Sandy Spring Friends School Community News: Fall 2010

S A N D Y

S P R I N G

F R I E N D S

Community News

S C H O O L Fall 2010

SSFS Welcomes Tom Gibian, New Head of School

Tom joins the Class of 2011 at the Adventure Park during the senior retreat

Table of Contents

Community News is a publication for the alumni, faculty, parents, students, and other friends past and present who make up the many communities of Sandy Spring Friends School.

Published twice a year by the Advancement Office: Karl Gedge Assistant Head for External Relations

Message from Tom Gibian, Head of School 1 Some Little-Known Facts About Tom Gibian, by his siblings 2 New Faculty and Staff, 2010-2011 4 Fall 2010 Admissions Update, by Louise Steinfort 7 Summer Immersion Program Turns Two, by KB Beck 8 Summer Programs @ SSFS 10 Summer Service Trips

Middle Schoolers in Acadia, by Stephanie Thliveris 12

Upper Schoolers in South Africa, by Scott Carneal & Students 14 Snapshots From Sandy Spring 16 The Annual Fund at SSFS, by Judy Averbach 17

2009-2010 Annual Report 18 The Science Program at SSFS, by Toni Evans and Laurel Flyer 24 Alumni in the Science Field 25-26 David Kahn’s Russian Literature Class for Parents & Alum 27 Western Civilization Class Time Capsules, by Ari Preuss 27 Alumni Notes 28

Judy Averbach Director of the Annual Fund Anne Ball Marketing Consultant Dave Burgevin Archivist Sarah Margolis Public Relations Consultant Mary Mazzuca Director of Alumni Relations and Pre-Primary Admissions Margaret Rosser Director of External Communications © 2010 Sandy Spring Friends School 16923 Norwood Road Sandy Spring, Maryland 20860 301.774.7455 www.ssfs.org Cover: Tom Gibian joins the Class of 2011 at the newly-opened Adventure Park during their senior retreat on the first day of school. (Photo by Margaret Rosser)

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Message from the Head of School I am delighted to be able to write my first note as the new Head of School for the Community News. As I have had an early peek at this issue, it occurred to me that I should probably start by introducing myself.

In this issue you can read about my life growing up as recounted by my sisters and my twin brother, and a short bio detailing my job history. That is one kind of introduction, but what I’m really interested in is sharing experiences and making connections with the Sandy Spring community.

Teaching and learning are often about finding and celebrating the threads that connect us, that inspire our hopes and dreams, and that for the past almost 50 years have brought us together to pursue an idea that a few people had and to help nurture it into a very special place and a terrific Quaker school.

The idea of introductions and making connections got me to thinking about how I usually get to know new people I meet. When I visit people in their houses for the first time, I like to look at their bookshelves and see what kind of books they like, to see if I might like the same books. I also like to see if they have any photographs taken at Disney World where someone in the family is being hugged by Mickey or Donald, because in my house we have a photo where someone in our family is being hugged by a six-foot fluffy cartoon character. Sometimes there is a picture of the family posing in front of some really old church where there are cobblestone streets and an old guy selling postcards, and I try to guess what city the picture was taken in, to see if perhaps I’ve been there before, too. I do this because I want to connect with the people I am getting to know. It’s fun to figure out connections. A couple nights ago I was at a dinner in New York with people I didn’t know, and one of the guests was 95 years old. He had escaped from Berlin in 1938.

When he heard my name, he told me that he had been best friends with my Uncle George when they taught together in Northampton, Massachusetts, 50 years ago.

There are many, many invisible threads that bind us together. Even though I’m new here, these threads are already in place. I hope that reading through this issue, where you will see articles about other new faculty and staff, about our expanded international summer program, about the places our students are going near and far to help make a difference, about the sciences and literature courses being taught here, and about members of our community of all ages, that you too will feel this connection.

Tom Gibian Head of School

Fall 2010

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There's a New Sheriff in Town...

By Barbara, Janet, and Dave Gibian The Senators were perennial cellar dwellers. So Tommy’s loyalties were to the home town team, rain or shine, win or lose.

Tom (left) with his twin brother Dave and sisters Janet ('69) and Barbara ('67).

Tom as a little boy, ready for action.

Tom loved packing his pistols as a kid, but by the time he was 18 he had hung up his holsters and registered as a conscientious objector.

Below are a few other little-known facts about Tom from back in the day to give you a glimpse of the man he has become, as recalled by the three of us, his proud sisters and brother: • As a baby and young child, Tom was always the noisy one, the talkative one. His fraternal twin, Dave, was quiet and thoughtful. He would let Tom cry loudly for the both of them. In their toddler twin-speak, Dave named Tom “Cotton,” the soft one, full of fun and always ready to make new friends.

• Cute though they were, when they were young Tom and Dave were more trouble than they were worth as far as their two sisters were concerned. They almost met an early end when they cut off the arms and legs of a favorite doll.

They were without remorse: “How else are you supposed to make a robot?” was their only explanation.

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• Tom was an enthusiastic ball player and sports fan. Tom and Dave would play baseball in the backyard. As they got better, they could hit the ball pretty far, so they switched to whiffle balls, and to hitting black walnuts in late summer. Walnuts fall still enclosed in strong thick green husks, but as the husk ages/rots, it gets soft and oozes a deep brown stain, staining the bat, their hands and their splattered t-shirts. Our mother was not happy. (Walnut stains don’t wash out.)

• Tom really wasn’t exceptionally athletic as a kid, although he thought he was. But he could spend hour after hour hitting those baseballs, whiffle balls, and walnuts, and that paid off. He demonstrated this store of determination and perseverance by learning to play the marble labyrinth game with his toes, by winning the “Most Improved Player” award at tennis camp, and later by completing two marathons. The ability to master skills through practice did not extend to his trombone playing, however.

• We followed the Senators in the summer and the Baltimore Colts in the winter. (Redskins tickets were much harder to get in spite of the Colts having Johnny Unitas.) Tommy liked following the Colts, and while they had some great seasons, they mostly fell short of getting to the Super Bowl.

• Tom might have been an SSFS alum (like his sisters) if SSFS were then the kind of school that it is now – or maybe if it had just had a baseball team. Instead, he and Dave went to Sherwood from the end of 4th grade through 12th grade, joining the first class of Montgomery County public school students not to have experienced a segregated classroom.

(Montgomery County schools were segregated until the year their class started elementary school.) Tom is a product of the richness of the Sandy Spring community: Sandy Spring Friends Meeting and Sherwood.

(Although why he decided to spell his name “Thom” for a while cannot be explained.)

• On Sundays we went to the Friends Meeting, later joining as a family. As children, we struggled mightily in Meeting for Worship and did only a little better in First Day School. In the winter, Tom and Dave would count the number of teeth on the zippers of their parkas and collectively focus their thoughts on willing someone on the facing bench to make the first move to shake hands.

• It was through his years at Catoctin Quaker Camp that the expression “there is That of God in each of us” became real for him. In 1969, a football injury knocked him out of summer practices, and Barry Morley asked him to be a counselor at Catoctin. For the next four summers and ever since, the spirit of the camp has been present in his life. As a counselor, Tom earned the nickname "Pathfinder" because he and his cocounselor Mimi Ligon (SSFS class of ’71) frequently discovered new SSFS Community News

New SSFS Head of School, Tom Gibian routes to their intended campsites – not on purpose, but because they regularly got lost. And they just as regularly returned with their campers recounting tales of the interesting people they’d met and wonderful adventures they’d had along the way.

• We were raised by parents who nurtured our individuality at the same time that they taught us the importance of family (both close and distant) and community (embracing friends, the Friends Meeting, the greater Sandy Spring community, and, through ever-expanding circles, the world). Each of us has embodied what we learned in a unique way, shaped by temperament, personality, and life experiences.

Tom has evolved from sheriff to pathfinder, to family man and business leader, and now the Head of Sandy Spring Friends School.

Congratulations, Tom!

Tom strikes a more reflective pose in his older years.

Fall 2010

Thomas R. Gibian comes to Sandy Spring Friends School after 10 years as chief executive officer, managing director, and founding partner of Emerging Capital Partners (ECP).

ECP is the largest fund manager working across the African continent with offices in Johannesburg, Tunis, Casablanca, Abidjan, Lagos and Douala as well as Washington, DC. Tom managed the daily operations of the firm and oversaw its rapid growth from its beginning in 2000.

Prior to returning to the Washington area, Tom was Executive Director in the Asia-Pacific Region of Goldman Sachs (Asia) Limited from 1992-1995.

Tom joined Goldman Sachs in 1987 as vice president. Prior to 1987 he was with Salomon Brothers, beginning in 1983. Throughout his career, Tom has focused on staying true to his Quaker values and using them in the business world. Having served on the boards of both Sandy Spring Friends School and Sidwell Friends School, he has dedicated his volunteer efforts to the governance of Quaker schools.

Tom has a keen appreciation for the enormous importance of practicing and being known as a person of high personal and professional integrity.

Through his work in Africa and Asia, Tom has learned how to advance a collective venture in many dimensions simultaneously by building strong teams where trust and commitment are high; expanding institutional relationships through outreach and imagination; and communicating extensively with stakeholders, including current and prospective clients. He also handled vital responsibilities from budgeting and supervision to crisis management, and inspired outstanding results by

modeling visionary leadership that does not call attention to itself.

Tom grew up in Sandy Spring and is a member of Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting, where many of the School’s faculty, staff, students and parents have been part of the community. He graduated from Sherwood High School, received a bachelor’s degree with honors from the College of Wooster in Ohio, and received an MBA in finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Tom’s college senior Independent Study at College of Wooster was entitled “Dissent and Experimentation in American Schools, 19001960.” He taught at Wooster High School and received a secondary school teaching certificate. After college he was a community organizer and, later, administrator in a local anti-poverty agency.

Tom has shared with the community, “I do not know of anything more important that I can do over the next ten or so years than to draft a vision of what the School can become and to lead it to reach its full potential... to offer a balanced world-class educational program to a diverse and energetic group of youngsters while, perhaps most importantly, to hold tight to the unmatchable ethos that has characterized the School ever since Brooke Moore’s vision led to its founding in 1961.”

Tom is married to Tina Grady, a graduate of Sandy Spring Friends School. They have a son and a daughter, both of whom have attended Quaker schools.

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New Faculty and Staff for 2010-2011 In the Upper School: Katy Baytosh is our new Director of Residential Life. In this role, Katy has primary responsibility for the boarding program and on-campus support for the boarding program. Katy earned her bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York, completed an ESL teacher apprentice program at Harvard University, and earned her master’s degree in teaching from West Virginia University. Katy brings a rich background to the campus in teaching, program development and leadership, and experience with international and American students. Katy and her family have moved into Earnshaw House (upper level) on campus. Katy’s husband Scott is serving as the Lower School Technology Coordinator.

Julie Borsetti joins us as the Technical Director for the performing arts program. She is teaching the Stagecraft class and working with faculty and students in the staging of shows and productions. Julie is also serving as the Upper School Community Service Coordinator and is living on campus in the lower level Earnshaw apartment.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater from Towson University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Portland (OR). She brings extensive experience in both professional theater (direction, production, design) and teaching to SSFS. 4

Chris Hill joins us from the Friends Community School and is teaching in both the History and English departments. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Frostburg State University and a Master of Liberal Arts in Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Chris is also currently working on a second master’s degree in English from Middlebury College. Chris has taught in settings ranging from middle school to college level and is a published writer.

Megan Hoover is the Residential Counselor for the dormitory program.

She is typically on campus two evenings each week. Megan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Psychology from Elon University and her Master of Arts in Counseling from Catholic University. She has several years of counseling experience with a diverse range of populations and age groups.

Josh Moffatt (SSFS ’02) joins the History department and is living on campus. We are excited to have an alum of the school – and in a sense a protégé of Ari’s and Bob’s – as part of the faculty. Josh serves as a member of the Ninth Grade Team and will be

coaching lacrosse this year. Josh earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Wheaton College and his Master of Arts in Teaching from UMBC. Josh has most recently been teaching in the Baltimore school system and coaching lacrosse at the Barnesville School.

