Petroglyph THE ALEXANDER DAWSON SCHOOL FALL & WINTER 2017-18
INNOVATION AT DAWSON (Hint: It’s A Mindset)
From the Head of School The Petroglyph is the magazine of The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain. Its Mission is to celebrate Dawson’s growth and the achievements of its students, alumni and faculty. It is published twice a year. EDITOR EDITOR, DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY Megan Gray Director of Marketing & Communications mgray@adsrm.org COPY EDITOR Rachael Lachhwani Shea Phillips
In a rapidly changing world, experience can be a curse. Careers stall, innovation stops, and strategies grow stale. Being new, naïve, and even clueless can be an asset. - A.J. Juliani Our lead article defines innovation as, “the introduction of new things or ways of doing something.” From the school-wide solar eclipse viewing and FIRST LEGO League to the yearbook and the virtual reality Viking experience, Dawson students and faculty embrace the “new” every single day. While Dawson faculty describe this as innovation in teaching and learning, our students perceive their school day as interesting, curious, challenging, and - more often than not - just plain fun.
HEAD OF SCHOOL Carola E. Wittmann, Ph.D. ASST. HEAD OF SCHOOL Roxanne Stansbury DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Davida Sims dsims@adsrm.org ALUMNI RELATIONS Stella Finfrock alumni@adsrm.org CONNECT WITH US!
This edition of the Petroglyph highlights some of the outstanding learning opportunities our Dawson students experienced this fall and winter. Step into our athletics department and learn how an emphasis on team building leads to success for our student-athletes, join third grade in their Viking Museum for a look at the past through virtual reality, or celebrate the Dawson Yearbook, recipient of multiple awards, including the highest Yearbook award, “All Nevada”. Or, how about when second grade independently designed and taught lessons on desert animals to their pre-kindergarten friends? The list goes on and on. What sets all of these experiences apart? Faculty who take a fresh look at their curriculum throughout the school year and students who feel inspired to take calculated risks. Both show an innovative mindset and both exemplify the Dawson Difference.
FACEBOOK @AlexanderDawsonSchool INSTAGRAM @dawson_bears TWITTER @DawsonSchool
Carola E. Wittmann, Ph.D. Head of School
Experience the Dawson Difference at www.AlexanderDawsonSchool.org or call (702) 949-3600.
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VIMEO vimeo.com/ alexanderdawsonschool ISSUU issuu.com/ alexanderdawsonschool
On this page: Third-grade student Aarti Patel holds up the dream catcher she made while studying Native American art and culture. Cover: All Dawson students from preschool to grade eight had the opportunity to participate in this year’s solar eclipse viewing.
Contents 18| DAWSON ALUM PROFILE Joshua Mirman, ‘09, is majoring in jazz trombone performance at the Manhattan School of Music
4 | INNOVATION AT DAWSON How Dawson is creating a generation of innovative thinkers
8 | BEAR DEN NEWS The latest and greatest happenings around Dawson’s campus and in athletics 14 | AUTHORS ARE ROCK STARS Dawson’s visiting author and author-in-residence program
20 | 2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT 24 | MEET CATHI MUCKLE Dawson’s new Development Manager 26 | STUDENT PERFORMANCE GALLERY A photo gallery of first-semester 5-8 student performances
16 | VOCABULARY PARADE Images from Dawson’s first annual Vocabulary Parade
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F
or many of us, the word “innovation” conjures images
are just a few examples of fundamental innovations in teaching
of computers, robots and rockets to the moon. It’s not
and learning. Innovation at Dawson is, above all else, an ever-
surprising that, during this fast-paced second decade of the
evolving mindset.
21st century, the word innovation has become both overused and almost synonymous with any and all technological
In some ways, innovative thinking is the direct opposite of
advancements. However, when we talk about innovation on
what we were taught in our childhood classrooms. Traditional
Dawson’s campus, it is much more than inventions and products.
classroom instruction had teachers leading students to one correct answer or solution. Conversely, innovative thinking has
Innovation, by definition, is “the introduction of new things,
teachers and students questioning everything around them to
ideas or ways of doing something.” It is a way of thinking that
see what is possible. Innovative thinking starts with the idea that
can be applied to solve any type of problem; a research-based
there are no wrong answers; only better, more efficient solutions.
approach to teaching that taps into students’ creative, cognitive,
With this mindset, nothing should be taken for granted since
and emotional intelligence; a modification to students’ schedules
even today’s seemingly perfect solution can and should be
that optimizes their ability to learn and absorb; an advisory
analyzed to see how it can be improved, last longer, or continue
program that is purposeful and student-centered; or unique
to function in an unknown future.
professional development opportunities that not only help
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Dawson’s faculty grow and evolve as master teachers, but also
In their book The Innovator’s DNA, Hal Gregerson, Executive
models what it means to be a creative and flexible thinker. These
Director of the MIT Leadership Center, and Clayton M.
