Now & Then, Spring 2023 by The Wheeler School

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.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

StudentCentered (and Created)

Universe

PAGE 8

Sp ng 2023

Inside 2Above the Bots’ Paygrade

38 A Positive Disruptor in

A Letter from Head of School Allison Gaines Pell (AGP) P’23, P’25

Life and Business Alumni Profiles: Cheryl Kiser ’68

4The Wheeler Q&A Head of the Hamilton School at Wheeler Bill McCarthy

8A Student-Centered (and Created) Universe Inside the XR Lab

16 A Life of Firsts in Service Alumni Profiles: Daphne Kapolka ’71

20 Noticing Ability, Developing Strengths, and Collaborating Around a Common Goal A Hands-On Program at the Hamilton School

24 A Healthy Approach to Collaborative Care Wheeler’s Health and Wellness Team Takes a Holistic View

40 The “DNA” Behind a Successful and Unprecedented Course Upper School Molecular Biology

44 Wheeler Athletics Now, Then, and Ahead

50 Building Community From the Ground Up Fostering Belonging and Community at the Nest

54 Unparalleled Performance Possibilities Joining Performing Arts Faculty for a Creative Journey

58 The Role(s) of a Lifetime Alumni Profiles: Jesse Yip ’08

30 From the Stage to the Studio

62 A Cleaner and

Students Bring One-Act Plays to the Airwaves

Greener Tomorrow Sustainability Across Wheeler

32 An Expansive Canvas

66 Curating With Curiosity

Exploring the Visual Arts at Wheeler

Visiting a 3rd-Grade Nature Museum

From the Editor “Innovation” has become a buzz word that can mean a lot of different things to different people. In this issue of Now & Then, we look at what it means at Wheeler. As we found out when asking that question, it could be building immersive worlds, diving into molecular biology, or finding voice on stage–but students are always at the center. Guided by our fantastic faculty and staff, their sense of agency extends into the community around them, as students–and later alumni–take the initiative to ask meaningful questions connected to a range of disciplines and areas, from sustainability, to health, to the business world. In the stories that follow, we explore just some of the ways that Wheeler empowers students to drive their learning forward into their–and our–future.

Jonathan Garris Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

Now & Then at Wheeler

Above the Bots’ Paygrade

engineering lab, expressive arts studio, nature-based or experiential programs, project-based inquiry, and digitally immersive storytelling. We recently joined several of these areas together under our Inquiry and Design Department that is cross-disciplinary and crossdivisional, engaging students from nursery through 12th grade. While the aforementioned experiences are regularly visible and likely expected, equally profound shifts are taking place in “traditional” subjects like science or history, where high-level thinking, discourse, and questioning are–and have been–the central goal of the courses. In this issue, we highlight some of the stories of Wheeler where students are idea-generators and creators, and where they inquire and pursue. It is as old as Mary C. Wheeler’s art studio or the more recently created (though longstanding) Aerie program, and as new as the microinnovations that are infused into our classrooms today. ChatGPT and its bot companions don’t represent the sun setting on these important experiences for our students–in fact, the sun is still rising on what’s possible here. Enjoy this issue and this peek into how our faculty and students are exploring those possibilities right now.

Head of School Allison Gaines Pell P’23, P’25 2

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

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save the date

Reunion and Homecoming 2023 Fr day October 13–Saturday October 14 2023 For a umn n c asses end ng n 3 4 8 and 9

B G NEWS S a ng h s a Whee e w be sw ch ng o a “pa ed eun on” mode by doub ng up he g adua on c asses ce eb a ng he m es one eun ons Tha means ha n Oc obe 2023 we nv e membe s o a c asses end ng n 3 4 8 and 9 o come back o Whee e o a u y spec a a even Fo mo e n o ma on abou pa ed eun ons and o he upcom ng a umn even s v s a umn whee erschoo org/events o con ac A umn Engagemen D ec o Dan e e Kachap s a 401 528 2109

WHEELERSCHOOL ORG

The Wheeler Q&A Head of the Hamilton School at Wheeler Bill McCarthy

As he shared during our conversation in early January, Bill McCarthy’s first year as Head of the Hamilton School has been a busy one! He came to Wheeler from Packer Collegiate in New York, where he was ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Head of Preschool and Lower School and ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... formerly served as Packer’s Director of PK–12 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Learning Support. We talked with him ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... about his career, what led him to Hamilton, ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... and what he’s focused on for the future. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Q: To start, could you share some background of learning curve continues to be a bit steep. That said, ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... your 20 years of experience in education and how I see every learning opportunity as a new adventure, ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... you have been settling into Wheeler in your first and I’m enjoying becoming familiar with our wonderful ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... year? What do your duties consist of? school. I hope for this feeling to continue for as long ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... A: I have worn a number of different professional as possible. I remind myself often that my number ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... hats throughout my career, and I feel all have one job at Hamilton and Wheeler is to do my best ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... prepared me well for my role at Wheeler and to create a welcoming and comfortable learning ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Hamilton. I began my career in NYC over two environment for children and adults that invites and ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... decades ago as a speech-language pathologist and ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... inspires all to be their best selves. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... learning specialist and practiced for many years in ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... that capacity. I have worked with individuals of all Q: The Hamilton School serves as a model for ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ages in different educational and clinical settings, other schools around the nation that address ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... but I have spent the majority of my time working language-based learning differences. In what ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... with school-age children with learning differences. ways has Hamilton set itself apart from other ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... About 10 years ago, I returned to the classroom for institutions in terms of its approach to the ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... a second master’s degree in clinical social work, student experience and how to best address ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... and I apply the professional skills and techniques their learning differences? ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... I learned in this graduate training every day in my A: The Hamilton School is a true “school-within-a............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... work with students, faculty, and families. For the last school” educational model, and this serves as our most ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... decade, I have been an educational leader as an cherished feature. This model allows our students to ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... instructional coach, division head, and now, head of receive instruction and support in the ways we know ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... the Hamilton School at Wheeler. students with identified learning differences learn ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... This school year seems to be moving at lightning best while also allowing them to be immersed within ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... speed, and since this is my first at Wheeler, my the greater Wheeler community for most specialist ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 NOW & THEN SPRING 2023 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

classes, free play, and lunch. In doing so, we are able to nurture the whole child in allowing our students to feel supported, celebrated, and appropriately challenged in many different developmental areas.

A: A natural extension to the types of instruction and support offered at the Hamilton School, the Polaris program allows for one small cohort of Upper School students with identified learning differences at each grade level to receive specialized instruction in their English and history classes. These courses cover the same content at each grade level as the other sections of these subject areas, however the curriculum is scaffolded so that students can better understand and retain what is being taught and experienced. Our dedicated Polaris faculty members teach all Polaris classes, serve as advisors to each section, and meet individually with each student in the program every cycle. The Polaris program is presently in the third school year of its current model and has been highly successful for our students and impactful on our Upper School program.

Q: What is your approach to building relationships with parents as partners in education, and how do those relationships contribute to the Hamilton School’s mission? A: Partnering closely with and supporting families are essential components of our educational model. Many of our students and families have had challenging experiences at previous schools, and we spend a great deal of time establishing trusting and caring relationships with families and encouraging families to be vulnerable and feel supported. Our mission statement at Hamilton includes the following: “Educating, Supporting, and Empowering Students with Learning Differences.” To make this possible, we Q: The Hamilton Institute hosted the inaugural consistently work to create and sustain healthy and session of its new Learning Differences Seminar productive partnerships with families. Each month, Series in late October, and hosted its fifth annual we host a Learning Differences Coffee for all Wheeler Learning Differences Conference this February. families, and this serves as a forum for families How do these types of initiatives benefit the to share their experiences and offer support and community and educators, both inside and ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... guidance to each other. outside of Wheeler? ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... A: Like the Polaris program, the Hamilton Institute ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Q: The Polaris program is a relatively recent for Public Outreach and Advocacy is also presently in ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... addition to the Hamilton School and Wheeler. the third year of its current model. While one of our ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... What makes its academic program and approach primary goals is to extend our outreach efforts beyond ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... unique for 9th-grade students, and how is it our school with a public purpose, we are equally ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... integrated into the Upper School experience? committed to deepening our influence and support ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Partnering closely with and supporting families are essential components of our educational model.”

We are engaged in conversations with local and national organizations about potential strategic partnerships and research opportunities.”

Bill McCarthy ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... of the Wheeler school community–past, present and support instruction and to serve as a resource ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... future. Our annual Learning Differences Conference and for intervention of specific skills. Our Hamilton ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... Seminar Series are free of charge to all members of our educational model provides direct instruction in a ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... Wheeler community and intentionally focus on current number of key areas to support the development of ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... research and practices related to learning differences, our students’ reading, writing, spelling, and math ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... attention variability, and executive functions. All school skills. Specific technology platforms have been woven ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... professionals are encouraged to attend as we all have into the curriculum to help differentiate instruction ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... an important role in appreciating different learning and to allow for children to apply their knowledge and ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... styles and supporting our students and families. express their ideas in different ways. For example, ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... In addition to these professional learning from 2nd through 8th grade, all Hamilton classes ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... opportunities, the Hamilton Institute offers have designated reading fluency blocks during the ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... educational consultation and professional connection week, and the Read Live program is used to enhance ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... opportunities to the greater Rhode Island and ......................................................................................................................................................... reading fluency, expression, and comprehension. ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... Massachusetts educational communities and In technology classes, our students use a number ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... beyond. Presently, we are engaged in conversations of different platforms to code, design, and create ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... with local and national organizations about potential virtual stories. The Reflex Math, IXL, and Lexia Core ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... strategic partnerships and research opportunities. Through our growing network of educational, medical, and developmental practitioners, we will share best practices and cutting edge research with our colleagues in public, non-profit, and independent institutions.

programs allow for individualization to support specific skill areas. In addition to using technology to support instruction and for intervention, our Hamilton School students use technology to accommodate and assist their learning. Text-to-speech platforms, such as Google Read and Write, have proven to be highly Q: Over the past few years, we’ve seen Wheeler effective in developing and supporting students’ adopt emerging technology through our XR Lab, written expression. In Hamilton Middle School and the NuVuX Studio, our Molecular Biology program, the Polaris program, each student has a Speechify and other new tools and processes. What kinds account which allows text-to-voice capability for of technological resources have been adapted documents, online materials, and other resources. into Hamilton’s academic vision in recent Learning Ally has an extensive library of audible books, years? What is the decision-making process and our students practice reading along while listening for incorporating new digital avenues into the to stories. We are constantly assessing the efficacy Hamilton School’s curriculum? and the usefulness of our technology platforms, and A: The use of technology is thoughtfully and our teachers and technology professionals are at intentionally embedded within our curriculum to the center of all decision making regarding selecting 6

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

THE WHEELER Q&A

and implementing products. Our ultimate goal is to provide our students with mindsets, skills, and tools to experience success, and we have found that the thoughtful and careful implementation of technology to support instruction and target specific skills compliments our primary instructional model well. Q: You succeed Jon Green P’03, P’06, P’11 as head of the Hamilton School following his retirement at the end of the last school year. He guided Hamilton for three decades, over much of the school’s history so far. What does it mean to you to succeed him in this important role, and at the same time, what are the challenges that come with following someone who served as head for such a long time? A: It is a great honor and privilege to succeed Jon, and his legacy and impact continue to be alive in many aspects of our program. I have every intention for this to be the case as we look toward the future of Hamilton. Throughout the transition and onboarding process, Jon and I developed a close connection to one another, and we share many similar values and beliefs when it comes to educating, supporting, and empowering students with learning differences. Above all else, we both agree that creating and sustaining healthy and productive relationships are at the core of what allows us to do our best work with students and families. Our students need to feel valued, appreciated, and

inspired, and this comes from the close connections that are established with our faculty, staff, and, of course, their peers. Jon’s incredible contribution to the Hamilton School is the long-lasting and transformative relationships he cultivated over his time at the school, and I see one of the biggest challenges (and most welcomed) as being able to continue to build on and deepen these relationships with current students and alumni in the years to come. I fully intend to ensure that positive relationships with students and families always remain at the top of our list as this is what makes the Hamilton School’s impact so profound. Q: What do you believe is in store for the future of the Hamilton School? A: The Hamilton School has established itself as an exceptional institution which has profoundly impacted the lives of the many students who have been part of the program over the last 34 years. In looking to the future, the Hamilton School must always remain committed to developing curious, motivated, and confident students who feel inspired to reach their full potential. By always keeping student success as our primary goal, the school will continue to build on the great legacy that the Hamilton School has created and deepen its influence on and support of the Wheeler community and beyond. The future possibilities and opportunities for the Hamilton School and Hamilton Institute are endless!

