THE MAGAZINE OF VILLAGE SCHOOL
WINTER 2022
Director of Physical Education, Health, and Wellness Paul Pettigrew launched the Dimensions of Wellness program during Monday Morning Meeting. Every member of the student body, faculty, staff, and administration participates in our Dimensions of Wellness: mind-body connection, hydration, exercise, mindfulness, meditation, breath, sleep, joy, play, and gratitude. As a community, we focus on each one of these specific elements for a month at a time, with the goal of naturally incorporating life-long healthy practices into our daily lives.
At
Village, our ability to develop the potential of each individual while cultivating a strong community and authentic sense of togetherness is unparalleled. The pages that follow reflect and celebrate our commitment to our students, faculty, staff, and every family we serve. Educational excellence, social-emotional and physical wellness and the development of a questing spirit emanate throughout our hallways and classrooms. We share stories, discuss events, and develop rich and fulfilling relationships with one another in an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity and healthy respect for all points of view. Village helps our students construct a balanced life full of meaning, one that serves our values of trust, caring, respect, responsibility, fairness, and courage. We are a Village with a common goal, with a shared desire to raise the next generation of thoughtful, resilient, critical thinkers within a school community steeped in wonder and joy; we also embrace the appropriate and necessary challenge to foster grit, perseverance, and a deep sense of empathy in every unique and beautiful child. Read on and enjoy! John Evans Head of School
WINTER 2022
F E AT U R E S 14 16 18
Dimensions of Wellness Dreaming in the DREAM Studio Your Brain on Music
D E PA R T M E N T S 2 10 20 24
Around the School Voices Alumni The Big Picture
ON THE COVER First Grade students Celine, London’Marie, Guilio, and Sonnet demonstrate their tree yoga poses. Now a part of our expanded physical education program, yoga is one facet of a whole child approach. Mental, physical, and emotional health are important to overall well-being.
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
1
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Social Awareness in the First Grade
F
irst grade is a time of growing social awareness and empathy in the world around us, learning what makes communities stronger and what it means to feel accepted in different spaces and places people visit. Something that all first graders can deeply understand is play. Playing with friends, old and new, inside and outside of the school, no matter where, children know how to engage in play and have fun. Over the course of this year, first graders are thinking about how to be inclusive and how the world can be more inclusive, all through the lens of play. Using this concept of play, the first graders deepen their understanding of the community around us by investigating parks and playgrounds to see how accessible they are. While examining similarities and differences between individuals, students apply their knowledge to assess the playground’s accessibility.
have learned “signStudents language, spoken with
puppets in wheelchairs, and seen videos of what an accessible playground looks like and its impact on children’s lives who might not have had an opportunity to play with others before.
”
Students are looking to see if the playgrounds have ramps, paved sidewalks, handicap-accessible bathrooms, signage with braille and/ or speakers, various types of swings, and interactive games. First graders are visiting a total of eleven playgrounds across the Los Angeles area,
2
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
First Grade students analyze the accessibility of the Malibu Bluffs Park playground, taking notes and researching what kinds of improvements could be made to make the playground more accessible for all children.
investigating what they do and do not see. Using the knowledge they have gained from the field trips, students are creating their own accessible park feature. Additionally, they are writing letters to city planners, architects, and disability committees explaining their accessible features and their importance in parks and playgrounds throughout the Los Angeles area. The
goal of the culminating project is for students to carry this knowledge of accessibility and inclusivity into their day-to-day lives, continuing to make the community a better and more welcoming place. —Meredith Miller, 1st Grade Teacher
Students move beyond “traditional note-taking
the upper division Math Program
I
n fifth and sixth grades, students begin the process of learning to be more independent and resilient academically and socially, and the Upper Division math program complements these skills while building on foundations introduced in primary grades.
One of the ways this is accomplished is by creating a highly collaborative environment. Research shows that active learning happens when students use whiteboards and erasable wall surfaces to analyze concepts in visible ways. As a result, students are more engaged and can see their classmates’ various methods to find solutions. When students can engage with this diversity of thinking, they expand their mathematical toolbox. We have transformed our
classrooms to allow for this and other contemporary best practices. Students move beyond traditional note-taking strategies creating notes that work for them. We encourage students to take notes differently from other core academic areas. We show visual models and examples, encouraging students to develop a graphic representation that will help them reference and reflect on new information when needed. Finally, Upper Division math is
strategies creating notes that work for them. We encourage students to take notes differently from other core academic areas. We show visual models and examples, encouraging students to develop a graphic representation that will help them reference and reflect on new information when needed.
”
highly differentiated and adapts to meet the needs of all students. After lessons, students choose the type of practice they want to complete. This process empowers participants and gives them a choice between lesson level practice, advanced practice, or review of prior concepts. In this model, students can collaborate, push themselves, and reflect on what they need to work on while classroom teachers hone in to provide additional one-on-one support for students who are still developing understanding. When students are allowed to take ownership over their learning, they often push themselves and actively seek out challenges. Our main goal is to inspire, educate, and empower students to succeed in their current and future math classrooms. Our classroom maximizes learning opportunities as we engage our students and help them develop a love for math. Additionally, we focus on fostering growth mindsets, preparing students for the rigors of middle school math. —Erica Nicholson, Upper Division Math Teacher
Fifth grader Riley working on the addition and subtraction of decimals. Research has shown that working on a vertical space is more engaging and challenging for students. VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
3
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Great Minds Speaker Series A Conversation with Dr. Dan Siegel
Third grade students, inspired by Kate DiCamillo’s writing, work on character development by writing as if they were in conversation with a friend.
