Community Comment | Summer 2022

Community Comment

Inside:

Letter from the Head of School Salute to Sixth Grade Sixth Grade Leadership Students for Change Honoring Our Retirees Faculty & Staff Awards

The Cycle of (School) Life

Working in a school is unlike working anywhere else; not just because of the joy and excitement of helping children grow, but also because of the unique academic calendar that creates a rhythm to our years. Historically, the school year was structured to ensure that young men (and sometimes women) were available to help on the farm during the high-activity periods of planting in the spring, and especially harvesting in the fall. And since air conditioning is a fairly recent development in schools, packing children together at the height of summer was somewhere between uncomfortable and dangerous.

Every spring and early summer here at Community School, I am reminded of this “cycle of life” that we have in schools. It begins with greeting newlyadmitted families in April; excitement and joy fill the room as new Community School parents mingle

and meet, chat with current parents and teachers, and start to have their many questions answered about the upcoming school year. This year was even more interesting, as many of our families were either already parents in the school (with a new younger sibling joining), or were themselves alumni of Community School, eagerly showing off the school to their children. To put some numbers to this: In our Nursery class of 21, for instance, 17 were from families with current or former Community students as siblings, two were children of alumni, one is the daughter of a current employee, and only one child was from a family brand-new to Community.

This turning of the cycle of the school year continued in May, as we said goodbye to our sixth graders. Sixth grade is always an especially exciting year since it is the culmination of so many things they have worked on in their time at Community School. Our sixth graders are leaders of the school, and the Class of 2022 are a model class; they raised and lowered the flag every day, ran lunch tables when a teacher couldn’t be there, served as big buddies and family group leaders to younger students, ran every assembly, and generally served as wonderful role models for everyone else in the school. The most important and poignant times with our sixth graders are their last days here.

Our Recognition Assembly, where I talk about each student’s growth over the years, is a wonderful celebration of each student, but the best moments are at graduation. This May, each of our graduates prepared a speech that talked about how they had grown over the years, their favorite memories of Community School, or their newfound passions. We heard about their amazing shop projects; for instance, Ford and Jackson each made their own baseball bat by shaving a blank of ashwood each day for nearly four months until it took on a nice bat shape, sanded it smooth, and wood burned their names on one end. We also heard about the class’s commitment to helping others through service learning projects, and how they worked hard to model genuine words of affirmation to others around the school, making helping hands gratitude cards before Thanksgiving, friendship notes during Valentine’s Day, and regular fan mail after grade level plays. Additionally, we heard about the confidence they had discovered on stage during productions like “The Mystery of the Nile: Friendship Not Included.” What was most wonderful was that they were clearly each a unique young man or woman, with individual interests and challenges, united by their shared Community School experience.

Our final turn of the cycle – and one that was especially meaningful to me – was the return to campus of our alumni who were new high school graduates. The Class of 2016 is near and dear to my heart, as they were sixth graders in my first year here at Community. They warmly welcomed me to the school as eleven and twelve year olds, made sure that I felt like a part of the Community family, and haven’t lost touch in the intervening six years since their Community School graduation. And now here they were back on campus –watching their sixth grade graduation video, playing on the Communisaurus, touring their classrooms, and swapping stories about their time here at Community.

And we are so proud of them – while we haven’t heard from all of them yet, among their colleges (in alphabetical order) are Cornell University, Duke University, Tulane University, University of California in Los Angeles, and Washington University in St. Louis. We know that they will take with them not only their memories of Community School, but also their commitment to care for others, to work hard, to value friends over things, and to make their colleges – and the world – a better place.

And now, as we head into the summer, we are thinking about the next stages of our life cycle. Soon we will welcome back teachers (both new and veteran), bring new families in to join our current ones, and begin another year of growth. Schools are inherently optimistic places, and it’s this constant renewal that makes it so.

Warmly, Bob

Salute to Sixth Grade

We caught up with Community School’s 2022 graduates and asked them some questions about their Community School experience. Here are some of their responses.

Why do you love Community?

Because of the people and the environment. Everyone is happy to see you and ready to support you.

-

David Peterson

I love the teachers because they make learning fun. Every teacher has their own flair for teaching and making class interesting.

- Avary Choe

I like Community because of all the opportunities it provides. Community feels like home.

