Keeping in Touch - Fall 2019

IN BEGINNINGS VOLUME 13: 1 FALL 2019

TOUCH

THE ROEPER SCHOOL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

KEEPING

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TABLE OF CONTENTS David Feldman Head of School david.feldman@roeper.org Denita Banks-Sims Director of Development denita.banks-sims@roeper.org Keeping in Touch Editorial Committee Katie Buchmann Editor Bonnie Schemm Art Director

Contributors Denita Banks-Sims Carolyn Borman Katie Buchmann David Feldman Sarah Miller Juliette Olejnik Kari Papadopoulos Marcia Ruff Linda Vernon Emily Wine

FEATURES

BEGINNINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 David Feldman, Head of School NEW FACES ON THE STAFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Carolyn Borman, Special Assistant/Communications

NEW FACES ON THE BOARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Emily Wine, Assistant to the Head of School THE ROEPER PHILOSOPHY: WHY STUDY IT? . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Marcia Ruff, School Historian EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Linda Vernon, Student Life Coordinator THE POWER OF BRANDING TOGETHER . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kari Papadopoulos, Director of Marketing & Communications

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AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL (ROEPERFEST 2019) . . . . .

Sarah Miller, President/Roeper Parent Community

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PASSINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

THE ROEPER SCHOOL 41190 Woodward Avenue Bloomfield Hills Michigan 48304 248/203.7300 www.roeper.org

The Roeper School is an independent coeducational day school for gifted and talented students preschool through grade 12 and an equal-opportunity institution

ALUMNI UPDATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Juliette Olejnik, Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Fund

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50TH CLASS REUNION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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THREE WEDDINGS & A BABY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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PARTING THOUGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Denita Banks-Sims, Director of Development & Publications WE’RE SAVING A SEAT FOR YOU! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Performing Arts Department

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COVER ART EDUCATING AND INSPIRING GIFTED STUDENTS TO THINK AS INDIVIDUALS AND TO ENGAGE AS A COMMUNITY WITH COMPASSION FOR EACH OTHER AND THIS WORLD

Experimental Sculpture by Vaughn Roycraft, Grade 7

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David Feldman Head of School

BEGINNINGS

I have a strong fondness — OK, some might call it an obsession — with baseball. And as my wife, Elane, often reminds me, it is because of this obsession — I mean fondness — that I will often use sports metaphors to make a point. So, forgive me if I break into a sports comparison — but I really think this metaphor works well.

My favorite part of the baseball season doesn’t even occur during the season itself — it takes place at the end of February. After a long cold winter, when we as fans believe the temperature will never get above freezing, players travel to Florida and Arizona and begin reporting to Spring Training.

New members of the team find quiet corners of the field and begin to get to know the veterans; in the press box, there is always talk of a new player or two who has joined the club and will make a big difference in the success of the year’s campaign.

In February, every team is in first place, every team has a chance to go to the World Series — this is no small order for my favorite team, the Chicago Cubs.

In the spring every team is full of energy and looks forward to the 162-game season believing it will be the best they have ever played. Spring Training is a new beginning, a fresh start for every player — so what if you hit .230 last year; it’s February, and during Spring Training every player can be a member of the Hall of Fame.

I love the beginning of the school year — September is filled with anticipation, excitement and energy levels that could seriously reduce our need for fossil fuels. It is the time of the year when we are all refreshed, and hopeful. Every student is at the top of the class; every parent conference is filled with the promise of partnership; and the schedule is filled with endless days teeming with the opportunity to cover all the projects we dreamed of doing during the summer. It’s a new beginning, a fresh start for our students, a chance to work with new colleagues, and an opportunity to try something new in our classrooms.

While it is autumn on the calendar, fall for educators is a time of rebirth and renewal. Those of us who have spent our lives living the cycle of the school year enter September with hope and anticipation. Like our students, we have had one more year of growth, development and experience.

We come to campus with an eagerness to connect

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with our students and to make this year our best year.

There is idealism in this cycle that I hope we as educators never lose. Built into this time of new beginnings is the extension of opportunity we give to every student. Like the baseball player who comes to Spring Training in February, our students come to us in September filled with potential and eager to succeed. Each of them is a candidate for the Hall of Fame, and it is exciting to consider the season ahead.

Speaking of the Hall of Fame, I had the pleasure a few weeks ago to welcome home our own Roeper Hall of Fame — alumni from the school’s first graduating classes, ’68,’69, and ’70. They returned to campus to celebrate their 50th High School Reunion. I listened to amazing stories of George and Annemarie, tales that made my Head of School hat spin a little nervously, and wonderful tales of challenge and guidance that Roeper students today could easily have shared with their peers. I saw joy, tenderness, and, most of all, love, as this group of 35, who came from all over the country to spend a few days together, recalled with affection their Roeper years.

It is inspiring to see these Roeper alums continue to embody the philosophy. They looked with a sense of wonder and happiness as they took in all of the buildings and programs that fill the spaces of their little school. I was especially delighted to join our alums as we dedicated the new Jimmy and Vi’s Kitchen at the Birmingham Campus. Jimmy and Vi Morris left a tremendous legacy with our community, and it was wonderful to hear the stories our guests shared about their time together.

As part of the visit, we spent time recording many of these stories so that we can preserve the memories our students have of these amazing people. I know you will want to listen to these memories, and perhaps take a moment to share some of your own with us. F

David and his family take in a game at Wrigley Field, home of his beloved Cubs.

I love the beginning of the school year — It’s a new beginning, a fresh start for our students, a chance to work with new colleagues, and an opportunity to try something new in our classrooms.

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Carolyn Borman

Communications Associate

NEW FACES ON THE STAFF ANTHONY MORROW

New staff members were asked to respond to these questions and/or statements: 1. Describe your life in six words.

2. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?

3. If you could invite 3 guests, dead or alive, to dinner, who would they be?

4. What are some things you’d like to share about your family and birthplace?

5. What are your hobbies and interests outside of school?

6. What is a topic or skill that you love to teach and why?

7. Why do you think you will like teaching at Roeper?

Micah Brown

Sarah DeVries

MICAH BROWN Micah Brown is our full-time Lower School Educational Counselor. He has had over 17 years of experience as a School Social Worker and will be providing both counseling and academic support and consultation for both students and teachers.

