Village School Annual Report 2022-2023 by Village School

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT 2022 / 23

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THE CLASS OF 2023 SHARED THEIR SPEECHES FROM GRADUATION. ENJOY THESE EXCERPTS, BEGINNING WITH OONA’S POEM. LOOK FOR OTHER WORDS FROM OUR GRADUATES IN COLORED CIRCLES THROUGHOUT THE PUBLICATION.

Thank you to all, The great deeds and the small. Thank you to those Who stand up and oppose. They have the strength to be Who they know they are. Not being yourself Leaves an everlasting scar. My friends and my teachers Will stay in my heart forever. No drastic change in life Could fade my memory whatsoever. My friends will always know me, For better or for worse. I’ll always remember what made them laugh, And they’ll know my love for verse. I learned beautiful new things that showed me To a new saving grace. It’s brought me to the peaks of mountains, And the great depths of space. And lastly, to my family Who is always there To take away my worries No matter what burden they bear. Village was the sunshine, Village was the rainfall. Village was my happiness,

VILLAGE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

The calm spot in a squall. But has it really ended?

We are a village of students,

Are we really gone?

families, and educators with

Even apart, we are together,

a common goal: to create a

A harmony in a never-ending song.

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.

—OONA

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT 2022/23

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER Sixth Grader Ruby used watercolors to paint this Georgia O’Keeffe-inspired flower.

Introduction

2022/23 Highlights

Profiles

Parent Association

Financial Report

Alumni

Introduction 2

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

RETIRING TRUSTEES

NEW TRUSTEES

ADMINISTRATORS, FACULTY, & STAFF

FACULTY & STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

STUDENT COUNCIL

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WO R D S F R O M

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SOLEIL I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MY TIME HERE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES VILLAGE SCHOOL HAS BROUGHT ME. MY LAST DAY OF SCHOOL HERE IS

GOING TO BE VERY BITTERSWEET AND MAYBE A FEW TEARS WILL BE SHED. I CAN’T WAIT TO START MY TIME AT A NEW SCHOOL, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT WILL EVER REPLACE THE AMAZING

EXPERIENCE I’VE HAD HERE AT VILLAGE.

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL JOHN EVANS

his year represents the realization of many hopes and dreams that have been generated and nurtured over 45 years at Village. And 45 years is a significant number in any life! In choosing challenge for our theme, we set the conscious, dedicated goal to embrace growth, evolution, and opportunities through experience and the seeking of knowledge and understanding. As a community, we have a clear appreciation and perspective of who we are: a school that treasures wonder, joy, and challenge; a school that cherishes childhood. Village’s anniversary coincided with the California Association of Independent Schools’ (CAIS) accreditation self-study process, in preparation for (re)accreditation in 2024. All independent institutions within the association participate in this endeavor as part of ongoing self-evaluation and ensuring the integrity of the school’s mission. This project was communitywide, with a review of every aspect of the program. It’s a time of reflection,

Introduction

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES GINA COTTER

assessment, and projection for the future. Each faculty and staff member participated in the self-study, forming committees to address: the school profile, institutional purpose and core values (including mission), teaching and learning, financial sustainability, operations, institutional stewardship and leadership, institutional improvement and sustainability. I look forward to sharing the review next year; in the meantime, I am compelled and honored to share that I am beyond proud of Village—its program, the results of the selfevaluation and, especially, its people. As you leaf through the Annual Report, you will see that every page reflects challenge and accomplishment and a childhood bursting with wonder and joy across our campuses, inside and outside of the classrooms. We have learned and confirmed a great deal about this community as we worked through the evaluation process; a constant that remains true throughout our deliberations is the strength of our collective spirit and purpose to guide, inspire, and nurture the hearts and minds of every student entrusted to our care.

s I enter my fifth year as a trustee and my tenth as a Village School parent, I can truly say I have seen Village School evolve and grow. In preparing to write this, I looked back at the Village School annual reports during my time here and I was impressed to see the improvements and progress made on so many fronts: academic programming and faculty development, facilities, financial health, and progress on DEI to name a few. I want to thank the entire administration, faculty, staff, trustees, parents, and students for coming together and contributing to the success of Village School. During my reflections on my life at Village, a decision became clear to me; this is the right time for me to step down as chair. I will continue to serve on the Board, a role in which I take great pride and for which I am most grateful. It means a very great deal to me and my family. I am delighted to announce that Leah Karlov and Joel Montminy will co-chair the 2023-2024 Board of Trustees. Thank you Leah and Joel for assuming the roles and responsibilities of Board leadership; I know you will work beautifully with John. This brings two leaders to a role that spans a vast array of governance items and exciting initiatives underway at Village. I have no doubt the transition will be seamless. Thank you Village, for the opportunity to serve; I look forward to a strong 2023-2024 school year!

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RETIRING TRUSTEES BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2022/23 Gina Cotter, Chair Joel Farar, Vice Chair

Amy Goldsmith Amy’s guidance on the Marketing Committee has proven invaluable; her innovation and expertise have played a major part in inspiring ideas and moving initiatives forward. Amy responded without hesitation when asked to take leadership roles and thank goodness she did! Jason, Hallie, Jillian: Thank you for your shared support and dedication; Village is stronger for the vision and commitment of this very special person.

Joel Montminy, Treasurer Antara Jaitly, Secretary John Evans Eric Freedman Amy Goldsmith Sam Grayeli Sheri Green Leah Karlov Olivia Kelly Emily Park Jeff Richardson Desirae Shepard Scott Silveri Brett Thomas

ROMAN

WITHOUT A KEY. BUT NOW I GET IT. THEY WERE

PACKING MEALS AS A VOLUNTEER IN SECOND

MEANT TO BE TOUGH. THEY CHALLENGED ME, MADE

MY FRIENDS IN SIXTH GRADE, I HAVE TONS OF GREAT

ME THINK DIFFERENTLY, AND TAUGHT ME NOT JUST ABOUT THE SUBJECTS, BUT ABOUT PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION. AS I STEP INTO THE FUTURE, I TAKE SCHOOL, THE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED, AND THE

GROW UP IN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SCHOOL AND

EXCITEMENT FOR THE JOURNEY AHEAD. I MAY

D OR

WITH ME THE MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL

AND PARENTS, THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME

COMMUNITY.

NOT KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS, BUT AT THE VILLAGE SCHOOL.

I’M READY, THANKS TO MY TIME HERE

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MEMORIES FROM MY TIME AT VILLAGE. TEACHERS

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TOUGH, LIKE TRYING TO CRACK A CODE

LOGO IN THE GYM IN KINDERGARTEN, TO

FROM MY FIRST TIME SEEING THE VIKINGS

GRADE, ALL THE WAY THROUGH PLAYING CHESS WITH

S FR

CLASSES WEREN’T ALWAYS EASY. THERE WERE ASSIGNMENTS THAT WERE

HENRY

O S

OM OUR

E AT

Sheri Green Sheri Green has been an exemplary volunteer at VS for 15 years. She has served as VSPA President and on any number of committees, lately as Co-chair of the Committee on Trustees. Loquacious she may be however, “I can’t” isn’t in her vocabulary! Sheri has stepped up to any and every request and challenge made of her, and her love for Village is woven into its history. Michael, Ava, Liam, Milo: Thank you for sharing this amazing human with us!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2023/24 C H E LSE A SH U KOV

Leah Karlov, Co-Chair Joel Montminy, Co-Chair Joel Farar, Vice Chair Antara Jaitly, Secretary Gina Cotter John Evans Eric Freedman

PAT RIC K SC HAF F E R

Sam Grayeli Olivia Kelly Jeff Richardson Patrick Schaffer Desirae Shepard Chelsea Shukov Scott Silveri Brett Thomas

O SF

Patrick Schaffer has more than twenty years of financial markets experience including time in UBS Private Wealth Management as a senior portfolio manager, J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank and Investment Bank, and as an equity analyst at two hedge funds. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Villanova University’s Department of Finance. Patrick holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University, an MS from Villanova University, and has earned the CFA® designation from the CFA® Institute. He has been recognized as a Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisor, Financial Times Top 400 Advisor, and Forbes Top In State Advisor. Patrick is a member of the CFA® Society of Los Angeles, and actively volunteers with LA Alliance for College Ready Public Schools. He and wife Kristy are parents to fourth grader Dylan.

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Chelsea Shukov has been a leader in the retail industry for nearly 20 years. She founded Sugar Paper in 2003 with a single retail location and has since grown the business into an omni-channel lifestyle brand that includes partnerships with companies including Target, Anthropologie, and Paperless Post. Sugar Paper operates multiple retail locations in California, sells products to thousands of stores big and small, and ships products worldwide. Chelsea currently heads up marketing and business development at Sugar Paper and is a big believer in the magic of partnership, community, and customer service as a strategy for growth. Chelsea graduated from UCLA. She and husband Greg are parents to fourth grader Byrdie and alumnus Owen ’22.

Introduction

NEW TRUSTEES

A D U AT E S MAEVE:

ALTHOUGH MY SPEECH MAY NOT STAND OUT, AND YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER IT TOMORROW, I WILL REMEMBER ALL OF YOU. THE SCHOOL, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE KINDNESS THAT IS SPREAD FROM EVERY PERSON HERE. MY CLASS HAS ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH THIS YEAR, WHETHER IT’S THE OLYMPIADS, THE NOETICS, OR EVEN THE

SIXTH GRADE PLAY. EVERYONE HAS IMPROVED, AND WE’RE ALL READY TO ADVANCE BECAUSE OF OUR INCREDIBLE TEACHERS. BUT EVERYONE ALSO HAS A LOT TO OWE TO VILLAGE. THE CLASSES, THE VALUES, ET CETERA. I COULD GO ON NAMING THINGS FOR HOURS.