Nate Whitman, who is teaching mathematics and coaching, earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from the University of Richmond and his Master of Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis. Nate has a great deal of experience in teaching upper level mathematics and coaching at the high school level, most recently at the Jemicy School in Owings Mills, MD. Nate will be involved with coaching and has significant experience in outdoor education, including serving as a leader for the High Mountain Institute and for NOLS. Some current people are moving into new roles this year, as well: Aaron Chan joined us in January to work primarily with our new international students who enrolled midyear last year.

Aaron is staying on in a full-time teaching role in history and in English as a Second Language (ESL) in the International Student Program. Aaron joined us from the District of Columbia school system and has several years’ experience teaching ESL, history, and English at the high school and middle school levels. Aaron has a strong and varied academic background, including a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and SSFS Community News

Religious Studies from UCSD, a Master of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion, a TEFL certificate from ITC International in Prague, and a Master of Education in Secondary Education from George Mason University.

Elizabeth Doschek steps down as math teacher and department head, but she joins Vickie Garner and Frances Lambrecht in the College Counseling Office part-time as the Assistant Director of College Counseling. In addition to her math chops, Elizabeth holds a Master’s degree in counseling from UMD. Andrew Eden (SSFS ’04) continues this year as assistant coach for the men’s varsity soccer team, but he has moved onto campus and is also serving as a member of the dormitory staff this year.

We are pleased to have Andrew back in an expanded role. Andrew graduated from Goucher College with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Music.

David Jones (SSFS ‘03) has moved from a teaching internship last year to a full-time teaching position this year.

David is teaching Spanish I and II and coaching in the Upper and Middle Schools. David graduated with a B.A. from Bowdoin College in 2007.

Fall 2010

In the Middle School: Meredith Rabil, new MS movement teacher, was the substitute movement teacher during Hannah Kerr’s recent maternity leave and left quite an impression on both students and faculty.

Meredith graduated from University of North Carolina with a bachelor’s of art in Dance Studies and Performance concentration in Dance Education. Meredith’s experience includes teaching at the Black Rock Arts Center and choreography for the HomeSchool Talents.

We are glad she was able to work with our schedule and continue her relationship with Sandy Spring Friends School.

Sheri Rider Jobe, new Assistant to the MS Head, has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Hampton University in Virginia, and a Masters of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from University of Manchester in England. Sheri’s experience includes being an adjunct college professor, an English as a second language teacher in an elementary school, and a Middle School teacher in West Africa. Sheri also served as the assistant to the Middle School Head at Greene Acres School. Sheri and her husband Dauda are parents to two new SSFS students in kindergarten and the sixth grade.

Eric Powell joins the 7/8 team as our new math/science teacher. Eric has a degree in physics from Bridgewater

College; experience in curriculum development from James Madison University, and Environment Based Learning from Mary Baldwin College. Eric comes to us from Stuart Hall School where he served as the math department head and science committee chair person. Eric taught math and science in both the Middle and Upper Schools there. He also coached soccer and wrestling and is coaching soccer here this year.

New Technology Staff: Scott Baytosh joins the Technology and the Lower School staff this year, and rejoins Sandy Spring Friends School after being away for 12 years.

After serving as the Director of Technology for SSFS from 1995-1998, Scott moved to Colorado, where he joined the Alexander Dawson School, first as their Lower School Technology Coordinator and later as the Middle School Dean of Students and then the middle and Upper School Academic Dean. He returned to the east coast to become the Director of Studies for Friends Academy, a Quaker PK-12 school on Long Island. In 2005, Scott was appointed Head of School for Buckingham Friends School, a K-8 Quaker School in Bucks County Pennsylvania. Eager to spend more time with his family and return to the classroom, Scott was excited by the opportunity to return to Sandy Spring Friends School as our Lower School Technology Coordinator.

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New Faculty and Staff for 2010-2011 Scott has a Masters of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University, a Masters of Education from Johns Hopkins University, and his B.A. from Wesleyan University. He is married to Katy Baytosh, our new Director of Residence Life, and has two children: Zach, a current sixth grader, and Seneca, who is three.

assistant coach. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Movement and Sports Studies with certification in Physical Education from Springfield College (MA). Amanda brings three years of collegiate coaching experience, most recently as an assistant at Catholic University, to her role as varsity girls head basketball coach.

Brian Wilkinson is our new Technology Resource Coordinator. He works mainly with the Upper School, but, like all the tech people, he helps out where needed. Originally a math and science teacher, Brian did his undergraduate work at the University of New Hampshire, where he majored in biology. He received his Master's in Technology for Educators from Johns Hopkins University. Before coming to SSFS, Brian worked at the Duke School in Durham, North Carolina, and locally at the Potomac School. Brian lives in Columbia with his wife and daughter, Jade, who is in the first grade at SSFS.

Lisa Lodovici is co-teaching MS Health with MS counselor Lauren Keller, and is also the certified athletic trainer at SSFS for both the MS and US athletics. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education-Athletic Training from Salisbury University and is just one class away from completing her Masters in Health Science at Towson University. She comes to SSFS after 9 years of working as an athletic trainer for the University of Maryland Medical System.

New Athletic Dept. Staff: Amanda Hill is teaching Lower School Physical Education.

Amanda joins us after teaching within the Archdiocese of Washington for the past year.

Prior to coming to Sandy Spring Friends School, Amanda earned her master's degree in General Education from Elmira College (NY) while serving as the women’s basketball 6

Geoff Yammarino joins us to teach Lower and Middle School Physical Education.

Geoff received his Bachelor of Science degree from Frostburg State University in Health and Exercise Science, and in May 2010, he graduated from McDaniel College with a master's degree in Physical Education. He has been a strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer for both individuals and teams. He currently lives in Mount Airy, Maryland, with his wife Patti, daughter Alyssa, and son Ryan.

Familiar Faces, New Roles

Jen Cort, formerly the Director of Student Support Services, is now Middle School Head.

In addition to her role as Assistant Head of Upper School, Karen Cumberbatch has also taken on a new role as Head of Student Life.

Donna Kellogg, former Administrative Assistant to the MS Head, is now Executive Assistant to the Head of School.

SSFS Community News

Admissions Update

By Louise Steinfort, Director of Middle School Admissions

Believe it or not, now is the time to think about school for next year!

Admissions is what keeps a school thriving! The admissions staff at Sandy Spring Friends School has successfully weathered another challenging year, exceeding budget numbers with an opening enrollment of 571 students.

The School has continued to enjoy healthy enrollment in spite of economic uncertainties and shifting demographics. What gives Sandy Spring Friends School the edge in this challenging market, especially with families often applying to multiple schools? The admissions staff believes there are several reasons. Visiting the campus is the first important step. No other school in this area offers this much acreage, plus state-of-the-art facilities. Our safe,

tranquil environment is enhanced by the residential components: the Upper School boarding program, and faculty and staff housing.

Secondly, prospective families observe the positive rapport between faculty and students when they visit. The admissions staff helps to establishe this rapport and partnership from the beginning of the application process.

Parents quickly realize we want to know their child well in order to help them make the right school match.

Third, interwoven in the curriculum and all activities is the emphasis on Quaker values which, simply put, has to do with treating each other and our environment with acceptance and respect.

Finally, an important aspect of our School is the balance between the academic rigor, the inclusive athletics,

and the wide variety of arts offerings.

These and many other special qualities about Sandy Spring Friends School combine to encourage every student to follow the School’s motto, “Let Your Lives Speak.”

Do you know a family who might be considering a Quaker education for a child? We are well underway with the current school year, but the admissions office is always thinking one year ahead. Now is the time for them to visit the School and begin the application process.

Open Houses are scheduled for two Saturdays from 10 am to 12 noon: October 23rd and December 4th. The December 4th Open House coincides with our Parent Association’s Winterfest. Weekday visits to see classes in session are also offered on Wednesdays, November 10th, January 12th, April 6th, and May 4th, starting at 9:30 am.

2010-2011 Admissions Staff The Admissions staff welcomes Mary Mazzuca and Dawn Griffith on board to help with Lower School Admissions this year.

In addition to her role as Director of Alumni Relations, Mary Mazzuca will be working with admissions in the pre-primary grades (Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten).

Dawn Griffith, Director of Financial Aid, will also be taking on the role of Director of Lower School Admissions for grades 1-5.

Louise Steinfort continues in her role of Director of Middle School Admissions, and Kent "KB" Beck is the Director of Upper School and International Student Program Admissions.

Fall 2010

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Summer Immersion Program Expands in Year Two

By KB Beck, Director of Upper School Admissions and Summer Immersion Program

T

he second year of the Summer Immersion Program, or SIP, (formerly called Summer ESL) cannot be accused of experiencing a “sophomore slump;” there was nearly a 200% increase in participants this summer!

Last summer, 15 students, all from China, and all newly-enrolled SSFS students, came for the six-week program as a way of giving them a “jump start” to being students in the U.S. The program served as a wonderful introduction to American culture and language enrichment for our students. After the program proved successful, increased efforts were put towards expanding the program beyond our own students.

This past summer, almost three times as many students from six different countries took part in SIP during July and August. Although SIP is still a young program in the life of SSFS's 50-year history, reports and reviews make it clear that the 2010 Summer Immersion Program not only provided a rich introductory experience for 43 students, but that the prospect for continued growth and enhancement of this program and its potential looks bright for next summer and beyond.

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SIP is a multi-faceted program promoting English language development. While the primary focus is on academic English in order to prepare participants for college preparatory level coursework, much of the students’ activities and time is focused on listening and speaking the language in an immersive environment. A variety of experiential learning opportunities allow students to develop and apply their English language skills while becoming acculturated to life, including the educational system, in the United States. Trips off campus extend and enhance this classroom learning.

Students lived in the Westview Dormitory on campus most of the time, sharing the campus and intermingling with the Summer Friends Day Campers, as well as two other residential groups on campus. We also had a small group of Chinese middle school students with us who were able to enjoy a couple weeks of Science Adventure Camp with American students as part of Summer Friends Day Camp.

For the Upper Schoolers, the regular daily activities included morning class time, and a rotating afternoon period of speaking and listening activities such as Reader’s Theater, skits, comicstrip acting, spelling bees, and chorus. The latter created quite a sound and gave the campus’s 1861 Meeting

House windows quite a “shaking,” especially with their favorite song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”!

Students finished the afternoons with some type of physical activity. The favorite (other than basketball for the Chinese boys!) was the aerial experience at The Adventure Park, newly opened on the SSFS campus.

Most weekday evenings, the students had a study hall to do homework and to read. Any time students could find a reason to talk or make food, they did, which resulted in wonderful discussions and delicious tasting opportunities from different cultures.

Off-campus day visits included swimming and barbeques; ice skating; going to the Kennedy Center; putt-putt golfing; visits to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the Johns Hopkins University campus; a trip to Six Flags; and a day at the beach in Ocean City, MD. The major trip this year for SIP participants was to New York and Massachusetts. Enroute to Niagara Falls, students visited the Hershey factory and Corning Glass.

Boston stops included Quincy Market and Harvard. We also visited the campus of Yale University on the way to New York City. The Statue of Liberty ferry was enjoyable, but nothing could excite the students as much as all the action in Times Square. On Broadway, we especially enjoyed the singing wait staff at Ellen’s Diner: our watiress had been a former student in Middle School at SSFS! (Really!) One afternoon students chose to attend either a Met’s baseball game, participate in a theater in the park program, or attend a Broadway show (FELA!).

One of the ways of increasing the diversity of nationalities and to bring in more non-SSFS students to our program was to partner with other institutions and programs. A “natuSSFS Community News

ral” fit was to partner with our fellow Quaker schools, and we were fortunate to have students from both Ramallah Friends School in Palestine, and Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie, NY. We also partnered with AFS Intercultural Exchange Program and had six students from Spain join us. So, our program included students from Spain, Palestine, China, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam.