- Neel Sarikonda

Community is a family and it helps me explore the world.

- Kyle Thompson

I love Community because the teachers make sure we become the best version of our self.

I love Community School because you bond with your classmates and teachers every year. Whether you went to Community for nine years or one year you will leave knowing and loving every single classmate.

- Caroline Deutsch

What I love most about Community School is the people and connection between the students and teachers. Everyone always makes me feel included and appreciated.

- Audrey Taves

Community School is so welcoming. It helped me spread my wings and learn how to be independent.

- Ries Schnuck

I love Community because of the environment and because of the warm, friendly aura that emanates from the classrooms, the hallways, and the lush woods.

- Nithya Gnanarajah

I have been here since SK and Community has helped me and prepared me for my journey to secondary school.

- Brooke Dunaway

What I love about Community School is that everyone is welcoming and caring. I also appreciate how everyone trusts you with responsibilities.

- Lexie Gress

It is a safe and amazing place where classmates are family, and you are filled with love and kindness.

- Lilly Bailey

I love Community because we all accept each other for who we are and what we want to do. Nobody is left out.

- Jackson Gould

I love Community because there are many opportunities to make friends and create stronger bonds. Everyone in Community has so much spirit and compassion.

- Lauren Graviss

I love Community because there is always room for mistakes and when you make a mistake, there is no judgment. People will help you make things right.

- Grace Broughton

I love Community because each day I’m excited for school. Classmates and teachers have made Community an enjoyable place to be and learn.

- Rae Edelson

I love Community because everyone is so welcoming and understanding! I love walking into school every day and saying hi to all of my friends and teachers. Everyone can be themselves no matter what.

- Samantha O’Neil

I love the responsibility we have. For example we get to walk to classes on our own, take down the flag, and have leadership duties in sixth grade.

- Louise Weiss

You can bond with everyone; students and teachers alike.

- Caroline Ellinwood

What is your favorite memory of Community?

A favorite memory of mine is the sixth grade camping trip, because you could cook your own lunches. You also got to bond with your classmates by being in a tent that you assembled with them.

- Ethan McGee

My favorite memory is when we were given roles for the sixth grade play and I got a mysterious character.

- Oliver Kriegel

My favorite memory is the Dino Dig because everything that we did was pretty new. I had never seen dinosaur bones before!

- Miles Anstey

My favorite memory at Community is when I first met my classmate Ries because she smiled at me and it gave me confidence knowing that the school was nurturing and the friends were family.

- Victoria Noble

My favorite memory was during the sixth grade camping trip when we had a big bonfire at night and ate marshmallows. It felt like we were all a big family.

- Avary Choe

My favorite memory was presenting my Worlds Fair Project in the third grade. I remember going up to the front of the class with my friends and talking all about the St. Louis Palace of Fine Arts. The reason it sticks so well is because of the joy I felt working and presenting the project with them.

- Audrey Taves

My favorite memory was meeting my class for the first time. They all said, “Hi Katie!” I felt so welcomed and loved even when I didn’t know anybody’s name. Community will always be my home.

- Katie Everett

One of my favorite memories is backstage right before the sixth grade play; how we were huddle up waiting to go on.

- Lila Merlin

My favorite memory was on the camping trip. I will always remember the time that my best friend and I were hanging out in my tent. She was about to leave when a DEER kicked my tent. We were laughing so hard our stomachs started to hurt.

- Ries Schnuck

Favorite memories of mine are the field trips I got to go on and the plays that I got to perform in.

- Lexie Gress

I remember when Mr. Scott let us have fun day Friday for the first time. We all decided to play soccer and everyone was laughing. We all thought it was the best day ever.

- Lotsie Holton

I loved making friends that are still my friends and will be for the long run.

- Ethan Sonn

My favorite memory is when I was having a hard day and two classmates came up to me and asked if I was okay. From that day forward all three of us have been best friends.

- Grace Broughton

The Dino Dig in JK.

- Carson Cregger

One of my favorite memories was the sixth grade camping trip. It was so fun to live a little rough for a few days. Cooking, cleaning, organizing, playing, singing, and so much more. It taught me a lot of skills that I can use in everyday life, just in a fun way.

- Samantha O’Neil

My favorite memory is when I tried a volleyball mini class for fun in sixth grade. It’s now my favorite sport to play.