Kate DiCamillo’s Stories Connect Us
G
rowing up as a child, Kate DiCamillo relied on stories to understand the world and find her voice. Today, this is precisely what her writing does for children and adults alike across the globe. Kate’s books share the themes of hope and belief amid impossible circumstances, gained through forgiveness, redemption, bravery, love, and loss. So how does an author breach such overarching concepts of the human experience in a way that readers of all ages can access, enjoy, and extrapolate meaning? By meeting the reader right where they are. As students read Kate’s writing, they come to know, understand, and empathize with the characters through creative descriptions. It is as if Kate is talking to us like an old friend—openly, honestly, and sincerely. In third grade, our writing projects strive to motivate students to choose their words in a way that reflects their character’s attributes both internally and externally, in the same manner that they would tell a friend or classmate who the characters really are. Through guided and creative writing exercises, students develop their own voice through their character descriptions and continue through their stories’ rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion. When students can vividly describe their characters’ intrinsic and external motivations, we understand better the decisions and choices they will make throughout the story. Finding your voice is no easy task. But enjoying Kate DiCamillo’s books is a perfect place to start for inspiration!
Recently the Village School Great Minds Speaker Series hosted internationally acclaimed author, educator, and child psychiatrist Dr. Dan Siegel. As a parent of three young children as well as a mental health professional myself, I found the discussion to be unexpected, profound, and incredibly insightful. Dr. Siegel began with his take on the state of our world, and his summation was unapologetically bleak while being brutally honest. As parents, we have the almost impossible responsibility of launching our children into a world utterly disrupted and disturbed. How do we ensure they will be buffered and be any different? We start by healing our unresolved trauma and prioritizing true meaning—being of service and cultivating meaningful relationships. Our children’s
—Dr. Zelana Montminy, Village School Parent
—Julie Mazzaferro, 3rd Grade Teacher
4
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
inner compass will ultimately be their saving grace. This solid inner compass is a product of secure attachment. This can only occur when a child feels seen, safe, soothed, and secure. We are human and will understandably make mistakes along the way. However, the key is to then communicate and repair our blunders to cultivate an honest and integrated relationship with our children. How can we support our children in becoming the best versions of themselves? By prioritizing adequate sleep above all else, focus time, downtime, and play. Children need to have both “time in” when they can reflect and have active time to move their bodies, ideally outside in nature. Ultimately, we are one human family on this one planet of ours, Dr. Siegel said. Love our kids enough to support them while giving them enough space to find their inner drive. This is no easy task, but thankfully, we’re in it together. We are lucky to have each other to lean on in this special community – we are all here because of the extraordinary privilege we have of being a parent.
Dr. Dan Siegel spoke of parents’ responsibilities to nurture, guide, and model grit and resilience, as they prepare to launch healthy children into an unknown future.
Student Council gathered in the library, enveloped by chains of gratitude notes written with love by the Village community.
The Village Community Connects With Gratitude Student Council launched a school-wide project during a Monday Morning Meeting in November; Lily, Alexis, and Max read Elaine Vickers’s book, Thankful. It features a little girl who writes on paper links; she jots down all the many things for which she is grateful and then assembles the links to form a glorious chain of gratitude. The book, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill, inspired Student Council to do something similar at Village that included all students, teachers, staff members, administrators, and members of VSPA to represent parents. Participants were encouraged to write a note on a link or two, say something they are grateful for, or write the name of
someone in their thoughts, a wish, or a hope. VS students are thankful for so many things; here’s a snippet! “...dogs & cats & snakes & horses & turtles & fish & frogs; for air, eyesight, good people & kindness; for the earth, Village School and Village School teachers who are preparing us for
Participants were “encouraged to write
a note on a link or two, say something they are grateful for, or write the name of someone in their thoughts, a wish, or a hope.
”
our hard lives as adults; for doctors and scientists—our superheroes; for friends, for our houses—for a roof over my head, a place to sleep, my bed, my room; for Costco, sports, video games, hope, food & water, golf, and smoke detectors; for everything, for books, the sun, being “me,” laughter; for hot-air balloons, for Hawaii, Georgia, Texas, N Carolina, Utah, Oregon, and, most of all, VS kids are thankful for their mums and dads, for their brothers and sisters, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, they are so very thankful for their families. And Village is thankful for each and every one of you! —Annie Block, Assistant to the Head of School and Director of Secondary School Placement
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
5
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Baby2Baby Shares Bounty
O
ur Baby2Baby project was a huge success. The first time Village was able to participate, the response was resoundingly positive and genuinely representative of the Village Giving Spirit. Baby2Baby provides children living in poverty with diapers, clothing, and all the basic necessities every child deserves, especially presents this holiday season. John Evans, Head of School, sat down with two of our students, Mila and Elle, to hear about their engagement with this service-learning project.
Mr. Evans: Girls, tell me about your experience with Baby2Baby and what you liked best about this project.
Elle: I think what was most exciting to discover is that we had so many things in common. We like games, Barbies and basketball. Mila: Our mom printed out papers that had our kids’ favorite colors, things they liked to do, hobbies and favorite snacks. Elle: I really like gift giving. Our first night of Hannukah was all about giving to someone else, which made receiving gifts on the other seven nights even better. Mila: I like to imagine them smiling when they see all the stuff under their tree. I hope they like it. Elle: Some of the things we were able to buy were supplies like hand sanitizer and socks, so those things might not be as exciting, but it felt good to shop for things they needed. Mila: I picked the game Candyland because it is my favorite and I wanted to share my favorite thing with someone else. Elle: We have a lot in our community. We are fortunate. Giving back to other people in this way made me feel really good and I want to do it again next year. Mila: Me too. I want to do it for more kids next year.
