Fall 2022 Report on Philanthropy

Fall 2022

2021/22

Report on Philanthropy Look Inside For: Teacher Summer Professional Development Celebrate the Class of 2022

In This Issue PAGE 1

Head’s Column PAGE 2

Professional Development PAGE 4

Class of 2022 Graduation PAGE 12

Report on Philanthropy

THE PERISCOPE Volume 32, Number3 Editor: Amanda Perla Alan Ball Designer: David Mellen Design PS1 Pluralistic School 1225 Broadway Santa Monica CA 90404 (310) 394-1313 (310) 395-1093 fax

To nurture big thinkers and joyful citizens school

Head’s Column

Our deeply connected community is a strength which will ensure the continuity of all that we value at PS1.

When I first had the opportunity to meet many of the PS1 community in the middle of May, it was one of the earliest opportunities for the parents to gather on campus due to eased COVID restrictions. It felt almost cathartic, and I am grateful to have been part of the moment. It was obvious that we enjoy each other’s company. We were marking a moment in the first Head of School transition in the school’s history. Our deeply connected community is a strength which will ensure the continuity of all that we value at PS1.

A school founded upon and dedicated to pluralism is highly personal. It requires teams of teachers to get to know each child deeply. In order to achieve this, class sizes are small and facilitated by two lead teachers. Over the course of the day, students easily interact with another five to ten adults. Everyone greets one another by first name. In those interactions the adults are responsive to the moment, calling upon their creativity and the available resources of the school to promote student growth and well-being. Behind the scenes, all of the adults devote additional time to collaboration about each child, sharing expertise and perspectives, and generating a comprehensive profile of the learner. PS1 is radically student-centered. As such, it is sometimes a bit messy, intentionally inefficient, and beautifully empowering. Yes, pluralism is an expensive model, and it is worth it.

Erik Carlson, Interim Head of School

Your time, talent, and treasure have made a difference. The volunteerism, led by the Parents Guild and the Board of Directors, stepped up exactly at the moments when you were needed. Forces of volunteers brought to life the 50th Anniversary Gala and the Jubilee, phenomenal celebrations of the PS1 experience over the last half-century. Your financial generosity, through your giving to both the Annual Fund and the Gala, ensured that in a moment of uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the school could confidently provide for our teachers and families. Your gifts to the Founders Fund expressed your enthusiastic endorsement of Joel and Eleanor Pelcyger’s vision for pluralism in education its past, present and future.

As a new leader for the 2022/23 school year, it is reassuring to know of the commitment of the school community to PS1 as represented through your generosity. It indicates that you believe in what we are doing and it demonstrates your participation in the vision to “Celebrate the Many; Build One”. For when you choose to give, you are providing the resources for all students to access the abundance of resources they can use to discover and develop their best selves. You are supporting the teachers and staff to guide the students and to provide the opportunities to cause wonderment, reflection, and growth.

While you are supporting the program, you are also helping the recruitment process for a new Head of School. It is an extremely attractive statement to say that PS1 continually clears a very high bar for participation and total dollars raised. As a hallmark of continuity, the PS1 community will ensure that the cherished legacy from Joel’s extraordinary tenure will continue to evolve and be impactful for future generations.

Thank you for your generosity and continued support.

In community, Erik

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FALL 2022 PERISCOPE

Professional Development At PS1, our commitment to fostering a community of learners is paramount. One noteworthy example of lifelong learning is our teachers spending part of their summer vacation participating in professional development. From mathematics education and cognitive guided instruction, to developing more ways to support creative student engagement, innovations in physical education, and deep dives into phonics, our teachers continue to learn and grow as experts in elementary education. Continuing their professional development this fall, some teachers will attend the Progressive Education Network National Conference, and others will attend the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference.

Nancy Harding, PhD, Assistant Head for Teaching & Learning

Danielle Simantob Cognitive Guided Instruction

The goal is to draw out the math reasoning in each child by providing a nurturing and enriching environment as they make sense of themselves as mathematicians.

Pedro Ortega Elementary Physical Education Workshop This summer Pedro had the privilege of attending the Elementary PE Workshop in Pomona, CA. The workshop is designed for classroom teachers and specialists who are interested in learning, gaining opportunities for growth, and collaborating on new lesson ideas for teaching physical education. Many of the presenters are experts in the field of physical education and are dedicated to providing an outlet to all creative and inspirational teachers who wish to share their expertise. The workshop also provided the opportunity to network with teachers from all over the nation.

Pedro reports, “I am always trying to find ways to improve my own practice when I have the opportunity to attend any PE workshop. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from others and get additional professional development towards becoming an even more effective educator. The EPEW was definitely the place to learn unique ideas and an amazing environment to rejuvenate my teaching skills and help re-energize our program at PS1.”

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Danielle attended the National Cognitive Guided Instruction (CGI) to Mathematical Thinking workshop in Florida. CGI strives to understand how children learn and think about mathematics, then uses that knowledge to help shape mathematical instruction and curriculum. In the break-out sessions, Danielle analyzed student work, watched classroom videos and had deep conversations about the many approaches to elicit mathematical thinking. Her most influential experience was analyzing the types of questions used to prompt students. She learned to focus on not only asking clarifying questions but to extend students’ thinking through open ended questions.

The goal is to draw out the math reasoning in each child by providing a nurturing and enriching environment as they make sense of themselves as mathematicians. Creating these experiences supports students not only in math but throughout the entire school experience, giving students the opportunity to ask questions, think critically and share in myriad ways.

…definitely the place to learn unique ideas and an amazing environment to rejuvenate my teaching skills and help re-energize our program at PS1.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Pete Dymock, Kayla Estrada, Angi Neff Institute for Imaginative Inquiry In August, Pete, Kayla, and Angi attended the Institute for Imaginative Inquiry’s weeklong professional development at the Walden School in Pasadena. This training offered an innovative approach to Social Studies curricula (and more) by using drama tools steeped in questioning in order to create imaginary contexts for learning. A key component to progressive education is to strive for engaging, relevant, and creative approaches to how children step into learning. Imaginative Inquiry honored this beautifully for teachers who attended by focusing on a tool known as “Mantle of the Expert.” In “Mantle of the Expert,” students take on a collective role of experts (climatologists, city planners, architectural renovators, etc). They are commissioned to dive into a range of tasks in order to solve a problem that they are facing together.

“Curriculum is contextualized within an imaginary setting, casting the students as people with status and responsibility.

This is what gives their learning purpose and meaning” (Taylor, 2016).

It is a creative process that allows students to purposefully explore a unit while cultivating their skills of geography, writing, reading, annotation, art, media literacy, and much more.

For example, in Grades 3 and 4, California’s rich history of modern immigration is explored. With “Mantle of the Expert,” students can take on the roles of architectural renovators who have discovered an historic home in Boyle Heights slated for demolition for a condominium project.

As they talk with construction workers, they ask to go inside to have a look around, pre-demolition. Inside, they find boxes that hold family artifacts and histories of the people who lived there over a hundred year period – a JewishAmerican family who fled the pogroms of Eastern Europe, a Japanese-American family who lived before World War II and were sent to internment camps during the war, a Black American family who arrived as part of the Great Migration, and a Mexican-American family who lived during the social and political upheaval of the 1960s. Students can

learn about city government and, as a team, propose solutions that may save the home from gentrification and destruction. This can all happen within the real world setting of the classroom with the imaginary world unfolding at the same time.

person(s) in order to learn about any particular historical chapter in our complex past.

The teachers are excited to collaborate together in order to bring the Imaginative Inquiry tools into the classroom this year.

To be clear, this is different from “simulation.” It is a creative process that allows students to purposefully explore a unit while cultivating their skills of geography, writing, reading, annotation, art, media literacy, and much more. It is also intentional and culturally competent in that no child is taking on the role of an oppressor(s) or of an oppressed 3

FALL 2022 PERISCOPE

The Graduation Ceremony is a PS1 rite of passage. Each year, each graduate stands in front of parents, teachers, and fellow students to address the crowd, and the Head of School prepares an individual honoring of each child. We were thrilled to host our ceremony under the oak tree on June 9, 2022. This experience was incredibly moving as the graduates shared their words of wisdom before heading off to middle school.

These are brief excerpts from their speeches.

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graduation videos here…

PS1 Graduation Highlights

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June 9, 2022

GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS

Savannah Jade Acutt, The Archer School for Girls “Everything is Right” (an excerpt of an original poem) Everything is right.

The big brown gate Opens at 8 The bubbles fly high High in the sky The grass feels good The clouds are just misunderstood I run toward my class As other kids pass I run out to recess In my princess dress

Class of 2022

Indie Bickle, Windward School PS1 has taught me to be my own person, but also someone who can easily work with others. When I was small, before PS1, I was stubborn, independent, and only liked to work alone. Not only has PS1 helped me to realize that it’s ok to ask a friend for help, but it has also helped me make the benevolent, noble, and attentive friends who are always willing to help.

