Briarwood School Fall 2018 Newsletter

BRIARWOOD FALL 2018

NEWSLETTER FOR THE BRIARWOOD & TUTTLE SCHOOLS

Briarwood, A School for Children with Learning Differences The Tuttle School, A School for Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Did We Make a Difference ?

THE SENIOR EXPERIENCE What can we say! It's tough to say goodbye! Each year Briarwood bids farewell to another graduating class, each full of big personalities, talents, deep friendships, dreams, and expectations. And every year, although the graduates are ready to spread their wings and soar, it's never easy to see these young adults grow up and move on! One thing that brings us solace is that they go SHARE BRIARWOOD MEDIA: @TheBriarwoodSchool / @TheTuttleSchool

forward prepared, ready to take on new adventures, and even challenges, and there's nothing better than learning about their journeys. Did Briarwood make

a difference in the lives of these young graduates or graduates from the past fifty years? Read on for more insight...

CONTENTS Community Outreach Helps Students Beyond Our Walls Last Fall, Briarwood welcomcd executive function expert Sarah Ward. Ward provided practical strategies to help children of all ages improve their function skills, strengthen working memory, use better impulse control, practice cognitive flexibility, and improve organizational skills.

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Over 250 language therapists, teachers, and counselors attended the day seminar, spanning the entire Houston area, and beyond. In the evening, Briarwood welcomed over 100 attendees, including many parents from throughout the community.

FEATURES 4

Did We Make a Difference?

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Development News: Briarwood is the Greatest School on Earth

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CAMPUS LIFE 11

Middle-Upper Sports

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School Highlights

ALUMNI NEWS

THE

BRIARWOOD School

NEWSLETTER FOR THE BRIARWOOD & TUTTLE SCHOOLS | F A L L E D I T I O N 2 0 1 8

Briarwood, A School for Children with Learning Differences

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The Tuttle School, A School for Children with Intellectual Disabilities

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Alumni Highlights

w w w .b ri a rwo o d s c h o o l .o r g

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Morgan's Journey

The Briarwood School & Tuttle School admits students of any race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin. The school selects students who are interested in completing their education and who need a prescriptive educational program.

thanks to Kian Chance of Elegant Portraits and Briarwood's talented Photography students for photos included in this publication.

12207 Whittington Drive | Houston, T X 77077

281.493.1070 tel | 281.493.1343 fax

„ Special

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Briarwood is a publication of The Briarwood School & Tuttle School. Briarwood is published annually and sent to alumni, present and past parents and friends.

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

CAROLE C. WILLS | 1998-CURRENT

The end of a school year gives us reason to pause, reflect and to share a story or two.

Did We Make a Difference?

“

The spirit of Briarwood is still here. It never changes, and I am so thankful.”

I

n my moments of reflection, I pause to give thanks for the times I have had the honor of spending with Yvonne Tuttle Streit, our Founder. I cherish the hours we have spent together, for it has taken me back to the genesis of Briarwood, our reason and purpose for being, the opportunities we have every day to make a difference, to change a life for a lifetime.

While asking the question, ‘Did we make a difference. . .a difference for a lifetime’, we have paid homage to our longevity and to our Mission. From the very beginning, Briarwood has provided the necessary and intense remediation to each and every child who enters our doors. It is

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T H E B R I A RW O O D S C H O O L

through our diagnostic-prescriptive approach with structured and multisensory instruction that we set the stage for change. Our students are taught specific strategies throughout their years with us.

We ‘scaffold’ strengths, build on successes and restore confidence.

Resilience stands on the shoulders of confidence. Academic programs, along with an emphasis on socialemotional learning, build a solid pyramid for learning.

Over the past several months, many of our alumni have come by to visit and to share their journeys. As their stories unfold, we hear words of thanks for the solid academic program they were afforded.

Moreover, our alumni express their thanks for the ‘intangible’ supports.

Anthony Nocella, Class of 1995, and a graduate of The University of St. Thomas and Syracuse University, recently returned to Houston after having been away for 17 years. When he arrived for our visit, one of his first comments was “the spirit of Briarwood is still here. It never changes, and I am so thankful.” Although ‘Spirit’ might be considered intangible and is often a challenge to articulate, we do live it every day at Briarwood.

Immediately, when Anthony was asked to describe ‘the Spirit of Briarwood’, quickly and with no hesitation, his words flowed. “For me, it was the Spirit of Hope. I knew that Briarwood believed in me and, finally, I had hope for my future.”

As our former students return, we see that they accepted, owned and often celebrated their differences.

Our graduates, including those who have transitioned to other schools prior to graduation, are confident, caring and compassionate. We have many who have joined the ranks of educators – passionate to give back the ‘take-aways’ from Briarwood. Our graduates, too, want to make a difference; they are changing lives every day.

Michael Gennaro, Class of 2014, is living his passion by serving our country. Never wavering from his goal, Michael, now Senior Airman, joined the Air Force and recently was awarded The Air Force Achievement Medal for Outstanding Achievement for his bravery in saving a life. Michael’s heroic actions took place near his base (Holloman Air Force Base) in

professional development Senior Airman John M. Gennaro Honored by US A ir Force

Senior Airman Jo hn M. Gennaro di stinguished himself by outsta nding achievemen t while assigned to the 49 th Maintenance Sq uadron, 49 Maintenance Gro up, 49th Wing, H ollman Air Force Base New M exico on February 4, 2018.

