Spring Periscope 2016: Service Learning

PLURALISTIC SCHOOL ONE

Spring 2016

“ Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

– Martin Luther King

In This Issue: THE PERISCOPE Volume 26, Number 2

PAGE 1

Editor: Amanda Perla

PAGES 2–3

Designer: David Mellen Design 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

We encourage our readers to send in their thoughts, opinions and ideas to Amanda@psone.org

Head’s Column Traditions Old and New PAGE 4 –7

Curriculum Connections PAGES 8 –9

Alumni Corner BACK COVER

Save The Date!

Abbie’s Retirement Fiesta Connect With Us!

Head's Column

Pu Pu b rp lic os e

Private School

If public education’s goal could be to develop each child as a whole person and to ensure that we offer educational opportunities that help bring a child’s fullest potential to fruition, our society would be transformed.

This is the PS1 Pluralistic School Service Learning issue. Service Learning in a school is directed outward; yet, to be meaningful, it needs to come from within each and every one of us. It springs from the desire to take care of others as a way of taking care of ourselves. It is truly at the heart of everything we do here at our school. I believe we are placed on this Earth to help other people, and to allow others to help us.

PS1 Pluralistic School has worked internally to create the best environment in which we all, adults and children alike, can work to provide mutual support to one another. We do this at our school in profound social encounters, in materialistic ways, in acts of daily collaboration, and in brainstorming and implementing ideas and programs in our classrooms that provide for the greater good. The parents who get the most out of their own PS1 experience recognize that they are both giving and receiving, day after day, month after month, and year after year. Helpers are what make our community great!

The concept of Service Learning can be expanded to also apply to institutions. Right after college, I joined VISTA which stood for Volunteers in Service to America. The motto for the organization was, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”

I identified “the problem” as the way we were educating young people in this country. I wanted to be a part of “the solution.”

Within two years of my VISTA experience, we started a school in 1971 that could transform public education. Now THAT, if successful, would be true Service Learning on a Grand Scale!

It’s taken 45 years, and I think we are now in the best position ever where the philosophy, reputation, and practice of our school can work to transform public education. We are still a private school with a public purpose. PS1’s number one goal has always

been to uncover the genius that lies within each one of our students. Because the economic model has changed from the Industrial Age to the Information Age, how and what we prepare children for in their lifetimes must also change. Additionally, we now have the tools, research and mindset to approach personalized education as a reality on a large scale. If public education’s goal could be to develop each child as a whole person and to ensure that we offer educational opportunities that help bring a child’s fullest potential to fruition, our society would be transformed.

Seek to elicit the light that shines within each child. Seeds of real change are best planted early. That’s why I have devoted my professional life to elementary education.

I am proud of the work that the Strategic Vision Task Force of our Board of Directors has done over the last five years helping us define the essence of a pluralistic education, demonstrate best practices, and develop a model for widespread change. In 2012, when the Board adopted its Strategic Plan, an important strategic goal for our school became to “Establish PS1 as the foremost proponent of educational pluralism and the model for urban elementary education.” The work continues now and into the future as our institution’s Service Learning on a Grand Scale project.

Imagine a world of education in which the goals and governing principles were: “It’s not how smart you are; it’s how you are smart.”

“On a path to self-knowledge, students engage and become the best versions of themselves.”

“Fitting in is about being yourself.”

“The goal of education is to uncover genius.”

“Celebrate the many; build one.”

Service Learning – where, for both individuals and educational institutions alike, (from a song by George Harrison of the Beatles,) “life flows on within you and without you.”

–Joel Pelcyger, Head of School

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Havana Nights Auction It was a Night to Remember, as PS1 parents celebrated Havana Nights together on April 16th. The Auction was a huge success, raising funds for PS1 and its Financial Aid program. In addition to providing an opportunity for parents to bid on class projects, teacher outings, and exciting excursions, the Auction is a yearly tradition that reminds us just how much we appreciate being part of the PS1 community. And it wouldn’t take place if not for the countless hours spent on the event by our many parent volunteers.

Traditions Old and PS Serves PS Serves celebrates another successful year enhancing and strengthening our commitment to community service. Initiated by volunteer PS1 parents Susan Hoffman-Hyman and Gabrielle Greenberg, in collaboration with teachers and staff, PS Serves meets after school for a series of three-week sessions. Handson activities included preparing and serving a full course dinner for the homeless, organizing a donation drive to support men in transition, as well as another donation drive to collect pet items, and planting an array of potted plants and flowers to decorate OPCC’s residential facility. It’s a wonderful way for parents and students of all ages to come together in service for our neighboring community.

