Fall 2018
Connections Pulaski Academy’s Family Magazine
Our Vision
To be the leader in innovative education
Our Mission
Inspiring students to explore, create, contribute, and achieve
Table of Contents
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Publisher Diane Lafferty
Introduction
5 Professional Development Partnership 6
PAPA
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Signature Program Grows
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Community Engagement
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Senior Brothers and Sisters
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Progress at PA
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Annual Fund and Endowment
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Social Science Sets Records
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Athlete Spotlight
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Counseling Center
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Student Spotlight
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The Reggio Emilia Approach
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Art Director Dawn Meyer Contributors Noel Brewster Brianna Flint Sarah Gorman Savannah Jacoby Diane Lafferty Layne Martens Brian Muldrow Justin Robken Bill Topich Leanna Wall Matt Walsh Photographers Dawn Meyer Sheldon Smith Faculty contributors
Faculty Highlights Get Connected Fall 2018
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Dear PA Community, It is exciting to welcome you to our first edition of Connections as a quarterly magazine. We are looking forward to using this new format to share more in-depth pieces about the PA experience. Within this edition and in subsequent installments, you will find stirring examples of how the PA Community is pursuing our progressive Vision and Mission while continuing to emphasize the Core Values (respect, responsibility, excellence, integrity) that have always been central to the PA experience. PA is a true learning community, which means that our Vision, Mission, and Core Values are much more than slogans or mere words on a banner. They are dynamic forces that touch all members of our community and apply to everything that we do. Faculty and administration seek to be innovative, to try new things, and to inspire our students and one another to explore, create, contribute, and achieve. We often say that we have to be inspired ourselves in order to inspire our students and colleagues, so it is very important to us to ensure that faculty are also finding inspiration in their work with our students and through their own professional explorations. During our Back to School in-service with faculty before classes started, we engaged in a number of important professional development exercises. Taking Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset approach in everything that we do, we strive to view ourselves and others as capable of growth and change. We are continuously challenging ourselves and each other to improve and refine what we are doing. Importantly (for us and for our students), the Growth Mindset allows setbacks and challenges to be viewed as opportunities to learn and to grow rather than as permanent statements about our talents and abilities. During one of our in-service meetings, we discussed Adam Grant’s recent book Originals (How Nonconformists Move The World), which offers many interesting insights about how novel ideas are developed, nurtured, and implemented. The book asserts that we are all more capable of developing innovative and creative ideas than we might at first imagine. This is certainly a reassuring thought to harbor this year as we take on the twin processes of the SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) accreditation cycle and the creation of a new Strategic Plan. We expect that these two endeavors will lead to both valuable insights about how we can improve as a school and to important validation of areas in which we are on the right track. One thing is for certain: if we remain open to learning from one another and stay focused on improving the PA experience, the students will be the beneficiaries. In the digital pages that follow, we will accompany junior Ozan Paydak to Canada for his presentation at the World Congress on Cardiology, and we will hear from Performing Arts Department Chair Layne Martens about our new stagecraft courses. We will also check in on some of our outstanding student athletes, will learn more from Brianna Flint about the impact of our Senior Brothers/Senior Sisters program, and will touch base with Bill Topich about the Social Sciences curriculum and our students’ performances at national competitions. Within these pieces and the many other items featured herein, I hope that you can hear “playing in the background” the steady “music” of our Vision, Mission, and Core Values as we inspire one another to explore, create, contribute, and achieve. Happy reading!
Matt Walsh
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Professional Development Partnership Offers Dual Benefit by Noel Brewster
Over the course of the 2018-19 school year, Lower School teachers are working collaboratively with professors from UALR. Teachers are benefiting from continued professional development in literacy content areas of language development, reading, and writing. During August teacher in-service work days, teachers received an instructional workshop on writing and follow up workshops on language and reading as they integrate with writing. UALR professor Carla Soffos and doctoral student Wendy Satterfield have been on campus for teacher planning sessions to help develop lessons and observe classes. They present best practice strategies to teachers and offer expertise for them in modeling lessons and coaching their own lesson structure. UALR benefits from having a cooperative school where teachers are providing professors opportunities to hone coaching skills and see authentic teaching in practice. They are working with the second grade, fourth grade, and sixth grade teachers to develop three model classrooms that demonstrate best practice teaching for others to observe and grow from. PA Lower School teachers are excited about the opportunity for continued educational opportunities that further their teaching crafts. It is a win-win opportunity for both schools and for PA to live out its mission to be the leader in innovative education.
