FAIS T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E F R E N C H A M E R I C A N I N T E R N A T I O N A L S C H O O L │ 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 21
CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE
02 Mission Review for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion...........................................................03 Featured Article: A Look Back on Distance Learning at FAIS...............................................04 FAIS in Action (Snapshot of Social Media Stories)...........................................................06 Virtual Community Gathering............................................................................................10 1979 Society....................................................................................................................11 Alumni Profile: Connor Reiten ('05)....................................................................................12 Alumni Updates.................................................................................................................14 Welcome from Scott Hardister, Head of School.................................................................
Flaunt your FAIS pride — gear up at our new online store! Is your kiddo low on non-PJs for school? Need to freshen up your top half Zoom attire? Choose from a variety of official FAIS apparel, housewares, and accessories — all online and on-demand, with free shipping on orders of $100 or more! Shop today at store.faispdx.org
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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear Friends, It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I quoted High School Musical in reminding us that “We’re all in this together.” Although the past year has been wildly challenging in so many unique and individual ways, I am incredibly proud of our students, faculty, staff, and parents. For how we pivoted so quickly, so many times throughout the year… For how we maintained our community spirit and connections… For how we kept our community safe and healthy… For our successful (and first-ever virtual) Gala last spring… But mostly, for how we kept “do what is best for kids” at the center of all of our decisions. The Board of Trustees and I have not wavered in achieving our goals and objectives we articulated this past fall, despite the pandemic. Our Lower School leadership structure has evolved -- with division heads now for both Maternelle (TPSKindergarten) and Lower School (Grades 1-5) -- enabling us to focus on our unique programs at each level. We have established a mission review committee to review our mission statement with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. We have reinvigorated our site committee to assess our current campus improvement plans and dream boldly into the future. These are some of the many Silver Linings (the theme of this year’s second-ever Virtual Gala) I think about as I reflect on the past year. The campus is filled once again with a joyful noise of students reconnecting with their fellow students as well as their teachers. Throughout our return to campus, I have been reminded often of a Parker Palmer quote from The Courage to Teach that captures the core of how much our teachers mean to our community: "Good teachers possess a capacity for connectedness. They are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects, and their students so students can weave a world for themselves. The connections made by good teachers are held not in their methods but in their hearts… the place where intellect and emotion and spirit and will converge in the human self." This quote seems more appropriate than ever. The connectedness we want to achieve each and every day, with each and every student, has been ever-present during distance learning, and it continues now as we all return to campus. I am excited for our traditional end-of-year celebrations, optimistic for a normal opening of school in the fall, and could not be more proud or humbled to be a part of the French American International School. Warmest regards,
Scott Hardister Head of School
SUBSCRIBE TO SCOTT’S BLOG! 1. Visit www.faispdx.org/ScottsBlog 2. Click the orange bell icon 3. Select Scott’s Blog, confirm your email, click Subscribe
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MISSION REVIEW for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
For 20+ years the FAIS mission of cultivating intellect and character through rigorous multilingual academic programs in an environment that promotes appreciation of diverse culture and experiences has served us well. Much has changed, specifically in this last year, and we've formed a task force of parents, teachers, administrative staff, and board members to update the mission to better address the needs of today’s modern, culturally diverse, and dynamic community. We're leveraging this team to also look beyond the mission and revisit the School's guiding principles and core values:
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
CORE VALUES
Develop global citizens Foster multi-language ability Shape active learners Deliver academic excellence
International mindedness Open-mindedness Integrity Collaborative community Creative inquiry
All of this review will be done through the lens of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). While this is a core tenet of who we are, we must accept the responsibility to truly do the work and seize the opportunity to engrain this commitment into our mission, boldly and with purpose. We can do this by centering this into our work so that it becomes second nature. We are also inspired to see sparks of this work already in action through selfempowered affinity groups at both the staff level and student level.
students sponsored by our Middle School counselor, led the initiative to include the LGBTQ+ flag among the current flags in the roundabout. The flag is temporarily displayed in the lobby of the administration building until we can gather in-person for a proper celebration to raise the flag as a community.
DICE (Diversity and Inclusion Community of Educators) is open to all staff via recurring virtual meetings to support celebration of diversity, provide a space for community engagement on equity, and inspire restorative practices. TIED (Tolerance. Inclusion. Equity. Diversity), a group of Middle School
In the end we want, we need, a clear and distinctive mission that evokes the core of who we are as a community and school. Something easy for everyone to remember, a check to which we can be held accountable, and a rally cry for the future. It's crucial to put the mission to work in every decision we make. When we ask ourselves "What does our mission call on us to do?"... the answer should be an easy one. We’re excited about this important work, and look forward to sharing progress with the community.
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A Look Back on Distance Learning at FAIS By Aaron Sewall, Pre-K parent and husband of FAIS First Grade Teacher Stéphanie Martin-Sewall
Distance Learning Started: March 17, 2020
Days of School Missed: 1
In March 2020, FAIS entered terra incognita along with the rest of the world as COVID-19 forced all schools to undertake a massive experiment: can students learn entirely online? Toward the end of the school year, we interviewed multiple families and staff from pre-K through middle school about their distance-learning experience up to that point. Now into a new year, and into our phased return to campus that began on February 8th -- with full in-person classes for PS-3rd Grade and half-day hybrid learning for 4th-8th Grade -- what have we learned about learning online? How does last year’s experience shape up compared to this new year? To provide some perspective, here are these families’ and teachers’ perspectives.
