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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Work is Not a Trend
Several years ago, Eton’s Board of Trustees and school leadership began discussions around developing strategic initiatives that would help focus the work of Eton School to drive school improvement. One area that quickly became a recurring point of conversation centered on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Eton School is a diverse community. That community includes members of varied ethnicities from all over the globe with a wide spectrum of cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs. While that diversity was plain to see, it was also clear to us that—if the Eton School community is equitable and inclusive—it was not because there had been intentional work to make it so.
As a result, we generated a Strategic Plan that included an initiative to create an authentically equitable and inclusive community. This initiative reflects our commitment to be intentional in advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Eton School and within the school community. The initiative also called for creating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to drive that intentional effort. The DEI Committee was formed in 2019, and the COVID pandemic hampered our efforts that school year and the next. Once the committee reconvened, they quickly realized that Belonging was an important component missing from the committee’s name. Belonging places the emphasis on the impact of our efforts; it is possible to be included yet feel as if one does not belong. Over the last three school years, the DEIB Committee has been active in advancing DEIB work.
At Eton, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging work is not a trend. There is no end goal or final destination toward which we are working. This work is a part of constant improvement and engages our core value of life-long learning. In this issue of Connect, you will read more about what DEIB work looks like at Eton School and learn a bit more about the DEIB Committee. I hope it inspires you to reflect on how you can embrace Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in your own life and work .
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Unity in Diversity: A Spotlight on the Strength of Community
by Laurren Chase, Director of Equity and BelongingLast spring, the Eton School community embarked on a journey of reflection and growth with parents/guardians, students, and staff participating in a survey administered by Independent School Management (ISM). The feedback echoed a recurring theme—the strength of the Eton School community. It is almost tangible, the magic rooted in the partnerships between home and school, student and teacher, and within the parent/guardian population. What makes Eton successful in maintaining an inclusive community that fosters a sense of belonging?
A steadfast commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is at the core of Eton School's success. This commitment is not just a statement; it's a lived experience woven into the fabric of the school community. Long before families choose Eton for their children, our dedication to DEIB is evident. The school's website, social media platforms, and the application and interview process all reflect this significant commitment.
“Seeing themselves reflected in lessons, materials, and books reinforces students' sense of self and value, which builds confidence and motivates them to honor every aspect of their identity and show up in the world as their truest selves."
Inside our classrooms, teachers skillfully weave DEIB into their curriculum, using lessons and materials that encourage critical thinking, compassion, and empathy. Snapshots of these efforts are shared with families through platforms like Seesaw, social media, and the website, creating a transparent and collaborative learning environment.
Representation of diverse identities is crucial in building a culture of belonging. Seeing themselves reflected in lessons, materials, and books reinforces students' sense of self and value, which builds confidence and motivates them to honor every aspect of their identity and show up in the world as their truest selves. It is equally essential for students to see others reflected in learning materials, strengthening their ability to honor different cultures and perspectives, and increasing responsible global citizenry. Parents/guardians play a pivotal role in this process. Teachers actively encourage families and community members to share the hobbies, values, cultures, and
traditions that are meaningful to them with students inside the classroom, creating an environment where everyone feels seen and heard.
Beyond the classroom, Eton School actively works to create inclusive spaces where students, families, faculty, and staff can thrive. These spaces include everything from diverse extracurricular activities to intentional community-building events that celebrate the various cultures and identities within the school. It extends through events like the World of Eton, Spring Fling, Family Game Time, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series Watch Parties, Lunch with Laurren, Parents and Guardians of Eton School (PAGES)
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Learning Events and coffees, and the all-school concert, Una Voce. These efforts contribute to a sense of belonging, cultivating a supportive community.
Eton School is not just a place of education; it's a nurturing space where diversity is celebrated, equity is championed, inclusion is practiced, and a true sense of belonging is refined. Instilling that profound sense of belonging and unity by cultivating a community where DEIB is prioritized, Eton students are prepared to meet the complexities of the real world with empathy, compassion, and grace.❧
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by Laurren Chase, Director of Equity and Belonging and Jay Eckard, Middle School Teacher
Affectionately referred to as the QUILTBAG (Queer/Questioning, Undecided, Intersex, Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual, Allied/ Asexual, Gay/Genderqueer) Club, Eton School’s gay/straight alliance (GSA) was founded in the fall of 2022 at the request of Middle School students. Alliance groups, such as this one, are designed for individuals who identify as members of a particular group and those who stand in solidarity with them.
Supported primarily by a Middle School teacher, the QUILTBAG Club aims to provide a safe space for students who identify as belonging to the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and more) spectrum or who are curious, questioning, or unsure of their gender identity or sexual preference. Middle School club members convene weekly for lunch hour meetings, and twice monthly, interested Upper Elementary students are invited to participate.
Club meetings are a place and time where students can share experiences, ask questions, and learn about themselves without judgment or negative reactions. Students also learn about LGBTQIA+ history and culture. The projects and discussions happening in the QUILTBAG Club are managed with the same careful thought and attention as all the programming at Eton, and all conversations are kept age-appropriate with consideration to the developmental stage of the students who choose to attend the meetings.