By Davida Sims Christensen, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard
longer, open-ended projects of their choosing. The projects
Business School, claim there are five key traits that define
themselves involve everything from designing art and learning
an innovator. Although they seem innate, they can actually
technical writing to building rockets and 3D printing. Students
be taught to anyone. In fact, while their learning solutions
are encouraged to test and experiment. And if they fail? Our
are focused on adults, these traits are even easier to teach to
design thinking faculty encourages them to take a new approach
flexible-minded children. These traits are, “the cognitive skill of
and try again.
associating and the behavioral skills of questioning, observing, networking, and experimenting.”
Hubert Ham, Dawson’s Director of Innovation, explains, “The design thinking classroom environment is tailored so students
At Dawson, these traits are taught in almost every subject,
have a safe environment where they can feel free to express their
from science and art to humanities and world language. Yet,
ideas and take calculated risks. Students are never graded based
there is one Middle School-level course in particular - design
on success or failure. Instead, they are encouraged to try new
thinking - that exemplifies innovation in the classroom. Students
ideas and learn from their mistakes through experimentation
in design thinking, an insights rotation course every student in
and multiple attempts.” The ultimate goal of the design
fifth through eighth grade must take, work on various design
thinking course, as well as most of Dawson’s project-based
challenges that push their abilities to think critically, problem
curriculum, is to teach students the cognitive and behavioral
solve, design, and experiment. Students can choose to work
skills of innovators. Rather than waiting until students are in the
together on various challenges presented by the teacher or
workplace, Dawson creates a low-stakes environment that serves
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Innovation at Dawson
as a great arena for students to work on the important traits
Mrs. Stansbury says the presentation must include the following
that define an innovator, namely taking creative approaches to
criteria:
solving problems, learning to fail well, and the willingness to try again.
•
Identify a global issue
•
Analyze the causes of the issue
Roxanne Stansbury, Assistant Head of School for Teaching
•
Provide context as to why this issue is important
and Learning, also promotes the skills of innovative thinkers
•
Build empathy by providing perspectives of other people
throughout more traditional subject areas, including humanities
•
Propose an innovative idea for addressing the problem
and the Middle School’s newest course offering. “Once we’ve given them the parameters, we have our Dawson “This year, all of our sixth, seventh and eighth graders will
students get into groups. Each group researches the presented
participate in a global studies course. The purpose of global
global issue and works to find their own solution. When
studies is to build student advocacy and develop a mindset for
they’ve completed the tasks, they design and give a two-minute
social responsibility. Learning activities are designed to widen
presentation we record as part of the mock IISE application
our students’ net for learning about the world and to connect
process. It’s an outstanding way to reinforce the innovative
them with people from diverse cultures. Students develop
habits of mind that will help our students - whether they’re
critical-thinking competencies by learning to question norms,
scientists or artists, and everything in between - become the next
practices and opinions. For example, our sixth-graders reflect
generation of thought leaders and creative thinkers.”
on their personal values, perceptions, and actions by taking a position on a global issue. As a culminating project, students
The key to an innovative mindset is fostering a commitment
work in groups as change agents who propose an innovative idea
to growth and learning as a school community. When Dawson
that would address a global issue they explored in depth through
faculty, regardless of whether they are teaching pre-kindergarten
networking.”
or eighth-grade students, are supported and encouraged to adopt an innovative mindset to teaching in the classroom,
Here’s another example Mrs. Stansbury uses when discussing
they are empowered to push the boundaries of learning and
innovation at Dawson: Each year, 1,500 high school students are
see the world as intricate, ever-changing, and interconnected.
chosen out of seven million applicants to compete at the Intel
They embrace new ideas and take fresh approaches to problem
International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest
solving. During the process of embracing new ways of teaching,
international pre-college science competition. Although our
no matter the subject, they ignite a passion for learning within
Dawson students are too young to participate, Mrs. Stansbury
their students. By becoming today’s education innovators, they
has them take on the challenge of submitting a mock application
are giving students - the next generation of innovators - the tools
for the competition. One component of the application is
and skills necessary to thrive, think outside the box, and lead the
recording a presentation that provides an analysis of a specific
world into the next century. k
problem and description of a solution idea.
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On this page: Sixth-grade students Aviva Hafter and Christina Podisor prepare to launch a bottle rocket they designed and crafted themselves in design thinking class. The objective of this challenge is to engage students in learning about physics and basic aerodynamic design theories. As with all design thinking challenges, faculty encourage students to not only design but to also test their product to consider how they can improve it.