06 ADAPTATION From the parents’ perspective, they felt their children have adapted well to the online environment, especially older children who are digital natives and have plenty of experience manipulating screens and apps. They noted that younger children do need help learning to navigate apps—the School had started using the Seesaw app before the closure, but not to the extent it is currently used. The biggest adaptation for students has been the lack of interaction with their peers. FaceTime, Zoom, and social media are an ersatz substitute for actually being together. But, the lack of interaction hasn’t just taken a toll on students.
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I really missed seeing not only the kids but my colleagues who are a source of support and inspiration. GREG, FORMER 3RD GRADE TEACHER
SCHEDULE In the beginning, most teachers tried to keep up the same workload as they do in class, but it was unsustainable for everyone. Listening to feedback from students and families, the focus shifted from quantity to quality and balancing time away from the screen by working from a book, going outside, and staying active via art and PE classes. Even teachers with 20 years of experience had to adapt every single lesson to an online platform -- and re-adapt when some lessons didn’t work out.
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It has felt like being a first-year teacher all over again. MINDA, MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER
On a positive note, both students and teachers were grateful to be starting later. Parents noticed their children seemed more rested and ready to tackle schoolwork than when they have to wake up earlier to get to school on time.
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answering individual questions, leading to more one-on-one time than in the classroom. The biggest technological hurdle teachers witnessed was that if the students had difficulty opening a document or accessing an activity, they tended to throw their hands up and go on to something else.
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I like being able to wake up at 8 a.m. 2ND GRADE STUDENT
Teachers, too, appreciated starting a little later. However, lesson planning, Zoom calls, correcting activities, and responding to questions left many of them working until late into the night.
TECHNOLOGY In an attempt to create a virtual classroom, many teachers began with whole-class group Zoom sessions. However, they quickly realized that it was impossible to engage 20 or more students on a screen, and it was unproductive chaos. This evolved into smaller group sessions of four to seven students and short individual sessions. The increased one-on-one interaction was remarked by everyone interviewed as a major improvement. Teachers could focus on each student for 10 minutes, working on challenges or
When I have questions, first I ask my dad, then my teacher, and then I'll go on to the next activity. 4TH GRADE STUDENT
This led most teachers to focus their energy on adapting the lessons for one or two platforms maximum; the consensus was that learning time should be spent on the curriculum instead of learning how to access the curriculum. Nevertheless, once both teachers and students mastered the core apps—Seesaw and Zoom—they began to explore other possibilities. Third grade teacher, Nathalie, tried to set aside time to learn a new program every week, which she explored before deciding to introduce it to her students.
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It’s a lot of time in front of the screen, and that can be extra exhausting. But we do it because we want the kids to succeed, even in these difficult times. NATHALIE, 3RD GRADE TEACHER
07 LESSONS LEARNED What were some of the biggest takeaways from this experiment in distance learning? Children are incredibly resilient. Everyone was apprehensive about the unchartered territory of distance learning, but with the efforts of hardworking teachers, staff, and parents, this experience has shown just how adaptable and independent children really are. They are able to learn independently and manipulate technology easier than their parents who did not grow up digital natives. Given a chance, students will take the initiative and become autonomous learners, which is the ultimate goal of education in the first place.
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My younger ones needed more micro managing at the beginning, but once the schedule was established, they all were able to work relatively independently. KIM, PARENT (2ND, 4TH, 6TH GRADE)
Keep it simple. For both the technology used and the lessons taught through it, it is better to focus on quality over quantity. Trying to use a different app for each different activity takes up too much time for both teachers and students. Students may give up when frustrated, so it is better to adapt lessons to programs the students are already familiar with so that their time can be spent learning the material instead of learning to navigate a new program. It is also important to focus on everyone’s physical and emotional wellbeing to avoid burnout.
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We all needed to hear that it’s going to be OK. LUBNA, PARENT (8TH GRADE)
There is an adaptation period. Once learning patterns and a routine were established, it got easier. Despite the significant losses of not being on campus and missing the in-person connection with your friends or colleagues, there were also some significant gains. Distance learning offers one-on-one interactions that group learning does not. Perhaps the most positive tradeoff is the opportunity for teachers to focus on students and their individual needs individually. Each student is different, and each learns differently. Ten minutes with a teacher one-on-one can make a big difference for students who may be quiet in class or who are struggling in a group learning situation.
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I want to make sure the teachers have breaks too. FAIS STUDENT
Experiencing it firsthand as a parent, observing my child learn, witnessing my wife’s dedication as an FAIS teacher, and speaking with fellow families… there is no shortage of admiration for the work teachers undertook to provide our students with a sense of stability during such a turbulent and unprecedented time. Finally, there was also one sentiment that was common from all the parents: “Now we all understand why teachers have the summer off.”
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FAIS IN ACTION @faispdx
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PANDEMIC PARODY 3/25/20 Our middle school teachers found a fun way to wrap up the first week of remote learning for their students... a “Frozen” parody!
SHOW US YOUR MOVES! 4/3/20 Maternelle (preschool — kindergarten) music class normally includes a segment called "Show Us Your Moves"... so Music Teacher Dave Yeager compiled a video of his students, their parents, and their siblings showing off their dance moves (while staying home and practicing social distancing)!