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Class Color Day

Student Swap/Adult Swap

PS1’s Student Council organized the most colorful school spirit day in our history! On April 20th, all students donned the color of their classrooms, and the campus became transformed into a rainbow. The day surely brought to life our school vision: Celebrate the Many; Build ONE.

A long-standing tradition at PS1, the SWAP brings new life to students’ toys, games, and books. Olders students organize the SWAP as part of their leadership responsibilities on campus.

Students delight in the opportunity to trade in something old and bring home a new treasure! A fitting tribute to Earth Week…

And for the second year in a row, adults followed suit with their very own “adult swap” the next day.

d New Former PS1 Teacher Presents Award-Winning Investigative Journalism to PS1 Students Martha Mendoza, former PS1 teacher and 2016 Pulitzer Prize Winner in Public Service presented her work to PS1 students in April.

Martha received the award, along with three other journalists, for their work on a series of stories that depicted how seafood sold in U.S. stores and restaurants is fished by slaves in Thailand. Their work was integral in prompting the release of over 2,000 people who had been held captive — and led to reforms of the industry and prosecutions of those involved. Martha captivated PS1 students who could not believe that the seafood was sold in stores right near PS1. Follow up discussions inspired students to write letters to Martha and her team, the Associated Press, various grocery chains, cat food distributors, and local/state government. They expressed support for the journalists’ work and demanded that slavery fish be banned from future importation, a sure sign that the pen truly is mightier than the sword.

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An important aspect of Pluralism is the notion that we must actively seek to engage with and understand others — not despite, but on account of their differences or similarities. Service Learning is therefore an integral part of PS1’s curriculum — it involves both learning and service, helping students build connections.

Ideas for activities or projects are generated from student observation, class discussions and sheer curiosity. For this reason, service projects germinate from within the curriculum and classroom, and often evolve over time as the learning gets underway.

Curriculum Conn JPO

LGR

JPOrange is finding ways to affect positive change. Their in-house service learning project built upon a recent project in which they studied the buildings, staff, and history of PS1. This unit of study revolved around the following questions: What makes a school community, and what can we do to help make our community better? Out of this study grew the Secret Kindness Project. Students first conducted surveys in order to learn more about faculty and staff members who work at our school. Using information gathered from these surveys, students took action by creating special gifts (drawings, cards, figurines, etc.) to secretly leave for those we are getting to know better.

Enthusiasm was rampant and the class’s connection to our school community strengthened as they spread acts of kindness around campus.

As most children do, LGRed students gravitate to all things in nature. In the beginning of year, LGRed students assumed stewardship of the PS1 Learning Garden. Each day they tended to chores. Through plantings of milkweed plants, the garden became a sanctuary for Monarch caterpillars. Students watched intently as the caterpillars transformed into chrysalis and, eventually, Monarch butterflies. At first, their eagerness and excitement spread around campus resulting in too many kindly-intentioned hands touching and transporting the fat caterpillars. As the class learned more about the needs of caterpillars, LGRed students became concerned about protecting them. They made signs reminding others not to touch the caterpillars. This experience empowered students to see how their concern, coupled with action, could help protect the natural world around them.

Youngers BJY

BJYellow has been tending to the feelings in their classroom community and in the wider world. They began this work early in the year by studying facial expressions and learning how to read them. What might a friend be feeling? How can you tell? Faces of favorite literary characters reveal how their feelings change during the story. BJYellow used a clever idea from the book The Doodle Revolution by Sunni Brown called the “face matrix.” Each child drew nine faces, with a wide variety of facial expressions, by experimenting with eye placement, eyebrow shape, nose direction, and mouth shape. Then they used one face from each child to create a class emotions grid. They identify and name emotions on a few of the faces each day with adjectives such as disappointed, exhausted, surprised, and lonely. Students also have fun thinking of scenarios for each emotion and ways to appropriately respond to the emotions of others in our community.