- Rae Edelson

My favorite memory is talking with my third grade teacher about sports every morning.

- Ford Werner

My favorite memory is the bus ride to and from our field trip in Springfield, IL.

- Louise Weiss

My favorite memory at Community is the Dino Dig in JK.

- Otto Schnuck

My favorite memory is the camping trip. I loved this because there were always fun activities to do like kayaking and hiking.

- Neel Sarikonda

I will miss recess, woodshop, and P.E.

- Oliver Kriegel

I am going to miss all of the teachers who are so loving and kind. In third grade I remember the teachers making jokes in class and laughing at ours. They are so nurturing and like my second family.

- Victoria Noble

Although I will miss many things, I will miss the environment of Community the most. The feeling that you get as you walk into school fills you with warmth and happiness.

- Caroline Deutsch

I’m going to miss my class and the bond we created with each other. And the fact that Community was truly an amazing place where everyone cares for you. I’m also going to miss the amazing teachers that were there to nurture your learning and help you thrive as a student.

- Katie Everett

I am going to miss the woods because they are such a calming place where you can just relax.

- Christian Chang

I will definitely miss the smaller class size and also all my friends who are going to other schools.

- Ethan Sonn

I am going to miss my friends and teachers. I will also miss the fun field trips such as the camping trip, the track meet, and the fifth grade hike.

- Ethan McGee

I’m going to miss every single teacher because they have helped me become the person I am now. For example, if the nurse had not been there to give me my medicine every single day, I would not have my adult best friend, or Mrs. Brubaker to push me to be the best at math I can be.

- Brooke Dunaway

Something I’m going to miss is how Community teaches in a lot of different learning styles so you can learn in the way that’s best for you.

- Harper Pook

What are you going to miss most about Community?

The people and how friendly students, parents, and teachers are to each other.

- David Peterson

I’m going to miss my friends at Community because though some are going to the same school as me, others are going somewhere else.

- Evan McGee

I am going to miss the community and all the love and kindness that is always around.

- Caroline Spencer

I’m going to miss the relationships I’ve had with teachers over the years and the memories I’ve had with friends.

- Nolan Ma

My friends because we’ve grown up together and now we’re all parting ways.

- Caroline Ellinwood

Give your best piece of advice for a younger student:

You will have a lot of help from your teachers and it will get easier along the way. You will be ready for secondary school, so persevere. Also, use a planner!

- Miles Anstey

My best pieces of advice are don’t get involved in friend drama, do SAT Prep Class, always do your homework, and DON’T forget your materials for class.

- Avary Choe

I would say to cherish it. As you make your way through the grades in Community, never forget to enjoy it along the way – it may feel tiring, and stressful, but in the end, you’ll look back and smile at all of it.

- Nithya Gnanarajah

I recommend not staying “stuck.” At Community School, you have the resources, peers, and teachers to help you when you get stuck, have questions, or need guidance on a project.

- Vivien Kamps

Use your planner! It will help you stay on top of things and be organized.

- Lilly Bailey

I would say don’t give up, and do the things that drive you to become a better person, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

- Ethan Sonn

My best piece of advice for a younger student would be to finish homework before playing and having fun!

- Evan McGee

Pay attention at all times!

- Kyle Thompson

Keep working hard; it will always pays off.

- Audrey Taves

Always be flexible with your schedule, and never forget your homework.

- Otto Schnuck

Don’t stay stuck; get unstuck.

- Caroline Spencer

Do not fight with IXL, just do it.

- Grant Thompson

The best advice I can give a younger student is to just enjoy it. You might not realize how much you’re going to miss Community now, but once you’re ending your sixth grade year and looking back on all the memories, you will.

- Rae Edelson

Take advantage of your education. You will learn so much from your years here at Community that will help you in the future. Also, write your name and the date on EVERYTHING – make sure to get credit for the work you’ve done.

- Alara Albrecht

Prioritize is my biggest piece of advice. If you use time management to your use you can accomplish all of your homework. It is never good to show up to class without your homework done.

- Samantha O’Neil

Work your hardest, and play your hardest.

My most interesting project was dissecting a pig heart because it was so wet and disgusting at first, but then I got used to it.

- Miles Anstey

The most interesting activity that I remember at Community is the field trip to the zoo. We got to see Australian animals and design kangaroo shirts. I had a blast.

