Reflection Winter 2020

R E F LE C TION

SABOT AT STONY POINT WINTER 2020

THE FOUNDATION & THE FUTURE

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GIVING REPORT SEA JELLIES

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FAREWELL IRENE

VJAS

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AFTER SABOT

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LEADERSHIP 2019–2020 Administration Tom Bendel Head of School

Maggie Barrett Director of Admissions & Enrollment Grace Rochfort Director of Communications & Marketing Christine Webb Director of Finance & Operations

Mary Driebe Director of Teaching & Learning Marty Gravett Director of Early Childhood Education and The Sabot Institute for Teaching & Learning

Board of Directors Adam Rose Chair Managing Director, Global Strategy Development, Deloitte Courtney Beamon Vice Chair President, Delta Airport Consultants, Inc. Katherine Brakman Secretary Senior Producer, The Martin Agency

Brenda Daglish Treasurer Owner, House to Home Renovations

On the cover:

Jon Becker, J.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor, Educational Leadership, VCU

Mac Purrington Owner, Apple Spice Junction

Micah Dalton Principal, Dalton Group Consulting

Toni Winston Executive Assistant, Capital One

Terressa Campbell Oten IT Strategy Coordinator, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Esa Sferra-Bonistalli Attorney, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the General Counsel

Jennifer Lo Prete Marketing Communications Consultant

Laura Meyers Artist & Community Volunteer

A map of the 2018-19 1st grade class’ homes in relationship to each other and to Sabot. It represents the cumulative understandings and the growth of intersubjectivity among the class after a few other attempts at creating different maps.

Dear Sabot Community, This has been a pivotal moment in time for our school and our Sabot community – a period for immense gratitude, deep reflection, and for building a strong foundation for our future vision – one that is already taking shape. Throughout this issue of Reflection, you will find these themes exemplified.

I have had the privilege of being a Sabot Board member for eight years, last year being my first as Chair. Our solemn duty then was to ensure a successful passing of the Head of School baton – one of the hardest tasks of any independent school, and seemingly impossible when it came to Irene.

Her passion and sheer audaciousness led the way for 26 years, and with the help of our “small group of thoughtful, committed citizens,” changed our world.

And now, as we are halfway through Tom’s first year, I am confident about the state of our school. In Tom’s “The Foundation and the Future” you will read about our reaffirmed mission and values – so core to who we are and how we do school. In the Giving Report, you will see our community’s enormous capacity for generosity. And as Tom’s article lays out, all of these lead the way to an exciting future vision for our school. One we are working towards, today. A future that brings diversity, equity, and inclusion into all that we do. One that grows our reach, not only by growing our school, but by leading in outreach

to the broader educational community. And one that includes breaking ground on world-class learning spaces as early as this calendar year.

Lastly, Sabot’s Atelierista, Anna Golden, discusses last year’s 4th grade interpretation of our schoolwide Umbrella Project in her article “Reflection, and Symmetry, and Sea Jellies, Oh My!”. Alongside the overview on our VJAS program in the Middle School, it provides a wonderful snapshot and reminder as to why we are here at this school: for the transformative education Sabot at Stony Point continues to provide.

On a personal note, like many of our Board members, I am also a Sabot parent. Kristy and I have spent the last twelve years here, and this year, our oldest will graduate. We, like many in our community, have attended graduation for years, even when our kids were only in preschool! Why do we go? We go to hear how the next batch of Sabot graduates will reflect on their experience and describe what’s next. We go to once again be blown away by their self-assuredness, connection to their friends and faculty, and their understanding of this complex world. And we go because it is a preview of what will be in store for our children. One day OUR children will graduate. And we will know they are ready, that they are good, and that they know who they are.

ADAM ROSE CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Fall Fest

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1 Winter Night

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Concert in the Garden

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5 Sabot Symposium

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1. Elena Lamanna plays a game with her preschool child, Amira.

5. Younes, preschool, and Noah ‘25 create pinecone birdfeeders.

2. Sayje ‘28 and Charlotte try to catch bubbles!

6. After a concert from Gamelan Raga Kusuma, preschool student Jace tries out the instruments.

3. Families gather by the bonfire.

4. Caroline ‘24, points out student-decorated candles to her mom, Elizabeth Miller Sundberg, a Stony Point alum and daughter of Shirley Miller, a long-time Stony Point teacher.

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7. Keynote Speaker Tiziana Filippini converses with Marty Gravett, Director of Early Childhood Education and the Sabot Institute.

Grandparents & Special Friends Day

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Gala in the Garden

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8. Edith & John Bleattler, Tanner ‘21, and Carol Kelly celebrate Grandparents Day.

12. Auction volunteers and parents Jon Becker, Theresa Murray, and Beth Furgurson greet guests.

9. Shelia Smith with her grandchild, Kiyan ‘21.

13. Cliff Barcliff; Melanie Nan, 4th Grade TeacherResearcher; and Kerry Mills, Director of Beyond the Classroom & A Sabot Summer

10. Eve ‘24 shares her portfolio with her grandmother, Martha Smith.

11. Champ, a preschool student, embraces his grandmother Brenda Tucker at the preschool circle.

14. Grayson ‘25 works on his contribution to the auction student art project.

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THE FOUNDATION AND THE FUTURE

by Tom Bendel, Head of School

As a school, we continuously engage in the ongoing work of refreshing our shared vision, both of who we are and where we are hoping to go. A period of transition is a particularly salient time to do so. We talk a lot about constructing knowledge and co-constructing meaning through the interchange of ideas. In order to honor and preserve our foundational ideas, we need to talk about, renew, and nourish what it means to be Sabot.

Although the Head of School transition was a big part of last school year, and I was the object of a lot of that activity, my actual experience of the life of the school last year was limited. Where I did play an active part was in trying to learn as much as I could about this school and about the community in which it is embedded.

I came to Sabot already convinced that it is a school that shares my understanding of how best to do school. When I was first on campus, I wasn’t all too sure why it was or what it was that made me feel that way, but my brief time here has reaffirmed and solidified my convictions.