The 2010 SIP teachers and staff were an international group, as well. All five were Americans, but each had been working/living in different regions of the world: Michael Beck came from Vancouver, BC, returning for a 2nd year to teach Level One; Christina Massey, who taught Level Two, had been in China; Kristen Drake, who worked with the TOEFL Prep class, had been in Germany; and Lewis Caskey, fresh from a research project in the South Pacific/ Papua, New Guinea, served as Activities Director. Additionally, coming from Olney Friends School in Ohio (well, almost a “foreign” place, right?!) was Ben Irie, who had been a part of Georgetown Prep’s Summer ESL for a number of years, and who taught Level Three for Fall 2010

SIP. Two SSFS alumni, Leo Shen (’07) and Mark Lin (‘08), served as interns and assisted in a variety of capacities.

I took a break from my school year responsibilities as Director of Upper School Admissions here at SSFS to lead the SIP program as Director.

Tom Gibian’s opening remarks to the SSFS faculty this fall included an acknowledgement that our campus and history has so much to offer to us, as a School, a community, and beyond.

Tom said that the various programs created and developed both during the school year and in the summer have become “a part of us – of who we are.” I got goose bumps as I heard him articulate this, and I put the SIP program in that context. Upon further reflection, I’ve become more aware of both the awesome responsibility of what this potentially means, while simultaneously feeling a surge of momentum to find more ways to draw upon the people and talents in this community, to work toward an even better and more successful Summer Immersion Program for 2011.

I invite you to contact me in order to consider how you, too, could join in

SIP students took classes on campus, and took a trip to New York and Massachusetts to visit colleges and see the sights. and participate in some capacity for next summer. As one of our Spanish students, 14-year old Santiago, exclaimed after returning from an activity where he was interacting with some of our neighbors at Friends House, “That was fun! I enjoyed that!”

Perhaps you, too, could be a part of the fun in next summers SIP @ SSFS! 9

Summer Programs Keep SSFS Campus Humming

B

ill Mena, Director of Auxiliary Programs, set an ambitious agenda when he arrived on campus at the beginning of last school year. When summer finally rolled around, his year-long plan for a bustling campus came to fruition with Summer at Sandy Spring leading the way.

Besides Sandy Spring’s own Summer Programs, Bill welcomed a number of outside programs onto our campus.

Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) returned to campus for two three-week sessions, each drawing approximately 275 students.

DC United Soccer Camp held several sessions on the SSFS fields, including some sessions with residential options using Westview Dormitory.

Camp Jam’s Music Camps came to SSFS for the first time, with day sessions for the younger campers (ages 7-10), residential sessions for the older campers (ages 12-17), and a rocking final concert at the Performing Arts Center!

Math Tree focused on interactive and fun ways to keep rising first through seventh graders’ math skills sharp, including sharing games, multiplication tricks and even number theory!

Coach Harwood of the Olney Boys and Girls Club hosted three sessions of his Basketball Camp at SSFS. The Washington Mystics Basketball Camp also returned this season with instructional sessions headed by coaches, players and staff from the Mystics for boys and girls ages 5 through 16. And the University of Maryland Soccer Camp held its day camp for girls ages 6 -14 on campus in June.

But Sandy Spring’s own summer programs stole the show this summer.

The six-week Summer Immersion Program for new international students

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was introduced this year (see related story, page 8-9), providing international students, many of whom have recently begun attending SSFS, with a great opportunity to become more comfortable with English and with American culture, and to visit some of the United States’ great cities and landmarks.

The School relaunched what used to be Summer Friends Camp in a new format as Summer at Sandy Spring, a program designed to give local kids from pre-school through 10th grade fun and flexible options. Summer at Sandy Spring almost doubled the enrollment of last year’s camp, while also setting new marks in diversity and revenue.

“We really worked to update everything to make our camps more user friendly and to provide one-stop shopping for families,” Bill reported.

“We added lunch in our dining hall for all campers, which made our parents and campers very happy. We also offered online registration with credit cards, making it much easier for busy parents to sign up and confirm their registration immediately. Over 80 per cent of our parents used this option.

And we expanded before and after care hours so our busiest parents had more flexibility in their schedules.”

Summer at Sandy Spring was even able to lower fees from last year. “All in all, our changes for this summer resulted in more vibrant programming and a happier experience for both campers and their families,” Bill concluded.

“We ended with a lot of momentum,” he said, “and we’re looking forward to carrying that forward into 2011!”

Adventure Park Open

Within 5 wooded acres is one of the largest aerial forest ropes parks in North America, called the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School. The Adventure Park consists of 10 separate courses for ages 7 and up. This Adventure Park at SSFS is fun, exciting and safe for all participants. There are platforms installed in trees and connected by various configurations of cable, wood, rope and zip lines to form bridges. Groups of bridges link together to form separate courses.

The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School is all about active participation. It is a fun outdoor activity that allows participants to enjoy nature, get exercise, and challenge themselves. The courses are designed for everyone to enjoy; they are designated Yellow, Green, Blue, Black and Double Black, similar to ski trails.

The park operates from mid-March to late November. Please visit the web site for more details and information at www.sandyspringadventurepark.org.

SSFS Community News

Francis Zell helps out at the Fishing Camp.

Campers cool off during a camp carnival day on the giant water slides.

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older students repeating many previous favorites: rocketry, jewelry-making, culinary arts, creative visual and performing arts, the always-popular trip camps, and, of course, a wide variety of sports offerings ranging from Morley Games to PolÓn Pride soccer, sports conditioning, basketball, flag football, volleyball and yoga.

n any given day this past summer there were easily more people on campus than during the regular school year.

And SSFS alum Francis Zell ’00 met most of them.

In his second year as full-time Camp Director (he started working at the camp as a counselor in 1998), Francis was in charge of some 750 summer camp enrollees.

One of the reasons that the camp ran so smootly was that so many of the Friends Camp staff and counselors were familiar with the camp and SSFS. Francis estimates around 60 percent were either past students or faculty or had some other SSFS connection.

The 2010 Summer at Sandy Spring season ran from June 14 through August 20, with the one- and two-week sessions for Middle School age and

Fall 2010

For the pre-K through grade 5 campers, there was a revamped program this year with added activities and community-oriented programs, and even more sports opportunities. The campers honed computer skills in the SSFS tech center, tried hands-onscience in the School’s science lab, and enjoyed water relays, water balloon races and other hot weather games.

“Attendance in that age group nearly tripled from past years,” Francis noted.

with a new course in fashion design (fully enrolled at 30 students in two sessions), where they learned to use sewing machines to make outfits for the end-of-the-session fashion show.

Francis recalls some of the outfits were “memorable!”

Another very-welcome addition: the camp purchased a giant blowup water slide that made many afternoons more bearable in the record-setting heat of the summer of 2010.

And in the aftermath of the severe thunderstorms that disrupted electrical service throughout Montgomery County several times during the summer, Francis just shakes his head and grins.

“I still don’t believe it,” he says. “We never lost power.”

Boys and girls alike were delighted 11

Summer Service Trip: Acadia

By Stephanie Thliveris, fomer Middle School Science Teacher After 12 hours and 690 miles of a traveling caravan, our Sandy Spring Friends School Middle School students, parents and staff arrived at the Acadia National Park along Maine’s southeastern shore, the site of our SSFS Middle School 2009-2010 National Park Service trip. This excursion proved to be an adventure rich with service and one rewarded with spectacular landscape, ocean habitat, and mountainous terrain.

This year our service experience included improving 1500 feet of “carriage roads;” removing the invasive specie, Lupine; and felling trees to clear official view areas along the Park’s Outer Loop road.

“Cleaning Rockefeller’s Teeth.” That’s the tradition and practice among the Island’s Park Rangers and “Friends of Acadia.” Granite boulders, chiseled into large cubic broken-stone masses called coping stones, line much of the 45 miles of carriage roads. Without care and attention, these roughened stones become overgrown with weeds and encourage rills to eat away at this carefully-designed road system. Our students “flossed” Rockefeller’s teeth and filled in rills and pits - what an effort of labor and accomplishment dedicated to this wildly successful task!

The Acadia lupine, as lovely as they are, are considered an invasive, exotic species that choke out complex native plant life and habitat. Lupine thrive in the Mount Desert Island’s soil and have successfully overcome stone garden walls and have moved into the local habitats. Using loppers to cut plant stems, SSFS students filled dozens of bags in a single morning’s work. Driving home the concept of native ecosystems, the Park Rangers led our group through one of the few remaining old-growth hardwood and spruce forests on the eastern seaboard.

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Spectacular and still, these forests request respect and convey the message of fragility and magnificence.

A plethora of trees that obscure popular views has come under the watchful eye of the National Park Service.

For this reason, another of our service days included felling beech trees that had grown to block popular views.

Using saws of varying sizes, students chopped, hauled, and cleared beech trees from pullouts overlooking the bay. This task gave an immediate reward as tremendous views opened up and offered us a sense of the original road-builder’s vision.

Woven in among our service days, we explored Mount Desert Island’s fantastic terrain. Our bike trip along the stone carriage roads took us by lakes and through forests, allowing students first-hand experience with the topography of the island. Midway along this 10-mile route, we found ourselves at the site of the sought-after Jordon Pond House “popovers” - a great place to eat and cool our feet in view of the Penobscot Mountains.

The museum tours through the Whale Museum in Bar Harbor and George B.

Door Museum of the College of the Atlantic educated us on the natural habitats that occupy this diverse landscape. Diver Ed, an eclectic and engaging “ol’ Mainer,” took us out in Frenchman Bay and ferried us by the Bar and Porcupine Islands.

After anchoring by the breakwaters of Bald Porcupine Island, Diver Ed dove to the bottom of the bay, and with his high-definition underwater camera, entertained us with a variety of oceanic life (lobster, sea cucumbers, and sea stars). That afternoon, we visited Sand Beach where students either braved the frigid Maine water temperatures or hiked the Beehive trail with its strenuous climbs, narrow paths and steep inclines!

Each day’s end was a time for more play, feasting, and calm. Our gourmet pizzas grilled over a campfire matched the excellence of other delectable tastes, including our home-cooked vegetarian burritos with fresh sauteed vegetables and garlic sauce. The unforgettable lobster feast at Toni and Bruce Evans’ gracious home on Goose Cove was certainly one of our treasured evening adventures. Reel Pizza dinner theatre in Bar Harbor, games and stories around the campfire, and other crazy moments tempered with laughs and quips filled our evenings with memories that will likely last a lifetime.

The night of June 25, 2010, with the moon just one day shy of full, we held our final Meeting for Worship atop Cadillac Mountain. Granite boulders formed 420 million years ago and SSFS Community News

softened by eons of wind and water provided a place to open our worship.

The wind carried an air of reverence and gathered our adventures together as we spoke in silence and with our voices, all acknowledging, in our own way, our personal light within this magnificent piece of earth.

Our abundant thanks to Hunter McKay, John Roome and Rob Crim for their compassion, sense of humor, and willingness to spend a week in the wilderness with our middle schoolers! In peace, Stephanie Thliveris, Dana Harrison and Steve Powers

Fall 2010

SSFS Athletic Clothing Benefits Kids in Kenya Deb DeArmon, parent of Jamie ‘09 and Lillie ‘05, visited Kenya this past summer, and had an opportunity to donate sports jerseys from the SSFS athletic department that were no longer being used. All the athletic clothing went to Kitui Village school in Kenya. Deb writes, “This is the nearly self-sustainable community out in the Kenya bush where 64 grandmothers and 640 grandchildren live. The kids came to school on a Saturday to receive our donations.

They were so thrilled that the teachers had the students put the jerseys right on and challenged our group to a football match!”

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Summer Service Trip: South Africa

By Scott Carneal, Upper School English Teacher For the third time in four years, an SSFS group visited Kurland Village and Amakhala Game Reserve on a 22- day service learning trip to South Africa.