Student–

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Universe

Centered

(and Created)

Universe “Would you like some tea or coffee?”

It’s a common enough question, but chances are, you’ve never been asked it by someone like Grimpy, the round droid who is floating in front of you. Grimpy is the creation of a pair of Wheeler students: Griffin Imbier-Maher ’26 designed the character, and Jay Heller ’24 then made a 3D rendering of it. In fact, everything that surrounds you upon entering this apartment, set in a ................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... futuristic version of downtown Providence, was dreamed ............................................................................................................................................................... .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. up and brought to life by Wheeler students. Grimpy, the ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. apartment, and the world you can see stretching outside ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. of the apartment windows all inhabit “Project X,” the first ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. experience being developed in Wheeler’s XR Lab. ............................................................................................................................................................. ..............................................................................................................................................................

Univers

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......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... “The XR Lab is a space where students can collaborate to tell stories,” ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... says Immersive Technology Teacher Travis Dumais. “We do that through ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... a bunch of different mediums. We use virtual, augmented, and alternate ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... reality. But we also use a lot of analog stuff too, like pen and paper.” ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... All of those mediums come together when you put on a virtual ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... reality headset and grasp controllers in both hands inside the XR ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... Lab’s homebase, located in an Angell Building classroom on Wheeler’s ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... Providence campus. The apartment immediately surrounds you, and ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... Grimpy soon appears to offer you that ............ beverage in greeting. ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ “Deciding what to drink is the ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... first choice you can make,” Travis ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... says. “Grimpy’s two eyes become ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... pictures of coffee or tea, and ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... you tap either one to make your ............ ......................................................................................................................................................... ............ .............................................................................................. ............ ............ ............ ............ selection. The droid then goes ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ into the kitchen to start making ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ it, and from there, you’re free to ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ walk around the space and interact ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ with it, ideally in any way you want. ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ Hopefully, the player feels like they ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ have a sense of autonomy going ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ through it. That was our goal: to ............ ............ ............ ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ tell the story, but to also give the ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... player some freedom within that ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ environment as they work to solve ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ............ the mystery we’ve presented.” ......................................................................................................................... ............ ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... Anna A o d 23 ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... This idea of open-ended exploration and creativity–both for the ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... player and the XR Lab’s student development team–is what first ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... caught the attention of Anna Alford ’23. “I was just very interested ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... in the freedom that it seemed I would have,” she says. “I co-host a ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... podcast (through WELH, Wheeler’s broadcast studio) about psychology, ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... The Big Brainers, and when we were talking about the possibility of the ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... XR Lab with Travis, the main thing that drew me in was our conversation ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... about what the storyline was going to be. We were talking about the ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... effects of the internet and how reliant we are on that, and I thought it ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... was interesting to talk about what the future may be regarding artificial ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... intelligence, and just what’s happening in this world. I also enjoy creating ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... things. I love making art, and I found that this could be a new way to ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... kind of explore that. It has been really interesting for me because I don’t ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... think of myself as someone who understands technology. But given ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... this environment that is very open and educational, I am now using ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... Unreal Engine–the platform we use to build a lot of the scenes–which is ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... something I wouldn’t have imagined for myself.” ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... 10 NOW & THEN SPR NG 2023 ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... .........................................................................................................................

From sound design, to interior design, to lore development and storytelling, this project has a “That really inspired me place for every student with a because I had been recently looking into research on exposure unique interest. The best part therapy with VR and brain machine interfaces,” Travis continues. “So, about working in the lab is that let’s say I’m afraid of snakes. With it allows students to learn what these tools, we can have you get close to a ‘snake,’ but when it’s they are specifically interested in learning while contributing to a larger project that is truly remarkable.”

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As fun as it is to work on the many projects we have going on, it is the people that make the lab such a positive experience…The wide variety of academic and cultural identities allows us to generate a lot of awesome ideas.”

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

A STUDENT-CENTERED (AND CREATED) UNIVERSE

too much, we can pull back. I started thinking about how cool it would be if we had a whole lab with brain headsets and VR headsets, and at the time, I was working with two other Aerie Enrichment teachers, Alex Weeks and Joseph Centofanti ’17, on a game development class. We began developing a pitch, and we shared it with our game development students, some of whom joined us. With the help of Aerie Director Mark Harris (P’08, P’24), we gathered some key administrators together for the pitch, which included putting Head of School Allison Gaines Pell (P’23, P’25) in a VR experience. “That’s how we got started financially, thanks to the support of the Travis Dumais and Bodhi Becker ’25 school, as well as the Wheeler School Parents Association. WSPA caught wind of what we were doing, and while they appreciated the technology, they were more impressed by the proposed lab’s philosophy. As part ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... of ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... our pitch, we explained that VR and these other technologies can go ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... out..................................................................................................................................................................................................... of style, so what we really care about is collaborating to tell stories ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... in ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... a way that builds empathy, character development, intrigue, and ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... knowledge about the world.” ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... Back inside the XR Lab today, those threads of stories encompass ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... a large whiteboard in the middle of the room. There are plot ideas and ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... design notes for everything and everyone you can interact with as you ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... explore “Project X.” “There’s a lot of work that has to be done when it ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... comes to creating extended reality experiences,” says Bodhi Becker ’25. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... “In ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... our virtual reality experience that takes place in Providence over 50 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... years in the future, there are many people involved in many different ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... aspects of the project. From sound design, to interior design, to lore ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... development and storytelling, this project has a place for every student ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... with a unique interest. The best part about working in the lab is that it ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... allows students to learn what they are specifically interested in learning ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... while contributing to a larger project that is truly remarkable.” ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... One of the many things Bodhi works on is sound design where ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... he..................................................................................................................................................................................................... is asking–and answering–questions like what the streetscape of ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... Providence would sound like in the future, or what a personal assistant ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... robot that flies around an apartment would sound like. “Sound design ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... is all about answering these types of questions and creating realistic ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... sounds that make the experience feel more immersive,” he says. “I also ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... work on helping to develop a rich storyline that details the development ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... of ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... Providence leading up to the time period in which the VR experience ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... is set. We want viewers to be able to interact with elements of the ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... experience in ways that feel real. Having an extensive storyline allows ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... the..................................................................................................................................................................................................... experience to feel more real because we can incorporate different ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................................

aspects of the story into objects around the room and things you encounter. The viewer will not be presented with all the events leading up to the time period they are placed in, so they will have to piece this information together through the world they experience around them.” That world and the stories that fill it are constructed around lore, which is essentially a foundational set of background events, knowledge, and traditions that help players understand the context of the environment they’re experiencing. Kavya Viswanathan ’26 is one of the students who has helped develop that lore, as well as numerous stories that play out over the timeline of “Project X.” “Some of the best parts of the XR Lab are the stories we are writing–they all have a lot of depth and can teach people about the world we live in now,” Kavya says. “Another great part is the people. Working with Travis is great. He’s an awesome teacher who always makes students feel heard and treats them as equals in the project. Working with everyone in the XR lab is amazing–everyone is dedicated and good at what ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. they do.” ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Another Upper School student, Owen Matheson ’23, agrees. “As fun ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. as it is to work on the many projects we have going on, it is the people ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. that make the lab such a positive experience,” he says. “Somehow, ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. we manage to be both tightly knit and incredibly welcoming. The wide ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. variety of academic and cultural identities allows us to generate a lot of ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. awesome ideas.” ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Those ideas exist well beyond “Project X” and Upper School. “The VR ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Lab is so much more than the technology in it,” Owen says. When planning ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. the lab, we wanted it to connect students from all different disciplines. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. School is siloed by subject and students by interests; we designed the XR ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. lab to squish all those things together into a collaborative makerspace ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. with kids from all kinds of communities at Wheeler. I was also really ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. excited to host VR lessons with Lower and Middle Schoolers. Some of my ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. main work right now involves bringing VR to Ms. Abodeely’s Lower School ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. science classes. Every few weeks, I bring the headsets in and the students ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. take turns exploring. After Winter Break, the 4th-graders will explore rock ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. formations around the world and the 5th-graders will journey into space on ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Apollo 11. I love seeing the kids become fully immersed in their alternate ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. world, with the rest of the class cheering them on.” ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. There is a lot of cheering one another on–and respectively critiquing ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. each other’s ideas–as the students and Travis collaborate in the XR ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Lab. They’ve already built a great deal together, but their shared stories ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. are just getting started. “While this is a universe that I started to make ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. with some of my closest students last year, my hope is that within the ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. next four years or so, some of the younger students will understand how ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. building a universe works, and maybe there will be a sort of specific ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. set of ideas that lead to parallel trajectories,” he says. “Right now we’re ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. working on the sci-fi thing, but maybe we’re also doing a pirate series ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. or something like that in the future. And then students can contribute ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. to these worlds and feel like they’re a part of something bigger than ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. themselves that will last beyond when they leave. For instance, Miles ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Pell (’23). He’s working on a lot of the characters and what they look like. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................................

A STUDENT-CENTERED (AND CREATED) UNIVERSE ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... He’s going to be gone next year–he’s a senior. But those characters that ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... he’s working on, maybe they will be in a story when he’s no longer here. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... That’s what I mean by building a universe. We’re co-creating a narrative ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... that’s really wide-ranging and can be told in many different ways.” ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... For Anna Alford, being able to tell that narrative in different ways, and ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... through many different voices, has been empowering. “I have dyslexia, ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... so this is very relevant for me because I haven’t felt like my strength has ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... always been in the classroom for things,” she says. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... “In the way that school is kind of structured where ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... there’s a right and there’s a wrong, and we’re kind ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... of told there’s a right and there’s a wrong from a very ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... young age, I think that kind of inhibits people wanting 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................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... to ask questions or even risk being wrong. But within ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... this culture and this community, I’ve gotten to the ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... point where I don’t feel any insecurity about asking ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... questions. I’m able to be with students who are in 3rd ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... grade, and I might have asked them a question about ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... some fashion design they want to do, or there’s a ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6th-grader that’s very good at using this software where ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... you basically create 3D objects. It’s just very interesting ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... to be able to learn from them, and then obviously they ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... learn from me in some ways. I’ve learned to work with ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... other people, be a leader, know when to assert myself, ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... and know when not to, and I think that everyone has ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Anna Alford ’23 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... gotten a chance to be the teacher and be the learner, ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... and there’s just something so great about that. This ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... peer learning is what’s actually beneficial for the ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... real world, and if we’re able to collaborate to make ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... something, that’s really amazing.” ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

…I think that everyone has gotten a chance to be the teacher and be the learner, and there’s just something so great about that.”

WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

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................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... “ certa n y take pr de n my accomp shments Those am y membe s a ways se ved as pos ve ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... but fee a ot of hum ty too ” she says “Much o e mode s When she was a k d Daphne s a he ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... of what ach eved s s mp y the resu t of start ng and g and a he encou aged he o “p ay o s o spo s ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... on a path and fo ow ng t regard ess of the and bu d h ngs ” Be o e a v ng a Whee e n he ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... d fficu t es ” m dd e o 10 h g ade Daphne says she e ke a fish ............................................................................................................................................................................................................

ALUMN PROF LES

A Life of Firsts in Service

As Dr. Daphne (Greene) Kapolka ’71 reflects on her life and accomplishments in the U.S. Navy, she is reminded of a quote by Shakespeare: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”

Daphne s ach evemen s n he Navy and a he Nava Pos g adua e Schoo NPS n Mon e ey Ca o n a whe e she e ed n June 2018 as a sen o ec u e o Phys cs nc ude a numbe o fi s s She was among he fi s ema e an subma ne wa a e o fice s o se ve on comba an vesse s he fi s woman o ob a n a Ph D n App ed Phys cs a NPS and he fi s ema e acu y membe n he schoo s Phys cs Depa men Jo n ng he Navy wasn some h ng she had p anned a e eav ng The Whee e Schoo hough he am y ee s do ed w h m a y expe ence he e and he e–he g and a he se ved du ng Wo d Wa he a he se ved n Wo d Wa and he s ep a he e ed om he Navy 16

ou o wa e n he pub c h gh schoo G s we e s expec ed o o ow a y ad ona pa hs he e Fo examp e she eca s ha he gu dance counse o s on y ca ee ecommenda on based on an ap ude es was ha o n e o deco a o “ h nk he ma n d e ence be ween Whee e and o he schoo s was he qua y o he eache s and s uden s ” she says “When came o Whee e was ke n gh and day We we e encou aged by eve yone o do wha eve ou pass on was d dn ma e was some h ng ha g s d d o d dn do ad ona y ” A he me Whee e was an a g s schoo and Daphne a bu es much o he se confidence and NOW & THEN SPR NG 2023

I think the main difference between Wheeler and other schools was the quality of the teachers and students. When I came to Wheeler, it was like night and day.” Dr. Daphne (Greene) Kapolka ’71

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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Daphne’s journey through the Navy ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... brought her to different corners of ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... the world, which included the cold ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... waters of the North Atlantic Ocean ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... during winter. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Daphne’s career in the Navy is ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... marked by a number of milestones, ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... including conducting a reenlistment 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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ceremony inside the Statue of ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Liberty in 1991. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Re emen hasn b ough any end o ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... he exc emen o he des e o ave ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... and Daphne has ound p en y o me o ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ac v es ke chape on ng a wh e wa e ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... independence she developed there to the fact that school Chemistry and Physics before having her ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... students weren’t expected to fit into predetermined first two children. Ultimately, it was Daphne’s time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... molds. “It seems ironic, but I’m absolutely convinced in Poland that inspired her to join the military. “We ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... that attending an all-girls high school made it much heard first-hand accounts of what it was like to be ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... easier for me to succeed in male-dominated fields,” invaded by both Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... she reflects. and we saw the impact of living under enforced 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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Thanks to a Biology class taught by J.J. McCarthy, communist rule,” she explains. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Daphne quickly discovered her passion for So when she needed to go back to work, she ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... science. She recalls that his approach emphasized opted to join Officer Candidate School and ob a n a ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... understanding over simple memorization. Her interest comm ss on n he Navy Tak ng ha pa h as a woman ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... in science grew even further when she took another came w h s own cha enges ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Wheeler science class–this time it was Chemistry As she began he Navy ca ee Daphne was ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... with Teacher Mickey Wright. “After having taught s a oned a he Nava Academy P epa a o y Schoo ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Chemistry myself now for several years, I can really appreciate the quality and level of Ms. Wright’s teaching!” she says. Even French Teacher Edith Erlenmeyer encouraged her love of science when she gave students the opportunity to write a report on a book of their choosing. Daphne selected a biography of Madame Curie. After graduating from Wheeler, she briefly attended the University of Rhode Island and studied Chemistry there, before transferring to St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, where she met her husband. They subsequently moved to Poland, where she studied Polish for a year, before they returned to the United States and Daphne attended the University of Chicago. After obtaining a master’s degree in the History of Science, she taught high 18

n Newpo Rhode s and each ng Chem s y and Phys cs “ n 1983 he e we e s qu e a ew Nava Academy g adua es who a ended be o e women we e adm ed ” Daphne says “Eve y so o en you an n o someone who d dn seem o know how o speak w h a woman ” she says w h a augh n 1989 o ow ng a ou n De o as a ec u e she moved o Mon e ey Ca o n a w h he husband and h ee ch d en o s udy Eng nee ng Acous cs a he Nava Pos g adua e Schoo A e g adua ng n 1992 she was s a oned on a ga e homepo ed on S a en s and New Yo k The 30 men n he An Subma ne Wa a e d v s on had neve had women se v ng on he sh ps–neve m nd hav ng one n cha ge o hem So he e we e some n e es ng cha enges and ad us men s o be made NOW & THEN SPR NG 2023

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A LIFE OF FIRSTS IN SERVICE ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. a woman in the department,” she says. “It took one .............................After her sea tour, Daphne returned to NPS and ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. obtained her Ph.D. in Applied Physics before moving very direct closed-door session for me to explain why ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. to San Diego to work in the Integrated Undersea this attitude had to change,” she adds. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. Surveillance program. “Changing jobs every few years Daphne would spend almost two decades at NPS, ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. is both an advantage and disadvantage,” she points receiving recognition including a Superior Civilian ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. out. “There are many opportunities for growth, but it’s Service Award and the Schiefflin Award for Excellence ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. hard on a family.” At this point in her career, her two in Teaching, before retiring several years ago. Today, ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. older children were in college, and the youngest was Daphne says she is “having a blast” and still keeping ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. nine. To enable her husband to keep his job, Daphne in touch with her Wheeler classmates. While she was ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. made the difficult decision to move to San Diego unable to join their 50th reunion celebration in person ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. alone and fly back on weekends. last spring, she recorded a tribute video so she could ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. Luckily, she was able to get stationed back in be part of the experience virtually. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. Monterey in 2000 as a Military Instructor in the Physics Although she was initially apprehensive about ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. Department. She retired from the military in 2003 and retiring, Daphne welcomes the extra time. “I was ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. was hired as a civilian instructor the next day. petrified of it, but when I finally decided to retire I ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. Over the years, Daphne saw a growing acceptance realized I could do anything I want. All the interests ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. of women in the military. In fact, she contends that I had from back in my Wheeler days are related to ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. the worst of the prejudice she experienced came things I wanted to continue pursuing, like art and ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. from civilian colleagues. “Some of the older faculty French. Add on to that plenty of books to read and ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. members just couldn’t come to terms with the idea of plenty of gardening!” ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. 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Dr. Daphne (Greene) Kapolka ’71 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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Some of the older faculty members just couldn’t come to terms with the idea of a woman in the department. It took one very direct closed-door session for me to explain why this attitude had to change.”

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In Hamilton Teacher Beau Poppen-Abajian’s have accumulated an enormous amount of money ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... 7th-grade class, students are participating within that single minute. ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... in a somewhat unorthodox lesson about the This scenario offers students a truly “hands-on” ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... entrepreneurial method. On this day, they find approach to learning about negotiation, which is an ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... themselves standing and facing each other, as important tool both in life and in one of their current ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... they prepare for a few friendly rounds of arm ....................................................................................................................................................... projects in the classroom. The 7th-graders are studying ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... wrestling. But this won’t be a battle of physical entrepreneurship through NoticeAbility, a curriculum ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... strength; rather, it will serve as an important framework created by a nonprofit of the same name ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... lesson in developing other kinds of strengths, that aims to enrich the academic performance of ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... namely in communication and negotiation. students with dyslexia. The courses invite students ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... The guidelines are simple: each pair of students to take part in project-based exercises that also help ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... will arm wrestle as many rounds as possible within highlight professional fields, like entrepreneurship ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... one minute. Every time a student wins, they are and engineering, that can work to the strengths of ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... awarded an imaginary $1 million. Presumably, each dyslexics. Mr. Poppen-Abajian explains that those with ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... person wants to get the most amount of money dyslexia and other neurodivergent individuals have ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... possible. After the minute ends, the pair of students certain strengths in MIND—material, interconnected, ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... will tally their wins and see how much money they narrative, and dynamic reasoning. ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... won individually and as a partnership. “For example, in terms of entrepreneurship, this is ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... Once this final step is complete, Mr. Poppenbeing able to see the big picture (dynamic reasoning) ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... Abajian asks an important question: how could they and make a connection between a problem and ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... have negotiated in order to get the maximum amount potential solution (interconnected reasoning),” Mr. ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... of money for themselves or their partnership? Poppen-Abajian explains. “It also applies to having ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... Some students have already figured it out. They strengths in visualizing and putting together what the ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... needed to let one another win. If both partners solution might look like (material reasoning), and then ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... negotiated a back-and-forth arrangement, they could selling it in a coherent, persuasive story (narrative).” ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... 20 NOW & THEN SPRING 2023 ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

Noticing Ability, Developing Strengths, and Collaborating Around a Common Goal

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Wheeler was an early adopter of the framework, Students progress through each step of the design ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... which is in use around the world by institutions like process, from researching problems in their daily lives, ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... the Hamilton School,....................................................................................................................................................................... which focuses on students with to brainstorming solutions, designing a product, and ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... language-based learning differences. “The heart finally launching it. As the year comes to a close, Mr. ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... of the NoticeAbility program is how it focuses on Poppen-Abajian says his class will even host a Shark ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... strengths when, so often in education, programs are Tank-like presentation, with families and members of ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... focused on just the challenges with reading, writing, the Wheeler community invited to be in the audience. ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... organization, and attention,” Mr. Poppen-Abajian says. “We refer to it as more of a fishbowl,” Mr. Poppen....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... 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His class is currently utilizing the “Entrepreneurs Abajian jokes. “There’s a little less pressure!” ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... and Innovators” curriculum, where students work in ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... teams to create a new product to solve an everyday ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... problem. It’s a fitting ....................................................................................................................................................................... unit, especially given how ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... well represented dyslexics are in entrepreneurship. ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... According to The Yale....................................................................................................................................................................... Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... dyslexia affects 20% of the U.S. population, and a report ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... by Julie Logan, emeritus professor of entrepreneurship ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... at Bayes Business School at City, University of London, ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... found that approximately 35% of entrepreneurs in the ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... United States identified themselves as dyslexic. ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... Some classes start with a video by Dean ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... Bragonier, NoticeAbility’s founder (and a Hamilton ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... Life Achievement Award recipient), but educators like ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... Mr. Poppen-Abajian can adapt the framework for their ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... specific class. A common thread through all of the ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... lessons is a sense of....................................................................................................................................................................... collaborative learning. ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... “It’s really about letting the kids figure it out on ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... their own,” he says. “It can be hard to kind of step ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... back and let kids make some mistakes. There’s a bit ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... of trial and error on all fronts, and that’s OK.” 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WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

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Beau Poppen-Abajian ............................................. ...................................................... ............................................. ...................................................... ............................................. ...................................................... ............................................. ...................................................... ............................................. ...................................................... ............................................. ...................................................... ............................................. ...................................................... ............................................. ...................................................... ............................................. ...................................................... ............................................. 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It’s really about letting the kids figure it out on their own. It can be hard to kind of step back and let kids make some mistakes. There’s a bit of trial and error on all fronts, and that’s OK.”