I have found myself several times already this year in rooms full of people who are new to Sabot. I have said to them that, being new to Sabot, my experience was that I knew right away that this

was a place that was special, and that I knew that they would feel the same way.

I invested deeply in trying to learn about Sabot – and continue to. My process started with the things I could see and experience. This was supplemented by trying to understand how we got to the place we are by connecting what I saw and understood about our past and then imagining the ways that our foundations created opportunity for the future.

Unsurprisingly, the more I learned, the more it was confirmed to me that the state of the school is strong, and that the institution rests on a firm foundation.

The setting stone of that foundation is the mission of the school: Sabot at Stony Point is a school designed to sustain children’s quest for meaning and understanding, harness the power of their theories and ideas, and guide their inquiry and research. In an environment that supports collaboration and respectful exchange, we challenge our students to become effective communicators and disciplined thinkers, capable of solving problems in our increasingly complex world.

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We see the mission played out every day in our classrooms, from The Nest through 8th grade. While it is not necessarily a new idea that schools play an important role in elevating children to the level of citizen, they do it best when they are collaborative, inclusive, and respectful of the value of students as capable participants and as complete in who they are. They do it best when they allow children to engage with the world of which they are already members and when that membership in our society is valued.

Looking Toward the Future More than just thinking about the past year, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on our past writ large, and how we can build on the foundations laid by it as we look toward Sabot’s future.

We opened this fall with our highest enrollment ever, and we are about to embark on a much needed building program to ensure that we have a facility that matches the quality of our pedagogy, and with which to attract the families that will fuel our growth.

We talk about igniting or fueling the pre-existing curiosity in our children and about the fundamental interplay between observation and inquiry. In fact, I might go so far as to say that we understand what it means to be educated not as one particular experience, nor a series of ideas or knowledge to be collected, but as an ongoing process of discovery. That process unfolds when we live our mission and understand that through the mission we ensure that we are preparing our students for their futures and not for our pasts.

We are looking forward to building on the foundations laid – while we also engage in a constant renewal of our shared understandings of what it means to be Sabot. To be leaders in the field means to grapple with the status quo, and we recognize that much of what we do challenges the received wisdom of our own educations and of the educational system to which Sabot is connected. We trust ourselves and our

Our mission informs and is informed by our approach to teaching and learning, which we codify in our Five Rs:

These same Five Rs define the values for which we stand.

• Research The response to intellectual doubt and uncertainty creating powerful moments for learning through a search for knowledge, deeper understanding, and new questions.

• Research We display curiosity and approach the world with an open mind, making informed decisions by and basing our understandings on data and evidence.

• Representation The concrete traces of the life of the mind made visible and audible through “the 100 languages of children” expressed in media, materials, and modes.

• Reflection The transformation of new ideas and perspectives into learning through metacognition, curiosity, creativity, and imagination.

• Reach The willingness to take responsible personal and intellectual risks, recognizing the role of sustaining effort and embracing challenge.

• Relationship The web of connections among children, teachers, and parents that ignites the passion to collaborate, sustains the individual within the group, and fosters the co-construction of knowledge.

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• Representation We are a community that represents and honors the lived experiences of all of our members, and we continually seek their perspective and input.

• Reflection We are confident in our approach but are humble in understanding that our own assumptions can get in the way of us seeing other possible interpretations and evaluations.

• Reach We seek continuous improvement and approach it with the discipline, persistence, and patience required.

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Relationship We are family at Sabot and know that both the past and future of the school is composed of a cohort of committed families and educators.

methods and embrace being who we are. We will continue to express that confidence in our actions.

Consistent with our mission, we will continue identifying and honoring those practices that both set Sabot apart from other schools and that ensure our students leave Sabot wellprepared for any challenges that they encounter.

Looking more broadly at the institutional opportunities we are pursuing, there are three important facets:

A New Building

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion We continue to firmly believe that diversity matters at Sabot, and we value and take strength from being a community that includes diversity of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family structure, learning style, religious belief, political affiliation, and life experience, among others.

We continue to do work – and acknowledge that we have work to do in this area. The Board of Directors remains committed to our shared goal of advancing Sabot’s work in being as inclusive and equitable of a community as we can be. To that end, we have contracted with an outside consultant, Mariama Boney, to perform some “state-of-the-school” work, which includes not only her recent visit with faculty, administration, the Board, and IDEA, but also a survey that she will send along after digesting some of the input from that visit.

Growth

While we have been delivering our program successfully in our current infrastructure, we have been grappling with the limitations imposed by our aging, modular buildings for many years and are on the cusp of taking the next step toward building a facility that reflects the quality of the education that will be provided within it.

Our plan for a new, 16,000 square-foot building with 16 classrooms is the first of multi-year phases of the Campus Master Plan. The overall plan frames our long-term objectives for improved pedestrian and vehicular traffic, purpose-built classroom spaces, and enhanced outdoor learning areas.

Our culture of giving is strong, as evidenced by the $1.2 million we have already raised through Where the Heart Is: The Campaign to Grow Sabot’s Home.

We are abundantly grateful for the generosity of our campaign donors and their commitment to ensuring that the facilities within which we do our work are as future-ready as the students we produce. With their support, we secured a $250,000 matching grant from The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation.

This is an extraordinary gift to the capital campaign — in fact, only the second gift of this size in Sabot’s history — and we are especially thankful for their belief in our school.

It is also clear that the path forward needs to continue to be paved by stable enrollment, strong fundraising, and high community participation.

To learn more about the project, visit sabotatstonypoint.org/campaign

While maintaining our ethos of being a small school, our future is as a larger one. We should not hide our light under a bushel, but should rather find ways to include more students, both on our campus, and through leadership in the broader educational community. Importantly, growth creates more opportunities for collaboration among our students and the adults in the community, and supports our goal surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion by increasing the number of voices that we welcome into the conversation.

5-Year Enrollment History 250

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Sabot’s strong foundations were laid by our innovative and dedicated long-time head of school Irene Carney and the many founding families who chose to build upon its reach.