On this date, Airm an Gennaro respon ded to an incident involv ing aggravated ba ttery with a deadly weapon w hile driving near Laborcita Canyon Road in Ne w Mexico. Airman Gennaro engaged and calm ed an armed offen der all while utilizing his traini ng from the Air Fo rce. This training enabled hi m to render life su staining aid to the victim.

Airman Gennaro's actions that day led direct ly to the de-escalat ion of a deadly dispute an d ultimately saved another person's life. Airm an Gennaro was ho nored and awarded for this ou tstanding achievem ent on June 19, 2018 by M ajor Kevin Manis of the US Air Force.

Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Our alumni are giving back every day. We hear their heartfelt words of thanks with every visit – “Briarwood changed my life. You believed that I could learn, and you gave me the gifts of curiosity, thinking critically, and, especially, the gift to make a difference for others.”

A Briarwood education is always Mission-based. As we move into the 21st Century, the Mission will remain. We circle back to Briarwood’s humble beginnings and give thanks to our Founder for making a decision, through faith, to carry the torch of learning for those who struggle to learn. Every day we have the opportunity to make a difference, to give back and to

Check out what we've been up to !

HBIDA Spring Conference – FEBRUARY, 2018 Keynote: Joan Sedita – Keys to Literacy Topic: Literacy/Comprehension/Note-Taking HBIDA Fall Symposium – OCTOBER, 2018 Keynote: Richard Lavoie, M.A., M.A.T. Topics: "The Impact of LD On the Family" & "It’s So Hard To Be Your Friend" William Van Cleave – AUGUST, 2018 – Two day In-Service Training for Lower & Middle-Upper teachers focusing on Writing/Vocabulary LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) LETRS trainer and Head of Lower School, Ms. Landi, trained Briarwood’s newest faculty members in LETRS in June. In June and July, Ms. Landi also provided training to dyslexia specialists who represented four independent school districts.

Just Words – Head of Lower School, along with three Intermediate teachers, were trained in JUST WORDS through the Region 4 Educational Service.

Speech Collaboration – FALL, 2018 – Speech & Language therapists will integrate into Lower School classes (Primary through Sixth) once a week as well as Tuttle School classes four hours twice weekly within specialty classes, and specific Unique Learning System classes.

Purpose: Increase oral and written language development and paragraph writing as the foundation for reading comprehension and writing.

Gow Leadership Retreat – JUNE, 2018 – Head of School Carole Wills and Lower School Counselor Jill Wiseman spent three days in June at the Gow School’s fourth annual Leadership Retreat for Heads and Administrators who lead private schools serving students with diagnosed learning differences. The highly acclaimed Retreat welcomed the leadership of approximately 80 LD schools across the country. The goals of the leadership retreats are to identify, nurture, and develop the next set of leaders in our types of specialty schools.

Tuttle School • Beverly Brinkmeyer, Director of Lower Tuttle School and Lauren Krocak, Director of Upper Tuttle School, along with Cindy Thomas, Kay Easton and Ruth Wilson, Tuttle School teachers, attended the four-day International Down Syndrome Congress in JULY, 2018.

• Teachers will attend the World Autism International Congress in November in Houston.

Security & Safety With security and safety being of utmost importance, HPD Sr. Community Liaison Stephen Daniels addressed all of the administrators, faculty and staff of Briarwood/Tuttle Schools in JANUARY, 2018. The topic of Mr. Daniel’s presentation was ‘How To Survive an Active Shooter’.

Most recently, Scott Poland, Ed.D., Co-Director of the Suicide and Violence Prevention Office at Nova Southwestern University, addressed the administrators, faculty and staff in a three-hour presentation on ‘School Violence and Suicide Prevention and Response’. The audience of 160 represented twenty-four private school administrators and counselors, as well as four public independent school districts. Plans are underway for Dr. Poland to return to Briarwood in early January, 2019, for a presentation to parents.

change a life for a lifetime. www.briarwoodschool.org

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DEVELOPMENT

T H E A NN U A L BEN EF IT

t s e t a e ol r G ho n

T he CE SIN 67 19

Sc

o

h t r a al time E c i t s a t n a f l the most tion of al celebra

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Tigers, bears, hurricanes...oh my!

As Houstonians picked up the pieces from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, Briarwood embraced the motto, "the show must go on."

Although the obstacles were significant, a tireless Benefit Team stayed focused and pulled off a triumph "Under the Big Top" and proved once again that Briarwood is The Greatest School on Earth!

Hotel ZaZa in Memorial City was transformed into a whimsical Big Top Circus for Briarwood's Annual Benefit on March 23—netting over $439,000!

Special thanks to ring leaders, (1) Missy and Joe Allaire, and Kristin and Davis Mayfield (Benefit Chairs), (2) Al Farb (Master of Ceremonies), and (3) Ernie Manouse of Houston Public Media (Auctioneer). Bestowing the title of The Greatest School on Earth is only possible because of the greatest people on earth, thank you.

