such a treat to enjoy seeing all of our friends—old and new—at this much-anticipated event. Judging by the energy in the air and the posts on social media, it certainly was a night to remember by all.

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Virtual Camping Trip One of our most beloved annual traditions ... A PS1 Camping Trip for the entire family took place virtually on May 14 ... with some modifications from the usual life experience on the beach above Malibu!

Our Specialist teachers organized the activities: from watercolors with Lina ... to camping stories with Christina ... to camp sign making with Chris and Sunny. For the second year in a row, the virtual experience provided a chance for students to reinforce the memory of a PS1 camping trip (as well as to create new camping memories for our youngest students). Some of the highlights were sleeping in tents (or

forts) at home; gathering with friends across all clusters; participating and cheering each other on in the Variety Show; making and enjoying the camping feasts; and attending a campfire sing-along with the whole school - including joining with Joel in a rendition of the song “And the Green Grass Grows All Around.”

The Virtual Family Camping Trip provided our families with an opportunity to be together, enjoy their surroundings, create longlasting camping memories, build connections, and have fun! Can’t wait until we return to the beach and more traditional “camping” next year!

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Curriculum Connections

MAKING CHANGE IN OURSELVES & THE WORLD The notion of creating systemic and long-lasting change requires a commitment from each and every one of us. For many, the understanding that you can impact your world, that what you do and say, and how you act matters comes in adulthood. For the students at PS1, the understanding that they have the power to change the world begins in Youngers and is sustained throughout each year of a student’s seven-year journey.

Gina and Lucia (teachers in Youngers) write, “Our (5 and 6-year-old students) learned that most of the time, change doesn’t happen immediately and we all need to keep trying, especially when it is hard, in order to make a change in ourselves and the world.”

John (a PS1 teacher for the past 25 years) writes, “After a year of monumental social change, it is imperative that students see themselves as not only the beneficiaries but as the initiators of change.”

PS1 students wonder, “How can we come up with creative actions to solve problems?” Being a ChangeMaker ranges from helping someone transition from a bad day to a good one, to inspiring others, to learning about changemakers throughout history, to coming up with small (and not so small!) solutions for fixing climate change and social injustices.

We are proud of our students and teachers for their efforts to see this year as an opportunity for both optimism and activism.

Nancy Harding, Ph.D. Assistant Head for Teaching & Learning

Red YOUNGERS CLUSTER

Curriculum Connections

LUCIA GINA

4

Creating change takes a lot of hard work! We focused on some changes that we wanted to make by sharing our hopes and dreams. Students chose a personal project which ranged from crossing the monkey bars to learning to read. We then learned about Growth Mindset to encourage healthy self-talk and a positive attitude. We talked about The Little Engine That Could and the positive self-talk the engine says to itself, “I think I can, I think I can.” We discussed how most of the time, change doesn’t happen immediately and we all need to keep trying, especially when it is hard, in order to make change in ourselves and the world. We read Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak which reinforces the idea that brains can stretch and grow and that mistakes are an essential part of learning. Then students practiced, practiced, practiced! Some of our older students became leaders in our class. When playing on the monkey bars, you could hear older students giving the younger students advice and encouragement, “You can do it!” This is one of the advantages of mixedaged classes where students become teachers and changemakers. We hope by teaching students that they can create small changes, we are planting a seed to empower them to create change throughout their lives.

YOUNGERS CLUSTER Orange YOUNGERS CLUSTER Students in the Orange Class understand that there are many challenges we may face, and that as changemakers we can do something to make things better. This theme permeates many of our class conversations.

We are always looking for ways we can make positive changes, solve problems, and improve things for ourselves and others. Orange students are learning how to be problem-solvers. In literacy, students are studying fiction. As we read, we pay attention to find out what problem the characters in a story might face. Then we read on in anticipation to see how the problem is solved. One of the stories we read was A Good Day by Kevin Henkes. In this story, something bad happens to each of the characters. Then, each of the characters experiences something special that helps turn their day around … and in the end, it actually turns out to be a good day for everyone! We discussed how we all have bad days sometimes, but bad days don’t have to stay that way. We can make positive changes to help ourselves and others.

Yellow YOUNGERS Students in the Yellow Class CLUSTER were asked, “If you could write a letter to the President, what BONNIE would you say? What questions MELVA would you ask? What would you want the President to know about you?” Their responses reflect the empathy and quest for knowledge emphasized in our “changemakers” unit. Our thoughtful students wrote about wanting to help the homeless, fund the shelters, stop the coronavirus, get the vaccine out to everyone, help the climate by providing more electric cars, and clean up the environment.

They also expressed gratitude for the selection of Kamala Harris as the first female, Black, and Asian-American Vice President. In our conversations about change, students also explored important changemakers in history such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Sonia Sotomayor, and many others who identified a problem that they wanted to change. Then, they persevered to bring about the changes they wanted to make. Our discussions shed light on how even the smallest actions can make a big impact. The Yellow Class thought about the changes they would like to see and wrote about how they, too, can make a difference.

Curriculum Connections

HOLLY S. PREETHI

5

BRIDGE CLUSTER Green BRIDGE CLUSTER Students in the Green Class studied Harriet Tubman and the significant role she played in transforming our country into a more equitable place. Students learned about Harriet’s myriad accomplishments throughout her life. They also learned that Harriet was selected to be on the $20 bill in 2016 but that production was halted due to technical difficulties. Inspired by Harriet’s advocacy, students tried their hand at being advocates themselves. They felt it was important to have her on the $20 bill so they designed their own with Harriet’s face on the front and some symbols that represented her on the other side. Students also sent letters to the Treasury Secretary to persuade her to put Harriet on the $20 bill as planned. We were thrilled to learn that the government recently decided to go forward with Harriet Tubman $20 bills! Following are a few excerpts from students’ letters: “Harriet should be on the $20 bill because… She saved 70 enslaved people on 13 trips through the Underground Railroad. Harriet worked as a nurse and spy during the civil war and helped save 70 enslaved people during a raid. She spoke up for women’s rights to help them get the right to vote. Harriet took what money she had and used it to help the disabled, elderly and unhoused.” Thank you, Harriet, for being such an influential changemaker and for inspiring us to be the same!

Blue BRIDGE CLUSTER

Curriculum Connections

BILLY KEONDRIA

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Curriculum Connections continues on page 9

MCKENDREE MAREN

The theme of changemakers is the primary focal point for the Blue Class’ science unit as we advocate against climate change.

Recently, students explored the causes and effects of global warming, as well as the key essentials to help reduce our carbon footprint. Students learned to identify, research, and develop solutions to help combat climate change while fostering new ways to be advocates for planet Earth. Students showcased a presentation to the PS1 community that consisted of videos, public service announcements, and Google Slides to help champion the importance of being active changemakers as it relates to the climate crisis. Students presented visuals to illustrate their individualized solutions including a variety of approaches they constructed and designed to help their community. These techniques will assist students as they lessen their carbon footprint, and promote sustainable practices, stewardship, and environmental-global awareness. As a collective action, we discussed honoring our planet Earth by incorporating new daily routines that will help diminish the Greenhouse Effect, and encourage others to do so as well. These skills will empower students to speak up and take action for protecting the environment. Students in the Blue Class gained a vast appreciation of our world as they understand the importance of caring for the environment and our planet.