The 14 rising juniors and seniors and Art DeJohn, Upper School Science teacher and I arrived in South Africa on July 19 with over $7,000 worth of donations. We spent over two weeks in Kurland working with young children in the Creche preschool, cooking food for Breads of Heaven soup kitchen, and having fun with pensioners in the Masizakhe Senior Center. In the afternoons, students taught after school classes in soccer, basketball, dance, drama, and social skills. The group then spent five days with conservation center director Jennifer Gush on the game reserve where we enjoyed many safaris and led activities with children and young teenagers from the Isipho Safe House. Many of the trip’s service activities were coordinated by Katie Rutherford, from Dollars For Change.

Below are a few reflections from five members of the trip.

Jacob Oppler ‘11 8,100 miles away from Maryland, nested in the Crag Mountains, Kurland Village has two basketball poles with two weathered backboards, two old iron hoops, and 14 boys, eager to learn how to play basketball. The young basketball players of the Crags Primary School don’t own a pair of Nike Air Jordan’s or don LeBron James replica jerseys. Throughout our first week on the crumbling basketball court, Kevin and I pounded out fundamental drills that would, in any high school practice, bore us to sleep. Surprisingly, the boys took every advantage of being trained by “professionals,” and exploited the “boring” drills by challenging each other to be the fastest or the most skilled. After a while, Kevin and I saw real improvement in the boys. We also saw some of the students gain trust from us, and a few times solicit our help as older, understanding peers.

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The group with students at the Creche preschool.

Drew Carneal ‘11 During our first soccer practice, Braedan and I handed out jerseys for the kids to wear as pennies (or “bibs” as they call it in South Africa). During the session, I could tell that the kids were delighted to be wearing the shirts because the whole time, they played as if they were representing the team name across the front of their chest. At the end of our practice, we asked the players to put the jerseys we had loaned them back in the bag. It was difficult to take the shirts away from the kids after seeing how happy they were to put them on. In the process of doing so, a boy took off an AC Milan jersey we had given him and turned to me and said, “If I come to practice every day, will you give me this jersey to keep?”

Shocked at the sincerity of the question, I responded with “yes” right away, for our main goal in coaching soccer wasn’t to make the kids better players, but for them to show a level of commitment while having fun. A jersey any of us could have bought at a thrift store for five dollars was now the motivation for this child to devote two hours of his day to soccer for several weeks.

Moyra Schauffler ‘11 Dust, dirt, dependence, and dogs make up Kurland Village.

Everywhere you go you see dust flying from running children or rolling cars. Dirt is in piles around the township. The feet of the locals are covered with it because shoes are a luxury not all can enjoy. However, all of the children come to school every day looking their best no matter what is happening at home.

Kurland Village is filled with dependence. Intricate family webs weave their way through the village. If you ask one child, they can point out at least three of their cousins. Families build on to each other’s shacks so that they can each have a fair chance at some kind of shelter. Neighbors depend on other neighbors for food and other necessities. When I see Kurland I don’t just see a township in South Africa, I see a tightly-bound community like the one we have at Sandy Spring.

The dogs of Kurland are something on their own. They are different from SSFS Community News

Cooking food at Breads of Heaven soup kitchen. any other dogs I have ever met. They seem to have their own community that is separate from Kurland itself.

Although families have their own dogs, each dog will wander over to the neighbor’s house and just sit in the sun. Like the people in Kurland, the dogs also have the “bad apples” that will look for a fight whenever possible; but as the good people in Kurland take care of each other, the good dogs look after each other as well.

Adriana Rossell ‘11 Kurland has an organization called Masizakhe that meets at a church and hosts what they call the “Pensioner’s Club.” There the older people of the village meet three times a week to eat breakfast and lunch and to play games and enjoy the company of others. The women and men range from around 60 to almost 90 years old, and they are the most agile old people I have ever met! They would run, throw, and kick balls, and even fake people out when playing catch. One of the ladies became annoyed with one of the men that was playing because he was acting like a teenage boy and pretending Fall 2010

Soccer practice with Braeden Kelly ‘12 and Drew Carneal ‘11.

that he was better, so she faked him out, and when she threw the ball it went straight into his chest before it bounced up into his chin.

Erica DeJohn ‘11 One memory that stands out to me is when I was dancing with some of the kids at the primary Adriana Rossell ‘11 and Amelia Oliver ‘11 enjoying the company school after I fin- of the “Pensioner’s Club.” ished playing soccer. The kids were pulling others in to try to get them to over the place and smiling. We started dance with us. I really enjoyed dancing playing Justin Bieber, and all the kids with them as more and more kids from knew the song and were singing along. other activities started to join in. There It was nice to be able to share somewere little kids that came, and they thing in common even though we have were dancing too. We were dancing such different lives. to different songs and some of the kids were showing off their dance moves.

You can see more photos and read the daily We were in there for a while and it was entries at the archived blog here: http:// nice to see all these kids dancing all wordpress.ssfs.org/ 15

Snapshots from Sandy Spring It's been a busy fall here at Sandy Spring Friends School! Below are images from some of our allschool events: the Parent Association's Friends Day, Spirit Week, and Community Day. Be sure to visit our online photo gallery for more images of the year: http://www.ssfs.org/galleries/

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SSFS Community News

The Annual Fund at Sandy Spring Friends School: Every Gift Makes an Impact

T

he 2009-10 school year was one of many successes, including the highest Annual Fund in the school’s history. Thank you to our entire extended SSFS community – including parents, alumni, faculty and staff, grandparents, students, parents of former students, and so many others – for showing your commitment to SSFS with a gift (or in many cases, several gifts!) to the 2009-10 Annual Fund. With the participation of close to 800 donors, the school raised $537,838 for our curricular and co-curricular programs.

Monies raised through the Annual Fund are critical for the school. Purchasing new computers and technology, offering state-of-the-art professional development for teachers, upgrading equipment for arts and athletics, maintaining adequate financial aid, ensuring that resources used on campus are to the fullest extent possible “green,” and helping to provide the resources needed to maintain our day-to-day operations, facilities and grounds, are all made possible by a strong Annual Fund.

The following pages list the roll call of donors who generously supported the 2009-10 Annual Fund.* Whether you are a donor who has given for years or you are a new donor, a donor who gives $10 or $10,000 or more, every gift is important and makes an impact. And, if you are not included on this list, the good news is that the 2010-2011 Annual Fund is now underway, and we welcome the opportunity to partner with you this year as we enhance our philanthropic programs.

This year, our goal is an ambitious $550,000. We are confident that the strong belief in the power of a Sandy Spring Friends School Education, in Quaker values, and in all that defines the SSFS experience will help us to achieve success.

The Annual Fund is the cornerstone of philanthropy at Sandy Spring Friends School, and it continues the tradition of giving that has helped to define the school since its founding almost 50 years ago when Friends made two donations – a gift of $100 and 4 acres of land – to start the school. We greatly appreciate all that you do to enhance this spirit of generosity.

To find out more about the Annual Fund, please contact Judy Averbach at 301774-7455 x164 or by email at judy.averbach@ssfs.org. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you on our philanthropic and alumni programs.

* Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this report. Please notify the Advancement Office of any corrections at 301.774.7455 x164 or judy.averbach@ssfs.org.

Fall 2010

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Thank you for your support!

The Annual Fund includes restricted, unrestricted, and designated funds.

Please note that names appear only one time under the primary constituency.

Bolded names indicate donors who have contributed for 5 consecutive years or more.

Alumni

2009-2010 Annual Fund: Thank you!

Carla J. Herman ‘69 Brett Hesser ‘81 Paul Hilli and Lucy Hussman ‘80 Alice Abrams ‘66 Kelly Hines ‘08 Katharine O. Adams ‘71 Jonathan R. Hoch ‘99 Martine Adler ‘77 Ian R. Hoch ‘05 Richard W. Aldred Kate S. Holbrook, ‘96 Bill Alterman ‘69 and Sue Alterman William Holland ‘73 David S. Alterman ‘66 Sara L. Holliday ‘97 Anonymous ‘71 Murray Hood and Louise Hood ‘ 75 Julie A. Arnold ‘95 Ziyad Hopkins and Michele Clark ‘87 Justin J. Aronson ‘91 Patrick B. Horning ‘84 Anthony B. Bagdy ‘83 Janet C. Hough ‘69 Brenda Balenger ‘78 Donald L. Howard ‘78 James Bancroft ‘84 Timothy Hussman ‘77 and Julie Hussman Paul M. Barringer ‘71 Ashton Imlay ‘08 James R. A. Beebe ‘63 Bonnie Imlay ‘03 Thomas Bernard ‘66 and Liza Bernard ‘68 Jarrett Alexander Jackson ‘04 Craig Blackburn ‘82 and Joyce Blackburn Dr. Lent C. Johnson, III ‘70 Laura M. Bostwick ‘89 Philip T. Johnson ‘73 Jill K. Brooks ‘84 David Richard Jones ‘03 Sarah Brown ‘71 and Michael Brown Celia K. Joughin ‘70 Chris Buckstein ‘96 and Marie Buckstein Betsy Kantt ‘83 and Laura Street Mark C. Butterfield ‘77 Stephen L. Kaplan ‘74 Brian Carroll and Brooke Carroll ‘83 Dana M. Karlin ‘77 Leslie A. Clary-Bauer ‘87 Steff Kerr ‘89 and Hannah Kerr ‘95 Class of 1980 Reunion Gift Stephan M. Koplowitz ‘74 Ivan Davidowitz ‘78 Serge Korepin and Jeffrey Davidowitz ‘74 Stefanie Croyle Korepin ‘01 James A. deVeer ‘74 Vera B. Koutsoyannis ‘71 Christiane DeWitt ‘75 Patricia Lane ‘67 Sonja Dupourque ‘86 Margaret R. Lawson ‘71 Vindhya Ekanayake ‘01 M. Cary Leahey ‘70 and Patricia Mosser Sharon J. Ezzone ‘89 Tanya Lehky ‘74 Judith B. Farquhar ‘64 Leslie A. Leviton 89 Cynthia Farquhar ‘65 Jamie A. Little ‘96 Allen Fetter ‘80 Nina S. Livingston ‘84 Winston Fisher ‘92 Carl Lynch and Mary Claire Lynch ‘79 Carrie F. Fletcher ‘94 Gavin Patrick Maguire ‘02 Erica A. Fletcher ‘92 David Mapes ‘79 John Fogarty ‘76 and Sarah Shiffert Graham McKee ‘05 Richard M. Fox ‘88 and Mindy Lou Richlen Aaron W. Meisner ‘84 Thomas Gibian and Christina Grady ‘80 Leo Menestrina and Martha Menestrina ‘64 Peter T. Gordon ‘75 Kristina Millhiser ‘99 Tara Goss ‘03 Linda M. Morley ‘84 Sarah Green ‘00 Shannon M. Morris ‘92 Charles Greene ‘80 and Kelly Greene ‘85 Richard Noonan ‘69 and Michele Noonan Amelia Greer ‘02 Evan A. North ‘01 David Gurowsky and Miriam Gurowsky ‘66 J. Brendan O’Conor ‘05 Ann Hancock ‘74 Severin G. Olson ‘85 Jeanie Hathaway ‘71 Gladden P. O’Neill ‘68 Jill E. Hayes ‘05 Mary L. Pacey ‘66 Suzanne Healy ‘95 Ronald Palenski and Ruth Palenski ‘70