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Pulaski Academy Parents’ Association The Parents’ Association is an organization consisting of Pulaski Academy parents and guardians whose purpose is to serve the school through parent involvement in the areas of fundraising, communications, education, and volunteerism from preschool through 12th grade. No matter your skill, availability, or interest we have a volunteer opportunity for you! To volunteer, please email rebecca.scaife@pulaskiacademy.org.
Upcoming PAPA Dates:
Friday, October 5 – Box Tops Deadline Drop your box tops off in the ECS, LS, or MS division office Tuesday, October 9 – ECS/LS Birthday Club Join your student to celebrate October birthdays Thursday, October 18 – ½ Price Uniform Resale Held in the Middle School Cafeteria from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Tuesday, November 13 – PAPA Quarterly Meeting All PA parents and guardians are invited. Held in the Meyer Student Pavilion at 8:00 am. Tuesday, November 13 – ECS/LS Birthday Club Join your student to celebrate November birthdays Tuesday, December 11 – ECS/LS Birthday Club Join your student to celebrate December birthdays
2018-2019 Officers President Mindy Harrison
VP-US Celeste Davis
Holiday Luncheon Nicole Anderson
Vice President Emily Young
Volunteer Coordinator Karrie Miller
Uniform Resale Maradyth McKenzie/Falu Goyal
Secretary Kim Barsell
Parliamentarian/Advisor Celeste Davis
Field Day Mary Hutchinson
Treasurer Kristen Minton
Birthday Club Janna Vandiver/Leslie Parnell
Staff Liaison Leanna Wall
VP-ECS Tessie Kentner
Box Tops Marci Keefe/Ellen Grashot
VP-LS Amanda Keith
Boosterthon Adrienne Dallas
VP-MS Jill Kingsborough/Ashlin Spann
Teacher Appreciation Teri Cox/Cindy Winar
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Signature Program at PA Continues to Grow by Layne Martens
Pulaski Academy’s mission of inspiring students to explore, create, contribute, and achieve is fully on display in the Performing Arts department, a department that has grown dramatically over the past few years to become one of the signature programs at our school. The department consists of a choir program which is the largest it has been in Mrs. Dudley’s 14 year tenure at PA; a band program that has grown significantly over the past five years and houses one of the top Jazz Bands in the state; a theatre department whose awe-inspiring productions make it hard to believe the actors and crew are comprised of teenagers; and a technical theatre department offered for the first time providing students the opportunity to build and work with their hands through the Stagecraft experience. If you haven’t already heard about the amazing things happening in Mr. Posey’s technical theatre classes, you should know that these classes are not only for students who enjoy theatre. These makerspace style classes afford students the opportunity to work with their hands, including the use of power tools, on multiple construction projects. These hard-working students are already contributing to other programs by building new risers for the choir room, the bandstand for the Fall Jazz Concert in Murphy Theatre, and the set for the fall play, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in Bruin Park. What a way to hit the ground running for these students in the first few weeks of these new courses! While technical theatre is the newest offering, it’s certainly not the only exciting thing happening in the department. You do not want to miss the next choir concert. The PA Sounds choral group has grown to 80 singers strong (enough to sing eightpart harmonies)! Additionally, Mrs. Dudley is collaborating with Mrs. Hendry in the Lower School to establish a third and fourth grade after-school choir who will sing at the concerts. We are looking forward to helping our young singers develop confidence and enthusiasm towards music in addition to adding a new and fun element to the concert itself! Instrumental music at PA is also stirring right now! Everyone has noticed at the football games that the band has grown significantly over the last few years, but what’s even more exciting than the growth is the improvement. The Middle School Band is performing music at concerts that was performed by the Upper School Band just a few years ago, and now the Upper School Band performs much more advanced music. Five years ago, one PA student auditioned into the AllRegion Band; last year, fifteen students accomplished the same feat. Last Spring the Upper School Band earned a 1st division rating at Concert Assessment for the first time since 2005, and the Jazz Band shook the stage at Arkansas Jazz Fest in Little Rock. Both groups are traveling to New Orleans to perform in April 2019!