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FIRST LEGO LEAGUE AT DAWSON FLL TEAM QUALIFIES FOR REGIONALS
Dawson’s sixth grade FIRST Nevada Lego League Robotics Team (FLL) qualified for the Southern Nevada FLL Championship on January 27 at Cheyenne High School. Dawson’s FLL team researched hydrodynamic solutions for water conservation, an important topic in our desert environment. For the final portion of the competition, they had to design, build, program, and test an autonomous LEGO robot. Dawson’s FLL team is led by Dawson science teacher Dr. Kelly Gooden and parent George Podisor.
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Bear Den News
AWARD-WINNING YEARBOOK...AGAIN! The Alexander Dawson School is proud to announce our 2016-17 yearbook, titled Dawson Difference, earned our Middle School journalism students the Southern Nevada Society of Journalists (SNSJ) “All-Nevada” award, the highest yearbook award possible, honoring overall journalistic quality and design. This is the third year in a row the work of our Dawson yearbook team has been honored by SNSJ, and the first time earning the coveted “All-Nevada” award. Dawson’s yearbook team (pictured left), led by eighth-grade English teacher Jolie Lindley, won a total of 22 awards including eight “Superior” awards, four “Excellent” awards, and 10 Honorable Mentions. “This is the first year SNSJ has given awards for overall yearbook ranking, and to be one of only two middle schools named ‘All-Nevadan’ is a great honor,” said Ms. Lindley. “Our student yearbook staffers work very hard in a limited schedule to put out a book of stellar journalistic quality that attempts to capture the spirit of Dawson each year.” For more information on SNSJ, visit followsnsj.com.
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NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY DAWSON WELCOMES NEWEST NJHS MEMBERS The Dawson chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) welcomed its newest members in November, bringing the total to 46 eligible seventh and eighth-grade students. NJHS is a program that recognizes and honors middle school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. NJHS is an important tradition at Dawson and its student members are responsible for more than 500 hours of community service each school year. Community service highlights include work at Three Square Food Bank, cleaning up parks, and Dawson’s Local High School & Boarding School Fair.
.................................................................................................................................................................................... CONNECT WITH US! Learn more about the #DawsonDifference and our #AmazingDawsonAlums: FACEBOOK @AlexanderDawsonSchool INSTAGRAM @dawson_bears TWITTER @DawsonSchool
NJHS IN THE COMMUNITY
VIMEO vimeo.com/alexanderdawsonschool
Dawson’s National Junior Honor Society students volunteered their time, along with several Middle School faculty and staff members, to serve Thanksgiving lunch to students of Booker Elementary School.
ISSUU issuu.com/alexanderdawsonschool
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Bear Den News
STUDENTS TEACHING STUDENTS In January, Dawson second graders welcomed pre-kindergarten students into their classrooms. The second graders took tremendous pride in researching, designing and independently presenting a lesson on a desert animal of their choice. Giving all students the opportunity to work independently and show leadership is the Dawson Difference!
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VIRTUAL REALITY & VIKINGS STUDENTS ADD VIRTUAL REALITY TO VIKING MUSEUM EXPERIENCE This fall, Dawson third graders were given the opportunity to incorporate a virtual reality (VR) experience into their Viking Museum event. Students spent several weeks studying Viking history and culture, as well as creating replicas of Viking artifacts, ships, and homes. The culminating event was the Viking Museum, where third graders served as docents and invited parents and students alike to explore and learn. The addition of VR gave museum visitors an immersive experience and an in-depth understanding of what it was like to be a sailor on a Viking longship. 10
UPDATE: CHALLENGE SUCCESS WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE’RE GOING
It’s was an exciting fall as Dawson kicked off its first year as a Challenge Success (CS) school. In September, a team of Dawson administrators and an Alexander Dawson Foundation trustee attended the annual CS Fall Conference at Stanford University for an intensive day of workshops and group activities (photo, right). Two of the Dawson group’s most important accomplishments were the implementation of the CS SPACE framework (which stands for Student schedule, Project-based learning, Authentic assessment, Climate of care, and Education for the community) and crafting the School’s Challenge Success Vision Statement, which will help guide all CS-related planning and implementation processes now and in the coming years: In future years, Dawson will emerge as a beacon school for Challenge Success where student voice is the fabric of the culture. Our goal is for the community to adopt a cohesive climate of care where the definitions of success, engagement and life satisfaction are authentic to the individual experience. In November, Dawson welcomed CS co-founder Dr. Denise Pope to campus. Dr. Pope gave an outstanding presentation titled, “The Well-Balanced Child” to our parent community (one of the highest attended talks at Dawson to date) followed by a Q&A that lasted well over an hour. In addition to her presentation to parents, Dr. Pope met with a group of Dawson Middle School students (photo above) for a candid conversation about homework loads and school/life balance. She also met with faculty and administrators to discuss changes to homework policies, the daily school schedule, and health and wellness programs, as well as the ways in which Dawson is partnering with families to promote overall student wellness. In the spring of 2018, a group of Dawson students from grades 5-7 and a parent representative will join the Dawson CS administrative team at the annual Challenge Success Spring Conference at Stanford, building upon the work the CS team initiated in the fall to improve student wellbeing and academic engagement. 11
Bear Den News
Dawson Bears Athletics It was a great fall sports season for our Dawson Bears athletes! Whether on the field, court, track or in the pool, our athletes represented Dawson with pride. Here’s a recap of the Red Rock Athletic Conference (RRAC) season: Cross Country
Cross country finished third in the RRAC league overall. New and returning cross country student-athletes also improved “personal best” time goals.