There are so many times PS1 has helped me with my team awareness, like when I was in second grade, PS1 helped inspire me to put together a team of my friends to do beach clean ups. I have always loved the earth and wanted to take care of it, and it felt empowering to bring friends together and make a positive impact. That is just one example of how PS1 has inspired this intrepid little girl.

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FALL 2022 PERISCOPE

Dylan Alexander Byrnes, Harvard-Westlake School

Audrey Inez Charles, Buckley School

Are any of you big readers?

PS1 has made learning a fun, immersive and original experience.

One of the ways PS1 has done that would be the school camping trips. The camping trips have always been refreshing and fun.

They gave us the opportunity to learn about wildlife and have a good time with friends and other classes.

I’m a reader.

I love books.

You know that feeling when you’re on the last chapter.

The last page?

When you’re still clinging on to this story you’ve seen unfold, these characters that have been brought to life, this world you’ve come to love. That feeling of not wanting it to end, not wanting it to all be over.

Because you know that once it ends, that feeling of connection, where the words come to life, when the story really resonates with you, in a way you can’t really describe, that feeling will also change.

With graduating, I feel that same way, it’s the final page in this adventure that I’ve enjoyed so much, and I don’t want to have to say goodbye, but, I know I have to move on.

Because sometimes, you outgrow the story, and it becomes something that, no matter how hard you try to have your old perspective, you just can’t see it in the same way.

Because we’re growing up.

Carmen Carney, The Archer School for Girls POE traditionally stands for process of elimination, which as a student we often hear around the subjects of math and writing.

Today I want to use this acronym to illustrate who I have grown into throughout my time at PS1.

The P stands for pluralistic, which we all know is literally at the core of a PS1 education, but to me as an individual it means thinking of my community before myself. PS1 has shown me this through the various team learning experiences that both students and staff take part in. It’s truly incredible when you think about the meaning behind “celebrate the many and build the one,” because it can be interpreted in so many different ways. This motto has really been implanted into my brain because I’ve been part of PS1 for 9 years.

It’s been crazy. In a good way, obviously.

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My teachers have been an awesome part of this experience, probably the most important, too. They have taught me everything I know now and have prepared me for middle school and this moment. I have grown so much throughout my time at PS1, especially in math and writing. I also want to thank my parents for pushing me to my limit and telling me that I can do it and that I’m capable even when I didn’t think so. I want to thank my friends for helping me through every moment here at school and at home. I am so happy of all that I have accomplished and all of the wonderful memories I have made that I will carry with me forever.

Gabriel Aziz Chibane, New Roads School When I was born I immediately became part of the PS1 community.

My mom had already worked here as a teacher for two years. We lived nearby on Yale Ave and every day we would go to a park a couple blocks away. When it was time for me to come to PS1 as a kindergartener, I had already spent much time on the campus. But being a student was different. I was happy, even as I faced the truth and found out that life is not all fun and games!

I just wanted to tell you that I’m so thankful for you all. I’m really going to miss this place but as the 14th century English poet Geoffrey Chaucer would say, “All good things must come to an end,” and this has been a great thing. Thank you.

GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS

Ava Grace Dalton, The Archer School for Girls (an excerpt of an original song, sung to the tune of “7 Years” by Lukas Graham) Once I was ten years old I was in violet class and I thought it was gonna be a good year once I was ten years old

Henry Craig, New Roads School As I leave the community I have been a part of for the last seven years it is most bittersweet. I am happy to move on to my next school but sad to leave this one behind. I have developed my skills in reading, writing, math and science at PS1, and I have had a great time here. The friends I have made are some of the closest friends that I have, and maybe will ever have. The teachers here have pushed me far beyond what I knew I was capable of and allowed me to do my best work. Last year I had a debate and put in so much work in preparation. When I presented it, it felt like a weight fell off of me because of how passionate I was about it. I have also made many memories like going on a camping trip or seeing the bubbles on the first day of school. As my time at PS1 draws to a close I would like to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to go to this school, for it has shaped me to be who I am today. Thank you.

Then Covid hit hit hit and we were zooming together and then we thought that this would last forever we were baking at home, doing everything we could, while we’re staying positive and while writing our story Now I’m twelve years old we’re finally in Olders now, never thought that we would really get here. Now I am twelve years old Now the masks came off and we were smiling together. We’ve grown so much but now we have to (beat) leave each other I’ve got my friends with me and my teachers to I’ll carry these memories all the way to (beat) middle school Now I’m twelve years old we’ve gone on our grad trip and did our Shakespeare play we should be proud. Now I am 12 years old Once I was seven years old, I started PS1 it was going be my very first year. Once I was seven years old. Once I was seven years old.

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FALL 2022 PERISCOPE

Trace Agent Ebeling, Windward School

Kashton Estrada, Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter School

My personal journey through PS1 has been a wild one, much like the adventure of snowboarding. In Indigo, I made some really amazing friends and grew a lot, academically, socially, and vertically. In my second year in Indigo the trail got a little rocky. Not only did my friends move up, but COVID hit. On the slope you always get a big fall. You get snow everywhere. And once I got up from my fall it was about a year later. It was nice you get the “snow off’’ (or in my case COVID anti-socialness off) and start riding again.

Although I came to PS1 in third grade, I feel that I have been here throughout all of my school years. Blue was such a different experience than what I was used to because of the mixed grades and the two teachers. Overall my first year in Blue was wonderful.

We got back to Olders, in person, and I got to see people’s legs! We had fun. Performed Shakespeare, then said goodbye. This year we learned a lot, and had a ton of fun. This is like the best part of the run! The big jump, cool drop, or better yet, powder!

If this was a snowboard run, I would be coming to the end of a long, rewarding and exciting journey. Like always, when you reach the bottom it’s a bittersweet moment. It’s the end but also the beginning. You have other runs, and other mountains waiting to be explored.

Izzy Escalante, The Archer School for Girls I was 5 when I first walked through those gates Little did I know what magic awaits goodbye parents now come run in the class It was so much fun I had a blast Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd all became colors and turns into a bird My bird has wings, orange, green and blue The rest of the body is Indigo and white too The bird has no more colors to add at the end So now it goes down and starts to descend Down, down, down the beautiful bird goes When it will rise is when you know That another little kid has walked through those gates And little do they know what magic awaits.

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After Blue, I went to Violet. I appreciate how my teachers understood my humor and didn’t shy away from my antics. Despite the fact that the pandemic came, Violet was a great learning environment and was one of my favorite years.

Olders 4 was a huge change for me because I had always been in the older grade in my class and had many people with whom I’d yet to have in class. I met so many new friends whom I still have today.

Now we reach this year, Olders 5, that held a lot of familiar faces and created so many great memories, like all of the competitive capture the flag games and our tiny desk concerts in music. I am proud to graduate from this great four-year experience.

Zadie Freedman, Crossroads School When I reflect on my past at PS1, I think of all the incredible lessons my teachers and friends have taught me, educational or not. Over the years I’ve learned about so many different things, from the different moon phases in Youngers, to the zones of the ocean in Bridge, to human rights in Middles, and finally to how to be a leader in Olders.

Being a leader means being kind, confident and collaborative.

In my final year here, and throughout my PS1 journey I made friendships that I’ll keep forever, and as I graduate, I am so grateful for this journey because of how it shaped me and taught me to accept myself for who I am. And with that, Zadie out.

GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS

Jaeden Katherine Johnson, Wildwood School Jaeden sang an excerpt of the song “Roar“ by Katy Perry, dedicated to the graduating students of 2022 as well as all the other students of PS1.

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath Scared to rock the boat and make a mess So I set quietly Agreed politely

Luca William Sanchez Hayutin, Windward School “Beneath the Oak” (an excerpt of an original poem)

I guess that I forgot I had a choice I let you push me past the breaking point

Am I ready to let it all go?

I stood for nothing

The kaleidoscope’s colors must keep turning, colliding and

So I fell for everything

Separating into new forms Loved by smaller hands.

You held me down, but I got up (Hey!)

Something feels different.

Already brushing off the dust

It’s me, it’s you.

You hear my voice, you hear that sound

It’s everyone.

Like thunder gonna shake the ground You held me down, but I got up (Hey!)

Here under this oak tree I will always be King Oberon.

Do you not see my wings?

Get ready ‘cause I’ve had enough I see it all, I see it now

I am Caesar in a toga.

The deepest creature in the sea.

– Katy Perry

I am photosynthesis and precious metals, Liquid, solid and gas.

I wear the flag of yellow, blue and red, A Colombiano who loves arepas, buñuelos and fútbol Who brought zumba, salsa and merengue to my friends in the MPR. The boy who does not forget where he came from And who never gives up. Not ever.

I am Luca William Sanchez Hayutin.

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FALL 2022 PERISCOPE

Sebastian Matthew Jukanovic, Geffen Academy

Benjamin Koven, John Adams Middle School

It is such an honor to be on this stage after seven years of being a PS1 student. My time at PS1 has been wonderful. With remarkable teachers, amazing friends, and an overall incredible experience. I’ve gathered so much interesting knowledge and have accomplished so many things that I would have never ever thought of achieving. PS1’s teachers are extremely nice, nurturing, caring, understanding, encouraging, charming and they have made me feel comfortable and helped me to learn.