6 T H E B R I A RW O O D S C H O O L

DEVELO P MENT

T H E A N NU A L B E N EF I T

THE GREATEST SCHOOL ON EARTH ê ANNUAL BENEFIT $25,000-$50,000 Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. Mike & Ursula Sharp

$15,000-$24,999 Friend of Briarwood

$10,000-$14,999 3

Jeannie & Trey Able Missy & Joe Allaire Ellwood Foundation Glenda & Russell Gordy Christina & Steve Morse Sam Vastola

$7,500-$9,999 Marvy Finger Family Foundation

$5,000-$7,499 Bean Family Donald Condon, Jr. Friend of Briarwood Lanier Law Firm Rynda & David Lofton BCT Printing/Julie & Louis Mayer Isabel & Ken Miller Kim & Seth Rubinson Richard W. Weekley Family Fund

$2,500-$4,999 Ami & Keith Considine Mr. & Mrs. Paul Dolan Ellen & Drew Elam Paula & Louis Faillace William S. and Lora Jean Kilroy Foundation Jennifer Soley Sherry & Rolland St. Aubin Elizabeth & Brad Villers Wendy & John Welch Carole & Jim Wills

$1,000-$2,499 Joan & Stanford Alexander Barbara & Larry Bellatti Emily & Stuart Bodden Stacey Bourland Marion & Eliot Bowytz Kristelle & Mark Castiglione ConocoPhillips Andrea & Bob Crawmer Mr. & Mrs. Julio de la Colina Melissa & Mano DeAyala Linda Decker Debbie & Randy Etheridge Nancy & Dan Garrison Elizabeth Gaylord Deborah Gennero, DDS, FAD, AAACO Shana & Shaun Gordy Nancy Nash Harper Penelope & Paul Khuri Mary K & Kent Lorentz Natalie & Chris Martin

The Law Office of Kristin Mayfield Kristin & Davis Mayfield Mr. & Mrs. Robert Olsen Mr. & Mrs. Gary Rosenthal Tawnya & Rusty Rubenstein Joan & John Scales Katherine & Joel Schrock JoAnn & Bruce Spitzengel Shauna & Gregg Steffen Jeannette & Scott Stevenson Laurie & Charles Swihart Sandra & Paul Swofford Julie & Chris Whitten Kathryn & Thomas Wilson Judy & Scott Zivley

$500-$999 Natalie & Rick Alexander Parla & Met Altan BHP Billiton Angela & Ronald Brown Allison & Michael Casey Allison & Cy Cattan Molly & Tim Church Lori Clark Deborah Gennero & Craig Curd Dan L. Duncan Children's Neurodevelopmental Clinic Elizabeth Dybell, Ph.D. Colleen & Clay Elkins Epicurean Group Rita & Brian Fader Erica & Jermaine Fazande Fidelity Investments Robert Filla Flourish Mental Health Friend of Briarwood Renee Gehm Amy & Richard Ghiselin Annabel & Richard Gonzalez Alejandra & Federico Gonzalez Nickie & Chris Haine Lillian & Michael Howard Angela & Gregory Hyzak Shelly & Geoff Kaplan Christene & Josh Kimmel Koetter Fire Protection Pam & Bill Krocak Cassidy & Josh Landry Paul & Linda Lynn MaryAnn & Louis Macey Cheryl & James McAnear Heather & Bryan McDaniel Ann McDowell Donna & Paul Mendez Jennifer & Max Mountjoy Elvia & Ronnie Patel Jane Petty Phillips 66 Terri & Matt Pitner Nancy & Michael Polychronopoulos Cindy & Paul Price Magda & Heriberto Ramos Amber & Brian Reynolds www.briarwoodschool.org

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D EV ELOPMEN T

Susan Ricca Patricia & Tom Ritter Pam & Greg Roche Elizabeth & Chad Schorre Jeanie & Steve Simonich Danielle & Andrew Slentz Liz & Russell Spradling Lyndsey & Damian Stead Janet & Michael TerLouw Thompson Custom Homes Anna & Matt Tremblay Nancy & Dennis Vaughn Gloria & Ronald Villanueva Coleen & Troy Villarreal Bree Walker Kay & Danny Williamson Tanya & Michael Wood Dinorah & Jonathan Zanger

$250-$499 Dr. and Mrs. Surainder Ajmani Aversano & Gold Briargrove Pharmacy Maria & Greg Brown Laurie & Paul Carl Debi & Bart Duckworth Cindy & Gary Dunn Katharine & Ted Farnham Dian Ginsberg Jennifer Hack Susan & Mike Hanna Kathleen & Glenn Harper Aileen & Tom Ivy Katy Child Psychology Sonya & Paul Kelly Amy & Josef Klam La Salle Landscaping Dea & Alvin Larson Susie & Wayne Love Suzy & Steve Mahoney Sarah & James Mallon Jim McGinty Colleen & Ted McLaughlin Kim Milone Paula & Tom Munson Don Neuenschwander Lori & Jerry Ordeneaux Candice & Poria Rafiei Tracy & Ronald Sullivan Cathy Sussman Courtney & Wayne Turpin Craig & Dara Weinstock Dinorah Zanger, Ph.D, PLLC Hallie & Barry Zietz