Relationships with Students

Book Breakfasts

Hatching Chickens The Old Gate Code

All-School Camping Trips

The Girls in Motion Band Mutual Respect

Gold Dust or Bust

Grounded in Mission: The Heart Remains the Same

BY MAGGIE ROSENFELD FORMER DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS AND PARENT OF ANDREW ’94 & DANIEL ’97

Best Friends

Scholastic Book Fair

Halloween Parade

Camping Trips

Dancing and Cooking Being Celebrated as a Person

Shakespeare Faculty & Staff Bubbles Fun Activities

PE with Pedro, Brad and Jaime Love & Aliveness

My First Crush

Back to School Picnic

Exploring My Artistic Side Basketball with the Boys

Rain Forests

Sleeping Under the Stars Precious Nature of Childhood Child Centered Approach to Learning

Making Butter on a Farm

Good Friends

Living Our Best Lives

Poetry & Creative Writing

Searching for Bugs

Open House Nights Precious Nature of Childhood Thelonius Monk

Creativity of the Students The Gold Rush Unit

Christina the Librarian

Lifelong Skills

Graham Cracker Tectonic Plates

Community

Dishversity

"8510"

Handball & Four Square

Playing in the Sandbox

Jazz Music & Poetry Unit

Poetry and Creative Writing The Gold Rush-Era Town

Relationships with Teachers

A Midsummer Night's Dream

El Capitan Camping Trips Leo Carrillo Trips

Class Cabaret

Theatricum Botanicum

The Waking Alex Band The Old PS1 Library

I started my education at PS1 when my older son, Andrew, began kindergarten in 1987, followed by my younger son, Daniel, in 1990. PS1 was a smaller school then, only 75 students in five classrooms. But, over the many years since that day, its philosophy and fundamental principles have not changed. When we went on the tour and saw the kindergarten class doing a dramatization of a Rube Goldberg machine as well as a poetry lesson, we knew that PS1 was the right place for our family.

Throughout all of these years, as a parent volunteer, Board

first full-time librarian. In 1996, I chaired the first Capital

member and Chair and, ultimately as the Director of

Campaign to help build the two main classroom buildings

Finance and Operations for over 20 years, I am proud to

which by now have been used by hundreds of students.

have been involved in some capacity in every phase of PS1’s

The Campaign included a Jackson Browne (alumni parent)

growth in the last 34 years.

Concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium complete

By acquiring the Chowder Call Restaurant and parking lot on the corner of Euclid and Broadway in 1990, we were able to create the first MPR (which was also a classroom to begin with) by demolishing the inside of the restaurant but keeping the outside of the building. Like our current MPR, everyone sat on the floor, but there was no stage.

And of course no baskets for shooting basketballs! We also expanded our library from a small room on the East Campus to the flower shop next to the Chowder Call and hired our

with a mosh pit of his most ardent fans. We worked with the architects to ensure that the philosophy and vision of PS1 was carried out through the architecture. We even planned ahead and had a “door to nowhere” out of what is now the Green classroom, hoping that we would be able to acquire more land and connect it to something in the future. After the purchase of two lots on 12th Street adjacent to our building, we were able to complete the Field of Dreams in 2003 and the Blue Classroom and Project Room in 2008.

Continues on overleaf

Cruz Avendano Dreyfuss, PS1 Class of 2010

Grounded in Mission, continued And although the “door to nowhere” turned into the Green classroom bathroom, we had realized our dream of expanding the footprint of our school. With the completion of the Field of Dreams, students no longer had to walk to Memorial Park for PE and lunch several times a week.

We still had hopes that we could unite the campus all on one side of Euclid and so in 2009, the Board of Directors was able to negotiate a purchase of the Buffalo Building, a small office building on the alley. We kept the shell of the building (where our administrative offices now reside) since it was more environmental to do so and, finally, the most recent large construction project began. In 2011, on Joel’s 64th birthday, we broke ground with Joel on the roof of the old library. And in 2012, the new MPR and office space opened.

PS1 finally had a beautiful building on the corner of Euclid and Broadway. Now people would really know who we are!

We had a gym where students could shoot basketballs before class and at recess. We had a meeting room that could hold Board meetings without feeling cramped. The Art and Music rooms moved over to the main campus with much larger spaces. The Library was expanded to a beautiful new space.

And we added our ninth classroom as an extension of a main classroom building.

While doing all of this building expansion, we also continued to further expand our programs. Once we had extra space on our East Campus, we created the Studio, a place where students learn by exploring and creating many projects. We also added an Instrumental Music Program in the mornings by collaborating with Santa Monica Youth Orchestra and its

I spent most of the 2000s sitting on the biggest rock in PS1’s bamboo forest. From my perch, I could see three prickly hideyholes that offered shade, the company of bamboo shoots, and the occasional jarring “thwack” of a soccer ball hitting the other side of the fence. One of those holes was shaped like a horseshoe, which provided just enough cover for hiding when I didn’t want to leave aftercare.

Little memories of that time between about 3 and 6pm have stuck with me—popping up unexpectedly throughout my life. I remember piecing together how Daylight Savings time dictated whether the Field of Dreams was illuminated by the sun or a lamp, and watching the fruits on the palm trees indicate the season.

My seasons are now a little more distinct as I write this from Louisville, Kentucky.

Upon graduating from Centre College in Danville Kentucky, I spent some time home in Los Angeles before beginning work with an LA-based IT company with a remote work plan that allows me to also housesit for a friend in Louisville. Kentucky is beautiful, though there’s a lack of coastal live oaks. Even if I did miraculously find one of those trees, it would be dwarfed by the memory of PS1’s presiding oak, a comforting presence on a well-trodden field.

TaLynn Flonnoy, PS1 Class of 2017 Although I don’t remember much from my year in kindergarten at PS1, one memory that sticks out to me was my first poetry project. I remember writing and editing my poetry to make sure everything was perfect and spelled correctly. It was the first time I had written poetry and I was so proud of my work. “The Butterfly” was the most original title that I could come up with at the time. We were supposed to present during the Open House so the presentation of the poem was a big part of the project as well. I decorated mine with white pillow fluff that resembled clouds and colored a blue background to represent a butterfly.

I remember that Lucia checked my work and told me my butterfly poem was great.

This made me the proudest I had ever been of my writing as a five-year-old. From that point forward every time I write a poem I think back to that memory with Lucia. This was the first time that I explored “unstructured” writing in the sense that I was able to write freely without worry of correct sentence structure and model. Looking back, I realized that this point was when I began to see the creative and individual aspects of writing that I still use today.

I was recently asked to compose a sonnet for a school assignment—this was a giant step from the writing that I did in kindergarten. The prompt was to write about a memory from your past and retell that story in the sonnet. I immediately thought back to “The Butterfly” to reflect on.

I couldn’t believe that I still remembered a poem from around 10 years ago.

Grounded in Mission, continued director, Shab Fasa. We continue to expand our Aftercare offerings and began offering a Parents in Residence Program.

Our last acquisition of land—across the street from the Field of Dreams—happened in the summer of 2018. The Board has yet to decide what we will do with this piece of property.

Like many of our acquisitions, planning takes a while, but in purchasing it, we created more possibilities for the future.

Major planning went into each of the building projects that PS1 has completed. We designed the spaces needed, chose architects and contractors and individually managed the construction process. Each of our projects had different challenges but we have finally realized our completed campus … for now.

PS1 has been a large part of my life for almost 35 years. Even with all of the changes in its buildings and land, the community and connections of students, parents and faculty and staff has remained an important part of the core of PS1. The people and relationships are the reasons I have stayed involved for all of these years. Although the names and faces change from decade to decade, the heart and soul of PS1 remains.

Brad Shimada Director of Facilities Changes, “Ah-Ha’s” & Gems Adin Handler, PS1 Class of 2014

The Annex, the tire swing, the truck (climbing structure) and roller hockey on the Euclid yard are just a few things that were here in 1997 when I first started working at PS1. Those have all disappeared and a lot has changed. The Main Office was in a converted apartment building where today’s Art Room and Library are. And me? … I started my life here at PS1 as the Aftercare Director and PE Assistant.

So much has changed during my time here. We have added buildings with new classrooms, additional teachers and staff were hired, and more kids enrolled. As for me, I am now the Director of Facilities. Sometimes I miss doing activities with the kids, and seeing their eyes light up when that “A-ha” moment hits and you know they feel like they’ve accomplished something new. For me, it’s just as rewarding helping “run-the-show” from behind the scenes for Circle Time and special events, working with volunteer parents to help them do their volunteering, and being part of the team that manages safety and emergency preparedness on campus. Though the best part of any day has got to be the unexpected gem … never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would have the chance to do such a variety of things in one job.

