Belonging, Fall 2015

belonging

THE DERRYFIELD SCHOOL

FALL 2015

X STUDIO AT DERRYFIELD The anchor of Derryfield’s expanding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program is the new X STUDIO, a collaborative “X learning” space that fosters a culture of innovation, helping Derryfield students to grow as creative problem solvers. This “innovator’s mindset,” which is characterized by curiosity, collaboration, integrative thinking, and a drive to act and experiment, is fast becoming the most sought-after quality for change-makers everywhere.

Dr. Marco Masoni, Derryfield’s new Director of STEM and Innovation, uses design thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship in X STUDIO to immerse students in project-based learning experiences that allow them to purposefully explore their passions. A researchbased educational strategy, design thinking empowers students to see themselves as innovative and entrepreneurial learners, capable of creating and testing new solutions to the world’s challenges. For example, upper school computer science students at Derryfield are using design thinking to develop apps to solve local community problems and create coding lessons for middle school students from neighboring schools.

The five i’s of X learning are 1. Interest Students discover topics that come from their personal interests and passions. They explore those topics and identify problems that interest them and that have real-world relevance.

2. Inquiry Students investigate and research their topics deeply, developing the skills to inquire about their topics and asking critical questions throughout the problemsolving process.

3. Integration Students learn to create personal toolkits that integrate their skills and knowledge across disciplines and enable them to tackle the challenges presented by the problems they are addressing.

4. Identity Students grow and confidently communicate their identities as creative problem solvers and emerging experts who are capable of purposefully shaping the world around them.

5. Innovation Students refine and apply the critical skills of innovators to transform their lives and explore pathways to changing the world.

The “X” in X STUDIO also represents the multiplier effect that design thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship have on individuals and society as a whole. During the course of a typical school day, students in X STUDIO may shift from discussing designing learning experiences, to 3D printing prototypes for a robotics challenge, to practicing an effective pitch for an entrepreneurial idea that could change the world.

Derryfield’s X STUDIO represents a distinct and powerful approach to STEM education, because it is part of a larger school-wide initiative aimed at preparing students for a world of challenges and opportunities that transcend traditional academic disciplines.

Derryfield instructors are skilled coaches, collaborators, connectors, and creators. They design transformative learning experiences for students, readying them to work on goal-oriented interdisciplinary teams, confident about tackling tough problems and proposing creative solutions.

Belonging: Fall 2015

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50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DERRYFIELD’S OPENING DAY

In a year of anniversaries at Derryfield, September 2015 saw one more. Back in September 1965, the very first Derryfield students walked through the doors of the school’s first, temporary, quarters at the Boys Club in downtown Manchester. This year, on September 3, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of that event with a Matriculation Day Assembly. A number of those first Derryfield students were in attendance, including Susan Stahl Hardy ’70, daughter of Derryfield Founders David and Barbara Stahl, who read a proclamation from New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan. The citation commended the School “for the hard work, energy, and commitment you have devoted to education.” And now, onward to the next fifty years!

Derryfield’s first assembly.

ALUMNI RECAP Belonging is a renewed sentiment for our alumni community. Led by the Alumni Council, opportunities for alumni to engage, either on- or off-campus, are numerous. Besides annual favorites like Country Fair, alumni also attended Doc Simpson’s retirement party in September and a Boston area get-together hosted by Sara Dewey ’03 and husband, Noah, in October. Alumni parents enjoyed re-connecting with the Derryfield community too, as they gathered in October at the home of Pam VanArsdale and Bob Dewey. Look for upcoming events on campus or in your area, and if you have ideas for an event or are interested in hosting something in New Hampshire or beyond, let us know!

Welcome home!

Alumni aren’t just returning to campus for special gatherings; some have come back to stay. This fall we welcomed Meredith Leyden ’11 as the Assistant Director of Admission (joining Director Kathleen Rutty-Fey ’85), and Caroline Goodwin Leary ’05 returned to Manchester with her husband, Mike. While Caroline works at The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Mike represents the family Caroline Goodwin at Derryfield, teaching Latin Leary ’05 and Mike with yet another alumna, Gill Leary Roberts ’99. Welcome home!