1. Balancing: professional, parent, organized chaos, fun 2. Maui, Hawaii 3. Jesus, Will Ferrell, Bob Marley 4. Immediate family = We have two boys (Ezra, age 10, and Arie, age 6). I was born in Wisconsin. My parents moved to Birmingham down the street from Roeper’s Upper School in 1982, where they lived until 2005. I am the oldest of five boys. My father was a pastor at a church in Bloomfield Hills (now retired and living near Lansing). My wife’s entire family is from the Netherlands (I’m the first non Dutch person in their family), however they don’t have any real connection to the culture. Naming our second son Arie was our attempt at connecting with the Dutch culture. Ezra’s name is an old Hebrew biblical name like mine.

5. Michigan State sports, Golf, travel, outdoors, photography.

6. Social-Emotional Learning skills — they are the foundation of successful students and employees. I’m excited to join others in moving the mission of Roeper forward to help develop and strengthen these skills in students.

7. I’ve been reading a lot about the history of Roeper. I’m excited to be at Roeper because not only did the Roepers recognize the value and importance of social emotional learning decades before it became under stood and accepted by mainstream educa- tion, but it was founded on these concepts.

SARAH DeVRIES Sarah Baker DeVries is returning to us after several years away in Grand Rapids. Previously Sarah taught Stage II and Stage IV at Roeper. We are pleased to have Sarah return as the Team Teacher with Michele Buttermore in Stage II.

1. Two kids under five; laundry, laundry, laundry.

2. Along the coastline of Croatia.

3. My maternal grandparents for the memories and Ina Garten for the good food.

4. I grew up in northern Michigan with an amazing set of parents who instilled a love of community, learning, and adventure.

Now as a parent to two small children ages 2½ and 4½, my husband Charlie and I want the same for our kids, and we know being a part of the Roeper community will do just that.

5. Baking, reading, SEC Football and yoga — not necessarily in that order.

6. Helping learners discover the joy of reading.

This applies to any grade level, whether it’s helping someone learn to read or someone who has been reading for years and just hasn’t found the right book to keep their interest.

7. I have had the opportunity to teach in many different schools over the course of my teaching career (including five years at Roeper), and I am certain there is no place on Earth quite like this place. My husband’s job transferred us to Grand Rapids in 2013, and when the opportunity presented itself for us to move back, we jumped at the chance. The past two years we have been a part of the community as parents, and I was elated at the opportunity to rejoin this year as a staff member.

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MAHMOODA HAFEEZ Mahmooda Hafeez is the new 6th grade Science teacher. She comes to us with a tremendous amount of experience in middle school science programs.

1. Blessed with family, friends, humbling experiences.

2. Hunza Valley, Pakistan.

3. Mom, dad, brother-in law (all dead).

4. We are three siblings. I am in the middle.

I am a mother of two teenage boys. I was born in Karachi, Pakistan.

5. Sewing, repurposing, organizing, decorating, and renovating.

6. Science, because it explains nature.

7. Roeper uses wholistic approach to help children identify and refine their natural talents, acquire new skills, see the world through the lens of social justice, and become productive and well-informed citizens of the world.

MARIE HALPIN Marie Halpin is the new Coordinator of Learning Support for the Middle/Upper School. She has more than 25 years of experience in learning support plans and accommodations. Marie will help us coordinate support for students who learn differently, along with educating the community in best practices as it relates to all students’ success.

1. Active, busy, engaging, talkative, loving and fun.

2. I would live in Italia for one year.

3. I would love to invite Giada DeLaurentis, Shalane Flanagan, and my Mom (gone eight years) to dinner.

4. I was born in France to Italian parents and immigrated to the USA when I was six years old. I am the fourth of five children. I have been married to my college sweetheart for 24 years and we have two college-aged boys.

5. Outside of teaching I love to cook, travel and am an avid runner. I ran the 2019 NYC Marathon on November 3. It was my eighth marathon.

6. I love to teach early literacy. I love it because it is truly a time when you can see a child’s mind making connections, and I love how it helps them to access the world around them.

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7. I love that Roeper is a Community, and our focus is on the Whole Child. This aligns with my personal and professional beliefs and will be a natural fit.

JENNY IRVINE Jenny Irvine is the Lower School Administrative Assistant. Previously, she served in this position at Cedar Crest Academy. Jenny brings a wealth of experience as both an Administrative Assistant, former P.E. teacher, and parent of two children at Cedar Crest and Cranbrook.

1. I am blessed beyond all measure.

2. I would love to spend a year in “forced time-out” in the Locomotive Mountain Range, British Columbia.

3. Mr. Rogers (my hero), Erma Bombeck (I have always admired her gift to make others laugh), and my dad (I miss our hot fudge sundae dates).

4. Jon is my wonderful husband of 27 years.

We have two beautiful children (unbiased opinion, of course) named Shannon and Cullin. My husband is from Ireland, making our children the first native-born American citizens in his family. On the opposite spectrum, I was born in Huntington, WV, but have lived in Michigan most of my life. I have traced my family back to the original American settlers.

5. My hobbies include exercising, baking, singing and crocheting.

6. Although I am not a teacher, I am a certi fied personal trainer, and I enjoy motivating others to be their best physically. My approach to training has always been very instructional with the intent of helping others discover their unique motivation so they will continue finding a passion for healthy living their whole lives.

7. I appreciate being a part of a community that values individuality and human worth at all ages. I am looking forward to interacting with the students and hopefully putting a smile on the faces of those I come in contact with daily.

Mahmooda Hafeez

Marie Halpin

Jenny Irvine

KEVIN KILDEA Kevin Kildea is our new Upper School mathematics teacher, coming to us with a long history teaching this subject matter.

Kevin Kidea

Barb Lasecki-Webb

1. Through all my endeavors, relationships abound.

2. Even though I have never been there, I would love to live in Ireland. There is some thing about the homeland of my great-great- grandparents that feels very comfortable.

And I could golf at some amazing courses.

3. Isaac Asimov, Orson Scott Card, and Phillip K. Dick — I love science fiction!

4. I grew up in Philadelphia and married a girl from Detroit (she’s a math teacher too).

My father had quite a series of job changes during my teens which allowed me to live in Alexandria (VA), Royal Oak (MI), Chicago (IL), and South Plainfield (NJ) over the course of six years. I went to the University of Detroit and decided to stay here. I met my wife, Denise, at East Detroit High School where we both taught. We have been married for 22 years and have two wonderful children. Kathryn is 19 and attends Alma College, Sean is 16 and is a junior in high school.

5. My two favorite things to do are to bowl in the winter and golf in the summer. Actually, if I could golf all year, that would be great. I enjoy my time with my family. They are the rocks that keep me grounded. I enjoy all sports, especially football. In order to relax, I read, travel, and watch movies. I’m a science fiction nerd who enjoys talking Star Trek with anyone. Videography is something I dabble in as well.