ADMINISTRATORS 2022/23 John Evans • Head of School Dr. Kenzo Bergeron • Assistant Head of School for Academic Programs, Equity, and Belonging Annie Block • Assistant to the Head of School, Director of Secondary School Placement, Registrar, and Board Liaison Ashley Burkart-Mooney • Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management Chris Gonyaw • Director of Communications and Creative Media Vance Ito • Chief Financial and Operating Officer Danny Kramer • Director of Institutional Advancement Valerie Nowacki • Director of Human Resources Sara Singsank • Director of Development and Parent Engagement

INCOMING ADMINISTRATORS FOR 2023/24 Jordan Levine • Director of Teaching and Learning Liana Unger • Director of Social and Emotional Learning

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FACULTY & STAFF 2022/23 Rafael Cordero Brittanie DaCruz Yvette Davies Sam Davison Christine Eaves Tami Emerson Conrad Evans John Evans Aleyda Forbes Diane Friedman Andrea Garcia Chris Gonyaw Roy Hemsley Kourtney Hicks

Heather Holguin Vance Ito Ashley Jacobs Wendy Jacobson Jaelin James Nichola Keen Danny Kramer Kristen Lee Jordan Levine Gio Madia Antonio Martinez Julie Mazzaferro Delandis McClam Meredith Miller

Ashley Mooney Erica Nicholson Valerie Nowacki Ana Onaindia Daniel Ordoñez Eddy Ordoñez Lesly Ordoñez Paul Pettigrew Katelyn Patterson Olivia Paysinger Marina Place Joshua Robinson Giovanni Rodriguez Aidan Romick

Introduction

Edwin Alfaro Nick Allen Antoinette Alvarado Tami Amer Betsy Basom Kenzo Bergeron Melissa Bishop Annie Block Anu Burkhardt Paula Chambers Alex Chehebar Nick Chilkov Teresa Coe Karli Cohn

Josie Rosen Jane Sheppard Caleb Shields Paula Shin Kathy Silberman Sara Singsank Sarah Stricker Macy Tone Rob Traegler Darin Turpin Liana Unger Stephanie Walker Georgette Washington Caitlin Welsh Greg Whitmore

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FACULTY & STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2022/23 FACULTY & STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

At Village School, we recognize the

Abilities Expo (2 people)

paramount importance of fostering

ACTFL (American Council for Teaching Foreign Languages) Conference (2 people)

continuous growth and excellence among our faculty and staff. As a

ADOBE Conference

community committed to providing

AI&K12 (Artificial Intelligence for K12) Conference

the highest quality education, we

CALISBOA (California Independent Schools Business Officers Association) Conference (2 people)

focus on professional development as a cornerstone of our success. Through comprehensive and dynamic offerings that include both on-campus and experiential, Village School cultivates a culture of lifelong learning, empowering our educators to stay at the forefront of educational innovation

CAPHERD (California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance) Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (LGBTQ+) CTEL/501 (California Teacher of English Learners) Language and Language Development CTEL/502 (California Teacher of English Learners) Assessment and Instruction

and best practices. Our collective

CTEL/503 (California Teacher of English Learners) Culture and Inclusion

dedication to PD ensures that our team

CLTA (Chinese Language Teachers Association)

remains inspired, knowledgeable, and

Elena Perez PD on Behavior (2 people)

equipped to create a transformative

Fundations Training

learning environment for our students, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Grad School Master’s Grad School Work—Curriculum Design Letterland (3 people)

THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR, 26 PEOPLE TOOK PART IN 23 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

Master’s Coursework Master’s + Credential Course NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) (2 people) National Science Teachers Association POCC (People of Color Conference) (4 people) Responsive Classroom 4 Day Course (4 people) Wo Center Global Language and Culture Conference

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M OUR G

SO MUCH FROM HOW TO READ BETTER TO DOING MORE COMPLEX MATH. ALL OF THE TEACHERS WANT TO SEE YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS AND I THINK

A ZOOM CLASS FULL OF STRANGERS. ALTHOUGH I HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE FOR THREE YEARS, VILLAGE REALLY FEELS LIKE HOME. I HAVE HAD EXCEPTIONAL TEACHERS AND OUTSTANDING COACHES. I

initial training—it can also be an incredibly personal endeavor. In the spirit of this commitment to lifelong learning, as intimately connected to the individual, we are excited to announce the launch of four Faculty Committees: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Social Emotional Learning; Curriculum Innovation; and Admissions Committee. Importantly, this network of continued professional support is made possible through the Caroline Byfield Faculty Professional Development Fund honoring Caroline’s legacy that we continue to be lifelong learners and strive to “be kind” and “work hard.” Each committee will be populated with three educators who will gather regularly over the ‘23-’24 school year to address issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, socialemotional learning, and curriculum innovation within Village School. Additionally, each group will contribute to our on-campus programming and continuing education for our community, while serving as a resource and support for colleagues, students, and parents. This is a professional development and leadership opportunity and a way we will continue to offer Dahlias to Caroline Byfield. Caroline was a relentless champion for our students and her colleagues. She was a person who fervently believed in the mission and values of Village School. Her example in asking people to create systems that lead to lasting change is not frivolous—a belief echoed in our school’s philosophy—and that leaning into childhood’s wonder, joy, and challenge is both encouraged and expected. In her memory, you generously donated $50,000 to the Caroline Byfield Faculty Professional Development Fund.

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administrators, and other education professionals beyond their

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individual’s practice—learning and development for teachers,

And while PD typically involves the continued evolution of an

the growth and effectiveness of educational communities.

FRIENDS.

Continued professional development plays a crucial role in

ALSO HAVE DEVELOPED A CLOSE GROUP OF

THANK YOU CAROLINE BYFIELD FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND DONORS! Melissa and Eddie Akkaway Todd and Jenna Binder Lindsey Bruett and Chris Burrage Tim Byfield Shervin and Julie Darvish David and Lily Dulan Eclipse School Alan and Arden Epstein John Evans Diane Friedman Friend of Caroline Byfield Suzy Gumm and Family Delilah Holsey Horowitz Family Jiwan Family Johnson Girls Luanne G. Kittle Dan and Caitlin Miller Pollack/Robinson Family Peter and Stephanie Rescigno Sam and Emily Rogoway Pam Shriver Jaime and Andrew Schwartzberg Tendle Family Petrosky/Thuan Family Liana Unger

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Introduction

THAT IS WHY VILLAGE IS SUCH A GOOD SCHOOL.

S RD

FRO

THE BEST DECISION EVER. VILLAGE HAS TAUGHT ME

TIME YOU WALKED THROUGH THE BIG GREEN GATES AT VILLAGE, MY FIRST MEMORY WAS JOINING

BRENT I STARTED AT VILLAGE IN 2ND GRADE. THIS WAS

CHASE WHILE MOST OF YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST

STUDENT COUNCIL

SERVICE-LEADERSHIP BEGINS AT SCHOOL We take the responsibilities of leadership and elected office seriously at VS, and we strive to guide students to discover, nurture, and put into place programs and activities that benefit Village and the immediate and broader communities. HERE ARE SOME OF THE PROJECTS WHERE STUDENT COUNCIL HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT: Halloween Costume Drive: Eloise (‘23) and Carter (‘26) launched the first community project of the year, inspiring families to collect new and gently-used costumes to benefit children in need. Thanksgiving activity: assembled bags of food. Gratitude for VS Teachers Project: hosted coffee and gave starfish charms. Hygiene kits for LA Women’s Shelter led science teachers. Valentine paper flowers and treats for teachers. Book Drive in conjunction with Read Across America, led by Will (’24).

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Lost & Found clean-up with Mr. Chehebar. The ever-popular monthly Spirit Days. Monday Morning Meetings: Officers read to our entire school at least once each month. Rise Against Hunger with VSPA representation prepared food for 10,000. Upward Bound: with leadership from the Science Department, sponsored run to support unhoused families 1,000 paper cranes in conjunction with Methodist Preschool with the plan to give them to the Museum of Tolerance for an installation. Graduation: 5th Grade Class Representatives and the Vice President serve as Honor Guard, sharing a poem during the 6th Grade rite of passage. And we had lots of fun along the way! Well done Student Council; you are doing what you said you would when you were elected into office—only better!

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GEORGE

VS TAUGHT ME TO BE MORE

INDEPENDENT. MORE SO, IT SHOWED ME THAT EVERYTHING CAN BE A LEARNING EXPERIENCE,

KNOWLEDGE. VILLAGE HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH, AND I TRULY BELIEVE I AM READY FOR THE FUTURE. AFTER EVERYTHING I AM GRATEFUL TO MY

TO MY BROTHER, FOR HELPING ME GET TO

UA TE

WHERE I AM TODAY.

ARI

ALL THE WAY BACK IN

KINDERGARTEN ON GRANDPARENTS

AND SPECIAL-FRIENDS DAY I DIDN’T HAVE

FROM OUR G

ANY GRANDPARENTS THAT WERE ATTENDING SO A SPECIAL SOMEONE VOLUNTEERED TO BE MY SPECIAL FRIEND FOR THE DAY. THEY TREATED ME WITH LOTS OF LOVE AND CARE AND EVEN BROUGHT A STICKER OF MY FAVORITE ANIMAL WHICH WAS A PEACOCK AT THE TIME. EVER SINCE THEN, I

RA D

KNEW VILLAGE WAS GOING TO BE A PLACE THAT WAS WELCOMING, SWEET, AND

RDS FROM OU

TE UA

E AT

CARING.

COLE I’M GLAD I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SO MANY NEW FRIENDS HERE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO NEW JOURNEYS THAT VILLAGE SCHOOL HAS PREPARED ME FOR. I WILL NEVER FORGET ALL OF THE

HELP THAT VILLAGE HAS GIVEN ME TO GET READY

E AT

FOR NEW ADVENTURES.

FROM OUR

KATIE THE LESSONS WE HAVE LEARNED HERE HAVE SET US UP FOR SUCCESS. THE MEMORIES WE HAVE MADE HERE WILL BECOME THE BACKGROUND FOR THE NEW MEMORIES WE WILL MAKE IN THE COMING

YEARS. AND THE FRIENDS WE HAVE MADE HERE WILL BE OUR FRIENDS FOR LIFE.

Student Council is an organization conducted by students and supervised by adults, with the purpose of presenting opportunities for leadership development and connectedness within the community. The Council is designed to further the Village Mission and Values through service, leadership, initiatives, projects, and activities, in an environment where all voices are encouraged, heard, and respected. 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.

Introduction

TEACHERS, TO MY PARENTS AND ESPECIALLY

STUDENT COUNCIL MISSION AND PURPOSE

bottom two pictures: Kindergarten students and their 6th Grade Buddies created valentines for our Village School neighbors. Our little love bugs had a blast spreading the love in our community.

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THIS IS HOW I GAINED AN INTENSE CRAVING FOR

top two pictures: Student Council officers and 6th Grade Representatives visited the 1,000 Wishes for the World project at Methodist Preschool, adding their cranes to the collection.

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Highlights 12

CELEBRATING CULTURES

SECOND GRADE RAINFOREST PROJECT

MONDAY MORNING BOOKS

FOURTH GRADE BASQUIAT PROJECT

VISUAL ARTS: ARTIST OF THE YEAR

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

GREAT MINDS SERIES

LIZZY

SIENNA WHAT MAKES A PLACE FEEL LIKE HOME?

BEST THREE YEARS OF MY LIFE. TIME FLIES WHEN

WELL THE DICTIONARY DEFINES HOME AS

YOU’RE HAVING FUN AND IT DEFINITELY HAS. I FEEL

A PLACE WHERE ONE LIVES PERMANENTLY, ESPECIALLY AS A MEMBER OF A FAMILY OR

TRYING TO SIGN IN TO ZOOM FOR THE FIRST TIME

HOUSEHOLD. ALTHOUGH VILLAGE SCHOOL ISN’T MY

TO MEET MY NEW TEACHERS AND FRIENDS. I HAVE

ACTUAL HOUSE IT DEFINITELY FEELS LIKE HOME.

HAD THE BEST TIME AT VILLAGE AND I’M SO SAD

I HAVE SPENT MORE TIME HERE IN THE LAST

MUCH. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THESE THREE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE.

EIGHT YEARS THAN ANYWHERE ELSE AND I DEFINITELY DO NOT REGRET IT.