From Youngers to Olders, this has been an amazing journey as a student at PS1. In Youngers, I saw school as a playhouse. I remember every day after dismissal, I would go over to the 12th Street yard and go hangout with my brother and his friends.

There was this one time in 5th grade where we were all learning algebra, and even though it was challenging at first, we preserved and after about a week it was very easy. Here I learned that I could accomplish anything that I set my mind to.

Even when you have a hard time focusing or have a hard time learning, the PS1 community will always be there for you. Through my eyes, PS1 is an amazing school with loving teachers. This year in Olders 4, it has been an awesome journey. I am very sad to be leaving this nice, peaceful environment, but I know that PS1 has prepared me for the challenges ahead.

I can’t wait to visit everyone when I’m in middle school!

Oliver Knight, Windward School

Clara Cedar Lieberstein, The Archer School for Girls

Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your ears. I come to talk about my time at PS1, not Julius Caesar. Even though my grad speech does not include memories of Shakespeare, Shakespeare has been a big part of my memories of PS1.

My magical years at PS1 have taught me the arts of hope and imagination. I’ve learned it takes bravery to imagine a greater world. Speaking of imagining worlds, I’ll be doing that today.

Because as I racked my brain for some metaphor capable of encapsulating my entire learning journey, a cardinal truth flooded through my mind. One that my years at PS1 have taught me admirably, effectively, and adroitly. What do you do if what you need doesn’t exist? You create it. So I created a realm that captures the joy of learning, beneficial exuberance of empowerment, and pure goodness of community PS1 demonstrates. Welcome!

PS1 is exceptional at making young children feel like they belong which helps kids feel comfortable learning. PS1 did a remarkable job transitioning us from in-person to online school. To help us learn time management skills, the teachers gave us the schedule and expected us to be on top of our work. As a result, in my last two years at PS1 I have become a better student, specifically more focused and better at time management.

In a way, going to PS1 has been like spending many seasons at a soccer club, just to get ready for that big transfer to a bigger team, and standing here before all of you, I can say that I am ready.

Thank you

So here I stand, my journey through PS1 over, but never gone.

It remains in memories, precious souvenirs of my experiences.

I carry these memories with me as I take joyful steps beyond this realm. My journey starts… now.

Kate Sydney Mehringer, Marlborough School Many people say that when you leave elementary school you start your journey. I disagree. My journey started a long time ago, on that first day, bubbles streaming through the door, kids laughing, people hugging, simply put: it was magical. On my first day, I was coming in as a second grader. As I walked into the classroom for the first time I was welcomed with open arms and loving hugs.

After that first day I knew, I just knew, that I was going to have so many fond memories of PS1 for my whole life.

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PS1 has taught me that you can always improve and learn, and that you should always put in 100% effort and to remember to have fun too no matter what. I believe that those are really important life skills that I will carry with me forever. I really do have so many happy memories here that I constantly have to remind myself that graduation is not the end, it’s just the beginning of a new chapter.

GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS

Asha Rhys Parry, The Archer School for Girls When I started at PS1, my family and I planted a seed. Now, this seed has become a tree with thriving roots, trunks, branches and leaves. With every challenge to overcome and every opportunity to seize, the trunk has grown stronger and the branches have grown longer and reached further. The dark and deep colors, the light and bright colors, and the sturdy and spindly branches represent the experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today.

Thomas Leroy Merjos, Windward School Do you wonder why I always wear this beanie? Well not only does my hair need to be tamed, but the beanie makes me unique (I mean who in Los Angeles wears a beanie!?) Even though I only wear this one, I have a lot of beanies and each expresses my colors. My beanie embodies a burning sun where everyone and everything is welcomed. Every race, sexuality, and gender live here and love each other for who they are. My fellow graduates are there, celebrating our last out of 2,555 days of PS1.

This burning sun is a utopia. And while my beanie may not exactly be this, it is a metaphor for what the world should be and maybe one day, will be. Thank you very much for listening to my graduation speech.

Grace W. Nordling, The Archer School for Girls “Best Memories” (an excerpt of an original song) COVID hit and knocked out my next two years, and the idea of having more fun times, suddenly disappeared. I’d lie awake in bed and would think about,

As my time at PS1 comes to an end, I can see myself and my learning tree clearly and I am grateful for all the experiences- the moments big and small- that brought me here. I know that PS1 has given me two important things that I will take with me into my next journey; my roots and my wings.

Alexandra Rose Perttula, Windward School The learning environment that this school has is something that is super special. I have learned things like how to read a clock in Youngers, to dissecting a cow’s eye and a sheep’s brain in Olders.

My grandmother teaching me in Studio my first year. Getting nicknames from my teachers. Playing silent ball while standing on stools. Kickballs stuck in the oak tree. Meeting up with friends in the Library and Art room at recess.

I want to thank all of my friends, teachers, grandparents, siblings, parents, my dog, Redd, and every person who has been there for me throughout these 7 years. I can’t believe it’s time to say goodbye, but I’ll always have the memories. Now, as the last Perttula of this generation to graduate, on behalf of every one of my family members that has ever gone here, I think we can all say the same thing. Thank you, PS1.

The colors of the rainbow, growing potatoes, I thought about my best memories. Thinking about the oak tree, running away from the bees, I thought about my best memories. Yeah, these are my best memories.

But wait, now I get to walk to the brown gate again, hear the sound of children’s laughter again, and create more fun memories ahead.

The colors of the rainbow, singing with Romeo, these are my best memories. Acting under the oak tree eating lunch on the Field of Dreams, these are my best memories.

The colors of the rainbow, getting our roles, these are my best memories. Running on the Field of Dreams, singing under this oak tree. I made all of these memories. And I’ll never forget these memories.

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Julian Reid, Windward School

Emme Claire Rogers, Windward School

My journey at PS1 has been full of amazing memories. In my time here I have been taught how to learn, hope, respect other people, and have developed many other important skills that I will utilize throughout my entire life. One of the skills is socialization. In my first year, I only had a few friends and was too shy to make more, so I waited for someone to reach out to me, and finally, while I was doodling in the Library, someone did. The boy walks up to me and happily says “Growleeoo!” “What?” I ask. He tells me that Growleeoo is my new nickname. I reluctantly agree and he becomes the first friend I make at PS1. He still calls me Growleeoo to this day. Memories like that are what really drove me through this final year at PS1, but now it’s time for the next part of my journey; I have been accepted to Windward. Because of PS1 I am now confident in my skills and intelligence, and I know that I am ready to move on and be successful in my new school. Thank you PS1 for all that you have given me.

By definition, the word graduate means “complete a course of study.” Now, this definition might apply to other schools, but a PS1 graduate is never fulfilled with their time here, and will always have the spirit of the school by their side as they travel beyond.

Over the course of seven years, I’ve traveled through a unique path of classrooms, blossoming and growing from every experience I’ve made. Every memory I’ve collected - practicing gymnastics with friends during “morning tea,” performing as a wicked character for our Shakespeare play, or singing the lyrics to Flounder, is a colorful splash of ink on the pages of my story.

Although it felt like just yesterday that I was a shy little girl, my achievements, triumphs and mistakes throughout a rainbow of environments have made me into the person I aspire to be.

Rowan Schwarz, The Archer School for Girls James Reyna, Windward School It was 2015. My agents, mom and dad, were excited to tell me that I had just been called up to the Big Leagues: PS1. Let me take you back to my first day: I walk onto the field…of my dreams. Then, as people rush past me, I see Jason, a fellow rookie who I met in Spring Training (otherwise known as Make New Friends Day). I run over to him and together we meet our new coaches, Bonnie and Jayme, and our team, the Youngers.

I was traded one last time, to Olders: The best of the best. Since I was in Youngers, I had always looked up to this powerhouse of a team and the coolest kids on the field. At the start of this year, we were just getting back to normal play because of the pandemic.

I had always enjoyed PS1, but after distanced learning during the pandemic, I now appreciate being with my team more than ever.

I will value and remember my time at PS1. And, I am ready for my next chapter. After all, you can’t steal second without taking your foot off first.

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I have grown in the classroom, accomplishing so much as I’ve moved along. Maybe, like crossing the monkey bars, it’s the little things, like the love that I now have for reading. I have been helped and pushed beyond my comfort zone in so many ways by the amazing teachers I’ve had throughout my years at PS1.

Maybe it’s not correct to call the relationships I’ve developed an accomplishment. But without a question, one of the most important things that I will walk away from PS1 with is lasting friendships I now have. Actually, maybe this was the greatest accomplishment of all – that I will have a group of lifelong friends forever connected by our time together at PS1.

GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS

Portrait of a PS1 Pluralistic School Graduate

A PS1 graduate is: Bliss Spell, Harvard-Westlake School These seven years weren’t always easy but I’ve made a ton of memories and have had a lot of fun. I’ve hit a lot of walls in the pursuit of conquering this mountain that is my journey here at PS1. But right here, at this moment looking out on all my accomplishments, and standing here because I had the audacity to climb my way to the top—it’s all worth it. My name is Bliss Spell, I’m twelve years old, turning thirteen in November. I have two lovely parents and my most of the time tolerable brother, as well my amazing dog Harley. I love art, writing, snakes, pizza, and music. I value self-expression, creativity, variety, freedom, and fun. I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up or even my favorite color but as long as I can feel this way again wherever I may be in a year, in five, in twenty; it’ll be worth it. My name is Bliss Spell, I’ve grown—a lot. And lucky for me there’s room to continue. Today I’m moving up but I’m not moving on.