Here are a few of the “gems” at the top of my list: 1) “ MacGyver’ing” a broken shoe so it would last until the end of the day; 2) Helping to find an item lost between the boards of the 12th Street stage; 3) Rescuing birds that accidentally fly into the MPR or a classroom; or 4) The impromptu tutorial on how to make a campfire.

Lucy Hayes, PS1 Class of 2015

My favorite memory was the 3rd grade Read-A-Thon. On the night of the Read-A-Thon I had stuffed all of my books into my backpack, but when I went to pick it up, the bottom fell out and everything fell onto the floor. While I already spent most nights reading under the covers with my Kindle 2, I was especially excited for the Read-A-Thon. I enjoyed running around as much as the next kid, but I also loved spending recess lying down under a tree, bench or even in the middle of the field reading a book. And even though I was having fun reading, I always felt that I was missing out on something whenever I looked up to see a soccer ball flying by. So ever since I heard about the Read-A-Thon from an Olders student when I was in second grade, I couldn’t wait to indulge in an entire night dedicated to reading where I could share my interest with all of my friends.

One of my favorite PS1 memories was on “pi day” in the Olders class. I ate so many pi-themed treats that my friend and I swore off cupcakes forever. This did not last very long.

Today I am still eating cupcakes, while I focus on applying to colleges and working at an online after-school camp. Between that and teaching surf lessons, working with kids is very refreshing. I hope to see them in person before I go off to college!

I fell in love with reading during my time at PS1, and once I started I didn’t stop.

The curiosity and imagination I found in elementary school has stayed with me throughout middle school and high school pushing me towards new and exciting opportunities. Thinking back on my time at PS1 now as a freshman in college, I don’t know how far I would have come without the constant and unwavering support from my parents and teachers. I want to say thank you to all of the teachers who have contributed to my education and personal development: I would not be who I am today without you.

My favorite memories were undoubtedly the camping trips. Every year, running down to the creek and trying to pitch tents became something I constantly looked forward to, and my two best friends and I still laugh about all of the funny memories today. I’m currently studying filmmaking at Emerson College in Boston. My hope is to write and direct once I graduate.

Ella Weston, PS1 Class of 2014

Julian Handler, PS1 Class of 2014

Emily Lippman, PS1 Class of 2015

I graduated from PS1 in 2014, from high school in 2020, and now I’m in my freshman year at Harvard. Many of my current interests date back to my time at PS1. One of my favorite memories is of a research project I did on manatees in Middles which sparked my love for manatees and my interest in biology, a subject that I plan to concentrate on at college.

In 6th grade I joined “PSRun” which led to my running cross country and track in middle and high school with Dylan Santana, and I’m now a part of my college’s running club. I also started learning how to play the trumpet in 6th grade thanks to PS1’s new instrumental music program. I played the trumpet in orchestra and jazz band through middle and high school, and I still play it today as a hobby. My interests in singing and politics also originated during my time at PS1. Reflecting back on my time in elementary school, PS1 was like a happiness farm. I owe PS1 my love of learning, and for making learning and trying new things so fun.

My favorite memories from PS1 center around the people at school and my memories with them. I learned that crossing the double yellow lines while driving is illegal when I was on the freeway heading back to school from a field trip, and we were pulled over for crossing the lines - oops! But, it made me never, ever forget, and it was kind of exciting as a third grader.

But, in all honesty, my favorite part was always our field trips, getting ice cream from Knott’s Berry Farm or the shop down the street from PS1 after school, or going to the county fair. My favorite thing was definitely the people and the community that was fostered on and off campus; everyone knew everyone. At PS1 I felt like everyone could really be themselves, learn how to be the person they wanted to be, and have fun.

I’m a graduating senior right now. I’m going to go into the animal sciences/zoology or neuroscience fields. I’m currently volunteering as an English tutor, and have been a Spanish tutor for the last two years. Before COVID-19, I was also interning at a veterinary clinic, was a volunteer at a hospital, and have been traveling during many of my high school summers with Rustic Pathways.

Evelyn Cazún Associate Director of Admissions Mi Familia Misha Sharif, PS1 Class of 2018 From my first to last day at PS1, there were so many jubilant memories. From Circle Time performances, to library time and the countless field trips throughout the years, all have been memorable. One of my favorite memories is the talent show at the all-school camping trip at Leo Carillo State Park. I remember how much fun my friends and I had when creating our “comedy” act to perform for the talent show.

When we went to the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, I truly enjoyed the activities and environment of the theater. One of my favorite places at PS1 was the bamboo forest where my friends and I walked every day. The endless joy and happiness that PS1 has brought to my life will most definitely stay with me forever.

Sofia Ziman, PS1 Class of 2014

Jonah Perttula, PS1 Class of 2016

Veronica Crow, PS1 Class of 2010

In the 2010s I graduated PS1 and started a fresh journey at New Roads School. I discovered so many passions and hobbies, such as photography, writing, music and the list goes on. Over this decade I made a handful of new friends while keeping my PS1 people as close as ever. I remember my first day of PS1 – walking through the crowded gates with my dad while everyone blew bubbles everywhere.

A fond memory of mine was the day that the space shuttle flew by on top of a 747 – we all were excused from class and watched from the bridge as it flew by. It was so exciting!

I’m currently in New York, studying at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. I am working on a number of different photography projects right now – both personal and commissioned. I am as busy as ever yet so happy about how things have turned out. I have kept some of my best friends from PS1, and although we are miles apart, we are still as close as ever.

Many of the friendships I created at PS1 have continued throughout middle and high school.

In fact, two of my current best friends were in my same graduating class. One of my favorite PS1 traditions would have to be the annual camping trips. I remember one year we were doing journaling on the Leo Carrillo State Beach, and I dropped my notebook in the ocean. I was very upset because everything that I had written was seemingly ruined. I will never forget the kindness of my PS1 teachers, who especially in stressful moments like these always knew how to help. I have taken all the lessons PS1 has taught me, as well as many friends, and am looking forward to using all this knowledge in my life after high school.

The nurturing environment I experienced at Scripps and in the Claremont community reminded me of my time at PS1. I learned self-confidence, independence, the value of exploration, as well as the importance of asking for help when you need it. My high school experience at Harvard-Westlake prepared me for the workload in college, and was shaped by supportive teachers, coaches, and staff, but I found myself thinking about my time at PS1 quite frequently throughout my time at Scripps.

Jonah is currently a junior at Windward School.

Luisa De Lorenzo, PS1 Class of 2019 I have countless amazing memories from my time at PS1. I remember being extremely excited to start school because my brother was already attending. On the first day of school, I met Alejandra—my best friend to this day. I see her at least twice a week, and I know if I need anything she will always be there. Also, I always loved Grandparents and Special Friends Day. Every year I would invite my godparents Kellie and Matt. It was always fun showing them around campus and introducing them to all of my teachers and friends. I truly miss PS1 and can’t wait until I can visit again.

Isabelle “Izzy” Hyman, PS1 Class of 2016 My favorite memories from PS1 would have to be the performances before Winter Break.

I loved singing and listening to all of the holiday songs. Attending PS1 definitely helped me in middle and high school. PS1 made me feel comfortable to meet with teachers and ask them for help when I needed it. Feeling comfortable meeting with teachers made my transition to the high school testing environment so much easier. Also, even though I was the only one to go to Harvard-Westlake from my grade at PS1, the friendliness and inclusivity of everyone in the PS1 community made making friends in 7th grade easier.