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Lastly, but certainly not least, is the theatre department which has shown tremendous growth over the past few years. Mrs. Posey’s focus on education and high performance standards has paid dividends, as the product on the stage continues to improve over an already high standard set in her first year in 2015-2016. Her attention to detail and unwillingness to accept anything short of excellence has led to productions that have become “can’t miss” events. Come see all of these talented students at our fall performances over the next few weeks, and for our collaborative performance of Frosty Follies on December 5! If you have a student in the Middle School, open their mind to the possibility of joining one of these wonderful programs in the Performing Arts department. Encourage them to sign up for beginning band, harmony girls/harmony boys, performing arts, or intro to technical theatre. In just a few short years, you will be amazed at all that your child is exploring, creating, contributing, and achieving!
For more information about, please contact:
Band – Layne Martens, layne.martens@pulaskiacademy.org Choir – Katie Dudley, katie.dudley@pulaskiacademy.org Theatre – Sheridan Posey, sheridan.posey@pulaskiacademy.org Technical Theatre – Drew Posey, drew.posey@pulaskiacademy.org
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Community Engagement Builds Global Citizens by Diane Lafferty
Pulaski Academy has a responsibility to its students to heighten their sense of moral obligation, their sensitivity to social problems, and to build in them a sense of personal fulfillment through their commitment and empathy for others. At all grade levels, students learn about making choices and sacrifices, and they apply principles learned in the classroom to concrete circumstance through service opportunities. In Early Childhood, students express thanks and support to the local community through grade level projects. Our youngest students learn about community helpers in conjunction with their social studies curriculum and create gift bags that they distribute to firefighters. As they move through the Early Childhood School, classes collect needed materials for donation to the Ronald McDonald House and the Humane Society of Pulaski County. As young Bruins are promoted to the Lower School, they begin to garner a global perspective. Recycling projects, reading to younger children at the Access School, singing at senior living facilities, and a “socktober” sock collection drive reinforce their awareness of diversity within our local community. In the fourth grade, a representative from Tacos4Life speaks to the students about their mission to feed hungry children and families around the world. Fourth through eighth graders then spend time during the school year assembling food packs for Tacos4Life to distribute in Africa! In addition to international outreach, the sixth grade visits St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital each spring on their class trip to Memphis. A portion of their visit involves delivering toys to current patients. With their eyes and hearts open to the challenges affecting many locally and internationally, Upper School students select nonprofit organizations to serve for a minimum of 15 hours each school year. While some opt to spend those hours with multiple organizations, others commit their time to a single cause. Popular organizations among our students include the Dorcas House, the Centers for Youth and Family, Angels of Hope, Arkansas Heart Association Sweethearts, and the Arkansas Children’s
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Hospital Star ACHiever program. Senior Teague Cooley contributed 112 hours last year to the extraordinary people and purpose at Camp Aldersgate. My experience with Camp Aldersgate was amazing both sessions I volunteered. My freshman year, I volunteered during the diabetes week to get community service hours for my whole year not knowing what an amazing experience it would be. I learned how troubled these kids are and how camp filled them with joy and allowed them to be themselves. I enjoyed it to the point where I wanted to volunteer the next year during a more meaningful week for me, cardiac week. Having a heart condition myself, I thought it was a great idea to be able to bond with the kids and see how we relate. To my surprise, there was much more than that. I was caught completely off guard during the first day to see how severe some of these kids conditions were. Not only was I able to relate and talk to these kids, it was a huge eye opener for me. It made me realize how fortunate I really am that I get to do the things I love. Some of the kids were in wheelchairs or needed help walking, only because of how severe their conditions were. I’m able to play baseball, go to camp, and do the things I love to a certain extent, which these kids could only dream about doing. The memories at Camp Aldersgate of helping kids with similar conditions as me and learning how fortunate and lucky I am are experiences that I will never forget.