Now, standing on the shoulders of giants, we look toward our promising future, grounded in our mission and values. We are ready for this growth - in our facilities, in our community, and in our understanding - and I look forward to this journey with you.

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REFLECTION, AND SYMMETRY, AND SEA JELLIES, OH MY!

By Anna Golden, Atelierista

Each year, everyone at Sabot engages with one concept that forms a metaphorical umbrella over the whole school.

Students, faculty, and families are invited to think about this idea. We call this the umbrella project. Class projects emerge from the intersection of the umbrella theme and each classroom’s interest and research, so projects look different in every group.

But what does the umbrella project actually look like in action? I, as the atelierista (studio teacher), work closely with classroom teachers at weekly pedagogical meetings where we plan project (and other) work including potential provocations, needed materials, and questions the teachers will ask. Last year in fourth grade, with an umbrella theme of reflection, Teacher-Researchers Jon and Melanie asked the question “What is reflection?”

To get the project started, the teachers and I planned together, flooding the environment with materials and activities that might spark thought about reflection. Fourth graders thought and talked a lot about reflection, collecting reflective objects to observe and draw. A math provocation playing with pattern blocks led Sadie to ask, “Does symmetry count for reflection?”

This became an important question going forward.

The idea of symmetry as reflection was exciting because it had universal applications for thinking about balance in nature, interdependence, and ideas about animals, which the (8)

fourth graders were passionate about. When we think about emergent curriculum, this is what we mean - a combination of student-originated puzzles and problems with what the teachers believe will lead to a rich learning environment.

Teachers asked, “What is symmetry?”

Sadie: When you split it down the middle and it’s the same on both sides.

Evan: It can also be cutting it [horizontally]. There can be lots of lines of symmetry.

Melanie, Teacher: What have you noticed about symmetry in nature?

Evan: A lot of patterns are symmetrical. And the color.

Melanie, Teacher: Where is the line of symmetry usually?

Evan: Down the middle.

Others: Along the spine.

Reed: Your spine is not perfectly straight.

Sadie: Well, your spine could be straight if you had really good posture.

The children were finding lots of examples of bilateral symmetry in nature. Jon, Melanie, and I wanted to provoke the realization that there are two kinds of symmetry: bilateral and radial. Where children had been observing and drawing bilaterally symmetrical animals, teachers now provided a new provocation. They invited children to sort photographs of life forms that had either type of symmetry and then gave the children’s visualization of radial symmetry a little kick

by challenging them to make bellshaped forms with paper. This led to an explosion of interest in sea jelly making and research. (Since jellyfish aren’t fish, scientists are calling them sea jellies.)

What does research look like at Sabot? It starts when children engage in a dialog where they compare their understandings with those of others.

After hearing what other children know about a topic, they confirm what they’ve heard and amass new facts. Teachers help students find reliable sources including books, asking more knowledgeable people, and checking online. Teachers “fill their pockets” with content knowledge by reading and researching and carefully decide when to share a fact or use their knowledge to ask a guiding question. The fourth graders used all of these sources, including a field trip to visit one of the foremost scientists in the world studying sea jellies at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

After reading everything they could find about sea jellies, filling their sketchbooks with drawings, watching videos and

interviewing scientists on their field trip, it was time for the fourth graders to show what they had learned. They had already answered many of their own questions and had created more and more elaborate jelly models which now hung all over the room.

Miles said, “I can’t believe it. When we started, none of the jellyfish we made looked real. They didn’t look like actual species. Then, we started studying.”

This project encompassed all of the things that make teaching and learning with a Reggio-inspired approach so appealing. For instance, it emerged from children’s interests combined with the teachers’ learning goals. The Hundred Languages were used to help children form and test hypotheses, represent and communicate ideas, and create deep engagement. This project gave the children time and tools to amass a great deal of content knowledge in areas like biology, ecology, and geometry. Children had the opportunity to go deep with research and the opportunity to follow their passions and make choices.

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2017-18 Giving Annual giving is the cornerstone of the school’s fundraising efforts. Gifts reflected below were made between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.

Visionaries Circle gifts of $2,500+

Sally & John Meyers Irene Carney & Fred Orelove Dale & Mac Purrington Jyoti Gwalani-Ramnani & Dharamdas Ramnani Vineeta & Jay Shah Lynn & Mark Stevens

Founders Circle gifts of $1,000 – $2,499

Anonymous Melanie Nan & Cliff Barcliff Amy Corning & Benjamin Broening Brenda & Dan Daglish Jennifer & Christopher Finn Kim & Jonathan Hahn Jane & James Hartough Caroline & Kevin Hoover Jennifer & Wes Kaufman LeAnn & Frank Mazzeo Laura & Eric Meyers Theresa & Jeffrey Murray Carol & Gaillard Owen Frances & Ernie Padden Kristy & Adam Rose

Leaders Circle gifts of $500 – $999

Maggie & Tim Barrett Katherine & Eric Brakman Tiffany & Luis Ferreira Susan Barstow & Nicholas Frankel Jill & Michael Gasper Ann Reavey & Peter Gilbert ( 10 )

Deborah & Timothy Hanger Matthew Lee Harriet Schanzer & David Raine Sarah Anne & Charles Reed Tara & Jason Stamm Kim & Joe Vellozzi

Forest Club gifts of $250 – $499

Ellen & William Armstrong Ellen Ball Nancy & Scott Belleman Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli Jacqueline & Matthew Cohen Simone Frantz Renay & Rodger Hardy Jeanine & Michael Maruca Peggy & Ted Mastroianni Jennifer & Rick Mayes April Kimmel & Andrew Mitchell Gale & William Roberts Lisa Smith Christine & Kyle Webb

Garden Club gifts of $100 – $249

Alison & Creighton Anders Garland Anderson Kimberly Baker Kerry Mills & Pippin Barnett Patricia & Robert Becker Jacqueline & Jonathan Becker Pamela & Bruce Belleman Mary & Robert Call Joy & Howard Cutler