SELF-AWARE Demonstrates a strong sense of identity and resilience as an individual and a learner RESPECTFUL Exhibits kindness, consideration, and mindfulness of others EXPRESSIVE Confidently articulates thoughts, ideas, and emotions INQUISITIVE Eagerly satisfies curiosities and acquires new knowledge COLLABORATIVE Considers others’ ideas and points of view to deepen understanding

Lillian Rian Tyler, Windward School

PROBLEM-SOLVING Investigates problems, sets goals, and develops solutions encompassing multiple perspectives

All seven years and all seven classes at PS1 have been different but amazing experiences. Here I have learned how to problem solve and how to use my creativity. I also learned how to deal with different friendships.

CONNECTED Balances needs of self and others; contributes meaningfully in community and society

It has been said that PS1 graduates are self-aware, respectful, expressive, inquisitive, collaborative, problem-solving, connected, proactive, and prepared, and I have learned how to be all of that here in all my different classes.

One important thing I have learned is that PS1 cares, every adult has a special relationship with a student. Most of all PS1 has taught me how to be myself, and how to stand up for myself. PS1 has also taught me how to be a leader. With all of that being said I am so grateful for my experiences here and I will take them with me to middle school.

PROACTIVE Embraces responsibility to stand up to exclusion, prejudice, and injustice; advocates for change PREPARED Intrinsically motivated to meet the challenges of middle school and beyond

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FALL 2022 PERISCOPE

Class of 2016 > Colleges and Universities: Milo Chamberlin > Wildwood School > Wesleyan University Angus Ebeling > Windward School > New York University Amanda Emtiaz > Brentwood School > Southern Methodist University Teala Fishman > Windward School > University of Michigan Troy Freed > Brentwood School > Tulane University Julia Gerolmo > Crossroads School > Trinity College Samantha Gerolmo > Crossroads School > Franklin University (Switzerland) Ted Greenberg > Brentwood School > Wesleyan University Max Haimes > New Roads School > Brown University Marcus Hevesy-Rodriguez > Wildwood School > Santa Monica College Isabella Hyman > Harvard-Westlake School > New York University Eli Kaplan-Packer > Crossroads School > Occidental College Roxy Kortleven > Wildwood School > Santa Monica College Toby Lahman > Windward School > Santa Monica College Finn Leeves-Coben > Manzanita School > New Roads School > Santa Monica College Theo Marx > Polytechnic School > New York University Jonah Perttula > Windward School > Boston College Hailey Reyna > Windward School > George Washington University Charlotte Siegel > Windward School > New York University Dylan Tatum > Crossroads School > Harvard-Westlake School > gap year for 22/23 > Loyola Marymount University Remy Teitelbaum > Brentwood School > Tulane University Luke Trunnel > Windward School > UC Berkeley Ava Vincent > Lindero Canyon Middle School > Agoura High School > UC Davis Stella Vincent > Lindero Canyon Middle School > Agoura High School > Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

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PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

2021/22

Report on Philanthropy

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2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

Dear PS1 Pluralistic School Family and Friends, 2021/22 Board of Directors Anna Reyna, Chair Jessica Reid, Vice Chair Nisreen Al-Bassam Josh Berger, ’90 Jeff Haines Elizabeth Kendall Tawny Laskar Joel Pelcyger Maggie Rosenfeld Board Member Emeritus Jason Schwarz Kerri Speck DeAnn Spell Stacey Staples Mike Tatum Steve Trilling Heather Turner Eric Zabinski

Message From Our Board Chair

What a year for PS1 Pluralistic School! We celebrated our golden anniversary with so many of you — fifty years of students, parents, teachers and staff members.

Thank you for joining us! Your presence and enthusiastic participation throughout the year are a testament to the enduring sense of community that our unique school has cultivated for five decades and counting.

More than 800 community members attended Joel’s June Jubilee on campus, where we explored the PS1 archives, shared PS1 stories, and toasted our friend, mentor, and founding Head of School, Joel Pelcyger upon his retirement. As PS1 enters a new era, the PS1 Board of Directors will carry forward the school’s mission and founding principles for impactful elementary education.

We had an incredible 50th Anniversary Gala evening at the Skirball Cultural Center. It was a joy to have generations of our community come together to support the institution and the ideals that have meant so much to so many of us. We are humbled by the strong financial support provided by our community to the newly-created Founders Fund for Educational Pluralism.

Finally, our Annual Fund drive was as successful as ever. Under the leadership of co-chairs Nisreen AlBassam and Stacey Staples, the dedicated Annual Fund committee insured that we reached 100% participation by our current families, faculty, staff and Board members in just five weeks! Thank you to all who generously contributed their time and resources to benefit the students of PS1 this past year.

PS1’s solid financial position and ability to be nimble in meeting the needs of the school are due much in part to you. The generosity of many allows us to look to the future with excitement of the possibilities that will shape the next five decades. On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for making our community what it is today. Because of you — and for our students, teachers, alumni and more — we will continue to do and be our best. We are truly grateful to all.

Sincerely,

Anna Reyna Allison ’26, James ’22 and Hailey ’16 16

PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

Board Committees and Task Forces: Administration and Finance Heather Turner, Chair Adam Bromwich Mike Egner TJ Harney Alex Kendall Beth Khan Melinda Mehringer Naomi Nakagama Joel Pelcyger Eric Reid David Schumacher Jason Schwarz Eric Zabinski Advancement Kerri Speck and Stacey Staples, Co-Chairs Nisreen Al-Bassam Tina Andrews Alan Ball Avery Breuer, ’06 Carleen Glasser Abbi Hertz Christine Jenkins Beth Kemp Sharon Morrill Eleanor Pelcyger Joel Pelcyger Amanda Perla Ann Rogers Laurel Turner Richard Turner Sabina Von Munk Buildings and Grounds Mike Tatum, Chair Joel Pelcyger Brad Shimada

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice DeAnn Spell, Chair Josh Berger, ’90 Elizabeth Kendall Tawny Laskar Joel Pelcyger Anna Reyna Enrollment Management* Jessica Reid and Eric Zabinski, Co-Chairs Nisreen Al-Bassam Beth Kemp Joel Pelcyger Heather Turner Executive Anna Reyna, Chair Joel Pelcyger Jessica Reid Jason Schwarz Governance Elizabeth Kendall, Chair Josh Berger, ’90 Joel Pelcyger Jessica Reid Anna Reyna DeAnn Spell Real Estate* Mike Tatum, Chair Jeff Dinkin Melinda Meringer Joel Pelcyger Anna Reyna Jeremy Rogers Maggie Rosenfeld Kerri Speck Heather Turner *denotes Task Force

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2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

Thank you! Departing Board members

Jeff Haines 3 years of service

DeAnn Spell 3 years of service

PS1 is grateful to our departing Board members for their dedicated service.

Their tireless efforts were truly valued, and our community is all the stronger because of them.

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Stephen Trilling 7 years of service

Joel Pelcyger Many years of service

PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

Welcome! New Board members Jenefer Brown (Executive Vice President and Head of Lionsgate’s Global Products & Experiences) has established Lionsgate as a major force in branded entertainment.

Brown oversees several fast-growing businesses that expand the reach of Lionsgate’s film and television properties, including location-based entertainment, which encompasses attractions in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia, the dynamic interactive games business and the consumer products business.

Named Executive of the Year by Los Angeles Business Journal in 2021 and a Top 10 Theme Park Influencer by Blooloop for the past three years in a row, Brown led the successful openings of Lionsgate’ Entertainment World in Hengqin, China, which has earned rave reviews for ushering in a new era of immersive indoor theme parks; the Official Saw Escape and Escape Blair Witch experiences in Las Vegas; and The Hunger Games: The Exhibition at the MGM Grand Las Vegas.

These initiatives add to a portfolio of Lionsgate-branded attractions and events that includes the Lionsgate Zone of the Motiongate theme park in Dubai, with an expanded Lionsgate Zone that opened in January, the Dirty Dancing and Now You See Me Live stage shows and La La Land, Hunger Games and Twilight live-to-film concert tours.

Under Brown’s guidance, Lionsgate is also adapting several of its most acclaimed intellectual properties to the Broadway stage in collaboration with award-winning producers including the long-running television series Nashville and the film sensation Wonder.

On the interactive games side, the division has garnered critical acclaim and won several major awards at E3. Highlights include the groundbreaking Call of Duty X SAW crossover, Fortnite X John Wick crossover, John Wick Hex; psychological horror game Blair Witch; and top-selling Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted; and Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid.

Brown also leads Lionsgate’s Metaverse and NFT strategy, which includes a strategic relationship with Tom Brady’s fast-growing NFT platform Autograph.