Aside from the structured community service program, we aim to instill a sense of school and global engagement through routine interactions. From meeting and greeting our PA community in carpool to raising awareness of global issues through Amnesty International and Model United Nations, moving students outside of their comfort zone to understand and connect with others is key to instilling a lifelong commitment to serve others. Alumni Bailey Moll, class of 2009, effectively sums up the constitution of a PA graduate who is equipped to positively impact society.“As an educational institution, Pulaski Academy prepares students for their academic future by arming them with critical thinking skills. This alone, however, is not what makes our school the best in the state. It is the diligent efforts to instill in our students the virtue of active, civic involvement through community service. Our society is strongest when it is led by servant leaders - the very type of person Pulaski Academy strives to create in its graduates.�
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Senior Brothers and Sisters Comes Full Circle for Class of 2019 by Diane Lafferty and Brianna Flint
The Senior Brothers and Sisters program is a favorite tradition among Bruins of all ages. With September 5, 1979 marking the inaugural kick off ceremony, the 40th anniversary of the program at PA is rapidly approaching. Senior Brianna Flint reflects on her experiences as a young Bruin and her excitement entering the year as a senior. To me Senior Brothers and Seniors means having the opportunity to be the highlight of the week for the ECS and LS students! I can remember in third grade waiting on that first Wednesday of every month to spend an hour hanging out with the seniors. We would work during the week on crafts and gifts for them and were totally awestruck when they finally arrived. I remember missing my seniors after they had graduated and wishing for the day I could do this too as a senior! Especially for only kids like me, having that sense of what it would have been like to have an older sibling was so cool. I remember when I would see my senior brother or sisters at school events and would become so excited to have a connection with them. I can still remember my last senior brother/sister meeting in fourth grade. I was disappointed that I would no longer have that hour once a month with them. I have since been counting down the days until I became a senior and anticipating the opportunity to hang out with the younger Bruins. Now, the time has finally come! I am going to make the time we have together wonderful; I want them to have amazing memories to look back on when they’re older.
For our young Bruins, the enthusiasm for the cherished sessions with their seniors is evident in the comments made to their teachers leading up to their first connection of the year.
“I’m excited to be a Se nior Sister one day!” Hailey Richards (1st gra de)
eniors ut with the s o g in g n a h n chool, and I think it is fu ll us about the Upper S y te because the rides. piggy back s u e iv g y e th th grade) Emily Diaz (4
“I like the fun crafts! I remember having a baseball player as one of my Senior Brothers. I love to play baseball!” Emerson Phelan (2nd grade)
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progress @ PA 14
Summer Projects Enhance Programs and Security Contributors Brian Muldrow and Leanna Wall
Each summer on the PA campus, improvements to our facilities and property are a top priority! Projects are prioritized, budgeted, and scheduled each fall in preparation for the short summer months. The summer of 2018 saw many important upgrades all over our campus benefiting students in all divisions. In the Lower School, the playground area under the climbing equipment was resurfaced with pour in place rubber and turf with rubber infill. This project was paid for in part by donations from the Readathon in November and Boosterthon in April. In the Middle School, monies raised through our Annual Fund helped with projects including bathroom remodeling and the purchase of new lockers in the 8th grade hallway! New exterior courtyard doors were installed in the Middle School with glass side panels and a break resistant coating serving as a security barrier. Annual Fund dollars also helped with the repaving of our Early Childhood and Lower School drives. Additions to our Fine Arts course offerings in Middle and Upper School and the addition of new faculty member Drew Posey, afforded an opportunity to re-purpose a section of the Drama/Choir building. The result was the implementation of the Stagecraft Shop! A new roll up garage door, HVAC system, and a dust exhaust system were installed in the new shop space. Security cameras were put in place in the Upper School buildings. Forty-four cameras have been installed so far! The institution of a security fee and generous donation have afforded us the opportunity to retain police officers on campus during school hours as well. Additional campus updates were put in place during July and August, including the following key improvements: • • • • • • • • •
Added landscaping and erosion control Refreshed exterior and interior paint Replaced and repaired HVAC and roofing Installed aesthetic fencing Removed dead trees Planted five new redbud trees lining the Middle School courtyard walkway Upgraded nurses station in Middle School Remodeled Early Childhood Cafe Refurbished exterior benches serving the Middle School courtyard
• • • • • •
Installed privacy barrier on Lower School playground to enhance security Replaced furniture in Upper School Peeple’s Gallery Installed magnetic locks on interior Early Childhood doors that lead to exit points Installation of new exterior metal doors for Hugg and McIntosh buildings (coming soon) Restoration of Early Childhood pond and fountain (coming soon) Installation of upgraded signage (coming soon)
Our facilities staff works tirelessly to ensure that our campus meets the needs of our entire school community. Thank you for your investment in our school and continued enhancements to our facilities!