Katherine Zarfas & Samuel Davies Mary Bohrer & David Douthit Janna & Jacques Fuentes Mary & Winston Gravely Terrell & Elliott Harrigan April & Jim Heitchue Danielle & James Heizer, Jr. Ann Hoover Lisa & Sean Kelly Patricia & Kenneth Lawson Sarah & Brian Lile Jennifer & Diego Lo Prete Virginia & Ross Mackenzie Ellie Maruca Susan Martin & Ken McGee Shannon Kelley & Michael Mendelson Gabriela Alcalde & Robert Moore Kendra Feather & John Murden Erin & Dan O’Regan Pamala & Dennis Pack Alisa & Jace Padden Sara Jo & Todd Padenich Kara Page Cathy & Tom Pelnik Margo Perretz Elaine & Emil Phillips Amy & Bill Rider Grace Rochfort Charlotte & Bob Shields, Jr. Karolyn & Keith Silliman Nora Thompson Brenda & Marshall Tucker Lauren & Marshall Tucker, Jr. Margaret & Mark Westlake Amanda & Garret Westlake Sarah & David Williams Marla & Craig Wilson Joe Wolff Amy Chenoweth & Andrew Woltman Laura & Joel Yellin Jennifer Horton & Stephen Yoder

Gifts up to $99

Heidi & David Alvarez Cheri & David Anthony Erica & James Beard Wilhelmina Bourne Marty Gravett & Mark Campbell Cara & Whit Clements Christy & Micah Dalton Nicole Davis Christina & Tony Falkenstein Merilyn & Jerry Finn

Shannon & Danny Fisher Elizabeth & Ryan Furgurson Anna & Mark Golden Elizabeth & Richard Gookin Helena Gromosaik Lissa & Carl Gupton Elizabeth & Douglas Hanson Barbara Leary Jones & Doug Jones Elizabeth Kaufman Gardner Kaufman Sarah & Donald Larmee Shannon & Barry Lauer Cheri Maffei Kirsta Millar & Ken Marcus Sarah & Scott Meacham Elica Ivanova & Svetoslav Milev Christine & Jack Mingus Susan & Howard Moss

Patricia & John Murray Rachel & Blake O’Brien Ann Page Joyce Parcell-Greene Mary Evelyn & Robert Parker, Jr. Bonnie Holland & Jon Patmore Andrea & Gian Pierotti Ashley & Gavin Raphael Cheryl & Scott Redmond Kathleen Sams Morgan & Pete Santos Janet Scagnelli Julie & Vincent Slack Michael Starcher Amy Stearns Suzy Taylor Melissa Vaughan Courtney Beamon & Spence Waddell

Penn Ward Emily Pendleton & Carmen Wicker Harold Williams Fran & Jay Withrow Nicole Sackley & Eric Yellin

Corporate Donors & Matching Gifts Capital One Carmax Dominion Energy Markel Corporation

Directed Gifts Laura & Eric Meyers Kim & Joe Vellozzi

Memorial & Honor Gifts to the Annual Fund In honor of Andrea Pierotti & Amy Stearns Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli Janna & Jacques Fuentes Rachel & Blake O’Brien In honor of Ann Reavey Jennifer & Diego Lo Prete In honor of Ashley Harris & Extended Day Faculty Alisa & Jace Padden In honor of Carmen Wicker & Marla Wilson Cheri & David Anthony Jennifer & Diego Lo Prete In honor of Chris Hackenberg, Mary Bohrer, Cris Wise, Sarah Flowers, Joyce Chatham, Tümay Ferrara, & Terry Burton Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli In honor of Christine Mingus & Nicole Davis Alisa & Jace Padden In honor of Dan Daglish, Pete Santos, Michael Ferrara, Jasper Connor, & Erica Beard Owen Marcus In honor of Elisabeth Tam & Stephanie Matysek-Snyder Alisa & Jace Padden

In honor of Griffin Westlake Margaret & Mark Westlake

In honor of Middle School Faculty Sarah & Donald Larmee

In honor of Irene Carney Ellen Ball Kerry Mills & Pippin Barnett Maggie & Tim Barrett Nancy & Scott Belleman Terrell & Elliott Harrigan Virginia & Ross Mackenzie Shannon Kelley & Michael Mendelson Ashley & Gavin Raphael Amy & Bill Rider Lynn & Mark Stevens Christine & Kyle Webb

In honor of Pete Santos Joyce Parcell-Greene

In honor of Julia Murray Karolyn & Keith Silliman In honor of Kara Page, Dan Daglish, Margo Perretz, Michael Ferrara, & Erica Beard Jacqueline & Matthew Cohen In honor of Lisa Kelly & Nora Thompson Janna & Jacques Fuentes In honor of Marla Wilson & Carmen Wicker Katherine Zarfas & Samuel Davies Elizabeth Kaufman Gardner Kaufman In honor of Max & Avery Hanger Deborah & Timothy Hanger

In honor of Pippin Barnett Maggie & Tim Barrett Laura & Eric Meyers In honor of Sara Ferguson Amy & Bill Rider In honor of Sara Ferguson & Tiffany Ferreira Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli In honor of Sara Jo Padenich & Jen Rho Katherine Zarfas & Samuel Davies In honor of Sarah Anne Reed & Fran Withrow Erin & Dan O’Regan In honor of Shannon Fisher & Elaine Phillips April & Jim Heitchue Amanda & Garret Westlake In honor of Shannon Fisher, Elaine Phillips, & Corey Delaney Jill & Michael Gasper In honor of Susan Barstow Elizabeth & Ryan Furgurson Jennifer & Diego Lo Prete In honor of the 8th grade teachers Ellie Maruca ( 11 )

The Carney Gift for the Endowment The Carney Gift for the Endowment allowed the school to start an endowment. The returns from the investment are used on an annual basis to support the tuition assistance program.