The QUILTBAG Club’s projects are student-led. These projects encourage and provide age and educationally-appropriate opportunities for student activism. The most recent student-proposed project was to launch an informational poster campaign highlighting and defining different LGBTQIA+ identities. Inspired by their shared lived experience of not having the opportunity to learn about different identities when they were younger, these posters, which will be designed by QUILTBAG members and approved by the Director of Equity and Belonging, will be placed in the Main and Casa buildings. The developmental stage of students in each building will guide the content of the informational art.
The QUILTBAG Club at Eton School is a testament to the power of community, education, and activism. Founded with the heartfelt vision of Middle School students, the club promotes a broader understanding of the rich tapestry of human identity, exemplifies the transformative potential of collaboration, and paves the way for a future where every individual can navigate their identity with confidence and pride. ❧
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The question is to bring about a radical change in the way we view human relations, endeavouring to influence men’s consciousness by giving them new ideals, fighting indifference and incomprehension; to awaken in man’s spirit a sense of gratitude towards other men. This can also be done with children. In fact, these endeavours should begin with the children, giving them the opportunity to reflect on the social value of work, on the beauty of labour carried out by others, whereby the common effort enriches the life of all.
–Maria Montessori,Citizens of the World (p. 83)
When we hear about Maria Montessori, we are often told she was Italy’s first female physician. We learn how she began developing her education philosophy while working with children with intellectual disabilities. We hear how she opened a school and refined this beginning philosophy into what would become known as the Montessori philosophy of education. Although all these points are essential in getting to know and understand Maria Montessori, another aspect of her work is less known to those outside the Montessori world: Maria Montessori advocated for equity and inclusion, especially regarding women and children.
Undeterred by the obstacles she faced in her pursuit to enter the male-dominated field of medicine, Maria Montessori openly challenged the systemic barriers she observed women facing in society. She reached out to and advocated for women and mothers who did not have the resources to advocate for themselves.
Montessori persevered for these mothers’ rights, in the words of Paola Trabalzani, ‘the right to education, training, knowledge, employment, either factory or office work, the right to choose one’s partner, and the right to vote…’ 1
Maria Montessori conducted an anthropological research study of 200 women between 20 and 30 years of age, recognizing the need to include their unique experiences to address their needs effectively. She published the results of this study in 1905 and used it as a basis to advocate for women’s rights, especially the right to vote. In 1906, she published articles about women’s rights in the newspaper and signed a proclamation declaring, “All women arise! Your main duty in this social moment is the right to vote.” 2
In 1907, she opened her first school, Children’s House (Casa de Bambini), in Rome, followed by her second in 1907, located in the working-class San Lorenzo district. At the Children’s House in San Lorenzo, Maria taught the young children and, based on her observations of their needs, developed sensory materials for them
to use. During this time, she spoke out against the stereotype that children of the working class did not need to be educated and advocated that when given a supportive and responsive environment, all children, regardless of socio-economic status, were equipped with the capacity to learn.
In 1917, Maria Montessori traveled to the United States for lectures in San Diego, California, and there she proposed the creation of the White Cross, an organization for “those who seek to save the future of humanity and to heal the wounds in the hearts of children.”3 Although the White Cross never came to be, it planted seeds of social reform. During her third lecture in San Diego, Maria Montessori shared a positive psychology position (strengthening of character and nurturing the spirit) and her stance on supporting children to be their true, authentic selves.
… there is also a place where the “secret” potentiality of childhood must come to light: it is school, as a space of socialization, on the one hand, and of human development, on the other. Starting from infant school, since it is here that the child is preserved and interpreted, protected and developed. It is thus the task of education to steer him [the child] back towards his more authentic self.4
In the years that followed, Maria Montessori continued her lectures, writing, and training teachers in her methodology while advocating for rights and equality. In 1937, she and her son, Mario, addressed the Sixth International Montessori Congress on Education for Peace in Copenhagen. In the opening address, they stated:
In organizing its 6th International Congress—on the theme Educate for Peace—the Association Montessori Internationale did not intend to depart from its aim of protecting and illustrating the personality of the child, joining instead the political struggle. On the contrary, many societies
are fighting the field of politics to stem the immediate danger of an overwhelming and general conflict. But we want to draw attention away from the blinding and passion-raising actualities and to fix it upon the need for a constructive effort, showing what contributions the child and education can bring to this effort. 5
The speech continues with discussions on the roles of politics, the government, and society. Maria and Mario Montessori pleaded to study and organize as a structured science and noted that the most critical factor was the human factor. In closing, they identify the bridge between children, education, and society’s future:
When children were given what corresponded to their needs, they showed something fundamental—the real nature of Man— heretofore hidden under the cloak of psychological defenses.
They not only adapted to the moral and cultural programme considered necessary by our civilization, but they sought it with enthusiasm and spontaneous discipline developed. It was a calm inner discipline caused by activity and collaboration. Also, such a love for work as to clearly prove that in childhood work is a natural necessity. Possessiveness disappeared because objects were only a means to an end and had no other value in themselves. The children showed love for their companions and for their teachers.
Notes
They went out of their way to assist those who needed help and they did it with simplicity and enthusiasm, not as a sacrifice but as a pleasure.