AD U AT E S

LIKE JUST YESTERDAY I WAS HAVING A HARD TIME

TO LEAVE. I’M GOING TO MISS EVERYONE SO 12

R GR

YEARS BUT THEY HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE

I HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE FOR THREE

WO R D S F R O M

ES U AT

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opposite page Día de los Muertos is a favorite with students, teeming with opportunities for festive headware and wonderful music.

Highlights

this page Karen Han Ottosson played her erhu at Village’s Lunar New Year celebrations.

JOYS OF LIVING IN CULTURAL ABUNDANCE BY KENZO BERGERON AND ANNIE BLOCK Village celebrated cultures represented in our community in glorious fashion during 2022-2023, bringing a richness and dimension to our campus in ways that connected and informed us all. The curriculum reflected thoughtful planning and inclusivity that was incorporated throughout every grade level. Our sincere gratitude goes out to families, faculty, and guests who shared their histories, their talents, and their hearts with our beautiful Village.

Día de los Muertos (October) One of our landmark celebrations is the annual school-wide Día de los Muertos celebration. From TK-6th grade, our students celebrate the beauty found within Latinx cultures by learning songs, reading books, and engaging in meaningful dialogue about the lived experiences of others. The bookend of this exploration is our own Día de los Muertos parade and associated festivities where we honor the impact and influence of those we have lost. Lunar New Year (January) Karen Han Ottosson was a guest during 2023’s Lunar New Year celebrations. And, Karen is so much more than a guest to Village; she and her husband Paul are our dear friends, and parents to alumnus Theo (’19),

currently attending Harvard Westlake. Karen is also a virtuoso on the erhu, a musical instrument that hails back to the Tang dynasty (618–907). Her skills transport the spirit with sounds that juxtapose the ethereal with the deeply human. Karen is a leading figure in a unique and magical genre. She established the “Chinese Strings Instrument Institute” in Los Angeles, and currently serves as Music Director of The Hollywood Chinese Musicians Ensemble. She has performed all around the world, from the Prague Spring Festival in Czechoslovakia to here at home, at the Hollywood Bowl and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Her beautiful music can be heard on a host of films including, “The Joy Luck Club” and “The Last Emperor,” as well CULTURAL ABUNDANCE CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE

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CULTURAL ABUNDANCE, CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

top: Black History Double Dutch pros engaged students during Black History month, and now there is lots of interest in a VS Jump Squad! below: Lunar New Year performers kept students enthralled with the magic of a Lion Dance.

as on numerous television scores. It was an honor to be present—and to be transported—when she played her erhu at Village’s Lunar New Year celebration. Karen Han Ottosson: “Eleven years ago, as a prospective student/ family at Village School, we were luckily toured by Ms. Malone! From that day, Theo told us that he loves Village School! We knew immediately that we had found a great and safe place for Theo and for our family! Village School is forever near to our hearts and we love this community!” Black History (February) Student Council was honored to weave together Black History Month and Choosing Challenge, reading “Change Sings” during a Monday Morning Meeting. African-American poet, author, activist, and leader Amanda Gorman is making history at a very young age. Despite speech and

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auditory processing issues, Amanda is the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate and the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Ms. Gorman chose challenge on many occasions, including sharing her poem, The Hill We Climb, at the presidential inauguration in 2021. We listened, watched, danced, skipped, sang, and were enlightened by the rich history and tradition shared by guests and our own faculty. Performing Arts teacher Delandis McClam wrote, “At Village School, our Black History Month programming reflects the richness, importance, and value of the Black experience in the United States. It is a time that has allowed us to pay tribute to African Americans’ lives and achievements. There have been classroom activities dedicated to reading books, including Honey, I Love and Other Poems, Princess Hair, I, Too, Am America, and, Lift Every Voice and Change. Additionally, we have offered school-wide events with guests The Melanated Jump Squad and JazzAntiqua. It has been a time for reflection and celebration that provides the chance to explore the value of both the differences and similarities found across cultures. I stand proud to know that this road I walk has been paved by many before me. Black History Month symbolizes hope for the African American community and for all communities that strive for justice and equality. Every day is a celebration for a community rich in values, an influential community that enriches and nurtures others in their strong traditions. Village School has provided opportunities and allowed me a platform to create rich and dynamic

experiences for our students— and, indeed, for the adults in our community.”

provided by VS parent Saied Kashani, and a mesmerizing performance by Vandad Arezoo Music Academy.

Nowruz (March) VS celebrated Nowruz, literally a “New Day” in Persian. Students visited the Skybox to enjoy a presentation of foods and items symbolic to the occasion including eggs, coins, garlic, sprouts, flowers, sumac, dried fruit, Samanoo, and fish, placed on a HaftSin table. They were also encouraged to participate in a “Fire Jump”—again, symbolic! In Science Lab, teachers and students celebrated Nowruz on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, making connections across the curriculum. The all-school Persian New Year festivities culminated with a fun and informative history lesson

This year’s cultural observances—Día de los Muertos, Lunar New Year, Black History Month, Nowruz, and others—were vibrant demonstrations of culture in action. Besides providing an essential platform for families to honor their rich and diverse heritages, these celebrations at Village School encouraged the exploration of traditions, histories, and perspectives, broadening students’ horizons and nurturing their appreciation of others. Most importantly, they demonstrate that we understand the necessity and obligation to embrace and promote principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Highlights

THIS YEAR’S CULTURAL OBSERVANCES—DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS, LUNAR NEW YEAR, BLACK HISTORY MONTH, NOWRUZ, AND OTHERS—WERE VIBRANT DEMONSTRATIONS OF CULTURE IN ACTION.

Nowruz celebration on March 10, 2023, included dancing and drumming.

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Second grade students explained their rainforest projects to friends and families.

SECOND GRADE RAINFOREST PROJECT BY KENZO BERGERON

THE PROJECT OFFERED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO COMBINE FORMAL RESEARCH WRITING AND DIARAMAMAKING WITH CUTTINGEDGE VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) TECHNOLOGY.

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

eaning into innovation can be a fun yet demanding proposition, but at Village School, our teachers do not hesitate to choose this challenge. They are at the forefront of the dynamic learning environments displayed during our classroom culminating projects. By embracing new ideas, technologies, and teaching strategies, our classroom teachers help propel students to discover new frontiers. This year, our 2nd-grade teaching team (Nick Allen, Aleyda Forbes, Caleb Shields, and Sarah Stricker) embodied our year-long theme and chose challenge in order to ensure continued evolution within their academic program. For them, the traditional 2nd-grade rainforest project offered a unique opportunity for reinvention and reimagination by combining formal research writing and dioramamaking with cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology. Historically, the rainforest project requires students to choose an element to research, read various books, paraphrase different sections, and stand before the class to present their findings. Our second-grade teachers wanted to build on this historical model, preserving its

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foundation and adding inspired creativity and cross-discipline elements. To begin with, students chose an animal that lives in the rainforest, selected a handful of “just right” books, and wrote a multi-paragraph research paper that included descriptions of habitat, diet, and appearance. Next, students crafted dioramas depicting their chosen animal’s rainforest habitats using art supplies and materials. Students then used VR headsets to embark on an interactive virtual journey into the rainforest, exploring everything from the forest floor to the lush canopies overhead and gaining a deeper understanding of its ecosystems and the importance of conservation. Most importantly, all of these elements were completed on campus and in our classrooms, encouraging, on the one hand, greater personal independence and, on the other, more collaboration between classmates and teachers. When our teachers experiment, accept change, and choose challenge, they model the importance of embracing innovation and help pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries and transformative academic and experiential experiences.

Here is a sampling of the books we read together this year.

Highlights

MONDAY MORNING MEETING A SPECIAL TIME TO SHARE AND LAUNCH A NEW WEEK! MMMs are opportunities to gather regularly as a whole school—in person, or via zoom. When we zoom, Mr. Evans and/or Student Council officers— President Katie, Vice President Will, and Secretary Jack—share books that reflect the school’s theme, the time of the year, friendship, and service to the immediate and broader communities. We also honor groups and individuals. It is always a joy—and most enlightening!—to hear perspectives on the books we read, from TK through 6th Grade students.

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BASQUIAT PROJECT BY NICHOLA KEEN In February, as a part of their month-long celebration of Black History Month, the fourth graders studied the life and work of renowned American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Inspired by Basquiat’s neo-expressionist work and the biography ‘Radiant Child’ by Javaka Steptoe, the children delved into the colorful world of this influential artist. With Basquiat’s distinct style in mind, the students were tasked with creating their own individual selfportrait using a variety of different mediums. Captivated by the bold lines, striking symbols, and hypnotizing figures that define his style, the fourth graders initially sketched a ‘plan’ for their portrait. This planning process involved contemplating composition, selecting colors that evoke emotions, and experimenting with different techniques to recreate Basquiat’s signature visual language. Embarking on their final piece, some students chose to incorporate Basquiat’s characteristic use of vibrant colors, employing bold reds, blues, and yellows to capture attention. Others focused on his distinctive mark-making, combining thick and thin lines to create energetic patterns that dance around their artwork. They skillfully blended graffiti-inspired elements, symbolic imagery, and expressive faces into their compositions. Students also drew inspiration from Basquiat’s commitment to addressing social issues, exploring themes such as identity, race, and inequality through their art. Each child filled their piece with personal meaning, telling their own stories of hope, ‘choosing challenge’, and the power of self-expression. The final pieces of art were an energetic and diverse collection of self-portraits, celebrating both the artistic achievement of the fourth-grade children and serving as a testament to the lasting influence and impact of Basquiat’s legacy.

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STUDENTS ALSO DREW INSPIRATION FROM BASQUIAT’S COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES, EXPLORING THEMES SUCH AS IDENTITY, RACE, AND INEQUALITY THROUGH THEIR ART.

Highlights

For their selfportraits inspired by the work of Jean-Michel Basquat, fourth grade students chose colors that evoked emotions.