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

A few days after Mr. PoppenAbajian’s class finishes their arm wrestling exercise, Hamilton Teacher Peter Kim’s 8th-grade students sit down at West Side Diner in Providence with curious minds and empty stomachs. It’s an important day for them, but not simply because this is one of their last gatherings before the Winter Break. As students enjoy their meals, they pay close attention to the sights and sounds of the restaurant. They note various details like the decor, menu designs, serving styles, and other aspects of their customer experience. This information will be put to good use in the spring, when they will create their own pop-up restaurant in Hale Family Assembly Hall for the Wheeler community. Like Mr. Poppen-Abajian’s class, they’re working on the project within the NoticeAbility framework. To ensure continuity with the 7th-grade class, there is still a focus on entrepreneurship and applicable skills. “For our first project, we ran a Halloween haunted house in our classroom, and it was open to Wheeler and Hamilton Lower School students,” Mr. Kim says. Students designed and ran the haunted house from the ground up, with each one carrying out a specific job—from running a face-painting table, to helping with pumpkin drawing and decorating the room—as they learned the importance of delegating roles and responsibilities among a group working toward a common goal. Mr. Kim got the idea of starting an in-unit restaurant from his own experience in the restaurant industry years ago when he worked as a bookkeeper for No. 7 Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. He also taught cooking classes at Culinary Artistas, a culinary school in San Francisco. In getting their establishment off the ground, his students will soon divide into planning committees to run both the front-of-house and back-of-house. They’ll have to think about every aspect of the restaurant, including the decor and even the background music. Mr. Kim has his own list of what they’ll need to take into account, but he’s

Cooking Up New Ideas

A Healthy Approach

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ns de the Hea th and We ness Offices at Whee er students can find he p for ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... many of fe s bumps n the road whether they are re ated to phys ca soc a ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... emot ona or menta hea th Fo examp e on a g ven day Schoo Nu se and Hea h ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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Educa o L x u L n P 23 P 26 s wo k ng w h Head Counse o and Hea h Educa o ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Peggy O Ne o suppo a s uden who s expe enc ng a cha eng ng soc a emo ona ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... hea h s ua on Meanwh e n a c ass oom e sewhe e on he P ov dence campus ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Schoo Counse o and Hea h Educa o Evan h a D akous s and Head Nu se and ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Hea h Educa o Ka hy McKenna ead a hea h esson o 8 h g ade s ha eaches ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... hem necessa y sk s o bu d ng hea hy e a onsh ps A he a m Hea h Assoc a e ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Tab G av n P 30 p ov des c n ca suppo o Whee e s younges s uden s a he Nes ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... and s uden g oups v s ng o ou doo c asses and n he Van No man F e d House ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... A h e c T a ne Na e W h ng on ass s s Whee e Wa o s w h a e schoo spo s ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ensu ng hey s ay sa e and hea hy ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... F om fi s a d du ng ac ve ecess pe ods o adm n s a on o med ca on o ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... movemen wo k and counse ng he schoo s Hea h Se v ces Depa men wo ks ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... c ose y oge he da y o mee he needs o s uden s s a acu y and pa en s ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... D ec o Judy D az P 27 P 29 ca s a “co abo a ve b ended mode ” as he eam ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

to Collaborative Care

p ov des ca e o he en e Whee e commun y

WHEELERSCHOOL ORG

Nurse Kathy McKenna talks with students during a health class.

We’ve been able to take more of a holistic view on health, which is the direction health care in general has been moving in the last 10 years or so. This is particularly important when it comes to children, as, when you’re thinking about their care, you’re thinking about their physical, social, emotional, and mental health.”

A HEALTHY APPROACH TO COLLABORATIVE CARE

These facilities, and this collaborative practice model, grew steadily from what was once a small team. Ms. O’Neil joined Wheeler 16 years ago, the same time as Nurse McKenna, and they were the one full-time nurse and one counselor on staff. Despite the team’s small size, they were able to use their wealth of experience and knowledge to begin developing that collaborative practice model to best serve the Wheeler community. Along the way, another full-time nurse and counselor were added to the team, as the department grew into its current form. “Since then, and with the addition of the rest of the staff, we’ve been able to take more of a holistic view on health, which is the direction health care in general has been moving in the last 10 years or so,” Ms. McKenna says. “This is particularly important when it comes to children, as, when you’re thinking about their care, you’re thinking about their physical, social, emotional, and mental health.” That holistic approach allows the Health Center team to look at the “whole child” and address issues through preventative care when appropriate, while referring to tertiary care when indicated, Ms. Diaz explains. During interdisciplinary meetings, they speak with other counselors, teachers, and advisers for how to best support Wheeler’s students in close partnership with their families. Ms. O’Neil explains that working across administrative departments and academic divisions helps ensure that care is both comprehensive and personalized. This process is bolstered through the use of Magnus Health, an electronic ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... student health system. Parents can use it to update information, from immunizations to ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... notes about their child’s health such as serious food allergies, diabetes, anxiety, depression, ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... asthma, or other factors that may need to be planned for while students are at school or ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... when they are participating in....................................................................................................................................................... outdoor learning programs or traveling on a field trip. ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... “We want to have a deeper....................................................................................................................................................... understanding of what is going on with the student, and ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... that insight comes from regular communication with families who are the primary source of ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... support and care for students,” Ms. Diaz says. ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

We want to have a deeper understanding of what is going on with the student, and that insight comes from regular communication with families who are the primary source of support and care for students.” Judy Diaz P’27, P’29

The system also incorporates communications from students’ health providers beyond Wheeler, such as physical therapists, nurses, and nutritionists, which allows for uninterrupted and aligned health care. For parents looking for help or guidance outside of school, the Health Center team is able to step in and point families in the right direction. “We explore community health resources to identify resources appropriate for the health issue and age of the student,” Ms. McKenna explains. “The connection to these resources that specialize in treatment of children and adolescents is helpful to the successful care of our students.” That same practice extends to their Wheeler colleagues like the aforementioned Athletic Trainer Nate Withington, as well as Athletics coaches and Physical Education teachers. “We work very closely with our trainers for injury management, and working in close proximity better enables us to follow up and make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to our athletes’ recovery,” Ms. McKenna says. Beyond their relationships with staff, faculty, and families, the Health Center team also focuses, of course, on building relationships with students. When visiting classrooms to teach health classes, nurses and counselors provide guidance and dialogue about nutrition, physical health, and mental health. At the same time, the Health Center staff members are becoming more familiar to students, which is important in helping them feel more comfortable when they are in need of health and wellness services at school. Department staff are also part of the Whole Life Seminar (WheeLS) curriculum that incorporates Unity & Diversity, Health, and the Community Action Program, so there are many opportunities to connect with students in class, as well as the Health Center.

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Judy Diaz P’27, P’29 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 NOW & THEN SPRING 2023 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School can bring on a lot of stress for students in various ways. We work closely with students one-on-one to educate them on how to manage those stressors and the pressures that academic challenges bring.”

A HEALTHY APPROACH TO COLLABORATIVE CARE

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........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ “School can bring on a lot of stress for students ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ in various ways,” Ms. Diaz says. “We work closely ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ with students one-on-one to educate them on how 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........................................................................................................................................................................ to manage those stressors and the pressures that ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ academic challenges bring.” ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ Some of those stressors were exacerbated ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ reinforced the need........................................................................................................................................................................ for counseling and mental ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ health resources. ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ “The pandemic was a huge disruption in ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ the lives of our children and their families, our ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ faculty, and our staff,” says Ms. McKenna. “When ........................................................................................................................................................................ 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Wheeler made the commitment to reopen in fall ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ of 2020, everyone returned to an unusual environment with many different public health ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ recommendations in........................................................................................................................................................................ place. As we have slowly come back to our usual practices, the social ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ and emotional development has been impacted for many students, and it’s about meeting ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ the kids where they ........................................................................................................................................................................ are and helping them grow.” ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ When it comes to supporting students’ mental health, Wheeler Farm is an incredible ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ asset. “The farm is such a unique, beautiful environment,” Ms. O’Neil says. “Many people ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ find visiting it a calming experience, and the opportunity to be outdoors is invaluable, ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ especially with more........................................................................................................................................................................ information becoming available about the benefits of being in nature ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ and how it affects anxiety and depression.” ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ 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The Health Services Department is also taking advantage of some new, additional space ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ on Wheeler’s Providence campus, as it begins working from the renovated Clark Alumni ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ House, which will offer an expanded meditation room, along with offices that are in closer ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ proximity to colleagues in College Counseling and the Office of Unity & Diversity. ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ The location is reflective of their holistic approach as they partner across school and ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ with families to care........................................................................................................................................................................ for Wheeler students. As Ms. O’Neil says, “The relationships we have ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ built go a long way, and we’re looking forward to even more opportunities to work and ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ collaborate within the community.” ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ 29 WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................

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While the golden age of radio dramas may be Ms R ng ew cz ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ long past, a small group of Wheeler Upper says s uden s we en ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ School students are bringing new excitement– g ven any p omp s o ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ and yes, drama–to the airwaves through equ emen s and hey ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ Wheeler’s radio station, WELH. came o he p ocess w h ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ The students are part of an Aerie Enrichment class p en y o deas The sc p ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ that Upper School English Teacher Abby Ringiewicz o a one ac p ay s abou ........................................................................................................................................................ QU NN KENNED 24 ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... has been teaching since she arrived at Wheeler six 10 pages and akes ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... years ago. The performances, which consist of one-act a ound he same numbe o m nu es o pe o m The ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... plays written and presented entirely by students, were s uden s had ee ange on he k nds o sound e ec s ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... traditionally shared .................................................................................................................................................................................. on stage each spring. However, and o he e emen s hey wan ed o add and hey ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................. the pandemic called for a bit of ec u ed he c assma es and o he pee s as ac o s .................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................. improvisation, prompting the plays Th s s he second yea ha Qu nn p oduced a ad o ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... to jump from the stage p ay hough he p ocess has changed “d as ca y” ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... to the broadcast studio. a ong he way Las yea Qu nn adap ed a sho ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... The move offered some s o y hey had p ev ous y w en bu he mos ecen ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... interesting challenges, and pe o mance was deve oped om sc a ch ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................... fun opportunities, for the ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. students and Ms. Ringiewicz. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. “Most of them weren’t ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. really sure what creating a ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. MEGAN G BSON PRUGH 23 ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. radio play would entail,” she ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. says. “We broke it down ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. ..................................................... .................. through things like fiction............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. based podcasts, so they had a lot of fun with that.” ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. Students learned about the recording process, ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. .................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. which includes the importance of elements like music ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. and sound effects in building a scene. For Quinn ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. Kennedy ’24, the idea of creating a radio play felt like a ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. natural fit. Quinn had always enjoyed writing plays and ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. viewed this as a chance to expand their horizons as ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. they tried to learn as much as possible before writing ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. the first draft. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. “Writing for the radio is very different from writing for ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. the stage, and I welcomed the challenge, as well as the ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. opportunity to audition and collaborate with a group of ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. HORN ON 24 C A RE HAGER 23 ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. really talented actors ” Qu nn says ............................................................................................................. AND PHOEBE PORDER 24 ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................