The children, under the old conditions, reflected the mass psychology of society even as it exists today. Let us provide new conditions that will allow them to give us a true picture of society of the future.6
In 1949, she received her first nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, followed by a second nomination in 1950 and a third in 1951. She continued to advocate for children, and in 1951, on the Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, she sent UNESCO a message titled “The Forgotten Citizen,” in which she identified and declared the neglected rights of children.
Maria Montessori lived her life as a teacher, a rights advocate for others, and a visionary for the education of children. Her legacy of work, research, advocacy, and vision continues to this day worldwide in Montessori teachers and schools, the children who attend them, and the adults they become. ❧
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1 Editorial, “Converging Passages: Social Reform, Peace, and Montessori Education for Life” AMI Journal (2013).
2 Paola Trabalzini, “Timeline of Maria Montessori’s Life”.
3 See note 1 above.
4 Frank Cambi, “Building Peace in Interiore Homine”.
5 Maria and Mario Montessori, “Peace Through Education”
6 Ibid.
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We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.
–Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential (p. 5)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Committee
Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee was formed in the fall of 2019. The Director of Equity and Belonging, Laurren Chase, chairs the Committee. The DEIB Committee is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment where all members of our school community feel valued, respected, and empowered. Our committee works collaboratively to address and dismantle systemic barriers, promote diversity, celebrate differences, and ensure that every individual feels a strong sense of belonging. Through our
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Kerena Burns (She/Her)
Teacher Librarian
Classroom Support Subcommittee
policies and initiatives, we strive to create a safe and nurturing educational environment that embraces the unique identities and experiences of all students, families, faculty, staff, and board members.
The Committee, comprised of volunteer staff, faculty, administrators, and board members, meets monthly as a group to determine priorities and projects, stay updated, and share progress. DEIB Committee members also join one subcommittee that meets monthly to actualize DEIB decisions, goals, and initiatives efficiently. ❧
I joined the DEIB Committee because it shares the same values and goals that drew me to librarianship. That is, all are welcome to explore, learn, and participate as their full authentic selves.
Laurren Chase (She/Her)
Director of Equity & Belonging
DEIB Committee Chair
I believe that, even in a place as lovely as Eton, there are systems and biases that are causing harm to folks in marginalized communities. I joined the DEIB Committee to assist in dismantling and rebuilding those systems and contribute to building a culture of true belonging.
Apsara Chowdhary (She/Her)
Teacher Grades 1–3
Classroom Support Subcommittee
In a civilized society every person needs to be accorded the same dignity and respect. For that equity to be possible we must be intentional about decolonizing and dismantling prejudices. I hope to contribute toward that effort by being part of the DEIB Committee.
Viki Dragich (She/Her)
Board Vice President
Vision and Strategy Subcommittee
I serve on the DEIB Committee because of my personal experiences in the areas of acceptance and accessibility: one of my wonderful, now-adult Eton kids is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and my previous injuries have led me to learn more about accessibility for a variety of circumstances.
Jay Eckard (He/Him)
Teacher Grades 6–8
Classroom Support Subcommittee
I'd never had a workplace that had a DEIB Committee, and, at first, I was just curious about what the Committee did. I stayed because it helps challenge me to actually live out my values and be more thoughtful about how I interact with all the people around me.
DEIB Committee
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Sonja Everson (She/Her)
Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
Purpose, Process, and Growth Subcommittee
I am part of the DEIB Committee because, as the Director of Admission and Enrollment Management, I think it is very important that a school’s admission and enrollment policies strive to be anti-bias and anti-racist. Also, I am constantly in awe of the work done by our teachers and administration to create inclusive classroom communities. I want to make sure I am able to accurately and transparently communicate with prospective families about all the amazing things that are happening here!
Claire Gaskins (She/Her)
Support Staff Coordinator
Classroom Support Subcommittee
I joined the DEIB Committee because I want to help make Eton a place where kids feel safe to show up exactly as they are.
Pete Kashevarof (He/Him)
Teacher Grades 6–8; Middle School Grade Level Lead Community Subcommittee
There's a quote from Aaron Sorkin that says if you're not in the know, surround yourself with quality people in the know. And if you're in the know, surround yourself with quality people who think differently than you do. Wise words that can help all of us grow, and I think the DEIB Committee strives to grow, both within itself, as well as with the community as a whole. And on top of that, everyone on the Committee is just fun to hang out with.
Monica Maling (She/Her)
Director of Development
Classroom Support Subcommittee
I joined the DEIB Committee because I strongly feel that this is some of the most important work we can be doing in our times. I am excited to help in the work of creating a fair and just society where all individuals are respected and given equitable opportunities. I feel it’s incredibly important to bring awareness to and teach about systemic inequities and history that has purposely been excluded from the story of America so that we can come to a place where everyone feels seen, valued and has a sense that they too, belong.
Alice McNeer (She/Her)
Director of Communications and Marketing
Purpose, Process, and Growth Subcommittee
Social justice has always been a part of my life (even when I was little), and I am a lifelong learner. So, the opportunity to be part of a committee where everyone wants to grow, learn, teach, and work in developing equity and inclusion within the Eton Community and beyond was one I gladly sought out and am committed to.