Mila and Elle talk to Head of School John Evans about the joys of giving.
6
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
TK students Charlotte, Shepard, and Caroline show their life-sized “Mini-Me” collage self-portraits that were displayed during the musical Winter Showcase.
Winter Showcase Dazzles All
F
or many of us, the month of December signals the beginning of holiday routines. It is the beginning of a season characterized by feelings of familiarity, comfort, and coziness, a time when you are guaranteed to hear “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” playing through speakers in stores, your car, and at home. At Village, for our Visual and Performing Arts department, December is indeed the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, as it was a fantastic opportunity to collaborate and their effort resulted in a magnificent Winter Showcase. Over three days in mid-December, audiences were captivated by TK and Kindergarten classes singing songs like “Winter is Coming” and First Graders singing “Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah.” Second Grade, the “rhythm experts” performed a Cha-Cha version of “Carol of the
Drum,” while the Third Grade demonstrated their work with melody in the song, “I Have a Little Dreidel.” Day Two’s finale saw the Fourth Grade rendition of the Hanukkah song, “Light One Candle.” Finally, Fifth Grade explored song lyrics and wrote them in standard forms, presenting their final piece at the showcase. Sixth Graders wrote short scenes with an awareness of a social issue, demonstrating a balance between empathy and action to introduce their song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” In addition to grade-level performances, our Prelude, Junior, and Senior singers capped off each day’s presentation. With the gym doors wide open, fairy lights hanging above, and singers on stage, audience members could look around the space and see a selection of art projects inspired by Picasso’s “The
“
With the gym doors wide open, fairy lights hanging above, and singers on stage, audience members could look around the space and see a selection of art projects...
”
Old Guitarist” and our artist of the year, Mark Bradford. Important aspects of collaboration include tapping into various perspectives and ideas and sharing responsibility for our students’ learning. The student-generated pieces on display represent the importance of teamwork and demonstrate how our students are encouraged to take risks, explore, and play in their artmaking. Our Winter Showcase was an excellent opportunity to gather as a community and celebrate the efforts and talents of our students. To borrow a few lines from Andy Williams that seem to ring especially true, “Hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” —Dr. Kenzo Bergeron, Director of Teaching and Learning
Second grader Leo climbs the fire ladder wall all the way to the top at Sender One Climbing Gym.
A Surprise Lesson in Village Values
W
e took the kids to Sender One (a climbing gym) on a recent weekend for the first time since COVID. It took Leo literally eight times to get up this fire ladder wall, with a lot of determination. Leo was very proud of himself—as were his parents. He did not give up. Tonight he shared this story with Terin’s parents, and I asked him
what it took for him to keep on going. He said, “courage.” I said, “Wow,” I love that. Why did you pick the word courage?” He said, “Because that is a Village Value daddy!” Pretty Magical! —Jason Ratner, Village School Parent
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
7
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Student Council Commitment and Privilege to Serve and to Lead by Annie Block, Student Council Co-Advisor
Sixty-five students, 3rd through 6th Grade, ran for Student Council this year—for the offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary, and Class Representatives. That equates to 43% of the student body in Grades 3-6! The level of participation speaks volumes; VS has a safe, supportive, and inspirational environment where kids want to get involved, share their voices and venture into student leadership. This year’s Student Council comprises President Lily (6th), Vice President Alexis (5th), Secretary Max (4th), and 25 class representatives who report to their respective classes as well as bring suggestions to the council. As President, Lily is automatically her class representative upon graduation. Student Council advisors Annie Block and Sara Singsank work with students to develop projects associated with service learning, wellness, the environment, and campus culture. The goals are to make connections and to have a meaningful impact for the good of the community. Whether reading a story during Monday Morning Meeting reflecting
one of Village’s Dimensions of Wellness, or assembling backpacks for students in need, or presenting to VSPA, or dreaming up fun ideas for spirit days, there is a vast array of opportunities for our students to make connections and to have a positive impact. Student Council Election Day: As students prepared to give their speeches, advisors were privileged and gratified to witness the spirit of camaraderie. “We are so proud of our Student Council candidates and the
2021–2022 Student Council members look forward to a year packed with community involvement and fun activities.
8
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
presentations they shared in the gym via Zoom; they were all outstanding! From the moment they gathered in the Learning Garden, the atmosphere was electric, and the snippets of conversation we overheard reflected our students’ character, courage, and thoughtfulness. They were practicing their speeches with each other, providing encouragement, and cheering one another on. Every Village Value was palpable!” ▼
Student Council Mission and Purpose Student Council is an organization conducted by students and supervised by adults to present opportunities for leadership development and connectedness Lily
Student Council President Lily joined VS
just this year! Her swift and happy integration into the community speaks to the spirit of welcome, belonging, and inclusivity that we enjoy at Village. Lily shared some reflections about the past few months. “I ran for office because it felt like an amazing opportunity. I was the president at my old school, and it was amazing—and of course, I wanted to do it again! I love to be with people, set a good example, and make an impact. At my old school, there was never a girl president before me during the years I was there. Even though I am sure there have been many girl presidents at Village, that still made me want to run. Student Council means so much to me. It means getting opportunities to learn and grow, getting
Alexis
to be a leader, and so much more. It means getting to leave your mark and being kind. Anyone can make a difference. On Student Council, you are in the place to make suggestions and state opinions that could become a reality. I am not saying that everything you suggest will 100 percent happen, but you can always try. You can bring good to the world no matter what. Love is ubiquitous at this school and on the Student Council. I support anyone who would like to run, and students should definitely think about joining. No matter what position you take, you can make a difference.” Vice President Alexis
decided to run for office to, “…prove that I can make a change. I can make a difference in our
within the community.