Girls’ Volleyball
The 5/6 team took first place in the RRAC finals and earned Dawson a championship banner for the second year in a row! The 7/8 team ranked third in the regular season and made it to the RRAC semi-finals.
Flag Football
The 5/6 team had the largest turnout of players in recent history and showed tremendous growth this season. The 7/8 team won all but one game during the regular season and lost by only one touchdown in the nail-biter RRAC championship game.
Swim
The swim team completed a fantastic season, and our new and seasoned swim athletes showed much improvement. The team finished third overall in the RRAC. Several Dawson swim athletes medaled in individual events including first place in 50 meter butterfly, first place in 50 meter backstroke and second place in the 100 meter freestyle.
Cheerleading
Dawson’s cheer athletes support our sports program throughout the year, and keep school spirit high at pep rallies and other community events!
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Dawson’s Author Program
At Dawson... Authors Are Rock Stars By Rachael Lachhwani As students hurriedly enter the Dawson Library, their whispers
hosting such remarkable writers, Mrs. Reid joked, “Picking my
and excited laughter can be heard echoing through the room.
favorite memory is almost like asking me to choose my favorite
The students, books in hand for autographs, are eager to meet
child. Each visit offers something different to the students. There
one of their favorite authors and their enthusiasm is clearly
is nothing better than watching a child get the opportunity to
evident. This is a scene pleasantly all too familiar at Dawson
meet a favorite author.”
since our Author Program, introduced and maintained by
7 14
Librarian Lynne Reid, has experienced an impressive surge in
Not only do author visits prompt students to read more, but
visiting writers over the last few months. “I started author visits
they also learn a great deal about the writing process: personal
the very first year Dawson was open...as a coordinated program
accounts of the winding roads and detours these authors have
between Dawson and three other schools in Las Vegas,” explains
traveled, and the importance of recognizing the time, energy,
Mrs. Reid. “This year, we forged a relationship with The
and dedication devoted to such an invested project. After Ridley
Writer’s Block bookstore. They work with publishers to bring
Pearson’s visit, fourth-grade student Mekyle Mir explained,
authors and illustrators to the valley as a part of promotional
“When you write, you have to add humor and include a lot of
book tours. This allows us to have a wide variety of authors
details. And you’re not done if you write one or two paragraphs;
visit.”
you have to write four or five.”
This year alone, students from kindergarten through eighth
Perhaps the most impactful author visit this year was the speech
grade have heard stirring presentations from many award-
given to our eighth-grade students by author and Holocaust
winning children’s and young adult authors and illustrators,
survivor Stephen Nasser. Mr. Nasser, only 13 years old when
including Lin Oliver, Mac Barnett, Jon Klassen, Ridley Pearson,
he was taken from his family in Hungary and imprisoned
and Sonia Gensler. “Author visits make the literature personal to
in Auschwitz by the Nazis, shared details of his harrowing
the students,” says Mrs. Reid. “The students understand where
experience as written in his book My Brother’s Voice and the play
the stories originated and how they blossomed into books.”
Not Yet, Pista. In October, Mr. Nasser gave his 1,084th talk while
Reminiscing over the years Dawson has had the privilege of
at Dawson, also recorded by UNLV’s Department of Film
Dawson hosts many fantastic authors throughout the year. Pictured from left, Sonia Gensler, author of Ghostlight. Center: Holocaust survivor Stephen Nassar, author of My Brother’s Voice. Left: Ridley Pearson, author of Lock & Key. Below: Author Brian Falkner with his “Falkner Stars” students.
for an upcoming documentary. The documentary will feature
our sixth-grade students to coach them on the craft of writing
some of our Dawson students expressing their thoughts on Mr.