Anonymous (3) Melanie Nan & Cliff Barcliff Kerry Mills & Pippin Barnett Maggie & Tim Barrett Jacqueline & Jonathan Becker Lauren & Cameron Bishop Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli Katherine & Eric Brakman Amy Corning & Benjamin Broening Marty Gravett & Mark Campbell Katherine & Jim Clements Jacqueline & Matthew Cohen Kathy Ryan & Albert Copolillo Becky & Blue Crump Brenda & Dan Daglish Christy & Micah Dalton Vanessa Del Fabbro Leigh Dudding Heidi & Chris Fidler Sara Ferguson & Richard Fine Sarah & Max Fischer Shannon & Danny Fisher Lori Fitchett Susan Barstow & Nicholas Frankel Lisa & Allan Funk Kathryn & David Gammino Jill & Michael Gasper

Janet Geldzahler Danielle & Brad Goldschmidt Kim & Jonathan Hahn Nikki & Nathan Hanger Jessica Lucia & Daniel Hardy Ashley & Brian Harris Gayle & William Hefty Donna Joyce & Laurence Hill Caroline & Kevin Hoover Elizabeth & Keith Howell Jennifer & Wes Kaufman Lisa & Sean Kelly Jo Kennedy Myung-Wha & Samuel Koo Nour & Timothy Krawczel Shannon & Barry Lauer Raidah Hudson & Mitch Lee Sarah & Brian Lile Jennifer & Diego Lo Prete Cheri Maffei Jeanine & Michael Maruca Natalie Crichigno & Patrick McColgan Laura & Eric Meyers Lucile Miller Marty Montpetit Jane & Rick Myers Patty Nicholas Rachel & Blake O’Brien Irene Carney & Fred Orelove Fred, Joel, & Stuart Orelove Carol & Gaillard Owen Sara Jo & Todd Padenich

Margo Perretz Elaine & Emil Phillips Andrea & Gian Pierotti Dale & Mac Purrington Cheryl & Scott Redmond Jennifer & Matthew Rho Rebecca & Anthony Rhoads Kristy & Adam Rose Janet Scagnelli Vineeta & Jay Shah Meredith & Rob Shields Rachael Lape & Dennis Smith Natalie Garramone & Eric Spivack Lynn & Mark Stevens Elizabeth & Thomas Sundberg Kristin & Matthew Switzer Christine & Kyle Webb Amanda & Garret Westlake Brooks & Harrison Whitten Lynalise Woodlief Nicole Sackley & Eric Yellin Melissa Zemmel

Auction Sponsors Apple Spice Junction Bankers Insurance Davenport & Company Heartwood Wealth Advisors House to Home Renovations Interpretation Room Long & Foster, Heather Paoloni Redmond Asset Management Shamin Hotels

The Sabot Stronger Fund moves us forward.

Whether it’s along a forest path, through a good book, or on a tricycle, Sabot students are always progressing. Your gift plays a vital role in creating the high-quality, joyful experience that allows them to move forward. We hope you will consider a gift to The Sabot Stronger Fund to support them on their journey.

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sabotatstonypoint.org/donate

2018-19 Giving Gifts reflected below were made between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019.

Visionaries Circle gifts of $2,500+

Sarah & Max Fischer Kim & Jonathan Hahn

Founders Circle gifts of $1,000 – $2,499

Brenda & Dan Daglish Alison & Thomas Eichler Jennifer & Christopher Finn Jane & James Hartough Sarah Lile, The Community Foundation Laura & Eric Meyers Frances & Ernie Padden Kristin & Matthew Switzer Amy Chenoweth & Andrew Woltman

Leaders Circle gifts of $500 – $999

Maggie & Tim Barrett Ann Reavey & Peter Gilbert Deborah & Timothy Hanger Sheri & William McGuire Irene Carney & Fred Orelove Kristy & Adam Rose Vineeta & Jay Shah Janice Shugart

Forest Club gifts of $250 – $499

Ellen & William Armstrong Christy & Micah Dalton Jill & Michael Gasper Stephanie & David Gatewood Nancy & James Gottwald Renay & Rodger Hardy Caroline & Kevin Hoover Denise Daly Konrad & Otto Konrad Renee & David Kunnen

Sara Lovelace & Rob Paige Heather & Christopher Paoloni Ginny & Riker Purcell Jennifer & Matthew Rho

Garden Club gifts of $100 – $249

Alison & Creighton Anders Patricia & Robert Becker Pamela & Bruce Belleman Ghislaine Best Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli Annie & Bruce Coffey Jacqueline & Matthew Cohen Christine & Bill Corbin Debbie DiazGranados & Michael Curtis Suzanne Decker Amanda & Andrew Featherstone Danielle & James Heizer, Jr. Karen & John Horton Mary Kay Carstensen & Kenneth Kriva Mallory & Aaron Lape Patricia & Kenneth Lawson Jennifer & Diego Lo Prete Jeanine & Michael Maruca Julie & Chris Massie Judith Viggers & Glenn Nordin Rachel & Blake O’Brien Jodi Perl-Odell & Betsey Odell Rona & Richard O’Regan Dale & Mac Purrington Harriet Schanzer & David Raine Grace Rochfort Cathy & Paul Rosenblum Janet Scagnelli

Charlotte & Bob Shields, Jr Karolyn & Keith Silliman Terri Lin & Alan Smith Mary Scott & Bruce Swanson Graciela & Robert Tedesco Carol & John Wagner Linda & Alan Waterworth Amanda & Garret Westlake Marla & Craig Wilson

Gifts up to $99

Catherine & Carlos Chafin Carolyn Chenoweth Sarah Golding & Jay Chiaramonte Michaila & Joseph Clampet Mary & Robert Crawford Janna & Jacques Fuentes Jane Daly Gabbay Adrienne Green Elizabeth & Douglas Hanson Ellen & Thomas Lee Rachel & Robert McGuire Jane & Tom Meacham Elica Ivanova & Svetoslav Milev Ann Page Joyce Parcell-Greene Mary Evelyn & Robert Parker, Jr. Kimberley & Todd Parsons Denise & Mike Powers Sally Richardson Patty & Tom Roberts Ann & John Rule Julie & Vincent Slack Suzy Taylor Christine & Kyle Webb