- Victoria Noble

My favorite project was the fraction pizzas in fourth grade. Somehow my math teacher was able to make fractions fun for a bunch of nine year olds.

- Caroline Deutsch

One of my favorite projects is the Lego robotics unit in science. I remember waiting years for this unit, and I went all out learning about it and working on it with a friend.

- Audrey Taves

- Lila Merlin

What was your most interesting project or activity?

I enjoyed the Lego robotics unit in science class.

- Carson Cregger

In fifth grade we read some of Shakespeare’s plays and we got to describe them by writing and drawing on note cards.

- Oliver Kriegel

Probably the fourth grade Invention Convention because we had to do it over quarantine, and we had to make a video instead of presenting it live.

- Christian Chang

It’s so hard to pick a favorite activity but I really loved stargazing on the camping trip. The sound of the fish jumping and the crickets chirping was an amazing experience considering how loud our class was.

- Katie Everett

I can’t choose a favorite, but I did enjoy our sixth grade L.I.T. (Leaders in Training) class where we practiced neuroplasticity with different activities like juggling balls. We worked on flexibility and mildly stressing our brains.

- Vivien Kamps

When we dissected a pig heart and learned about anatomy. It made my experience in science so special and fun.

- Lilly Bailey

My sixth grade projects in woodshop.

- Kyle Thompson

I will always remember the sixth grade camping trip because there were so many fun activities, like the night walk and the bright fire for making s’mores when we got back.

- Lauren Graviss

I enjoyed cooking dinner on the camping trip.

- Lotsie Holton

The Worlds Fair project. I had to wear a strong man suit and tackle Otto!

- Grant Thompson

I thought that being a props designer was the most interesting because I got to think outside the box and be creative with the things we make!

- Caroline Spencer

In woodshop class, I made a bank with my teachers face on it and gave it to him for a parting gift.

- Nolan Ma

My most interesting project at Community was the Lego robotics unit in sixth grade. A classmate and I made a robot that shot basketballs.

- Jackson Gould

The most interesting project to me was the sixth grade play, “The Mystery of the Nile: Friendship Not Included.” This was when I learned how much I loved theater and how exhilarating it is to have one of the main roles.

- Rae Edelson

Definitely dissecting the pig heart and lungs. Since I want to be a doctor, I thought it was absolutely awesome seeing how the organs work and what they look like.

- Alara Albrecht

My most interesting activity was definitely the camping trip because you got to cook your own food, set up your own tent, and stay organized.

- Ford Werner

My favorite project was in fifth grade science when we went around the woods and picked up litter on Earth Day.

- Louise Weiss

Dissecting pig hearts and lungs in science class.

- Caroline Ellinwood

My most interesting project was making rockets out of recycled materials.

- Otto Schnuck

I enjoyed camping and learning how to be more independent.

- Harper Pook

What would you tell a family considering Community?

There are so many great schools out there. However, Community is truly unique in the way that your child will get a personalized education that works for them. Community adjusts the program to make sure your child gets exactly what they need out of their education.

- Caroline Deutsch

I would tell them Community is a great school, and is very inclusive.

- Ethan McGee

You should definitely do it because it is a great place with good people.

- Carson Cregger

I would tell them to send their child here because the school really cares about each student and they want every single student to succeed.

- Christian Chang

You should go to Community because it provides many opportunities and it is always welcoming. The teachers are amazing and make sure the classes are fun while still teaching you.

- Neel Sarikonda

You should definitely send your kid to Community! This school will teach them such great life lessons like using empathy, prioritizing, and always including others. Community is so welcoming, and the teachers are not only fun but they actually talk to you about things you might be struggling with and they help you stay on track and catch up.

- Ries Schnuck

I would recommend Community because of many things. Of those I would mention the preparation. In fifth and sixth grades, you have advisories, and different schedules than other kids, while still keeping primary school aspects. I would also like to mention that everyone is very accepting. I know I won’t be judged.

- Nithya Gnanarajah

Community is the greatest school to send your kids to. Community teaches kids all the things they need to know before going to secondary school, including how to make friends and always be nice to each other.

- Brooke Dunaway

Community School is a school, but it is also more than that – it is a family that cares for one another.

- Lexie Gress

Going to Community School is an opportunity you can’t find anywhere else. From the curriculum to teachers, you learn values that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.

