Connect: A Magazine for the Eton School Community Vol. 8 No. 1

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

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 .

Russell Smith, Head of School

Unity in Diversity: A Spotlight on the Strength of Community

by Laurren Chase, Director of Equity and Belonging

Last 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)

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.❧

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. ❧

by Alice McNeer, Director of Communications and

Marketing

Maria Montessori: Visionary and Rights Advocate

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. ❧

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.

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

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

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

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

The World of Eton: More Than a Celebration

by Laurren Chase, Director of Equity and Belonging and Monica Maling, Director of Development

Formerly 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

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. ❧

2023 Una Voce

All-School Concert

Building Community Through the Annual Fund

by Monica Maling, Director of Development

Every 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! ❧

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 President

by You!

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.❧

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.

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.

Vice-President: Kimble Luu

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.

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.

Treasurer Bohan Shao

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.

Volunteer Coordinator: Padmavathi Thimmappa

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.

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.

Congratulations Alumni: 2023 High School Graduates!

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.

Eton School's Class of 2019 (l to r): Will Heutchy, Ian Craig, Steven Zhang Ammar Ghouse, Zoe Robinson, Matt Yang, Natasha Konvisser, Lydia Mazeeva, and Anna Rowell.

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.

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! ❧

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.