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Memorial & Honor Gifts to the Annual Fund In honor of Ada & Scarlett Armstrong Ellen & William Armstrong In honor of Andrea Pierotti & Amy Stearns Julie & Chris Massie

In honor of Floyd Washington & Roger Robinson Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli In honor of Irene Carney Mary Scott & Bruce Swanson In honor of Julia Murray Karolyn & Keith Silliman

In honor of Chris Hackenburg, Mary Bohrer, Joyce Chatham, Sarah Flowers, Cris Wise, Terry Burton, Ashley Harris, & Jeananne Turner Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli

In honor of Kendall & Ayla Emery Judith Viggers & Glenn Nordin

In honor of Ellen Brown & Lara Lofdahl Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli In honor of Emma & George Anders Alison & Creighton Anders

Corporate & Matching Gifts Dominion Energy Markel Corporation

Directed Gifts

In honor of Sabot’s Faculty, Staff, & Board Irene Carney & Fred Orelove

In honor of Kendall Nordin, Sarah Anne Reed, Eileen Rossi, & Linae Morton Jodi Perl-Odell & Betsey Odell In honor of Laura Browder’s new home purchase Heather & Christopher Paoloni

In honor of Sara Ferguson & Jasper Gunn Rachel & Blake O’Brien In honor of Shannon & Barry Lauer’s home sale Heather & Christopher Paoloni In honor of Shayna Becker Patricia & Robert Becker

In honor of Lisa Kelly & Fran Withrow Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli In honor of Melanie Nan & Jon Patmore Julie & Chris Massie

In honor of The Nest Preschool & Extended Day Faculty Christine & Kyle Webb In honor of Tristan Waterworth Linda & Alan Waterworth

2018–2019 Income: $3,509,088

Contributions

15%

Other Sources

3%

Auxiliary Programs

9%

Christy & Micah Dalton Go Beyond, LLC

Student Activities

4%

Auction Sponsors Apple Spice Junction Bankers Insurance Created for Greatness Davenport & Company Enteros Design House to Home Renovations Long & Foster, Heather Paoloni Mellow Mushroom Short Pump Shamin Hotels Virginia Green Lawn Care

In honor of Sabot Kindergarten Teachers Amanda & Garret Westlake In honor of Sabot’s Faculty & Staff Laura & Eric Meyers

In honor of Avery & Max Hanger Deborah & Timothy Hanger

In honor of Danielle & Brad Goldschmidt’s home sale Heather & Christopher Paoloni

In honor of Pete Santos Joyce Parcell-Greene

Tuition & Fees

69%

Expenses

Student Activities

Auxiliary Programs

1%

1%

Fundraising

2%

Management & Support

24%

Academic Programs

72%

We greatly appreciate each gift given in support of Sabot at Stony Point and have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this listing.

Please notify Christine Webb of any inaccuracies or omissions by contacting her at 804-272-1341, ext. 2, or cwebb@sabotatstonypoint.org. We regret any errors.

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Where the Heart Is: The Campaign to Grow Sabot’s Home Gifts reflected below were made through December 31, 2019.

Anonymous Cheri Anthony Melanie Nan & Clifford Barcliff Kerry Mills & Pippin Barnett Maggie & Tim Barrett Janet Barstow Jacqueline & Jonathan Becker Jennifer & Thomas Bendel Emileigh & Matthew Benson Suzanne Bessenger Erin Bishop Edith & John Bleattler Esa Sferra-Bonistalli & Ryan Bonistalli Paulette & Richard Bonistalli Stephanie Fox & Eric Bowers Katherine & Eric Brakman Charmaine Nerone & Isaac Brown Nicole & Anthony Brown Linda Burroughs Luellen Butler Elena Calvillo Sheree Campbell Marty Gravett & Mark Campbell Lynne Chambers Sarah Golding & Jay Chiaramonte Margy & Gene Childs Cara & Whit Clements Jacqueline & Matthew Cohen Brenda & Dan Daglish Christy & Micah Dalton Ross Decker Vanessa Del Fabbro Mary & Joe Driebe Joyce Eanes Amanda & Andrew Featherstone Heidi & Chris Fidler Sara Ferguson & Richard Fine Jennifer & Christopher Finn Sarah & Max Fischer

Shannon & Danny Fisher Erin & Jason Forsyth Simone Frantz Gretchen & Morgan Friday Janna & Jacques Fuentes Elizabeth & Ryan Furgurson Jennifer & Michael Galvan Tara Gardner Ann Reavey & Peter Gilbert Maya & Stuart Glaser Russ Gnoffo Anna & Mark Golden Danielle & Brad Goldschmidt Helena Gromosaik Kim & Jonathan Hahn Elizabeth & Douglas Hanson Jessica Lucia & Dan Hardy Ashley & Brian Harris Jane & James Hartough April & Jim Heitchue Regis Heitchue Donna Joyce & Laurence Hill Laura Hinkle Alison Kent & John Hoke Rebecca & Jonathan Hollis Caroline & Kevin Hoover Kyra Haigh & Shawn Humphrey Linda Huntington Sally & Kurt Jaskowiak Barbara Leary Jones & Douglas Jones Caroline Browder & Brian Jones Mickey Jordan Jennifer & Wes Kaufman Lisa & Sean Kelly Denise Daly Konrad & Otto Konrad Myung-Wha & Samuel Koo Nour & Timothy Krawczel Renee & David Kunnen Julia & Mike Lang