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JLV

Middles LJI

JLViolet weaves inquiry and passion around the idea of social justice into a year-long curriculum exploring immigration. Starting with The Island of the Blue Dolphins and Zia, stories about Chumash people displaced by fur hunters and the Spanish missions, they segued forward to reading about a modern-day displacement in which the author, Julia Alvarez, described challenges she faced moving from the Dominican Republic to the United States in the 1960s. Immigration interviews with family and friends, learning about Ellis Island, and discussing immigration practices today, formed the basis of their class Circle Time. Their simulation of an immigration entry center presented first-hand how it felt to be allowed in or turned away. A read aloud of Star in the Forest highlighted the plight of a family torn apart when the father is deported.

nections

HDG

Ever wonder how students in different clusters at PS1 get to know one another? And, how children in Youngers know the names, classrooms, and personalities of their schoolmates across the campus? LJIndigo has been easing this transition and helping to make connections with their younger schoolmates throughout the year. They welcome Youngers for a weekly lunchtime during which they partner up and focus on getting to know one another better. Before going out to play, each Middles student introduces their Younger partner to the rest of the group, sharing names and some of their interests. They build on these experiences by playing together on the yard, organizing buddy reading, and even greeting each other on campus to build a stronger, more connected community.

Among the LJI reflections: “I personally love lunch with Youngers because they are so sweet.”

“I have had a great experience. It is a lot of fun being around little kids.”

“I have learned that some Youngers are usually shy around us.”

“I have learned the Youngers are very independent.”

“I have learned a lot about making friends with Youngers.”

Bridge

HD Green is proud to live up to its “green” moniker. The classroom has been transformed into an underwater sea lab! To date, students have created (with classroom materials) different animals and plant life found in a coral reef and displayed them on the classroom walls. The lab not only fosters interdependence but puts a lens to the human impact on sea life. The study began with a virtual trip to the Great Barrier Reef. The knowledge was then applied to investigations into local ecosystems in the Santa Monica Bay which led to community activism. In the process of learning about the coral reef ecosystem, students discussed the impact humans have had on ecosystems, highlighting efforts others have made to help ecosystems, and discussing what they can do as HD Green students.

BKB

In connection with their studies of the animal kingdom, BKBlue produced an original adaptation of The Lion King. After performing first for an audience of family and their schoolmates, the students felt they could take the message of “Circle of Life” to children outside the PS1 community. The result was an encore performance for an MPRfull of neighborhood preschool students. Each preschool received a handcrafted mask created by BKBlue students. The circle continued to flow when our students received letters of appreciation from the preschool friends. Accepting a generous monetary donation from a family in the audience, BKBlue “paid it forward” by donating it to Gentle Barn for the rehabilitation of abused and neglected animals.

When the students had the opportunity to visit Gentle Barn, they beamed with pride in knowing their Lion King performances directly inspired young children and provided hope for suffering animals.

While they recognized that a second performance required additional time and sacrifice, it was evident that they saw the fruits of their efforts.

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Olders Cluster

Olders extend the practice of service in many ways throughout the year. One leadership and service activity is volunteering in Youngers classrooms in various capacities. Examples include leading a small group of Youngers to the garden to water plants or reading with them during DEAR time. Additionally, Olders students traditionally make a personalized visit to Step Up On Second, the recipient of our Thanksgiving season meal, and they also run the annual Student Swap during Earth Week.

Curriculum Conn

Art In the Living Art Room at PS1, students experience service learning through several lenses. They learn how painting is a powerful communication tool. Our annual Art Show during Open House offers a venue to share their artwork and the message behind it with our entire community.

This year, all students had a chance to learn about endangered and extinct animals. Every Middles student painted eyes of an endangered species with Prisma Colors, studying the color wheel and shading techniques and simultaneously bringing environmental awareness to the forefront. As they do at PS1, the students participated in the installation of their display which was aptly entitled “I See You. Do You See Me?�

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The Studio

Physical Education

Up-cycling and reuse is the foundation for innovation in the Studio. Children learn life skills while employing sustainable practices in their creative endeavors. Students have crafted jig-saw puzzles, chairs, tables, treasure boxes, leather wallets and much more giving new life to discarded materials. In the Studio, children become competent and confident citizens with the experience and knowledge to become inventors, risk takers, problem solvers, and contributing members of a community.

PS1 helps other communities to get out on the fields, playgrounds, diamonds, and courts by providing them with our no-longer-used or overstocked equipment. The P.E. program donates clean equipment of good quality to non-profit organizations to use in their local parks and school yards every year. Our students help to organize the goods and coordinate the donations. The concept is overwhelmingly embraced by all.