I have too many fond memories of PS1 to count, and far too many that I could write entire essays on. Reflecting on my college experience and my time in the working world, albeit a strange world right now, I am most grateful for the relationship building and self-expression skills and confidence I gained at PS1. There was space for everyone at PS1 and we were all appreciated and learned to be appreciative of one another, as teachers and staff led by example fostering a truly magical learning environment. I would not be the confident and communicative person I am today if it weren’t for PS1. Having the courage and self-assuredness to ask for help from professors, faculty, and other mentors made my college experience more fulfilling and successful. Through the skills I learned at PS1 and my experiences in its community, I have gained relationship building skills that have truly shaped my life and for which I am grateful every day. I have vivid memories of interactions, experiences, and things I learned from every teacher and staff member at PS1.

I am using my Environmental Science degree working at a sustainable agricultural startup and getting ready to apply to graduate school, where I want to study soil science.

Even in both of these processes, 11 years after leaving PS1, my self-confidence, compassion, and relationship building skills I learned there so early are pushing me forward into the world as a young woman.

Administrative Assistant, Parent Guild Board Member, Associate Director of Admissions, Mom, and Tía are a few of the titles I’ve held in the twenty years I’ve been at PS1. I can’t even begin to count the number of Band-Aids I’ve put on scraped knees, ice packs that have miraculously healed wounds and tooth necklaces that have caused wiggly teeth to come out in hopes of a visit from the tooth fairy. I’ve said goodbye and welcomed numerous families at the same time during my time at PS1. Some of the old buildings have been torn down and new ones have been built, kids have gone from 5 to 12, 15 to 20+ years old, and yet, the one thing that has not changed for me is the feeling of being part of a community and a part of a familia.

My son Justin (Class of 2014), my nephew Haven (Class of 2021), and my niece Kiley (Class of 2024) were all non-existent when I joined PS1. Each of their journeys has been nourished with love, respect and understanding. I couldn’t have imagined a better place to raise my son, and for me to grow as a person. I am thankful for all the roles I have had at PS1 and I know that I helped make our school the place it is today.

I hope that PS1 welcomes even more families of all backgrounds and that it continues to diversify its community. I hope it will always lead the way with creating a community for all who choose to be a part of this familia.

Maya Acutt, PS1 Class of 2019

Josephine Gelinas, PS1 Class of 2018

Maggie Marks, PS1 Class of 2014

PS1 gave me the chance to do what I wanted, and be who I was. It provided an amazing foundation that helped me develop a curious mind and find my passions. I remember in kindergarten, we were counting together out loud and I giggled when I realized I had accidentally called the number thirty (30) “Twenty-ten.” My teacher said that it was an interesting take on numbers, and suggested that we all try counting like that out loud. That experience helped me solidify my understanding for digits and their relations to each other. In third grade, we listened to my teacher read aloud Island of the Blue Dolphins, and we got to visit Santa Cruz Island where we learned about the native species of plants and animals. At PS1, we never learned out of a textbook—we always experienced our lessons. In fourth grade we learned about Chavez Ravine (the largely Hispanic community that was destroyed in order to build Dodgers Stadium) and how oil spills affected the environment. I later learned that none of the things that we learned about were standard grade curriculum. This knowledge only made me appreciate PS1 even more.

Sixth grade brought the Grad Trip, which strengthened my bonds with my classmates.

I am so grateful that I am a part of the PS1 community, even after graduation.

When I think about my PS1 experiences, camping trips were definitely a highlight and an event I would look forward to every year. I felt free – sitting around the campfire, giggling in my tent with friends, and the early morning walks and excitement of exploration. PS1 taught me to be open to different experiences, people, and new places, and to not be afraid of something new. In a 3rd grade Circle Time performance I played Gretel. It was one of my first times on stage and I was all jittery and excited.

The Circle Time performances helped me confidently express my opinions and be open to conversations. I am currently doing the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) program in Berlin. I have moved to a new country with a new language and have been able to create connections with people who come from all over the world and keep the sense of curiosity that PS1 has taught me. PS1 showed me how to love learning, and be curious about the world.

During the camping trip to Sycamore Canyon in 3rd grade, a group of classmates and I were wandering the dried creek bed when someone screamed, “There’s a bear!” I still don’t know if that person was playing a prank or if they truly believed they saw a bear. Either way, when I look back on PS1, I remember sprinting through a forest with my classmates, screaming my head off.

Nothing brings people together quite like imagined mortal peril. I will always be so grateful to PS1 for the hours spent exploring nature and bonding with my friends.

Minnie Jellinek, PS1 Class of 2017 My fondest memories of PS1 took place in the library, with Christina. We shared a love of The Met Gala, and every year, on the first Tuesday of May, I’d ask my parents to take me to school early (a rare thing) to bound up the wood steps to the library and we’d look at the red carpet outfits together on her computer. Another happy memory is from fifth grade—of Chris’ advisory. I had only once before been the younger grade in a class, and I remember being so in awe of the sixth-graders. It felt so exciting to be in shifting classes with kids I hadn’t met before—like a preview for my life after PS1.

I find the values that PS1 instilled in me invaluable every day. I work to build meaningful relationships with people I meet, and I apply my best effort and imagination to each challenge I face.

Esme Roberts, PS1 Class of 2019

Farid Adibi, PS1 Class of 2013

Erika Tinsley, PS1 Class of 2017

I have made so many memories at PS1, and I am so grateful for the friendships I have made. I am so glad my teacher, Billy, recommended that I participate in the after school running group, PSRun. Even though I would always be so tired during the run, I loved the friendships I made with people, and the snacks at the end! One of my favorite memories from PSRun was around the holidays when we ran to the Promenade. The Promenade was decorated with festive lights and trees and we ran some laps and sang Christmas carols. It was a great experience I will always remember.

My seven years at PS1 were filled with blissful memories and experiences that helped shape my personality. I was reminded of my final year at PS1 quite recently during the 2020 presidential election, for our class was able to simulate a mock election for the school simultaneously with the 2012 election. While the simulation was often filled with humorous and at times even contentious moments, it taught me the rudimentary principles that make our democracy so great, and also the fundamentals of strategy and goal-oriented management. PS1 helped broaden my perspective on pressing issues, and I could not be more grateful for my time with the school, faculty, and the development of many long-lasting friendships. To this day, I have kept up with many of PS1 friends, including my high-school classmates Alec and Danny.

All those years ago, in 2010, I was enjoying my time with my best friends, teachers, and staff.

It was genuinely one of the most exciting and memorable years of my life. I remember playing on the play structures and playing tag with my best friend, Mattea. It was such an amazing time, and I felt absolutely free.

One of my favorite memories, however, was when we would play with the huge parachute during PE with Pedro. It was one of those moments where I was full of so much happiness, and did not have one worry in the world. Looking back, I truly long for those days in elementary school that brought me so much comfort. Even thinking of the memory makes me feel safe and warm. Currently, life has definitely become more complicated, but that smiling little girl is still present within me.

Ciahna McNairy, PS1 Class of 2019 During my time at PS1, I always enjoyed spending time with my friends. PE was the time I was able to play with them and even sometimes against them, but either way, I always had a great time! My favorite games were Capture the Flag, Kickball, and Dodgeball. I loved a good competition and these were the games that I always brought my best! PE was definitely one of my all-time favorite things to do, not just because of all the fun games we played, but because of the teacher, Pedro, and spending time with my friends. I also enjoyed going to the library.

Library was the time to take a break from all of your classes. Listening to Christina read a book was so soothing and relaxing.

Spending time sitting on a pillow and having a book read to you was absolutely one of the highlights of my day. Christina was such a good reader – I could listen to her all day!

Ciahna is currently at the Geffen Academy, and will graduate in 2025.

Currently, I am a sophomore at the George Washington University studying International Business and Finance. Outside of school, I am involved with a publication I founded called Left-Middle-Right, where we offer multiple perspectives on contemporary issues, as well as Trov, an app dedicated to fighting restaurant and cafe food waste through flash coupons.

Mattea Sokolow, PS1 Class of 2017 On my first day of school, I was so nervous.