- Vivien Kamps

Community is the place where you go if you want to be a part of a big second family. Community will fill you with gratitude every day because it is a community.

- Lotsie Holton

The teachers at Community don’t just care about your education; they care about you, your mental health, and your day.

- Lauren Graviss

Community offers many experiences you can find no where else in the world. Your child will get time to get to know everyone in their class.

- David Peterson

Go to Community! This is not me being forced to say this; it’s my real opinion!

- Grant Thompson

I’d tell them that Community is a great place with amazing teachers and students. Community does a great job of making you feel welcome!

- Evan McGee

This is a great school where everyone feels included and the teachers actually care about your education.

- Nolan Ma

Community has taught me to be confident. This has allowed me to make better friends and it helped me become a better person. Community school allows you to make mistakes without being judged and make some really strong relationships with people.

- Grace Broughton

Community is a great school with lots of learning opportunities. As you grow older you will receive more freedom in schedules and activities, but you can’t have a good life without structure, and Community does a great job of building a system and structure to make your life easier.

- Jackson Gould

Sending your child here would be an amazing decision. Your child gets to learn so much. They also have so many great opportunities here, like doing plays, getting to learn how to play an instrument, woodshop, and so much more. But most importantly your child will make such strong bonds that will make them feel like they have a huge family in their class.

- Alara Albrecht

Community is a great school. It provides a great education but with empathy too. One of the first things that Community teaches the students is empathy and it is a part of my everyday life. I feel like I belong and so does everyone else!

- Samantha O’Neil

Your kid would love it here. Everyone is inclusive and caring. They would never want to leave. I know I don’t.

- Ford Werner

Community is the number one place for making memories and friendships. The people you will meet here and the bonds you make will stay with you forever.

- Lila Merlin

Enhancing Sixth Grade Leadership with Emotional Agility and Neuroplasticity

Stay Curious. Show Up. Be Plastic. These are three core values of the sixth grade leadership class here at Community School. It may seem pretty simple, and the curriculum has been designed with that intent. Within these contexts, student leaders are given opportunities to flex their emotional agility and demonstrate their neuroplasticity as they continue to hone their individual and collective leadership skills.

Emotional Agility is the ability to be with your emotions with curiosity, compassion, and courage. Resources used in sixth grade are largely based on the research of Susan Davis, Ph.D., a psychologist at Harvard University, and Marc Brackett, Ph.D., a professor at Yale University. This is a topic that is gaining attention and momentum as we continue to navigate through life’s uncertainties during this pandemic. Well-being is dependent upon building awareness of self and others. That awareness requires one to STAY CURIOUS and, in return, allows one to fully SHOW UP.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt. It allows for more flexible thinking and better problem solving. By consistently creating new pathways in the brain, research is showing an increase in resilience and grit. Adapting to the challenges that present themselves on a daily basis, without complaint or added resistance, takes patience and practice. That work pays off when experiencing the transition from surviving to thriving. Getting unstuck and embracing change ultimately allows for greater well-being. Therefore, one should also strive to BE PLASTIC.

In class, the sixth graders are learning how well-being factors into leadership. They are increasing their emotional literacy by using a mood meter and applying practical strategies that keep them in the driver’s seat with these emotions. They are learning to lean into any emotion they are experiencing,

Written by Darci Cadieux, 6th Grade Teacher

refrain from labeling it positively or negatively, and allow it to be the teacher that it is intended to be through that feedback. By Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions, our leaders-in-training are becoming better equipped to inspire, motivate, and help change the world around them.

Sixth grade student leaders are also consistently priming their brains to be more flexible by practicing coordination and rhythm exercises that involve a juggling ball, syncopated finger taps, and drinking cups. Each exercise includes mildly stressing the brain to present opportunities to push through the stickiness and form new neural pathways, with the goal of not giving up on a given challenge. Breakthroughs happen when students are able to let go enough to allow their bodies’ natural, automatic intelligence to assist in the task. Oftentimes different parts of the body are asked to perform unique tasks, but finding the necessary synergy is what leads to success. New neural pathways are achieved as a result, and the undeniable mind-body connection is on full display.