Under Brown’s guidance, Lionsgate became the first Hollywood studio to announce it is entering The Sandbox with a Lionsgate land.

Jenefer and her husband Tony have two children at PS1.

Rosalia Ibarrola has served as the General Counsel at Blackstone Consulting, Inc., an international service provider, since 2012. In addition to serving on the executive team, Rosalia manages BCI’s legal and compliance functions. Prior to serving as General Counsel, Rosalia worked as a labor and employment attorney, defending many types of employers, from Fortune 500 companies to schools and school districts, against a variety of claims and providing advice and counsel on diverse and complex issues. Rosalia earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Princeton University and earned her J.D. from Stanford University.

Rosalia and her husband Mike live in Santa Monica with their two children, Elisa and Sam, who are both current PS1 students.

Bryan Wolff has worked as a technology investor and executive for over 15 years; having held senior positions at numerous Venture Capital-backed start-ups and other Institutional Investment firms. He is currently the CFO at AllVoices, a Los Angeles-based employee communications platform.

Recently Bryan was a Managing Director at Anthos Capital Management, a Santa Monica-based private equity firm, where he had worked from 2017 to 2020. Prior to that, Bryan was the CFO of Bonobos, Inc. (acquired by Wal-Mart), DogVacay (acquired by Rover, Inc.) and Thrive Market, all privately held companies.

Bryan has sat on numerous boards over his career, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of BBQ Holdings, a publicly-traded restaurant franchisor and operator. Bryan holds an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and a BSE in Computer Science from Princeton University. He and his wife, Melanie, live in Santa Monica and have 3 young children.

Rosalia has enjoyed volunteering at PS1 in various capacities, including serving on the Annual Fund and DEIJ Committees.

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2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

Annual Fund Co-chair Letter

Nisreen Al Bassam Nader ’27 and Nabil ’24

Stacey Staples Damien ’27 and Noemi ’24

Dear PS1 Families, Alumni and Friends, As Annual Fund Co-Chairs and current Board members, we cannot thank the PS1 community enough for another successful Annual Fund campaign. We are so grateful to you for your generous support and unparalleled participation.

Throughout the course of last year’s Annual Fund effort, the PS1 Community demonstrated its resounding commitment to the school and to each other. As always, the Annual Fund provided each current student with a PS1 education that shapes them into academically well-prepared, collaborative, confident and compassionate graduates. The PS1 Annual Fund positively impacts each and every child’s education and allows our school to provide an even more robust program thanks to this vital funding.

The Annual Fund also enabled PS1 to successfully navigate the continued challenges of COVID through a momentous year back on campus. Students, faculty, staff, and parents were all overjoyed to return to a more “normal” school experience including much loved on-campus traditions such as Moving Up Day, Open House, Circle Times, DEAR, and Coffees on the Green … not to mention the simple joy of reconnecting as a community during morning drop off on the Euclid yard.

It cannot be overstated the impact your Annual Fund generosity had on the faculty and staff, the backbone of the PS1 experience. Your contributions allowed PS1 to provide our talented faculty and staff with competitive compensation and the healthcare coverage they deserve. Faculty and staff were also given the opportunity to participate in extensive professional development, as you will note from their own words in this Periscope edition.

The 2021-2022 Annual Fund facilitated other key investments that will benefit PS1 now and in the future.

These included: Significant upgrades to the campus-wide network infrastructure A new phone system for teachers, staff and classrooms Security enhancements throughout the Euclid and 12th Street properties

• • •

In the fall of 2021, we asked you to join us in supporting Our School, Our Kids and Our Community.

Each of you did, and for that we are sincerely grateful.

It is our hope that as you read through this year’s Report on Philanthropy you will continue to be inspired by the remarkable strength and philanthropic dedication of the entire PS1 community.

Warmest regards,

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PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

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2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

Finance & Development

2021/22 Operating Budget

Contributions:

Income:

16.8%

71.5%

Fundraising

Annual Fund

Gala & Founders Fund

Party Book, Book Fair

Grad Gift

Tuition & Fees

TOTAL

9.1%

Endowment

2.6%

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Other

PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

Expenses:

$730,000

$987,000 Program

$13,000

$2,400

16.8%

62.2%

$1,732,400

Salaries & Benefits

15.1% Financial Aid

5.9%

Facilities

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PS1 Annual Fund PS1 Annual Fund Committee: Nisreen Al-Bassam Jason Barrett Jen Brown Jonathan Chu Brian Doolittle Zoe and Adrian Fairbourn Lauren Ferrari Jenna Humphrey Rosalia Ibarrola DJ Jacobs Kelli Johnson HK Kang

This past year’s Annual Fund volunteers was led by Board members and current parents Nisreen Al-Bassam (P’27 & ’24) and Stacey Staples (P’27 & ’24). We are grateful to Nisreen and Stacey for their creative spirit, dedication to helping our Annual Fund reach new heights as well as for their incredible attention to detail.

Each member of the Annual Fund team served our community well, and raised awareness of the importance and impact of philanthropy in our school.

Jamie Keeton Elizabeth Kendall David Krauss Tawny Laskar Liz Leknickas Tannaz Nikravesh-Galker Jessica and Chris Nordling Joel Pelcyger Ann Rogers Gabrielle Rose Hanna Shin Kerri Speck Stacey Staples Richard Turner Deirdre Wallace Bryan Wolff

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PS1 Annual Fund Solicitation Letter Authors: Current Parents and Board of Trustees: Nisreen Al-Bassam and Stacey Staples Grandparents, Alumni Parents, Former Board of Trustees & Special Friends: Alan Ball and Joel Pelcyger

2021/22 Participation PS1 Board Members Nisreen Al-Bassam & Sami Rasromani Josh Berger & Lauren Fujiu Jeff & Nadene Haines Elizabeth & Alexander Kendall Tawny & Adam Laskar Joel & Eleanor Pelcyger Jessica & Eric Reid Anna & Jeff Reyna Maggie & Mort Rosenfeld Jason & Jessica Schwarz Kerri Speck & Paul Marks DeAnn & Rhazes Spell Stacey & Will Staples The Tatum Family The Trilling Family Heather & Richard Turner Eric Zabinski & Sharon Dai

Current Parents Anonymous (11) Carol & Robin Acutt Nisreen Al-Bassam & Sami Rasromani Tiffany & Shayne Anderson Angela Arnold & DJ Jacobs Simon & Emma Atik Megan & Matt Auron Mike Averill & Chelsea Brown Halina Avery & Kimberley Stead Elizabeth & Eugene Bang Shane Barach & Jennifer Daly Jason Barrett The Matthew Behr Family Kelly & Stephen Bickle Tracy & Adam Bromwich Jen & Tony Brown Benjamin Buadu & Melissa Navarro Anne Marie Burke & Anthony Byrnes Victor Cachoua & Maria Lopez Jon & Melissa Caligiuri Kim Campbell Deirdre Wallace & Jared Carney Paul Carpenter & Beth Kahn Marilyn & Christian Cazún Lucia Alcantara-Chibane & Soufiane Chibane Lynda & Jonathan Chu

Julie & Eugene Chu The Cooley Family Ryan & Karen Craig Graeme Craven & Vanessa Chow Sharon Dai & Eric Zabinski Carrie & Matt Dalton Dominique Dawkins Michala & Wesley Dening Vincent DiMauro & Lisa Serra Ortavia Manning-Dixon & Ebson Dixon The Doolittle Family Jade Duell The Ebeling Family Joanna & Andrew Edstrom Michael Egner & Rosalia Ibarrola Egner Nicole & Rob Eloff Marcos & Caroline Escalante Kayla Estrada Adrian & Zoe Fairbourn Emily & James Farrell Tyler & Leila Fenelon Lauren & Dominique Ferrari Elise & Rob Fissmer Taura Mizrahi-Fite & Scott Fite Holly & Judd Frazier Zack & Heather Freedman Shayna Gaffen & Seth Baglin Mark Gainor Tannaz Nikravesh-Galker & Andy Galker Anna & Steven Gordon Matthew Hayutin & Lizette Sanchez-Hayutin Abbi Hertz & David Krauss Karalyn & Stuart Holden Yvonne Hsieh & David Schumacher Jennifer & Mark Humphrey Phillip & Vivian Hyun Britt Johansson & Jeremiah Knight Tyler & Kelli Johnson Christopher & Michelle Johnson Bridget Kanashige Teruo Kanashige Jennifer Kane & Chauncey Nichols HyoSung Kang & Chloe Choi Douglas Kaplan & Mary McGuinness Beth & Chris Kemp Elizabeth & Alexander Kendall Tobias & Breana Kennedy