Alice Msheda (She/Her)
Teacher Grades P3-K Community Subcommittee
I joined the DEIB Committee, and the Community Subcommittee, because I thought what a great way of having conversations and providing spaces for people from all different walks of life to share their different perspectives. It’s lovely that we offer these opportunities within Eton School to really emphasize the importance of being together as a community, and learning about one another. The more we learn, the more we love. There’s a saying that goes, “we care for the things we love.”
DEIB Committee
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Chris Music (He/Him)
Teacher Grades 1-3
Purpose, Process, and Growth Subcommittee
I chose to be involved with DEIB to ensure I was meeting the needs of our students and staff and to continue strengthening our community’s commitment to support liberality and empathy.
Hayley Rauch (She/Her)
Admissions Assistant/Social Media Manager
Communication Subcommittee
I chose to commit to the DEIB Committee because I am passionate about fostering inclusivity and understanding among all students. I am dedicated to learning and actively contributing to creating an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and respected.
Shunmuga Priya Senthil (She/Her)
Teaching Assistant Grades 6-8/Enrichment Teacher Technology Classroom Support Subcommittee
I really believe that Eton's DEIB is crucial for creating a positive and productive work environment. Having worked in another environment, I have faced systematic inequalities in many ways. So, from my perspective, the DEIB Committee can help foster an environment where all employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions, leading to better collaboration and work towards more productivity. To be simple, it is giving me hope that my voice will be heard, and making me alive as I still exist here.
Russell Smith (He/Him)
Head of School Vision and Strategy
The work of the DEIB Committee is crucial to Eton School’s effort to promote and grow equity and inclusion within all aspects of the Eton community. That goal is also something in which I strongly believe, and that belief compelled me to participate in the Committee’s work.
Vic Spurling (He/Him)
Teacher Grades 4-5
Communication Subcommittee
I grew up learning about equality and fairness but, as many of us know, an equal slice of the same pie isn’t actually what’s fair for everyone. I joined DEIB because I want to be a part of a group that makes tangible changes to better the lives and experiences of our community, so that there’s more pies that everyone can enjoy.
Ray Wolff (She/They)
Teaching Assistant Grades 1-3
Community Subcommittee
I believe in DEIB because it ensures diverse perspectives and experiences are represented in decision-making processes, leading to more equitable and inclusive outcomes. DEIB promotes cultural awareness, fosters a sense of belonging, and enables those from different backgrounds to feel valued and empowered within our Eton community.
Honoring and Celebrating DEIB
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The World of Eton: More Than a Celebration
by Laurren Chase, Director of Equity and Belonging and Monica Maling, Director of DevelopmentFormerly known as the Cultural Fair, The World of Eton has evolved to more closely align with Eton's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). This evolution has included retiring the name Cultural Fair and its model of sharing in which volunteer families and staff members hosted individual booths that each represented a different country.
Now as the World of Eton, community members are encouraged to share anything meaningful to their families' culture. From unique stories, talents, foods, art, music, new and old traditions, and more, The World of Eton creates an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, valued, and celebrated.
On the third Saturday of every September, volunteers and attendees gather and transform the Main Building’s outside spaces into a living mosaic of stories and experiences. Canopied tables cover the sports field adorned with a kaleidoscope of treasured items. From cherished artifacts and photographs to musical
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instruments and artwork, each table becomes a window into the diverse backgrounds and identities that make up our school community. In addition, a food truck sits in the side driveway, and the sports court transforms into a dining and stage area where the spotlight shines on unique skills and passions held by community members. Both children and adults share their talents in music, dance, and other forms of artistic expression. At the same time, guests indulge in a culinary journey and engage in conversations that bridge cultures. Interactive craft activities and games are woven across the event space, and student volunteers offer face painting.
The World of Eton is not just any event. It is a centering of the collective strength that comes from recognizing and honoring the unique contributions of each individual and each family within the Eton family. It is a celebration of identity, culture, and the shared values that bind our community together, and it is a shining example of how a commitment to embracing DEIB can create a richer interconnectedness within our community. ❧
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2023 Una Voce
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All-School Concert
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Building Community Through the Annual Fund
by Monica Maling, Director of DevelopmentEvery fall, with the kick-off of the Annual Fund, families, alums, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends come together to support Eton, providing resources to invest in our school's immediate and ongoing needs and paving the way for our students' success. We are truly grateful to our wonderful Eton community, who helped to raise a record-breaking $205,000 in the Annual Fund for 2022–2023! Gifts of all sizes are honored in our Annual Fund campaign so that everyone feels connected and a sense of belonging in our community. Last year, current family participation reached an all-time high of 75%, while Eton board members, faculty, and staff reached 100% participation. This increase shows the power of our community coming together to support our Eton students!