Music

Library

PS1 students perform a service every time they share their talents in Circle Times and special events. They sing, dance, and play instruments with confidence and joy, providing memorable experience for the audience. Families and friends remark that they are moved to tears with the beauty, sincerity, and conviction of the messages in the songs.

When working on instrumental or vocal parts during class, the students cooperate and help each other master their parts in student-to-student pairings. They give one another tips on technique, and gently move their friends’ fingers onto the right hole on the recorder or onto the right fret on a guitar string.

Making music together whether learning or performing, requires continuous communication and respect for others, as the beauty of the outcome lies in the togetherness and harmony.

Empathy is a powerful emotion and is freely available to all human beings when we listen to or read stories. In the Library, our course of study is human beings. Children experience strong feelings of identification with the protagonist and the milieu of the story.

When the Middles students heard the story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah and his 400-mile bicycle journey around his native country of Ghana—a journey made with only his single strong leg pedaling— and learned that when he played soccer on his crutches, he kicked with his left foot, one of the children exulted spontaneously: “Just like me!” This identification extended to the work of Emmanuel’s life which is to bring awareness of that one life CAN change the world. One life can work to make a government aware of the need to pass laws protecting disabled citizens; one life can start schools for children of all abilities to work and learn together; and that a life of service can be ours, too.

nections

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The PS1 Alumni Association

PS1 parent Priya Nambiar, Joel, and Abbie, featured here with Josh Berger during his recent visit to PS1.

AlumniCorner

Alumni Corner

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!

1980–1989

Justin Rodriguez

David Newhouse, Class of 1983 David is an economist at the World Bank who works on global poverty measurement. He graduated from Oberlin College and Cornell University, where he earned a PhD in Economics. He has fond memories of PS1, saying “PS1 led me to be inclusive and encouraged me to be curious and love learning.”

Elijah Cuffee, Jennine Rodriguez and Rana Kirkland

Defne Enc, Class of 1988 Defne earned a B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature from UC Berkeley and is now a flamenco dancer and choreographer. She states, “I think my years at PS1 were fundamental in my entire outlook on life. More than anything else, I was taught to love learning at PS1, and that is something that I still carry with me to this day.”

Alumni Moms, l-r, Sharon Morrill, Kedren Warner, Bo Kwon and Cindy Boudov host an Alumni Parent Coffee for Admissions

Renee Smith, Class of 1988 Renee attended Windward School and Emory University, majoring in Corporate Finance. She currently works in the field of management consulting, focused on talent management.

1990–1999 Witney Seibold, Class of 1990 Witney attended Windward, Venice High, and The University of Puget Sound, where he majored in theater. Witney is a film critic and runs the 35mm projector at the New Beverly Cinema. He says, “PS1 definitely instilled in me an interest in the world and an affection for learning. PS1 provided an invaluable and enriched childhood.”

Chloe Kiester and Matylda Kerry

Josh Berger, Class of 1991 Josh is a PhD candidate in educational leadership at UCLA and works as the Director of Student Life at Brentwood.

Paul Henry, Class of 1994 Paul graduated Summa Cum Laude from the School of Engineering and Applied Sci8

Nicki Shapiro with current PS1 students Sonia and Ella

Jake Faulkner

ences at the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Systems Engineering and a Minor in Mathematics. He co-founded Patoma, a real estate development, construction, and management firm based in Brooklyn, where he leads the acquisition and development design process.

Daniel Bakaitis, Class of 1997 Daniel is an MBA candidate at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. After PS1, he attended Windward School and UC Santa Barbara, where he majored in Economics with an emphasis in accounting.

Kate Keeley (Rutkin), Class of 1997 Kate attended Crossroads; Skidmore College, and USC. She teaches Junior Kindergarten at an independent school in Santa Barbara. She recalls, “In my 6th grade yearbook, I wrote that I hoped to one day become a teacher and teach at a school like PS1. I think that the teachers at PS1 made a large impact on my life - they took the time to get to know me and made learning accessible to my needs, abilities, and interests. This approach to teaching and learning is what I try to use every day with my own students, now that I’ve fulfilled my 6th grade dream of becoming a teacher!”

Nicole Haskins, Class of 1999 Nicole Haskins graduated from Crossroads and now works as a professional ballet dancer with Smuin Ballet. She thanks PS1 by saying, “I am where I am today because PS1 gave me the tools to believe in myself, speak up for myself, speak out against injustice, embrace my individuality, look at problems from multiple angles, and understand other perspectives.”