BEHIND THE SCREEN WITH MISS MELANIE
HEALTHY SACK LUNCH DRIVE WITH BLANCHET FARMS 5/4/20 This past Friday, we teamed up with Blanchet House and Farm to provide healthy sack lunches for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Portland. Thanks to the support and generosity of 110 FAIS families, we donated more than 6,000 lunches -double what we expected! Blanchet House was able to share these lunches with partner organizations, including: Human Solutions (a women’s shelter), Right 2 Survive (who distributes lunches to homeless camps), and organizations working with the Joint Office of Homeless Services. Weren't able to participate? Looking for more opportunities to give back? Connect with Blanchet House to learn how you can help!
PM CLASS SPOTLIGHT: JOURNALISM 5/19/20
What does distance learning look like on the other side of the computer? Check out this time lapse of English and Music teacher Melanie’s 2-hour Zoom rotation with her 3 pre-k classes! Also, keep an eye out for a cameo from her cat, Garrus!
Distance learning isn't easy, for our teachers or our students. With all the hard work they're putting in during the school day, it's been extra impressive seeing the cool stuff coming out of our virtual PM Classes... including our student-led French/English magazine: Le Satellite.
Thank you to Melanie and all of our teachers for providing our students with stability and continuity during such an uncertain time. We hope you’re all enjoying a much-deserved Spring Break!
Bravo to our journalists and to instructor, Aurore Molerus, who have now published 3 editions through weekly collaborations over Zoom! Check out the latest edition!
7TH GRADERS CREATE AT-HOME CRIME MYSTERIES
TEACHER APPRECIATION
4/21/20
4/30/20 Who doesn't love a good detective story? 7th grade French track students created short stories of "at home" crimes -- from scene-of-the-crime and suspects to evidence examination, interrogation, and solving the case! Here's just one of all the great stories: Cambriolage de chaussettes (loosely translated: The case of the sock burglar).
5/12/20 THANK YOU to the PLC, room parents, and hundreds of FAIS families who created goodie bags of appreciation for every single teacher and staff member at FAIS. You all really outdid yourselves and we definitely felt the love!
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8TH GRADE GRADUATION
5TH GRADE CELEBRATION
6/12/20
6/18/20
Congratulations to our 8th graders! We’re so proud of all you’ve accomplished and persevered amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today was our 5th grade (virtual) promotion ceremony/drive-thru campus processional... and the official last day of the 2019-2020 school year.
We’ll be watching eagerly as you continue to develop into global citizens to help create a better and more peaceful world… now, more than ever.
While we’re disappointed COVID-19 prevented our students from experiencing a number of FAIS traditions, we’re especially grateful for the incredible partnership of our teachers and parents to still make this such a memorable year.
Thank you to all of our staff and volunteers for making this day so special, from braving the rain for the drive-thru processional to the virtual graduation ceremony later today.
Congratulations and enjoy a well-deserved summer!
LES PETITS ATELIERS FAIS WEB RADIO WINS 1ST PLACE!
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BAKE AT HOME WITH THE KIDDOS!
9/11/20 Want to do some baking with your kiddos this weekend? Follow along, as one of our first graders walks you through a recipe from class (merci, chef -- and thanks for sharing!). Bon weekend, and bon appétit…
MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING WINS AWARD!
9/11/20 Check out this welcome video (by PK teacher, Katia Lane) for Les Petits Ateliers—our special distance immersion program for our early preschool-PK kiddos!
6/16/20 Congratulations and Félicitations to FAIS Web Radio! For the second year in a row, our student-produced online radio program was awarded 1st place in the Mediatiks International Contest! Listen to episodes at www.faispdx.org/WebRadio
Thank you to all of our teachers, who have amazingly made this far-from-normal first week such a fun, exciting, and engaging experience for our students. Here’s one of many grateful families who feel the same way... “I conduct my Zoom calls not far from my daughter’s desk and hear her erupt with laughter constantly. We are so happy to be a part of the FAIS family and cannot express enough how grateful we are to have you all as her teachers. Thank you, Thank you!” -Annie + Jonathan
10/9/20 We miss all of you and look forward to seeing you again when it's safe to return to campus. Meantime, we're honored to have our new Middle School building -- designed by Hacker Architects -- recognized as one of 16 winning projects at the 2020 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Northwest and Pacific Region Awards!
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VIRTUAL AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
10/16/20
12/23/20
Each day from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, afterschool groups have the option to participate in fun, social, arts-based, and physically active activities. FAIS families — these are free! You can find the Zoom link in your child's Seesaw or in the Parent Portal.
From our kindergarten team (and on behalf of all of us at FAIS), we wish you a happy (and safe) winter break!
FAMILY ENRICHMENT SERIES: ANXIETY VS. STRESS 1/15/21
LIFT URBAN PORTLAND FOOD DRIVE 11/24/20 Thank you to everyone who participated in last Friday’s food drive with Lift Urban Portland! Six 7th grade student volunteers helped unload donations... Six families volunteered to drive donations to the warehouse... And 1,467 pounds of food was donated by FAIS families to further LIFT Urban Portland’s mission to help reduce hunger and improve the lives of lowincome residents in Northwest and Downtown Portland.
GIVING TUESDAY 2020 12/1/20 Thank you to everyone who has joined us today for GivingTuesday! Because of you, we’ve already raised over $15,000! We’re still tallying the number of new donors, but there’s still time to help us reach our goal of 79 new donors to the FAIS Annual Fund. With your support, we can demonstrate the depth of engagement and dedication within our community. Please give today: www.faispdx.org/give
Kevin Ashworth (founder of NW Anxiety Institute) joins us as part of our (virtual) FAIS Family Enrichment Series: "Anxiety vs. Stress: What's the difference and why does it matter?" Kevin will talk about the different types of stress and anxiety, how caregivers can help their children learn to manage stress and anxiety, and when to bring in some help. • •
Middle School families: Jan. 26th at 5:30pm Lower School families: Feb. 10th at 9am (during Parent Liaison Committee)
Keep checking Family News (Tuesdays) for Zoom links and more details!