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ARTIST OF THE YEAR GEORGIA O’KEEFFE BY YVETTE DAVIES Every year at Village, we select a different artist on whom to focus school-wide. Naturally, this necessitates rewriting the curriculum every year; no two years alike. Current trends in education, world events, societal shifts, geography, and more, inform the work. It means challenging ourselves— which is a perfect launch pad to challenging students. Our 2022-2023 artist of the year, Georgia O’Keeffe, is possibly the most famous female American painter. Her work uniquely reflects the diversity of the American landscape. Her famous quote, “take time to look” became a mantra in our classes; we challenged students to stop, take a beat, look deeply; don’t see a flower merely as a flower, really observe. We zoomed into objects, then zoomed out. Becoming so closely involved with nature which, though

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realistic, became really quite abstract under intense scrutiny. We divided the year into two sections: two- dimensional and three-dimensional; every student experienced different mediums and opportunities for interpretation and selfexpression. Weaving is an ancient skill, an artform that spans many cultures and peoples, and an activity that integrates fine motor skills, the left brain, and the right brain—essentially, pre-mathematics. In fact, art is very much like math; it involves major problemsolving skills. Students may know what they want to create; now they need to find ways in which to get there. Art empowers kids to find solutions— and the confidence in solving problems for themselves. Weaving projects are significant time commitments, requiring students to “choose challenge.” It can be difficult and frustrating; for example, how does one turn a corner? And then suddenly, the excitement of that light-bulb moment when a new skill is acquired. I made small weaving kits for students to take with them for spring break and it warmed my heart to hear the vast range of locations where VS students chose to weave! Artificial Intelligence and screens will never replicate three-

dimensional art; tangible, hands-on applications are required and, in so doing, a sense of meditative calmness transpires. As an art teacher, there is no greater success than knowing that students rise early of their own volition so that they can come to the art studio for office hours! And what a wonderful way to start the day for us all! Ceramics students have produced some amazing work this year however, for me, while the final piece is rewarding, it is the process that proves priceless—when students learn how to form a join, or glaze a pot. With ceramics, children are literally delving into nature with their hands. First graders crafted cups and saucers inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s A Sunflower from Maggie. Given a sunflower by her neighbor, Ms. O’Keeffe painted its image and gave the piece to her neighbor in the spirit of thanksgiving. The first graders’ simple ceramic pinch pot cups and sunflower saucers were admired during a celebratory tea party at the end of the semester. The culminating sixth grade project was very much a collaboration between art and Global Studies. Students designed and developed three pieces based upon their country of study: a redesigned flag, a ceramic serving platter and a food truck.

W O RD

JADE

COMING FROM TWO OTHER DIFFERENT

ART EMPOWERS KIDS TO FIND SOLUTIONS—AND THE CONFIDENCE IN SOLVING PROBLEMS FOR THEMSELVES.

MAKING NEW MEMORIES, AND HAVING NEW EXPERIENCES. DURING MY TWO YEARS AT VILLAGE, SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS INCLUDE READING

GOOD FOOD.

AD U

THE GIVER, MAKING NEW FRIENDS, AND EATING

Highlights

OM OUR GR

SCHOOLS FOR MY ELEMENTARY “EXPERIENCE,” I WAS EXCITED ABOUT GOING TO A NEW SCHOOL,

VS’S INTEGRATED ART CURRICULUM 2022/23 PROJECTS TK: “Light coming in the plain” inspired large mixed media collage using found objects, “Ladder to the Moon” inspired painting and shell painting. K: mountain painting, ceramic vases of flowers 1st Grade: ceramic sunflower cup and large painted flowers 2nd Grade: “Sky above clouds” painting and weaving 3rd Grade: mountain inspired coil built pots and detailed paintings of mountains 4th Grade: charcoal drawings and “cow’s skull and calico roses”-inspired ceramic relief sculpture project 5th Grade: large weaving and skull paintings 6th Grade: large flower watercolors and world’s fair country projects

Yvette Davies admires a freshly-fired ceramic “sunflower cup” with First grader, Quinn.

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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING BY KENZO BERGERON

xperiential learning is an integral part of many contemporary educational communities. Village School is no exception; our teachers strive to provide experiences that foster creativity, sharpen critical capacities, and deepen understanding of the world. Across all grades, TK–6th, you’ll find thoughtfully curated field trips and hands-on activities that extend beyond traditional classroom instruction, providing global experiences that allow for active engagement, personalized learning, and real-world relevance. Examples of experiential learning at Village School include: Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students had several opportunities to learn by doing, seeing, touching, building, and sharing. For example, students took a memorable trip to Underwood Farms, where they picked fruits and vegetables, fed farm animals, and learned about the life cycles of plants and crops. Undoubtedly, the tractor ride was a big favorite. Our students also experienced an authentic farmto-table world, tasting organically grown produce, all while learning the importance of patience and gaining a more profound respect for the natural world. Third-grade students visited Dodger Stadium, The Getty Villa, Watts Towers, La Brea Tar Pits, The Hollywood Sign, The Hollywood Bowl, TLC Grauman’s Theater, The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grand Central Market, Angels Flight, The Bradbury Building, City Hall, and Union Station. Touring the city streets allowed students to understand the cultural diversity and historical significance of Los Angeles, a truly one-of-a-kind place.

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From the stunning architecture of skyscrapers to the vibrant street art of neighborhoods, including Venice Beach, our students gained a more significant appreciation for the rich tapestry of our city’s heritage. Students travel to Catalina Island to explore the unique marine ecosystem when they reach fifth grade. Following an itinerary curated by our science team, fifth graders perform science labs on mammals, invertebrates, and plankton and participate in team-building activities, including rock climbing. Students also take a nighttime hike, entranced by a star-filled sky. This trip fosters a more sincere appreciation for marine life, scientific exploration, teamwork, and the wonders of our universe. In sixth grade, students continue to broaden their understanding of the greater world by taking a road trip along the stunning California Coast to experience breathtaking vistas and encounters with coastal wildlife. From visiting iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge to exploring the magnificent redwood forests, our students learn to appreciate the complexity and fragility of the California coast and their obligation to steward its continued vitality. Undoubtedly, field trips and hands-on activities help us animate the wonder, joy, and challenge of childhood at the heart of Village’s mission. Going beyond traditional classroom instruction and providing students with rich and immersive learning experiences helps equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate an everchanging world while fostering a lifelong love for learning. We’ll see you on the road!

Highlights

Hands-on experiences, like those in the redwoods and on the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail that students walked to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, expand students’ understanding of the world around them.

UNDOUBTEDLY, FIELD TRIPS AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES HELP US ANIMATE THE WONDER, JOY, AND CHALLENGE OF CHILDHOOD.

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DR . L I SA DAM OUR

K I M B E RLY WOL F

W I L L L E NZ N E R

above: Will Lenzner coaches parents to be motivators for young athletes; far left: Dr. Lisa Damour gives parents practical advice on the transitions children go through; near left: Kimberly Wolf leads a discussion on the role of fathers in their daughters’ lives.

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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BROOKE

OUR G

THEY ALSO TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE A CARING,

ROM

I ALSO WANTED TO THANK MY TEACHERS.

KIND FRIEND. ALTHOUGH I AM REALLY SAD TO LEAVE

THEY’VE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH, NOT ONLY DID THEY TEACH ME MATH, READING AND SO ON,

Highlights

F DS

THOUGHTFUL, RESPONSIBLE PERSON AND ALSO A

I ALSO KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT GOODBYE, JUST

HELLO TO A NEW CHAPTER IN MY LIFE.

GREAT MINDS

Village School’s Great Minds series brings experts to campus, leaders in fields important to teaching and learning, providing enriching experiences for all Village constituencies. Here’s a sampling of our guests this year, visitors who have become friends, who shared their expertise and profound understandings of children and pedagogy. We were delighted to welcome clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author and parent columnist Dr. Lisa Damour. Accessing years of experience in concert with the latest research, Lisa provided parents with practical advice on the transitions children go through as they develop into young adults. Parents and teachers left the encounter empowered with practical tips to apply immediately to a vast range of circumstances. Palisadian and author of Talk with Her: A Dad’s Essential Guide to Raising Healthy, Confident and Capable Daughters Kimberly Wolf led a robust discussion about the role father figures play in girls’ development, how to communicate with and build bonds with girls, raising grounded girls in Los Angeles, and how to prepare for key conversations that can boost girls’ wellbeing and achievement. Mental Skills Coach Will Lenzner currently directs the Mental Performance program with the LA Angels. Previously he worked with the NY Mets and Seattle Mariners. He spent a day at VS coaching us to be the best motivators for our young athletes, and responding to thoughtful, specific questions from VS parents about their student’s intense sport programs. Will works closely with individuals and organizations to optimize human and operational performance; he has

experience teaching courses on applied mental performance, and coaching football at the high school and junior college levels. We are always delighted to welcome back Dr. Dolly Klock, an expert in human development for parents of tweens-teens. A physician, speaker, and consultant, Dolly is the founder of ADOLESSONS. She is also a beloved VS parent alumna! We learned how to get control of screentime and start feeling more peace of mind with Digital Media Wellness educator Julia Storm. Julia talked to us about raising safe, healthy, discerning kids in the digital age.

We are grateful for these Great Minds who open our minds, and hearts, so that we can be the best we can be—in the classroom and at home.

DR . DOL LY K LOC K

JU L IA STO RM

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O R

MADISON

PLEASE TRY NOT TO CRY, EVEN THOUGH IT’S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE. HOW AM I SUPPOSED

OUR G

TO SAY, THAT I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY IN EVERY WAY. I WANT TO THANK MY PARENTS FIRST BECAUSE THEY WERE ALWAYS AT MY SIDE DURING MY

RAD

WORST. TEACHERS ARE AMAZING AND THEY ARE DEFINITELY WORTH PRAISING. LOYAL FRIENDS,

UA TE

THIS ISN’T THE END.

W OR

DAVIS

DS F

MY TIME AT VILLAGE FELT SO LONG AND SO SHORT. NOW ALL OF US ARE MOVING TO DIFFERENT

ROM O

SCHOOLS. WE WILL ALL FACE NEW CHALLENGES. I DID NOT GET THROUGH VILLAGE SCHOOL ALONE. I HAVE HAD LOTS OF SUPPORT FROM TEACHERS,

TE UA

R G R A D U AT E

GR A

FOR EVERYTHING VILLAGE SCHOOL.

PARENTS, FRIENDS, AND COACHES. THANK YOU

ELOISE WHEN WE BECOME OLDER WE WILL BE LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS: SUCCESSFUL DOCTORS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. BUT I KNOW THAT WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER VILLAGE SCHOOL AND

HOW THAT MAKES US WHO WE WILL BE IN THE

FUTURE.

WO R

FR BUT AS I MATURED I REALIZED THAT THIS SCHOOL MOLDED ME AND GAVE ME THE KEY VALUES THAT

I WILL NEED TO MOVE ON IN MY LIFE.

R G R A D U AT E

INTO. GOING TO VILLAGE WAS A CHALLENGE FOR ME

INTO THE PERSON I AM TODAY. I AM PROUD OF WHO I HAVE BECOME AND THE PERSON I WILL GROW

WILLOW I WANT TO THANK VILLAGE FOR SHAPING ME

AFTER 45 YEARS, SOME THINGS DON’T CHANGE A FEW THOUGHTS FROM SARA SINGSANK, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND PARENT ENGAGEMENT

s Village celebrated its 45th anniversary, I took the year to reflect on why this school continues to be a wonderful part of my life. I have been a member of the Village School community for over 17 years as a parent and now as an employee. Every morning, the students arrive at the school with infectious joy, sharing warm smiles and hugs, greeting us, and sometimes even showing off their lost teeth. This school is not just a place of learning but a community that embraces everyone. People often ask me what has stayed the same at Village School over the years. The answer is simple: the moments that make our community a community have remained constant. We form relationships with our colleagues, students, and parents, which make our school a warm, loving environment where everyone feels supported. As a community, we celebrate each other’s major life events, such as weddings, births, starting a business, and winning a game. We also celebrate the smaller moments that unite us, such as lost teeth (which seems to happen frequently). The little things, like starting a conversation with a parent you don’t know while waiting in the pickup line, can lead to lasting friendships. Being approached by a committee leader who notices that you are new to the school and asking if you’re okay can make all the difference in feeling welcomed and supported. We also value the hard conversations that we have with teachers and administrators. They know our children well and partner with us to find the right path for them. Administrators take calls and keep their doors open for chats about life as a parent in these wild times. They remind us that childhood should be messy and fun. And hold our hands on those days that we need it. My colleagues are also an integral part of our community. They send supportive texts and messages when we feel overwhelmed, reminding us that we are not alone. Even our boss checks in when we seem off, providing support and encouragement. Village School is a community where we learn, laugh, and sometimes cry together. The building and spaces are just vessels that hold the people, big and small, who make our school a welcoming and supportive environment. I am proud to be part of this beautiful community!