Annual fund gifts are a direct investment in the educational experience of Eton students that help strengthen critical areas of the school program. Walking around Eton classrooms at all grade levels, one can see the captivating activities and the powerful learning in which students are excitedly engaged with their peers and teachers. This experience is partly thanks to the classroom budgets supported by gifts to the Annual Fund. Teachers can acquire the necessary resources that provide dynamic and engaging lessons. Donations also helped with technology, such as purchasing new student laptops and cell
phones without SIM cards for teachers to take beautiful photos to share with parents/guardians. The Annual Fund this past year supported professional development, giving teachers opportunities to attend workshops and conferences that help keep their teaching current and exciting. These empower teachers to help deliver an education where children learn, grow, and thrive!
Gifts to the Annual Fund support events held by PAGES (Parents and Guardians of Eton School). These events are fun to attend and play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community within the school, bringing parents/guardians together to collaborate and share in their child's educational journey. The coffees and the much-loved annual all-school ice-skating party at the Kraken Iceplex are events that PAGES organize to help bring people together and strengthen the bond between families and school. We are thankful to donors who helped to create our vibrant and supportive school community that extends beyond the classroom! ❧
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Thank You to Our 2022–2023 Fiscal Year Annual Fund Donors
Families
Omar Aftab and Aidan Brennan
Anonymous (16)
Zefi Athanasiou and Costas Boulis
Arvind Arasu and Janani Arvind
Prakash Balasubramanian and Laxmi Gurumurthy
Vidhya Balasubramanian and Karthick Sundararaman
Karina Barrera and Edgar Hernandez-Gonzalez
Sumit Bhangdiya and Priyanka Pawde
Binde Family
Jason and Annie Brashill
Ilya Bukshteyn and Meredith Atkins
Suzana Canuto and Mario Guimaraes
Yue Cao and Jihang Li
Patricia Carlos and Gustavo Rubio
Shani and Lidor Carmel
Srinivas Chakravarthula and Geetika Nagpal
Arindam Chakraborty and Saheli Datta
Sean Chang and Kay Hsi
David Charter
Jimmy Chen and Maggie Wang
Chun Ho Cheung and Fenghua Yuan
JC Chin and Lixia Liu
Siddhartha and Apsara Chowdhary
Anya and Muntaquim Chowdhury
Eddy Chu and Xiangyu Chu
Rinkoo Dalwani and Harish Verma
Jian Deng and Li Kiang
Yu Deng and Junqing Shang
Julia Denman
Mandy Ding and Steven Zhang
Michael and Sol Doran
Doreen and Maureen's Family
Maribel and Robert Doss
Ibrahim Eden and Ece Kamar
Mark and Tammy Eisenbeis
Flora and Matthew Ellis
Stephen and Lin Farmer
Kate and John Farris
Omid and Parya Fatemieh
Jiamian Feng and Jia Li
Zhengzhu Feng and Yu Zeng
Chengyan Fu and Ying Shen
Minghao Gai, Jingtao Ren, and Lawrence Ren
Zhuang Gao and Qin Xiao
Shoubhik and Nivedita Ghosh
Cheng Gu
Fengna Gu and Jim Zhang
Zhijie Guan and Yin Liu
Frank Guan and May Jin
Edgar Guo and Kaiyun Zhang
Jie and Yuanshen Guo
Vikas Gupta and Ruchika Aggarwal
Anica and Rick Harris
Derek Harris and Jocelyn Beyer-Harris
Abhi Hatekar and Vibhuti Mudholkar
Hongqi He, Guili Zhang, and Ellie He
Wenlei He and Ying Qian
Phillip and Becky Heckinger
Lifeng Hu and Christine Han
Hu Yam Family
Cody and Stone Huang
Gordon Jiang and Cheryl Wang
Yumei Jiang and Yuan Chen
Jerry Ju and Yan Gao
Jung Family
Varun Kakkar and Harpreet Kaur Kapur
Katy Kao and Kun-Tao Chiang
Sara Kessack
Kate and Mark Kim
Stella Kim and Neil Obremski
Kizner-Hastings Family
Juan Kou and Ruitao Du
Ching-Chen Kuo and Pei-Ying Lin
Eduardo Leal-Tostado and Magali Guerrero
Sang and Hyo Lee
Sun Ho Lee and Chris Xiao
Warren Lee and Grace Yu
Lekshmi and Balaji
Jessie Li and Jeremy Wang
Lingwei Li and Yingju Ren
Kai Li and Bo Wang
TianJiao Li and William Bowes
Wei Li and Dan Ma
Crystal and Andrew Lin
Blake Lindsay and Mili Mittal
Amy Liu and Han Wang
Jianming Liu and Hui Geng
Qin Liu and John Koster
Yi Liu and Di Yan
Ian and Poppy Louthan
Leo Luo and Carrie Wang
Kimble and Cuong Luu
Richard Ma and Ding Zhao
Yue Ma and Dandi Gong
Ian and Betsy McIntyre
Mia's Parents
"Last year, current family participation reached an all-time high of 75%, while Eton board members, faculty, and staff reached 100% participation. This increase shows the power of our community coming together to support our Eton students!
Families (cont.)