FAIS BEGINS PHASED RETURN TO CAMPUS! 2/8/21 Toute Petite Section (early preschool for 2 1/2 year-olds) through pre-k returned to full days, five days per week. K/1st grade are starting with half days, and will transition to full days on March 1 (after ACE Week). We will continue to be cautious and diligent, so we can realize our plan to welcome back grades 2-3 (full days) and 4-8 (half-day hybrid learning) in March. It has been a long road to get here, but we did it together. Thank you to our facilities team, Nurse Amanda, and all of our teachers, aides, and support staff for being such amazing stewards of our community’s safety and well being... and for helping to provide our students with a steady sense of “normal” during a time that has been anything but normal. Finally, thank you to our families for their patience, partnership, and resilience. It truly is a privilege to care for your children and see them develop into global citizens who will help make a better, more peaceful world. This is Day 1 and a first step. But it’s one for which we are both joyful and grateful.
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FÊTE DU VIN This year’s unique, virtual Fête du Vin brought together eight vineyards and 200 guests to celebrate our community and winemaking in the Pacific Northwest. Guests picked up their tastings and experience from FAIS, and participated in a virtual tasting with winemakers as far away as Italy! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Hosmer Chiropractic Health James Dixon Architect FAIS Board of Trustees Firefly Photography Hacker Architects Matisse Capital Triplett Wellman Contractors Structured
(VIRTUAL) HOLIDAY MARKET RETURNS!
After six years, FAIS revived the tradition of the Holiday Market with a virtual marketplace. The marketplace featured student, parent, faculty, staff and community vendors, selling everything from linens to jewelry, soaps to honey. We look forward to an on-campus market next year!
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FAIS ANNUAL GALA PIVOTS TO FIRST-EVER VIRTUAL COMMUNITY GATHERING! In the spring of 2020, FAIS friends and family came together to celebrate our student art and raise important funds to support our community during this time of financial uncertainty. The FAIS Virtual Community Gathering, which replaced the annual gala due to COVID-19, drew over 180 families to participate and support the School. This community event was an opportunity to join together in a spirit of celebration and appreciation for the French American International School. Contributions during our Virtual Community Gathering supported keeping the FAIS community whole in two crucial ways: 1. Financial aid to retain current families and welcome new families. 2. An appreciation fund for teachers and staff — who pivoted on a dime to create stability, continuity, and a positive learning environment for our students in a time of chaos In the week leading up to the event, families drove through campus to see all of the student art projects — LIVE — from the comfort of their car at the Drive-Thru Art Gallery. This was a celebration of the hard work that all of our students put into the art projects throughout the year, and was a wonderful reminder of what we can create together. The virtual event was hosted by Johnna Wells of Benefit Auction 360, who created a wonderful flow and sense of engagement for the community. Families bid on art projects, entered the raffle to win a designated parking spot on FAIS campus, and gave generously during the moment of giving. The event raised over $200,000 for FAIS. Thank you to everyone for participating and continuing to support this wonderful community!
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THANK YOU TO OUR 1979 SOCIETY DONORS! In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we created the 1979 Society to recognize and celebrate the philanthropic leadership of our families whose combined annual giving equals $1,979 or more in a school year. FAIS invites you to become part of this group of leadership donors, whose annual financial support is the foundation of our Annual Fund. By placing FAIS at the top of your philanthropic priorities, you are making a tangible investment that has an immediate impact on the life of our school and students. Trish Brown and Cleveland Abbe Cecilia Reinig and Clinton Ambrose Bonnie Stewart and Norm Auzins Amy and Fred Bailey Sally Batz Sidal and Selim Bilgin Carol and Jason Booth Barbara and Christ Bouneff Debbie Marr and Jim Brayton Bruce Brundage Daniela and Andrew Caine Jocelyn and Armando Camara Dave and Eunice Conine Denisse Reyes and Matt Conine Ashley and Daryl DeLong Gloria and Jonathan Detwiler Erin and Daniel Dhruva Kathy and Terry Duryea Pramela Reddi and Jordan Fein Katey and Justin Flack Amy Duryea and Dan Friedman Diana and Will Fundak Kursteen Price and Scott Grady Barbara Gravlin Natalie and David Grunkemeier Anna McCoy and David Hansen Karen and Adam Harris
Kim and Chris Hasle Lauren and Geoffrey Hausheer Simone and Tom Helbling Danielle and Seth Hosmer Carolyn and Thomas Huff Stephanie McAndrew and Thomas Huff Tracy Wood and Andrew Hunter Randi and Scott Inukai Ruth Jaeger and Albert Kramer Jim Dixon and Charles Jenkins Michael Jessen June and Shane Kim Diana and Larry Koester Julie Falk and Zach Kramer Kelly Post-Lewis and Larry Lewis Jessica and Jordon Lubahn Jennifer and Aaron Martindale Lola McAndrew Barbara and Duane McDougall Joni and Charles McNeil Stephanie Fernandes and Ashok Modha Kelly and Elesban Montoya Allison and Mike Mosier Eloise and Conrad Murashige Susan Bryson and Laurence Nadel Noda Huynh and Toan Nguyen Laura Taylor and Eric O'Connor