Alumni gathered in Boston this fall (L to R): Tori Starr ’05, Sara Dewey ’03, Noah Walker, Alexa Warburton ’05, Kate Dewey ’05, and Teddy Grimm.

Dennis Holland catches up with Dan Muskat ’82 and Preston Hunter ’98 at the Leadership Reception.

Belonging: Fall 2015

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FALL SPORTS RECAP Fall 2015 was a season of impressive performances. Derryfield’s athletes competed with enthusiasm and many found success, both individually and as part of a team.

Derryfield rowers placed in and won local regattas and held their own against regional opponents in major regattas. The varsity field hockey team’s confidence and success continued to grow in their second year in D-II, while the future looks bright with a middle school field hockey team that repeated as Tri-County Champions. The boys’ cross country team placed first in their division and went on to compete at the Meet of Champions.

Our independent athletes also shone in their sports, particularly Zach Baron ’17 (mountain biking), Emily van Duren ’16 (equestrian), and Tori Sipes ’19 (gymnastics).

Few stories this fall, however, better exemplified that enthusiasm and competitive spirit than our boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams. Both teams brought home repeat D-IV State Championships—the girls for the second year in a row, and the boys for the fourth year. Their coaches noted their passion, pursuit of excellence and team spirit, praising their performance both on and off the field. While many players contributed to each team’s success, girls’ team member Gabi Brummett ’17 surely stands out.

As a junior, she has already broken the NH High School scoring record with 140 goals 2015 D-IV Boys’ Soccer State Champions in only three years. She’s currently ranked 19th in the country for the class of 2017 by topdrawersoccer.com and has just received All American honors. Congratulations, Gabi!

Congratulations to all Derryfield athletes for both their athletic prowess and stellar sportsmanship, and thank you coaches, parents, and fans!

2015 D-IV Girls’ Soccer State Champions

CINDERELLA Derryfield’s Middle School Musical, Cinderella, provided a magical and creative experience for our seventh and eighth grade students in November. Originally written for television by Rodgers and Hammerstein, this interpretation of the Cinderella story is both touching and humorous. Students explored singing styles from heartfelt love songs to light comedic numbers, and discovered the world of ballroom dance, learning classic steps like the gavotte and waltz.

The true reward for our students came on Thursday morning, when they previewed the show for 400 guests from local grade schools. For many guests, it was their first time attending a live performance, and the delight on their faces made the hard work all worthwhile.

Cinderella in the magical coach.

Belonging: Fall 2015

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A PROGRESS REPORT A GRAND DAY September 25 saw the return of one of Derryfield’s most beloved annual traditions, Grandparents’ and Special Guests’ Day, when we invite those dear to our students to spend the morning on campus.

This year broke yet another record, with close to 300 guests attending from as far away as Nevada and as close as around the corner.

To make guests feel welcome, Derryfield’s faculty often departed from the lesson plan. Math teacher Ed Lemire reminded his students to mine the family history that lives in their grandparents. Rick Zeller’s geography students interviewed their guests about what was happening in the world when they were in middle school.

Perhaps the most colorful contribution to the “curriculum,” though, was Spanish teacher Matt Gresko, who had his class salsa dancing!

Two of Derryfield ‘s core values are “Family” and “Community.”

Grandparents’ Day brings them together, reminding us that family is not just the people whom students see at home each night, and every member of that larger family is an important part of the Derryfield community.

goal 1: belonging

“ Unify the Derryfield family by strengthening connections with our extended community, including alumni, alumni parents, and emeritus faculty and staff.”

PACTeam The arrival of Danielle Llewelyn, Derryfield’s new Director of Student Leadership and Service, is another sign of Derryfield’s commitment to building leadership opportunities for all students.

Llewelyn hit the ground running, attending a student leadership summit run by Upper School Head Ben Dougherty in August, where a broad spectrum of students worked together to develop a list of traits that leaders in our community should have. They settled on three: compassion, connection, and character.

These characteristics, along with a commitment to make Derryfield a more compassionate, inclusive community, are the foundation of the new Peer Awareness Community Team.