Kamonchanok Mohprasit and Joaquin Bolbrugge
Moyi and Sumi's Family
Xinghan Na
Aravind Narasimhan and Subha Krishnan
Aruna and Rahul Patil
Peggy Peng and Paul Kromann
Katie Stone Perez and Pedro Perez
Pokorzynski Family
Pritchard Bonham Family
Priya and Swaroop
Varshini and Aditya Radhakrishnan
Sanjay Ramaswamy and Shanjuan Feng
Krishna Rangan and Sonali Bhargava
Raja Ravipati and Kalpana Atluru
Stella and Chris Ray
Bakkama Reddy and Shwetha Somashekar
Nikki Rehman
Sushant Rewaskar and Uttara Korad
Erica and David Rickard
Ted Roberts
Michelle Sadeh
Vaishnavi Sannidhanam and Muthu Annamalai
Dena and Brandon Saunders
Brad and Julie Sauvage
Premal Shah
Min Shao and Jeffrey Talada
Nan Shao and Min He
Iris Sheng, Zhexiang Sheng, and Chengqian Wu
Satindra and Ragini Sinha
Tiffany Sparks-Keeney and Aaron Keeney
Hari Srinivasan and Priyanka Pathak
Sara Standish and Ben Hansen
Maya Subramanian and Ranjit Varkey
Fayza Sultan and Hamid Ali
Shihao and Liping Sun
Deepak Suryanarayanan and Radha Patel
Eric and Ashley Tadeja
Weixiang Tian and Chao Duan
Tian En Jayden Tok
Harsh and Vartika Verma
Virdi Family
Catherine and Tiancheng Wang
Kevin Wang and Jiali Li
Mengyang Wang and Yumeng Su
Mu Wang and Di Jin
Renzhong Wang and Beibei Cheng
Yan Wang and Yi Jin
Wen and Wenhan Wang
Yang Wang and Fang Li
Dan and Genevieve Warren
Ning Wei and Janice Zhang
Aaron Woo and Alice Li
Wood Family
Wyatt Family
April Xie and Danye Jia
Tiger Xing
Di Yan and Nick Liu
Andrea Yang Family
Lin Yang and Li Xia
Stephanie Yang's Family in Honor of Casa 1 Teachers
Jing Yen
Huangxuan Ying and Guijin Ren
Dongjiang You and Bohan Shao
Eric Yu
Mao Yu and Ella Qiu
Ning Yu and Yuxiao Hu
Lu Yuan and Zhu Cheng
Weihong Yuan and Jiawen Wu
Wei Zang and Lei Zhang
Xiaofei Zeng and Ziyi Jiang
Kim Zhang and Wilbur Wong
Tao Zhang and Tianqi Xiao
Qi Zhao and Tongtong Chen
Jiandan Zheng and Hao Li
Puhai Zheng and Lingxia Hou
Yingying Zheng and Yunfan Zhang
Zhaoyu Zheng and Yingying Meng
Chao Zhou and Moyu Ren
Cheng Zhou and Elva Wei
Gillian Zhou and Qi Zhu
Yiding Zhou and Ying Cai
Coral Zhu and Erwin Gao
Xiaolu Zhu and Guang Li
Alumni and Alumni Families
Anonymous
The Craig Family
Neel and Smitha Jain
Bhavani Khota
Steve and Sue Petitpas
Nadejda Poliakova and Maxim Mazeev
Lan Tang and Jinbai Yin
Friends of Eton
Diana Butler in Honor of Vic Feltin
Dana Fujimoto
John and Carol Griffin
Carina Harper
Christopher Lagueux
Tina Lemire
Shana Mireku
Nagaraju Palla
Cesar Ruiz-Meraz
Austin Shao's Family
Shams and Nasreen Shamsuddin
Trustees
Karl and Michele Dehmer
Viki and Chris Dragich
Anica and Rick Harris
Bruce and Bridget Horne
Judi Hoskins and Joe Suty
Mohan and Minnu Kotha
Sunita Pailoor
Peter Roppo and Berengaria Winkler Roppo
Faculty and Staff
Susan Baccellieri
Mounika Balasani
Tina Baldyuk
Natasha Baldyuk
Michelle Bash
Amy Beal
Amelia Beeton
Deborah Benaloh
Marilou Carlson
Laurren Chase
Apsara Chowdhary
Konnor Clark
Joey Crotty
Jay Eckard
Kathy Ellwood
Sonja Everson
Lin Farmer
Holly Fleming
Claire Gaskins
Kris Gaskins
Christina George
Maria Gomez Gutierrez
Bertha Gonzalez Mancilla
Sharon Gonzalez
Stephan Haistings
Cody Harris
Jana Huang
Mikyla Johnson
Anitha Kamath
Gordon Kaplan
Venkata Kasinadhuni
Pete Kashevarof
Sara Kessack
Angela Kim
Igor Koval
Michelle Lee
Tash Levandowski
Blake Lindsay
Poppy Louthan
Monica Maling
Alice McNeer
Alice Msheda
Chris Music
Nathaniel Narvid
Daniel O'Connell
Lynette Oshiro
Brent Quick
Hayley Rauch
Jackie Rauch
Nikki Rehman
Danu Sahu
Julie Sauvage
Audra Sevigney
Russell Smith
Myla Spektor
Vic Spurling
Selina Sultana
Ashley Tadeja
Sudha Vaghul
Susie Walden
Kalsom Wali
Jo Weise
Eleanor Withrow
Grace Yu
Ray Wolff
Kirsten Zender
"We are truly grateful to our wonderful Eton community, who helped to raise a record-breaking $205,000 in the Annual Fund for 2022–2023!"