Profiles

I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PART OF CREATING ART IS NOT IN THE OUTCOME, BUT RATHER THE PROCESS ITSELF. FACULTY PROFILE

AIDAN ROMICK

rt has always been an important part of my life, beginning in elementary school when I developed an unwavering inclination towards drawing. I honed my artistic skills throughout school, delving into various techniques such as charcoal, watercolor, and oil on linen; each medium serving as a vehicle to convey distinct expressions. As I delved deeper into my artistic pursuits, I discovered that the more I immersed myself in the creative process, the more effortlessly I was able to articulate and express my thoughts and emotions. I have come to realize that the most significant part of creating art is not in the outcome, but rather the process itself which can often be therapeutic. Throughout my life, this creative process has remained an indispensable part of my life, because it allows me to see and process things in new ways. Along my educational journey, I have been fortunate to encounter mentors who have shared their invaluable guidance and unwavering support. It is this rich background that profoundly influences my approach to teaching, as I aspire to provide my students with an understanding of the artistic process, thinking beyond the finished product. My work revolves around memory, and the intersection of past and present experiences. I studied the masters, so the majority of my work is rooted in realism. I use that framework of representation and juxtapose it with surreal elements. I was born in Los Angeles and got my BFA at NYU. I always knew that I’d end up back in LA, but I wanted to be somewhere else, somewhere completely different for a significant period. In New York, I found what I was seeking: constantly walking around, moving, discovering, sensing – it’s impossible to evade new ideas in so vibrant a city. After eight years in New York, I came back to LA for my MFA at CalArts. It feels great to be home in another vibrant city for this part of my journey. Teaching allows me to share creativity with others and be in an inspiring environment. In art, there’s always something new, keeping the cycle alive. Sharing art and the creative process with people, especially kids, brings a fresh perspective to my own work and helps me evolve.

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Parent Association 28

MESSAGE FROM THE VSPA CO-CHAIRS

THANK YOU VSPA VOLUNTEERS!

VSPA OFFICERS

VSPA COMMITTEE LEADS

32 VILLAGE GIVES BACK 34

SPRING FUNDRAISER AND GALA

MESSAGE FROM THE VSPA CO-PRESIDENTS JULIE HARTUNIAN AND KARA HOROWITZ

h, what a year! This year, we experienced our most “normal” year yet since the pandemic… and we were so excited to have families back on campus to support the Village School Parent Association (VSPA). The spirit of volunteerism, dedication and excitement could be seen and felt at every school event. The commitment of our parent volunteers drives each VSPA opportunity as well as strengthens the warm, supportive community that makes Village School such a special place. Every year our volunteers show up, and this year was no exception. Village School held so many events that Vikings and their families enjoyed! New Parent Liaisons and Welcome Circles graciously welcomed new families into our community. We kicked off the year with the return of the much-loved Back-to-School Picnic. Our children enjoyed the Halloween Carnival with games run by their parents (in costume, of course!) and honored Día De Los Muertos with a festive and meaningful celebration. We enjoyed Let’s Connect events ranging from a pickle ball tournament to an all-school Silent

B ACK-TO-S CH OOL PI CN IC

SI LENT DI S C O

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Parent Association

THE COMMITMENT OF OUR PARENT VOLUNTEERS DRIVES EACH VSPA OPPORTUNITY AS WELL AS STRENGTHENS THE WARM, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY THAT MAKES VILLAGE SCHOOL SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE. Julie Hartunian and Kara Horowitz, our VSPA Co-Presidents posed with their families. back row, from left to right: Garen and Julie Hartunian, Kara and Jamie Horowitz front row, from left to right: Dylan ’25, Chase ’27, Cooper ’27, Will ’24, Jake ’21

Disco thanks to generous host families. Parents volunteered at Book Fairs, Vintage Village, and provided delicious breakfasts for our hard-working teachers. This Spring, we celebrated our school at the annual Gala and invited Grandparents and Special Friends on campus to see our children’s wonder, joy, and challenge up close. In June, we came together to mark the end of the school year at the sentimental Moving Up Ceremony. In addition to welcoming back many traditional VSPA events, we found new ways to connect. Parents gathered for Coffee on the Lawn after Summer and Winter breaks and assisted in the Science Lab with incredible hands-on projects. Families showed their generosity through numerous philanthropic initiatives. Together, we provided Thanksgiving meals for 40 families in need through Westwood Transitional Village, created holiday magic for 64 children with the Baby2Baby gift drive, worked with Rise Against Hunger to pack over 10,000 lunch meals for school children in the Philippines and outfitted an entire home with Upward Bound House. We look forward to creating even more ways for our community to support those around us in the coming years.

Our successful year would not have been possible without the support of our school’s wonderful administration and faculty. We love having our dedicated teachers present the incredible work they do with our children at our VSPA meetings—their inspiring presentations are always a highlight! Thank you to Kenzo Bergeron, Annie Block, Danny Kramer, Chris Gonyaw and the facilities team for assisting with numerous VSPA programs. Once again, John Evans provided an incredible amount of support to the VSPA. We appreciate all of John’s enthusiasm for VSPA programing and his openness to the VSPA’s suggestions and ideas. We are especially grateful to have the pleasure of collaborating with the incomparable Sara Singsank. Sara’s dedication, thoughtfulness and endless energy are the heart of Village’s community of parents. We truly cherish our time working with Sara to bring each and every VSPA opportunity to life. It is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that we give thanks to the amazing Village School community for creating a memorable year and we look forward to sharing the 2023-24 school year with you all!

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THANK YOU VSPA VOLUNTEERS In our 45th year, we proudly celebrated another extraordinary year for the VSPA (Village School Parent Association). Its success lies in the efforts of our dedicated volunteers. We express our deepest gratitude to all these volunteers, whose dedication and selfless contributions have been keeping us moving forward for so many years. Whether it was providing snacks for parties, organizing hospitality, planning Let’s Connect events, or fulfilling the role of room parents, every task has made a significant difference in the life of our school. Their invaluable efforts continue to inspire us and strengthen our community. VSPA OFFICERS 2022/23

Presidents Kara Horowitz Julie Hartunian Past Presidents Kristyn Romans Lisa Weinberger Vice President—Volunteer Development Shana Silveri Vice Presidents—Fundraising Gloria Kim Cate Klein Vice President—Room Parent Coordinator Beth Freedman Vice President—Community Outreach Terin Ratner Secretary Allison Krieser Treasurer Sherry Nariman 30

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COMMITTEE LEADS ADMISSIONS LIAISONS Courtney Hobson Sherry Nariman ART LIAISON Zoe Frampton BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC Astineh Arakelian Ashley Cohen Tiffany Bartolacci Shelby Grayeli Heather Karpf Gloria Kim Shira Kozloff Lisa Reilly Laura Roberts Samantha Rufeh Desirae Shepard BOOK FAIR Gina Burcham Beth Freedman Sherry Nariman Kristy Schaffer

BOUTIQUE Jessica Anderson Lauren Goldfaden Gloria Kim Julia Seidenstein Hillary Thomas FRONT BOARD COORDINATOR Jen Green GRANDPARENTS DAY (SPRING)—HOSPITALITY Astineh Arakelian Jenine Dreisen Dana Flowers Shelby Grayeli Kelly Harris Heather Karpf Shira Kozloff Catilin Miller Samantha Rufeh GRANDPARENTS TK/K OUTREACH (FALL) Courtney Hobson Ashley Mendel

Parent Association

GREAT MINDS LIAISON— COMMON SENSE MEDIA Zelana Montminy HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION— PUMPKIN FEST Andrew Harris Garen Hartunian Howard Kozloff Cameron Reilly Brian Trump HOSPITALITY—EVENTS Stacie Dail Elana Fullmer Jen Green Lucy Hadl Mara Kamins Christine Lim Cassidy Noonan Erica Terpstra

LET’S CONNECT— PARTYBOOK FUNDRAISER Missy Arman Lydia Bergman Jenna Binder Sheri Field Sam Gutstadt-Nayot Courtney Kirsh NEW PARENT LIAISONS FALL 2022 Jessica Anderson Beth Freedman Christine Lim Kristy Schaffer NEW PARENT LIAISONS SPRING 2023 Lauren Alley Jessica Anderson Stacey Rosenson Kristy Schaffer ONGOING FUNDRAISING Jennifer Schechter

SCIENCE LIAISONS Tracy Robinson Kathleen Shannon

SPRING FUNDRAISER GALA Danielle Misher

SERVICE LEARNING Laura Hart

TEACHER APPRECIATION Missy Arman Lydia Bergman Antara Jaitly Dina Litt

SHARE THE LOVE FOOD DRIVE Jen Jewett Allison Kreiser SPANISH LIAISONS Aubrey Bartolo Teresa Merced Adriana Sagi SPIRIT WEAR LIAISON Chelsea Shukov SPRING FUNDRAISER AUCTION Sherry Nariman Laura Roberts

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE Jessica Anderson Lauren Goldfaden Jen Jewett VILLAGE VINTAGE LIAISONS Alison Greiner Kathleen Shannon Sheri Soldatke Liz Williams

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VILLAGE GIVES BACK Village is Community. Community is Action. These are not merely words but come to life with the active community service offered through the VSPA and Service-Learning Team. When Village comes together, it becomes a force capable of effecting positive change not only within its local community but also in the larger world. Through various activites, Villagers joined together in the spirit of giving back and caring for others.

FR O

MEMORIES INCLUDING MAKING LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS AS WELL AS GETTING TO BE A BIG

AND BE SILLY.