Max
The Council is designed to further the Village
community by treating people kindly, respectfully and being a good friend and student. I can make a difference in the world by helping those who need help.” Secretary Max is
Mission and Values through service, leadership, initiatives, projects, and activities in an environment where all voices are encouraged, heard, and respected.
dedicated to his office; “I can make a difference on the student council by presenting ideas such as Movie Night. I represent the Village community by keeping in touch with the student body and bringing their ideas to the meetings. We can make a difference in the world by sending letters to veterans to thank them. Also, by learning how to be great citizens of Village, we can grow up to become great citizens of the world...In other words, the winner is not ye who is greater than all others. It is ye who looks up to justice and is, therefore, a true leader.”
Council members share student ideas, interests, and concerns in a collaborative partnership with school advisors. The overriding mandate is to imagine and cultivate best practices in terms of leadership and service for the betterment and benefit of the school culture and ethos.
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
9
VOICES
STUDENT VOICES The Rewards of Service
Through the Boy Scouts, I am an Activist in My Community
Sixth grader, William is proud of his scouting accomplishments thus far and looks forward to future adventures, achievements, and service opportunities.
“I just like helping people; it makes me feel good.” 10
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
It is a warm Autumn afternoon, around the last week of September. I am getting ready for my Boy Scout meeting as part of the local troop, Troop 223. I am excited to see my friends and leaders. Today, we are doing a community service project—we do many of them, such as collecting canned food or cleaning up trash at the park. Today, we are filling backpacks with school supplies for children who can’t afford them. Tomorrow, we will deliver them. “William!” my dad yells. “We’re gonna be late!” I race downstairs and jump into the car. We arrive at the meeting just in time to recite the Scout Oath and Law. After that, we say the Pledge of Allegiance, and then get dismissed to our patrols. The Arrow of Light pin on my uniform glints in the light as we head to our patrol meeting to plan upcoming events. The Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouts and the only award that can be displayed on any Scout uniform. It’s a high honor to receive it because so few Cub Scouts achieve it. To earn the Arrow of Light, I had to complete certain requirements in the Scout Book and exceed the required merit badge work—it took me nearly two years to earn it. Some of the requirements include cooking, home repairs, fitness, and safety. After four and a half years in Cub Scouts, I am now a Tenderfoot Scout. Next year, I will be a Second-Class Scout which means that I will be leading younger Scouts. I am very active in Boy Scouts and participate in many events including weekly meetings, monthly campouts, and community service. I am not alone— my whole family has a history of being involved too. As a matter of fact, my great grandfather was a Scout leader, my two uncles are both Eagle Scouts, and my dad is an Assistant Scoutmaster. It feels great to carry on this long legacy. I am very inspired by their hard work and dedication. To me, Scouting isn’t just an activity; it’s a lifestyle. I have tried so many new things in Scouting. For example, I have learned boating, rowing, and water skiing. I like being in the water and on top of the waves. In fact, I learned how to surf with my patrol
PARENT VOICES Village School Book Club and recently completed a sailing course outside of Scouting. Earlier this year, I completed the Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges, which benefited me in sailing because I was acquainted with the safety precautions and requirements. I also learned many knots that are necessary for boating, sailing, and many other activities, not just aquatic ones. Without Boy Scouts, I do not know if I would be such a good sailor. Boy Scouts also participate in many events. One major event is the Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade, where I carry a banner along with my fellow Scouts. We go on monthly campouts or backpacking trips where we set up and sleep in tents and cook our own food on a propane grill. We do fun activities depending on the location such as ziplining in the San Bernardino National Forest, rock climbing in Joshua Tree, and inner tubing on Lake Buena Vista. My favorite summer campout is a week at Camp Emerald Bay located on beautiful Catalina Island where we snorkel, kayak, and hang
A goal I have for the future is to help my “community clean up our local park. Our park is very nice but it is littered with trash despite the fact that there are trash cans everywhere! I think that the park is for everyone and that it should be clean.
”
As a lifelong reader, one of the few things I enjoy more than reading a great book is talking to other people about that great book. The characters! The plot twists! The ending! I love to hear what other people are reading and share book recommendations with friends. The absolute best is discovering that someone else has read the same book and getting to chat about how they experienced the story. I had always wanted to start a Book Club at Village School, and with everyone stuck at home last year, the pandemic gave us the perfect opportunity to try it out. We researched and found a phenomenal moderator, announced the first book, and waited to see how it would go. When dozens of people showed up to our first meeting, we knew we had hit on something great! So far, the Village School Book Club has met six times—most recently in person!—and has become a place where people can connect in a new and special way. We have read funny books, thoughtful books, short story collections, and books that created an opportunity for our community to have meaningful conversations and dialogue that may not have happened otherwise. The Village School Book Club has brought together parents from all grades, along with faculty, staff, and administrators, and allowed us to learn about ourselves and each other in a unique way. I am looking forward to this new tradition continuing.
out under the stars. It’s so much fun and is a great reward for all of our hard work during the year. A goal I have for the future is to help my community clean up our local park. Our park is very nice but it is littered with trash despite the fact that there are trash cans everywhere! I think that the park is for everyone and that it should be clean. So, as part of my community service with the Boy Scouts, I would like to organize a park clean-up to make sure it’s safe for my family, friends and community. I am also planning to assemble and deliver hygiene kits for Veterans in need this holiday season. Overall, I hope that I can make the community a better place, with community service, both in and outside of Scouts.