and storytelling. The culminating event of Mr. Falkner’s visit
Nasser’s message of kindness and the necessity of self-respect,
was “Falkner’s Stars,” an awards celebration recognizing and
the freedoms available to us as Americans, and the importance
commending the writing of our students. Sixth-grade student
of turning problems into challenges. “I could really understand
Onah Nwapa felt honored to have won an award during
what Mr. Nasser was feeling and the pain he was experiencing
Falkner’s visit for her story, “Planet Oogbleth”, about an evil
because my great-grandfather was in the Holocaust,” eighth
queen named Oogbleth who wanted to take over Earth. Her
grader Stella Spiegel shared. “You can never take anything for
daughter, Angel, turned against her, which prompted Onah’s
granted because
award for Best
anything could
Funniest Line:
happen at any
“Angel was no
moment. Cherish
angel. She was a
the friends and
rude, smelly girl
family you have,
and a real pain
and live every day
in the asteroids.”
like it’s your last.”
Onah says Falkner
Presumably, this
was a great teacher
author visit is one
and she learned a
that will resonate
considerable amount
with our students far beyond their time at Dawson. “This
from him during the week he spent with the sixth grade. “I now
was, overall, an amazing experience I’ll never forget,” says
use more interesting words. I’m more descriptive. Overall, I’ve
Stella. “It’s what makes Dawson amazing. Not everyone can
really improved over the years I’ve been at Dawson.”
hear a Holocaust survivor speak to them. We are so lucky and
grateful.”
The enjoyment Dawson’s author programs instill in our young
learners while emboldening them to explore the world is
Dawson’s famed Author-in-Residence program also welcomed
impossible to replicate, and the valuable lessons gleaned from
back ones of its most revered writers this year. Award-winning
such enriching first-hand experiences nurtures a lifelong passion
young adult author Brian Falkner, who visited Dawson for
for both reading and writing. Here’s to inspiring our students to
his 10th year this past September, spent a week working with
open their minds and open more books! k 15
VOCABULARY PARADE Pictured here: Dawson held its first annual Vocabulary Parade this fall. To prepare for the parade, students chose their own vocabulary word to study and created some of the most imaginative and expressive costumes to bring their words to life. All students gathered in the Dining Hall following the parade to sing songs and act in skits all about...vocabulary!
#AmazingDawsonAlums
DAWSON ALUM PROFILE
Joshua Mirman, ‘09 By Shea Phillips
As a child, Joshua Mirman loved music yet never imagined
The first instrument he played was the tuba, as assigned by
it could be his future career, assuming the only professional
then-Dawson teacher Mr. Stamanis, who Mirman says made
musicians were ones on the radio. When he was in fifth grade at
a huge impact on his life. The following year while in sixth
Dawson, however, he started playing an instrument for the first
grade, he wanted to play in the jazz band but the tuba was
time. That opportunity struck a chord with Mirman and he has
not included. That’s when he switched to the next-closest
pursued his passion ever since.
instrument, the trombone.
“It’s hard to say with words what I love about music; it
After graduating from Dawson in 2011, choosing a high
always drew me in. Whenever music is playing, even in the
school did not go as originally planned. Mirman assumed he
background, it has a piece of my attention,” he says.
would follow his older brother and attend A-TECH but, to his
surprise, he was accepted into the Las Vegas Academy for the
“That was one of the most uplifting experiences of my life - to
Performing Arts (LVA). “…So I went with my gut feeling and it
see a completely different culture excited to hear the music I
paid off,” he says.
was playing.”
The transition into high school was generally easy. “I felt very
When he isn’t playing trombone, Mirman enjoys writing
prepared for high school. I had good study habits and a good
music for small groups and big band and string quartets, and is
grasp on how my mind learned, and I could find a way to
currently writing his first piece for a full orchestra.
understand something even if I didn’t grasp it at first.”
“Writing for me is almost a cathartic experience, where I can lock myself in a room with a piano for a couple of hours and
Although the academic side of things went well, Mirman had
hopefully come out with something that I like,” he says.
to adjust to the different culture of LVA. Luckily, he
Reflecting upon his
says he naturally got along
Dawson experience, his
with most of the people at
most-cherished memories
the magnet school.
include music and band with Mr. Stamanis,
“Easily, the hardest thing for
playing basketball, and
me was managing sleep,”
eating bananas foster
he says. So, he set alarms
in the Dining Hall. He
around his room to force
remembers this treat
himself to get up and turn
being so incredible that
them off, and regularly took
it sticks out as the best
naps on the way to school.
version he ever tasted.
Currently, the Dawson alumnus is
Josh Mirman takes a break in the practice room at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
working toward a degree in jazz
He also recalls Mr. Burby encouraging him to think in unconventional ways. “I am not a
trombone performance at the Manhattan School of Music in
very conventional thinker so he helped me become comfortable
New York City (MSM).
with that,” he says.