Julie & Bill Langan Mary Ann Leatherwood Morgan Todd Ledford & Jason Ledford Beverly Light Carrie Anne & Raymond Lile Sarah & Brian Lile Jennifer & Diego Lo Prete Pamela Leber & Stanley Mabbitt Kirsta Millar & Ken Marcus Jeanine & Michael Maruca Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Julie & Chris Massie Mabrey Matherly LeAnn & Frank Mazzeo Natalie Crichigno & Patrick McColgan Sarah & Scott Meacham Laura & Eric Meyers Elica Ivanova & Svetoslav Milev Cliff Miller Lucile Miller Jennifer Miller-Taylor Susan & Howard Moss Mimi Hanaoka & Shahan Mufti Kate & Hugh Murray Theresa & Jeffrey Murray Rebecca Domin & Chris Musina Jay Nanavati Vanessa & Ricky Nixon Jody Perl-Odell & Betsey Odell Irene Carney & Fred Orelove Stuart Orelove Terressa Campbell Oten & Bryan Oten Carol & Gaillard Owen Alisa & Jace Padden Ann Page Kara Page Sara Lovelace & Rob Paige Heather & Christopher Paoloni Kimberley & Todd Parsons ( 15 )

Andrea & Gian Pierotti Dale & Mac Purrington Catherine Henney & Michael Raff Harriet Schanzer & David Raine Jyoti Gwalani-Ramnani & Dharamdas Ramnani Elizabeth & Jennifer Redpath Sarah Anne & Charles Reed Sherri Reese Jennifer & Matthew Rho Amy & Bill Rider Patty & Tom Roberts Grace Rochfort Samantha & Charles Rodriguez Kristy & Adam Rose

Emily & Alan Sanfratella Vineeta & Jay Shah Amina & Omar Shams Meredith & Rob Shields Megan Taylor Shockley & Jeff Shockley Karolyn & Keith Silliman Julie & Vincent Slack Britt & Brendan Staley Amy Stearns Lynn & Mark Stevens Graciela & Robert Tedesco Brenda & Marshall Tucker Lauren & Marshall Tucker, Jr. Courtney Beamon & Spencer Waddell Jordan Williams & Edwin Wallace

Lauren & Brett Waterworth Linda & Alan Waterworth Christine & Kyle Webb Amanda & Garret Westlake Margaret & Mark Westlake Emily Pendleton & Carmen Wicker Suzanne & Harold Williams Lenna Ottewill & Matthew Willis Marla & Craig Wilson Toni & Antoine Winston Colleen & Stephen Wright Tina Kierzek & Nick Wright Nicole Sackley & Eric Yellin Jennifer Horton & Stephen Yoder Wanda & Daryl Yoder

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Follow us so you don’t miss out!

Preschool students play on the old Grace Street campus in 1994. Do you recognize either of these faces? #tbt

Preschool classrooms use photos of the children and their families to convey a sense of belonging and community. Journals from home, created by parents with their children, help our young students make connections, and they love sharing photos of their family and pets!

Congratulations to P.E. teacher Renee Kunnen who completed her 8th Ironman last weekend! She swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles in 11:00:23 to finish 9th in her age group! What an accomplishment - and what an inspiration for our students! #physed #IMFL

Congratulations to ALL of our 7th and 8th graders. Each of their independent scientific research papers was accepted for presentation at the Annual @ VJASsymposium! They will present at the 3-day conference at @ODU in May.

Fifth grade cartoonist, Leo, presented his first cartoon about weekly class happenings. In the Village project, citizens have named their village Peep City, created a flag, and established and started their jobs.

In 6th Grade Health & Human Sexuality, students learn the human reproductive systems by building models. The models do not have to be realistic and instead can be interpretive and creative, as long as they include the parts discussed.

Middle School students visited Washington D.C. 8th Graders had the opportunity to meet and chat with @RepSpanberger about the work that happens in the House, walk underground from her office to the Capitol, and take a tour.

“The teacher has to find the right strategy for the child - the child that is physically there in the classroom.

Not the standard child that is in the book,” Tiziana Filippini, stated during her keynote at our Sabot Symposium. #SabotInstitute

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SABOT STUDENTS BUILD REAL-WORLD UNDERSTANDING THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN VJAS How do we motivate students to do their best work? At Sabot, we give them hands-on, real-world opportunities. Our 7th and 8th Grade students identify a problem to be studied and design a research project, submitting their findings to the Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) annual statewide competition.

STEM professions around the state read the papers, score them, and invite the best papers to be presented.

Led by teacher-researcher and science specialist Dan Daglish, students design and conduct a scientific experiment and record their findings, including all collected data, observations, and experimental notes. Once the research project is complete, students write a comprehensive paper describing each aspect of their project from hypothesis to conclusion, strictly adhering to the exacting standards of formal scientific writing.

Over the years, Sabot students consistently achieve high marks.

Since 2013, almost 90% of our students have been selected to present and nearly half have received recognition. Two Sabot students were awarded the Dorothy Knowlton Award for the Best Paper in the Life Sciences: John Blue ‘13 presented “The Effect of Sepiapterin on Beta-Catenin and Stem Cell Radio-resistance” and in 2016, Karuna (Carly) Ramnani ‘17 presented “The Effect of Environmental Pollutants on the Bioluminescence of Vibrio Fischeri.” With this recognition, each was invited to attend the following year’s American Junior Academy of Science annual meeting.

Students choose topics that are of interest to them and are usually quite complex, such as “The Effect of Eating & Drinking on Levels of Arachis Hypogaea Protein in Human Saliva” or “The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Heart Rate.” After the 2015 Symposium, one of the judges wrote to our head of school, “Not only were the topics scientifically and socially relevant, the method used in planning and execution of the experiments was detailed, sound, and well-constructed.”

The 2015 judge continued, “Perhaps what impressed me most from your students was the poise and familiarity with their subject matter in their oral presentations. [They] were polished and spoke with a smooth confidence that was obviously not the result of repetitive practice. These students showed true understanding of their subject matter and handled questions from the judges and the floor with polite and thoughtful responses.”

The process is nearly a yearlong effort, and it defines rigor.

Sabot students know that only their best work will give them a chance of presenting their papers at the statewide spring Research Symposium. For this to happen, VJAS judges from

The 79th VJAS Annual Research Symposium will be held at James Madison University May 27-29, 2020, and Sabot students are excited for another strong showing.

Members of the class of 2020 show off papers ready for submission to the 2019 symposium.

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Farewell Irene

Make new friends, but keep the old.

1989

1993

One is silver, And the other’s gold.