$100-$249 Balfour Laura & James Bates Angie and Cliff Baughman David & Nancy Baxter Martha Benham Barbara & Tom Blocher Heather Bohan Byron & Christy Bright Jennifer & James Brolan

8 T H E B R I A RW O O D S C H O O L

THE A NNUA L BENEFIT Sarah & Matthew Bruno Liz & Phil Buelow Amy & Jeff Burke Elvia & Paul Cardinal Linda M. Clark Alice & Bill Cook Nancy Danclovic Brenda De La Rosa Linda Dowden Matthew Dowell Dream Lash Studio Kristin & Randy Dykman Beth & Miguel Fabrega Teresa & Sal Ferruzzo Lucinda & Brad Fleming Friend of Briarwood Rogerio Garcia Jackie & John Gaylord Grant Gibson Samantha & Gil Melman Jeff Gleason Suzi Grant Debbie & Jerry Gurley Tandy & Jonathan Harris Lisa Ann Henkel Jose Hernandez April & Nick Hiemstra Teresa Hilt & Fernando Chavez Rebecca & Mark Hobson Jill & Stephen Hockett Elizabeth Hunsaker, DDS Jon Incerpi & Kerry Yonushonis Lynn & Ronnie Jacobe Jennings Orthodontics Mary & Rich Jones Kahn Educational Group Ruby Karimi Gloria & Essa Kawaja Penelope & Paul Khuri Robyn & Steven Kleiman Ronnie Kurtin & Gary Lew Deana Langham The Law Office of Kristin Mayfield Carole LeBlanc Eleonora & Bryan Leibman Pam & Larry Lewis Jennifer & William Little Diane & Richard Loeb Cindy & Ed Long Karen & Nick Lopez Lisa & Rick Lundquist Michelle & Roddie MacKenzie Maria & John Mannion Kim Martin Jaime & Jamie Mata Kristin & Davis Mayfield Susan & Joe McDuffie Patricia & Phil McGraw Kirsten Meadow Mesquite Cottage Dr. Mike Mizell Neuhaus Education Center Brook Tillemans & Chad Nokleby Jordan Novelli Christi & Rob Parker

DeAnna Parsell Carrie & Greg Pearson Natasha Pieper Melissa Reichert Lisa & Norman Ritchie Arish Rustomji Callie & Vaughan Scott Gigi & Karim Semine Cliff & Michelle Shedd Shell Oil Company Foundation Sarah & Jeromy Sherman Steve Smith/Anchor Communications Ann Pickard & Dan Smith Pamela & David Smith Naomi & Adam Soffar Speech & Language Remediation Center Speech Language Learning Margaret Stribling Jamie Sumicek Town & Country Orthodontics Kiesha Upshaw VCA Ashford Animal Hospital Elizabeth Vester Mr. & Mrs. Paul D. Walker Pam & Bill Wallace Julie & Manuel Walters Patricia Golemon & Peter Williamson Teresa & Lance Witt

Up to $100 Ranim & Mohamad Abbas Judge & Mrs. Richard Abrams Sebastian Aguilar Tayo & Kemi Akinkunmi Sarah & Lane Amos Angela Ashley Gayla & Bryan Baird Monica & Ben Berg Kristen & Joshua Briggs Stephanie & Mark Cheney Chevron Kimberly Cooper Shelly Crawford Gina & Steven DePamphilis Carolyn DeRusso Sheila Patterson & Petro Peterson Vanessa Egan Avi Elfezouaty Emma's Cool Place Michaela Filla Amy Finger Sonya & Matthew Fisher Amy & Kevin Flusche Jordan & Harry Folloder Lisa Malosky & Don Friedell Ellen-Claire & Vic Gibson Lawrence Ginsberg Shana & Shaun Gordy Jeannie & John Greiner Sari & Rubin Gutman Chandra Hall-Dixon & Brian Dixon T. Lynn Harper Alice & Bobby Hatfield Shelly & Wendell Hayes

Marjorie Nicol & Matthias Heinkenschloss Jennifer & Scott Heitshusen Adriana Herrera Yana Hohertz Rebecca & Lee Jackson Guylaine & Carl Johnson Laura & Paul Johnston Shannon & Marco Juarez Jill & Kevin Keenan Cyndi & Brad Kornegay Marcine & John Kowpak Rebecca & Luke Kuwertz Eleanor & Joseph Leon Guerrero KariAnn & Ron Lessner Lisa & Mark Livingston Joyce & RG Loy Melinda & Peter Maillet Eva & Spencer Marmelstein Kathleen & Patrick McLane Kathryn & Erik Mignault Kelly Miller Isabel & Ken Miller Emily Mitchell Muno & Alexander Nassar Becca & Richard Nicholls Amy & Robert Nuttall Meher Patel Carrie & David Pena Mildred & Steven Poock James & Rachel Poysky Tracey & Rich Priem Cynthia & Mike Ratliff Katherine Rentz Kelly Jones & Renee Ricca Carine & Guillaume Schmitt Rachel Kosoy & David Schwartz Gai-Linn Sitta Dr. & Mrs. Umekei Smith Steve & Dee Ann Staley Talty Family Kendra & Bart Thomas Gloria & Ronald Villanueva Melissa & James Whaley Kenna Worthington Judy & Scott Zivley