His decision-making process was similar when choosing a
As Mirman looks onward to graduating from MSM in 2019, his
college. Mirman knew he wanted to study music and MSM felt
plans are quite simple: “I just want to keep working hard and
like the best fit even though, as Mirman says, “I never weighed
take whatever opportunity I can get. I want to play music as
it as an option because I never expected to make it in.” Living
much as possible; I want to write as much as I can. The goal is
in New York City was also appealing, with the freedom of the
to do as much as I can to the highest-possible degree.”
subway, energizing aesthetics, and no shortage of pizza options after late-night rehearsals.
To our current and future Dawson Bears, his advice is to work as hard as you can.
“Nothing tastes better than mediocre pizza after a two-hour rehearsal with a group of tired friends,” he says.
“Don’t take the easy road just because it is there; always choose the path where you learn something as opposed to learning
Throughout his musical career, one of his proudest
nothing. That being said, try to have fun and enjoy life!” k
accomplishments yet is touring and performing in Brazil. 19
2016-17 Dawson Annual Report
Annual Report Our Gratitude to Dawson’s 2016-17 List of Donors RED ROCK SOCIETY
$25,000-$49,999
Matt & Kay Maddox
DAWSON SOCIETY
$10,000-$24,999 The Elardi Foundation Oz & Jeanne Gutsche John O’Brien John & Kay Welsh
PLATINUM CIRCLE
$5,000-$9,999
Hunter & Vanessa Campbell David & Stacy DelZotto Dan Hamilton & Mary-Ann Winkelmes David Kotkin John Silberman Scott & Michelle Thompson
DIAMOND CIRCLE
$2,500-$4,999
Drs. Richard & Jennifer Baynosa Nicolas & Alice Cage Jason & Cagla Hirschman Kevin & Kim Johnston Rony Mansour & Jesika Towbin-Mansour David & Anna Robins Farrow & Grace Smith James & Paige Whelan
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GOLD CIRCLE
$1,000-$2,499
Tim & Susan Borst John & Lisa Eyler Pearl Gallagher LeeAnn Inadomi & Robert Glaser Suzette & Scott Kreeger Jim & Bre Manning Dr. David & Mindy Oliveri Charlie Silvestri & Marydean Martin Fred & Mynda Smith Sundstrom Family Dr. Carola E. & Charles P. Wittmann
SILVER CIRCLE
$500-$999
AC Ansani Frank & Anneliese Flansburg Judsen Gundersen & Christine Zack Gundersen Amy Lucier Katheen Potter Erik & Josefine Sagstrom Michael & Susan Seip Davida Sims Roxanne Stansbury Stephen & Alexandria Storey
BRONZE
$250-$499
Mike & Tina Allec
Craig & Taylor Borsari Thatcher & Shelly Dilley Brian & Angela Edgeworth Chris Estrella Matsuko Freeman Drs. Arjun Gururaj & Sandhya Wahi-Gururaj Frank & Piper Kassela Susan Perry & Kelly Maxwell Michael & Robin Prescott Greg & Jennifer Rosebeck Humberto & Kimberly Trueba Carolyn & Michael Wood
SUPPORTER
$249 & below
Erin Agy Geoff & Meg Aumann Nikki Baker Karen Barra Peter & Kim Benitez Cristina Benson Richard & Rita Marie Bioni Ann Blut Susan Boyum Amanda & Taler Brazell Jan Brazell Jacob Brown Michael & Jessica Buchmiller Robert Buss Annette Calhoun Mark Carroll Nicole Ciuca Tim & Breanne Copenhefer
Christine Cowherd Dennis Uniform Tulasi Dennis Denise & Brad Donahue Dottie Drachler Neil & Stephanie Ellis David Eyler Reagan Eyler Colleen Farrell David & Stella Finfrock Bill Frederick Galin Family John & Dierdre Gautieri Astrid & Charles Giffon Steve Gillis & Julia Reis Natalie Goldie Peter & Megan Gray Christi Gumm Vanessa Gutierrez-Redondo Fred & Volha Hathaway Kai Hennemann Lee Howard Chaoui Huang Linda & Craig Hudson Krista Jacobsen Jessica Jennings Scott & Kristen Kissel Carol Lamb Jacob Langsner Sylvia Lazos & Jean Sternlight Jolie Lindley Kelly McNamara Walter & Melanie Maclay Joyce T. Mraz Kelly McCollum Heather Moore The Moreno Family David & Cathi Muckle James & Amanda Musgrave