From the Stage to the Studio

NOW & THEN SPR NG 2023

A Schedule Full of Student-Produced Programming The one-act plays are just one example of the many student-produced programs that air on WELH. Upper School students Lexi Miller ’23 and Aaryia Newby ’24 hosted a new series this year, The Sports Girls, as part of the Women in Sports seminar with History Teacher Virginia Laffey P’14, P’19. The series traces the evolution of women’s sports in the U.S. from the non-competitive and informal recreational activities of the 1800s through the passage of Title IX and the formation of professional women’s athletics. “The purpose of the podcast is to get people thinking about issues surrounding women and athletics in the United States,” Ms. Laffey said in an interview this fall. “The first podcast explains what Title IX is, especially because it is the 50-year anniversary of its passage. Later episodes will explore such topics as the pay disparity between male and female professional athletes, gender bias in media coverage, as well as interviews with Wheeler alums.” Ms. Laffey and her students have been reading articles, watching videos, and listening to podcasts about gender ideals and how the notion of masculinity and femininity have shaped what it means to be athletic. “We decided to create a podcast series because we thought everyone would benefit from learning about this topic,” she said. Meanwhile, in the Middle School, Anabelle Bourbeau ’28, Kush Patel ’28, and Caroline Seward ’28 discuss a variety of inventions–some useful and some not so much–in their WELHproduced podcast, Invention 25. The trio love the experience of recording and sharing their ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... views.“We have learned many things during this ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... process, including writing scripts that allow us to ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... expand on ideas,” they say. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... “All the writers held auditions and got to hear a lot of students read, before deciding individually on a cast and then coming together for a group discussion,” Quinn says. “Once I’d confirmed my cast and notified my actors, we rehearsed a few times before recording!” Most of the students recorded their plays in one run-through with the assistance of WELH Director of Operations Dave Schiano P’26 and Jesse Yip ’08, who also helped edit the performances, which aired in December. The students have enjoyed hearing their plays come to life on the air. “It’s so exciting to hear the lines you’ve written read out loud, and to hear the out-loud voices of the characters that have lived in your head for so long,” says Quinn. Ms. Ringiewicz also used the debut broadcast in December to share exciting news about future one-act plays. “We’re actually going to be bringing them back to the stage with the option to air a pre-recording or perform them live,” she says.

Want to Hear More?

An Expansive Canvas 32

NOW & THEN SPR NG 2023

Every space is a studio at Wheeler, and there are countless ways for students to explore their creativity, along with our faculty guides, and see where it leads them. In this feature, we hear directly from some of our Visual Arts faculty members, and, a bit later in the magazine, we’ll connect with their colleagues in the Performing Arts.

Bob Martin P’05, P’10 Visual Arts Department Head Students in the Visual Arts Program at Wheeler spend many years building skills and learning visual concepts in a highly structured program. As students mature, our program adapts to allow more individual expression to emerge and develop. Students in the Studio Arts track (a three-year program in painting and drawing) and the Advanced Art Seminar track (advanced work in photography, ceramics, and art electives) take the lessons learned earlier in their artistic evolution and engage in a highly individual course of study and exploration in their senior year, culminating in exhibitions held in the Chazan Gallery each spring. The exhibitions showcase the great variety of student expression that is supported by our program, as well as the diverse range of artistic disciplines that we teach. The Thayer Street mural projects have provided the Visual Arts Department with an opportunity to create cross-divisional experiences for our students, and take art out of the classroom and into public spaces. For the first mural, we also sought an interdisciplinary theme, taking our cue from the work initiated by former Science faculty 33

member, Rob “Otter” Brown, in tracking the coyote population in Rhode Island. Our second project allowed us to showcase the artistic legacy of our founder, Mary C. Wheeler, by highlighting her summertime next-door neighbor, Claude Monet, painting in his water lily pond in Giverny, France. First painted in the fall of 2019, we returned to the site this past fall to extend the pond onto the street. Kindergarteners who worked on the mural three years ago returned as 3rd-graders to begin painting the extension. By first previewing Monet’s signature impressionist brushwork, students of all ages participated in the project, adding layer upon layer of brushstrokes until the surface of the water emerged in true Monet fashion. Upper School students completed the painting by adding water lily pads and blossoms. Wheeler’s ongoing collaboration with the Thayer Street District Management Authority brings our Visual Arts Program and students into the community at large, and serves as an extension of Miss Wheeler’s legacy as one of the first American educators to fully integrate art into primary and secondary curricula.

WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

Bobbie Sanders Berking-Dalzell ’73 Wheeler and Hamilton Lower School Art Teacher The art room is a sanctuary. Students are given the space and freedom to discover their strengths, find where they need to grow, and feel inspired to be the artist of their creations. I want my students to own their ideas, problem-solve, and not give up when a step is tricky. Projects in collage, painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and art history give students the foundation of experiences and develop their gross and fine motor skills; build dexterity, confidence, and resilience; and help them discover the talent that’s inside these young artists! For each new project, I pass out examples and explain each step, as well as how to use the materials, and possible options for how they might approach the project–and then I step back. I want

my students to trust their intuition and ideas and make their own choices and decisions. Each project has a set of parameters students need to follow, and I keep them on track, but how they find their way and the inspiring ideas they come up with is all them! Lower School art is the foundation for all the years ahead—it’s where students learn how to hold a brush; cut with scissors; use a ruler to measure; and understand concepts of depth, overlapping, size difference, and horizon line in a drawing; as well as mixing paint colors, tracing around a template, and discovering what clay can and cannot do. There are so many materials and techniques to experience!

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

AN EXPANSIVE CANVAS

Adam Ferbert

media and materials that best exemplify their individuality and strengths. We guide the student artists through the process of conceptualizing their own art, and we follow them along wherever that journey takes them.

We guide the student artists through the process of conceptualizing their own art, and we follow them along wherever that journey takes them.”

WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

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Students arrive in the Advanced Art Seminar open a door to endless possibilities and ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... track with a variety of skills in various media iterations of the work for the future. When a ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... from our many elective courses. Bringing student is inspired to continue to learn and ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... these students together for conceptually create more, we as teachers feel inspired by ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... driven work always produces exciting their individual journeys and our collective ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... results! When students are grappling with journey as a class. ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... common themes while expressing their ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... individuality and creativity as artists, they ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... expand their own minds and the minds of ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... their peers. Working concurrently with two ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... different teachers, with different areas of ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... expertise and lenses, greatly expands their ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... knowledge. At times, a 2D artist will work ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... with a 3D teacher, shifting their perspective ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... on the media and approach to the subject ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... matter. When students reveal their work ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... to their peers—and to us during our class ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... critiques—they describe such thoughtful and ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... meaningful processes behind their finished ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... work, and, rather than feeling complete, they ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... 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Kristin Murphy P’19, P’23

When a student is inspired to continue to learn and create more, we as teachers feel inspired by their individual journeys and our collective journey as a class.”

Liz Kilduff ’86, P’22, P’23, P’25 Leah Grear P’14

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ALUMNI PROFILES

A Positive Disruptor in Life and Business For Cheryl Kiser ’68, citizenship and social values have always been at the forefront of her life experiences. Amid the unrest and political upheaval that took place during her graduation year from Wheeler, she recalls the school serving as a sanctuary for differing views and perspectives.

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

“It was a great laboratory for someone in the 60s to truly express themselves and lean into their disruptive selves,” Cheryl says. “You could always challenge the status quo, and the faculty were tolerant of that.” More than five decades later, Cheryl still hasn’t stopped challenging the status quo. These days, she can be found at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, serving as the executive director of the Institute for Social Innovation, where she educates business students and future entrepreneurs. In the position, she creates experiential learning opportunities for students who work on real-world challenges fielded by corporate partners, which include organizations like Fortune 500 companies. These challenges are rooted in corporate social responsibility, which is the idea that a business has a responsibility to the society that exists around it. Her students spend a semester collaborating in teams, as they research and create solutions for the benefit of communities, while also working to reshape the roles of businesses in today’s world. “Everything I’ve done in the past few years has revolved around helping people understand that businesses are required to be very different today,” Cheryl says. “Students come here expecting to go straight into business. As a positive disruptor, I have to share how the role of business has changed and how it can address our society’s needs as innovative market opportunities.”

For me, the most powerful place to be is where you can be a part of change.” Cheryl Kiser ’68

Cheryl’s identity as a positive disruptor was formed in childhood, when her mother opened a natural food store in Providence and her family also created the Garden Grille vegan restaurant in Pawtucket (she remains a staunch supporter of equitable access to nutritious food). Following her time at Wheeler, Cheryl obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, as well as a Masters Degree in Community Organization and Social Policy from Boston College. She later spent 13 years as managing director of the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, and she also serves on the National Advisory Board of WildHearts, a portfolio of companies that empowers young people to make a positive impact through an alignment of entrepreneurship and social impact. She echoes the organization’s sentiment that business “can and must be a force for good.” “I had spent some time working for political candidates, and I’ve always loved being at the intersection of things,” Cheryl explains. “For me, the most powerful place to be is where you can be a part of change.” Throughout her career, Cheryl has helped to train and mentor other future change-makers. She currently assists with a youth entrepreneurship program at Babson, and she also serves on the board of The BASE in Roxbury, Massachusetts, an urban academy that offers athletic and educational advancement opportunities to local student-athletes. “I continue to work closely with the Boston community to change the narrative around brown and Black youth, so they can be seen as talented resources for our communities,” Cheryl says. As she looks back at her own time as a student, Cheryl credits her experiences with Wheeler classmates, teachers, and administrators for helping shape her entrepreneurial mindset. She enjoys seeing that same significant process continue at Wheeler to this day. As Cheryl describes, “This school does a tremendous amount of experimentation and empowering curiosity.”

WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

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Molecular Biology, which once was the realm of What began as a one-semester elective in 2010 ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. labs in research universities–and even science with a lab portion has since expanded into a one-year ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. fiction–has become an important part of The course, which includes gene editing using CRISPR ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. Wheeler School’s science curriculum. “I can’t technology. It’s become so popular that this school ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. think of any other high schools offering a model year it expanded into two sections for the first time, ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. like ours,” says Upper School Science Teacher Dr. with 18 students total. Those who are interested in ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. Donna Lizotte P’18, P’20, P’24, whose Molecular taking the course, whether they are rising seniors or ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. Biology class for seniors, and some juniors, juniors, need to apply, and Dr. Lizotte checks in with ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. gives them a jumpstart on a STEM career through their current chemistry teachers to ensure that they’re ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. a truly hands-on approach. ready for it. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. It’s fitting, therefore, that the program was sparked “It’s not a class that someone wants to take if they ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. by student interest. Dr. Lizotte credits Karina Verma just need an extra course,” Dr. Lizotte says. “You don’t ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ’10, who wanted to do an independent project at a time have to have taken all honors-level courses to take ................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................

The “DNA” Behind a Successful and Unprecedented Course

the prep room, as Dr. Lizotte describes, was more of a “glorified closet with a sink.” Even so, in the fall of her senior year, Karina cloned two genes. “When she got to her first year of undergrad at Wellesley College, she was able to get a position in a cancer research lab because of the skills that she had developed here,” Dr. Lizotte says. “She’s now a third-year resident of internal medicine at Boston Medical Center. She is going to be the chief resident next year and hopes to apply for a hematology-oncology fellowship.”

Molecular Biology, as it’s accessible to all, but I want to know that it matters to you.” Her class starts off slow, giving students the time to master fundamental skills, like how to properly prepare reagents and the basics of micropipetting. They have to become familiar with using the equipment, such as the centrifuge and the thermocycler, which is used for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and they need to understand how to use them properly and safely.