6. There are so many topics that I enjoy, it would not be possible to narrow it down.

However, the one common thread in all of that is discovery. I enjoy facilitating discussion and activities that open up the minds of people and allow them to think, experiment, fail, and succeed. That is where the true learning takes place.

7. What impressed me the most about the people that I met in the short time that I have been here is the trust. I am trusted to do what I think is best for the students.

Everyone has been so supportive and kind.

It seems that people are very happy to work here and that feeling is contagious.

BARB LASECKI-WEBB Barb Lasecki-Webb joins the Roeper Upper School faculty as our chemistry teacher. Barb comes to us with well over a decade of experience as a science educator at both Marian High School and Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy.

1. Evolving, busy, interesting, family, fun, familiar.

2. This is easy. I would want to return to Bora Bora. I was fortunate to spend my honey moon in Bora Bora. The level of beauty from the raw nature and ocean was amazing.

I could spend a year snorkeling and research ing ways to help protect these beautiful aspects of the ocean!

3. In light of my decision to send my daughters to Roeper, and in light of having the opportunity to teach at Roeper, I would love to have had dinner with George and Annemarie Roeper. Although I am confi- dent that the community can rely on their mission, I would have loved the opportunity to speak with them firsthand! A third per- son I would love to have dinner with is President Barack Obama. I have been inspired by him as a public speaker and respected his tenure as our President. He is someone I look up to and would be proud and honored to have meet my daughters.

4. I come from a family of immigrants. My paternal grandmother, Ilene Matilda Magillan, was fully Irish. My maternal great grandmother traveled to the United States at the age of two from Poland. I grew up hearing my maternal grandparents and extended family speak Polish. I regret that I can only say a few words myself. I am also of German decent. My immediate family consists of my wife Kristen, and my two daughters, Piper (4) and Victoria (Tori) (2). We have a dog, Dobby, and two cats, Nemo and Rory. We love family vacations, game nights, cheering on the kids at their activities.

5. I was a 3-sport athlete in high school (swimming, volleyball and softball). I also played softball in college. I have spent several years coaching as well. You could say, I enjoy sports. I continue to play recre ational volleyball and softball. I also encourage my kids to participate in

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activities. I enjoy watching them take on new challenges and love to see their growth. We love to travel as a family.

Right now, our favorite place is the Great Wolf Lodge. My daughters can’t get enough of the kiddy slides. I have been fortunate to spend part of most of my summers in Oscoda, Michigan, where my grandparents have a lake house. Because of these experi- ences as a kid, I developed a real love and thirst for nature and the outdoors. I hope to continue that with my children.

6. Honestly, what I love to teach the most is teaching students how to overcome hurdles.

I think developing a strong foundation of study skills, organizational techniques, confidence builders, and time management skills are essential to students being successful in my classroom, but more importantly beyond. Helping students develop these transferable skills is really what it is all about. It is particularly rewarding when students recognize their growth and transfer it to other areas of their lives. I also love teaching balancing equations and Hess’s Law. These chemistry topics are often fun. Students often see them more like a game or challenge and that helps to create and keep interest in the course. Finally, one of the best things about teaching chemistry is the demos! A carefully placed and executed demonstra- tion can create the wow factor that helps interest students and drives their learning to a deeper level of understanding.

7. I think what I will like most about teaching at Roeper is the community. I believe teaching/learning is really a team effort.

I think Roeper has the right combination of stakeholders. When students take owner- ship and control of their learning, I believe their pride and success will show. I am excited to help that process for my students.

BRIANA LOTAN Briana Lotan is the Lower School Music Teacher.

Brianna has an extensive musical theater background, as well as expertise in providing vocal and piano instruction.

1. Adventurous, musical, silly, strong, exciting, and limitless.

2. Germany or New Zealand.

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3. Sutton Foster, FDR, and Freddy Mercury.

4. I was born and raised in Michigan, and my family members are like little gypsies; we like to travel and move around, but our roots will always be Michigan.

5. Anything with music or theatre! I love going to rock concerts! I also enjoy painting, reading, and traveling as much as I can.

6. I love to teach acting because kids explore all the reaches of their imaginations, all the while creating something special.

7. I think I will love teaching at Roeper because of the people I’ve met so far! Everyone is so friendly and warmhearted! I think what also makes Roeper so special is they believe knowledge is limitless and that kids can explore and try new things whatever their abilities might be. This is a value that I hold true to myself as well!

DUY MO Duy Mo is the new Middle School Math teacher.

This year, he will teach foundations, applications, and pre-algebra. He has a strong background in math and an even stronger passion for middle school.

1. If I could live anywhere for a year, it would have to be Kyoto, Japan. I had a chance to visit a couple of years ago, and the city has an amazing blend of traditional and modern architecture and places. I see myself buying a bike and casually riding in the more rural areas of the city everyday!

2. I would invite Keanu Reeves because of his unorthodox history and calm and cool demeanor. In history, I would definitely choose Teddy Roosevelt, as he wasn’t your run-of-mill president and had some truly outlandish stories from when he was alive.

My last person, and the most important one, is my mom, because she has always been there for me.

3. My parents escaped from Viet Nam in the late 1970s after the war. Coincidentally, they decided to leave the country on my eventual birthday off the coast of Vung Tau, a city just outside of Ho Chi

Briana Lotan

Duy Mo

Candace O’Leary

Blake Pynnonen

Minh City. After approximately 18 days without food out at sea with other Viet- namese boat-people, they arrived on an island off the coast of Malaysia, where they stayed as refugees for a number of months before being sponsored by the North Hills Christian Reformed Church to come to the United States, which is actually just down the road from the Roeper Birmingham campus. I am proud of what my parents accomplished and the sacrifices they had to make on their incredible journey to the United States.

4. I actively play and follow most major sports, love playing board games and video games, and am a huge tea enthusiast and mug collector. You will almost never see me without a mug or tumbler in hand!

5. I love teaching skills related to structure and understanding of Mathematics through retelling. Although it’s great to understand concepts or skills in Math, it’s an entirely different beast to be able to explain it to someone else in simple terms. After all, everyone will have different ways of solving or thinking about problems, and it’s important to be able to 1) gain those perspectives, and 2) explain your process to someone else. The latter is challenging, but it is something we will work on in my class!