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Peter L. Pastan ‘75 Stephen O. Pastan ‘73 Alan Pohoryles ‘88 Sally G. Pore ‘65 Margery J. Prazar ‘65 Richard P. Price ‘80 Robert Dallas Reider ‘03 Dana Reitman ‘73 and Roger Reitman Roxanne P. Richardson ‘96 Anne U. Richardson-Gould ‘66 Joel G. Richon ‘78 Rex Riley ‘80 and Carol Riley Mark D. Rivera ‘83 Andrew Robertson ‘69 Christopher A. Rupp ‘89 Virginia Russell ‘63 William Savage ‘71 Michael Schaps ‘92 Molly Schauffler ‘72 Sarah E. Schenck ‘83 Susan W. Schneider ‘72 Sarah Schneiderman ‘72 John M. Schoffstall ‘69 Jenifer A. Sincevich ‘96 A. Katie Smillie ‘72 Scott Snow ‘77 Elinor J. Splitter ‘72 John F. Squires ‘72 Phoebe Stern ‘05 Jason A. Sulkin ‘97 Julie B. Sulkin ‘91 Scott Sulkin ‘95 Shoshanna C. Sumka ‘90 Patrick B. Summar ‘79 Rusty Suter ‘66 Patrick Tedrow ‘05 Elizabeth J. Terrell ‘77 Derek G. Turner ‘98 Michael P. Vallely ‘77 Mark W. Vorkink ‘01 Stephen C. Wales ‘67 Jonathan K. Weekley ‘86 James Wesson and Nancy Wesson ‘74 David Williams and Priscilla Williams’70 Lee R. Wilson ‘63 Henry S. Winokur ‘70 Timothy W. Wolfe ‘71 Jennifer A. Wolfe ‘63 Aaron Wright ‘83 and Cathy Wright Lisa D. Yntema ‘70 William Young ‘65 Francis Zell ‘00

SSFS Community News

Board Members

Businesses/ Corporations Olney Boys and Girls Community Sports Association, Inc. American Express Company Employee Giving Program American Express Charitable Fund America’s Charities Chevron Humankind Matching Gift Program Cisco Foundation Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area Hyman, Phelps and McNamara, P.C. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney O’Conor and Co.. LLC Outdoor Venture Group - SSFS, LLC Schwab Charitable Fund Target Corporation Verizon Foundation Wachovia Foundation Matching Gift Program Wells Fargo Matching Gift Program

Faculty/Staff Betty Luna Michael Ackerson Patrick Altekruse Peter Austin and Elizabeth Thornton Andrew and Judy Averbach John and Sharon Bell James and Brenda Benjamin Kent Beck and Karen Lehman

Fall 2010

Foundations Citigroup Foundation Commonweal Foundation Community Foundation for the National Capital Region Davidowitz Foundation The Kiplinger Foundation Nelson Talbott Foundation

Friends Agnes Irwin School Anna Marcus Irrevocable Trust Anonymous Anonymous Michael and Linda Arenstein Charles Ashley Barr and Jeanne Asplundh Peter E. Baker and Susan B. Glasser Debbie Baumstein Arash and Rebecca Behravesh Bobbi C. Benedict John Benzing Peter and Judith Berkman Benjamin C. Bradlee John and Joan Brennan Joseph and Edna Briscoe John and Judith Brittingham Deborah Carr Robert and Brenda Cattell Alyscia Charlery Lakhmir Chawla Graydon Clouse Community Foundation of New Haven Nathan and Catherine Crone Anne Elsbree John Erdmann, III Lucretia W. Evans Mike and Doris Feinsilber Food, Drug and Cosmetic Division, American Society for Quality, Inc. W. Byron and Elizabeth Forbush Joseph Gilbert and Brooke Laverell David Giles Edward and Caroline Gilpin Craig Goebel Golds Gym Staff / Melissa Mendez Phil and Liz Grout Dennis and Carolyn Gurtz Dr. and Mrs. Handelman Betty Herndon Charles and Phyllis Hopkins Kenneth and Tracy Ann Hornbaker Michael Janser and Andrea Toda Keller and Heckman, LLP Daniel and Martha Kimball Richard and Justine Kingham Marjorie Kinkead Thomas and Elizabeth Kirk Alan Kirschenbaum Arabelle Kossiakoff Chery Laferman Isabel Langsdorf Patricia B. Lansdale

2009-2010 Annual Fund: Thank you!

Stephanie Burgevin Amy E. Christianson ‘81 Michael W. DeHart ‘71 Stephen Eller ‘87 and Jennifer Eller Doug Farquhar and Terry Franklin Thomas Farquhar and Mary Grady Carolyn C. Finegar Barbara Gaffigan Barbara M. Gibian ‘67 Dennis Hannon and Linda Delaney Charles and Eleanore Harker John Hartge ‘72 and Ellen Hartge Scott Henry and Anne Shanaman John Hines Anne Hirshfield Charles Horning ‘88 and Marybeth Horning Fred and Alkia Jones David and Jodi Leeser Michael and Cynthia McKee Peter Ligon and Anita Ligon Curt and Piper Moffatt Oliver and Patricia Moles Ralph and Laurita Portee Harold Pskowski and Ellen Pskowski ‘71 Elizabeth S. Segal

Ron and Linda Brock George Brockman Aaron Chan Elizabeth A. Channer Jim and Linda Cooper Timothy and Charlotte Croft Lynn Darman Robert and Gretchen Dejter Elizabeth Donelson Elizabeth Doschek Heather Engle Bruce and Toni Evans Susan Fain Aimee Farley Larry Fisher and Gwen Handler Mary K. Fry Carylton Ganong Victoria Garner Karl and Joanie Gedge Pamela R. Gilmer Ruthann Gregory Dawn Griffith Tom and Cathy Harrison David and Rachel Hickson Robert and Ruth Hoch Rich and Salli Innes David and Deborah Kahn Alexandra Kahn-Johnston Lauren Keller Brooke Kershaw Mark and Marjorie Kramer Frances Lambrecht Michele Lee Brendan and Ilene Lees Erica Levy Lori Ligon Rob and Mary Mazzuca Barry and Susan Merritt Carolyn Miller Ariel Neaderthal Ari and Nancy Preuss Takisha Reece Lynda Reese Matt and Margaret Rosser Jennie Rountree Kate Santorineos Jean-Michel and Paummi Sarrazin Bryan and Michele Seith Lee Selby Erica Wilmore-Falu Shadowsong Elisa Shapiro Jane Shaughnessy Jeffrey Smith Ken and Jan Smith Angela Somers John Staehle and Jane Staehle ‘65 Michael and Louise Steinfort Michael and Linda Sulkin Victoria Trapani Athena White Paul Williams Mary Gail Willie Montanna Wilson Michele Winger

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Every Gift Makes an Impact...

2009-2010 Annual Fund: Thank you!

Charles Lee Stefanie Lucas Barry and Sharon Macklin Christina Martin Cecilia Meisner Men’s Varsity Soccer Program at SSFS Hermine Moskowitz Margaret Moss S.B. and Louisa Mygatt Archie Nahigian Helen Nash Margaret Nicklas W. Patrick Noonan Forrest and Anne Patterson Personal Care Products Council William Peterson Donna Petruska Tara Potter John and Nancy Rapoport Bob Remes, Carliner and Remes, P.C. Patricia Robbins Richard M. Sandoval Senior Class Gift Kathy Sheehy Mary E. Sheridan David and Barbara Silverman Linley Smith Fred and Pat Spahr SSFS Parents Association Arthur Steinberg Chuck and Mary Stephens Arthur Stocker Sally and Leonard Taylor Nancy H. Taylor James R. Thomas Sarah Tipson Josephine Torrente Anthony and Linda Tse Helen Tworkov John and Katherine Tyson Robert and Janice Watson Harry and Pearl Williams Woodside Pediatrics

Grandparents and Alumni Grandparents Dr. and Mrs. John D. Anderson Donald and Ann Byrne George and Susan Carneal Dr. and Mrs. Melvin E. Clouse Evelyn and Cedric Cumberbatch Nancy Curro Donald and Dorothy Dunbar Tim and Sally Eller James and Sybil Fanning Anonymous Leonard and Gloria Grant Martin and Roberta Greenfield Martha Hale John and Doris Hardt Jean Harrison

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Elizabeth S. Hartge Emmett W. Hines Jr. Carol F. Horning Woehrle and Harry Woehrle Edward and Alice Kondis Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Kriner Susan Mills June Mosele Anonymous Richard Portee Albert and Sue Postlewait Susannah Prindle Richard and Chrissy Purkiss Rudolph and Ernestine Reid Al and Ellen Ross Vincent and Lois Roux Elizabeth Scheiman Bob and Marianne Smythe Jerome and Sue Taylor Wanda Van Goor Harvey and M. Jean Warnick Jerry and Beth Williams Janney and Jean Wilson Thomas and Suellen Wilson Jack Winter John and Kerin Yates

Meetings/Meeting Members Roger Aldridge and Nancy Sherwood Baltimore Yearly Meeting Bethesda Friends Meeting Ranimor A. Manning Sandy Spring Friends Meeting Roger and Bertha Starr Roger and Myra Wolcott

Parents Russell and Nancy Adise Kyung Hwan Ahn and Sunhee Yoon Zohair and Neelofar Alam Paul Albert and Sara Joslyn Jay and Jill Alexander Bruce and Lisa Allen Patrick and Nina Amato Luther and Amy Ampey Claudia Arnold David Auerswald and Jennifer C. Maehr Matthew and Anita Baines Marcus Barbour and Tina Trent Will and Katherine Barry José and Laurie Bautista Amanda Ross Benedick Tom Benkart and Joan Marshall Anonymous Olivier Blondel and Maritza McIntyre Richard and Joanna Boales Eric Bond and Alexandra Escudero Miche and Diane Booz

Jackie Brown Victor H. Bullen and Brooke Farquhar David C. Burgevin John Butler and Barbara Platt John and Shinae Byhower C. Paul and Darlene Byrd David and Karen Byrne Barry and Suzanne Calogero Rebecca Carli-Mills Scott and Katharine Carneal Bruce Caswell and Lauren Deichman Earl Catterton and Kimberly Sargent Laurel Chiat Albert and Anna Chin Byong Chul and Young Mi Ryu Suck Young Chun and Gwan Yeon Moon Thomas P. Clouse Mary R. Cochetti Roger Cochetti Andrew and Jessica Cohen Noah and Dana Connell James Conway and Diane DeSua Hardy M. Cook Jeff and Jean Cooper Patricia Cope George and Jennifer Cort Robert and Cheryl Crim Regan and Aria Crump Cleon and Karen Cumberbatch Charles and Martha Cunningham Anthony Daley and Nancy Gallagher Mark Davis and Ann Tran William H. Davis and Lisa B. Penkowsky ‘83 Arthur DeJohn and Caren Chang Royal and Julie Dellinger Ken and Letitia Denaburg Alan Denniston and Kathleen Landers Keith Dixon and Peggy Moore Sylvia Doyle Jennifer Dreyfus Thomas and Amy Drolet Stephen and Caroline Elmendorf Ben and Nathalie Erulkar José and Leslie Espino Kevin Esser and Kathleen A. Bittinger Max Etheart and Deborah Hennen Olu and Ayanna Ezeani Paul Fagiolo and Sharon Burke XiaoYang and YongHua Fan Hamid Faruqee and Susan Courtney-Faruqee Kaytura Felix Anonymous Jason and Valerie Fisher David and Laurel Flyer Peter and Diane Flynn Evelyn Frazier Rodger and Reena Friedman Harry Furukawa and Tina Sung Barry and Patricia Gallagher Edmund and Elizabeth Glabus Larry and Susan Gordon