Kim Patterson and John Ostrowski Fabrice Paillet and Hui-Ning Fung Gina and Barry Parshall Wendy and Edward Peskin Lubna and Fawwad Qureshi Colby and Peter Rauch Stacey and Derek Reiber Susan Reid Christine Chang and Eric Samuels Andrea Silano Sayers and Craig Sayers Mary O'Connor and Gabe Schiminovich Anna Scott Ashley and David Schaff Patti Shaffner Jordan and Jeremy Jordan Elizabeth Shaffner Tatyana and Scott Shaw Barbara and Philip Silver Patrick Sireta Sein Chew & Isaac Souede Mary Stout Jeanette and Matt Swafford Katharine and Johannes Tempelaar-Lietz Junel and Greg Unrein Marga and Cristian Vallejos Lillian Sun and Johan van de Groenendaal Robert Vines Amy Edwards and Brian Wieser Donors as of 12/31/20
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ALUMNI PROFILE
CONNOR REITEN ('05)
NAME: CONNOR REITEN AGE: 29 YEARS ATTENDED FAIS: 2001–2005 HIGH SCHOOL: JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND MAJOR/MINOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE / COMMUNICATIONS OCCUPATION: GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER AT NW NATURAL
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Last year, FAIS was thrilled to welcome our first alum to the Board of Trustees: Connor Reiten! Since graduating from middle school in 2005, Connor has enjoyed a career in politics and public affairs, while staying connected to the FAIS community as a coach for our athletic teams. We caught up with Connor to reflect on his time at FAIS, where his experience has taken him, and how it feels to come full circle from student to board member. What have you been up to since graduating from FAIS? I have a hard time staying too far away from FAIS. A few years after graduating middle school, I returned to coach the middle school basketball and track teams. Coach Ron and I have continued coaching together for the last 13 years. Outside of FAIS, I attended Jesuit High School and the University of Portland before getting started working in Oregon politics. I worked for several political campaigns, for Senator Jeff Merkley, and with a public affairs firm before landing in energy advocacy. I am now based out of Salem, Oregon while working in NW Natural’s Government Affairs Department. How has language immersion benefited you long-term? I didn’t come to FAIS until middle school and French did not come easily to me when I first arrived. The experience of working through those academic challenges is one thing that set my experience apart at Gilkey. When the teachers recognized that I was struggling, they put together a team that included the head of the middle school, Emmanuelle Burk, to help me improve. I don’t have as many opportunities to speak French. However, I still understand enough to be consistently reminded of the efforts put in by the School to help me succeed. The cultural piece of language immersion is also something that sticks with me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a multilingual and multicultural community that offered exposure to different cultures and perspectives. What are some of your fondest FAIS memories? Many of my best memories at FAIS are from my experience coaching. The opportunity to get to know the students and work on the athletics team with Ron Thomas and Jonathan Mascaut have been a highlight of my experience at FAIS. I also have wonderful memories from my time as a student. FAIS was and is such a close knit community, but it was so quick to make me feel welcomed as a newcomer in middle school. The opportunity to go on a trip each year (outdoor school, Seattle, and the international trip) was critical in building and growing that community.
Connor (center, holding basketball) as an FAIS student in 2003
People may not know this, but you’re our first-ever alumni member on the Board of Trustees! Would you share a little about your experience so far? It was an honor to be asked to serve on the FAIS Board of Trustees starting last year. The 2019-2020 school year did not lack for challenges, but we have an outstanding team leading the School through these unprecedented times. Their expertise made the transition to the board much easier! Head of School, Scott Hardister, and his team are the right group of people to guide us through this initial turbulence and into the future. If someone were to ask you why FAIS is special, what would you tell them? FAIS is a top-notch academic institution with a unique international focus. FAIS is where I learned to be an effective communicator, especially through writing. The academics put me and my classmates firmly ahead of our peers in high school and beyond. Those skills are still easily identifiable today. I could go on about the academic program at FAIS. However, what really makes the School special is the community. Being on campus is a special feeling that can’t be replicated elsewhere, and I’m excited for my kids to feel what it’s like to be a part of this community. You and your wife have a soon-to-be-preschooler. Not to put you on the spot, but should we expect to see a second generation Reiten at FAIS? Work has my wife and I stationed in Salem, Oregon at the moment. We hope to make it back in time for Elin to join the kindergarten class, but we are certain she will make it for middle school and be a Gilkey grad one day!
Want to see more profiles? Visit our Alumni Profiles page to view profiles from previous issues of FAIS Magazine!