The Koo Family Justine Kragen & Scott Bendar Michelle Kroes & Matt Lennon CL & Paul Kumpata Naomi & Fred Kurata Amanda & Steve Lane Tawny & Adam Laskar Po & Liz Leknickas Caroline Lindqvist Aurelian & Simone Lis The Lopes Family Tessa Lydic & Farshad Tehrani David & Hazel Mackenzie Philip & Carmen Margaziotis The Megna Family Melinda & Steve Mehringer Stavros Merjos & Honor Fraser Jerry Morrone & India Gentile Keith Muenze & Jamie Keeton Amelia & Jason Ning Edward Nomoto & Jenica Ryu Jessica & Chris Nordling The Ojuri Family The Parry Family Jennifer Penton & Igor Jukanovic Kimberly & Joshua Perttula Teresa & Devon Pitts Janine Poreba & Paul Lieberstein Elizabeth Priester & Ricardo Carreira Emily Procter & Paul Bryan Grace Qi & Changsheng Guo Sharat Raju & Valarie Kaur Amanda Rawls Jessica & Eric Reid Anna & Jeff Reyna Jessica & Daniel Rinsch Gabrielle Rose Kim Rozenfeld & Lisbeth Vaughan-Rozenfeld Jessica & Jason Schwarz Chris & Emily Seet Tania Sew Hoy & Andrew Lavengood Matt Sherman & Gina Kelly Hanna Shin & David Shao Alex & Elaine Shing Tia Shung The Silver Family Ann Singhakowinta & Jeremy Rogers 25

2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

PS1 Annual Fund

Participation Reuben Smiley & Deneise Williams Kerri Speck & Paul Marks DeAnn & Rhazes Spell The Stabile Family Stacey & Will Staples Wendy & Matt Sugarman Hana Ogawa Sziraki & Kyle Sziraki The Techentin Family Cullen & Emily Thompson Omar Torrez & Masha Tsiklauri Adrian Toynton & Wonder Serra The Truino Family Jenn & Jack Tsai Plummy Tucker & Mario Ontal Heather & Richard Turner Laurel & BJ Turner Jennifer & Spencer Tyler Brittany & Colter Van Domelen Nancy Wamai & Henry Giddings The Wax Family Donna Weiss & Lorin Vogel Darien Williams & Jeffrey Inaba Melanie & Bryan Wolff

Alumni Families Peter & Kelli Abraham, Sadie ‘12 & Gavin ‘10 Beth & Stephen Abronson, Sierra ‘20 Tina Andrews, Makai ‘10 Raymond Bakaitis, Daniel ‘97 Josh Berger ‘90 & Lauren Fujiu Deborah & Andrew Bogen, Kamden ‘21 & Michael ‘90 Marné & Kurt Boulware, Jason ‘21 Avery Breuer ‘06 Evelyn Cazún, Justin ‘14 The Clark Family, Kylie ‘01 Michelle & Jamie Court, Pablo ‘19 & Joey ‘16 Marci & Jeff Dinkin, Aaron ‘12, Robin ‘07, Leslie ‘07 & Andy ‘04 Laurie & Rudi Ekstein, Jessica ‘02 Alexa Fischer & Robert LaPorta, Elio ‘20 & Ian ‘19 Carol Frayre & Juan Venegas, JayJay ‘15 & Rudy ‘10 26

Richard Gabriel & Kay Seymour-Gabriel, Griffin ‘18, Lily ‘13 & Emma ‘07 Sam Gasster & Diane Waingrow, Emily ‘09 & David ‘04 Len Goldstein & KristieAnne Reed, Tanner ‘19 Nadene & Jeff Haines, William ‘24 & Brooke ‘20 LiAnne Hall & Keeth Hill, Keith ‘10, Avery ‘06 & Haley ‘05 Buzz Harris, Griffin ‘04 & Justin ‘98 Hugh Harrison & Ann Haskins, Nicole ‘99 Pauline & Bill Henry, Nicholas ‘97 & Paul ‘94 Andrea & Scott Holtzman, Madelyn ‘09 The Hyatt Family, Hugo ‘21 & Esme ‘18 Beryle Jackson, Eve ‘14 Loren Kaplan & Scott Packer, Eli ‘16 Nastaran & Jalal Kazemitabar, Ali ‘22 Paula & Fred Kuhns, Samuel ‘11 & Abigail ‘09 Laura Siegel Larson, James ‘03 & Michael ‘00 Robert Levine & Gili Meerovitch, Perry ‘05 Trula & Gary Marcus, Coltrane ‘10 Linda & David Michaelson, Aidan ‘18 & Delaney ‘14 Nancy & Steve Mindel, Jake ‘09 & Sam ‘05 Tania Mooser, Zoe ‘06 Lizzie & John Murray, Calvin ‘17 & Violet ‘13 Margaret Newhouse, David ‘83 Eva Salamanca Ortega, Michelle ‘14 & Matthew ‘12 Pedro Ortega, Izabel ‘17 Steve Reymer & Christy Full, Amanda ‘11 Jennine Rodriguez, Jacinda ‘18 & Marcus ‘16 Maggie & Mort Rosenfeld, Daniel ‘97 & Andrew ‘94 Gail & Roger Samuel, Frankie ‘13, Scott ‘78 & Marla ‘76 Aletta J. Schaap, Adriane ‘96 & Alexander

Madeline & Phil Schwarzman, Alexa ‘99 & Elana ‘96 Vicky Shorr & John Perkins, Fofy ‘95 & Sidney ‘93 Rochelle & Ian Siegel, James ‘20 & Charlotte ‘16 Bria & Evan Silbert, Graham ‘96 Maria & Phil Starr, James ‘92 & Nick ‘91 Robin & Leslie Stevens, Liam ‘08 Holly Swope, Charlie ‘17 & Lucy ‘15 Kevin M. Tamaki, Scott ‘04 The Tatum Family, Violet ‘21, William ‘18 & Dylan ‘16 The Trilling Family, Max ‘18 & Joe ‘18 Joanne Van Emburgh & Sam Surloff, Emily ‘09 Andrea & Maurizio Vecchione, Dylan ‘11 Liz & John Waldman, Melina ‘13 & Louis ‘11 Maria & Jeffrey Wauer, Reanna ‘10 & James ‘07 Sean Weber-Small & Cara Kleinhaut, Ella ‘20 & Caitlin Rose ‘17 Susan Williams & Steven Poster, Rachel ‘00

Faculty and Staff Anonymous (2) Tina Andrews Alan Ball Jim Bowers Avery Breuer Meghan Brtnik Evelyn Cazún Lucia Alcantara-Chibane & Soufiane Chibane Pete Dymock Kayla Estrada Holly & Judd Frazier Christina & David García Carlos Gonzalez Kelly Gresalfi LiAnne Hall & Keeth Hill Nancy Harding TJ Harney Billy Huynh

PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

Gina Jang Nicolina Karlsson Beth & Chris Kemp Bonnie Koo Chris Kuzina Genevieve Mow Pedro Ortega Joel & Eleanor Pelcyger Amanda Perla David Ramos Eva Salamanca Ortega Brad Shimada Danielle Simantob Sunny Sterling Maren Storvick Holly Swope Melva Thompson Michael Tovar Danielle Valadez Liz & John Waldman Esther Watkins McKendree Yeager Madeline Zardoya & Chelsea Geiger

Grandparents and Special Friends Patti Auron, Liana ‘27 Phyllis & Robert Blaunstein, Julian ‘22 & Dylan ‘18 Brielle & Charles Block Diana & Roy Conovitz Marc Cruise, Isadora ‘28 Sherry J. Ellms Nancy & Gary Freedman, Zadie ‘22 & Finn ‘20 Carleen Glasser, Scarlett ‘24 & Nicholas ‘23 Nancy Goglia Vern & Jan Hall, Keith ‘10, Avery ‘06 & Haley ‘05 Stephanie Hayutin, Luca ‘22 & Bianca ‘19 Diane Heller, Rose ‘27 Charles & Jo Ann Kaplan, Eli ‘16 Richard Kendall & Lisa See, Henry ‘24 Leonard & Betty King 27

2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

PS1 Annual Fund

Participation Pg & María Lavengood, Evie ‘28 Susan & Michael Mahoney, Keegan ‘25 Diane Marder, Hugo ‘21 & Esme ‘18 David McCabe & Susan Wilson, Indie ‘22 Dorothy Megna, Rhodes ‘26 Heidi & Erik Murkoff, Lennox ‘25 Nancy & Ray Nakagama, Alana ‘24 Carol & Gene Pantuck, Alex ‘10 & Morgan ‘07 Joel & Eleanor Pelcyger, Finn ‘16 & Isabella ‘13 Harriet & William Procter, Pippa ‘23 Paul & Connie Schorr, Henry ‘22 Kenneth & Barbara Seplow, Daniel ‘13 & Rachel ‘11 Priscilla Tucker, Diego ‘24 Catharine & Jon Vogel, Connor ‘26 Susan Wallace, Carmen ‘22 & Allegra ‘20 Tim & Quay Wolfe, Zeppelin ‘28 & Westley ‘25

Matching and Organizational Gifts 20th Century Fox, DeAnn & Rhazes Spell Angeleno Group, LLC, Paula & Fred Kuhns AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Kelli & Tyler Johnson Boston Scientific Employee Giving, Amelia & Jason Ning Good Life Organics Lufkin Family Foundation The Refinery, Christy Full & Steve Reymer The Walt Disney Company, Josh Berger & Lauren Fujiu, Reagan Feeney & Richard Levine, Scott & Andi Holtzman, Anna & Jeff Reyna

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PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

Lufkin Family Foundation

Thank You! Thanks to a generous gift match from the Lufkin Family Foundation, PS1 was able to extend a challenge to its community of Alumni, Alumni Parents, Former Board members and more. As a result of this year’s effort, we were able to almost double giving from these donor groups, and more importantly, raise awareness of philanthropy and investment in a PS1 education for others going forward.