—Lisa Weinberger, Village School Parent
—William, 6th Grade
These are a few books the Book Club enjoyed reading and discussing.
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
11
VOICES
F A C U LT Y V O I C E S These Teachers Create Safe Spaces to Learn and Connect Jane Sheppard, who brought the Letter Land phonics and letter recognition program to Village 20 years ago, has returned “home” to Village as the TK Lead Teacher. Alex Chehebar is a seven-year Village veteran and the Upper Division Global Studies teacher. Jane and Alex reflected on their approaches to teaching our youngest and oldest learners, the scaffolding of skills and expectations built into the curriculum, and a student’s journey through the academic program at Village.
Jane Sheppard What is the best thing about being a TK teacher?
The children’s excitement about learning.
What is the last thing a student has done that really made you proud?
A student who has begun to “guess spell” and realized that she can now communicate with me with her writing.
What skills do you want your TKers to take with them into the rest of their careers at Village School?
It all goes back to a love of learning and being able to use their words to communicate with their peers and teachers. I also want them to take ownership of their learning and understand their responsibilities as a Village student.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I want children to be happy to be here and comfortable in our classroom. When they are comfortable and happy, they are ready to learn. It creates a confidence that I can see in how they hold their bodies, the words they use, and in how the communicate. How do you approach inspiring your students to be lifelong learners?
I’m excited to learn right alongside them! When their lightbulbs go off, especially when they have those a-ha moments, we all celebrate together. How would you describe Village students?
Bright, kind, caring, and inclusive.
What do you like being able to do with TKers that is unique to that age?
I love how fresh and new they are at this age! They are excited about everything! We can have fun, play, sing and dance as we learn. 12
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
Jane Sheppard enjoys celebrating lightbulb moments with her students.
PARENT VOICES
Alex Chehebar’s exuberance for life and learning matches his students’ excitement and curiosity in the classroom.
Alex Chehebar What is the best thing about teaching in the upper division?
I love that they bring a great deal of knowledge with them into the classroom and I’m able to engage with them in ways that appeal to their interests and passions. I also love that they can start looking at parts of history, like original sources, that allow them to learn as historians, not bystanders. What is the last thing a student has done that really made you proud?
Recently my students made some really thought-provoking observations about how we can look at the moral and ethical codes of ancient civilizations through the lens of our current systems and the progress we have (or haven’t) made. I was also proud when the 6th graders were able to think really abstractly about the motivations of cave paintings and make connections with what they are reading in literature. What is your teaching philosophy?
It’s first and foremost about connecting with the kids. I want to create a warm and safe environment where they feel safe to talk about difficult or challenging topics. How do you approach inspiring your students to be lifelong learners?
of life. I also show them that the world is expansive and interconnected so that they are able to find passions within anything. How would you describe Village students?
Excited, full of life, kind, and curious. They understand how to build community. What do you like being able to do with the upper division that’s unique to that age?
It’s exciting to let them know that I see they are ready for a more intellectual approach to their learning. It’s also fun for me because there’s a lot of crossover with what I’m interested in and what they are. I quite often find myself more informed at the end of the day because of them. What skills do 5th and 6th graders enter the Upper Division with that help them succeed?
They are good at asking questions about what they want to know more about because their inquisitiveness has been rewarded at Village. They are willing to explore deeper, to go beyond what’s in the book. —interviewed by Ashley Mooney, Director of Admissions
I model exuberance so that kids see that it’s okay and they can take cues from me in realizing that learning isn’t just for one part of your life, it’s how you approach the whole VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
13
Dimensions of Wellness by Dr. Kenzo Bergeron, Director of Teaching and Learning
This school year, Village is purposefully focusing on wellness practices to equip our students, their families, and our faculty and staff with strategies to carry them through times of both stress and ease. Undoubtedly, there is harmony found in shared purpose, which is why we are committed to our yearlong theme, Be Well, and our Dimensions of Wellness Initiative.
top: Ashley Hawkins, creator of “The Hawk Method,” has been working with Village students and staff to teach her integrative practice of dance, fitness, and yoga. bottom: Second grade students work with Hawkins to practice yoga.
14
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
Much of the early success of the year-long focus on wellness hinges on the collaboration between our phenomenal Physical Education and Wellness team and Ashley Hawkins. Ashley is the creator of “The Hawk Method,” an integrative practice that combines dance and fitness with yoga therapy. Ashley believes in allowing students to explore being present in the moment through patient, safe, and gentle guidance. Moreover, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to co-create a mindfulness practice specific to Village School, noting, “The seeds we are planting [for Village students] will continue to blossom, and they can use this as an application for all they do.” In conversation about her practice and navigating the tensions of the contemporary moment, Ashley said that it feels like a literal Village of people are waking up and saying, “this is how I want to live and how I want to be in the world.” Perhaps things have been accelerated by the Pandemic, but wellness practitioners like Ashley
Kindergarten Parent Nousha Salimi teaches Kindergarten students mantras to refocus their breathing during a mindfulness and meditation session.