2000–2009 Jake Faulkner, Class of 2000 Jake performed for PS1 students this winter with his band The Americans!

Lucas Paul, Class of 2000 Paul attended Palisades Charter HS and UC Santa Cruz. He is currently enrolled in the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Aiden Lloyd, Class of 2001 Aiden attended Brentwood School and USC, focusing on Business and Cinematic Arts. He now works as a technical recruiter. When he thinks back to his time at PS1, he recalls, “I felt empowered to figure out MY way of learning and solving problems. I genuinely enjoyed learning; learning wasn’t a chore or job, it was exciting.”

Jak Koning, Class of 2002 After graduating from Brown University, Jak began working as a 3D artist, creating interactive experiences for various companies like Pepsi, Nike, and Anheuser Busch.

He noted that this line in PS1’s philosophy resonates most with him: “We built a school that nurtures individual talents and learning styles…” He adds, “Everyone thinks differently, perceives differently, and, no matter what, deserves patience and respect.”

Alex Hartung, Class of 2004 Alex attended Crossroads School and UCLA, where he received a B.A. in Psychology. He says, “I just recently finished a three year stint with UniCamp, a UCLA student-run organization that brings kids up to Big Bear for a week to promote leadership, fun, and self-growth.

I am grateful to have received the support and attention that PS1 offers. I also have had the pleasure of passing this learning down to other kids. The future is in the hands of the next generations, and I try to take that responsibility seriously, as all of my teachers did for me.”

Chloe Kiester, Class of 2004 Chloe writes in, “I graduated from Cal in 2014 with a degree in English. I just finished a premed post-bac program at SF State and I’m currently studying to take the MCAT in May.” Elle Brosh, Class of 2005 Elle graduated from the Archer School for Girls and Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts. Since graduating last May, she has worked as a production assistant for a show at New York Public Radio and is currently working as a cook in a restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She states, “PS1 gave me the tools to think critically across difference. I remember being particularly equipped to have difficult conversations about humanity. PS1 cultivated my unwavering curiosity.”

Elijah Cuffee, Class of 2007 Elijah, pictured here with his mom, and PS1 teacher and parent Jennine Rodriguez.

Jennine ran into Elijah and Rana in Westwood and helped celebrate his 21st birthday! Rana Kirkland, Elijah’s Mom, alumni parent, and former Board member, is also currently involved with PS1’s after school theatre program.

Nicki Shapiro, Class of 2009 Nicki placed second in the PAC12 Gymnastics tournament, competing for UCLA. Her balance beam routine earned a 9.925! Current PS1 students Sonia and Ella were in attendance (all three were taught by Billy!). They were so excited to see her routine and have her sign their posters.

Emily Surloff, Class of 2009 Emily was featured in an article in the Columbia Spectator about the invaluable role she has played on Columbia University’s basketball team during her freshman year. Interim Head Coach Sheila Roux calls Emily “one of the most valuable players on the team.” She adds, “She’s one of those players that just makes everyone better.” Way to go Emily!

2010–2019 Justin Rodriguez, Class of 2014 The Bay Harbor Red Wings, Justin’s ice hockey Bantam A team, won the championship this winter in Santa Rosa. Four teams competed at their division. The Red Wings went 4-0. They are thrilled to be bringing home the banner and hanging it up at their home ice rink. Fellow PS1 alumnus Ben Knepper (’14) also plays on the same team.

Alumni Class Reps by Year Find your graduation class representatives listed below and send them your updates, news & announcements!

Our Director of Admissions & Alumni Relations, Beth Kemp, will collect them throughout the year for future editions of Periscope. We would love to hear from you!