Over the course of the past five years, the Lufkin Family Foundation provided over $180,000 in matching funds to PS1. PS1 is grateful to alumni parent Abigail Lufkin, and her entire family, for their willingness to partner in this important effort.

Their inspiration helped rally support of the PS1 Alumni community in important ways.

To learn how your own family foundation could help raise awareness of the importance of giving at PS1, email alan@psone.org.

Pictured left to right: Margaret Bishop, Abigail Lufkin, Dan Lufkin, Alison Lufkin and Elise Lufkin

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Gala!

2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

Chairs: Angela Arnold Lauren Ferrari Abbi Hertz

Volunteers: Shayna Gaffen Wendy Sugarman Laurel Turner Tracy Bromwich Benjamin Buadu Melissa Cruise Brian Doolittle Jade Duel Joanna Edstrom Carolina Escalante Zoe & Adrian Fairbourn Emily Farrell Dominique Ferrari Michele Frazier India Gentile Henry Giddings Anna Gordon Andi Holtzman Jenna Humphrey Vivian Hyun HyoSung Kang Beth Kemp Elizabeth & Alex Kendall Michelle Kroes Liz & Po Leknickas Tessa Lydic Hazel Mall Taura Mizrahi Sharon Morrill Mel Navarro Chauncey Nichols Jessica Nordling Hana Ogawa Sziraki Jennifer Penton Janine Poreba Elizabeth Priester Kerri Speck Wonder Serra Elaine & Alex Shing Stacey Staples Carolina & Norman Thompson Plummy Tucker Brittany Van Domelen Deirdre Wallace Nancy Wamai

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PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

The PS1 50th Anniversary Celebration Ticket Sponsors: The PS1 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala was a celebration like no other! It certainly was a great night for all who attended! This was a celebration of PS1, Joel and Eleanor Pelcyger, as well as our entire PS1 Community. All proceeds went to the Founders Fund for Educational Pluralism. What a beautiful evening to be outdoors with friends new and old. Of course, we could not have planned, coordinated and facilitated the biggest Gala/Auction ever without the tremendous support of our community.

PS1 is immensely grateful to our incredibly talented Gala team for their dedication, passion, energy and inventiveness. Thank you, Abbi Hertz, Angela Arnold and Lauren Ferrari. We were so fortunate for your commitment to this important undertaking that was well over a year in the making. Thank you!

We are also grateful to the Volunteer team who supported Abbi, Angela and Lauren. Indeed, this year’s massive event required involvement from a significant portion of our community, including PS1 Alumni Parents, former Board members, alumni and more.

+

Seth Baglin & Shayna Gaffen Kelly & Stephen Bickle Deirdre Wallace & Jared Carney Michael Egner & Rosalia Ibarrola Zoe & Adrian Fairbourn Richard Gabriel & Kay Seymour-Gabriel Sam Gasster & Diane Waingrow Anna & Steven Gordon Stephen Harwood Naomi & Fred Kurata Melinda & Steve Mehringer Jeremy Rogers & Ann Singhakowinta Laurie & Michael Seplow David Shao & Hanna Shin Jacob Vaughan & Jacqueline Schaeffer Greg Walker & Michelle Ashford Susan Williams & Steven Poster

more photos here…

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2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

THE FOUNDERS FUND FOR EDUCATIONAL PLURALISM Celebrating the lifelong legacy of co-founders Joel & Eleanor Pelcyger

In the spring of 2021, Joel Pelcyger, Co-Founder and Head of PS1 Pluralistic School, announced his intention to retire after 51 years. The PS1 Board of Directors and a dedicated group of alumni parents wanted to celebrate this moment and honor the school’s co-founders, Joel and Eleanor Pelcyger. The Founders Fund for Educational Pluralism was created. The mission of the Fund is to ensure that as many children as possible experience the values of a pluralistic education.

We thank everyone who contributed to the Fund to ensure that the legacy of the school’s founders and the values on which they founded PS1 will continue. Your generosity is appreciated.

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The Founders Fund for Educational Pluralism Committee Sharon Morrill, co-chair (Reece ’11) Joel Pelcyger, Founder & Former Head of School Maggie Rosenfeld (Andrew ’94 & Daniel ’97) Kerri Speck, co-chair (Maggie ’14, Esme ’21 & Severin ’24) Sam Surloff (Emily ’09)

PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

Founding Donors Halina Avery & Kimberley Stead Rachel Bank Deirdre Wallace & Jared Carney Marci & Jeff Dinkin Billie & Steven Fischer Lauren & Austin Fite Buzz Harris Sharon Morrill Joel & Eleanor Pelcyger Lance Robbins Maggie & Mort Rosenfeld Rae Sanchini & Bruce Tobey Laurie & Michael Seplow Kerri Speck & Paul Marks Sam Surloff & Joanne Van Emburgh Sharon & Alan Wertheimer

All Donors Anonymous (3) Beth & Stephen Abronson Nisreen Al-Bassam & Sami Rasromani Hank Alpert Tiffany & Shayne Anderson Tina Andrews Barbi Appelquist Halina Avery & Kimberley Stead Seth Baglin & Shayna Gaffen Eugene Bang & Elizabeth Sporleder Rachel Bank Shane Barach & Jennifer Daly Annalisa & Jason Barrett Susan Baskin & Richard Gerwitz Danielle & Aaron Benoit Josh Berger & Lauren Fujiu Kelly & Stephen Bickle Cindy & Alex Boudov Tracy & Adam Bromwich Jenefer & Anthony Brown Benjamin Buadu & Melissa Navarro Brett E. Burris Jon Caligiuri & Melissa Cruise Kim Campbell Deirdre Wallace & Jared Carney Paul Carpenter & Beth Kahn The Chu Family Julie & Eugene Chu Diana & Roy Conovitz Karen & Ryan Craig Graeme Craven & Vanessa Chow Orissa & Jurgen Davila Alex DeFeo & Courtney DeFeo-Gertler Kim & Marco DeGeorge Vincent DiMauro & Lisa Serra Marci & Jeff Dinkin Susan & Brian Doolittle Sahaja & Bill Douglass Caskey & Mick Ebeling Michael Egner & Rosalia Ibarrola The Ehrlich Family Nicole & Robert Eloff Caroline & Marcos Escalante Colleen & Joe Euteneuer Chris & Sophie Evans Leila & John Fenelon Lauren & Dominique Ferrari Billie & Steven Fischer

Lauren & Austin Fite Taura Mizrahi-Fite & Scott Fite Carol Frayre & Juan Venegas Nancy & Gary Freedman Zack & Heather Freedman Deirdre Gainor & Brenda Goodman Mark Gainor Tannaz Nikravesh-Galker & Andy Galker Jennifer & Eric Gaynor Peter Genovese Kylie Clark Gold & Jason Gold Anna & Steven Gordon Tamara & Andrew Gross Mitsuharu Hadeishi Jeff & Nadene Haines Buzz Harris Rachel Harris Susan Hayden Matthew Hayutin & Lizette Sanchez-Hayutin Pauline & Bill Henry Allyson & James Hicks Karalyn & Stuart Holden Yvonne Hsieh & David Schumacher Jennifer & Mark Humphrey Vivian & Phillip Hyun Jeffrey Inaba DJ Jacobs & Angela Arnold Rob Jacobs & Ann Gentry Britt Johansson & Jeremiah Knight Kelli & Tyler Johnson HK Kang & Chloe Choi Douglas Kaplan & Mary McGuinness Beth & Chris Kemp Elizabeth & Alexander Kendall Breana & Tobias Kennedy Leonard & Betty King Vanessa Kirianoff-Brown & Corey Brown Linn Koo & Annie Lee Stephanie & Gustav Koven David Krauss & Abbi Hertz Perry & Cherie Krauss CL & Paul Kumpata Bo Kwon & Jonathan Gratch Robert LaPorta & Alexa Fischer Andrew Lavengood & Tania Sew Hoy Liz & Po Leknickas Paul Lieberstein & Janine Poreba Simone & Aurelian Lis Amy & Victor Liu Trula & Gary Marcus Diane Marder Michelle & Keith Megna Laura & Chris Miller Nancy & Steve Mindel Sharon Morrill Jerry Morrone & India Gentile Stephanie Moustakas Keith Muenze & Jamie Keeton Lizzie & John Murray Priya & Sanjay Nambiar Amelia & Jason Ning Jessica & Chris Nordling Nnogo Obiamiwe Amber & Olubusayo Ojuri Mario Ontal & Plummy Tucker Ornest Family Foundation Lily Ota & Allan Becker Kathryn Palmer Joel & Eleanor Pelcyger