Dr. Brackett states, “Emotional skills are the key to unlocking the potential inside each one of us.” They help provide us with a road map in times of uncertainty. One thing we can be certain of is that things change. We all need the flexibility to ensure that we can change too. Dr. Davis reminds us that, “Our values give us the opportunity to live our fullest lives and to be the people we aspire to become in challenging times.” That requires first identifying your values and then committing to them. Inside the leadership notebook of a sixth grader, this (growing) list looks something like:

Stay Curious (Not Judgmental)

Show Up (For Yourself and For Others)

Be Plastic (In Your Mind and Your Body)

Opposite page: Sixth grade students engaging in coordination and rhythm exercises.

This page: 2021-2022 Students for Change group members with Fifth Grade Teacher, Sarah McCarthy, and Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Jonelle Harris.

Students for Change

Written by Jennifer Thomas

“Students for Change gives you an opportunity to learn more about the people around you and what they might be going through. You also learn how to ask questions.”

-Ainsley, Fifth Grade

Students for Change is the brainchild of Janae Harris ’19, a Community School alumna who wanted to provide a space for fifth and sixth grade students to have deeper conversations about issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Janae started the group during the 2018-2019 school year with the support of Jonelle Harris, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, and Sarah McCarthy, Fifth Grade Teacher. “Students are able to talk about topics that they are interested in with our facilitation,” Ms. Harris shared. “It has been such an enriching addition to our programming.”

During the 2021-2022 school year, about a dozen members met monthly with Ms. Harris and Mrs. McCarthy. Janae joined the first meeting via Zoom, and students enjoyed learning more about her vision for the group and how she balances academics and extracurriculars now that she’s in high school. Students also made a list of what they wanted to talk about or learn more about over the course of the year, and Ms. Harris and Mrs. McCarthy identified common topics and themes.

When asked about conversations that stood out to them, Rylan, a fifth grade student, highlighted the topic of microaggressions, which Merriam-Webster defines as comments or actions that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group. “You might say a joke to someone, and you don’t think it’s harmful, but it really is,” he explained. “That’s really important to know because when you get older, it’s good to be aware of how other people might feel after you say something.” Ainsley, also in fifth grade, agreed and added, “I appreciated the vocabulary we learned. We talked about words that can have a meaning we all know and another meaning that’s new to us.”

Students also participated in activities that encouraged them to share about themselves and their loved ones. At the beginning of the year, for example, students completed an iceberg activity on identity and the things we see and don’t see. “At the top of the iceberg,” Ainsley said, “we shared the visual things that people know about us like our hair or eye color, and under the water, we shared things a lot of people might not know just from looking at us like hobbies or family traditions.” Students engaged in another activity about Covid that had them look at how it has affected them, their families, their friends, and the larger community. These activities helped students look at topics through a DEI lens and to be more open and empathetic as they learned about each other’s experiences.

In addition to fostering conversation, Students for Change provides a safe space for students to ask questions and continue to develop leadership and critical thinking skills. “I’m learning to be a leader by helping others understand these topics and to not be afraid to ask questions,” Rylan said. “I’ve also realized the importance of learning more about people before you ask a lot of questions,” fifth grader Chloe added, “so you don’t make assumptions or offend them.” This learning has informed how students interact with their younger peers and their approach to leadership more broadly. “You understand people and the world around you better,” Rylan observed, “and that’s really good for later in life.”

Looking ahead, students are excited to expand on discussions from this year and to explore new topics and interactive activities. Most students will return as sixth graders and can share their learning with new students while continuing to develop as leaders at the school and beyond. “It is such an honor and privilege to engage in rich conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion with these thoughtful students,” Mrs. McCarthy shared. “They encourage and challenge each other as they learn to think critically about their world.”

Honoring Our 2022 Faculty & Staff Retirees

As we transition from one school year to another, we’d also like to celebrate three team members who are making a personal transition to retirement. The following article is a collaboration between our retirees and Jennifer Thomas.

Robyn Corwin, 4th Grade Teacher

Robyn retired after eight years at Community. Robyn started in sixth grade teaching math and social studies for three years. She then went to fourth grade teaching math and social studies for five years. Prior to Community, she taught in Austin, TX.

When asked what makes Community unique, she said, “Working closely with another teacher in the same room! It not only builds close relationships between the teachers but also helps children successfully learn by having two teachers to support all the students.”