You can also email Beth directly at beth@psone.org 1971-1979, 1980-1989 Please email beth@psone.org if you’d like to volunteer as a grad rep for these decades Classes of 1990-1994: Please email beth@psone.org if you’d like to volunteer as a grad rep for these years Class of 1995: Brian Roth, Briroth@gmail.com Class of 1996: Cody Dashiell-Earp, codyde@gmail.com Heston Liebowitz, heston@hestonliebowitz.com Class of 1997: Brianna Dollinger, bfdollinger@gmail.com Zachary Brock, zbrock@gmail.com Class of 1998: Nora Frankel Zachary Meredith, zachmeredith@gmail.com Class of 1999: Beryl Liebowitz, berylliebowitz@gmail.com Isabella Lebovitz, Isabella.lebovitz@gmail.com Class of 2000: Michael Larson, michaelkentlarson@gmail.com Erica Everage, Erica.v.everage@gmail.com Gina Rockenwagner, ginarocca@gmail.com Jake Faulkner, jbfaulkner@gmail.com Class of 2001: Devin Carli Singer, devincarli@gmail.com Kylie Clark, kbclark@gmail.com James Weinberger, james.m.weinberger@gmail.com Alex Marshi, alexandermarshi@gmail.com Sam Alper, alper.sam@gmail.com Class of 2002: Hayley Lloyd, hayley.d.lloyd@gmail.com Brad Thompson-Moreland, bradleytm@gmail.com Molly Wertheimer, babyridr@aol.com Class of 2003: Rosie Achorn-Rubenstein, SRAR1290@sbcglobal.net Michelle Cortrite, mcortrite@gmail.com James Larson Class of 2004: Lindsay Rapkin, lindsrap@aol.com Griffin Harris, theroastedplum@aol.com Alex Hartung, mvpmonkey6@yahoo.com Elijah Tilghman-Eddings Class of 2005: Elle Brosh, ellebrosh@gmail.com Lili Cohen Sam Mindel, samuel.mindel@gmail.com Class of 2006: Gabe Schuman, febesons@yahoo.com Wade Clement, wade01@aol.com Gina Segall, ginasegall@yahoo.com Class of 2007: Ariel Fenster, naturalist.child@gmail.com Emma Laurent, esl2@st-andrews.ac.uk Leslie Dinkin, leslied1017@aol.com Morgan Pantuck, creepycrawlies54@aol.com Class of 2008: Zak Fenster; Louly Maya, summergirl5896@aol.com Hero Stevenson Class of 2009: Kalia Bornstein, Kalia@bornarch.com Nicki Shapiro, Caligirl81297@gmail.com Jake Mindel, jmindel@bwscampus.com Marie Line, mjl913@yahoo.com Class of 2010: Asa Germann, 121497@gmail.com Veronica Crow, misscrow98@gmail.com Rudy Frayre, rudyfrayre@yahoo.com Kelly Riopelle, Kerio311@gmail.com Class of 2011: Amanda Reymer Rod Henley, rhenley123@gmail.com Olivia Bornstein, Olivia@bornarch.com Dylan Vecchione, Dylan@vecchione.com Class of 2012: Matthew Tovar, dkm3tov@icloud.com Sadie Abraham, sadiejean@me.com Lukas Mitchell Camille Riopelle, catlover131@gmail.com Class of 2013: Melina Waldman, mew3221@gmail.com Sage Brand Wolf, sbrand-wolf19@archer.org Farid Adibi, farid@adibi.me Zachary Leete, pelicanmouth@verizon.net Katie Raphaelson, katesfluffy@aol.com Class of 2014: Isobel Mosley-Brown, Isobellola@gmail.com Maggie Marks, MargaretMarks20@marlboroughschool.org Jackson Garland, jackcatnip@gmail.com Delaney Michaelson, del.m@hotmail.com Class of 2015: Emily Lippman, emily@thelippmans.com Dylan Santana, Dbestsantana@yahoo.com Charlie Kortleven, charliekortleven@yahoo.com Jay Jay Venegas, JayJayvenegas@gmail.com

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On May 13th, the PS1 parent (and Alumni parent) community celebrated Abbie’s forty-three years of love and service to PS1 with a retirement Fiesta in her honor! We are grateful for all she has meant to the school, her students, and families. Abbie now takes on a new full-time role as PS1 grandparent and will continue serving on PS1’s Board of Directors!

If you would like to celebrate her retirement, consider a tax deductible gift to the Abbie Perttula STEAM Endowment Fund.

This fund is being created in honor of Abbie and the lives she has touched during her time at PS1. Income from this fund will support the STEAM curriculum and the Studio space that Abbie created in her last two years at PS1.

Online gifts can be received via: http:// bit.ly/abbie2016 or, you may mail a check made out to PS1 with “Abbie STEAM” in the subject line. Thank you for keeping her legacy alive!

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June

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Shakespeare Circle Time

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Ice Cream Social for Abbie (Classes ’07–’15)

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Shakespeare Circle Time

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Last Day of Classes

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Graduation at 4:00pm

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Moving Up Day