BUDDY; TEACHING THEM HOW TO READ, WRITE 32

AD U AT E

AND MY CLASSMATES. I HAVE MADE COUNTLESS

R GR

SMOOTH THANKS TO THE MAGNIFICENT TEACHERS

MOST WONDERFUL TWO YEARS OF MY LIFE. MY TRANSITION [FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL] WAS PRETTY

FIONA THANK YOU VILLAGE SCHOOL FOR THE

Thanksgiving Food Drive: The Thanksgiving food drive is a long-standing partnership with the Westside Transitional Village. Families donate and organize Thanksgiving meals to 40 families at WTV. It is a highlight of the school year for parents to come together and work side by side in support of this local organization. A parent volunteer commented, “I am amazed how much can be accomplished in such a short period of time when we all work together.” Baby2Baby: Baby2Baby is a nonprofit organization that provides essential items such as diapers, clothing, and other baby necessities to children living in poverty. In its second year this partnership at Village has grown to support 64 children. By the end of the drive, the Swarthmore foyer was beautifully overwhelmed with wrapped gifts. Baby2Baby wrote “We are so grateful for your enormous contribution to Baby2Baby and for showing the children we serve the true meaning of giving.” Rise Against Hunger: Rise Against Hunger is an international hunger relief organization that aims to end hunger and malnutrition worldwide. Village hosted a meal packing event that brought parents, students, faculty and staff together to pack close to 10,000 meals. It was

Share the Love: Share the Love is a community service campaign that takes place around Valentine’s Day. With the leadership of parents this year we partnered with Upward Bound House to set up a new home for mothers and their young children. The campaign encouraged parents and students to share their time, resources, and love with those who may need it most. A 6th grader recalls, “It is really rewarding to see all the items we brought being set up to make a home for a family. I am glad we are given the opportunity to help.”

Parent Association

an amazing afternoon that showcased what Village can accomplish when it works together. From RAH, “The destination of the meals packed will be the Philippines. The food you all packed will make a huge difference, thank you so much for your partnership with us and we look forward to working with you again to help put an end to global hunger.”

A PARENT VOLUNTEER COMMENTED, “I AM AMAZED HOW MUCH CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER.”

Upward Bound House Home Run for Kids: The goal of the Upward Bound House is to ensure that homelessness is as brief as possible for the families they serve, as well as assisting families in addressing the barriers they face in obtaining and remaining in permanent housing. Enthusiastically led by our Service-Learning team, our participation made an immediate impact in helping reduce poverty in our local community.

By engaging in activities like food drives, supporting charitable organizations, and organizing events, we can come together, foster a sense of unity, and educate our students on the world beyond our walls. It is a beautiful gift to promote a culture of giving, compassion, and community engagement. VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

2022/ 23

OVER $400,000 WAS RAISED FOR VILLAGE SCHOOL . . . WITH THE SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM OUR DEDICATED DONORS, WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS THE VERY BEST TO KEEP UP WITH RAPIDLY-CHANGING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES. W

JAKE

AFTER LEAVING PRESCHOOL

EIGHT YEARS AGO, THINKING ABOUT GOING TO A NEW SCHOOL WASN’T MY

FROM OUR G

FAVORITE THOUGHT. I HAD MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT ATTENDING VILLAGE SCHOOL. HOWEVER, WHEN I WALKED INTO VILLAGE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND WAS WARMLY WELCOMED BY MY TEACHERS, MY THOUGHTS ABOUT GOING TO A NEW SCHOOL CHANGED. AS A FEW WEEKS PASSED I UNDERSTAND WHY JUST A MONTH PRIOR I

E AT

ABOUT THIS GREAT PLACE.

WAS HAVING UNPLEASANT THOUGHTS

RA D

HAD ALREADY MADE FRIENDS, AND I DIDN’T

The fabulous Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica was decked out for a fun-filled evening.

Parent Association

AN ENCHANTED EVENING

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL GALA BY DANNY KRAMER

s we continue to create our “Forever School,” we look for new ways to expand and develop curriculum that inspires our children. On Saturday, March 18th, our community came together at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica at the Annual Spring Fundraiser and Gala. That night, over $400,000 was raised for Village School. This year’s gala initiative was to improve the already outstanding technology in the classroom, and the support the school received was incredibly impactful. At Village School, innovation sparks imagination. From robot-making in TK, to virtual and augmented reality, to the Junior Filmmakers and Media Arts programs in the Upper Division, there is no shortage of cutting-edge technology being discovered and mastered. “With your help, for the first time ever at Village School, students can capture and keep their microscopic images. Our new OMAX microscopes come with camera attachments and laptop software that will allow students to take photos and videos of what they are looking at. We will use this technology next year to make time lapses of cell division, capture pond life swimming, and observe properties of matter. This technology is also incredibly accessible for our youngest learners who can’t quite focus the knobs themselves yet.” —Joshua Robinson and Katelyn Patterson, Science Teachers In Media Arts, students use programs such as Photoshop, GarageBand, Final Draft for screenwriting and Final Cut Pro for video editing. Both fifth and sixth graders easily adapted to these programs and used this technology for work in other classes and created original music for their short films. Using these programs and applications opens the floodgates for creativity, imagination and collaboration. I am impressed with how much these students were able to learn and create in just one year, and look forward to growing each of these programs next year. —Rob Traegler, Upper Division Teacher As our teachers can attest, staying on the cutting edge of technology is vitally important. With the support received from our dedicated donors, we are able to continue to provide our students the very best to keep up with rapidly-changing technological advances. From all of us at Village School, thank you! VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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AN ENCHANTED EVENING

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL GALA

The Village School “family” came out en force in support of the school’s initiatives. Dinner, dancing, live music, and a photo booth made the event a truly enchanted evening.

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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Parent Association

THANK YOU GALA DONORS! Anonymous (2) Andre and Svetlana Boissier Lindsay and Nino Cordoves Gina Taylor Cotter Chuck Liu and Rebecca Fan Drew and Dana Flowers Robert and Lauren Goldfaden Neeraj Gunsagar Andrew and Kelly Harris Jason and Rebecca Hild Nicholas and Courtney Hobson John and Mia Janick Mir Saied and Sanaz Kashani Daniel and Gloria Kim Andrew and Courtney Kirsh Yev and Anna Kuznetsov Yuanrun Lin and Jun Wang Bejan and Samantha Rufeh Farbod and Rosita Safe Leslie and Josh Solt Ariel and Juliya Spiegel Giovanna and Michael Steele Zak and Cali Tendle James and Stephany Tosi Kevin and Chelsea Washington Dan and Lisa Weinberger Emma and Bruce Willis

THANK YOU EVENT SPONSORS! Citizen Sprout First Republic Bank Goldfaden MD Jason and Leah Karlov Kate Petrosky and Julien Thuan Smith and Berg

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Financial Report 38 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

VILLAGE FUND

VILLAGE FUND DONORS

BY THE NUMBERS

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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DANNY KRAMER

ver the last year, I have witnessed firsthand the Village community’s deep commitment to upholding the core of our mission statement. In particular, Wonder, Joy, and Challenge stand out as mantras in our daily practice. Each day I see the Wonder in the students’ eyes as they explore the incredible learning environment Village offers. Through my work in the Advancement Office, I know that our faculty and staff choose Challenge on a daily basis, as they strive to provide exceptional experiences and a nurturing environment for our families. And, I find a profound sense of Joy in knowing that through our dedication to a common goal, our students will achieve great success. The opportunities to support Village School are numerous, and this year, in particular, our parents, grandparents, and alumni rose to the occasion. Many of you demonstrated your dedication to Village through countless volunteer initiatives with the VSPA. We returned to a full slate of Let’s Connect events and the turnout was overwhelming. Three hundred of you attended our annual Spring Fundraiser and Gala for a night of celebration and generosity. In addition, the creativity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit of our families made the Holiday Boutique a great success. Thank you to all of the volunteers, party hosts, and donors. Together, you have made an indelible impact on our students and our school yet again. What I am most humbled by is the generosity you have shown to the Village Fund. To begin the year, 100% of our

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Financial Report

OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022–JUNE 30, 2023* *F I G UR E S ROUNDE D TO NE ARE ST THOUSAND

REVENUE 2022/23 $12,142,510 TUITION, FEES, & OTHER: $10,674,410 = 87.9% VILLAGE FUND: $850,000 = 7.0%

Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff gave to the Village Fund. We thank them for their leadership, meaningful contributions, and philanthropic enthusiasm. But what inspires me the most is that an astonishing 98% of all current parents gave to the Village Fund this year. This is a benchmark that has never been achieved at Village School, and we cannot thank you enough. But what do all of these successes and touchstones really mean? They mean that our community of parents support what our teachers, administrators, and staff are doing to create an exemplary foundational experience for our students. All of the articles and photos in this annual report have one thing in common: they would not be possible without the unwavering support of so many in our community. As you turn the pages and read about all of the ways we “chose challenge” this past year, remember that we can always achieve our goals when we come together.

VSPA FUNDRAISERS: $418,100 = 3.4% INVESTMENT INCOME: $200,000 = 16%

EXPENSES 2022/23 $12,120,613 SALARIES, BENEFITS, & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: $9,676,886 = 79.8% FINANCIAL AID: $927,000 = 7.6% FACILITIES: $763,127 = 6.3% VSPA FUNDRAISER EXPENSES: $217,700 = .8% GENERAL ADMINISTRATION: $535,900 = 4.4%

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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THANK YOU THE VILLAGE FUND The Village Fund supports the programs and people that make Village School so special: academic and extracurricular programs, the arts, experiential education, professional development for our teachers, campus resources, and much more. The generosity exhibited by our parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends is evidence of our shared commitment to supporting an environment in which our children flourish and experience the Wonder, Joy, and Challenge of learning. Annual Giving The term Annual Giving refers to a range of giving options each year that makes up approximately 10% of Village School’s annual operating budget, filling the gap between tuition and the actual cost of a VS education. Annual Fundraising/Friendraising Programs The annual Spring Fundraiser and Gala and “Let’s Connect” are projects designed to raise funds in addition to the Village Fund; these programs promote the Village School community through exciting events and are part of the school’s Annual Giving goals.