SSFS Community News

For Sandy Spring Friends School

Fall 2010

James and Elizabeth McCullough John and Denise McDaniel Hunter and Kathleen McKay Robert and June McSwain Deepika Mehta Bill and Michele Mena Kevin Merida and Donna Britt Marie Michaud Robert and Lisa Mikkelson Timothy and Elizabeth Milbrath Conchita Ming Tetsuo Miyabara and Barbara Chapman Laura Miyoshi and Lori Wilson Mark Mollenhauer and Marianne Eichenberg Craig and Laurie Moloney David and Johanna Moraff Arthur and Kathleen Morrish Bryan and Kathleen Murray Jason and Fatima Nascone Mark Nauman and Sherry Murphy Tamara Niedomanski Frank and Leah Niepold Coleman and Bonnie O’Donoghue David Oliver and Galina Mikhlin-Oliver Arnold Oppler and Amy Curtis John Paige and Ann Heard Jeffrey Palmer and Lee Anne Myers Palmer Choonsoo Park and Hyunsoon Song David and Tammar Paynter Mary Anne Peacock Scott and Shannon Perich Gary and Holly Pertmer Stefano Petrucci and Laura Hickok Claude and Jeanne Pierrelouis Robert Pleasure and Patricia Greenfield Kenneth and Ann Pollack Eduardo and Jody Polón Daniel and Christine Powers Stephen and Christine Powers Rick and Sue Present Robert Price and Michelle Puhl-Price Amy and Robert Rager Frederic Richardson Shields Riggs Anonymous Shahzad and Rebecca Rizvi AJ and Lisa Robinson Thomas and Ronaleen Roha John Roome and Katherine Richards Jason and Nikki Rosewag Mark and Elizabeth Roush Bahman Rowhani and Azin Bekhrad Jean-Baptiste and Rosalind Sawadogo William Schauffler ‘74 and Jennifer Schauffler Aungthu and Carol Schlenker David and Susan Schless Mark and Julie Schweber Erin Scott David Serota and Bela Meghani Uday and Lalitha Shankar A. Udaya Shankar and Carol Whitney

Santosh and Manjul Sharma Duk Shin and Hyo Soo Park Joseph Shlaferman and Judy Zins Brad and Susan Siegel Perry and Meredith Skeath Steven and Kristin Sloane Karen Smyers Ronald and Cheryl Spritzer Norman St. Amour and Lai-Fong Leung Robin and Christy Stebbins Victoria Stewart-Moore Thomas and Alix Stock Jan Stolwijk and Deborah Rose Gordon Stoner and Cindy Rose John and Elizabeth Stout Monica Stringfellow-Draper Alan Sultan and Jessica Weiss Libin and Xiaoyan Sun Alexander Tait and Suzanne Borenzweig Jonathan and Alisa Talisman David and Madeline Taylor Larry and Susan Taylor Jeremy and Stephanie Warner Harvey and Christina Warnick Charlie and Suzanne Weiss Janet R. Westervelt Jon and Julie Willoughby George and Ashley Wilson Bruce and Sarita Winter Alan and Kathleen Wright Elliot and Lori Yadin Geoffrey Yates ‘ 82 and Michelle Yates John and Mimi Youmans Paul and Donna Zankowski Philip and Marla Zipin

2009-2010 Annual Fund: Thank you!

Joe Gorin and Beth Craddock Kenneth Gorton and Ligia Molina-Gorton Douglas Greenfield and Elaine Quintana Paul G. Griffin and Suzanne M. Levin Matthew and Stacey Hamill David Hamod and Jean Swift Jae Myoung Han and Na Young Kim Qingyuan Han Robert Hanisch and Susan Neff Joan Warren and Joyce Hanula Philip and Susan Hardt Karen Harris Dana Harrison and Stephanie Thliveris Janel and Patricia Hino Max Holland and Tamar Gutner Kevin and Deborah Hopson Gregory and Stacey Hughes Robert and Annie Jaeger Nigel and Cosette Jamieson Andrew Jaques and Susan Darrow Roxanne Jarrett Mario and Cherry Jean Charles and Carmen Johnson Roo and René Johnson Julie Johnson Charles and Carmen Johnson R. Rima Jolivet Aldona and Charles Joseph Wu Sik Ju and Min Sook Eum Sean and Mary Juman Chip Junkin and Brooke Junkin-Mills Donna Kellogg Jacinta Kelly James Kessler and Susan Kidd Richard and Brenda King Kathryn Kirmayer George and Heidi Klimes Jonathan Klontz James and Jill Knerr Jonathan Kramer and Ruth Chemerys Rona Kramer Robert and Candice Kriner Matthew and Hilary Kunkin John F. Kunz and Karan Kverno Oh Gyu Kwon and Hwa Gyung Kim Scott Lassman and Tracy Zorpette Robert and Loriann Laurenzano Mitchell and Michelle Layton Allan Lazarus and Judith Sprei Seok Hee Lee Brad and Dorothy Leissa Neil Levine and Kate Brennan K. Sloane Halloran Lewis Jeremy and Diane Lichtenstein David and Jenny Lingelbach Thomas Lydon Mark Maceira and Emily Canter Maceira Steven and Sarah Margolis Peter and Lisa Martin Rudy and Janet Mazariegos Ted and Susan McAdams Bill and Anita McArthur William and Yanina McConaty

Former Board Members Anonymous Marion and Rick Ballard James and Elizabeth Bullard Michael and Lois Clark Elizabeth H. Farquhar Thomas and Laura Gibian Lou and Merida Harrington Tom Harvey and Pat Powers Robin Hiscock and Linda Gunter Juan Jewell and Susan Cozzens Graham and Janet Johnson Jeff Jones and Susan Stracquatanio Herbert and Sarah Kinney Jean Ladson Sam Legg John and Martha Ligon Fabia and John Mahoney Jack and Tonda Matthews Stephen H. McNamara (deceased) Anonymous John and Mary Price Alan E. Reider and Linda Dallas Reider Ned Stowe and Amy Schmidt Stowe

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Every Gift Makes an Impact...

Former Faculty W. Gordon Barnhart, Jr. Cheryle and Elson Oshman Blunt Karin R. Kling Stanley E. Smith Howard and Rosalind Zuses

Parents of Alumni and Former Students

2009-2010 Annual Fund: Thank you!

Jack and Toby Alterman Anonymous Anne H. Ball Susan and Robert Bard Amar Bhattacharya and Rita Khanna Wilfred Brunner and Joyce Jewell Jabez McClelland and Catherine Chow Robert H. Connamacher Carl and Nancy Costello James and Marcia Croyle Peter Curtis Jim and Deb DeArmon John and Priscilla deVeer David and Janet Edson Irwin and Laura Feuerstein Christian Feuillet and Amy Rossman Walter and Kathleen Foley Donald and Sandra Garratt Albert and Mary Gentry Morris and Margaret Goldstein Linda Gordon James and Ellen Granum Harold Greenberg Gregory and Phyllis Greer Michael and Phyllis Hammer Joseph Hashmall and Barbara Machtey Frank and Lisa Hatheway John and Jane Hayes James and Elaine Heffler Edward and Nancy Helme Joseph and Charlotte Hennessy Gary Hines and Alison Leadbetter-Hines Craig and Eileen Hollander Albert and Gail Holm George Howe and Eleanor Howe ‘74 Michael and Jean Hoyt Caroline Hussman Christopher Imlay ‘71 and Rita Kruhm Jarrett W. Jackson Joseph and Andrea Kerr Edward and Diane Kilduff Gregory and Kathryn Knudson Peter and Patricia Karasik Karen Krausen Peter Ma and Janet Adams Charles and Barbara Mallonee Louise W. Marsh Holley P. Mattson Carolyn McNamara Brian McLaughlin and Donna Firer Susanne McLean

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Larry Meisner Philip and Mary Lynn Mellinger David and Anne Menotti H. Todd and June Miller Anne B. Morley Greg Mort and Nadine Masone-Mort Dan Mullaney and Jessica C. Landman Jim Mundell and Nancy Smith D. Warner and Cheryl North Jerry and Marian O’Conor Richard and Patricia O’Meara Richard and Elizabeth Osterman Jerry and Dianne Ostrow Philip Palley and Kathryn Stackhouse Peter and Nanette Radue Brooke Randolph James and Sharon Sari Thomas and Cynthia Schneider Daniel E. Schultz Mark and Vickie Shank Robert Shapero Adrienne M. Smith Michael and Nancy St. Louis Sandra Stern Richard and Mary Summerour Richard and Sally Tedrow Stephen and Susan Terrio Ronald Tipton and Rita Molyneaux Michael Toman Katharine Truax Eric Wassermann and Janell Schweickert Lawrence A. Weekley Jr. Nathan and Judy Wei Graeme Wistow and Cynthia Jaworski Donald and Susan Woodruff

Annual Fund Volunteers Marcus Barbour Bruce Caswell Tom Clouse Upty Clouse Jennifer Eller Barbara Gaffigan Kevin and Deborah Hopson Charlie and Marybeth Horning Chip Junkin Sarah Margolis Laurie Moloney Jerry and Marian O’Conor Eduardo Polón Laurita Portee Bim Schauffler ‘74 Alan Wright And a special “thank you” to Parents Association volunteers who gave their time, treasure and talent. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and helped to strengthen the Annual Fund and so many programs that benefit SSFS! PA volunteers listed here:

Nancy Adise Nina Amato Anita Baines Matthew Baines Jan Balkam Marcus Barbour Katherine Wingfield Barry Kathy Bittinger Olivier Blondel Deborah Bonsack Peter Borlo Dave Burgevin John Byhouwer Rebecca Carli-Mills Brenda Carter-King Anna Chin Al Chin Tom Clouse Kim Colder Jean Cooper Jeffrey Cooper Johanna Cowey Cheryl Crim Vincent Crispin Aria Crump Susan Darrow Sanchita Das Pam DeFosse Lauren Deichman Keith Dixon Jeanne-Marie Duval-Pierrelouis Kevin Esser Ayanna Ezeani Susan Courtney Faruqee Valerie Fisher Evelyn Frazier Rodger Friedman Reena Friedman Barbara Gaffigan Jean Gearon Elizabeth Glabus Susan Gordon Pat Greenfield Paulette Gunter Winston Gunter Susan Hardt Karen Harris Laura Hickok Hope Hill Richard Hilpert Heather Hoerle Robin Holmes Nancy Horak Greg Hughes Noreen James Andrea Jarrell Cherry Jean Julie Johnson Rene Johnson Roo Johnson Evette Jones Ann Jones Edna Josell

SSFS Community News

For Sandy Spring Friends School Peggy Moore Sherry Murphy Kathleen Murray Winnie Neunzig Susan O’Brien Phil Palley Lee Anne Palmer Bob Pavlak Bridget Pavlak David Paynter Ann Pollack Ken Pollack Jody Polón Laurita Portee Michelle Puhl-Price Katie Richards Helen Freeman Riggs Janet Riley Kathy Ripley Richard Ripley Lisa Clayton Robinson Ronnie Roha Tom Roha Cindy Rose Nikki Rosewag Jason Rosewag Denise Roux Glen Rubino Hilary Sachs Kim Sargent

Jennifer Schaufler Bim Schauffler Carol Schlenker Jule Schweber Anne Shanaman Steven Sloane Jan Smith Heidi Sorenson Judy Sprei Kristin Steel Liz Stout Jeff Sutton Madeline Taylor Saleanma Thurman-Bey Ann Tran Kiki Vargas Harvey Warnick Joan Warren Jessica Weiss Sarita Winter Bruce Winter Liz Wood Kathy Wright Michelle Yates Mimi Youmans Donna Zankowski Paul Zankowski Kelly Zimmerman Anne Laurent Zimmerman

2009-2010 Annual Fund: Thank you!

Aldonna Joseph Brooke Junkin-Mills Jane Keller Susan Kidd Vas Kodali Candy Kriner Stacey Kuhlman John Kunz Kathy Kurz Karan Kverno Catherine LaVoie Michelle Layton Trish Layton Smith Allan Lazarus Brad Leissa Dorothy Leissa Sloane Lewis Dan Loeb Evis Noel Long Carolyn Lonser Christine Lucas Emily Canter Maceira Monica Madden Jennifer Maehr Sarah Margolis Rudy Mazariegos John McDaniel Ginny McDonagh Bela Meghani Wendy Mettger

The 2010-2011 Annual Fund Needs Your Participation!

Please help us reach or exceed our goal of $550,000 to benefit the curricular and co-curricular programs at Sandy Spring Friends School. Each and every gift makes an impact.

Fall 2010

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The Science Program at SSFS

By Toni Evans, Middle School Science teacher, and Laurel Flyer, Upper School Science teacher

The US Geology class taking soil samples.

Middle Schoolers work on their solar cars.