Auction Donors 18/8 Fine Men's Salon abientot Missy & Joe Allaire Lauren Allaire Linda Allan Ann's Clock Shop AREA-Houston Antiques & Furniture Armandos Restaurant Arne's Texas Size Party Store VCA Ashford Animal Hospital At Home B&B Butchers & Restaurant Barry's Pizza Beck's Prime Becky's Beach Wreaths Bering's Biron Gymnastics

DEVELO P MENT

T H E A NN U A L B E N EF IT Bitsbox Kim Black Trina & Michael Blood Blue Willow Books BowlMor Briarwood Drama Department Briarwood Middle/Upper School Families Briarwood Lower School Families Christy & Byron Bright The Brookwood Community Elizabeth Brook Designs Sharon Brougher The Brown Family Bubbles & Blooms Buchanan's in the Heights Caliente Capitol Grille, The Galleria Carrabba's Italian Grill Kristelle & Mark Castiglione Allison & Cy Cattan Cheesecake Factory Children's Museum of Houston Chuck-e-Cheese's Molly & Tim Church Chuy's Charles Clark Bri Collins Lori & Brian Combs Kimberly Cooper Susan & Wayne Love Gina & Larry Corbin Cornerstone Automotive Dairy Ashford Costco Deborah Gennero & Craig Curd Custom Lighting & Hardware Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Erika Day Brenda & Bobby DelaRosa Melissa & Mano DeAyala Demeris Bar-B-Q Dimensions in Fashion DoubleDave's Pizzaworks Elizabeth Sledden Dybell, Ph.D. Eddie V's Prime Seafood Ellen & Drew Elam Christa Elliott Train with Lanie Rita & Brian Fader Rick Farmiloe Federal American Grill Lisa Ferchau Tiffany & David Ferrari Teresa & Sal Ferruzo Figlia Kitchen Sonya & Matthew Fisher Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar/Town & Country Flyways Dove Shooting Folloder Family Friend of Briarwood Frontier Title Company Fuad's Restaurant

Fuddruckers Krysten Funk, Rodan & Fields Consultant Game Truck North Houston Kelly Gartner Jackie & John Gaylord Generators of Houston George's Pastaria Ghiselin Family Global Sporting Safaris Glowzone Goldfish Swim School Annabel & Richard Gonzalez Glenda & Russell Gordy Gordy and Sons Shana & Shaun Gordy Grand Lux Café Suzi & Trey Grant Guadalajara Hacienda Chandra Hall, Tuttle School Art Teacher Haute & Cool Lisa Henkel April & Nick Hiemstra Houston Rockets/Tilman Fertitta Houston Symphony Angela & Greg Hyzak Aileen & Tom Ivy James Avery Jewelry Maylene Joheir Martha Keller & Ron Ripley Jentry Kelley Kendra Scott Jewelry Penny & Paul Khuri Kickapoo Ranch Pet Resort Amy & Josef Klam Kocurek Family Cynthia & James Kornegay Esta Kronberg Dermatology Rebecca & Luke Kuwertz Lam Bespoke Deana Langham Lanier Law Firm The Lash and Brow Society Fay & Paul Lewis Rynda & David Lofton Cindy & Ed Long Los Tios Mexican Restaurant Copper State Rubber, Inc. Lupe Tortilla Courtney Lynn Artwork by Bethany Joy Madrid Magpies Gifts Dr. Steve & Suzy Mahoney Melinda & Peter Maillet Main Street Theater Main Event Michelle & Roddie Mackenzie Eva & Spencer Marmelstein Kim Martin Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom LLP Masraff's Mariquita Masterson Masterson Design

Julie & Louis Mayer Kristin & Davis Mayfield Cheryl & James McAnear Susan & Joe McDuffie Hannah & Cal McNair The Melting Pot Meadowbrook Farms Kirsten Meadow Memorial Dermatology/ Dr. Greg Pearson Memorial Yard Greetings Memorial Athletic Club & Aquatic Center Donna & Paul Mendez Merry Muffins Jessica Meyer/Bullet Girl Designs Midas Total Auto Service & Tires Kathryn & Erik Mignault Isabel & Ken Miller Kim Milone Mirror Mirror Photo Booth Christina & Steve Morse Jennifer & Max Mountjoy Paula & Tom Munson Museum of Fine Arts, Houston NASCAR Racing Experience Niko Niko's Greek & American Café Maria Oakum Judy & Bob Olsen Pablo's Mexican Kitchen Dr. Gregory Palmer Family Cosmetic Dentistry Paper Source Elvia & Ronnie Patel Carrie Pena Perfecting Skin Care, Nancy Hetzel Linda Peters Jane Petty Christine Phills Nat Pieper Pilates Girl Wine Pilates 4 Every Body Pine Forest Country Club Pleasant Hill Winery Pottery Barn Rachel & James Poysky Prime Lending/Jeff Coady Magda & Heriberto Ramos The Redneck Country Club Melissa Reichert