describe the shifting focus from productivity to vulnerability. Ashley believes this encourages a renewed focus on preventative measures that she believes are important and should be incorporated into school curricula from a wellness perspective. “More than anything, I want students to feel empowered that they have the personal capacity to choose to be and live well.” We are so lucky to reap the benefits of Ashley’s teachings and are excited about the profound impact it will have on our school, its programs, and the wider community. ▼
Kindergarten Meditation by Jordan Levine, Kindergarten Teacher “I am a kind friend,” whispered 13 little exhaling voices. They took another deep breath in and again out came, “I am a kind friend.” Parent Nousha Salimi (Rumi, KL) gave the students this mantra during our first mindfulness and meditation session. Even at the young ages of five and six, children reap the benefits of finding their center, embracing stillness, and refocusing their breathing. Honing these skills at a young age helps our students through moments of frustration while working, peer negotiation, and big feelings. During our sessions with Nousha, Kindergarteners also closed their eyes while clutching crystals to channel healing energy and love to the people in their lives. Children are the center of their universe at this age, and it takes regular practice to orient themselves as a part of a bigger community. By taking a moment to reflect on the needs of others, students strengthen their empathy and recognize their impact on the wider world.
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
15
Dreaming in the DREAM Studio by Christine Eaves Innovation & Academic Technology Coordinator
16
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
In the DREAM Studio, 5th graders listened to sleep stories and napped to find inspiration for their own sleep stories, which they wrote and recorded under the guidance of writing teacher Mr. Lind.
S
leep is crucial to wellness for all living beings, yet many struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night. Focusing on health, wellness, and self-care, our 5th graders examined the importance of sleep.
Anxiety, fear of the dark, or monsters under the bed can make going to sleep a dreaded ritual for children or grownups. I suffer from insomnia and frequently wake to worry about irrational things. I started listening to “sleep stories” during quarantine through the Calm app. I was amazed at how impactful these stories were on my ability to relax and fall asleep. A sleep story is unique. It is free of conflict, without problems to resolve, nor antagonists to defeat. It is simply a richly descriptive, sensory-filled, immersive, and vivid journey described by a gentle narrator. Their voice is soothing, speaking at a deliberately slow cadence giving the listener many opportunities to drift off to sleep before the end of the story. Imagining that sleep stories would make for an incredible creative writing project for our 5th graders, I reached out to writing teacher Mr. Lind to further develop the idea of turning the DREAM Studio into a sleep, writing, and recording laboratory. Students were encouraged to bring pillows and blankets to class to “research” how sleep stories worked by listening to them and
intentionally falling asleep in class. The students learned to write their own impressive sleep stories under the guidance of Mr. Lind. Many students dug deep into their memories of beautiful experiences they’d had as inspiration for their work. They took us to warm beaches at sunset, mysterious mountains, and lonely city streets on a winter’s night. Some students wrote pure fiction and gave the most creative settings. We found ourselves in deep space, hurling past every planet in the universe, and even traveled across the sea from within the belly of a whale. Once written, the students used GarageBand to record and edit their stories. Some students chose to carefully narrate their stories, while some had a family member or teacher read for them. The narration is a performance, so it’s essential to have the right voice for your sleep story. In March, we will share these recorded stories with our school community when our wellness focus lands on Sleep. We hope you listen to a new story each night with your family and find helpful and pleasant benefits from our students’ creative work. Sleep well! ▼
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
17
Your Brain On Music by Greg Whitmore, Music Teacher
Last August, legendary crooner Tony Bennett performed his final concert at Radio City Music Hall, where he sang many beloved songs in the American Songbook to 20 standing ovations. What the audience didn’t see were the moments backstage when he had to be reminded of the setlist and two days later when he couldn’t remember that he had performed the concert at all.
18
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
A
bout a year ago, Bennett’s family announced that he has Alzheimer’s. While difficult news by any stretch, Bennett’s performance represents the positive long-term impact that engagement with music has on the brain—in his case, to quite literally open up his personality via pathways of music memory when other things were forgotten. Music at Village focuses on four key elements from the Orff approach—Sing, Play, Create, Dance. Music teachers have long observed the positive impacts of this approach,
involves complex systems all over “theMusic brain, and can repair damaged areas.” —Dr. Indre Viskontas, Opera Singer and Neuroscientist Pre-pandemic, Village Singers perform at Atria Park Palisades for the residents. This tradition is one that Mr. Whitmore looks forward to bringing back to our community.
and recent neuroscientific research supports this. In a June 2019 interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Dr. Indre Viskontas, an opera singer and neuroscientist, points out that “music involves complex systems all over the brain, and can repair damaged areas.” An example of this is when U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords relearned how to speak again using music. “When she couldn’t say the word ‘light,’ her speech therapist started to sing ‘This Little Light of Mine,’ and Giffords was able to sing along with her.” Bennett’s neurologist, Dr. Gayatri Deri, said in an October 2021
interview with 60 Minutes that music stimulates the brain by “engaging multiple different parts of the brain. There is the auditory cortex for hearing. There is the part of the brain that deals with movement and dance. There is the visual system that gets engaged. So, it’s kind of like a wholebrain activator.” People respond to the emotional aspect of music as well. Viskontas, in a September 2019 PBS Newshour interview, said that with music, “there is a buildup of the expectation of reward happening in the brain with the neurotransmitter release. We see
the release of the pleasure chemical dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.” This has many practical applications for health and wellness. Village Singers each year perform for residents at Atria Senior Living in the Palisades. The smiles on the faces of both residents and singers embody the latest neuroscientific research while providing a meaningful servicelearning experience. Every Village student’s engagement in music helps to strengthen their brain for the long term. ▼
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
19
ALUMNI
ALUMNI PROFILES you’re talented or passionate about something, they really encourage to you pursue it. I was into poetry and reading and always felt very supported. In fact, my passion for writing songs started at VS because of one of my teachers. What teachers or traditions do you remember?