A central tenet of Friends' beliefs holds that truth is continually being revealed to us, and this belief informs our educational practices here at SSFS. This belief fits particularly well with the process of scientific inquiry. The body of scientific knowledge is continually being revised and refined as inquiry and invention add to what we know, and it is so vast that no one can comprehend it all. And in this information age, it is all available at the touch of a screen. But what to make of it all? So we begin our approach to science instruction with some queries. How can we partner with the students to give them a grounding in key scientific principles to serve as a basis for discernment as to what is accurate and worth knowing and what is not? How can we foster the habits of mind and teach the appropriate skill set so that our students can at least make informed decisions as voters and consumers in this world, and at best make their own significant contributions in science-related fields? How can we instill in our students the ability to solve problems? To think for themselves? To ask the right questions?

The journey begins in Lower School as the resources of this campus are put to use in turning the children’s natural curiosity to questioning, posing problems, gathering data through all their senses,

and self-reflection. The first grade goes on a sock walk around the pond, then their socks and their attendant hitchhikers are put in a bag and watered to see what will grow. They document their findings in their journals through pictures, writing, and photos with teacher assistance. In third grade they fly paper gliders and air rockets, manipulating the straw, clay, and fins to apply what they learn about lift and drag in the process of creation and innovation. They study the human body through comparison of the bones recovered from owl pellets to the human skeleton. With the support of another of our resources, parents in science-related occupations, the students visit the brain imagery center at Montgomery General Hospital to see applications of technology in digital imagery of the nervous system.

In the Middle School, students continue to interact with their environment through pond and stream studies, striving for increased accuracy and precision in their data gathering on water quality, openness to new ideas presented by the data, and the ability to think flexibly. Science at its best is a collaborative process where the ideas and inspirations of all are valued. They learn to listen with understanding and to think interdependently as well as

24

independently. They record, reflect upon, and take ownership for their learning through the use of interactive science notebooks. Given a straw, some clay, and a dropper they are asked to determine the relative salinity of three samples of colored water. Some weeks later they are using remote data collecting devices to determine which sample of food had the highest caloric content.

In the Upper School the students continue to reach beyond the borders of our school and community through our unique intersession program and summer service opportunities. They gain real world experience and apply what they know as they compare stomata on the leaves of different trees in the Amazon rainforest, examine rock strata in Death Valley, view the environmental and community devastation by mountaintop removal in West Virginia, and prepare ground for nesting Galapagos Tortoises at the Darwin Research station. They use their problem-solving skills for social change by participation in programs such as Learn Serve International. Within the school community, students in different classes collaborate with each other, such as the Geology and AP Environmental Science class members testing soil samples from campus for nutrient levels. Upper School students also use a case study approach to examine the ways in which environmental issues affect politics, economics, policy, and human rights in other countries. Schoolwide, the ninth grade students share their expertise with lower and middle schoolers through the Pond Extravaganza on Earth Stewardship Day. All divisions took part in the local Green Cup, an effort to reduce electricity usage and improve recycling. Our students can be found attending Howard Hughes Medical Institute Holiday Lectures and the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. As you walk across our campus you may find AP chemistry SSFS Community News

students working on Saturday experiments and physics students using Lego NXT robotics and an MIT design program to understand the algorithms and ideas of programming processes that are behind all modern science.

As a private school, we have the benefit of small classes, and we work in partnership with our students in learning science by doing science; students develop critical thinking skills and problem solving ability by designing their own labs and investigations. The strength of our program may be in its depth and range. As students progress through their years at SSFS, the guiding principles that tell us to approach the study of science as a process spiral through the curriculum. Although our

curricula meet with and are aligned with National Science Education Standards, we go beyond the letter of the standards to imbue them with a spirit of purpose and action that reflect who we are as a Friends school. As John McEwan ‘11 said,“The SSFS science program develops the autonomy of the student as a thinker and scientist, from the age of four and beyond.”

Third graders on a hike observe wildlife at the creek.

Alums Pursuing Careers in the Sciences Catherine Hoyt ‘03

Catherine Hoyt, OTD ’03 has known that she wanted to help children since her days as a foster sister to the many babies her family cared for while she was growing up in Kensington, Maryland. Hoyt has taken her love for kids and her lifelong interest in science and channeled it into her career in occupational therapy.

Fall 2010

Receiving her doctorate in May 2010 from Washington University in St. Louis, considered one of the top OT programs in the country, Hoyt recently presented her research on cognitive development in children with sickle cell disease to the conference of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy in Chile. “It was exciting to present my work in Chile. I love occupational therapy because it’s a field of medicine that focuses on the functionality of the whole person. ” Hoyt feels that her experience at Sandy Spring Friends School helped to foster her interest in science and to broaden her world view. “SSFS helps students excel in what they are good at. The School challenges kids personally and academically.” Her international adventures on intersession (she went to Mexico and the Dominican Republic) sparked a love of travel.

Hoyt did several study abroad pro-

grams in Ecuador, Mexico and Guatemala both as an undergraduate at Juniata College in Pennsylvania and as a graduate student at Washington University.

Currently, Hoyt is in Baltimore at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute, part of Johns Hopkins University, working with children with traumatic brain injuries. This fall, she plans to return to Washington University to continue her research with development on children with sickle cell disease.

Even as she is focusing on wrapping up her work in Baltimore and moving back to St. Louis, her accomplishments continue. Most recently, Hoyt’s research abstract was accepted for a poster presentation at the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America's 38th Annual Convention in late September.

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Alums Pursuing Careers in the Sciences Lent Johnson ‘70 Patient care is a top priority for Lent C. Johnson, III, M.D. ’70.

“While my patients don’t expect me to be their cardiologist, they do want me to weigh in on their care. I’m glad I’m able to help them with their decisions,” he says. In a day when patient care is parsed out to specialists, without consultation to their primary care physician, Lent serves as a shining example of a doctor who sees his patients as individuals. “It’s the ordinary things that make a big difference in people’s lives. Helping families improve their lifestyles and life expectancy is my favorite part of being a physician.”

Lent, a graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine and Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., works hard at balancing patient care with his responsibilities as President of the Missouri State Medical Association and Medical Director of the Hannibal Clinic, the Blessing Hospice-Hannibal, and Willow Care Nursing Home. “Being in a small town allows me to be involved in many areas of medicine.

You have to learn to regulate your time,” Lent says.

A native of Spencerville, Maryland, Lent learned all about being part of a small community during his days at Sandy Spring Friends School. “Sandy Spring allowed me the opportunity to have a lot of personal contact with teachers and my classmates. It was a unique experience.”

These days his emphasis on personal contact is focused on his patients at the 26

Hannibal Clinic, where he and his wife, Sandra Ahlum, were two of the earliest physicians in the group. They joined the practice in 1982 as two of only 10 doctors on staff. “When we started, Hannibal Clinic was the one of the only places that offered regional medical care.” They chose the Hannibal Clinic after their residency at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis to fulfill a public health obligation to serve rural communities. They have stayed ever since, and the Clinic has more than 50 physicians on staff with more than 90 physicians in the area.

Lent enjoys his time spent with patients, as well as his time with his family. He and Sandra have two children: Emily, 27, who is finishing her dental residency and getting married in October, and Cliff, 25, a graduate student in the doctorate program in astronomy at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Keir Soderburg ‘96 Keir Soderberg, Ph.D. ’96 has enjoyed learning in and about nature since his time at SSFS. However, these days, Soderberg, a Germantown native and brother of Jenka ’93, spends his days researching in the arid ecosystems of southern and eastern Africa, studying the causes and implications of the periodic droughts affecting the region.

“It’s a great opportunity to add to the established knowledge about the critical details of the region’s water cycle,” says Soderberg.

The current project on the ecohydrology of Kenya’s semi-arid savannas, funded

by the National Science Foundation, is undertaken in a newly-established field laboratory – the only one of its type in Africa. For the next year, Soderberg will divide his time between doing active research in Kenya as a postdoctoral research associate with Princeton, writing about his findings, and mentoring local undergraduates who have an interest in ecosystem geochemistry and hydrology.

Working with the undergrads is part of what he feels is most rewarding about his time in Africa. He is excited by their “thirst for knowledge,” and he sees his career heading in a direction that takes a more active role in creating academic exchanges between the United States and Africa.

As an undergraduate at Princeton University, Keir developed an interest in Africa and geochemistry. While there, he decided to pursue a degree in environmental engineering, a career path he felt was in line with the values he learned at SSFS. “Sandy Spring Friends School helped shape the way that I see the responsibility of scientific disciplines to society. Being surrounded by nature gives you a unique perspective on how to interpret the environment that sustains us,” says Soderberg.

After graduation from Princeton, Soderberg participated in “Princeton in Africa,” a University-sponsored project that places recent graduates in service opportunities across the African continent to “develop young leaders committed to Africa’s advancement.” There he served as an assistant lecturer at University of Cape Town while pursuing his masters in environmental geochemistry.

After receiving his master’s degree in 2003, Keir attended the University of Virginia to pursue his doctorate degree.

He completed his studies this past spring after finishing his thesis on the role of coastal fog as a source of water and nutrients in the hyper-arid Namib Desert.

SSFS Community News

Russian Lit Class with David Kahn: Not Just for High Schoolers Anymore School Night, that the class sounded fascinating, and that they wished they could take it.

I decided to call them on it,” he said. “Well – that’s one of the reasons.

Actually, I thought it might be fun to do the same thing for adults that I do during the day SSFS parents have been getting the Dave Kahn experience for students. And during their Wednesday evening Russian Lit classes. part of me was hoping that maybe the parents of some of the kids takigh school is not ending at 3:25 ing the course this year would take on Wednesdays these days, the evening course, doing the reading and those students heading to class along with their kids. Some see this don’t just look older – they are older. new 'Moodle' thing as the answer to all They are off to Russian Literature AP. Wednesday evenings, however, it’s not problems in education; I think parents Advanced Placement Russian Lit. – it’s talking to kids at the dinner table about books they have been reading is, while Russian Literature for Aged Parents. an outdated idea, still a good one.”

English teacher David Kahn is offering a night-time version of the Russian Lit. “We’re covering the same material the high school class covers,” said David. class he has taught for years. “Par“We’re just doing in 90 minutes what ents used to tell me, during Back to

H

the kids do in a week. When I told my high school class about the evening version, they insisted I require the same papers, too. I told the parents I’d give them the paper topics, and they could write the essays if they wanted to. But they didn’t have to. I did get an e-mail from a recent grad, however, who took the course and whose mother is taking it now; she thinks I should require the papers. Kids can be cold.”

The class meets weekly on Wednesday evenings for 90 minutes. Right now the course is planned as just a one semester course. “We’ll see what happens, who’s still standing after Christmas,” David said. “We might go on to Term II and Russian Literature of the 20th Century. I’ve had a request to do an American literature class next year, and was thinking it might be fun just to do Beowulf and Chaucer; it would be like I’d died and gone to heaven.”

Whatever happens second semester, it looks like adult education has begun at Sandy Spring Friends School.

Time capsule documents to be mailed to alumni Every year during the last week of school, after semester course reviews and before the final examination, sophomores in Western Civilization class participated in the traditional Time Capsule project. They were given a whole class period to write at top speed, without worry about spelling or syntax, about dozens of topics, describing their current hopes, fears, friends, fiends, fashions, foods, fantasies, family feuds, and dreams of college. This totally confidential document was folded, stapled, and self-addressed. They were stored in a big old fashioned steamer trunk in my attic and are now - mirabilis dictu! about to be returned to the authors, wherever possible, with class pictures and exceptional essays. Reactions and responses are heartily welcome. For the 50th anniversary of the school, Reflections of the Decades by 20th Century Alumni could be a nice touch. ~ Ari Preuss Fall 2010

Ari and Nancy Preuss sort through Time Capsules, written

by Western Civilization students since 1970. Look for yours in the the mailbox soon!

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Alumni Notes

alumni notes...

1963

1973

Jim Beebe retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in October 2009.

He is enjoying retirement in Albuquerque, NM.