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Annual Fund and Endowment The Pulaski Academy Advancement Team leads the charge in fundraising, building community spirit, special events, and volunteer opportunities. We hope that we have had the opportunity to meet you at one of our community building events! As a team, we love this school and work daily to raise funds for two major initiatives - Annual Fund and Endowment. The Annual Fund campaign is a 100 day campaign, aiming for 100% parent participation. This year’s campaign kicked off on August 6 by securing 100% faculty and staff participation. Now, we are looking to our parents to help us reach 100% parent participation. Gifts to the Annual Fund are an important component to the annual operating budget. Our collective giving helps provide a transformational PA experience, which inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, and service. If you have not made your Annual Fund gift, please do so today! We also raise funds for the Endowment through our annual spring event, Bruin Bash. Save the Date for March 8, 2019. We are excitedly planning a new event featuring a casino night! More details to come! Also, be sure to check out the bi-weekly divisional newsletters for upcoming events! Annual Fund Donations and Pledges can be made at www.pulaskiacademy.org/giveonline
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Record-Shattering Year for the Social Science Department by Bill Topich
The past school year was one for the record books regarding the achievements and accomplishments of the Social Science Department at Pulaski Academy. The department produces acclaimed writers and researchers who compete with the best students in the nation. Student achievements have indeed been record-setting! Three students were acknowledged as National Finalists in the John F. Kennedy “Profiles in Courage” Essay Contest. The recognized students included: Mohammed Abuelem, “Charlie Dent: Fighting to Protect Immigrants from Trump’s Travel Ban” Ahad Nadeem, “Chris Piazza: The Rogue Judge” Ayesha Yousaf, “Ryan Williams: The Fight Against Opioids” In the Foreign Service Essay Contest, three recent graduates from the Class of 2018 were recognized as national finalists and placed among the top twenty in the United States. The three PA students were Caroline Bellamy, Emma Chambers, and Tatum Smith. Pulaski Academy also had four entries qualify for the national finals in National History Day. Seniors Mohammed Abuelem and Genrietta Churbanova were national finalists in the documentary category. Sophomores Whitney Watters and Harrison Rainey qualified in the Individual Project Exhibit component of the competition. This is the 24th consecutive year that PA has advanced students to the national finals. During the summer of 2018, a record eight Pulaski Academy seniors submitted research papers to the Concord Review for publication consideration. The paper lengths ranged from 20-30 pages. List of students include: • Mohammed Abuelem, “Palestinian Nationalism: The Emergence of a Distinct Political Identity in the Middle East” • Tyler Angtuaco, “The People’s Power Movement and the EDSA Revolution of 1986” • Laurel Black, “An Invisible Enemy: The Psychological Motives Behind My Lai” • Genrietta Churbanova, “The Shadow Economy of the Soviet Union” • Om Desai, “The Anti Apartheid Movement” • Nistha Lohani, “Tibet: The Struggle for Survival” • Ahad Nadeem, “The Savings and Loan Crisis: Causes and Implications” • Ayesha Yousaf, “The Forgotten Genocide: The September 30 Movement and the Indonesian Genocide of 1965-1966” The Social Science Department promotes academic excellence across the board and prepares students for the challenges they will encounter in college and beyond. Pulaski Academy students are nationally recognized and compete at the highest level.