The bubbles were the iconic part of the opening morning, and to this day I still see clear visions of all of the kids waiting outside the doors with excitement. The 2010s were such fun years, and PS1 really made them for me. I would always say hi to Joel or other teachers every time I saw them. A special memory I have at PS1 is the Shakespeare play.

In 5th grade we performed Hamlet, and I had a small part. I didn’t love performing, but this play really brought me out of my comfort zone. To this day when we are reading Shakespeare at school, I enjoy it because of my special memories.

Sophie Aaron Gavin Abraham Sadie Abraham Sierra Abronson Mason Ackerman Maya Acutt Hope Adams Farid Adibi Ricky Aldana Lennox Ali Karim Allaway Anisa Al-Sayed Camila AlvarezCueva Makai Andrews Julian Angus Savannah Acutt Annie Casentini Anunciato João Casentini Anunciato Caleb Aryal Shaya Ashofteh Claire Asten Gavin Asten Liana Auron Cruz Avendano Dreyfuss Halina AveryStead Parker Ayears Wellen Bang Beckett Barach Quinntyn Barach Elijah Barrett Greta Barrett Eze Baum Eian Beale Jimmy Beck Sophie Rose Beck Emily BeckHallstrom Lain Becker Rose Behr Max Bergman Stella Berk Andreas Betz Indie Bickle Lucy BlakeWilliams Simone Boarman Kamden Bogen Olivia Bornstein Madeleine Boudov Jason Boulware Gemma BrandWolf Sage Brand-Wolf Noah Brandy Nile Brandy Max Bratman Pilar Bricke Taj Britton Pippa Bryan Isaac Bromwich Nora Bromwich Sophia Bromwich Ella Brown Jakob Brown Spencer Brown Meyer Bruno Skütr Bruno Mia Luna Buadu Ivey Burns Dylan Butan Lola Butan Dylan Byrnes Benjamin Cakir Jesse Campbell Poppy Caris Allegra Carney Carmen Carney Audrey Carpenter Julie-Alice Carreira Haven Cazún Kiley Cazún

Milo Chamberlin Thea Chamberlin Alana Champion Annabelle Chang Audrey Charles Ethan Chasen Gabriel Chibane Rayan Chibane Grayson Chu Maxwell Chu Juliana Ciccone Justin Ciccone Joey Court Pablo Court Henry Craig Orion Collins Euan Craven Marcus Crombie McKenna Crombie Julian CooperButler Veronica Crow Ava Dalton Jake Dante Lucas Dante Malia Dawkins Lorenzo De Felitta Luca De Lorenzo Luisa De Lorenzo Henry DeGeorge Rocco DeGeorge Conrad DiMauro Aaron Dinkin Sierra Dodge Nicholas Doolittle Scarlett Doolittle Liam Douglass Viswa Douglass Lila Avendano Dreyfuss Seana DuffyReddy Justin Eatman Noah Eatman Angus Ebeling BoJameson Ebeling Trace Ebeling Elisa Egner Samuel Egner Ripley Ehrlich Tanner Ehrlich Amanda Emtiaz Jack English Maeve Enright Isabella Escalante Teo Escalante Lily Belle Estes Stela Estes Kashton Estrada Bautista Etchegaray Clara Etchegaray Kai Fairbourn Luke Feegel Bradyn Fegan Harrison Ferrari Luca Ferrario Grayson Fitzgerald Sidney Fitzgerald Olivia Fishman Jack Fishman Teala Fishman Max Fissmer Olivia Fite Destinee Flonnoy TaLynn Flonnoy Rudy Frayre Annabelle Frazier Jade Freed Troy Freed Finn Freedman Zadie Freedman Delilah Freund Brooke Friedman Griffin Gabriel

Lily Gabriel Quincy Gadhia Rory Gadhia Betsy Gaghan Gardner Gaghan Parker Gainor Jules Galker Mays Galker Griffin Gamble Blaise Gardner Judah Gardner Samantha Gardner Jackson Garland Harry Garvey Ned Garvey Will Gaynor Evelyn Gelfand Josephine Gelinas Matis Gelinas Zelda Genovese Asa Germann Frank Gerolmo Julia Gerolmo Samantha Gerolmo Lily Ghodsi Yasmine Ghodsi Brendan Goldberg Ben Goldman Hannah Gonera Joshua Gonera Avalon Garland Tanner Goldstein Sean Goodman Westley Gordon Sadie Mae Gough Aman GranadosPuvvula Hanna Gratch Brody Gray Sam Greenberg Ted Greenberg Jessie Greene Lexy Greene Tia Greenfield Dashiell Gross Jet Gross Michael Gudzenko Jonathan Guo Nicole Gurzeler Leif Gustavson Rowan Gustavson Sean Gustavson Beatrice Gyde Lucas Haimes Max Haimes Brooke Haines William Haines Julia Hallin-Russo Ari Hamel Becket Hamel Charlotte HamelBolotin Ezra Hamer-Nagle Pallas HamerNagle Kareem Hamideh Adin Handler Julian Handler Archer Hanley Haley Hansen Maya Hansen Guinevere Hawley Charlie Hayes Lucy Hayes Bianca Hayutin Luca Hayutin Leo Helmy Kindyl Henley Roderick Henley Jacinda HevesyRodriguez Marcus HevesyRodriguez Harry Highley Hannah Hobeck

Sophie Hobeck Haley Holbrow Will Holbrow Ronan Holtzman Konrad Howard Theo Howard Sonia HsiehSchumacher Tessa HsiehSchumacher Anaïs Humphrey Julian Humphrey Maaria Hussain Taha Hussain Esme Hyatt Hugo Hyatt Alexander Hyman Isabelle Hyman Dylan Hyun Joshua Hyun Otto Inaba Lily Isaacs Ruby Isaacs Eve Jackson Buck Jacobs Halle Jacobs Lila Jacobs Walker Jacobs Wallace Jansen Arthur Jellinek Minnie Jellinek Zeno Jenks Amelia Jenkins Eloise Jenkins Jaeden Johnson Keegan Johnson Lane Johnson Savannah Johnson Sebastian Jukanovic Derien Kanashige Ruby Kanashige Hudson Kaneko Andrea KaneNichols Benjamin KaneNichols Seon Kang Ellie Kao Rey Kao Grace Kaplan Eli Kaplan-Packer Ali Kazemi Everly Keep Eleanor Kemp Frederick Kemp Henry Kendall Stellan Kern Alana Kurata Evan Karsian Phoebe Katims Elijah Kay Aaron Kim Ben Knepper Oliver Knight Alexa Koo Noah Korngute Charlie Kortleven Roxy Kortleven Benjamin Koven Gus Koven Max Kozak Judah Krauss Mara Krauss Zadie Kruglov Samuel Kuhns Marius Kumpata Ethan Laderman Noah Lahman Toby Lahman Jude Landesman Oliver Lane Henry Langer Max Langer Elio LaPorta Ian LaPorta Brooke Laskar

Adrian Lazar Gabriel Lazar Sebastian Lazar Zachary Leete Finn LeevesCoben Isabella LeevesCoben Dalija Leknickas Beckett Lennon Elle Lenzini Gena Levin Zoe Levine Ariella Levitt Lucas Levitt Violet Lieberman Clara Lieberstein Henry Lieberstein Ryan Lima William Line Emily Lippman Sophie Lippman Claricia Lis Ellie Liu Logan Liu Enzo Fraga Simas Lopes Eros Lopes Paloma Cachoua Lopez Sogna Louie Kam Lui-Carter Kekoa Lui-Carter Eleanor Madley Jacob Madley Navy Maguire Thomas Mansfield Coltrane Marcus Joaquin Margaziotis Esme Marks Maggie Marks Severin Marks Django Marsh Theodore Marx Noah McCaffrey Olive McCaffrey Emilio McCann Lexi McCann Samantha McCann Auden McCaw Jack McGary Pearson McLean Cheval McNairy Ciahna McNairy Mayara McPhall Alonzo Meallet Rhodes Megna Kate Mehringer Alexander Melamed Valentina Melamed Olivia Menchell Roscoe Merjos Thomas Merjos Jasper Merlis Carver Messick Evan Meyer Ryan Meyer Aidan Michaelson Delaney Michaelson Hugo Miller Maxim Miller Jack Mills Lukas Mitchell Mina Moreland Dustin Morris Isobel MosleyBrown Leon Muenze Vivian Muenze Rohan Mukhopadhyay Clyde Mulroney