6. Being able to develop meaningful relation ships with students and teachers is incre- dibly powerful, and with Roeper’s small class sizes, it’s entirely possible. Although my class focus will primarily be on developing critical- and problem-solving skills related to Math, I hope to set aside time in and outside of class to get to know my students’ interests and to engage in friendly everyday conversations.

CANDACE O’LEARY Candace O’Leary is teaching Art part-time in the Lower School, teaching Stage III Art. She has taught visual arts in Seattle and Detroit.

3. My Great Grandmother because I miss her stories, Beatrix Potter, and Harriet Tubman (but this may change tomorrow).

4. I grew up with five sisters (six girls/one bathroom) in Rochester Hills. Dinner was regular and family-based, and you ate what was served. Always had animals in the house, just cats and dogs and maybe a sprinkling of fish and hamsters. Moved quite a bit as a wee one.

5. Making art, knitting, baking (hope you all like to eat), cooking and cycling with my little man, Enzo.

6. Art is my specialization, but I also have a passion for poetry and writing in general, and social awareness.

7. I am open and flexible and have a wealth of information to share. I want to become a part of a family and culture and hope that Roeper will be the place for me to achieve this.

BLAKE PYNNONEN Blake Pynnonen has joined Laura Phillips as a Stage III Team Teacher. He has taught in Oakland County as well as in South Korea. One of Blake’s strengths is his ability to connect with and include all students.

1. Teacher by day, gamer by night.

2. Busan, South Korea.

3. Lawrence Kasdan, Jordan Peterson, Joseph Campbell.

4. I have a large extended family on both sides.

They are both based in Michigan. I love my cousins very much.

5. I play board games. I occasionally write movie reviews for a website. I like to cook.

6. I love teaching about the Hero’s Journey, because it is so widely applicable to literature and film.

7. I look forward to the curiosity and enthu siasm of Roeper students.

1. Mama, maker, baker, artist, thinker, listener.

2. So many places on this list, but maybe Greece, so that I could take in an entirely new culture and fortify my love for art history.

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JESIE QI Jesie Qi is teaming up with Debbie Bejune as a Team Teacher in Stage II. She is the parent of Lower School students Anka (Stage III) and Richard (Stage II), and she has taught Chinese language and culture in Kindergarten through 12th grade.

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2.

3.

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Diligent, reliable, cooperative, enthusiastic, resourceful.

My husband and my parents.

Maldives.

Playing table tennis, yoga, travel, photography, and watching movies.

5. Teaching math is always fun, creative and methodical. Math is related to everyone’s life. We need math every day in most things and activities. So, math can be taught in various ways around you. I believe my teaching will make students highly interested in math and develop a good math habit and become a math kid easily.

6. I love and believe in Roeper’s teaching philosophy. Teachers will help Roeper students find who they are and what they can do with full support from administrators.

SHOSHANNA UTCHENIK Shoshanna Utchenik is our full-time Lower School Art Teacher. She will teach Stage I Domes, Stage II and Stage IV Art. Most recently, Shoshanna was employed at the Grace Boggs School, which has a mission very much aligned with The Roeper School. She is an active and vocal proponent of social justice.

1. Create, love, work purposefully, play, connect!

2. In a scenic luxury tree house!

3. My late grandmothers Betty and Miriam, and my imaginary grandma Maya Angelou.

I would feed them something delicious, kiss them and thank them and sit back and learn how many different ways there are to be a phenomenal woman.

4. I was born in Detroit and have lived in Chicago and Ljubljana, Slovenia! I moved back to Detroit eight years ago, and my son Oskar and I love hanging out with friends and family, making food, singing on road trips, chilling on Belle Isle, and making each other laugh.

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5. Art, art, and more art! I am a puppeteer, and have worked in theater design and visual art. I often put these skills to work to build community connections and love hearing and sharing stories of different people’s lives. We learn so much about each other and ourselves when we get curious and inspired by our differences!

I am so proud of my communities of amazing artists in Detroit and Chicago, and love to support their shows and events as audience or collaborator. Over the last few years, I have spent a lot of time applying my sculpture skills to rehabbing my house on the east side of Detroit, and I’m finally getting to the fun projects like a mini-green house and rain barrels! It’s fun learning more about sustainable practices and self-sufficiency from Detroiters who are pros.

6. Puppetry arts are a passion of mine that many students have not been exposed to, so it is very exciting to share their enthusiasm as they discover the limitless potential of the medium. I also love to support students’ growing confidence as creative problem solvers. We all bring some self-doubt to the things we care about, so it is liberating to experience true creative ‘flow’.

7. I collaborated with the Roeper community as a visiting artist in the 75th anniversary celebration in 2017, and was excited about the deep conversations, community responsibility, and supportive relationships I experienced. When I moved back to my hometown in 2011, I promised myself I would live in close connection with others, and I think that is a shared value at Roeper.

I feel welcomed to be myself and share my skills and passions with the Roeper community, and I know we will create the same warm welcome for young artists in the Roeper Art Studio! F

Jesie Qi

Shoshanna Utchenik

STAFF PHOTOS BY ANTHONY MORROW

Emily Wine

Administrative Assistant to the Head

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NEW FACES ON THE BOARD This year, the Board welcomes the following new trustees:

FRANCIS ALLEN Francis, Class of ’21, joins the Board as the new Student Representative. He is active in Model UN, soccer, debate and forensics, and has served on Student Government since Middle School. Francis is also a member of many student clubs such as the Business Club, Homecoming Committee, and the FUN FUN FUN Committee.

His well-rounded Roeper experience helps him represent the students effectively.

CHERYL BLAU Cheryl is a graduate of the Class of 1980 and is the newest Alumni Representative. As a lifelong learner, Cheryl holds a Master’s degree in Education, a Master’s in Humanistic and Clinical Psychology, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. In addition to her work in research, educational training and curriculum development, Cheryl has been a classroom teacher for over 30 years in a variety of settings. The Board welcomes her extensive expertise and unique perspective.

KENNY MILLER The Board welcomes Kenny as the new Birmingham campus Parent Representative.

Kenny and his wife, Sarah, have two girls — Alexa (12th grade) and Elyse (8th grade). The Miller Family joined our community in 2014, and they’ve all been engaged and involved from the start. In his professional life, Kenny is the Director of Benefits and Rewards Operations at GM. The Board is grateful for the professional and personal experience Kenny brings to his trusteeship role. F

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Marcia Ruff

School Historian

THE ROEPER PHILOSOPHY: WHY STUDY IT?