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Senior High Athletes Earn Local and National Accolades Contributors Savannah Jacoby, Justin Robken, Bill Topich
Alex Barnwell is a two year starter for the golf team at PA. She stepped in as a freshman and took over the number one spot on the team and has remained there going into her second season. Alex has played against some of the best players in central Arkansas and has shown great grit and determination. In her first state tournament, Alex finished in the top 15 overall in class 5A at Paragould Country Club. Outside of golf, Alex has also played basketball and cheered for PA, and she is currently a member of the varsity volleyball team. Outside of school, Alex loves to go to the lake and to hunt and fish with her dad and of course hang out with her friends! Junior Foster Rogers has become one of the premier tennis players in the country. As a freshman, Foster won the 5A conference doubles championship, the 5A conference team championship, boys overall state doubles runner-up, and was named a member of the Arkansas All Preps Tennis Team. During his sophomore year, the titles continued to grow. Foster was again part of PA’s championship tennis team additionally being named the conference singles champion and the overall state singles champion. He went undefeated in high school AAA singles and was the recipient of the Leslie McIntyre Sponsorship Award and the Mayor Stodola Recognition Award. According to the United States Tennis Association, Foster is a five star national recruit with a power ranking of #1! He is the winner of numerous USTA events and is currently being recruited by colleges in the SEC, AAC, Big Ten, and Big East. Evelyn Griffith is a three year starter for the volleyball team at PA. Two of those years she has served as one of the captains; she leads the team very well on and off the court. She has played volleyball since the end of her 7th grade year and has fallen in love with the sport. She has also played on the national level travel volleyball team (Fatchmo/501 Volley) from Little Rock since 8th grade and was awarded best defensive player at the High Performance Camp for the Delta Region. Evelyn has been awarded MVP the last two seasons and was named All-State last year. She is determined to have the same success and more as she finishes out her last season as a Bruin volleyball player. Her hard work has been rewarded with her commitment to play beach volleyball at UCA after she graduates. We could not be more excited for her and thankful that she is a part of our program.
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Standardized Testing at a Glance In-School Standardized Testing
Grades 2 through 6 – CTP 5 (April) Grades 7 and 8 – ACT Aspire (April) Grades 9 through 11 – PSAT (October 10, 2018) Grades 9 and 10 – PreACT (April)
Optional In-School Standardized Testing Grades 10 through 12 – AP Exams (May) Grade 11 – ACT (April 2, 2019) Grade 12 – ACT (October 2, 2018)
Recommended Standardized Testing in Preparation for College Admissions ACT SAT
College Trip
PA’s College Trip is an excellent opportunity for juniors to visit a wide variety of colleges and universities, network with and hear the experiences of PA alums, and get a head start on their college decision process. After the college trip experience, students enter their senior year with a more realistic list of possible college choices. This year’s trip will be March 10-20, 2019, and deposits are due October 1. For more information, contact the Upper School Counseling Center.
College Reps on Campus
PA Juniors and Seniors benefit each year from information sessions conducted on campus by college admissions representatives. So far this year, students have met reps from SCAD, SMU, Northeastern, Centre, Carnegie Mellon, U of A, and Johns Hopkins. A schedule of upcoming visits can be found through the Portal on the Counseling website. For more information, contact the Upper School Counseling Center.