A Vibrant Community Shaped
by Maggie Wang, PAGES Presidentby You!
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Parents and Guardians of Eton School
Dear Eton School Community,
I extend a warm and heartfelt appreciation to each of you. I am honored to serve as the President of this incredible community for the school year 2023–2024. This year marks the fourth year my son has been a part of the Eton School family, starting in Pre-elementary as a P4 student at the age of four and now in Lower Elementary as a second-grade student.
Since the new year began, we've experienced a whirlwind of activities and events that have brought our community closer together. We welcomed new parents and guardians at our Welcome Coffee, providing an opportunity to connect with our dedicated Administration and Staff. A highlight this Fall was undoubtedly the World of Eton event, a massive hit showcasing our community's diverse cultures. This event wouldn't have been possible without our incredible volunteers who contributed their unique traditions and cultures.
I would also like to express our gratitude to the administrative team of the school, including Director of Development and PAGES Liaison, Monica Maling; Board Liaison, Anica Harris; Director of Equity and Belonging, Laurren Chase; Director of Communications and Marketing, Alice McNeer; and parents/guardians on the PAGES team for their invaluable support.
We had a memorable first general meeting, complete with pizza and an informative address from our Head of School, Dr. Russell Smith. He addressed school governance and finances and also took the time to answer some of the concerns raised by parents.
The Annual Fund kick-off was filled with energy as parents and guardians enthusiastically joined the volunteer squad, waving flags during morning drop-offs. In November, our Family Game Time event on Veteran's Day was a fun opportunity that brought us closer together, fostering stronger bonds within our community. We also have Learning Events that promise to be engaging and informative, as well as our ever-popular all-school ice-skating party.
Eton School is more than an institution; it's a vibrant community shaped by each of you. Witnessing the dedication and involvement of every parent and guardian has enriched my journey. Together, we are shaping the future for our children.
Thank you for being a part of this remarkable journey. Here's to a year filled with growth, connections, and endless inspiration.❧
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PAGES Mission
The Parents and Guardians of Eton School supports Eton School's philosophy, programs and activities for the benefit of all Eton School students. The Parents and Guardians of Eton School facilitates communication and parent education as well as encourages and coordinates volunteerism. The Parents and Guardians of Eton School fosters a spirit of inclusion, partnership and cooperation among the entire school community.
PAGES Membership
All parents or guardians of Eton School students shall be members of Parents and Guardians of Eton School. All members shall have equal voting privileges.
Ways to be Involved
There are many ways for members to be involved including:
• Attend Learning Events on relevant parenting topics.
• Participate and volunteer in Eton School and PAGES events.
• Attend PAGES Executive Committee Meetings.
• Read the quarterly PAGES Newsletter.
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PAGES: Executive Committee Officers and Community Coordinators
President: Maggie Wang
Maggie works as a health care professional and has one child in second grade in Lower Elementary. Her family joined the Eton community four years ago and loves Eton's supportive environment. Maggie believes our children's bright future is built by the joint efforts of families, schools, and communities working hand in hand. In this ever-changing world, she feels it is important to build and support a positive community atmosphere at Eton School and is excited to be a part of that.
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Vice-President: Kimble Luu
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Kimble is proud to have four children currently attending Eton. She is an expert in change management and strategy for high-growth tech organizations. She is now leading Operations for Handshake, a startup dedicated to democratizing access to job opportunities for students. Kimble holds a Master of Science in Public Policy, where she studied interventions around global health, governance, and gender. She has spent much of her career in the public and government sectors focused on harnessing the power of convening people and advancing innovative methods for creating social change. She has had the distinct honor of working for former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and the Obama Campaign. She was a Presidential Appointee for the Obama White House. She is very involved in her community, volunteering regularly with Pike Place Foundation and being a Troop Leader for her girls’ Girl Scout Troop. Kimble has four children, two dogs, a cat, and some fish that keep her busy most of the time but in her free time, she enjoys date night with her husband Cuong (who teaches basketball at Eton in his spare time), practicing yoga, making music with the family, gardening, and starting new projects around the house.
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Secretary Co-Chairs: Gavin and Hayley Jung
Hayley and Gavin are Secretary co-chairs this year. They have two kids at Eton (first and third grade) and one still in daycare (age 2). Their family started at Eton in 2020, and they’ve been excited to learn over the past three years what life at Eton is like in non-pandemic times. The two have participated in many Eton events so far, but this is the first official PAGES role for both of them. In their abundant free time, they enjoy chauffeuring children to play dates and activities, tackling endless ambitious home projects, napping when the toddler naps, and consuming the occasional bottle of wine.
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Bohan's daughter is in grade P4 (age 4) this year, and she has a one-year-old son. She is excited to be part of PAGES to connect and give back to the community. She looks forward to helping create an inclusive and supportive environment at Eton School that enables every child to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Bohan works as a finance professional in the technology sector. In her free time, Bohan and her family enjoy doing crafts together and taking walks during the beautiful summer in the Northwest.