Shannon Munn Calvin Murray Violet Murray Miya Nambiar Uma Nambiar Sol Nathan Pierce Nevell Trevor Nevell Ali Newman Kayla Nia Nathan Nikkhoo Brooklyn Ning Bryson Ning Grace Nordling Aiko Offner Adelola Ojuri Ariel Ojuri Iva Ojuri Luca Oliver-Green Diego Ontal Harrison OrnestLeslie Izabel Ortega Evan Pakshong John Panish Alex Pantuck Asha Parry Bodan Parry Miles Pavoni Chase Peers Wyatt Peers Conner Perry Allie Perttula Anna Perttula Eero Perttula Isla Perttula Jonah Perttula Lukas Perttula Mia Perttula Hope Pesavento Ryu Phillips Anderson Pietrzak Rita Pisegna Leo Pomianek Rudy Pomianek Marika Radlauer Aidan Rahill Gemma Rahill Kavi Raju Katie Raphaelson Nabil Rasromani Nader Rasromani Meyer Ratner Dylan Reid Julian Reid Matthew Reiner Malia Reiss Rebecca Reuben Amanda Reymer Allison Reyna Hailey Reyna James Reyna Rubi Rhoades Billie Riess Ruby Riess Camille Riopelle Kelly Riopelle Alexa Robbins Esme Roberts Ava Rose Robins Dillan Robins Lilli Robins Reece Robinov Audrey Rogers Emme Rogers Mary Rogers Alissa Rodriguez Justin Rodriguez Alex Roesler Elsen Rogers Baker Rollins Jameson Rose Olivia Rose Jessica Rosen Olivia Rosen Chloe Rosenstock McKenzie Royo

Please let us know if you or someone you know were inadvertently omitted. We are always working to update our alumni rosters.

Zoe Royo Jackson Rushing Aislinn Russell Cosette Russell Francis Rozenfeld Mila Salo Frankie Samuel Violet Sanford Dylan Santana Miranda Santana Jackson Schur Jordan Schwab Zachary Schwab Dylan Schwarz Remi Schwarz Rowan Schwarz Lucy Schwartzman Robert Seaman V Sidney Seaman Liam Seet Rowan Sellers Rachel Seplow Daniel Seplow Paige SerraToynton Bodhi Seton Ariana Sevier Kayden Shah Stella Shane Devon Shao Regan Shao Misha Sharif Kelly Sherman Nate Sherman Zachary Sherman Celine Shing Jett Shung Charlotte Siegel James Siegel Ashley Silver Graye Silver Hunter Silver Jonah Sim Amber Simpson Daniel Simpson Jade Simpson Madeline Sittler Sabrina Sittler Adam Smiley Jonathan Smiley Nahla Smiley Charlotte Smith Owen Smith Yoko Smith Charles Sobie Samantha Sobie Davio Sokolow Mattea Sokolow Jamie Solomon Zander Solomon Elia Song Kaelen Song India Sonnenfeld Bliss Spell Rhazes Spell Morgan SpencerNielsen Asamino Spong Ever Stabile Damien Staples Noemi Staples Camille Stedman Jackson Steets Pearl Steets Mason Stokdyk Claudia Johnson Stone William Stratton Eli Stringer Sadie Sugarman Kye Suggs Barrett Sumner Kyler Sziraki Dylan Tatum Violet Tatum William Tatum Chloe Taylor

Nico Taylor Jade Techentin Nylah Tehrani Enzo Teichman Pierce Teichman Athens Teitelbaum Remy Teitelbaum Norman Thompson Roman Thompson Elliot Thuresson Erika Tinsley Ryan Tinsley Savannah Tinsley Miles Tobel Jack Tobey William Tobey Hunter Todd Milo Tom Whitney Tone Alejandra Torrez Lado Torrez Matthew Tovar Michelle Tovar Charlotte Tragos Penelope Tragos Joe Trilling Max Trilling Chloe Truino Luke Trunnell Bowen Turner Doanie Turner Montgomery Turner Watson Turner Lillian Tyler Nash Tyler Max Vaughan Dylan Vecchione Jayjay Venegas Ande Versic Phoenix Vinar Ava Vincent Leo Vincent Manon Vincent Stella Vincent Connor Vogel Jaxon Von MunkMoran Louis Waldman Melina Waldman Ben Walker Sam Walker Alec Watts Ian Watts Elias Daniel Wax Wax Nathaniel Wax Reanna Wauer Caitlin WeberSmall Ella Weber-Small Ella Weidhaas Lauren Weiskopf Jasmine Weiss James Werner Ella Weston Alex Wilk Luka Wilk Henry Williams Mma-Syrai Alek Williams Finn Wilson Ford Wilson Joseph Wilson Leonide Wilson Jonah Wimer Lily Wimer Wyatt Winfrey Sebastian Wolff Gus Wortman Alyssa Yu Andy Yu Justin Yu Hannah Zabinski Sarah Zabinski Sofia Ziman

*Deceased

MIDDLES CLUSTER

In the Indigo Class, students worked on a unit called Art and Activism.

Throughout this unit, they considered how art helps build community and influences change. Through examining the ways art relates to community leadership and activism, students see themselves as important parts of the world. Some of the enduring questions students wondered were, “What can people do about issues or problems in their community? How might people use art to help solve problems, show support or address an important issue in their community?”

Indigo MIDDLES CLUSTER KAYLA MADELINE

Students responded, “Gender segregation excludes many people.

Sometimes, it can inflict negative emotions on the opposite gender when you separate yourself from another group of people. If we change the way we’re acting, we can create a peaceful environment to learn in, and that’s very important!”

“Racism is something that has existed for centuries, and things are getting better, but is still affecting our world. People have their own traditions and we shouldn’t judge them. We are all a community and should support one another.”

We are incredibly proud of our students’ hard work and deepening understanding of these topics and how they can contribute to change.

Violet MIDDLES CLUSTER KITAKA KELLY

Curriculum Connections

This fall, the Violet Class voted on an issue that they wanted to learn more about and take actionable steps towards positive change. Students brainstormed local, national, and global issues that impacted them. After presenting their ideas, the students voted to focus on plastic pollution in the ocean because it affects their local community and is also a national and global issue.

Throughout the semester, students researched the issue in groups and interviewed an expert from Heal the Bay as well as additional community members. Students then worked diligently to explore narrowed issues related to ocean pollution and developed innovative solutions to minimize the impacts. Projects included call-to-action campaigns that activated others or informed policymakers, physical models of devices that could reduce pollution in the ocean, and works of art (performance and visual) that educated and engaged the community in the issue. After months of hard work, Violet students presented their change-making projects to the community. They will continue to be advocates for the ocean.

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OLDERS CLUSTER The students in Olders 4 continued their yearlong study of change and changemakers through projects in language arts, social studies, and science. While creating political platforms for our mock election this fall, students responded to the social and environmental issues they observed around them and expressed their desire for politicians to endorse the changes that would make their visions for a better world a reality.

Olders 4 LIANNE HOLLY F.

Following the elections, students spent part of the fall digging deeper into some of these social issues, including racial, gender, and ethnic equity and equality, and then shifted their attention to environmental issues this spring. They studied the lives of notable changemakers through biographies and research, read the works of activist poets and placed the works within their historical context, and engaged with guest speakers who addressed the class on passion projects that have helped impact the world.