“Emery (Pence) gave a Coffee Talk on the history, and he talked about the Roepers, both of whom he knew well,” Christine said, when asked recently about the origins of the classes. “I think he was deliberately letting the story seep into us, and we were all, how will we keep this going when the Roepers are gone? And he said, we should talk about that.”

A group of interested parents started “talking about that” during the 2010/11 school year with Emery, whose position at the time was Alumni Director and Philosophy Dude, and with me, who had become the School Historian in 2008. At the time, historical materials were not readily available, and definitions of the Roeper Philosophy were more personal and less rooted in primary sources.

At the same time, a number of factors had created uncertainty about the role of the philosophy at

the school. Two of the directors at the time were relatively new; the Head, Randall Dunn, was leaving after seven years for a headship elsewhere; and an Interim Head was coming in for the 2011/12 school year. In addition, Annemarie had become too frail to travel to the school as she had been doing over the years.

The committee members wanted to develop a solid understanding of the Roeper Philosophy and a common language so that conversations about decisions and policies were rooted in a mutual agreement about the meaning of the Philosophy.

By the end of the year, the committee, Emery, and I had developed a History and Philosophy class to be offered the next school year. It included a history of the people and ideas behind the development of our Philosophy; an exploration of the qualities that need to be present at the school for the Philosophy to thrive, such as respect, relationships, challenge, diversity, and empowerment; and scenarios of incidents that had occurred at the school that were discussed from the perspective of the Philosophy.

Enthusiastic crusaders, we designed the first History and Philosophy class as a six-hour class, broken into two three-hour sessions. (The class has since been pared down to three hours total.)

DOUG ELBINGER

This fall was the ninth year of the Roeper History and Philosophy classes. The classes were initiated in 2010 by RPC members, who formed a committee that was chaired by parent Christine Lyon.

Over the years, the classes have become a valuable way for parents, teachers and students to develop a deeper understanding of the Philosophy and, in turn, ensure that the Philosophy remains a core element of the school.

The Philosophy classes have become a valuable way for parents, teachers and students to develop a deeper understanding of the Philosophy and, in turn, ensure that the Philosophy remains a core element of the school.

At the Philosophy in Practice class held on November 9, teachers Aaron Robinson, Susannah Nichols, and Michelle Lane talked about the ways the Philosophy guides their curriculum choices, their relationships with their students, and their own personal development as teachers and people.

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pants to discuss their own understanding and experience of giftedness within the context of the Philosophy.

The classes have become an integral part of the school’s extensive Parent Education program. At the same time the Philosophy Committee was developing the classes, another parent, Nancy Nolan, stepped up to develop the Coffee Talks into the substantive educational opportunities we have today. The current RPC Vice President for Education, Megan Safford Nishiburi, works with the rest of the RPC leadership to provide enthusiastic insight, support and hospitality for the classes and Coffee Talks. And even though Emery retired at the end of the 2017-/8 school year, he continues to teach the classes, because each class is a chance to refresh our appreciation for the Philosophy through new perspectives.

This Philosophy is indeed a “living, breathing thing,” and it is deeply rewarding to study it so that we can in turn live it.

There were 52 attendees for the first classes in 2011, consisting of new and long-term parents, faculty, staff and board members.

Asked why they came, attendees listed a number of reasons: > > > >

to be able to articulate what makes this place different; to build a stronger, more knowledgeable parent community to support student and teacher efforts; to make sure we remain true to our Philosophy in the future; to better understand how the Philosophy comes into play in handling specific issues at the school.

Over the years, two additional classes were added.

The first was The Philosophy in Practice, in which teachers speak about the ways they incorporate the Philosophy into their teaching. The class was Christine’s brainchild. “I was very lucky at the time to be a young mother of three children and able to spend time at the school,” she said. “I knew that teachers had all these wonderful stories and that parents wouldn’t understand unless they learned it from the teachers themselves.”

The second class is The Intersection of the Philosophy and Giftedness, which allows partici-

It’s reassuring that the original goals for the class have continued to be relevant. Asked what she gained from attending this year’s History and Philosophy class, parent Lauren Stevenson said, “I really appreciated learning about the history of Roeper but also about the mission. I’ve been a part of the Roeper community for five years and sometimes you forget what initially drew you to the school as you’re dealing with everyday issues, so I appreciated that reminder.”

Another goal for the class has been to bring people together in the community, and that also continues to happen. New parent Ann Williams commented that she gained “a better understanding of the history and the Roepers’ mission for the school, and that it is a living, breathing thing. I met new people and felt accepted and appreciated.”

The Roeper Philosophy was shaped by the life experiences of George and Annemarie Roeper and Annemarie’s parents, Max and Gertrud Bondy.

They were confronted by the greatest crises of the 20th century and forced to leave their own country to make a life as refugees in the United States. Despite those experiences, they exuded a resilience and belief in the essential goodness of humanity and developed a warm, humanistic educational model to support and nurture that potential. This Philosophy is indeed a “living, breathing thing,” and it is deeply rewarding to study it so that we can in turn live it. F

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KIT

Linda Vernon

Student LIfe Coordinator

EXTRA-CURRICULAR EXPO Thirty-seven clubs and/or groups shared information with interested Middle and Upper School students at the annual Extra-Curricular Expo on Wednesday, September 18th.

“Every school year, the list of groups and clubs that participate in the Expo is different because our students’ interests and passions are ever-changing,” Student Life Coordinator Linda Vernon says. “The record-high number of offerings this year gives all Middle and Upper School students a wonderful variety of clubs to join and participate in.”

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Dungeons & Dragons — MS/US Magic & Trading Card Group — MS/US Minecraft — MS Smash Brothers — MS/US Robotics — MS/US Physics Club — US Fun Fun Fun — US Roeper Tabletop — MS/US Fishing Club — US NFL Talks & Takes — MS/US Student Diversity Advisory Committee — MS/US MUN — MS/US Black Student Union — MS/US Chess Club — MS/US Forensics — MS/US Sierra Club — MS/US UMOJA — MS/US Student Government — US

19. Jewish Student Union — MS/US 20. Girls’ Mentoring — MS/US 21. Book Club — MS 22. Young Adult Book Clubs — MS 23. Vegetarianism Club — MS/US 24. Writers’ Club — MS/US 25. The Muse — US 26. Amnesty International/MUN — MS/US 27. Pride Society (GSA) — MS/US 28. Roeper LSU — US 29. French Club — MS/US 30. Economics Club — US 31. Nintendo — MS/US 32. Quiz Bowl — US 33. Film Club — US 34. Asian Culture Club — MS/US 35. Roeper Theatre Company — MS/US 36. Once Upon A Show — MS/US 37. Roeper Improv Club — MS/US F

Above: Physics Club (L to R) — Andrew Blechman, Liliana Schechter, Calvin Watry, Christian Henderson.