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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CURRENT PARENTS BY GIVING LEVEL VANGUARD CIRCLE $25,000 or More Steven and Lydia Bergman Binder Foundation— Todd and Jenna Binder Eric and Jenine Dreisen Kelly Family Fund Steele Family Brett and Hillary Thomas Kevin and Chelsea Washington Marina and Laurence Weiss BENEFACTOR CIRCLE $15,000 - $24,999 Anonymous Cyrus and Melissa Arman Kevin and Laura Boyle Todd and Kathryn Chaffee Spiegel Family Katherine Petrosky and Julien Thuan Emma and Bruce Willis HEAD OF SCHOOL CIRCLE $10,000 - $14,999 Anonymous Bartolacci Bjelkstam Family David and Jordana Berg Jason and Brienna Cohen Scott and Ashley Cohen Foundation Cristina and Enrico D’Angelo Sheri and Jim Dowd Jessica and Mike Geraty Lauren and Robert Goldfaden Shelby and Sam Grayeli Ben and Jade Hsiang Jiwan Family Kuznetsov Family Dan and Caitlin Miller Mike Nohaile and Kristin Yarema Nohaile Park Family

Pollack/Robinson Family Terin and Jason Ratner Mark & Aimee Rosenbaum Sagi Family Stephany and James Tosi The Lurie and Vogelsong Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada

Ari and Stacey Rosenson Samantha and Bejan Rufeh Safe Family Scaglione Family Patrick and Kristy Schaffer Jonathan and Jennifer Schechter Seol-Jang Family Siemer Family Cindy and Andrew Smith Lewis

Wiley Family

Yuanrun Lin and Jun Wang

WONDER, JOY, AND CHALLENGE CIRCLE $7,500 - $9,999 David and Lily Dulan John and Lucy Hadl Alison Greiner and Matthew Jacobson John and Mia Janick Jayne McCaw

FAMILY CIRCLE $2,500 - $4,999 Anonymous (2) Darvish Family Chuck Liu and Rebecca Fan Joel Farar and Alana May-Farar Drew and Dana Flowers Alexandra Lajoie and Ulysses Fowler Eric and Beth Freedman Roxanne Davis and James Gavsie Jen and Scott Green Ben and Stacey Herman Nick & Courtney Hobson Horowitz Family Jack, Veronica and Isabelle Jaffe Jennifer and Harky Jewett Andrew and Courtney Kirsh Kripke Family Francie Berns and Rich Levin Christine and Stephen Lim McNitt Family Misher Family Adrianne and Ari Nathan Natasha Nathan Ron and Samantha Nayot Janey and Ryan Sakamoto Silveri Family Laura and Mark Sudack Jonathan and Cassidy Taksa Scott and Joy Tate Zak and Cali Tendle Udko Family Lisa and Dan Weinberger

SWARTHMORE CIRCLE $5,000 - $7,499 ANONYMOUS David and Jessica Anderson Andre & Lana Boissier Robert and Courtlan Budman Burcham Family Gina Taylor Cotter Ronnie and Stacie Dail Fankhauser Family Chris and Sarah Foss Guadiana Family Julie and Garen Hartunian Jason and Rebecca Hild Kristina Huberman Antara Jaitly and Pratyoosh/Jaitly Leah and Jason Karlov Cate and Keith Klein Heather and Chris Lawless Montminy Family Nariman Family Edie and Tom Ortenberg Jeff and Leanne Richardson Laura and Michael Roberts David and Kristyn Romans

VIKING CIRCLE $1,500 - $2,499 Anonymous (2) Rodney and Carole Carr Steve and Kristin Chapin Nino and Lindsay Cordoves Yahlin Chang and Ryan Craig The Drubners Elperin Family Fisher Family Laura and Billy Hart Kyong Choi and Mike Hildebrandt Johnson/Wolfson Family Scott and Mara Kamins Karpf Family Robert and Kerri Keslow Daniel and Gloria Kim Maria and Ryan Kiskis Howard and Shira Kozloff Grace and Peter Newton Lisa and Anders Richardson Sarah and Stephen Schwartz Solt Family Tricia and Brian Taper Weingarten Family Tom and Liz Williams WELCOME CIRCLE $500 - $1,499 Anonymous (10) Greg and Lauren Alley A. Ambrosio Justine and DJ Andrzejewski Meaza Assefa and Yonnatan Kebede Assefa Bryan Townsend Cook Abi and Y.K. De Silva Andrew Edwards and Courtney Fawaz Field Family Frampton Family Dean and Hillary Georgaris Tanja Hancock Lisa and Gil Isenstein Natasha Johnson

Financial Report

VILLAGE FUND DONORS! Saied and Sanaz Kashani Kawalsky Family Krieser Family Dina and Kevin Litt Lyra Marble Maria Martinez Stephanie and Trevor Matthews Ashley and Shawn Mendel Mahta and Kamran Mirrafati Newmark Family Nicolaou Family Katherine Schwarzenegger-Pratt and Chris Pratt Julie and Alec Rasmussen Shukov Family Julie and Andrew Skatoff Terpstra Family The Russell Barnett and Kathleen Shannon Strength in Giving Fund Tran Family Nikki and Brian Trump Finley Wright Family FRIENDS CIRCLE Up to $499 Anonymous (8) Agustin Family Sonya Bhatia Astineh and Evan Britton Anu Burkhardt Fullmer Family Daya and Andrew Grant Andrew and Kelly Harris Vinay and Shifali Kohli Patty and Mourad Mzoughi Cassidy Noonan Tera Patterson Jason and Desirae Shepard Aaron Smith Darin and Kristina Turpin Stephen and Jane Wong Jennifer and Bobby Zheng

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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FROM O

R A

THANK YOU VILLAGE FUND DONORS!

RDS

NEVER REALLY HOW THEY EVENTUALLY UNFOLD. SO GOODBYE AND FAREWELL. I SURE WILL MISS VILLAGE SCHOOL BUT DON’T WORRY! YOU WILL DEFINITELY

Anonymous (3) Rhonda Bartolacci Richard A. Bergman Gunilla Byfield Deborah VH Cook Vivian and Martin Cordoves Barbara and Martin Foley Nancy and Gary Freedman Phyllis Giles John and Lynn Hancock Alan Jacobson Margaret Jewett Dr. and Mrs. Michael Karpf Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg William and Michele Klein Nancy and Kenneth Kranzberg Steven and Melanie Mandel Dan and Fif May Sally and Bill McNitt Judy Moreton Jess Ravich and Lisa Shamus Robert and Joan Rosenbaum Linda and Richard Schaps Israel and Ellen Schechter Irene Scroggins Linda Seidenstein Barbara and Al Siemer Michael and Nancy Sitrick Ann Slome Linnae Soldatke Wagiha Taylor Terpstra Family Sandra W. Thomas Linda Trope Billie and Richard Udko

Anonymous Asher Lichtenberg ‘19 Maki Lichtenberg ‘22 Seamus McNamara ‘22 Dylan McNamara ‘21 Theodore Ottosson ‘19 Marcel Shepard ’23 Ryan Singsank ‘12 Cole Wertlieb ‘11

FACULTY & STAFF Anonymous (9) Edwin Alfaro Nicholas Allen Antoinette Alvarado Tami Amer Betsy Basom Melissa Bishop Annie and Brent Block Anuradha J Burkhardt Alex Chehebar Teresa Coe Karli Cohn Rafael Cordero Brittanie DaCruz Yvette Davies Sam Davison Christine Eaves Tami Emerson Conrad Evans John Evans Aleyda Forbes Diane Friedman Andrea Garcia Chris Gonyaw Kourtney Hicks

Ashley Mooney Erica L Nicholson Valerie Nowacki Daniel Ordonez Eddy Ordonez Lesly Ordonez Katelyn Patterson Olivia Paysinger Paul Pettigrew Marina Place Joshua Robinson Giovanni Rodriguez Josie Rosen Jane Sheppard Caleb Hall Shields Paula Shin Kathleen Silberman Sara Singsank Sarah Stricker Macy Tone Rob Traegler Darin Turpin Liana Unger Stephanie Walker Georgette Washington Caitlin Welsh Greg Whitmore

ALUMNI

UNFORGETTABLE.

TE UA

Loni and Jeff Rush Family Foundation

VILLAGE SCHOOL, FOR MAKING MY TIME HERE

CHELSEA AS WE MOVE BEYOND VILLAGE, WE ARE EACH GOING TO RECEIVE A BLANK CANVAS THAT WE WILL FILL WITH NEW AND UNIQUE HUES. BUT WE WILL ALWAYS CHERISH THE CANVAS THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO FINISH. IT WILL BE HONORED AND FRAMED BY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.

GRANDPARENTS

GRANDPARENTS OF ALUMNI

SEE ME VISITING ON CAMPUS! THANK YOU

Heather D. Holguin Vance Ito Ashley Jacobs Wendy Jacobson Nichola Keen Danny Kramer Jordan Levine Antonio Martinez Meredith Miller

DS FROM OUR

Anonymous Cara Di Bona Yelena Entin Nadine and Thomas Geher Gutman Family Anthony A Patel

Janet and Henry Walther Carol and Rob Williams

PARENTS OF ALUMNI

FRIENDS OF VILLAGE SCHOOL Judith Rivkin and George Davison

MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES American Express Foundation The Capital Group Fox Corporation Sony Pictures Entertainment UBS

CORPORATION GIFTS Angelini Ristorante and Bar Trish Alison Photography

THANK YOU TO OUR TUITION ASSISTANCE FUND DONORS! Kelly Family Fund Katherine Schwarzenegger-Pratt and Chris Pratt

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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WORRY ABOUT FROM OUR PAST SEEM SO SMALL AND THE ONES WE PROJECT INTO THE FUTURE ARE

TE UA

ELLA TIME MOVES QUICKLY AND THE THINGS WE

by the numbers: impact of giving Financial Report

TOTAL GIFTS RAISED FROM ALL SOURCES

$1,600,000 IN 2022 /23, OUR VILLAGE FUND EFFORT

RAISED $990,000 by the numbers: DONOR statistics

6 ALUMNI FAMILY DONORS

39 GRANDPARENTS DONATED TO THE VILLAGE FUND 98% CURRENT FAMILY PARTICIPATION 61 FACULTY & STAFF DONORS

5 MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES

rate of participation in the VILLAGE FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES 100% FACULTY AND STAFF 100% CURRENT FAMILIES 98% VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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Alumni 45 SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACEMENTS 47 CLASS OF 2017 MATRICULATIONS 48

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023! We are proud of each and every one of you! You and your families embraced the secondary school application process with open minds and the spirit of discovery! We are grateful for the sense of partnership and balance that informed the outcomes; it was a privilege to share the journey with you all. VS alumni, you may be in your “new homes,” but you are always in our hearts, and we look forward to welcoming you back to your alma mater as often as possible. 44

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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Alumni

OM OUR GRA

PARKER I WANT TO THANK MY TEACHERS FOR ALL THE KIND HELP AND EDUCATION THEY GAVE TO ME. I WANT TO THANK MY PARENTS FOR TAKING ME TO SCHOOL ALMOST EVERY DAY SINCE KINDERGARTEN.

FOR MY LAST WORDS AT VILLAGE I WANT TO THANK

DS AT

LEIGHTON

I REMEMBER EIGHT YEARS AGO, I

OM OUR GRA

WAS JUST A LITTLE GUY, THINKING I’M SO COOL... I WAS QUICKLY WELCOMED BY THE GREAT TK TEACHERS. I REMEMBER THE ROBOT PRESENTATION. I WAS SUPER SHY AND HID BEHIND MY TEACHER, WHEN I HAD TO PRESENT IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL. NOW I’M HERE IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL, AND NOT HIDING BEHIND

MY TEACHER. I HAVE COME A LONG WAY. VILLAGE SCHOOL TAUGHT ME THE VALUES THAT ARE IN

ME TODAY THAT WILL MAKE ME A BETTER

PERSON. I LOVE YOU VILLAGE. THANK

Archer Brentwood Crossroads Eaglebrook Harvard-Westlake St. Mary’s Paul Revere Viewpoint Wildwood Willows Windward

EVERYTHING YOU’VE DONE FOR ME.

THIS YEAR’S VILLAGE GRADUATES WILL ATTEND

ONE LAST PERSON. THANK YOU MS. BYFIELD FOR

YOU FOR ALL THE MEMORIES.