Throughout these studies, Olders 4 students were inspired to become changemakers themselves. They researched meaningful issues, movements, and individuals, and then worked to transform their research into action projects that inform and inspire others. They created spoken word pieces that, in the words of Amanda Gorman, “stood for the past that we stand on and the future that we stand for,” held an education and inspirational Environmental Expo, and put their hopes for a better world into meaningful actions. With the students of Olders 4 as our current role models and future leaders, we will all be in good hands!

“I stand for a world that is peaceful and safe.”

“I stand for every American being fully educated about the serious issues that we’re facing as a nation, and uniting as a nation, to take action together.”

“I stand for everyone being treated equally and be able to believe what they want to believe.”

“I stand for equality between all human beings no matter their race or gender.”

Curriculum Connections

Olders 5

10

Exploring collaborative leadership skills fostered impactful changemakers in the Olders 5 Class.

AARIKA In our Future of Travel unit, students worked in ABBIE small groups to build modes of transportation for the future. In this process, they discussed the history of transportation, how transportation elevated the world in which we live, and imagined what transportation might be like in the next 10–20 years.

Students studied great innovators in physics such as Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton and how they made discoveries that changed our world.

Learning to demonstrate leadership and participate as cooperative group members are additional examples of ways our students learned to be changemakers this year. Another significant project was our focus on learning American Sign Language and practicing how to communicate with people using sign language. Students learned about the difficulties people sometimes face in society based on accessibility. Our students recognize and appreciate the need to be empathetic and aware of differences within our society.

DISTANCE LEARNING COMMUNITY PROGRAM

Throughout the school year, we have been having conversations about change. Students explored how Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, John Lewis, Sonia Sotomayor, and many others identified a problem that they wanted to change. Then, they persevered to bring about those changes. We listened to the wise words of “Kid President,” an 8-year-old who wanted to see more kindness in the world, and recognized that you don’t have to be a grown up, or famous, or be the loudest person in the room to bring about the changes you want to see. His inspirational videos promoting this message showed how even the smallest actions can have a positive reaction.

DLCP K–2 Equivalent

Students in the DLCP have been reflecting on their roles as members of a community.

When asked, “How are you a changemaker?” students responded thoughtfully and imaginatively. It was a consensus that we needed to protect the Earth.

Students agreed that they needed to stop litter, recycle, invent a machine that would make trash evaporate, and make more items reusable. Their love for humanity is evident, as they want to build shelters to house the homeless, clean up the ocean to protect sea creatures, and protect the animals in the environment.

After a year of monumental social change, it is imperative that students see themselves as not only the beneficiaries but as the initiators of change. In our Distance Learning Community Program, the intention of our Profiles in Courage unit was for students to learn in-depth about individuals who have overcome obstacles such as physical challenges, racism, sexism, socio-economic circumstances, and the corporate establishment in the service of creating a cleaner environment, increasing artistic, educational, and athletic opportunities, improving the lives of migrant workers and breaking down racial barriers. Students demonstrated their knowledge with a Google Slide presentation, the writing and reciting of a monologue, and the creation of an original work of art or a poem. The goal was to educate and then to inspire. Included in our studies were such luminaries as Malala, Dolores Huerta, Ruby Bridges, Bethany Hamilton, Jim Abbott, Frida Kahlo, Greta Thunberg, Julia Butterfly Hill, and Marta. In each case, it took the passion, vision and determination of the individual to work in concert with others to not only improve their own lives but the lives of generations to come.

DLCP 3–6 Equivalent JOHN

Curriculum Connections

JULIE

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Curriculum Connections

SPECIALISTS

12

Library

Art

CHRISTINA

LINA

In this year of great change, helping our students become changemakers is facilitated through reading books. Presenting stories about people who have made change is one way for children to see through the window, and see their own lives as people who can make a change. Just one story is 111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl by Rina Singh and Marianne Ferrer.

We have been able to stay creative through distance learning and with screens in between us, which is remarkable. During the all-school poetry week, the students created drawings, paintings, and masks inspired by poetry. Through their artwork, the students expressed their feelings and some drew goals of things they would like to work on in their lives. For example, some students expressed how they would like to focus on keeping the beach clean, practice kindness, and even help a friend.

Based on the life of Shyam Sundar Paliwal, the book tells of Piplantri, his small village in the desert state of Rajasthan, India. The birth of a boy in the village was celebrated, while the birth of a girl was “welcomed with silence.”

When Sundar was chosen to be the sarpanch (leader) of his village, he wanted to bring gender equality, water, and trees to his village, but the villagers reject the plan—it is against their traditions; they don’t understand this new way of thinking. Sundar persists, explaining and educating and teaching to show them there are places where “girls and boys are treated equally, where there is plenty of water and electricity and enough wealth and knowledge to go to the moon.”

By persuading the villagers to plant trees when each girl in the village is born, to harvest rain in order to keep them watered, to honor the bond between the trees and their girls, the balance of nature is restored and the village thrives and prospers. A desert is transformed into a forest, there is enough water for everyone, girls go to school and learn along with the boys, and “to this day, every time 1 girl is born, 111 trees are planted.”

In our weekly art classes, Youngers created paintings about caring. More specifically, they are using the subject of how we can help another person or animal. The students used watercolors on watercolor paper.

Olders have learned about Augusta Savage as an artist, activist and role-model.

Augusta Savage was an African-American female artist who achieved many goals and dreams despite having to face racism, abuse, inequality and segregation. Inspired

by Augusta Savage’s story, each student created a poster of a reachable personal goal or dream they have.

Through the past year, we have learned many things along the way. Students have shown how flexible and strong they are even when BIG changes happen!

P.E.

The Studio

VIRGINIA

PEDRO

CHRIS

When educating children about social justice, and cultivating an appreciation for the myriad differences in people, we must also teach them that they have power in their voice and in their actions to shape the world they want to live in. We must teach them the importance of being a changemaker.

This school year, students were able to learn through creative movement lessons during our physical education classes.

Have you ever noticed a child create an object with a piece of paper or cardboard? How about the look on their face when they finally get their idea to cooperate in the way they envisioned?

This is the beginning stage of a child starting to prototype, and it’s a process that we as educators must celebrate (and do!) in order to encourage and promote creativity. A prototype is an early sample of an idea that is used to test a new concept or a different idea. Its process is one of the fundamental principles of design-based thinking and involves a variety of creative thinking skills along the way. In our Studio program at PS1, we continue to celebrate and engage students as they share their ideas, stories, and imaginations through building and designing. Recently we fostered their change-making abilities and creativity by designing and making prototypes of robot helpers! We brainstormed ideas of who and what we should help and then we got started by making and creating.

Students had so much fun and shared so many ideas of how their robot helpers could solve issues and problems in their homes and even out in the world.

The students of PS1 use music as a tool for change. In Olders, the students each picked a quote, a poem or an excerpt from a speech by a current social justice activist.

They used these words as inspiration to compose an original piece of music.

In Middles, we visited sections of the globe to become familiar with the musical customs, and culture in each region. The students chose a region that inspired them, and wrote an original piece based on that region.

In Bridge, we learned about the American Music Genres, and how each genre exists because of the influence, and the merging of different cultures.

In Youngers, we learned traditional children’s songs from around the world as well as different periods in history.

There are many ways to be a changemaker.

Listening to, performing, and writing music inspired by differences is not only age appropriate, it is creative and effective.

One of our main goals for P.E. across the Clusters was to include sportsmanship in each lesson taught. In every class, we emphasize the importance of responsibility and respect for others and self-control.

With support provided, the children were excited to learn and we were impressed by their productivity, collaboration, thoughtfulness, hard work, dedication, and maturity.

The transition to having in-person instruction again (while maintaining a physically distanced environment) also brought much joy to our students. The human connection with live instruction was an important step for children to learn just as much from their peers as they do from us! In person, students were reminded of how to engage in a group activity, cheer each other on, and demonstrate good sportsmanship in all their endeavors.