Jennifer Penton & Igor Jukanovic Joshua & Kimberly Perttula Emily Procter & Paul Bryan Leslie Pruce Grace Qi & Changsheng Guo Sharat Raju & Valarie Kaur Amanda Rawls Jessica & Eric Reid Anna & Jeffrey Reyna Jessica & Daniel Rinsch Lance Robbins Jeremy Rogers & Ann Singhakowinta Hellen Rollins Maggie & Mort Rosenfeld Judy Ross Melisa Rufolo Walker & Dean Walker Rae Sanchini & Bruce Tobey Aletta J. Schaap Jessica & Jason Schwarz Virginia & Robert Seaman Laurie & Michael Seplow Elaine & Alex Shing Rochelle & Ian Siegel Light Silver & Michele Frazier Harry & Vivian Snyder Kerri Speck & Paul Marks Stacey & Will Staples The Steets Family Steen Strand & Andrea Robinson Sam Surloff & Joanne Van Emburgh Kyle Sziraki & Hana Ogawa Sziraki Kimberly Tinsley Lorena Tong Omar Torrez & Masha Tsiklauri Stefanie Truino Jennifer & Jack Tsai Georgi Tsiklauri & Marina Serednitskaia Heather & Richard Turner Laurel & BJ Turner Jennifer & Spencer Tyler Brittany & Colter Van Domelen Stacia Vinar Sabina von Munk & Krishna Moran Esther & Ryan Watkins Soraya Kelly Wax & Jonathan Wax Sharon Weil & Sophie Aaron George Weinberger & Susan Pomerantz Manuel Weiskopf & Evelyn Lanner Sharon & Alan Wertheimer Darien Williams Mary Williams Melanie & Bryan Wolff Eric Zabinski & Xiaorong Dai

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2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

June Jubilee Leadership

JOEL’S JUNE JUBILEE

Andi Holtzman (Madeline ‘09) and Cathy Watts (Alec ‘00, Caroline ‘08, and Ian ‘10) Co-Chairs

June Jubilee Volunteers Lucia Alcantara Maria Brucciani Benjamin Buadu Kim Campbell Paul Carpenter Marilyn Cazún Dominique Dawkins Alex DeFeo Ortavia Dixon Brian Dooittle Joanna Edstrom Ellen Ehrlich Michele Frazier Mark Gainor Abbi Hertz Jeffrey Inaba Amelia Jenkins Beth Kemp Bo Kwon Tawny Laskar Annie Lee Lauri Leete Liz & Po Leknickas Simone Lis Hazel Mall Philip Margaziotis Sharon Morrill Hana Ogawa Sziraki Mario Ontal Lily Ota Jennifer Penton Kimberly Perttula

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Elizabeth Priester Olivia Riopelle Andrea Robinson Cinzia Romoli Tania Sew Hoy Tia Shung Rochelle Siegel DeAnn Spell Annie Spong Steen Strand Katherine Techentin Carolina Thompson Plummy Tucker Heather Turner Deirdre Wallace Caroline Watts Ian Watts Cathy Watts Deneise Williams Mary Williams

It was a full house on campus on June 5 as hundreds of families, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, special guests and more gathered to celebrate 50 years of PS1. Countless moments were shared as so many came together to honor Joel’s retirement after 51 years as Head of School, and celebrate the legacy that both he and Ellie started as Founders back in 1971. We honored the living history of the school that came across through videos and trips through the long-established PS1 Archives, as well as recording personal PS1 stories in the StoryCorps booth! Traditions came to life during the celebration such as camping, Shakespeare, poetry, library, The Studio, Art, and more. Even The Pluralistics came together for a reunion set on the stage - there certainly was something for everyone!

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more photos here…

PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

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2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

2021/22 Parents Guild

The PS1 Pluralistic School Parents Guild is an all-inclusive group of dedicated volunteers who help to build and sustain community through parent involvement. The Parents Guild is governed by the Parents Guild Executive Board (PGEB).

We strive for involvement by many members of our community to help in building connection and sustaining our vibrant, diverse and inclusive community. We welcome and encourage your involvement!

Executive Board Ann Rogers, Co-Chair Laurel Turner, Co-Chair Sabina von Munk, Co-Chair Carol Acutt Paul Carpenter Jade Duell Lauren Ferrari Vivian Hyun Britt Johansson Jamie Keeton Tessa Lydic Carmen Margaziotis Hana Ogawa Mario Ontal Shannon Parry Hanna Shin

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l to r, Laurel Turner, Ann Singhakowinta Rogers & Sabina von Munk

PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

Hello PS1 Families!

As parents and guardians of PS1 students, you are automatically part of the Parents Guild. The Parents Guild offers many opportunities to get involved with the school, students and staff in support of PS1’s mission. Under the leadership of the PS1 Parents Guild Executive Board (PGEB), we organize and plan opportunities for parent involvement that help build community.

In the 2021-2022 school year, we saw the return of many treasured PS1 traditions and opportunities for involvement in the community. By year end we were able to gather for Coffees on the Green and saw the parent community elated to connect with each other on campus.

Our dedicated team chronicled this school year and brought it to life on paper in the yearbook. We provided thoughtful baskets with books, treats and tie-dye for this year’s Fall Festival, despite not being able to gather in person. We celebrated teachers, administrators, and staff by bringing coffee, bagels, lunches and even a sound bath to them. Our Book Fair evolved into a “Book Share” this year as part of the June Jubilee, and children were able to donate their used books and pick up books which were new to them. Party Book returned for the adults in the community and we saw parents enjoy letting loose off campus with different events like Cal’s Game Night and tequila tasting.

And what a 50th Anniversary Gala we had! We were able to come together in person this year with a record number of attendees between parents, alumni and current and former PS1 faculty and staff, and raised an unprecedented amount in donations. Thank you all for your participation and generosity.

Our parents have exemplified time and time again how important community involvement is to them.

Our Volunteer Roundup had more attendees than ever before, and our parent volunteers even got to catch a glimpse of an uplifting moment when the Grads departed for their camping trip. As we look forward to the upcoming year, we want to thank everyone for the interest you have expressed already in participating in the 2022-23 school year. We are thrilled for the return of a year that provides the full PS1 experience and the beloved traditions and opportunities for involvement, and we look forward to supporting it!

If you are interested in learning more about opportunities for involvement, please reach out any time at PS1pgeb@gmail.com—we love hearing from you!

Warmly, Laurel, Ann, Sabina

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2021/22 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

2021/22 Parents Guild

Committee Chairs Book Fair Yvonne Hsieh, Vivian Hyun and Janine Poreba Coffees on the Green Paul Carpenter and Jamie Keeton Community Service Jade Duell and Taura Mizrahi-Fite Family Festival Jamie Keeton, Tawny Lasker, Lis Rozenfeld and Sabina von Munk 50th Anniversary Fundraising Gala Angela Arnold, Lauren Ferrari and Abbi Hertz New Parent Liaison Tannaz Nikravesh-Galker and Laurel Turner One From the Heart Jonathan Chu and Susan Doolittle Party Book Jenny Daly, Tessa Lydic and Shannon Parry School Spirit Lis Rozenfeld and Sabina von Munk Staff Appreciation Tessa Lydic and Sabina von Munk Yearbook Michelle An and Hana Ogawa

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PS1 PLURALISTIC SCHOOL

Head Room Parents Sharon Dai Lauren and Dominique Ferrari Rosalia Ibarrola Soraya Kelly Wax Carmen and Philip Margaziotis Amelia Ning Janine Poreba Elizabeth Priester Hanna Shin

Social Coordinators Jonathan Chu Shayna Gaffen Courtney DeFeo-Gertler Jamie Keeton Vanessa Kirianoff-Brown Annie Lee Elise Loehnan Michelle and Keith Megna Kimberly Perttula Emily Procter Wendy Sugarman Heather Turner

Party Book Hosts Jenefer Brown Lynda & Jonathan Chu Jenny Daly Caroline and Marcos Escalante Soraya Kelly Jeremy Rogers Chris Seet Wendy Sugarman

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PS1 Vision Statement:

Celebrate the Many; Build One PS1 Mission Statement:

PS1 Philosophy Statement:

PS1 is a diverse community committed to an ever-evolving model of pluralistic elementary education. On a path to self-knowledge, students engage and become the best versions of themselves.

They develop critical academic and interpersonal skills to be confident and passionate contributors to an increasingly connected world.

At PS1, we recognize that every child is unique, so we built a school that nurtures individual talents and learning styles. That’s how children become the best versions of themselves, in a school where fitting in is about being yourself.

Office of Advancement: Alan Ball, Director of Advancement Tina Andrews, Development Manager Jim Bowers, Director of I.T. (2021-22) Evelyn Cazún, Associate Director of Admissions Avery Breuer (Hill) ’06, Business and Development Assistant (2021-22)

1225 Broadway Santa Monica CA 90404

Tisa Habas, Advancement Associate for Alumni Relations and Events

To learn more about our school, visit our website: www.psone.org

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Beth Kemp, Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations Amanda Perla, Director of Communications and Marketing

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