Claire Nordstrom has fond memories of Village School where she began her lifelong love affair with music.
Claire Nordstrom On December 2, 2021, Danny Kramer caught up with the uber-talented and charismatic Village School Alumna Claire Nordstrom ’09. Claire recounted her memories from Village School, what she is up to now, and her future plans. What do you recall about your experience at Village School?
Village School was the BEST. While you hear about cliques and bullying at other schools, that was not the case at Village School. I always felt very comfortable with everyone there because it’s a small enough school to get to know everyone really well. The Palisades was a cool place to go to school because of all of the fun places to walk to after school with my friends. I also loved the music program, which was especially great for me because I was a particularly 20
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
shy kid. The teachers always pushed me out of my comfort zone by giving me the confidence to sing solo. The confidence that I gained as a child at Village School has stayed with me to this day. What from Village School did you bring with you to middle school and beyond?
Lifelong friends like Tyler McMorrow and Sydney Mason. They are still two of my closest friends. Something so special about the teachers at Village School is that if they see that
Keith Johnson was my 5th grade teacher and he was the best! He was scary to everyone who wasn’t in his class because he always wore a suit and was very stern looking, but when you were in his class, he was a great ally. As for traditions, I loved the talent shows. Everyone was encouraged to perform and felt that they truly had a talent. Some of my other favorite Village School memories from 4th and 5th grade: In 4th grade, we had to choose an historical figure for a project. I was obsessed with Galileo and Stephen Hawking, but other classmates chose them first. I ended up choosing Louis Braille and loved it! I learned how to read and write in Braille which was awesome. In 5th grade I remember playing the Godfather theme on the piano during intermission at the 5th grade play. What are you up to now?
I currently work in the TV/Music department at Lionsgate, helping to hire all of the music composers, supervisors and editors for TV shows. My dad really got me interested in music, TV and movies and Village School definitely played a role in that passion. I also perform at the Draycott in the Palisades which has been really rewarding. When I was 13, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and now I work with children in the Palisades who are also diagnosed. I help mentor them and show them that they can live a
“
Something so special about the teachers at Village School is that if they see that you’re talented or passionate about something, they really encourage to you pursue it. I was into poetry and reading and always felt very supported.
”
normal life like me. They, too, can go to college and have a full-time job and do anything they want! These kids text or call me or meet me for lunch so I can answer their questions and help them figure out how to manage their diabetes. While I work with the children, my mom works with a lot of their parents. Working with these kids is very fulfilling and makes me feel even more connected to the Palisades. You can see me running around the Palisades with my dog. I always see Mr. Pettigrew, Mr. Emerson and Ms. Hicks teaching PE on the La Cruz campus! I am also really involved in “Beyond Type One”, a non-profit that raises money for diabetes research, where my mom, Jennifer Nordstrom, serves as the Chair of the Leadership Council’s Fundraising Committee. (Claire has written 2 articles about her experiences as a young person with diabetes that you can find on Type One’s website.)
ALUMNI IN COLLEGE
Lucas Gelfond by Danny Kramer, Director of Institutional Advancement
A
student at Brown University, Lucas Gelfond ’13, is pursuing political science and writing. Lucas is creating quite the name for himself with published articles in Logic Magazine and Vice. For Logic, he wrote articles about TicToc, the recent controversy with GameStop, and profiled an NFT artist. He wrote a piece about cryptocurrency for Vice. While Lucas may not have studied these exact subjects at Village School, he does attribute his ability to explore and his solid educational foundation to his time here at VS. “I remember my teachers as great people and very supportive mentors; namely, I remember Ms. Emerson, Ms. Jacobson, and Mrs. Byfield. Village School was a place where I explored a lot, both inside and outside of the classroom. Overall, I remember VS as a place with kind people where I had a really positive experience. There are a
lot of people at VS who are advocates of mine.” Looking ahead, Lucas wants to work in technology in some capacity and continue to write on the side. He has many writing projects underway now and is currently working for a tech non-profit called Reboot, an online learning community. As Lucas explains: “There’s a lot of really interesting stuff going on in the decentralized web, not specifically about crypto-currency, but about building technology on to centralized networks. If this is the future of the internet, there’s a lot to be said about playing an active role in shaping that future, so it’s really high-leverage to write, clarify and frame narratives about the web that are thoughtful and not monolithic. The truth is more nuanced and complicated.” We can’t wait to follow Lucas’ career and learn from his writing! ▼
What are your future plans?
Right now I’m excited to continue to perform at the Draycott and possibly other venues. I will always love singing and making music, traveling, and one day I’d love to start a family of my own. ▼
Lucas Gelfond plans to follow a technology path after college and follow a passion for writing on the side.
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
21
ALUMNI
ALUMNI PROFILES
showed me strong moral values, and guided me to my passions. I will never fully leave Village School. How did VS prepare you for 7th grade?
Harvard-Westlake students, Sophia Cotter and Riley Romans savor their visits back to Village.