DOUG ELBINGER

New clubs — including the Asian Culture Club, Fishing Club, D&D and the Roeper Improv Club — joined other long-standing groups, such as Fun Fun Fun, Robotics, Model United Nations, Sierra Club, Pride Society (formerly, Gay Straight Alliance), and the Black Student Union during the special event held in the Dennis Naas Commons and Café.

The recordhigh number of offerings this year gives all Middle and Upper School students a wonderful variety of clubs to join and participate in.

Below: Attracting new members into Robotics Club — Wendy Mayer, A.J. Owen, Ethan White.

EXPO PHOTOS BY KATE DeRONNE

Kari Papadopoulos

Director of Marketing & Communications

KIT

THE POWER OF BRANDING TOGETHER

CREOSOTE AFFECTS

Revealing Their Gifts This inclusive process revealed that Roeper offers what families of gifted children seek, but prospective parents do not always realize one or more key points:

• what “gifted” means and that it could describe

Why Roeper?

“When our son was in kindergarten in public school, we saw quickly that it wasn’t the right fit for him. He thought he was different from his peers, and couldn’t connect or relate to his classmates.

When he visited Roeper, he felt an immediate connection and found a community of like-minded peers and staff that made him feel at home instantly.”

— a parent

As a multifaceted school, Roeper represents a complex messaging challenge. In the near 30 years since Admissions and Marketing teamed up to create our last viewbook, a marketing tool used to recruit new families, a lot has changed: phones are no longer primarily for calling, CDs came and went, Google has all the answers, and Amazon has changed the way we shop. As technology evolves, how we communicate and the channels we use transform.

Understanding our key messaging, such as the value Roeper delivers every day to families, guides us in attracting new families and, consequently, in maintaining a dynamic community. So, when assessing and crafting our new messaging that speaks to today’s prospective parents, who better to consult than (a) faculty, about what we deliver to gifted students, and (b) current parents, about why they choose to be a part of the Roeper community?

Aristotle famously stated that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. There is no greater truth than when applying this notion to the organization of a learning institution. The Roeper Community understands Roeper the best. When we include everyone, trust one another, and strategically work together toward common goals, we grow and thrive as an institution. Our goal in the development of these marketing materials was to capture the authentic voices within our community.

With the guidance of an educational marketing firm, we conducted research of our competitive landscape, both local private and public schools, distributed questionnaires, and held on-campus interviews and discussion groups with faculty and current parents to develop key admissions messages that would attract and engage new families.

These messages then materialized into three marketing pieces: a Viewbook, a Fact Book, and a Community Referral Guide.

their child; • Roeper’s flexibility opens incredible challenge and achievement; • Roeper and “gifted education” are egalitarian and necessary, rather than elite.

Through intentionally crafted copy and photography capturing the student experience, the following creative rationale developed:

• Roeper must own the term “gifted” and shape positive perceptions of the term and what it could encompass.

• The story of being gifted is really a story of seeing and revealing a person’s gifts.

Recognition and care are essential.

From this rationale, the reality of how Roeper takes great care to reveal gifts that previously may have been hidden inspired the overall concept for the admissions viewbook.

Why Roeper?

from a teacher …

Roeper finds teachers whom they truly believe in and then allows them the freedom to teach their specialties, from their passions and strengths. This trust, one that is born of mutual respect, has allowed me the freedom to create a number of new classes.

Spread the Word Despite carefully placed printed advertisements and varied use of social media channels, word-ofmouth continues to reign as the most effective communication medium for Roeper. For this reason, we invite you to peruse our new materials at Roeper.org/Admissions and hope you will share your experiences with your family, friends and acquaintances. F

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KIT

Sarah Miller

President Roeper Parent Community

AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

HOSTED BY

RPC

ROEPERFEST

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2019 - BLOOMFIELD CAMPUS

PHOTOS BY SARAH MILLER

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KIT

PASSINGS

DEBRA KOVACH ’88

SIMBA LION ’97*

We recently learned of Debra’s passing back in January of 2011. Debra’s obituary shared that she faced her illness with a courageous spirit admired by all who knew her and loved her.

Simba Lion passed away on December 1, 2019, at the age of 40. He attended Roeper in middle school with the name Steven Hopps.

LINDA (ANDERSON) WYLLIE Linda was the Upper School French teacher from 1969 – 1983 and 1985 – 1986. She passed away at age 73 after battling a long illness. Linda also briefly taught at the French Institute of Michigan in Bloomfield Hills and ran after-school French programs at local elementary schools as well. Her knack for teaching led her to tutor both children and young adults in French.

She enjoyed playing the piano, sketching, gardening, nature and reading.

Linda also enjoyed traveling to the family cabin in Boyne Falls, where she could bird watch, hike and enjoy nature.

ADELE B. GRINSTEIN Adele passed away a week before Thanksgiving at the age of 99. She was one of the school’s earliest teachers, and she and her husband, the psychoanalyst Dr. Alexander Grinstein, were close friends of George and Annemarie. Adele started teaching in the Nursery School in 1944, when the school was still located on Pallister Avenue, and left in 1948 when her first son was born. She went on to have a long and notable career as a child psychologist. Her second son, Richard Grinstein, was a student at Roeper through second grade.

BARBARA BARTZ Barbara passed away from complications due to influenza B on January 5th in Pompano Beach, Florida, where she lived with her life-long love and partner Rick McKenzie. Above all Barbara was an educator. She fully believed in the Roepers’ teaching philosophy and felt at home at the school.

Actually, she didn’t describe Roeper as a job but as “entering another community” and, indeed, she spent two decades of her life there. She began as a grade-school teacher in 1969 and later was assistant to Annemarie and Lower School Director Pam Dart. She was also Middle School Director.

After retiring from Roeper in 1988, she taught English at Wayne County Community College. After retiring (a second time), she and Rick joined Pompano Proud, a civic beautification organization, where she quickly became president. In addition, Barbara and Rick regularly volunteered at Fern Forest and The Bonnet House. Barbara was modest but generous, determined but gracious, and she lived life on her own terms — values she hoped to pass on to her students.

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Juliette Olejnik

Direcotr of Alumni Relations & Annual Fund

Alumni KIT UPDATES

The ROEPER ALUMNI LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, established in 2018, is now in its second year! The Council’s mission is to develop, encourage, and grow alumni support for the School’s mission and to maintain and promote lasting and meaningful connections between the School and its alumni.