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

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Dr. Donna Lizotte P’18, P’20, P’24 .............................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. “I want them to understand the unspoken Dr. Lizotte says. “I make sure we’re working with .............................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... language of the lab itself,” she says. One of her strains and materials that are appropriate for high ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. students might theoretically know how to prepare a school students.” ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... buffer, but the more they actually do it, the more it She believes a big component of Molecular .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. becomes second nature. “I remember when I started Biology is encouraging students to not be afraid of 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.............................................................................................. at my first lab in the summer before my senior year in making mistakes. “It’s all about being comfortable ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... college. I knew how to calculate any solution or buffer troubleshooting and problem-solving,” Dr. Lizotte says. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. I was asked to prepare, but I had less experience “It isn’t just memorization. There is a certain amount ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. actually doing it. It was intimidating,” Dr. Lizotte says. they need to know, of course, but it can also be more .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. “I want my students to become comfortable with the about creative thinking, and our kids are very creative .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... basic tasks of the lab. Perfecting these skills requires thinkers.” .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. patience and repetition on top of book knowledge.” Dr. Lizotte applies that same creative thinking ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... She compares it to sports, and how practice and .............................................................................................. as she continues to grow and enhance the course, .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. exposure allows participants to gain confidence. whether that includes bringing in more guest speakers .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... Molecular Biology introduces students to or visiting off-campus labs. She is also hoping to .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. techniques such as electrophoresis of DNA and partner with some of those research labs in the area ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. ...................................... .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ...................................... proteins. They carry out a number of experiments as possible summer work locations for her students. .............................................................................................. ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... using PCR and DNA sequencing. ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... The students are introduced to ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... the theoretical background of the ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... techniques and their application in ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... biomedical research, focused on ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... several different model organisms ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... such as E. coli and Saccharomyces ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... cerevisiae (yeast). One of the ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... ...................................... experiments involves editing a gene ...................................... ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. using CRISPR technology. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... “We have done this in both ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... yeast and bacteria, and it is a ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... fantastic culmination of the skills ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... that students have learned to that ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... ................................................................................................................................. ...................................... point,” Dr. Lizotte says. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. She stresses the strains ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. used in her classes, like E. coli, ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. are non-hazardous. “Everything 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I want them to understand the unspoken language of the lab itself.”

There are numerous Wheeler alumni who studied with Dr. Lizotte and are now applying what they learned from her in their careers or college and university classes and labs. Connor Cruz ’21, a sophomore studying Biology at Boston College, says Molecular Biology was the highlight of his senior year at Wheeler.

“I realized that this class wouldn’t just introduce me to specialized Biology, but also to important laboratory techniques. The class, and Dr. Lizotte, also helped me grow my lab skill set, which has helped me in both my college-level classes and when applying for lab positions on campus.” He credits Dr. Lizotte for creating an educational environment that is similar to his experience at BC. “Dr. Lizotte structured the class almost like my current college classes, where we have lectures to learn the material and then labs to apply it,” he says. “One other thing that really helped me solidify my love for Biology was the lab techniques we learned. When I tell my professors that I did a CRISPR/Cas9 lab, they are always impressed, as most college students don’t have the ability to perform this experiment.” Emma Germano ’19, a double major in Medical Anthropology and Cell and Molecular Biology at Barnard College of Columbia University, has been working in an undergraduate laboratory studying viruses that drive cancer.

“Taking Dr. Lizotte’s Molecular Biology class was a highlight of my Wheeler education,” she says. “It was instrumental in my decision to study Biology with my specific major of Cell and Molecular Biology.”

Molecular Biology was the first time Emma utilized techniques she now uses .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... every day in her lab. .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... “We isolated DNA, ran western blots and gel electrophoresis, and .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... also performed CRISPR,” she explains. “It encouraged me to .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... pursue Biology and instilled true passion for the subject. I feel .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... very lucky that Wheeler exposed me to this field before I continued .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... to pursue it in college.” .................................................................................................... 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.................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... 42 NOW & THEN SPRING 2023 .................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................

THE “DNA” BEHIND A SUCCESSFUL AND UNPRECEDENTED COURSE

“I’d love to have more community partnerships Of course, there is plenty of lab work waiting for with any parents or researchers associated with them in Dr. Lizotte’s Wheeler lab as well. Wheeler,” she says. Shortly before the pandemic, we “I think I’m lucky to get to do what I love and were just starting to make some connections with hopefully it sparks that passion in my students,” she labs interested in taking on a student with basic lab says. “They are bright, creative thinkers, and my ................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................ skills. It gave the students an opportunity to work colleagues have taught them well so when they get to ................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................ on a bigger project as part of a group, and they got me, they are ready to roll.” .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. to experience life in an actual research lab setting. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ Unfortunately, over the last few years, most labs .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. could not have outsiders coming in due to strict .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ COVID restrictions. Hopefully we can begin to build .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. some new partnerships moving forward.” ................................................................................................................................ .............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................

It’s all about being comfortable troubleshooting and problem-solving. It isn’t just memorization. There is a certain amount they need to know, of course, but it can also be more about creative thinking, and our kids are very creative thinkers.”

Wheeler Athletics:

Now

A Diving Interest Takes Flight in NEPSAC Wheeler has a long history of programming that began with a simple question, inspired by curiosity: “Do you think we might be able to make ‘this’ happen?” And the story of year one of Varsity Diving in the Upper School is no different. When longtime Swim Coaches Kristin Murphy P’19, P’23 and Jim Filippo learned that Wheeler would be returning to the NEPSAC last fall, it didn’t take them long to reach out to Director of Athletics Sean Kelly ’02, P’35 and ask that question about diving. “To their credit, Jim and Kristin were all over this idea,” Coach Kelly says. “They highlighted the fact that in the NEPSAC, unlike our former league, there was an opportunity for diving, and they stressed that the scores from diving would be part of the swimming and diving championships each year going forward. In our previous time in the NEPSAC, Wheeler had missed out on boosting our overall score because we only had swimming. Most importantly, they shared that we had a handful of current students who were genuinely interested in diving.” With all of that taken into consideration, Coach Kelly was on board, but now they needed to figure out how to dive in. Given that only a handful of pools in the greater Providence area have one-meter boards, opportunities were limited. “Throw in the logistics of colleges using their own pools for practice, limited practice times due to outside rentals, insurance, transportation, finding a coach, etc., and it was an uphill battle that didn’t look promising,” Coach Kelly 45

says. However, it was the extended hand of another Rhode Island NEPSAC school that finally helped secure Wheeler’s first Varsity Diving season. “We are incredibly thankful for the help of St. George’s, especially their AD Bob Pipe and the Diving Coach Jeff Mitchem,” says Coach Kelly. “Working together, we really embraced some creativity to make this happen, and it turned out to be a tremendous success. The driving force for everyone involved was to find a way to ensure we followed through on the interests of these student-athletes.” Twice a week throughout their inaugural diving season, Catalina Smith ’25, Nina Gonzalez ’23, Alyssa Roop ’23, and Jackson Page ’25 made their way to St. George’s Newport campus for practice with members of the St. George’s team and Coach Mitchem. “Our four divers rose to the occasion and accepted the challenges of learning the many intricacies of diving techniques,” Coach Kelly says. “In addition to the practices and the accompanying dedication of getting to and from Aquidneck Island, these Warriors participated in a pair of diving meets–the first ever in Wheeler history–all of which was in preparation for the NEPSSA Swimming and Diving Championships in March.” At the championship, the boys team placed second overall and the girls team placed third, and Wheeler’s divers played an integral part in those strong performances. “This was an incredible experience for our kids and our program,” says Coach Filippo. “We are excited to take this momentum and build on this.” WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

Then

Catching Up with Peter Pond ’18, a Palpable Presence on the Pitch and a Champion on the Court

....................................................................... ....................................................................... C Tournament. He would also be named to the ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... All-Division and All-State teams, the first of many ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... soccer accolades he would receive while wearing ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... purple and gold. Peter’s athletic prowess wasn’t ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... limited to the soccer field, as he helped the ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... 47 ....................................................................... ....................................................................... .......................................................................

It has been a pleasure to watch Peter follow his passion and curiosity, first as a student-athlete and now as a coach and educator. We look forward to his continued work with Wheeler and our Warrior student-athletes.

WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

Varsity Volleyball “Set” to Return As you may have read on Wheeler’s social media channels, Girls Varsity Volleyball will begin play in the fall 2023 sports season, with games against both fellow NEPSAC member schools and non-league competition. “Through conversations with numerous current and prospective families, there was clear interest in competitive volleyball,” Director of Athletics Sean Kelly ’02, P’35 said when announcing the news in February. “We are looking forward to expanding our sports programming with this new team that also has history at Wheeler–the school briefly had a Volleyball program in the early 1970’s, and we are happy to bring it back under the guidance of Head Coach Bea Furtado.” Wheeler’s original Volleyball program made an immediate impact upon taking the court five decades ago. Along with several in-game photos of players, the 1973 yearbook includes this season summary: “As so often happens to Wheeler athletic teams when they compete in the public school leagues, the Volleyball team ran roughshod over its opponents in the Northern Division, but then was unable to compete in the playoffs because its key players were off on vacation. Coached by Mrs. Baldwin and captained by Marion Mauran and

Manny Scott, the team took its title by defeating Tolman High School of Pawtucket.” Coach Julie Baldwin says she tried to make volleyball fun for all of the players back then…despite some challenges with Wheeler’s home court at the time. “Our gym had a low ceiling. That’s what I remember most,” Coach Baldwin says with a chuckle. “The girls wanted to serve flat because otherwise the ball would go up and hit the ceiling. We had a lot of court rules for our gym, so people didn’t really want to come to our gym to play because you had the stage at one end, you had the alcove at the other end, and you had the sidelines right up against the chairs. We got the court size in, but it was really crowded. It was quite a home court advantage!” Team Co-Captain Madeleine (Scott) Burgoyne ’73 says her experience playing volleyball “still resonates with strong, positive emotional feelings. I believe attending an all-girls school (as Wheeler was at the time) created a very inclusive and confidence-building experience for all of us, and this just carried through to our team sports. On top of that, Coach Baldwin deserves all the credit for her ability to appreciate every player on the team and encourage the best out of all of us.” Coach Furtado hopes to create a similar, meaningful experience for today’s volleyball players. “My passion for volleyball started when I played in high school, and I knew that I needed to use that energy to help me achieve my goals in the sport, first as a player and now as a coach. Most importantly, I’m excited to see the growth in each of my players throughout the season as we work to build their skills and confidence, which will allow them to excel.” When the Warriors take the court again this ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... fall against other NEPSAC teams, as well as ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... neighboring, non-league Rhode Island schools, one ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... of their biggest fans will be Head of School Allison ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... Gaines Pell P’23, P’25–a former varsity volleyball ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... player herself who was known for her “shut out” ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... serve at the time. “I was excited when Coach Kelly ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... brought this idea to me,” AGP says. “Volleyball is............................... an ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... incredible sport that’s fun for fans and athletes alike. ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... I can’t wait to join our community in cheering on............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... ............................... Wheeler’s Girls Volleyball team!” ............................... ...............................