SPECIAL THANKS Kian Chance, Al Farb, Cynthia Goodyear, Ernie Manouse, Cindy Price, Sewell Automotive Companies, Cindy Smith, Christine Phills, Julie Whitten

Renovate Amber & Brian Reynolds Pam Roche Robert's China, Crystal & Gifts Rover Oaks Pet Resort/Katy Royal Oaks Country Club Rubinson Family Ruth's Chris Steak House Saint Arnold Brewing Amanda Kassick Santos School of Rock Katherine & Joel Schrock Shabby Slips Ursula & Mike Sharp Terry Sharp Ursula & Mike Sharp Shudde Brothers Simone Jewelry Designs Sky High Sports Danielle & Andy Slentz Cindy Smith Society for the Performing Arts Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Cynthia Stange, Lower School Art Teacher Star Furniture Starplex Pavilion Lyndsey & Damian Stead Shauna & Gregg Steffen Kathleen Stevens Scott Sullivan, Chairman HLS & Rodeo Parade Rodger & Jamie Sumicek Sandra & Paul Swofford Tall Plants Tans by Brittney Mobile Training Target - Eldridge Taste of Texas Theatre Under the Stars Tony's Tootsie's Total Wine & More Tremblay Family Tuttle School Families Tutu & Lilli Typhoon Texas Waterpark Vera Bradley Gloria & Ronald Villanueva Coleen & Troy Villarreal Elizabeth & Brad Villers Bree, Hailey & Brandon Walker Debbie Wearing Yvette Webb Dara & Greg Weinstock Wendy & John Welch West Houston Dermatology Whaley Steel Corp Mary & Greg Whalley Julie & Chris Whitten Teresa & Lance Witt Tanya & Michael Wood Hotel ZaZa, Memorial City Judy Zivley Zoom Car Wash

www.briarwoodschool.org

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D EV ELOPMEN T

ANNUAL GIVING FUND 2017-18

Legacy Circle ($10,000+)

The Bean Family Fund FOB

Founder’s Circle ($5,000-$9,999) Stace & James Earley Marvy Finger Family Foundation Jared von Plonski Eleanor & Richard Scalzitti

Head of School Circle ($2,500-$4,999) Mary Crow & Sam Jones Marie Fay Evnocides Lisa & Mark Livingston Michael J. Miller Loren Pieper Carole & Jim Wills

Leadership Circle ($1,000-$2,499) Nora Dobin Michelle Friedman Harvey Friedman Jackie & John Gaylord Emily W. Griffin Alice & Bobby Hatfield Matthew Langford-Martial Arts Camille Leugers Susi & Wayne Love Susan Ludwig Suzy & Steve Mahoney Sally & Donnie McGinty Nancy and Dan Moriarty Magda Ramos Joan & John Scales Cindy & Paul Smith Dave & Martha Swift John Welch

Educator’s Club ($500-$999) Parla & Met Altan Marion & Eliot Bowytz Patsy & Michael Brady Craig & Galen Brown Foundation Sarah & Matt Bruno William R. Donnell Amy & Mitchell Gardiner Federico & Alejandra Gonzalez Nancy Nash Harper Jim McGinty Vona & William Morefield Jan Neuenschwander Karen & William Rice Statoil Gulf Services Holly & George Strapulos Yvonne & Dave Streit Dana & Brad Vieselmeyer Julie & Chris Whitten Connie & Raleigh Williamson

Mustang Club ($250-$499) Jorge Alvarez Molly & Tim Church

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TH E AN N UAL GIVING FUND/DIRE CTE D GIFT S Alex Hayes Lennard Johnson Shannan & Marco Juarez Penny & Paul Khuri Lydia & Alfredo Lira Paula & Tom Munson Network for Good Diana Strassmann & Jeffery Smisek Lewis Welch Edith Wittig & H.J. van Wageningen Deborah & James Wood Linda & Jerry Woodson

Blue & Red Club ($100-$249) Nader Amir-Parviz M/M Philip E. Baker Karen & Howard Batt Judy & Harry Brookby Sherry & James Cattan Ben Duckworth Erika Eriksson Aurora & Rogerio Garcia Renee Gehm Vita & Ron Jordan Morton Katz Corrie & John Kennelly Rebecca & Luke Kuwertz Barbara & LV McGinity R. Talley Melton Lynne & Charles Miller Frances W. Parker Amy & John Parsons Susan Rieke Anna Catherine & Stefan Roosa Peggy & William Samuels Lois & David K. Smith Michael Stark Shauna & Gregg Steffen Cynthia & Lawrence Thomson Joette & Hans van Doesburg Joanne & William Wagner Barbara & Paul Walker Pamela & William Wallace Sandra & Ralph Weaver Nancy & Frank Wilson Michael & Tanya Wood Kim & Richard Yeh

Friend (Up to $100) Judy & Richard Abrams Pam Bass Katherine Chesman Rebecca Cryderman LaTonya Earl Lelana Banks Ellis Janet Frobase Pam & James Gaspar Paul Glaves Mollie Hellige Karen & Nick Lopez Paul & Jeff Nathanson

Glennie & James Weddle Dinorah & Jonathan Zanger

DIRECTED GIFTS 2017-18

Benefit

Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation The Ellwood Foundation