Known as PACTeam, this group of leaders is reinventing the former World of Difference program and working with middle and upper school students to address social issues in our com-

munity. Llewelyn notes that the default culture of Derryfield is a kind one, but it is still important to address issues like academic honesty, peer pressure, and social segmentation.

One of the team’s first acts was to host a breakfast for ninth and tenth graders during the school’s first delayed opening on November 6. Another agenda item is to implement the work Brittany Northrup ’15 did last spring during her Independent Senior Project, and rework the World of Difference curriculum. Team members will also be working with middle schoolers during health class to facilitate discussions and serve as peer mentors. While the team is still figuring out who they are, it is already clear that they are community leaders who will shape the culture of Derryfield.

goal 2: leading

“ Develop a cohesive, coordinated middle and upper school program with an emphasis on academic and co-curricular skills most relevant to a 21st Century education.”

Belonging: Fall 2015

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RT ON DERRYFIELD’S STRATEGIC PLAN BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY Much has been accomplished in the past year to improve Derryfield’s facilities—aesthetically and functionally—paying special attention to sustainable practices. The biggest feather in our cap was the installation of a solar array system on the Benson Building.

The panels provide 100% of the power to operate the building, with excess supply offsetting the auditorium’s meter.

Savings have also been realized in multiple LED conversion projects throughout campus. The Lockwood Lyceum was completely retrofitted, and the Middle School parking lot lighting project is complete. Conversion to LED lighting around the Turf Field and parking areas is presently in process. Funding for the projects was achieved with assistance from local energy companies, including Eversource and Prism Energy Services.

A project on the near horizon is constructing a new parking lot adjacent to the turf field, creating an additional 39 spaces for overflow (or warm-up/practice field) using grass pavers. This permeable surface is eco-friendly as it captures pollutants in the air while outputting oxygen.

Derryfield has been tracking energy usage since 2010 in order to capture the School’s energy savings moving forward. We are proud to reduce our carbon footprint and look forward to further facilities and energy supply improvements.

goal 3: building

“ Invest in a sequence of multiple physical plant upgrades by following a traditional master planning, campaign and construction cycle.”

BREAKTHROUGH IN 1991 Bold ideas were percolating at Derryfield in 1991, as Head of School Marcus Hurlbut introduced a new concept to the Derryfield and Manchester communities. Founded in San Francisco in 1982, the Summerbridge program’s mission was to develop two populations of young people simultaneously, through a “Students Teaching Students” model.

Talented high school and college students were recruited as teachers and leaders, to guide bright but under-served middle school students on the track to college. Derryfield’s trustees understood that housing such a program at the school would be challenging, but also uniquely appealing and fulfilling. After much debate, Hurlbut received the go-ahead, and the country’s third Summerbridge site was established at Derryfield.

As we approach our 25th anniversary in 2016, Breakthrough Manchester (renamed in 2008) has now worked with hundreds of high school and college youth, many of them Derryfield students or alums, to teach and mentor nearly a thousand middle school children from Manchester.

Former students and teachers alike reminisce fondly on their experiences; the 25th anniversary provides a wonderful opportunity to tell stories. To reconnect. To belong.

goal 4: elevating

“ Increase public awareness of Derryfield as the premier day school in the region and as an integral community convener.”

Belonging: Fall 2015

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NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANCHESTER NH PERMIT NO. 290

THE DERRYFIELD SCHOOL 2108 RIVER ROAD, MANCHESTER, NH 03104 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

belonging Welcome to Belonging, Fall 2015, as Derryfield begins its second half century of inspiring students to lead lives of passion and purpose. Inside you’ll find articles that celebrate the new (X STUDIO), honor our traditions (Grandparents’ & Special Guests’ Day­—now in its 30th year), and look forward to more anniversaries in the future (Breakthrough is turning 25!). As a member of the Derryfield community, we’re happy to have you along for the ride!

Parents of Alumni: If your child no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Advancement Office of the correct mailing B e l o n gaddress i n g : F a l at l 2 603.669.4524 015 or email advancement@derryfield.org.

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