Like a circle that has no end,

That’s how long I want to be your friend.

1995

― Becomes a Sabot School parent (River Road campus)

― Accepts position as Executive Director of Sabot School ― Orchestrates move to Grace Street campus

― Leads faculty and staff in the adoption of a Reggio-inspired curriculum

Throughout her career, Dr. Irene Carney was driven by her passion for realizing the potential of all children. She repeatedly challenged the status quo and changed the course of education in Richmond and beyond. Her capacity for innovation and inspiration, her energy, and her commitment to excellence fueled the creation of an outstanding program at Sabot.

For 26 years, Irene worked tirelessly to ensure the longevity of Sabot for future generations. With her prudent and supportive leadership, she helped create an enriching academic program where children experience joy, empathy, respect, and connection. Irene is a visionary with a contagious enthusiasm for education, and her accomplishments and commitment to sharing knowledge instill hope for the future of all schools.

One of Irene’s favorite quotations appears on a wall hanging that lends inspiration to all who gather at Sabot. The quotation is from anthropologist Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Irene’s career at Sabot embodies Mead’s conviction and fulfills its promise: she served at the forefront of thoughtful, committed citizens who have successfully brought change to the world of education. We are grateful for her tireless efforts and are proud to carry her legacy forward.

At Irene’s Goodbye Circle, she got into a little red box made for the occasion as students sang a favorite Sabot song: “Oh, I wish I had a little red box to put my Irene in. I’d take her out and go, kiss, kiss, kiss! And put her back again.”

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2006 2007

― Extends the preschool approach to elementary education ― Spearheads the acquisition of additional property ― Sabot at Stony Point established through a merger ― Launches capital campaign to build Founders Hall

2008

― Oversees development of the Campus Master Plan

2009

― Preschool moves to Stony Point campus

2012

― VAIS Accreditation ― Founders Hall dedication

2017

― Receives Sally K. Boese Distinguished Service Award from VAIS

2018

― Launches Where the Heart Is to build a new classroom building

2019

― Retires after fearlessly leading Sabot for 26 years

CLASS NOTES

...ONE THING THAT REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME WAS HOW CURIOUS OF A LEARNER I WAS AT SABOT. —Hunter McGuire

Sabot Preschool Charlie Swanson graduated from the preschool in 2003. He went to St. Christopher’s and is now a senior at the University of Michigan where he swims for the Big Ten school.

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Miles Barnett ‘11, and his parents Pippin Barnett & Kerry Mills celebrate his graduation from MICA.

Miles Barnett ’11 graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in May 2019 in Interdisciplinary Sculpture. He is working as a machinist to gain experience in metal fabrication.

He is living in Richmond, working, and riding his bike.

‘15 Hannah Parker ‘15 is premed with a major in health care studies at the University of Richmond. She joined RAM (remote area medical) and provides health care to underserved medical areas and was accepted into Delta Epsilon Mu, a premed professional fraternity.

Hunter McGuire ‘15 is now in his first year at UVA studying Computer Science in the engineering school. He is in a fast-track CS program, along with his roommate Ian Switzer ‘15. Hunter is a member of the Hullabahoos a cappella group, the University Singers choir, and the men’s rowing team.

Hunter stated, “I was reflecting on my education the other day, and one thing that really stood out to me was how curious of a learner I was at Sabot. I really was so well-prepared for high school, college, and my whole future.”

‘16 Alex and Maxie Broening ‘16 attend Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School and are 2020 National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists.

‘18 Ryan Eklund ’18 attends Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School where he was awarded a position in the 2020 district band as a trombone player. District band is a competitive auditioned ensemble that comprises the best high school band students from Henrico, Richmond City, and Hanover.

‘19 Cassie Couch ‘19 attends Appomattox Regional Governor’s School.

Owen Marcus ‘19 attends Open High School Sophia Smith ’19 attends Douglas S. Freeman High School.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Please send your alumni news and photos for upcoming publications to: alumni@sabotatstonypoint.org When sending photos, please include a full caption that identifies everyone in the photo.

High resolution (300 dpi) digital images are encouraged. ( 19 )

If you want kids to like school, teach them to love learning.

Children have an innate sense of curiosity. By encouraging their questions and respecting their ideas, we help foster a community of motivated learners and thinkers.

A progressive school for 2-year-olds – 8th grade 3400 Stony Point Road, Richmond • (804) 272-1341

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sabotatstonypoint.org

AFTER SABOT Class of 2019: High School Acceptances

Congratulations to the Class of 2019! Our seven graduates were accepted by: Appomattox Regional Governor’s School Instrumental Music Program* Vocal Music Program* Douglas S. Freeman High School* James River High School*

Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School (2)

Midlothian High School International Baccalaureate Program Open High School*

Richmond Community High School (2)* Trinity Episcopal School (4)*

* Schools our students have chosen to attend.

Class of 2015: After High School

Sabot at Stony Point’s first Kindergarten class, the Class of 2015, is off doing great things after high school graduation! Many of them are pursuing their studies at the following schools: Christopher Newport University

University of Mary Washington

College of William & Mary

University of Richmond

James Madison University (2)

University of Virginia (4)

University of Loyola, Baltimore (2)

Virginia Commonwealth University

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SABOT AT STONY POINT 3400 Stony Point Road Richmond, VA 23235

Save the Date APRIL 24 & 25 Sabot Institute Symposium Equity for Every Child: Transforming Your Teaching with Reggio sabotatstonypoint.org/symposium

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 Umbrella Project Night

Save the Date for Sabot’s Annual Auction

Friday, May 15, 2020 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Sabot at Stony Point’s Gillette Garden silent auction * live auction * hors d’oeuvres * sips and sweets

sabotatstonypoint.org/auction

FRIDAY, MAY 15 Grandparents & Special Friends Day sabotatstonypoint.org/gpday

Gala in the Garden Annual Auction FRIDAY, JUNE 5 Graduation

Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, March 17.

Learn more:

www.sabotatstonypoint.org (804) 272-1341 @SabotRVA