General Operating The Ellwood Foundation Edward & Ellen Randall Foundation

Henry Bean Teacher Enrichment Bean Family

LED Lights in Field House & LS Gym Carole & Jim Wills

Sarah Ward Community Event

CORPORATE DONORS Albertson's AmazonSmile Apache Chevron ConocoPhillps Match Kirby Inland Marine Kroger Network for Good One Ashford Owners Association Phillips 66 Randalls-Safeway Shell Oil Company Foundation Shell Oil Company Matching Gifts Shell Oil HERO Program Sherwin Williams Morgan Stanley Statoil Gulf Services Taste of Texas

Comerica Bank Foundation George Fleming BHP Billiton

Staff Development M.D. Anderson

Technology George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation The Brown Foundation

Tuition Assistance Edward & Ellen Randall Foundation The Hamill Foundation McNair Foundation

IN MEMORY (OF/FROM)

Brian Boles

Dooley Family Foundation

Suzanne Rubinson Harvey Rubinson Eve Marie Conaway Kathleen Kreiselman Roberta Goldstein and Bill Goldman Helene & Sidney Wartel Tammy W. Boshears

James Wills Frances W. Parker

IN HONOR (OF/FROM) Michael & Suzanne Wedding Fred Zeidman

Alayna Ferruzzo Lance Smith

Athletic Booster Club Jenn Anderson

For omissions| corrections| giving opportunities, please contact Kim Black in the Development Office, 281.493.1070 or at kblack@briarwoodschool.org.

MIDDLE UPPER SCHOOL SPORTS

CAMP US LIFE

www.briarwoodschool.org

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MIDDLE UPPER SCHOOL

ALLEY THEATRE TAKES ON BRIARWOOD

T

he Alley Theatre Partner School Program, now in its fourth year, has brought an added dimension of excitement and opportunity for Briarwood high school students. Alley actor-educators brought workshops in Greek theatre, Shakespeare, and modern theatre to our English classes, while our Language classes created their own slam poetry, personal narratives, and plays. In March, juniors Grant

B., Kate M., Jacob S., and Natalie S. represented Briarwood at the Alley Theatre Spring Teen Poetry Slam. In April, twenty-five of our high school drama students toured backstage and enjoyed an improvisation workshop at the newly-renovated Alley Theatre downtown. In May, professional actors read an original play by senior Cole Johnson at the Alley Applied Theatre Celebration For Partner Schools. Cole was one of a group of seniors who created original 10-minute plays under the guidance of playwright Brendan Bourque-Sheil in the Playwriting 360 workshop. For the first time, two of our rising sophomores, Joshua F.

SPOTLIGHT SENIORS

and Jaye M., were selected to participate in the five week Summer Conservatory Program for High School students. This intensive program gives students from many Houston schools an opportunity to collaborate with Alley Theatre actors, directors, and playwrights to create, produce, and perform an original ensemble theatre piece. We are so proud of our Mustangs!

12 T H E B R I A RW O O D S C H O O L

The Alley Play

Committee praised

seniors Cody H. and Henry B. for their

outstanding works.

Making memories...

ww ww w .wb.rbi ra irawr owoodosdcshcohoolo. lo.rogr g

9 7

LOWER SCHOOL

The Briarwood School Summer Remediation

Program

was

launched in June, 2013 following a visit to Baylor University’s Camp Success in 2012. The goal of the program is to provide language

SUMMER REMEDIATION PROGRAM

and

literacy

students

intervention

from

to

kindergarten

through sixth grade who present with language based reading impairments. Almost 100 students have participated in the program since its inception with positive outcomes noted in both post-testing results and parent feedback relative to student performance during the following school year.

In keeping with the mission of the Briarwood school, students enrolled in the program are provided with research-based intervention designed to empower them in reaching their maximum potential. Students attend both individual and group sessions during the sixteen days of the program. Both oral and written language areas are addressed using direct multi-sensory instruction. Each of the four sessions that students attend is directed by a speech-language pathologist or classroom teacher who has been trained in the program methodology. At the conclusion of the program, students are provided with strategies and tools referenced in their summer portfolio for ongoing learning.

The 2018 program ended with an informational presentation for parents of students, a parent guide with an explanation of strategies that were introduced during the summer program, and home activities to facilitate generalization of these skills.

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ENROLLMENT begins in January.

Details can be found on the Briarwood School website or by contacting the SpeechLanguage Department.

No Place for Hate The Lower School got a special visit from Orbit, the mascot of the Houston Astros. Orbit came to speak to students about bullying and the importance of being a good friend.

Briarwood was honored to be awarded a "No Place for Hate Campus" for the third year in a row! ww ww w .. bb rr ii aa rr w w oo oo dd ss cc hh oo oo ll .. oo rr gg w

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TUTTLE SCHOOL

Tuttle School:

Destination Dallas

The Tuttle School was well represented at the annual The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) held in Dallas this past July. The NDSC is a national organization that provides individuals, families, and health care providers information and support about Down syndrome, as well as advocating with and on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome. Five teachers from the Tuttle School were able to participate in workshops and presentations throughout the weekend. The teachers were able to attend the third annual Educators conference which included information on literacy, technology and social skills. Several of the workshops that the teachers attend were about puberty, understanding the

basics

of

co-

occurring DS & ASD. We had lots of visitors at our booth – some of our own Tuttle families stopped by for a visit.