Nora Odendahl is working on a book project: a two-volume introduction to assessment of learning. Testwise: Understanding Education Assessment considers the historical and contemporary contexts of testing, explores societal effects, and explains the central principles, practices, challenges and tradeoffs. The first volume will be published by Rowman & Littlefield Education in December 2010, and she is now working on the second volume.

1965

Alumni notes are compiled

by Mary Mazzuca, Director of Alumni Affairs

Alumni Notes are just a snapshot of what’s happening with your fellow alums!

For more updates from alumni written in their own words, log in to our Web site: http://alumni.ssfs.org.

If you have a milestone in your life, please send in photos! We want to share special moments.

The Arizona Humanities Council has placed Tom Miller on its roster of speakers. Tom will be giving talks at libraries and schools about the best writing to emerge from the U.S. – Mexico border in the last 100 years. He will also speak about three-time Pulitzer prize-winner Thornton Wilder’s secret life in 1962 – 1963.

1971 Ellen Campbell Pskowski’s story “Idlewild” is online in The Midway Journal (www.midwayjournal.com), out of St. Paul, MN. Ellen lives in Rockville, MD.

1972 Michael Garin and Mardie Millit performed, “Sleepless…In September” every Monday in September at the Metropolitan Room in New York.

Victoria Baylor Raabe (photo, left) is proud to announce the marriage of her son, Ted. He married fiancée Caitlin in Loudon County, VA.

1975 Louise Tate Hood and her husband, Murray Hood, took their four adult children with their spouses/significant others, and their grandson to Kauai, Hawaii, in August. She writes, “it was a rare opportunity to all be together and a great adventure for all.”

1983 Eva Mergner writes, “The biggest news here is that Joy (2 ½) is one year out of chemo and doing very well.

She is a toddler with a capital T. Her big sister Sophie is starting ninth grade this fall. We dream of a Quaker school in Pittsburgh.”

1986 Abigail Wurf has retired as a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher. She is now a life and creativity coach. For more information, you may

Sandy Spring Friends School reserves the right to edit Alumni Note submissions. Editors strive to ensure the content of the edited submission retains the key points of the original message. Alumni Notes are submitted to Sandy Spring Friends School from various sources. While Sandy Spring Friends School strives to ensure the accuracy of Alumni Notes, the School is not liable for false or incorrect submissions.

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SSFS Community News

visit her Web site at abigailwurf.com.

Melissa Mueller Blake reports that she was married to Ernest Blake in Ithaca, NY, in a small ceremony in January 2010. Suzanne Johnson, class of 1986, was in attendance. They followed this with a large wedding in August 2010, also in Ithaca, which Sean Compagnucci (class of 1986) attended. Melissa and Ernest are also the proud parents of Benjamin Felix Blake, born June 23, 2010.

Louise Tate Hood ‘75 with her family in Hawaii.

Eva Mergner ‘83 with daughter Joy.

Melissa Mueller Blake ‘86 with new husband Ernest Blake.

Roxy Richardson ‘96 with her crew at RoxyFit.

1996

Copper. We are looking forward to our journey home this November to visit with family and friends.”

1991 Jessica Dailey (Moore) and her husband, George Dailey, opened their second restaurant, Centro Tapas, in Baltimore’s Federal Hill neighborhood in March 2010. The restaurant specializes in Spanish and South American tapas dishes accompanied by a selection of wines and beers from the region. In addition to Centro Tapas, located on 1444 Light Street, Baltimore, Jessica and George also own On the Hill Café in the Bolton Hill neighborhood of Baltimore.

1993 Jenka Soderberg is beginning a John S. Knight Fellowship for journalists at Stanford University, focusing on the use of mobile technology in the newsroom. She’s worked as a media activist and organizer for the last eight years, setting up media centers and radio stations in many places - from Chiapas, Mexico to Canada to Spain to Palestine. To see Jenka’s profile please visit: http://knight.stanford.edu/fellows/2011/soderberg/

1994

Fall 2010

Kara Pokras writes to say that she and her family are excited to welcome Calvin Jacob Thomas, who was born on August 24th, 2010, weighing in at 9lbs, 10oz.

This summer Roxy Richardson won an international title elimination Muay Thai match. She added to her fitness and health certifications by becoming a Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor and a Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist. This fall she is expanding her business, RoxyFit, by moving to a bigger location, hiring additional trainers and offering more classes and services.

1998 Erin Macklin Fox and her husband, David, are still living in Las Vegas, NV. Erin writes that David, “is enjoying his job with Cirque Du Solie’s show Ka. I am enjoying my days at home with our girls. Emma turned 4 in July and Cari turned 1 in July. We also adopted a Queensland Heeler this past spring. His name is

April Hall-Hough and her husband bought a home in Westminster, MD, where they live with their two boxers, Tiggy and Paisley. April works for the Social Security Administration and teaches horseback riding lessons on the weekend. April writes, “I have been busy competing my horse all year; this is her first year competing and my first year eventing!

2002 Gavin Maguire was officially promoted to Captain in the United States Army on August 1, 2010. Gavin is now stationed in the U.S. working on the Battalion Staff of the 716 MP Battalion.

2003 Catherine Hoyt’s research abstract was recently accepted for a poster presentation in the Sickle Cell Disease Associa29

Alumni Notes tion of America's 38th Annual Convention in late September.

Marielle Hsu is living in San Francisco and works for a start-up company.

She enjoys spending time with friends “dancing all night, hosting and bartending parties, falling in and out of love, going on adventures across the countryside, meeting family in China, bridesmaid-ing for a friend, and lighting the lamps of Black Rock City.”

2006 Gabrielle Quintana Greenfield graduated from Brown University this May with a B.A. in Public Policy and American Institutions. During her time at Brown, she worked at a Providence commercial radio station, 95.5 WBRU, as the Assistant Program Director, intern trainer, and host of the "Afternoon BRU" program. This summer she interned at the Democratic National Committee.

2009 Suzy Mirvis recently returned from

Suzy Mirvis ‘09 volunteered at the Vervet Monkey Foundation in South Africa.

South Africa, where she spent a month volunteering at the Vervet Monkey Foundation. There she cared for orphaned, injured and abandoned vervet monkeys. She worked directly with the monkeys and learned a great deal about wildlife conservation. The Foundation is always in need of volunteers and runs completely off volunteer labor and donations. If anyone is interested in volunteering, please contact Suzy at szmirv@aol.com.

April Hall-Hough ‘98 is competing her horse in Westminster, MD.

Former faculty/staff Bill Moody and his wife, Janet, divide their time between Bethesda, MD, in the winter and Lake Tahoe, NV, during the summer. They are involved in writing; music; church; travel to France, Malta and Sicily; and community activities.

In Memoriam SSFS was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Melissa Spearing Trout ‘89, who died on August 26, 2010, following a long battle with cancer. Jessica Balsam ‘89 recently shared that, even on her most difficult and painful days, you could “hear” Melissa smiling. Another classmate and friend, Kristin McNary ‘89, wrote, “As long as I knew her, [Melissa] was the very embodiment of ‘it’s how you look at it.’ She had a positive, uplifting attitude about absolutely everything.”

Following her graduation from SSFS, Melissa attended Colgate University ‘93, earning a B.A. in Psychology. She continued her education with a Master’s degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University ‘99. Melissa worked at the National Institutes of Mental Health in the Office of Communication and Public Liaison throughout her professional career.

Melissa is remembered by her Sandy Spring teachers and mentors as a student who embodied the values of the School and “Let her life speak” in every way. She looked for the “Light” in every living thing and had a unique gift for helping others discover the “Light” within themselves. Former classmates and friends of Melissa are invited to post remembrances and messages on the alumni web site. Contributions may be made in Melissa’s memory to LifeWithCancer.org.

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SSFS Community News

Alumni Weekend 2010 Alumni Weekend 2010 was a resounding success, starting off with more than 300 people coming to SSFS to visit with friends and to say farewell to beloved members of our SSFS community at the Big Band Dance Friday night honoring Dana Harrison and Stephanie Thliveris, Ari and Nancy Preuss, and Ken and Jan Smith.

The 3rd Annual Wildebeest Stampede kicked off Saturday’s events.

This year the Mini Stampede was introduced as part of the event so that our younger runners could take part in the fun. 2010 saw the race’s largest running field yet, with 97 runners combined.

Saturday afternoon, alumni and their families enjoyed Meeting for Worship; an alumni art class, hosted by Gwen Handler; Alumni Strawberry Cowbake honoring Ari and Nancy Preuss; an international student panel; and the Alumni Lacrosse and Alumni Beestball games. During the Alumni Lacrosse Game, there was a formal dedication of the Preuss Field Scoreboard. Following the games, alumni were able to take part in a sneak peek tour of the new Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School.

Saturday evening, reunion classes celebrated their milestones with each other. The Class of 1980 hosted one of the largest reunion parties in the School’s history, with more than 100 people in attendance.

We are looking forward to seeing you all back next year on June 3rd and 4th for Alumni Weekend 2011!

Fall 2010

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Alumni Notes

From the Archives Below are some recently-scanned photos from the archives. Dave Burgevin, School Archivist, could use your help in identifying names and faces. Take a look and contact Dave at dave.burgevin@ssfs.org if you can identify these Springers:

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Miss... << Science Class

November 4, 2010 New York Alumni and Friends Reception Welcoming Tom Gibian November 10, 2010 Philadelphia Alumni and Friends Reception Welcoming Tom Gibian

Student rock band Voodoo Love Gods >>

November 18, 2010 Boston Alumni and Friends Reception Welcoming Tom Gibian November 26, 2010 Alumni Soccer Game << 1979-1980 Tennis team

January 5, 2011 Young Alumni Luncheon June 3-4, 2011 Alumni Weekend

1978-1979 Swim team >>

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If you would like to know more about any of these events, please visit our Web site at http://alumni.ssfs.org or contact Mary Mazzuca at 301-774-7455, x107.

SSFS Community News

Friends Forever: Planned Giving at SSFS Even as a ninth grader in the Community House, Allen Fetter Ph.D. ’80 knew that Sandy Spring Friends School was a special place. “Sandy Spring had such a positive effect on me. There was such inclusion and encouragement. It’s something I’ve benefitted from my entire life,” Allen says.

So when it came time to plan their estate, he and wife Danielle, wanted to make sure they remembered SSFS. “As a child, I was raised to understand the importance of giving back to institutions that are important to you. I think the general idea of giving back was also an implicit part of my education at Sandy Spring.”

Allen Fetter with his family. Allen says, “As a child, I was raised to understand the importance of giving back to institutions that are important to you.”

By making a planned commitment, Allen become a member of Friends Forever, the School’s planned giving society. Friends Forever is a special group of individuals who have demonstrated their support for the future of Sandy Spring Friends School by including SSFS in their wills, or through a personal tax deferred commitment.

Allen has been a strong supporter of the School for years, even as his career has carried him all over the world. A graduate of Guilford College, University of North Carolina, and University of Kansas, Allen did his postdoctoral research in Brazil, where he lived with his wife and two children from 1999 to 2004. Even while in school and living abroad, he made the commitment to give back to the Annual Fund.

“I think it’s important for people to know that even when they can’t give a lot, it’s important to give what you can and to make it a habit.”

Allen returned to the U.S. in 2004 to accept a position with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where he is a Senior Project Manager working on environmental reviews for new reactor sites. Even today, Allen sees how his SSFS education benefits him on a daily basis.

“Sandy Spring Friends School taught me that everyone deserves to be treated with the same level of respect. Everyone brings something different to the table, regardless of age, background or number of advanced degrees.”

Admissions

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, December 4th, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Meet faculty and students, visit classrooms, tour the campus Stop by the Summer Camp Open House, too!

Stay for the Parents Association WINTERFEST, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Holiday greens and baked goods, local artisans and vendors, children’s craft activities, live performances at the coffee house, lunch at Dad’s Diner

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SANDY SPRING MARYLAND PERMIT NO. 122

16923 Norwood Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

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