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Student Spotlight: Ozan Paydak by Diane Lafferty
For junior Ozan Paydak, his passion for science and medicine feels like something he was born to do. Ozan’s interest in medicine peaked at the age of four when his father, Dr. Hakan Paydak, began bringing his young son to the hospital with him. His interest in science research was sparked after observing his father present at the World Congress on Cardiology in July of 2016. Ozan was approached by Dr. Asif Sewani of UAMS to become involved in a research project which resulted in the two coauthoring a paper titled “Stapling for the Treatment of Wound Dehiscence of Cardiac Implantable Devices,” which was subsequently published in the Archives of The Turkish Society of Cardiology last May. Prior to becoming a published researcher, Ozan presented his findings at the World Congress on Cardiology in Vancouver, Canada in the summer of 2017. At this international conference, Ozan was the youngest researcher to present! The summer of 2017 also saw Ozan attending a National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine at the University of Chicago and representing Pulaski Academy at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders at the University of Massachusetts. Ozan topped off that summer by spending three weeks at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Program studying Biotechnology. The following summer Ozan volunteered at an ecological farm in rural Turkey for two weeks where he helped farm, grow, and distribute food to those in need in the area. After observing his oral presentation in Vancouver, Dr. Jay Mehta, Stebbins Chair of Cardiology and Distinguished Professor of Medicine at UAMS, invited Ozan to participate in his research project. He shared his data with Ozan on a project titled, “The Effect of PCSK9 on Ox-LDL Uptake and Atherogenesis,” which Ozan successfully presented at the Junior Academy of Sciences at the University of Central Arkansas. This project earned him multiple awards in the category of Medicine and Health during the 2018 Arkansas Science and Engineering Fair. In addition to his achievements outside of the school day, Ozan maintains a high GPA and a rigorous schedule of classes. His extracurriculars include participating in the Medical Club, Amnesty International, Spanish Club, Culinary Club, Debate Club, Quiz Bowl, and serving as secretary of Model United Nations. He is an active member of PA’s tennis and soccer teams, having been named All Conference in soccer last year. With Henry David Thoreau’s words guiding his focus, Ozan’s dream is to study biology at a prestigious college that would pave the way to a top medical school in the future. “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpectedly in common hours.”
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The Reggio Emilia Approach The Reggio Emilia Approach is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education which values the child as strong, capable, and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge. Every child brings with them deep curiosity and potential, and this innate curiosity drives their interest to understand their world and their place within it. At Pulaski Academy, our Early Childhood School has taken on a new look! Inspired by the facets of the Reggio Emilia Approach, our classrooms and learning spaces are unique, child-led environments filled with natural light and order. The clutter free design of a Reggio space places emphasis on displaying and documenting children’s thoughts, learning progress, photographs, and other learning interpretations. Children use many different ways to show their understanding and express their thoughts and creativity, and our Early Childhood is proud to help our students explore, create, contribute, and achieve!
Kitchen Renovation The ECS kitchen received a makeover this past summer. It includes all the right “ingredients.” • custom teddy bear aprons • a child-created chandelier • all new cooking utensils, tables, chairs, and decor geared towards the students • cute little chefs integrating learning and fun in the kitchen!
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2018-2019 New Employees: This year we welcomed 11 new full time faculty members throughout the Middle and Upper schools. We value their qualities that are consistent with characteristics of an ideal PA teacher including being a team player, having a positive attitude, being knowledgeable in their field, and possessing great instructional skills. Please help us in making them feel comfortable and welcomed into our wonderful community.
Crystal Brown US English + Yearbook
UALR This is my seventh year teaching. Prior to teaching I worked in Communications for Constitutional offices. I am married with a son in the Marines, three pugs, a cat, cows, horses, and chickens!
Savannah Jacoby MS Math Varsity Volleyball
Ouachita Baptist University I am originally from Dallas, Texas but have lived in Arkansas for the past three years after graduating from OBU. I played volleyball for two years before back surgery ended my collegiate career, but it turned into a blessing because that’s what started my love for teaching and coaching. I have taught in PCSSD and JNPSD prior to coming to Pulaski Academy. When I am not teaching or coaching, I love hanging out with my family (husband and two dogs) watching sports or some type of outside activity hiking, walking, fishing, etc.