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T H E B R I A RW O O D S C H O O L

www.briarwoodschool.org

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ALUM NI NEWS

A lot to Seay...

Being a recent graduate of Briarwood and just finishing her freshman year at Texas Tech, Abbie Seay had a lot of insight into the benefits of a Briarwood education. Coming to Briarwood in the second grade with a diagnosis of dyslexia, Abbie struggled at first with confidence, but quickly found her voice and learned to be a self advocate. Abbie still uses the notebook system implemented at Briarwood, with a few tweeks, and has powered through her freshman year making the Dean's List with a 3.6 GPA, all while taking 18 hours!

A full class load coupled with pledging a sorority has its obstacles, but Abbie diligently stays on top of her studies and takes full advantage of the Techniques Center on campus. Abbie's dream of advocating for children as a Child Life Specialist may have been fueled by her current role as Fund Raising Chair for Alpha Chi sorority, which is raising money for Women's Protective Services. All we can Seay is way to go, Abbie!

Bob McIntosh, "00 With sights set on becoming a police officer, Bob McIntosh, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Criminal Justices, and Sociology, from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches.

After working border patrol in California for a few years, Bob gave teaching a try and loved the connection he felt with his students.

His interests pushed him to get a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Today McIntosh is married with two children and teaching shop at CyPark High School. Being an "out of the box" thinker, Bob loves the imaginative aspect of his job, visualizing the finished product, and getting students involved in projects that they can take pride in.

SEEN AROUND CAMPUS

Chris Keller; Alumni Basketball Game attendees: Al Farb, Lisa Malosky, Luke Friedell, Don Friedell; Christa Schultz; Carole Wills and Nate Guillory.

Abbie Seay, '17

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T H E B R I A RW O O D S C H O O L

Class of 2015

Morgan's Journey Morgan Jones entered Briarwood in the Fall of 2010, his 8th grade year. Quiet and shy, Morgan had no idea at that time how his life would change over the next five years. Over time, he began to see that his passion and his strengths were in the fields of science and math. Embracing these strengths, Morgan’s confidence soared and he saw that he could follow his dream into the field of engineering.

Morgan Jones Presenter at ASTFE

Thermal & Fluids Engineering Conference Internship at Michigan Oakland University Internship at Cal-Tech Internship at M.I.T. Student at Trinity Univ.

In the Spring of Morgan’s freshman year, he, alongside his research mentor and partner, presented at the ASTFE Thermal & Fluids Engineering Conference in Las Vegas. At the end of his freshman year at Trinity, he applied for and was accepted into a ten week internship at Michigan Oakland University.

In the summer of 2017, following his sophomore year at Trinity, Morgan landed an internship at CalTech. This past summer (2018), he completed an internship at M.I.T. This Fall, Morgan has entered his fourth year of a five-year program at Trinity University. Upon completion of his education at Trinity, Morgan will have earned a Degree in Engineering Science. Graduate school is in his future.

The epitome of perseverance and passion, Morgan is inquisitive. Thoughtful and pensive, Morgan is determined and driven to be a lifelong learner. When asked the question, ‘Did Briarwood make a difference in your life and, if so, how?”, Morgan smiled and did not miss a beat in his answer. “Among many other things, Briarwood taught me that our school was a safe place to raise my hand and ask questions.” Beaming, Morgan said, “At Trinity, I’m known as the guy who’s not afraid to ask questions!”

Curious, inquisitive, exceptional. . .that’s Morgan!

Kate Cavendar, '10 Kate Cavender dreamed of being a teacher from an early age.

Her love of teaching was actually fueled by a fondness for working with Tuttle School students during summer camp.

Her passion drove her to an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Sam Houston State University and a Masters in Special Education from A&M. Fulfilling her life's work, Kate now works at Ashford Elementary as a Special Education teacher, teaching 'Preschoolers Achieving Learning Skills' (PALS) to 3-5 year olds—and just steps away from Briarwood!

HEY ALUMNI!

If we haven't heard from you in awhile, stop by, shoot us an email, give us a shout—we love to hear about you!

Kate came to Briarwood in the 4th grade reading at a Kindergarten level. By the time she reached 6th grade, she was reading on level. Like so many other alumni, Kate credits Briarwood for her self-advocacy and organization skills. And, yes, she still uses her organization system from Briarwood!

Today, Kate also volunteers for the Ladies’ Go Texan Committee of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo.

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THE

BRIARWOOD School a school for children

with learning differences

& intellectual disabilities

a school for children

intellectual 1 2with 2 0 learning 7 W H Idifferences T T I N G T&O N D R I Vdisabilities E HOUSTON, TEXAS 77077

12207 WHITTINGTON DR. www.

H O U Sbriarwoodschool.

T O N , T E X A S 7 7 0 7 7org

Awww.

D D Rbriarwoodschool.

E S S S E R V I C E R E Qorg UESTED ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Way to go Class of 2018!

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID HOUSTON TX P E R M I T N O . 542