W OR DS

SOPHIA

FROM OUR

I DON’T REMEMBER MUCH ABOUT [MY] FIRST DAY OR EVEN THE FIRST YEAR, BUT I DO REMEMBER HOW THE COMMUNITY MADE ME FEEL. I FELT WARMTH. EVERYONE WAS SO KIND, WELCOMING, AND CARING!

right: members of the class of 2017 gathered for a Village School reunion on June 9, 2023; below: the class posed on their Village School graduation day 2017.

GR A D

E AT

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017!

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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Alumni

VILLAGE SCHOOL CLASS OF 2017 MATRICULATION Bard College Berklee College of Music Boston College Boston University Cal State University, Northridge Central Saint Martin’s, University of the Arts, London Cornell University Georgetown University The New School Eugene Lang School of Liberal Arts New York University (NYU) Skidmore College Southern Methodist University (SMU) Tufts University Tulane University University of Michigan University of Oregon University of Southern California (USC) Wisconsin University

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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RUBY I PLAY A LOT OF SPORTS ON MANY TEAMS.

RDS FROM O

ON GOOD TEAMS THERE IS A FEELING OF COMMUNITY. BUT ON SOME TEAMS IT CAN FEEL LIKE

MY HOCKEY TEAM. I RESPECT MY TEACHERS AS WELL . . . I TRUST MY FRIENDS AND EVERYONE IN

THE CLASS.

G R

E AT

VILLAGE SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

PLAYING WITH STRANGERS. I FEEL THE SAME SENSE OF CONNECTION AND TRUST AT VILLAGE AS I DO ON

BY DANNY KRAMER

he moment our students graduate, they instantly become members of Village School’s Alumni Association. We strive to keep the connection between our alumni and their alma mater strong, and have been growing the alumni program in new ways. In 2022-23, we celebrated some firsts: the first ever Alumni Newsletter was mailed in April 2023, featuring news from around the school, alumni notes, and spotlights on three impressive alumni doing incredible work at school and in their professional careers. You can scan the QR code on this page to read a digital copy of the Newsletter. On June 9, 2023, we hosted the first ever “Village School Alumni Day” on the La Cruz campus. Alumni from the class of 2000 all the way to 2022 came back to reconnect with each other and their school. And of course, we kept the tradition of welcoming back the class that is heading off to college, this year the class of 2017, for a reunion. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year! If you are an alum or know one who we can feature in our next Alumni Newsletter or have an update about an alum, reach out to us at alumni@village-school.org. We hope to hear from you soon!

Alumni Day drew graduates from multiple years, who gathered on the field and toured new classrooms. 48

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Alumni

ON JUNE 9, 2023, WE HOSTED THE FIRST EVER “VILLAGE SCHOOL ALUMNI DAY” ON THE LA CRUZ CAMPUS. ALUMNI FROM THE CLASS OF 2000 ALL THE WAY TO 2022 CAME BACK TO RECONNECT WITH EACH OTHER AND THEIR SCHOOL. VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

2022/ 23

MAKING A GIFT

Every contribution to Village School is vitally important to its continued growth and strength. Like those who helped build the foundation of the school in the past, each donor will be an integral part of the school’s history and future. An investment in Village School will benefit generations of children—a legacy of which we can all be proud.

WAYS TO GIVE

CASH AND PLEDGES For income tax purposes, your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Gifts may be made by cash, check or credit card. Village School also accepts pledges that can be paid at a later date. SECURITIES You may achieve significant tax savings by making your gift via stocks or other capital assets. If you have stocks that have appreciated, your charitable deduction may be based on the full market value on the date of the transfer. If you have stocks that have decreased in value, you may be able to take a deductible loss when you sell the stocks and donate the proceeds. M AT C H I N G G I F T S Many corporations encourage philanthropy by matching employee donations. Matching gifts can double or triple the amount of your gift. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please contact the Advancement Office. PLANNED GIVING Donors may wish to consider giving through such means as life insurance, bequests, or charitable trusts. Planned giving may be a way to reduce estate and inheritance taxes. We encourage you to speak with your financial planner when considering any type of planned gift.

V I L L A G E S C H O O L I S A N O N - P R O F I T 5 0 1 ( C ) ( 3 ) O R G A N I Z AT I O N . TA X I D # 9 5 - 4 0 6 0 3 9 2

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DREAMS COME IN ALL SIZES Annual giving is the philanthropic priority for independent schools; for our community, that’s a thriving Village Fund made possible by parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. There are long-term initiatives as well, dreams that become specific projects with the power to transform. Visionaries dream together, furthering the mission of an institution; we invite you to partner with Village as we continue to strategize and evolve the campus, its resources, and its mission. In addition to Annual Giving, donors may be interested in these MAJ O R I NI T IAT IVES:

THE LEARNING GARDEN: R E J U V E N AT I O N This very special place on the Swarthmore campus will provide gardening areas for students; a space that authentically speaks to childhood. Kids can explore independently and get dirty, play with water, build forts, or simply sit quietly. This magical space will be unique to Village; an intentional, integrated, crossdiscipline teaching area and fertile ground for imaginations to skyrocket! LUNCHROOM: RAISED GARDEN BEDS This gathering space will be reimagined, adding composting and sustainability initiatives. This very real connection to VS’s sustainability program incorporates Science, STEAM, Global Studies, Math, the Arts, and more.

THE KINDERGARTEN A N D T K YA R D This upgrade will include sensory walls, climbing walls, and innovative space design. E X PA N D I N G O U R F O O T P R I N T Property adjacent to the campuses would provide space for program growth and further innovation. EXPERIENTIAL E D U C AT I O N P R O G R A M A full-time, dedicated faculty member would coordinate experiences for students to get out of classrooms and engage in hands-on learning, hiking, rock climbing, and exploring the outdoors with an element of challenge built in. SPRING SERVICE PROGRAM F O R 6 T H G R A D E R S, reflecting each student’s creativity and inspiring the spirit of connection and giving back. D AY C A R E F O R F A C U LT Y / S T A F F This resource would prove invaluable for young teachers; its form could take the shape of partnering with another preschool or, the purchase of space for the design and development of a dedicated facility run by a full-time faculty member.

In addition to Annual Giving and Major Gifts, donors may be interested in giving to the VILLAGE S CHO O L E NDOW ME N T to help ensure long-term sustainability for the school.

VILLAGE SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT

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I’VE BEEN HERE FOR EIGHT YEARS AND IT’S HARD KNOWING THAT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.

THE WAY. I LAUGHED SO MUCH DURING MY ENTIRE

GOING TO VILLAGE HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE I WILL NEVER FORGET. VILLAGE HAS

ALREADY COMING TO AN END. I REALLY ENJOYED

SUCH A WELCOMING COMMUNITY AND THE

THE JOURNEY AND I HOPE MY NEXT DESTINATION

CAMPUS IS AMAZING. I FEEL SO PRIVILEGED TO

IS AS GREAT AS THIS ONE. GO VIKINGS!!!

DS W

S S

BY SOME OF THE MOST CARING TEACHERS

I’M NOT USUALLY A VERY SENTIMENTAL GUY, BUT

WALKING THROUGH THE GATES ON SWARTHMORE

TEACHERS I’VE HAD, WILL ALWAYS BE A BIG PART OF WHO I AM, AND HAVE GIVEN ME MEMORIES AND EXPERIENCES I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE.

ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD, DO MORE AND

DS FROM OU

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE, EIGHT YEARS HAVE PASSED. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE

I WILL SAY “SEE YOU ALL SOON!” GO VIKINGS!

AT VILLAGE WAS BEING A 6TH GRADE BUDDY. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A KINDERGARTENER LOOKING UP TO MY 6TH GRADE BUDDY. HOPE MY BUDDY LOOKS UP TO ME JUST LIKE HOW I DID TO MY OLDER BUDDY. THANK YOU TO MY WONDERFUL CLASSMATES AND TEACHERS FOR HELPING ME GROW THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

TE UA

SOPHIE

ALEXIS ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL MEMORIES

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF

LEXI

ME TO CHOOSE A CHALLENGING PATH INSTEAD

I JUST JOINED VILLAGE SCHOOL THIS YEAR. THE

OF AN EASY ONE. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK

YEAR HAS REALLY PASSED BY AND I MADE A TON OF

YOU TO THE VILLAGE SCHOOL AND ALL OF THE

NEW FRIENDS, AND MEMORIES! WHEN I FIRST GOT

VOLUNTEER PARENTS, OUR ADMINISTRATION, AND

INTO MY CLASS, I WAS GREETED WITH OPEN ARMS

OUR STAFF. GOODBYE VILLAGE SCHOOL, YOU WILL

BY STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART FRAMED WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE.

UA TE

D OR

MY TEACHERS AND CLASSMATES FOR INSPIRING

OUR GRAD

S FROM OUR

WHILE I AM NOT READY TO SAY GOODBYE, INSTEAD

DS F

FUTURE HOLDS, BUT I CERTAINLY KNOW THAT VILLAGE SCHOOL HAS PREPARED ME FOR SUCCESS.

E AT

ROM OU

LANDON

TE UA

TEACH MORE.

GR A

DAY, BUT THE BENEFIT OF SUCCESS IS BEING

BEING GREETED AND HUGGED EVERY SCHOOL

ROM OU

VILLAGE SCHOOL, AND THE FRIENDS I’VE MADE AND

GRADU

IN THE WORLD, AND I WAS HEARD BY GREAT ADMINISTRATORS. IT WILL BE BITTER SWEET NOT

DS F

LUCAS

OUR

STRONG FRIENDSHIPS, I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT

TE UA

OUTSIDE THESE WALLS. I HAVE MADE

I HAVE GROWN A LOT INSIDE AND

MARCEL

TE UA

GR A

HAVE BEEN HERE.

TIME AT VILLAGE. I CAN’T BELIEVE MY TIME HERE IS

I LOVED EVERY PART OF VILLAGE. FROM THE

DS FROM OUR

OUR GRA

VILLAGE HAS BEEN A SECOND HOME FOR ME.

START TO THE END, THE TRIPS WERE AMAZING BY

DASHIELL

AFIFE

AT E

ABOUT OUR INCOMING STUDENTS VILLAGE SCHOOL WELCOMES 63 new students IN THE 2023/24 SCHOOL YEAR!

VILLAGE SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

15 siblings OF CURRENT STUDENTS OR OF ALUMNI COMING FROM 37 different schools LIVING IN 14 zip codes

45% IDENTIFY AS people of color NEW STUDENTS SPEAK 8 languages: ENGLISH, FARSI, PORTUGUESE, SPANISH, MANDARIN, RUSSIAN, ARABIC, & ESTONIAN INCOMING TK AND Kindergartners’ MOST popular career choices: SCIENTIST, MOM/DAD, DOCTOR, PRINCESS, SINGER/ROCK STAR INCOMING TK AND Kindergartners’ MOST unusual career choices: A RABBIT, AN ALLIGATOR, A GHOSTBUSTER, A NINJA

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.

EDITORIAL STAFF Kenzo Bergeron Annie Block John Evans Chris Gonyaw Vance Ito Danny Kramer Ashley Mooney Sara Singsank

PHOTOS Chris Gonyaw

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

THANK YOU! A N N U A L

R E P O R T

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