Laura Langley US English
Hendrix + UALR I am originally from Austin, TX, but have been in Arkansas for a total of 7 years between my time at Hendrix and the last few years that I’ve been in Little Rock. Before teaching, I worked in the culinary world as a baker in restaurants and bakeries. These days, when I’m not working, I try to stay active by going to the rock climbing gym, doing yoga, or walking the dog.
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Connie Pesek MS Math
SAU + ASU I am an Arkansas native originally from El Dorado. I have been teaching for 15 years. I hold a Masters of Science in Education: Curriculum and Instruction from Arkansas State. I am married to Dr. Robbie Pesek, and we have two children.
Emma Koch MS Math
U of A I was born and raised in Arkansas, and I have always loved learning and teaching math. Before coming to PA, I most recently taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math at the Immaculate Heart of Mary school. When I’m not working, I love crafting and learning about art. I have an adorable little girl in PK4, and we are both loving being part of the PA family.
Drew Posey
Technical Theater + Graphic Design
ASU I moved to Little Rock to become the Master Carpenter at The Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Since 2009, I have designed over twenty and built almost one hundred sets for six local theatres in Little Rock. As a studio artist, I have sold paintings at The Rep’s Artworks Auction, through personal commissions, and pieces featured in local restaurants.
Andrew Carroll US Math
University of Delaware + Dickinson College I have been teaching high school mathematics for the last 6 years in Wisconsin. My family moved here from WI this summer because my wife was hired to be a professor at UCA in Conway. I enjoy spending time with my wife Kathryn and 2 year old son William, playing tennis, reading, and board/video games. I went to a preparatory school for high school in Delaware (where they filmed the movie Dead Poets’ Society), and am forever grateful for the education and guidance I received there. I feel like PA is a similar place, and I am thrilled to work at providing that same experience for our students!
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Katelyn Johnston US Art
UALR I attended Savannah College of Art and Design at age 17 and finished my degree at UALR before heading to Europe to wander around for four months on my own. In the past five years I have been a mother to three cats, two guinea pigs, two dogs, two peacocks, a duck, and two wonderful step children who live with me full time. I am a lover of life and a lifetime-learner. I couldn’t be more excited to be back at Pulaski Academy after fourteen years!
Melanie Henner
US Learning Lab
Southern Mississippi I am originally from Jackson, MS and an alumn of Hillcrest Christian School and the University of Southern Mississippi. My husband and I moved to Little Rock just over seven years ago. I spent our first six years here working for the Bryant Public School District. Last year, my son was old enough to start the Cub Academy, so I spent time substituting in the Early Childhood School and Lower School. We are so happy to be a Bruin family and look forward to our future with the school.
Susan Koller Upper School Counselor
PA Alum Harding + UALR I am a Little Rock native and PA Alum – Class of ’85. I have been in education the last 28 years as a teacher, counselor, and school administrator. Both my daughter Payton, class of 2015, and son Grayson, class of 2019, have kept me busy through the years with their love of basketball. After this year, I guess I’ll find a new hobby!
Erin Simril
MS Social Studies
DePauw University + Henderson State Foreign languages have always fascinated me, in part because we often hosted exchange students in my childhood home. As soon as I could, I began studying German because of its fascinating sounds that the English language did not include. When I became engrossed in East Asian Studies at DePauw University, I immediately took on the task of learning Japanese. While I’m not fluent in either, my interest in languages still remains strong. I hope to find the time to learn Spanish one day soon!
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Connected Our campus is bustling with activity! From STEM, to theatre, to after school activities, these kids are fun to follow! Like, Follow, and Share the following channels to stay connected today and everyday with all the latest happenings at PA.
facebook.com/pulaskiacademy ECS and LS • facebook.com/PulaskiAcademyECSandLS MS and US • www.facebook.com/PulaskiAcademyMSandUS Advancement • www.facebook.com/paadvancement Athletics • www.facebook.com/groups/45111848222 Alumni • www.facebook.com/pulaskiacademyalumni PAPA • www.facebook.com/71PAPA
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