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

Ahead

Building Community From the Ground Up

There is laughter, and at times tears, but we believe that during our feelings time our connection to each other grows deeper each day.”

pre-kindergarten classes at Wheeler Farm embrace social and emotional learning from the very beginning. This manifests in different lessons and activities, like story time and outdoor exploration, but the theme of celebrating similarities and differences is central. For Teacher Courtney Newby P’24 and her Mighty Oaks pre-k classroom, morning meetings are punctuated by the use of “feeling cards.” Students sit Courtney Newby P’24 in a circle and teachers take the time to ask everyone how they’re feeling. They are able to choose from cards that reflect various emotions, like happy, silly, that during our feelings time our connection to each ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ sad, tired, worried, excited, scared, and frustrated. other grows deeper each day,” she says. ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ “If they are ................................................................................................................................................................................ feeling sad, the group might ask if In another classroom nearby, Nursery Teacher ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ there is something we can do to make them feel Mohammed Abdalah and his students have found ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ better,” Ms. Newby says. “Another example, if a that the concept of “same, but different” is often an ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ student says that they are excited, the group will share essential bind for interdisciplinary subjects like math ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ that excitement.” and science. ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ This allows ................................................................................................................................................................................ students to empathize with each other “We’re focused on using the same vocabulary for ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ while seeing firsthand how students can have a variety our students no matter what we’re talking about,” Mr. ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ of feelings every................................................................................................................................................................................ day, and that it’s OK to feel their Abdalah says. “When we’re looking at something like ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ emotions. Ms. Newby says it’s a great way for teachers leaves or gourds, we ask what’s different about them, ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ and students to................................................................................................................................................................................ get to know each other on a deeper how one might be a different color, or how they might ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ level, particularly when understanding how youngsters be different sizes. Using that common language helps ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ may be more alike than they think. them make those connections without even knowing ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ “So many connections are made during this time it. If they can appreciate it in the natural space, they ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ around similarities in favorite foods, upcoming trips, can appreciate it in the social space. ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ spending time with extended family, and so on. The “They can all be three and four years old, but within ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ students and teachers really enjoy this time together. that sphere there is such a wide breadth of what kids ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................ There is laughter, and at times tears, but we believe can accomplish physically, cognitively, and emotionally,” ................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... Mr. Abdalah says. “It’s up to us to figure out how we can Ms. McAree says the benefits of these activities go ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... help them feel like they’re part of a group.” far beyond students’ years at the Nest. ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... That effort starts from the ground up every “The important thing is students are heard, ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... day, Mr. Abdalah says. On a daily basis at the Nest, understood, and validated,” she says. “Without that, ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... teachers draw those connections through nature and they can’t get excited about learning. We do our best ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... culture, with discussions about holidays and how to make sure they are seen and heard so we can build ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... certain celebrations are based around the seasons. off their strengths and create that excitement.” ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... “Once you draw it from nature, it really makes an Building a sense of community at the Nest doesn’t ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... impression on them,” he says. stop at the borders of Wheeler’s Seekonk campus. ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... Pre-K Teachers Ann McAree and Pam Butler Older students, who are based at the Providence ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... say drawing from family experiences is also an campus, are at the farm throughout the school year ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... essential part of helping young students recognize ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... and celebrate their cultural differences. Early in the ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... school year, they have them bring in family photos so ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... the students can see themselves represented in the ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... classroom and ask each other questions. ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... “We have a lot of conversations about who they ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... are to provide a sense of empowerment,” Ms. McAree ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... says. “For instance, children might have different words ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... they call their relatives, like ‘baba’ or ‘nana,’ and it ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... allows the others to ask them about who that person ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... might be. They can relate to each other through having ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives. It’s a ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... very organic way to allow them to grasp how they can ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... be both unique and similar at the same time.” ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... Ms. McAree and Ms. Butler also use storybooks ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... and other aids to help spark discussion, which leads ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... to students making their own discoveries, whether ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... Mohammed Abdalah they’re about family trees or the trees surrounding .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... them at the farm. .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... “We have emergent conversations when we’re for various programs that often allow them to be ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... outdoors, and a lot of it can stem from trees and mentors for nursery and pre-k students. For example, .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... understanding different shades of colors,” Ms. McAree Ms. McAree said 6th-graders invited her class to a .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... says. “With leaves, we make sure they understand that campfire celebrating the winter solstice. ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... they’re not all the same, even though they came from “They invited the children to draw a picture of ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... the same tree. The colors of the leaves also help with something that was meaningful to them, and helped ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... activities like comparing and contrasting other things them carefully throw it into the fire,” she says. “It was ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... like skin tones, and understanding those differences a wonderful celebration of their hopes and dreams.” ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... and similarities, as well.” There are visits from older Lower School grades, ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... too. Last April, 2nd-grade students met with their

They can all be three and four years old, but within that sphere there is such a wide breadth of what kids can accomplish physically, cognitively, and emotionally.”

pre-kindergarten “buddies” on the farm, where they enjoyed a morning snack, story time, and a hike into the woods along Runnins River. These visits are ongoing throughout the school year, and include activities like outdoor playtime and games that encourage pre-kindergarten and 2nd-grade students to learn more about each other. Or there are the 3rd-graders who explored a pond with Mr. Abdalah’s class and even helped improve a nearby bridge, dubbed the “Unity Bridge” in honor of the school’s Unity & Diversity Week which was taking place at that time. Third-graders also have regular “Farm Days” 52

NOW & THEN SPR NG 2023

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............................................................................................... make time to be with their friends at the Nest. experiences for our kids.” ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... “They’ve inherently become our buddies,” Mr. Ms................................................................................................ McAree concurs. She says developing a ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... Abdalah says. “Sometimes there is some literature sense of belonging and an excitement for learning is ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... or a lesson that grounds the experience, and other reciprocal at the Nest. ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... times it’s a free-play experience. “A lot of times what we say is that we are ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... “I think it’s within that flexibility that we can learning from each other, and that’s true for ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... innovate, as we’re not beholden to a certain place students and teachers alike. We learn from the ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... or time for these activities,” he continues. “It has children............................................................................................... and with them.” ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... been really good for me as a sort of lab space, ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... 53 WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

Unparalleled Performance Possibilities

Earlier in the magazine, some of our Visual Arts faculty discussed how students develop their artistic skills and explore their creativity at Wheeler. Now, we hear from our Performing Arts faculty about how this journey plays out in their spaces.

Chris Capaldi P’31 Lower School Music Teacher Student-driven creativity is at the forefront of our

................................................................................................................... music classroom experience. Students sing, dance, ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... play, compose, and improvise in a joyful manner ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... that makes them feel connected to the music and to ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... each other. ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... The Lower School music experience at ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... Wheeler is so unique because it blends music ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... fundamentals with a modern approach to teaching ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... and materials. You'll find students playing and ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... singing everything from musical theater to Led ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... Zeppelin and Bruno Mars! ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... 54 NOW & THEN SPRING 2023 ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................

Nicole Jennings ’99 P’28

Lower Schoo Mus c and Drama Teacher

Nick Toscano P’34, P’36

Joel Sugerman Upper School and Middle School Theatre Teacher In theatre at Wheeler, we look to students’ creative genius for making our performances as much as we look to the work of professional playwrights and composers. In rehearsals, we call upon students’ ideas in devising staging and choreography, and in classes, we mine students’ artistic voices for most of the material we perform. In our Ensemble 10 class last year, for instance, each member of the class wrote and directed their own original short plays, culminating in an evening of seven world premieres. By focusing on the collaborative creation of theatre, we harness the energy of student ideas bouncing off each other and make things that never existed before.

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Upper School Teacher of ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. Handbell Instruction ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. While preparing for the Varsity ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. Handbells’ tour during Spring ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. Break and our “senior game” at ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. our May 12 concert, the students ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. decided the theme should be ............................................................................................................. ................................ ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... music from movies, which is doubly challenging. The music is familiar, so ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. our audiences know if we’ve gotten it right, but at the same time, the music ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... was written for a....................................................................................................................................................... different medium (film vs. concert hall) and for different ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... instruments. There are a lot of quirky elements that don’t necessarily ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. translate to handbells all that easily. We’ve been experimenting with ways to ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. get the bells to behave differently. That often involves modifying parts, writing ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... new ones, experimenting with new techniques, adding instruments, or, in ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................... some cases, all ....................................................................................................................................................... of the above! The students have led the way in inventing new ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ways to adapt this music for bells. ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... Another cool....................................................................................................................................................... thing about these performances is that, like any varsity ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... program, our handbells team is proudly competitive. This year, we partnered ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... with the Landon ....................................................................................................................................................... School in Bethesda, Maryland, for a home-and-away ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... “tournament.” We visited Landon during our spring tour, where we played for ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... and with their students. Then at our concert on May 12, we’ll be hosting some ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... of Landon’s bellringers. We’ve done other handbell events (such as Oktobellfest ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... in Westerly, Rhode Island), but we are usually the youngest people in the room. ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... This year we can....................................................................................................................................................... finally compete against someone our own size! ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... 56 NOW & THEN SPR NG 2023 ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

Colin Nagle ’07

UNPARALLELED PERFORMANCE POSSIBILITIES

Erin Muccino ’04

Dance Teacher

Student input is very important to the work that is done in the Dance Studio. Asking dancers, “How does the choreography feel?” opens a dialogue that explores the following questions: Does the flow of directions feel intuitive? Does the movement fit into the time signature? How does this develop the story we are trying to tell? These questions develop a dialogue between the dancer and choreographers that help include dancers in the choreographic process. This also gives dancers an opportunity to discuss movement patterns in a collaborative way. A sense of community, a judgment-free space, and an accepting space best describe the environment that is fostered in my classroom. Students need to feel safe not only with the teacher, but with the other dancers in the room to be able to create meaningful, fearless, and exciting work. My goal is to meet each dancer at their own level and work together in a place where students can express themselves, move through emotions, and find success through steady work. All dance offerings allow students to work collaboratively and creatively. By using team building and inclusion in all classes, students feel confident and are open to corrections, directions, and improvement. The Student Choreography enrichment class is a great place for dancers to not only express creativity, but further understand the process of creating a dance. Student choreographers are given a framework through different methods ......................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... of choreographing and are individually mentored throughout the semester............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... long course. They learn how to problem-solve choreographic issues, which ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... results in incredible pieces. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Emily Serotta

ALUMNI PROFILES

The Role(s) of a Lifetime

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Jesse Yip ’08’s theatre career at Wheeler began in the 8th grade, when he acted in an adaptation of Beowulf. “It was the first show that [Performing Arts Department Head] Andrew Hall ’89 ever directed in the Middle School, and he killed me twice,” Jesse says, laughing. “I got killed by a monster as a villager, and then I was the king’s assistant who got killed by the vanquished monster’s mother. I like to tell people this all the time, because I don’t want Andrew to forget it!”

NOW & THEN SPR NG 2023

Jesse is sharing this story as we sit in a large room within Central Congregational Church, during a rehearsal break for the Holiday Festival. The room is filled with Lower School students who are excitedly getting ready to take the stage, and Jesse will be right there with them, as part of the Wheeler Broadcasting team that is handling the audio and visual needs for the event. Working with Wheeler Broadcasting is just one piece of his daily school activities. “I have a bunch of different roles that, at times, might seem like they don’t go together, but they do,” Jesse explains. “For about half of the time, I work for Wheeler Broadcasting as a producer of video content, radio content, and podcasts. I also teach a video broadcasting class. Another big part of my job is dedicated to the Performing Arts Department. People will often see me running around a lot, but basically I assist on all of the main stage productions, and that entails a variety of things. I’ll organize the students and help them learn their lines. I’ll manage the

student stage managers and help with set changes, lighting, and calling the shows–whatever is needed to make the productions happen, and happen at a high level of quality.” Beyond Wheeler’s Providence campus, you can find Jesse at the farm in Seekonk, too, where he works for Wheeler Summer Camp as both an archery and high ropes course instructor–two outdoor experiences that he also facilitates as needed during the school year for events like grade and department retreats. So, how did he end up there…and there…and there at Wheeler? While he was a student at Rhode Island College, where he majored in Public History and minored in Theatre, Jesse worked several jobs to help pay for his education. One day during that time, he was talking with a friend of his from Wheeler, Bart JohnsenHarris ’08, who was back at school–as an enrichment instructor–after recently returning from a position with an NGO in the Middle East. Bart suggested there may be opportunities within the Aerie program, which was

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(and still is) directed by his father, Mark Harris P’08, P’24. “I called Mark that day, and then he brought me in for an interview,” Jesse says. “He asked, ‘What do you think you could help bring to Wheeler?’” The answer, as it turns out, was many things. Jesse started by working for a combination of Wheeler’s After School program and various Aerie classes—which included co-teaching chess with Bart. “All the kids wanted to play me because they knew I was an easy target!” he says. “But one of the first things I did, which sort of made me fall in love with teaching and working at the school, was that I worked with an international student, who has since graduated. He was from China and spoke English well enough to get through the day, but he still needed help with it. Mark suggested that I meet with him once a day to sort of do an enrichment session where we just had conversations. It was a bit tricky at times, but we both knew enough of our respective languages that we made it work. He really liked Star Wars and Transformers, so we would read Star Wars and Transformers books together as a fun way to help him learn more English. I got to work with him one-on-one, and it was really fulfilling.”