16 Gilkey Class of 2019 Anthony Albelo Sunset High School Samy Anderson Lincoln High School Braden Arbuthnot Lincoln High School Bailey Armstrong Lincoln High School Bram Banik Westview High School Julian Blaine Wilson High School Andrew Boschert Edison High School Jonah Byars Lincoln High School Jentry Byrd Lincoln High School William Chamberlin Sunset High School Luke Chang Lincoln High School Cece Cole Lincoln High School Penelope Doulis St. Mary's Academy Jack Doyle Mountainside High School Paul du Peloux Sunset High School Ermias Fair Lincoln High School Liam Flinn Sunset High School Federico Fogliato Jesuit High School Audrey Friedman Sunset High School Zoë Garcia St. Mary's Academy Jonas Gellman Lincoln High School Eva Grunkemeier Jesuit High School Lucas Haughton Lincoln High School Sasha Hayward Lincoln High School Colby Herman Lincoln High School Dominic Hoar-Weiler Jesuit High School Jasper Hodgson Lincoln High School Alec Hrabal Lincoln High School Rachel Huffstetler Sunset High School Oli Jung Sunset High School Mira Kagan Cleveland High School Andrew Kashiwagi Asij High School Erika Kobrinsky Jesuit High School Quinn Koppelman Grant High School Nils Langen International School Carinthia Tabitha Lee Lincoln High School Taylor Levow Lincoln High School Melisa Mamakli Riverdale High School Cambell McMillan Jesuit High School Kareena Modha Lincoln High School Parsa Nasri Sunset High School Yara Pfeifer St. Mary's Academy Ashwin Pillai Lincoln High School Lucien Poncet Franklin High School Jason Putnam Arts & Communication Magnet Academy Smrithi Raj Westview High School Adeline Reid St. Mary's Academy Pete Renwick Lincoln High School Claire Rochelois Lincoln High School Julius Rockczar Sunset High School Sammy Sawtelle Lincoln High School Eirini Schoinas Lincoln High School Lily Segna St. Mary's Academy Parker Solodky Lincoln High School Reed St. John Lincoln High School Nathaniel Stoffels Sunset High School Che Sufuentes Catlin Gabel School Nina Syna International School of Beaverton Seth Taaffe-Levin Oregon Episcopal School Allan Tanguy Sunset High School Atticus Tong Grant High School Akira van de Groenendaal Catlin Gabel School Camille Weber St. Mary's Academy Jasmine Weesner Lincoln High School Keely Williams Sunset High School Sarah Zdebski St. Mary's Academy
ALUMNI UPDATES 1998
Katlyn Carter ('98): "I attended FAIS from pre-K through fifth grade, and it was such a formative experience for me. I went on to Whitford Middle School, Beaverton High School, and UC Berkeley for college. I majored in history, focusing on the French Revolution (which was possible due to the language skills I acquired at FAIS). From there, I moved to Washington, DC and worked in media relations for non-profits for a couple of years before starting my PhD at Princeton University. Since earning my PhD in History in 2017, I have held a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan and just started a job as an assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame. I teach the History of Early America and the Age of Democratic Revolutions, and I'm completing a book that examines the use of secrecy in government during the French and American Revolutions. FAIS equipped me with language skills that have been central to my career, curiosity about the world, a sense of empathy, and a love of learning that drove my life choices ever since I graduated. I could not be more grateful!"
2002
Meredith Peters ('02) attended St. Mary's Academy for high school, then graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 2010, with degrees in music and psychology. She is currently working at the Childswork Learning Center as a classroom teacher.
2004
Lia Dawley ('04) received a BA in Economics and Art History from Wellesley College in 2012, and is currently the Associate Marketing Manager for Consumer Packaged Goods at The Clorox Company.
2008
Alex Liem ('08) is currently studying for a masters degree in Aerospace engineering at CU Boulder and just won a Matthew Isakowitz fellowship and will be working for Virgin Galactic this summer. Alex Liem received his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was a member of the student-run Electric Vehicle Team and worked at SpaceX as part of his degree. Most recently, he completed an internship at the Aerospace Corporation and is currently pursuing a MS in Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU Boulder with a focus on Bioastronautics. Alex is passionate about human spaceflight, and, after getting his degree, hopes to return to the space industry to help create new destinations in space (and the means to get there). In his free time, Alex enjoys exploring the outdoors and eating good food.
2012
After graduating from Jesuit in 2016, Mia Baudey ('12) took a gap year and traveled throughout Europe and then through Egypt and Hong Kong before ending up in Sydney, where she worked an internship at TELSTRA Australia. Mia returned to the US to attend Boston University (taking study abroad programs in Sydney and London), from where she will graduate this May with a Major in Film Production, a Minor in Art History and a Minor in Psychology. Mia is moving to New York in August, where she will start her career in film set design. Adin Becker (’12) graduated from Pomona College in 2020, and is currently working as a senior consultant for We All Rise Portland. After travel restrictions are lifted, he will be studying small Jewish communities in places like South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe through the Watson Fellowship.
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2013
Meagan Lo ('13) will be graduating from Seattle University School of Nursing in June.
Jackson Reed ('13): "Currently in my last year in the School of Journalism at UO, I am beginning my job search in hopes of finding work in the ad industry by the time I graduate."
2014
Maya Fernandez-Powell ('14): "I am currently attending Georgetown University where I am completing a degree in the Walsh School of Foreign Service. I am pursuing a major in Regional and Comparative Studies with a concentration on Western Europe, a minor in French, and a certificate in Diplomatic Studies. I play Division 1 women's soccer and I am a varsity member of the Georgetown women's soccer team."
2015
Oscar Baudey ('15) went to Jesuit and the Lycée Jean Périn, Lille, France to pursue soccer. He came back to Jesuit and graduated in 2019. He left the US to play for Almere City, The Netherlands in June 2019. He had to return to the US again due to COVID in March 2020, after which he saw his only path to soccer was through a US University. He had 11 offers from DIV 1 Colleges and accepted CalPoly, where he has been since June 2020. He studies Nutrition and is doing very well. Oscar still has his sights set on a professional soccer career, whether in the US, France, Holland, or Australia! Adam Blaine ('15): "Currently remotely attending classes at Western Washington University from here in Portland. Gone from that student that did zero work to a three time honor roll student at college in only 4 quarters. Spending time with my significant other and our elderly cat. I use he/him and they/ them pronouns now, but prefer they/them." Conor Fahey ('15) graduated from Lincoln High School with full IB Diploma in 2019. He has been attending the University of Washington where he will majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences with an emphasis in social and behavioral sciences. When he is not studying, Conor continues to enjoy playing basketball with his friends. Morgan Prichard ('15) recently graduated from high school as the salutatorian of her class of 400, and will be entering Penn State with their honors program in the fall with a major in architectural engineering.