Members of the council, consisting of a diverse group of 14 alumni, are working on fun and creative ways to keep our alumni community engaged. Join The Roeper School Alumni Facebook group and follow roeperalumni on Instagram to stay connected.

Exciting things are in the works for 2020!

www.facebook.com/groups/roeperalumni

www.instagram.com/roeperalumni

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) unanimously selected University High School history instructor CHRIS BRADLEY ’86 ^ as the winner of the 2020 NSDAR Outstanding Teacher of American History award! Chris now advances on to the state competition, and, if selected as Indiana’s nominee in January, will be up for the national award.

^

From PHILIP HAGUE ’87 : Our family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, last year for me to take a role at 3M, leading the design teams for Post-it® and Scotch® brands. 3M is a remarkable company, and the opportunities are exciting. It was a big move for us after a few decades in Chicago, but Minnesota is beautiful and we’re slowly finding our place. Susan and I celebrated 26 years of marriage this summer. The adventure continues! Our kids are Jackson (20) and Sophia (15).

This year’s Roeper Alumni Leadership Council annual meeting was held on September 23, 2019. Members include: ARTHUR ENSROTH ’68, DAVID SHAPERO ’71, LORI LUTZ ’75, CHERYL BLAU ’80, MIRANDA BEEBE ’84, ANIKA MURPHY-WELLERE ’93, ERIC PETERSON ’95, ALANA GLASS ’97, TEGAN JONES ’01, ALEX DICKINSON ’04, CHARLAÉ WASHINGTON ’04, CHARLIE WHITE ’05, ALEX SIMS ’06, SHANI YAPAKIMPSON ‘08

^ Above: L to R — Alumni Council members Arthur

Ensroth ’68, Miranda Beebe ’87, Shani Yapa-Kimpson ’08, and Eric Peterson ’95 take a tour of the new Jimmy & Vi’s Kitchen at the Birmingham campus with Allison Mitchell, Resident District Manager/Chartwells.

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Congratulations to ANN MARSH-SENIC ’89, > three-time Olympic foil fencer, for winning a national championship title in fencing on July 2!

Longtime friends and Class of 1994 alumni, SAM HIRSCHMAN ’94 and JOHN McCOY ’94 visited the Detroit ^ Zoo with their daughters on July 2, 2019. From L to R: Sam’s daughter Madeline, John’s daughters Laurel and Lucy. Sam also has a 15-month-old son, Isaac, who was sick at home with mom, Stephanie Sheffield. Jamie (John’s wife) had the morning off.

< SAM

PHOTO COURTESY OF NICK HAGEN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

KOHLENBERG ‘99 recently earned his PhD in Applied Psychophysiology with a Clinical Concentration.

He is teaching, conducting research, and doing clinical work, and is an entering MEHP fellow at Johns Hopkins.

^ KIKI BOKUNGU LOUYA ‘01* was featured in

a New York Times article titled “16 Black Chefs Changing Food in America.” Kiki left Detroit to become a chef but returned to pursue a greater goal: At Folk and Farmer’s Hand in Corktown, social justice, local agriculture and food justice are priorities. Kiki noted: ALANA GLASS ’97, EDWARD GLASS ’95 and ERIC PETERSON ’95 represented Roeper at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France!

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We want to be your neighborhood bodega, but we also have this weird educational component, so we do a lot of explaining.

We are sourcing your food from local farms and purveyors, but we can still feed a family of four for $10. We pay a living wage, not just a tipped minimum wage. We have a hospitality charge, because this is what it actually costs to put the food on your plate.

Roeper Alumna SADE BENJAMIN ’04 ^, stopped by to say hello to Lori Zinser (left), Director of Admissions, and Denita Banks-Sims, Director of Development. Sade works as an Associate Educator for the Detroit Institute of Arts where she creates educator resources, leads professional development for teachers, and oversees the teen arts council.

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Roeper alumna JESSICA KAHN ’18 is President of Team Aquador at the University of Michigan. She has been working hard to develop and deliver clean, sustainable, and responsible water solutions to rural communities in Ecuador.

This year, she is joined by three other Roeperians: AMANDA MARGOLIS ’19, MADDY HARNER ’18, and BEN FISHER ’17. The team is currently working to design gray water recycling systems and water pumps that communities in La Bolivarense and Olmedo can build and maintain themselves.

Team Aquador focuses on creating solutions that foster independence and empowerment in target communities. F

L to R — University of Michigan’s 2019/20 Team Aquador, Maddy Harner ’18, Amanda Margolis ’19, Jessica Kahn ’18 and Ben Fisher ’17.

Alumna KATE ABBEY-LAMBERTZ ’05 < delivered inspirational remarks to students on the first day of school. As keynote speaker of the morning assembly for Middle and Upper School students, Kate shared stories about how attending Roeper has shaped her life. HANNAH (SCHOTTENFELS) REGALADO ’07 came in support of Kate, and they both had a chance to visit with teachers and check out the new renovations!

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Alumni

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50TH CLASS REUNION

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Roeper hosted its first ever 50th class reunion on October 19, 2019! Twenty-two alumni from the classes of 1968 – 1970, along with their significant others and a few teachers from the era, traveled from as far as Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey for a full day of activities. It was a wonderful and highly emotional event since many had not seen each other, or the school, for nearly 50 years. Attendees enjoyed a 1960’s schoolthemed lunch, tours of the Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham campuses, a special dedication of the new Jimmy and Vi’s Kitchen, historical highlights from our School Historian and an intimate reunion dinner. The Class of 1969 was Roeper’s first senior graduation class. However, because class sizes were so small at the time, a combined reunion was held including alumni who graduated in 1970 as well as those who would have graduated in 1968 (but Roeper only went up to 9th grade at the time). Asterisks (in lists and captions) denote alumni who attended Roeper but graduated from 12th grade at another school.