Jesse was inspired to stay at Wheeler when he graduated from college two years later. He headed to the theatre, a place–and a program–that he was excited to return to following his great theatre experience as a student (despite being killed off a few times in productions). “I started by helping [thenPerforming Arts Department Head] Lisa Brackett out with Lower School shows, and each year I’d do a bit more,” he says. “I began helping Andrew with Middle School shows, then Upper School shows, and the need for me to do stuff just kept getting bigger.” Lisa Brackett, who has since retired from Wheeler, remembers Jesse first as an actor, when he performed in Middle School and Upper School productions–”Rumors was one of my favorites!” she reflects fondly. “After returning to Wheeler, he became an invaluable colleague. All of the students loved him, and he also helped incorporate technology into the Theatre Program.” Jesse’s role on the Performing Arts team continued to expand just as the COVID-19 pandemic created a greater need for virtual performances and other video content. Wheeler School Broadcasting Director David Schiano P’26 needed some additional

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

Being back at Wheeler gives me a chance to emulate the great teachers that I had here, and I get to be that now for younger students.”

explored video editing for years on his own, jumped in to assist. “I was editing virtual concerts and performances, or just filming whatever we needed at the time,” Jesse says, “and I got to a point where I did it so much that it became an ingrained skill set.” He’s now a key production partner in both the broadcasting studio and the theatre stage, where he works with Performing Arts faculty including Upper School Theatre Teacher Joel Sugerman, Teacher of Performing Arts and Music Emily Serotta, Lower School Music and Drama Teacher Nicole Jennings ’99, P’28, Dance Teacher Erin Muccino ’04, and Andrew Hall ’89. “I kind of like the range, because I think my role with all of the media stuff with Dave and the Performing Arts, they go hand-in-hand together,” he says. “It’s great because a lot of students that I get to work with for Performing Arts, they often end up being

crossover is there.” Lisa Brackett sees Jesse’s many contributions going hand-in-hand as well. “Whether teaching students the power of emotion and voice in animation projects, to filming and editing entire productions during COVID, I consider Jesse a friend and integral member of the Wheeler community,” she says. It’s a community that Jesse is proud to be part of–and to give back to. “Being back at Wheeler gives me a chance to emulate the great teachers that I had here, and I get to be that now for younger students,” he says. “I had the opportunity to work with Andrew Hall and Lisa Brackett for four years of my high school career, and when I returned to Wheeler, they immediately accepted me as a colleague. That’s just really cool, and I want to support the Wheeler community in the same way.”

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A Cleaner and Greener Tomorrow

It may have been a hot day over Summer Break, but Miller Quad was still full of activity as a dedicated group of Upper School students from the Environmental Action Club gathered at school for an important project. First, they had collected the lids of Wheeler’s numerous recycling bins, and now they were cleaning them. Next, they would spray paint them a bright blue color so the lids would stand out after being returned to their usual spots around campus. Several faculty and staff members, including Upper School Science Teachers Bob Schmidt P’14, P’16, Christine Perkins P’20, and Chief Operating Officer Ian Moorhouse, worked alongside them. As he reflects on the lid painting project a few months into the school year, Mr. Moorhouse says it is just one of multiple eco-friendly initiatives spearheaded by students. “Many people and places will talk about doing things, but the student body here is driven to make it happen,” he says. “For a lot of things around campus, it’s not simply the administration setting policy. It’s far more organic.” 63

Mr. Moorhouse, who is in his first year as the school’s chief operating officer, has been making connections across the Wheeler community, but he says some of the most important have been formed with student groups like the Senate and Environmental Action Club. He likens the Senate—led by President Sophia Olivares ’24 and Vice President Luke Nelson ’24—to a “think tank” for a range of operational considerations, but he emphasizes their involvement doesn’t simply end with thinking up new ideas, particularly when it comes to matters of sustainability. Through weekly meetings and regular feedback, Mr. Moorhouse and student leaders have implemented various improvements across campus, including a recycling initiative that has led to a 35% increase in recycled materials within the first six months of the initiative. He says empowering students to help make maintenance- and sustainabilityrelated decisions is different from his administrative experience at other schools. “Obviously my job is to execute these ideas, but to have a student body that is focused on the WHEELERSCHOOL.ORG

well-being of not just the Upper School, but the entire school, makes this process truly studentcentered,” he says. “In addition to the creativity and determination they bring to our work together, I can also explain to them directly how things relate to our logistics or budget and how those factors may impact and, perhaps, alter our plans.” These collaborations aren’t limited to students joining with administrators—it’s just as critical that similar connections are made within the student body to ensure that a range of voices are heard. Sophia says the Senate has established monthly meetings with the Middle School class presidents to “gain valuable perspectives and foster changes benefitting both divisions. “By working closely with other leadership groups on campus, the Senate is able to access a broader range of skill sets and make more effective changes,” she says. “By putting together so many passionate leaders alongside Mr. Moorhouse, we have created lots of sustainable changes, setting up our community toward a cleaner and greener tomorrow.” That cooperation between student leaders is exactly what led to last summer’s recycling bin painting. Mr. Moorhouse says he was impressed with their enthusiasm. “I met with the Student Senate over the summer about the importance of recycling, and the Environmental Action Club also came in for a meeting with us shortly after,” Mr. Moorhouse says. “The next day they came back, in the middle of a hot summer, no less, to spray the recycling bins and put labels on them.” Beatrice Schroeder ’24, co-head of the Environmental Action Club, says the initiative is one of many things the club is doing to make the community

more sustainable and environmentally friendly. “One of the amazing things about Wheeler is its ability to change the community,” she says. “If you see an issue like a lack of recycling, for example, you can not only propose a solution but follow through and create a lasting change. In our club we aim to do just that: We have improved the recycling cans, led presentations about recycling, and are working with the administration to hopefully start a composting trial in the Upper School.” That’s not all. Upper School students have even taken to the stage in support of sustainability, when they performed skits during other divisions’ community meetings to share the do’s and don’ts of recycling with younger students. Through it all, Mr. Moorhouse and his staff provide guidance. “The Facilities Office gets involved whenever needed to make sure these things happen safely and correctly, but there’s a notion of guiding students to an action point and allowing them to follow through,” he says. In the long term, students have proposed changing every lightbulb on campus to LEDs, which Mr. Moorhouse says is “challenging” but possible. Beatrice says that composting is also on the horizon, with the goal of creating a partnership with a facility or organization that would work with Wheeler Farm on this initiative. Conversations are ongoing with alumni who have developed such a program, Mr. Moorhouse says. From composting to painting recycling bins, he praises Beatrice and the Environmental Action Club, as well as Sophia, Luke, and the Student Senate, for their support and effort to improve the student experience while helping the environment. “They’re just incredibly proactive, which I think is a big reason why we have been so successful,” he says.

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

was still full of activity as a dedicated group of Upper School students from the Environmental Action Club gathered at school for an important project. First, they had collected the lids of Wheeler’s numerous recycling bins, and now they were cleaning them. Next, they would spray paint them a bright blue color so the lids would stand out after being returned to their usual spots around campus. Several faculty and staff members, including Upper School Science Teachers Bob Schmidt P’14, P’16, Christine Perkins P’20, and Chief Operating Officer Ian Moorhouse, worked alongside them. As he reflects on the lid painting project a few months into the school year, Mr. Moorhouse says it is just one of multiple eco-friendly initiatives spearheaded by students. “Many people and places will talk about doing things, but the student body here is driven to make it happen,” he says. “For a lot of things around campus, it’s not simply the administration setting policy. It’s far more organic.” Mr. Moorhouse, who is in his first year as the school’s chief operating officer, has been making connections across the Wheeler community, but he says some of the most important have been formed with student groups like the Senate and Environmental Action Club. He likens the Senate—led by President Sophia Olivares ’24 and Vice President Luke Nelson ’24—to a “think tank” for a range of operational considerations, but he emphasizes their involvement doesn’t simply end with thinking up new ideas, particularly when it comes to matters of sustainability. Through weekly meetings and regular feedback, Mr. Moorhouse and student leaders have implemented various improvements across campus, including a recycling initiative that has led to a 35% increase in recycled materials within the first six months of the initiative. He says empowering students to help make maintenance- and sustainabilityrelated decisions is different from his administrative experience at other schools. “Obviously my job is to execute these ideas, but to have a student body that is focused on the well-being

By putting together so many passionate leaders alongside Mr. Moorhouse, we have created lots of sustainable changes, setting up our community toward a cleaner and greener tomorrow.” Sophia Olivares ’24

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Curating With Curiosity

We gather around, have conversations, and then we try to identify species have curated since the start of the school year. They’ve and keep track of what made careful notes across a variety of categories, like separating wildlife by mammals, invertebrates, and we have or haven’t seen.” amphibians. They have sections for fungi, plants, animal Summer Spiller

tracks, and droppings, and insects, feathers, and other items are on display as well. “We did a little bit of a museum last year, but this year we’ve gotten a lot more into it and we have been finding great things,” Ms. Spiller says. In the past, Ms. Spiller and her students would write a class blog about their Forest Days, where they shared their experiences and what they learned during each outing. This year, she focused on and expanded the “museum” because it grants students an even greater sense of ownership over their learning experience. Students will often bring back an unknown specimen from Wheeler Farm, so they use guidebooks and other resources to research what it may be. The 3rd-graders later present their findings to the rest of the class. Items from some of their other units, like the owl pellets they learned about in Science class, are incorporated into their museum, too.

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

Ms. Spiller’s class also has access to a new digital microscope that lets them view subjects on an LCD screen for more detailed viewing. While using the microscope, groups of students gather around to collectively view and talk about their findings, which, Ms. Spiller says, generates a new level of interest in what previously may have been overlooked items. “It has been a fun addition because in the past, for example, they might not be motivated to collect something like an acorn because they’ve seen them and know what they are,” she says. “They wouldn’t have found it that exciting. But now that we have this, they’re eager to bring all of these items back to look at under the microscope.” As for where the collection might end up, Ms. Spiller has a few ideas, such as a Lower School Community Meeting presentation, or perhaps a project to compare and contrast their museum with other nature collections at Wheeler. “We’ll see where it goes,” she says. Her students, no doubt, will have some curated next steps to suggest as well.

They’re eager to bring all of these items back to look at under the microscope.” Summer Spiller

In Memoriam

IN MEMORIAM WE REMEMBER THOSE IN OUR WHEELER FAMILY WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY, AND WE REFLECT ON THEIR LIVES AND WHEELER SPIRIT. BELOW IS A LIST OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHOSE PASSING WE LEARNED ABOUT SINCE OUR LAST PUBLICATION. Alumni Bettina Berg Blackett ’72 Daniel M. Cohen ’00 Keila Fulton DePoorter ’59 Bushnell Pearce Henry ’39 Sarah Marlar Hunt ’75 Mary Murray Keech ’44 Brittie Mangum ’83 Sheila Trimble Metcalf ’42 Katherine Hoyt Psaki ’59 Anne Raymond Ricard ’51

Ann Hirst Sande ’59 Nancy Buell Schreier ’42 Sandra Veal Steacy ’53 Jacquette Storm Theis ’39 Monica Strauss Vangel ’74 Mary-Francis Lyon Vaughn ’39 Beatrice Taylor Vorm ’46 Former Faculty and Staff Narciso “Pepe” Maisterra Jennifer Tormey

NOW & THEN SPRING 2023

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Your gift, their future. Where could it take them? Mark your ca endar for Whee er s Day of G v ng on Tuesday May 9 Ou co ec ve suppo o he Whee e Fund on ou annua Day o G v ng s wha makes a Whee e educa on second o none and poss b e o a Hono you own Whee e ou ney by o n ng us on May 9 n suppo o academ c exce ence financ a a d and he nex gene a on

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