2016
Marilyn Chow ('16): "After leaving FAIS, I moved to California during my sophomore year of high school. Throughout high school I continued my passion for classical ballet alongside my studies, and danced pre-professionally with Ramon Moreno School of Ballet. I am now looking to pursue a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of California, Davis! Because I love being a mentor for other students, I am hoping to become an Orientation Team Leader for incoming freshman next year. The close-knit yet diverse community at FAIS fostered my curiosity, growth, and excitement in learning that I bring to college with me today. In my free time, I like to cook, bake, read to my younger sister, discover new ways of working out, play the piano, ukulele and guitar, and recently have been experimenting with other forms of dance including improv, ballroom, and contemporary. I miss the FAIS community very much, and am thankful for all that I experienced and learned here."
Gilkey Class of 2015 Sasha Agapiev Emilia Alonso Dane Andersen Evie Babbie Oscar Baudey Kyla Becker Kai Billingsley Adam Blaine Zachary Bosworth Hannah Bradley Jesper Braun Jan Charatan Reid Chen Savannah Corradini Declan Cruz Chella Davidson Lach Davidson Eva de la Fuente Conor Fahey Cole Gotcher Elena Hockensmith Caroline Hrabal Jillian Hunter Jalen Javurek Natasha Jourdan Sophia Kemp Isaac Knox-Warshaw Tillie Knox-Warshaw Markus Lampka Maddie Lo Hanson Ma Harrison McLain Kiva Mitrea Gabriella Mon Belle Nima Nasri Jax Nicoloff Rose O'Neill Aidan Parshall Lauren Phillips Julien Plomion Otto Portzline Morgan Prichard Oliver Prince Capucine Rosier Elijah Russell Maggie Satchwell Patrick Schreiner Riya Sivakumar Jade Strapart Che Che Swanson Angela Tipton Kostia Tumanoff Zoe Uhlig Eva van Hameren Carmen Vintro Benjamin Wahba Catherine Walker Eliot Wallace Lucy Weber Asher Wheeler Declan Whitcraft Kalina Winstead Kari Zimmerman
New York University Pitzer College unknown at time of publication University of Puget Sound California Polytechnic State University University of British Columbia unknown at time of publication Western Washington University unknown at time of publication Cornell University University of Oregon Pomona College Duke University unknown at time of publication Reed College Whittier College unknown at time of publication Oregon State University University of Washington unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication Santa Barbara City College University of Oregon Clark Honors College unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication University of California, Berkeley unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication San Diego State University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute unknown at time of publication Minerva Art Academy unknown at time of publication University of Oregon Northeastern University University of Puget Sound Oregon Institute of Technology Loyola Marymount University Oregon State University unknown at time of publication Pennsylvania State University unknown at time of publication Portland State University unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication Technische Universität Wien Pomona College Whitman College unknown at time of publication Kent State University unknown at time of publication University of Oregon University of Oregon Barnard College at Columbia University unknown at time of publication Kenyon College Berklee College of Music unknown at time of publication Gonzaga University University of Oregon Chapman University unknown at time of publication
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ALUMNI UPDATES
Gilkey Class of 2016 Gilkey Class of 2020 FaridaIsabelle Abdelmoneum Anderson Sunset High School Parker Barnett Lincoln High School Rianne Aboumengel Amber Barthes Jesuit High School Delaney Armstrong LilyArunkumar Berruyer Beaverton High School Anshul Siena Borshukova Lincoln High School Tim Barthel Lincoln High School CollinMariella Barton Brayton Beatriz Broadfoot St. Mary's Academy Alexandra Beall Jonas Brodsky Lincoln High School Batiste Bergstrom Daniel Capuia Cambridge Rindge & Latin School Ishaan Bhutani Heinrich Carey Lincoln High School Greyson Bruder Ravi Chandran Sunset High School Christian Chang Saphina Chisek-Singh St. Mary's Academy Henry Channell Krissy Clifton St. Mary's Academy Sriya Chinnam Juliette Cohen Arts & Communication Magnet Academy Marilyn Chow Lola Conner Grant High School Sienna Francis Cordova Sebastian Lincoln High School Max Garcia Aidan DeLong International School of Beaverton Helena Garzotto Patrick Denney Central Catholic High School Eden Jordan GotcherDonegan St. Mary's Academy Anousha DilanGreiveldinger Fein Lincoln High School Kaitlyn Gresham Lauren Fin Lincoln High School Arthur GrisotFitzgerald Athena St. Mary's Academy Isabella Grunkemeier Charlotte Galton Lincoln High School EmmaEva Gurcan Garzotto Catlin Gabel School Rachel Haughton Chloe Gilmore Lincoln High School Tom Hockensmith Oliver Gutbezahl Jesuit High School Herman Lincoln High School GabeGus Hodgson Hintzman Jesuit High School NicoleAshelie Hopman Helena Westview High School Margot JaffeHuipe Benjamin Jesuit High School Sydney Jensen Jarmon Catlin Gabel School Ailey Campbell Johnson Keys Sunset High School CyrusKahina KaganKhazem Sunset High School Niko Clara Kang Kingsbury Toby Knobbs Sunset High School Béatrice Kelly Susanna Lincoln High School Rohan LalwaniKramer Lisanne Kuchela St. Mary's Academy Caroline Lee Raiden La Rowe Lincoln High School Amelia Leonard Marta Loceniece St. Mary's Academy Talia Lippincott Sophie Luzier Grant High School Clara McIntyre Liam Madison Riverdale High School Maddie Murphy Max Marsal Central Catholic High School HanaElizabeth