Robyn enjoyed taking students on field trips during her time at Community. “My all-time favorites,” she shared, “were the 6th grade trips to Springfield, IL. We had so much fun learning about President Lincoln, his home, his family, and his presidency.” Robyn also noted that she will miss the campus. “How can one not be happy to work here,” she noted, “when the building and grounds are so inviting?”

In retirement, Robyn looks forward to spending time with her mother, volunteering at a senior living facility, and soaking up time with her five year old granddaughter. She will also invest time in hobbies like reading, cross stitch, gardening, interior design, and travel.

Jennifer Hennessey, Advancement Associate

Jennifer started as Community’s School Secretary in 2015 and is retiring after 7 years at Community. “I enjoyed starting in the office and getting to meet so many of the parents and all the sweet students,” she said. “The

transition to Advancement was a challenge but one I could make my own. All the events that our department put on were all a success in different ways and that was a great accomplishment for me.”

When asked what she will miss most about Community, Jennifer said, “The kind and generous parents, and the sweet and caring faculty and staff. I will miss the kitchen and facilities teams very much as I worked hand in hand with them and they inspired me by how hard they work to keep the school in amazing order. I will also miss the sounds of the students playing outside our door or popping in to just say hi and sharing a dance they created during recess.”

In retirement, Jennifer looks forward to relaxing, reading, traveling, spending more time with her kids and siblings, and playing golf and pickleball. She will also invest more in outdoor hobbies like walking, hiking, floating, camping, deer shed hunting, and gardening.

Fun fact: Jennifer started springboard diving at the age of three, received a diving scholarship to Fort Lewis School, in Durango CO, and qualified for regionals and then nationals in Canada at Simon Frazier University. In 2015, she received an award for the highest point holder in springboard diving for the past 100 years for the NAIA, and she still holds the record today!

Debbi Krieg, School Librarian

Debbi Krieg worked as Community’s school librarian for 23 years. ”I was in banking until my youngest child was born,” she shared. “I was home for 15 years and sort of fell into the job at Community School when a friend said they were looking for a part-time librarian.”

When asked about Community’s unique qualities, Debbi said, “There are a bunch of good answers to this question

– the school’s philosophy, programs, history, campus –but in my mind it all comes back to the people. I think of all the good people doing their part every day to enrich the lives of the children in our care.” Debbi continued that she will miss her many colleagues and the parents she got to know through the years. “But mostly, I think, I’ll miss the children,” she noted. “Dostoevsky said, ‘The soul is healed by being with children.’ I think that’s true. I’ll miss the rhythm of the school year, too, but I will miss the kids most.”

Debbi shared a recent memory that illustrates the joy she feels seeing students. “A few weeks ago,” she said, “as I was walking down the hall to the Discovery Center before school started, I glanced out the window and saw a student walking to her classroom. Right then a breeze caused a blizzard of dogwood blossoms to snow down on her. She stopped, raised her face to the sky, threw her arms in the air, and delighted at the beauty of the scene, as did I, watching her.”

Debbi will be remembered as a collaborator. She frequently worked with Alissa Rowan (Drama Teacher), Taylor Mata (School Counselor), and Jonelle Harris (Director of Diversity & Inclusion) to identify books and other resources that would support students’ social emotional growth and learning. They also developed the Community Reads video series to provide a way for the entire school to read the same book and connect it with curriculum that Taylor uses in the classroom. Each April, Debbi and Alissa worked together to infuse poetry everywhere during readings at lunch and by

posting poems on bulletin boards and walls throughout the school – even in the bathrooms! This dynamic duo collaborated as members of the Family Groups Committee, as well.

Additionally, Debbi partnered with Veronique Gardet (Lower Division French Teacher) on “Story Time with Madame and Mrs. K” several times each year. They took turns reading books in English and French in each Lower Division grade. They often recruited students as helpers to act out stories using puppets as they read. This provided an opportunity for students to interact with other grades and to shine in a leadership role. “Those collaborations were a favorite part of my time at Community!” Debbi recalled.

When asked what advice she would share with someone starting as a new employee at Community, Debbi summed that, “I’ll just give the same advice a dear friend gave me, from Arthur Ashe: Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Oh, and it took me 22 years to believe this one enough to actually do it, but it really does help to get to school 15-30 minutes before you need to be there.”