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Volunteer Coordinator: Padmavathi Thimmappa
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Padmavathi goes by Padma and is excited to take on the role of Volunteer Coordinator this year. Her son is in Grade 3. She is happy to volunteer and to be part of Eton School's PAGES Executive team. She is excited to meet with children, teachers, staff, and parents to work on our fun school community events.
Pre-elementary Community Coordinator: Tina Wu
Tina has one son in Pre-elementary (P4) and is thrilled to join the PAGES as its newest member this year. She and her family have been loving the warm and friendly vibes of the Eton community for the past two years, adding to the uplifting spirit all around. Professionally, she serves as a brand partnership manager at a renowned brand while also managing her own small business in the event planning industry. Outside of work, Tina cherishes weekends as an opportunity for quality family time. Together with her loved ones, she indulges in various activities such as traveling, hiking, reading, watching movies, and savoring a variety of delicious cuisines.
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Lower Elementary Community Coordinator: Ding Zhao
Ding has a first-grade child who started the journey here at age three. Ding has volunteered in many school activities, been the Room Representative for her child's class, and now is one of the Community Coordinators. She and her family love the learning and the life at Eton, and they always enjoy participating in various school events. She is excited to be a PAGES member and happy to connect with more families and give back to the Eton community. Ding and her family love to go out in nature and like rock climbing, kayaking, and snowboarding.
Upper Elementary and Middle School Community Coordinator: Alice Li
Alice has a son attending fourth grade at Eton and a three-year-old daughter. She loves what Eton represents and is excited to be part of PAGES as a way to connect and give back to the community. She hopes to get to know more Eton families and continue to be involved at events. In her free time, Alice enjoys doing arts and crafts with her kids, going on long walks with her family, and tending to houseplants or the garden.
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Congratulations Alumni: 2023 High School Graduates!
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Ian Craig graduated from Redmond High School and Bellevue College with his Associate of Arts and Sciences. He is currently attending the University of Washington at Bothell. One of Ian's favorite memories is visiting the state capitol in Olympia, where they learned about the justice system and watched a mock trial. His other favorite memory is when he played the character Mushu in the musical Mulan. He said learning the lines and the songs was challenging, but it all went so well and was super fun.
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Ammar Ghouse attended The Overlake School for high school. He is attending the University of Chicago and is considering pursuing an economics major. He has many favorite Eton memories but really enjoyed the DC trip in 6th grade because they got to see and do a lot in a short amount of time. Ammar had a lot of fun in the theater productions. They did "Ax of Murder" in 7th grade, and it was a blast to rehearse and perform (although he said they never really fully got through the script correctly and ended up improving part of the second act during the performance!).
Will Heutchy attended Eastside Catholic for high school. He attends Arizona State University and studies at the W.P. Carey School of Business. His favorite Eton memory was the Middle School field trip to Seattle to see the gingerbread houses and Spiderman movie.
Lydia Mazeeva attended Interlake High School. She attends Washington University in St. Louis and studies computer science and applied math. She has many Eton memories, but if she had to choose a few she would say the 6th grade trip to Washington DC, making gingerbread houses in STEAM class with Mr. Glatt, and the 8th grade projects.
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Zoe Robinson attended The Overlake School for high school. She is in her freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Zoe also has many good memories of Eton, but her favorite is probably the book fair and ice cream social. She loved being able to read a new book while eating ice cream on the playground!
Anna Rowell attended the International Community School in Kirkland. She is studying at Texas A&M University in the Mays Business School. Anna absolutely loved the trips they would take at the beginning of the school year from 4th to 8th grade. Her favorite was probably going to Mt. Rainier Institute. They learned about carbon sequestration and how to measure it, and they went on many beautiful trails and hikes. She also really enjoyed being in a cabin with Ms. Moore (former Eton Middle School teacher) because she let them watch some Liza Koshy YouTube videos before going to sleep!
Calling All Alumni and Alumni Families!
Although you have moved beyond the walls of Eton School, you are still part of our community!
For some of you, the memories of your days at Eton School are still fresh, and you want to maintain the connections and friendships you made while you were here. For others, a bit of time has passed, and you may want to reach out to reconnect with your friends and teachers or to catch up on how Eton School has developed since you left. Either way, you are essential to us, and we want to encourage and build your connection with Eton and the alum community.
Have some news to share? We love hearing about what you have been doing since you left Eton School. If you have alum news or want to stay in touch, please email your current contact information to our alum liaison at mmaling@etonschool.org.
In addition, connect with us on social media to stay in the know about news and events! Our social media channels are on the back cover! ❧
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Eton School’s Statement on Diversity
We believe in the worth and dignity of all people.
We learn, reflect, grow, and effect change through dialogue, education, and action.
We foster a community that acts with compassion, embraces discomfort, thinks critically, questions norms, and welcomes the world’s multiple perspectives.
We use our voices, challenge ourselves and others, and stand up for ourselves and others against injustice. We champion, cultivate, and celebrate all members of our community so that we all participate as our full authentic selves, and thereby become stronger in our shared diversity.
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