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1 - Alumni Relations Director Juliette Olejnik with Tess Schafer Sullivan ’69* and Denita Banks-Sims, Director of Development. 2 - From the top step: Gray Booth ‘69*, Marc Bergeron ’69, Michael White ’69, Lonnie King, Anne Peterson ‘70*, Michael Dinwiddie ‘73*, Bonnie Crawford, Marko Slusarczuk ’70, Dale Scarlett ’70, David Jaffe ’74, Arthur Ensroth ‘68*, Bob Russell ’69, Corey Krause ’70, Barbara Boraks Samson ’70, Curtis Blessing ’69, Linda Thomas ‘68*, Pete Crawford ‘70*, Keith Carpenter ‘68*, Tess Schafer Sullivan ‘69*, Debbra Herrmann, Bruce Rogge ‘70. 3 - Linda Thomas ’68*, Bob Russell ’69, Arthur Ensroth ’68*, Michael White ’69. 4 - Marko Sluszarek ’70, Ruth Rosen Greenwood ’70, Pete Crawford ’70*. 5 - Michael Dinwiddie ’73 and David Jaffe ’75 celebrate jimmy & Vi’s Kitchen. 6 - The gathering toasts the opening of Jimmy & Vi’s Kitchen. 7 - Alumni visiting with Roeper’s Middle/Upper School Librarian Cori Hatcher. 8 - Former Roeper football players holding an iconic photo of themselves placing one of the new Domes on its foundation. Curtis Blessing ’69, Michael White ’69, Dale Scarlett ’70, Peter Crawford ‘70*, Bob Russell ’69, Corey Krause ‘70. 9 - Rochelle McGowan, Alan McGowan (former faculty), Gray Booth ’69*, Anita Zaleski Weinraub ’69, Curtis Blessing ’69, Amanda Van Dusen. 10 - Riding the Roeper bus to the Birmingham campus. 11 - Barbara Boraks Samson ’70 & Pete Crawford ‘70* in front of what was their Middle Building Science classroom. 12 - A toast at the closing dinner to each other, the reunion & Roeper.

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Alumni

THREE WEDDINGS & A BABY Jennifer Martin ’03 & Jacob Moore married AUGUST 24, 2019 at

OTUS SUPPLY in FERNDALE CHRIS GLAZEK ’03 & BEN SHEPARD ’03 were in the wedding party.

DAN JACOBS, roeper faculty member, was the officiant.

Brendon Waters ’12 & Barbara Morris MARRIED ON JULY 1, 2019 at BRENDON’S PARENTS’ HOME ON WOLVERINE LAKE

AARON APPEL ’12 & ALEX PACIFICI ’12 stood up in the wedding along with brother & roeper alum NOLAN WATERS ’15 brendon & barbara are living in westland. brendon is a graduate student pursuing a phd in physics, and barbara has just completed her undergrad degree in electronic media and film studies.

Philip Lett ’00 & Kylie May MARRIED ON OCTOBER 18, 2019 IN FRASER, MICHIGAN BROTHER CORRAY LETT ’02, was in the procession. philip and kylie live in west bloomfield. philip works as a regional manager for a texas-based credit union.

COOPER ALEXANDER KIMPSON was born on

December 3, 2019 at 4:22am 6lbs 15oz • 22” long Best wishes to proud parents,

Shani Yapa-Kimpson ’08 & Joel Kimpson ’08 and to older siblings, Carter and Chloe!

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Denita Banks-Sims

Director of Development and Publications

KIT

PARTING THOUGHTS Dear Friends — MARK WRIGHT

Among the countless pinch-me moments from the recent 50th Year Reunion celebration of the Classes of 1968 and 1969 (our first fully matriculated graduating class), through the Class of 1970, was the remarkable and touching participation of former Roeper faculty members Richard Halsey, Sid Fox and Alan McGowan.

George Roeper was a constant and distinct persona for many alumni.

He was their teacher. The infinite influence of a teacher remains a cornerstone of the Roeper experience.

In 1969, George Roeper noted, “The happy child is one who daily looks forward to coming to school because there he finds teachers who respect him as an individual, where he is bound to make mistakes and learn from it, where he searches for the unknown and the unseen.”

It is equally compelling to know that George Roeper was a constant and distinct persona for many alumni.

He was their teacher. In the closing moments of the formal reunion gathering — thoughtfully designed by Alumni Relations and Annual Fund Director Juliette Olejnik — there was a presentation of an audio tape of George Roeper instructing students to consider a profound “ethical dilemma.” Hearing George’s voice was a gift to all and a palpable reminder of the infinite influence of a teacher. That influence remains a cornerstone of the Roeper experience, and it was a privilege to welcome back three practitioners that helped establish and nourish this distinctive educational tenet.

Fifty years following that very first 1969 commencement we paused … celebrated … and extended our heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of joining in this transformative commemoration.

Fondly,

Clockwise from above: Former faculty member Alan McGowan with Keith Carpenter ’68*. Dick Halsey, former teacher and Assistant Headmaster. Roeper’s first Athletic Director Sid Fox and his wife Cynthia.

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KIT

WE’RE SAVING A SEAT FOR YOU! The Performing Arts Department of The Roeper School invites and encourages you to join them for the following performances by our talented students …

Thursday, February 13 • 7pm STAGE IV CHOIR & BAND CONCERT Community Center Bloomfield Hills Campus

Friday, March 27 • 7pm RTC MIDDLE SCHOOL PRODUCTION Saturday, March 28 • 2pm & 7pm of Roald Dahl’s MATILDA, the Musical

Sunday, March 29 • 2pm

R. Dean Acheson Theater

Birmingham Campus

Wednesday, April 1 • 7pm MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS CLINIC R. Dean Acheson Theater A guest conductor will work with the bands Birmingham Campus in an open rehearsal format to improve performance.

Wednesday, April 22 • 7pm SENIOR SHOWCASE R. Dean Acheson Theater Features Seniors in Performing Arts Birmingham Campus

Tuesday, April 28 • 7pm ALL-SCHOOL DANCE CONCERT R. Dean Acheson Theater Features Lower, Middle & Upper School Dancers Birmingham Campus

Thursday, May 7 • 1pm & 7pm STAGE IV CHOIR MUSICAL PRODUCTION Friday, May 8 • 1pm & 7pm of HAIRSPRAY JR. Friday, May 17 • 1pm < Special performance for Grandparents Day R. Dean Acheson Theater Birmingham Campus

Wednesday, May 13 • 7pm SPRING CHOIR CONCERT Gymnasium Features Middle & Upper School Vocalists Birmingham Campus

Wednesday, May 20 • 7pm ALL-SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT Community Center Features Stage IV, Middle & Upper School Instrumentalists Bloomfield Hills Campus

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THE ROEPER SCHOOL

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 16 BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48304

41190 WOODWARD AVENUE BLOOMFIELD HILLS • MI 48304-5020 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Save the Date!

Mariann Hoag Scholarship Dinner

Saturday Evening 18 April 2020 Detroit Zoo’s Butterfly House

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