In retirement, Debbi looks forward to time with family, not only with her children and grandchildren here and in New York, but with her siblings, mom, and nieces and nephews. She will also garden, read, travel, take a few classes, get back into tennis and maybe pickleball, and find an outlet to share her love for children’s literature.

Alissa Rowan

Lowenhaupt Award Recipient

Excerpt from Mr. Cooke’s speech from the Annual Meeting in May 2022:

Every year one Community School faculty member is recognized for his or her work furthering the education of young children through excellence in program development in their classroom, presenting educational information at conferences or workshops, or publishing works for other educational professionals. The award is named in honor of Henry C. Lowenhaupt, an important member of Community School in the 1970s. In addition to recognition tonight and in a permanent display in the main office, there is a cash award that accompanies it.

In the nomination that led to this year’s award winner, this teacher was described as “a builder of a program far above and beyond what is expected in an elementary school,” and who has made it her mission this year to return our entire school community’s experience back to normal.

She came to us in 2015 with a varied background that included marketing, sales, and event management. Of course, that is not why Community School hired her; rather it was her extraordinary talents and experience as a playwright, director, and teacher that brought Alissa Rowan to Community School.

Her work as a drama teacher here at Community is extraordinary. She directs plays for 8 grades—which can mean a dozen or more different plays each year—and takes the time to ensure that each play connects with the curriculum, to a subject students

are studying, or to a social or emotional need that the grade as a whole is wrestling with. When she doesn’t have a play on the shelf that fits the need, she just writes a new one…but what you may not realize is that for Alissa, there is NEVER a play just sitting on the shelf that she can use. Every play, every year, is either entirely original, or has undergone a deep rewrite. Every year she comes up to me and says, “thank you for allowing me to write new plays every year,” and I think, “most drama teachers would be demanding that I pay them to write plays, or refusing to do it altogether!” (Please don’t share that observation with Alissa!)

What you may not realize is just how deeply her commitment to the growth of each individual student goes. Most drama programs are content to cast students in roles that serve the needs of the play; Alissa casts students in roles that serve students’ individual needs. Shy students get large speaking parts—but not before they are ready—students who need leadership opportunities are put in charge of set design, or stage managing—students who need the experience of working for others are given tasks that support a team.

This dedication to the social emotional growth of children extends beyond her program, however. For instance, when Taylor Mata, the school counselor, wanted to start a “Counselor’s Corner” video series, Alissa took on the videography and editing duties.

When we decided a few years ago to create an annual Veterans Day celebration, Alissa took that on—and then when the pandemic forced us to go virtual, she took over the direction of the video production. To create a shared sense of community revolving around literature, Alissa creates videos for our Community Reads series. And now that we are moving toward a more normal school experience, Alissa once more leads the way, lobbying to return to live performances in front of audiences, bringing the “community of Community” back together once more. Her contributions to us all go far, far beyond her classroom.

Perhaps most importantly, Alissa is kind, sincere, and genuine. Her love of Community School, the children in her care, and her peers here at work is unparalleled. She is committed to collaborating with others, which multiplies the positive effect she has throughout the school. Alissa has a great sense of humor, and can be relied upon to bring levity even in the midst of the stress of a drama production. She is committed to her craft, and has created a program that reaches every child, every employee, and into every classroom, but she remains modest and self-effacing.

I suspect that the only person here that is surprised Alissa is receiving this award is Alissa herself. If I asked her to, she could right now name multiple people who she truly thinks are more deserving of this recognition, and point out that she could not do her work without others. And I agree with this last point; she could not do it without others, but it is Alissa’s devotion to the idea of collaboration, and her belief in hearing all voices, that ensures that her work is really a reflection of us all.

Opposite page: Alissa Rowan, 2022 Lowenhaupt Award Recipient. This page: 2022 Service Award recipients.

SERVICE AWARDS

5 Years of Service (2017)

Marieann Barratt

Darci Cadieux

Meriam Dwidar

10 Years of Service (2012)

15 Years of Service (2007) Jered Gruszka

Kris Major

20 Years of Service (2002) Nancy Schmer

25 Years of Service (1997) Rob Knight

We honored twelve Community School team members for their tenure at the Annual Meeting. Thank you for your service!

Rachelle Luster Natalie Westerholt

Lori Berry Eve Rudolph Rita Scott