Sophia Cotter and Riley Romans On November 5, 2021, Sophia Cotter ’21 and Riley Romans ’21, both 7th graders at Harvard Westlake, had a day off from school and chose to spend it visiting their alma mater. Danny Kramer caught up with them to see how middle school is going. What made you want to come back to VS for a visit on your day off?
RR: I wasn’t ready to leave Village School when I graduated and I honestly still am not now. But going back to Village for a visit makes it less 22
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
painful for me to wake up every day and not get on a bus to the school I love. I am completely happy with my new school, Harvard-Westlake (I enjoy the time I spend there), but Village School created my love of learning,
RR: Since VS in 5th and 6th grade gives you the opportunity to work with different teachers, it prepared us for the middle school schedule. Getting to know multiple teachers and moving around to different classrooms helped us feel more independent. SC: It was an easy transition because 5th and 6th grade is a lot like middle school. You move to different classrooms and have your own lockers, just like middle school. VS has given me a love of learning and makes me so excited to learn. What about VS is helping you now in your first few months of middle school?
RR: Learning to show work in math really helped prepare me because my teacher is really strict about showing work. In literature we had to stand up and give a presentation to the whole class. Learning leadership skills in student council has helped as well. The little kids in TK have to present too and you can really see their growth as presenters as they get older. SC: Presenting in Literature class really helped a lot with public speaking skills. Giving a presentation in front of people instead of just to yourself really helps prepare you for speaking in middle school.
DK: What would you tell VS students to do to help prepare them for MS?
RR: Show your work in math. In literature, challenge yourself to present with confidence and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Take opportunities to get involved, in student council and in subjects that might not be your best. SC: While you’re a VS student, you are surrounded by a great and supportive community of teachers, so take time to learn study skills and practice skills so you’re really good at them by the time you get to middle school. What kinds of events would make you excited to come back to VS?
RR: One of things 5th and 6th graders love is the buddy program. If you did a buddy get-together, so many people would show up. The buddy experience is so awesome and we really love our buddies. Doing it at VS would make people feel really connected to school. SC: Being able to see our buddies would be really cool, and also having the chance to see our former teachers and old friends. ▼
1
1 | Kaila Elsayegh (’19) finished in third place at National Notah Begay Golf Championship Girls 14–18, which aired on the Golf Channel on December 8th. 2 | Giles Freedman (’20) competed in the 44th California State Championship for Backgammon this past weekend. Giles was the youngest in the tournament and won four matches in the Blitz Tournament to reach the quarter-finals, defeating two open-ranked players in the process.
2
ALUMNI NOTES VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
23
THE BIG PICTURE
T
he future is uncertain and we cannot predict it; but we need to be open and ready for it. I’ve come across this truism several times over the years, and it has never been more timely. As we know, most people are not their best selves when they are unsure about the future. The complicated and evolving grip of the COVID pandemic has pushed many of us to the edge. We have all sacrificed, we have grown, and we have undoubtedly changed in its wake. Accepting disruption is part of the path towards restoration and reconnection, and all of us in the Village School community have made a hearty and heartfelt stride forward. This is commendable during the best of times, and profound during the worst. As Head of School, I endeavor to thoughtfully pursue our mission, striving to bring wonder, joy, and challenge to every Village student while affirming our incredible faculty and staff and celebrating their value. Village is a community of young individuals seeking to understand the physical and social truths about the world. With the support of dedicated teachers, we are providing students with safe spaces to explore, ask questions, and share their authentic selves. One of the most notable themes that arose during these past
24
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
“Let us embrace the intention of getting back to the routines that keep us healthy and sane and empower growth mindsets and a nimbleness to consider broad perspectives. We know this is critical to our personal wellness.”
two years is the importance of selfdiscipline. Self-discipline works like a muscle and, the more we train it, the stronger we become. Self-discipline allows us to stay focused on our goals; it enables us stay in control of our reactions to any situation with confidence and a sense of well-being. I would add that skillful communication is an important part of self-discipline. It is based on discernment. Choosing our words carefully is key however, choosing the timing of when we speak is even more powerful.
Let us not be derailed further by the side effects of the past two years. Let us embrace the intention of getting back to the routines that keep us healthy and sane and empower growth mindsets and a nimbleness to consider broad perspectives. We know this is critical to our personal wellness. For kids, less screens hopefully means more time outside. For parents, kids outside and in school means more personal time and more opportunities for self-reflection and balance. We continue to share this
Village School Family Circles meet bi-monthly, developing relationships and communication between students of every grade level. Family Circle is a long-standing tradition at Village and speaks to the investment that we all have in each other.
M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T We are a village of students, families, and educators with a common goal: to create a childhood of wonder, joy, and challenge where children expand their minds and hearts, find their greater purpose, and prepare to engage with the wider world.
VILLAGE SCHOOL MAGAZINE E D I T O R I A L S TA F F Danny Kramer Director of Institutional Advancement
wild ride, a journey none of us could have predicted; I take great comfort in knowing the intrinsic value of seeking truth and understanding, to trusting in the goodness of our community and the power of a shared purpose. I share the words of Socrates that have steeled within me a strength to face this adversity. There is no solution—seek it lovingly. —John Evans, Head of School
Chris Gonyaw Director of Communications and Creative Media Sara Singsank Director of Development and Parent Engagement Caroline Byfield Assistant Head of School Annie Block Director of Secondary School Placement, Administration Manager, and Registrar Tina Turbeville Design Chris Gonyaw Photography
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Santa Monica, CA Permit No 160
Village School
780 Swarthmore Avenue Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 www.village-school.org CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