Nancy Myster Kym Newell John O’Rourke Alanna Otzenberger Nissa Pearson Shea Phillips Angel Poe Lynne & Tom Reid Matthew Reynolds Jojeen Riechers Jude & Mayuko Ross Michelle Rourke Peter Sand Lindsey Shumway Mike & Lindsey Slanker Bryan Smith & Deborah Negrel-Smith Denise Sprague Suzanne Stansbury Kevin & Maria Stoehr Jose Suarez Karen Tolbert Jose Vazquez Dana Walton Tara Williams
EVENING IN NAPA The Evening in Napa at Dawson event revenue directly supports Dawson’s educational programs. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, donated an item, made a cash contribution, and bid on or won an auction item. A special thanks to our generous event sponsors and donors:
Food & Beverage Sponsors Breakthru Beverage Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill Downtown Summerlin VIP Sponsors Anne Mazzola & Russell Rosenblum Perry & Nicole Rogers Phillip & Oleksandra Ruffin Rony Mansour & Jesika Towbin-Mansour Auction Donations (Alphabetized by first name) 103° Hot Pilates & Yoga
Adriano & Thea De Micheli Antoinette Ferraro Atelier by Square Salon Barbara & Thomas Bell Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop Darin & Patricia Feinstein Evan & Alida Glusman Five Guys Burgers and Fries Garden Song Studios Gustav & Corri Backman Hexx Chocolates & Confexxions Jeff & Lieuchi Fine Jerry Nadal Matt & Kay Maddox Moe Daniels & Kenna Smith PR+Partners Robb & Allison Bonanno Sarah Camarota Scott & Natalie Goldie Shannon McBeath Shelley Kalb Simone & Benedetta Ricci Square Salon Stephanie Bitters The Chien Family The Ruffin Family Theresa Talmon Towbin Motorcars Valerin Morris Warner Hospitality Watchclub.shop
Mr. & Mrs. David DelZotto The Khanna Family Luxury Estates International Nathan’s Hot Dogs & The Bonanno Family Remington Nevada The Ruffin Family Saxe Orthodontics Tease Boutique Salon The Turner Family Vegas Comics Mr. & Mrs. James Whelan Mr. Kamran Zand
RESTRICTED GIFTS
LEGACY ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN
FACULTY & STAFF APPRECIATION Dawson Parent Association
GINGERBREAD HOUSE EVENT Monica Maini, Party USA
FALL FESTIVAL Mr. & Mrs. Lael Berelowitz Mr. Shan Davis Teresa Degattis-Sundstrom Mr. Michael D’Errico & Ms. Melissa Bachochin
Russell Rosenblum & Anne Mazzola Ken Rubeli Maureen & Paul Rubeli Foundation Charlie Silvestri & Marydean Martin Farrow & Grace Smith Jennifer Corey Smith & Catherine Yackira George & Amy Tu David & Carla Van Kalsbeek Mr. & Mrs. John S. Welsh Michael & Renee Yackira
IN-KIND Dawson Parent Association
SCHOLARSHIP FUND ANONYMOUS Windsong Trust
SHOPPING PROGRAMS & EVENTS California Pizza Kitchen Daily Kitchen Dennis Uniform Dorian Studios Wolfgang Puck Restaurants
Alexander Dawson Foundation Craig & Taylor Borsari John & Lisa Eyler Forman Charitable Foundation Oz & Jeanne Gutsche Richard Haddrill Kevin & Kim Johnston Fletcher Jones Mr. & Mrs. Michael Imperi Frederick & Meghan Mossler John D. O’Brien David & Mindy Oliveri Walter & Monica Pelaez Micha Raines Perry Rogers Mr. Daniel Rosenblum
We have made every effort to compile an accurate listing of donors from the 2016-17 fiscal year. Please accept our apologies if your name has been omitted or misspelled. To update our records, please contact the Development Office at (702) 949-3600 or email cmuckle@adsrm.org. Thank you to the following individuals for their support and service to the 2016-17 Dawson Board Committee:
FINANCE & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Cagla Hirschman, Chair Stephen Cootey Robert Glaser Kim Johnston Cynthia Mun Mindy Oliveri Farrow Smith
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Dawson’s First Fund helps every student by covering the difference between tuition, the actual cost of hiring and retaining extraordinary faculty, and offering innovative programs and curriculum. Pictured here: Dawson’s Middle School Orchestra.