Curriculum Connections

Music

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Alumni Corner Asamino Spong, Class of 2020 with mom Annie

Walker Jacobs, Class of 2015

Henry Langer, 2014-2020

The PS1 Alumni Association

Dustin Yellin, Class of 1981–1987 Dustin lives in Brooklyn, New York and is the founder and director of Pioneer Works, a multidisciplinary cultural center in Red Hook, Brooklyn “that builds community through the arts and sciences to create an open and inspired world.” He is also a successful artist whose work has been exhibited at many galleries around the country and has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Artforum, Vanity Fair, and TED. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

PS Swim: Tuesdays & Thursdays at Dawn Ian (Class of 2019) and Elio (Class of 2020) LaPorta have reconnected with nature during the pandemic by making Sunrise Swims a frequent ritual at the beach in Santa Monica.

There’s quite a PS1 following as their group has grown to 14 people! This has been a gamechanger in finding balance during this time of distance learning. Anyone interested in “PS Swim” is welcome Tue/Thu at Dawn - Tower 26!

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Defne Enc, Class of 1988 Defne lives in Austin, Texas and recently reached out to see if we could recommend a school like PS1 for her young children! She commented, “I still to this day truly believe that my formative years [at PS1] helped shape so much about who I am to this day.”

Jessica Zindani (Klein), Class of 1997 Jessica wrote to Joel to say, “Thank you for everything that your vision of what a healthy learning environment is and for all that it (and you, for that matter) have given me in my life. Because of your teachings, my foundations of what learning should be changed me for the better and gave me tools that I still use today. So from the bottom of my heart, a long overdue thank you for believing in all of us kids (not just me, Pascale, Celine, Beryl...) all of us that stepped through that door. It was an honor.”

Kate Berlant, Class of 1999 Kate, a standup comic, was recently featured in the article, “Puzzling Through our Eternal Quest for Wellness” in the March 29, 2021 issue of The New Yorker Magazine, and provided a wonderful perspective on wellness and self-care through the pandemic.

Brendan Goldberg, Class of 2010 Brendan graduated from Ojai Valley School, then attended Emory University for a year before transferring to USC. This spring he graduated Summa Cum Laude from USC Dornsife School of Letters, Arts and Sciences with a BA Major in Law, History and Culture as well as a Minor in Jewish Studies and a Minor in Music Business from The Thornton School of Music. He has enrolled in law school at Columbia University and starts in the fall for the Class of 2024.

His mom Hayley wrote in to say, “We could not be more proud of how far he has come.

He dug deep, and his resilience, intellect and the support that he has always had has given him the opportunity to soar in more ways than we could ever have imagined. He has amazing friends from all over the world and even DJs for parties. He has a following of close to 25,000 on the dj sites!”

Coltrane Marcus, Class of 2010 Coltrane lives in New York City and works for Brown Brother Harriman. He graduated from Middlebury College in 2020. In his senior year, he played starting corner on Middlebury’s football team and they won the NESCAC league by proudly going undefeated 9–0!

We try to include as many Alumni updates as space allows. If you were not included in this column, and you sent us an update, please look for your feature in an upcoming issue. We love hearing your news!

Roger Fishman (Jack, Class of 2020)

Brendan Goldberg, Class of 2010

Sophie Aaron, Class of 2011 Sophie graduated from Oberlin College this spring with the highest honors in Sociology, a minor in creative writing, and a concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies.

Walker Jacobs, Class of 2015 Walker graduates this spring from New Roads. As he explored next steps, he was invited to apply for the Presidential Scholarship at High Point University in North Carolina. He dressed up in a suit & tie for a day of interviews and impressed the judges, who awarded him the Presidential Scholarship, a full four year tuition plus a study abroad year... plus, (if he wishes) a 5th year Masters Degree program. WOW!

Dylan Vecchione, Class of 2011 In honor of Earth Day and PS1’s focus on Environmental Sustainability, Dylan visited the Olders 4 classroom via Zoom. Dylan co-founded ReefQuest Foundation as a PS1 student, and currently attends college in Seattle. He accepted the class’s invitation to talk about environmental science issues, particularly related to the ocean and ocean pollution.

Joey Wilson, Class of 2011 Joey lives in New York and works as an artist. His most recent collection called, Olisaemeka, is on display this spring at the Simchowitz Gallery in Los Angeles.

Nicole Gurzeler, Class of 2014 Nicole is a freshman at UCLA and since starting has joined Alpha Delta Pi and the Business in Entertainment Association. She hopes to join UCLA’s club volleyball team when it is safe to do so!

Michelle Tovar, Class of 2014 and Mom Eva Salamanca Ortega (PS1’s Aftercare Director) Michelle and Eva discovered new skills during quarantine by making chocolatecovered strawberries, hot chocolate bombs, chocolate-covered pretzels, and cookies as gifts for family members. However, the sweets were way too good not to share with others that they decided to go through social media. Thinking they would not get any customers, they posted their favorites, and to their surprise, the orders grew overnight.

They named themselves M&M Sweets, which stands for Michelle and Mom. They’ve enjoyed each other’s company and bonding over creating treats during the holidays, special occasions, and events. Check them out on Instagram: @mxmsweets. Michelle is also attending Cal State Northridge as a freshman.

Coltrane Marcus, Class of 2010

Roger Fishman (Jack, Class of 2020) As a part of a class focus on environmental science, Olders 4 welcomed alumni parent Roger Fishman as a special guest speaker.

Roger talked with the class about his passion for the outdoors, photography, and videography, and how he uses these to share and inspire others about the beauty of the natural world. After his presentation, students shared many takeaways, including the importance of wondering and wandering and the collective impact that can be had if each of the 8,000,000,000 people on Earth does even only one small thing to help.

Dylan Vecchione, Class of 2011

Michelle Tovar, Class of 2014

Henry Langer, 2014–2020 Henry was recently featured in the article, “The Pandemic Created the Next Generation of Great Entrepreneurs” in Entrepreneur Magazine, highlighting his newly formed artisan chocolate company, Sweet Henry’s.

He was also quoted as a “Kid Expert” in The New York Times (May 31) Sunday edition!

Asamino Spong, Class of 2020 and Mom, Annie Spong At the onset of the pandemic, Annie and Asamino started Beach Street Bakers, an organic home baking & cooking business.

Their business offered organic goods on a donation basis to start with porch pick up. Through Beach Street Bakers, they have gotten to know many of their neighbors which has created a greater sense of community for them both. They are now offering delivery. Check them out at www.beachstreetbakers.com or @beachstreetbakers on Instagram.

Class of 2015 Reunion The Class of 2015 gathered in May via Zoom to reconnect before they graduate from high school. We wish them all good luck on their next adventures!

Welcoming a New Addition…

Shab Fasa and Julius Reder Carlson welcomed a baby boy, Felix, in February! Shab is the Director of Santa Monica Youth Orchestra, and she leads the instrumental music program at PS1. Her husband, Julius, is also an SMYO staff member who has worked in the program at PS1.

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Save the Date!

2021 SEPTEMBER 1

Do you want to get involved with our 50th Anniversary?

First Day Bubbles

We are thrilled to share with you the upcoming events that are being planned to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of PS1. We, along with a committee of alumni and current parents, staff and administration, have been working to put together a calendar that will offer something for everyone who has been a part of PS1’s history. There will be chances to gather with old friends, chat with Joel and Ellie and share your memories of PS1. Please mark your calendar (see dates on sidebar) and plan to join us. In the meantime, if you would like to volunteer for any component of the 50th please reach out to celebrate50@psone.org.

—Kerri Speck & Sharon Morrill, Co-Chairs

NOVEMBER 14 he 50th Anniversary Fall Family Festival T 2022 APRIL 23 The 50th Anniversary Gala

Follow us on social media to stay in touch as we begin our 50th anniversary celebrations. You won’t want to miss our alumni and teacher update posts, prizes and giveaways, and lots of exciting news.

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