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Annual Report By The Numbers 2016-17 Revenues $15,398,255 Other Revenue ($774,043) Contributions ($2,850,773)
Tuition ($11,773,409)
2016-17 Expenses $16,520,863 Support Services ($1,299,995) Depreciation ($1,507,599)
9%
Financial Aid ($1,543,000)
9%
Physical Plant ($1,634,331)
10%
Bond Interest & Fees ($2,063,831)
12%
Administrative ($2,727,631)
17%
5% 19%
76%
8%
Instruction ($5,744,476 )
35%
$2,155 Depreciation (unfunded) $2,185 Contributions & Other Revenue
In 2016-2017, the total cost to educate a Dawson student was $31,710. While tuition covered most of this cost, the School relied on Dawson First Fund donations and other sources of revenue to supplement tuition. The Alexander Dawson Foundation contributed $2,486,358 ($4,772 per student). Dawson First Fund donations and other revenue accounted for an additional $2,185 per student. These sources of income were crucial in continuing to provide our children with an exceptional educational experience.
$31,710 Total Cost of a Dawson Education Per Student
The True Cost of a Dawson Education
$4,772 Foundation Contribution
$22,598 Average 2016-17 Tuition
We would like to acknowledge and thank all of those who support the School with their generous contributions.
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Dawson Faculty Profile
MEET CATHI MUCKLE
Dawson’s New Development Manager
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By Megan Gray Having worked in both public and private schools in Las
Q: What do you love most about Dawson?
Vegas for more than 15 years, Cathi Muckle, Dawson’s new development manager, is no stranger to education. And as the
Dawson is the place where Samantha learned all education is
parent of Dawson alumna Samantha Muckle, class of 2012
not created equal. At Dawson, she had a voice, choices, and
(now in her sophomore year at Scripps College in Claremont,
accountability, as well as the opportunity to be really understood
CA), Cathi is also a passionate advocate for the power of the
and supported by teachers who genuinely cared about her
Dawson educational experience.
future success. Eight years later, Samantha’s story is not a unique one in our Dawson community; I can name so many
Q: Tell me about your background in education. How many years did you
students who have experienced the “Dawson Difference” and
work for Clark County School District (CCSD), The Alexander Dawson
who are flourishing academically because of the educational
School and Dawson College Bound (DCB)?
foundation and skills Dawson gave them.
I was volunteering in my daughter Samantha’s kindergarten
Q: What are you excited to start doing as the new development manager?
class and the principal, Scott Bailey, said if I was going to be there daily, I might as well be paid for it! That was 15 years
Being development manager means I have the privilege of
ago and every step since has been an unbelievable adventure. I
getting to know faculty and parents on a deeper level. I get to
went from Samantha’s elementary school to Southwest Career
hear their stories about Dawson, stories that always reinforce
and Technical Academy, a fantastic CCSD high school I helped
what a unique educational beacon we are for Las Vegas. I look
open. I worked there for several years until a position opened at
forward to cultivating relationships I hope will last a lifetime. I
Dawson. Samantha encouraged me to apply and that decision
also have the honor of speaking about Dawson to the greater
changed my life forever! I was promoted to program manager
Las Vegas community. We need to get the word out there about
of Dawson College Bound and spent six years helping students
all of the incredible things happening at this school. It’s a very
from CCSD reach academic goals that, until that point, they
exciting time!
had only dreamed of pursuing. Our first cohort of sixth graders are now juniors in high school and many of them have received
Q: What are a few things you would like our community to know about
full scholarships to the best boarding schools in the country.
you?
Boarding schools are another passion of mine. My story is a unique one: I am a singer and grew up in a Q: Why is working in education important to you?
show business family. My aunt is singer and actress Rosemary Clooney and, when I was younger, I traveled and sang
I have seen lives change in dramatic and immeasurable ways
with Rosemary all over the world. I have also had the great
through education, particularly when a teacher takes an active
privilege of singing for four presidents, I’ve recorded over
interest in a student’s success. Every encouraging conversation,
300 commercial jingles and this year, I recorded a holiday
every kind word and every piece of good advice has an impact
album. Lastly, I am fearless when it comes to communicating
on a student’s life. Education is the great equalizer: Whatever
about something for which I love and believe wholeheartedly:
your background or socioeconomic status, education leads to
Dawson! k
the freedom of being able to decide one’s future. 25
Student Performance Gallery Dawson’s Performing Arts program draws on students’ individual and collective talents to build confidence, foster creative expression and reflection, and encourage exploration - elements that are integral to overall student growth and wellbeing. Here are highlights from the grades 5-8 first-semester performing arts Acting Showcase, featuring spoofs of fairy tales and popular young adult book themes. #DawsonDifference
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NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID LAS VEGAS, NV PERMIT NO. 302
10845 W. Desert Inn Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89135
DAWSON'S VISION Our graduates will be ready to achieve their individual potential, savor life and meet the challenges of the world.
Learn more at AlexanderDawsonSchool.org
facebook.com/AlexanderDawsonSchool
@dawson_bears
@DawsonSchool
For more information, please visit www.AlexanderDawsonSchool.org or call (702) 949-3600