Nakamura-Daya Marshall-Hendrix Grant High School AbaniAlexander NeferkaraMatthews Oregon Episcopal School NikitaMorgan Novokhatniy Matthews Oregon Episcopal School CarlyCatherine O'DonnellMcCandless Madison High School Cole O'Donnell Ryder McCoy-Hansen La Salle College Preparatory School Isabelle Packham Alma Miller Cleveland High School Alesandra Pardini Nola Miller Lincoln High School LucasNina Pejovic-Nezhat Mitin Lincoln High School AislynXavier Putnam Mollet Southridge High School Max Renwick Lucas Nims Lincoln High School Maneli Lincoln High School Addison RileyNunez Liberty High School JacobElisa RootPain-Cook Surya Jesuit High School Mayah SalhiPanyam JennaScates Patterson St. Mary's Academy Alexandra LuccaSchemel Pies Sunset High School Frederick Aidric Prevost Lincoln High School Spencer Schuh Julia Seiple Sunset High School Nazlee Shahidzadeh Ellewyn Swafford St. Mary's Academy Margot Sims Ton Jesuit High School NicolePriya Stoffels Daphne Voutsas Collège Honoré de Balzac Allison Thigpen Mei Walters Cleveland High School Molly Townes Carmen Wehbe Sunset High School Alexander Voutsas Vincent Weidler Lincoln High School Sivanny Walz Rafe Westlund Lincoln High School Evan Joshua Wehbe Widdows Catlin Gabel School Jack Wentzien Ava Woodbury Sunset High School Lena Riley Werner Yoo Lincoln High School Sudeeksha MasonYadav Zimmerman Jesuit High School
2016
Sienna Francis ('16): "I got my IB diploma at Cleveland High School while continuing my French and Chinese. I started my bachelors at Washington State University, majoring in psychology and criminal justice."
Margot Jaffe ('16) attended Riverdale High School and graduated with honors, class of 2020. While there she was active in Mock Trial, Model U.N. (became the first committee chairperson from RHS), traveled to India on a service learning project and also went to the capitol to tutor immigrant children in English. She finished her French language studies and spent a semester studying Russian on a Templeton scholarship at Lewis and Clark College. Margot is currently enrolled in George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Max Garcia ('16) is finishing up his first year in the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon, doing a double major in Global Studies and Romance Languages. He completed the full IB Diploma at Lincoln last year, so he already has enough college credits to be considered a sophomore. He's planning to take advantage of that extra time to do a study abroad at some point.
Abani Neferkara ('16) One of four recipients of the Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship from Council of the Great City Schools, Abani graduated from Lincoln High School as a National Merit Scholar, an Outstanding English Scholar, and one of his class valedictorians (4.0 throughout all four years). He also received an IB Diploma, the Seal of Bi-Literacy, and was honored with the national President's Award for Educational Excellence and the David Bailey Scholarship (named in honor of a past Lincoln High School teacher). Abani is in his freshman year at Brown University, studying molecular and cell biology.
Isabelle Packham ('16) graduated from Sunset High School in 2020, and is currently attending Southern Utah University, majoring in Theater and Psychology.
Lucas Pejovic-Nezhat ('16): "I went to OES High School. I continued with French and picked up Spanish too. I was a captain of the OES basketball team (with 2 friends). We won State Basketball Championship in February 2020, just before everything shut down because of Covid. I got accepted to LMU—my first choice. I am in Business school at LMU."
Aislyn Putnam ('16): "Since graduating middle school, I’ve been up to more than a couple of things. I continued to play soccer into the first two years of high school, and even picked up a couple of new sports: lacrosse and softball. Using our 8th grade production of Shrek the Musical Jr., I sang "I know it’s Today," to audition for my High School's production of Something Rotten. I’ve also been branching out in my languages, and have started studying Korean now that I’m in college. And of course always working on improving my art in my free time."
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2016
Lena Werner ('16): "After FAIS, I went to Westview High for half a year and then me and my family moved back to Germany, where I finished high school in 2020. Now I'm currently doing a volunteering year at a special education school for kids with mental disabilities and learning difficulties and after that, I'll start studying in Bamberg to become a middle school teacher and school psychologist."
2019
Bram Banik ('19): "Just living the normal high school life at Westview, although learning has been very different due to the quarantine environment."
Andrew Boschert ('19) is a sophomore at Edison High School and takes several classes at Jesuit High School through their hybrid program. He was student of the year in 2020, for English and World History. He was involved in Jesuit's Technical Theater and worked back stage on many productions. He enjoys acting and had several roles in the Freshman Ensemble play. He is continuing Epée and Foil Fencing at the NW Fencing Center.
Gilkey Class of 2016
Spencer Schuh ('16) is studying for a Business Administration Major at University of Oregon on the Summit Scholarship.
Andrew Kashiwagi ('19) moved to Tokyo, Japan with his family after graduating from FAIS, and is attending ASIJ (The American School in Japan).
Jason Putnam ('19) was featured in the NW Film center short, Forgive us Our Debts, directed by Howard Mitchell. The film was shown with Dawn Porter's John Lewis: Good Trouble, as part of the Zidell Yards Drive-In Movies series.
2020
Heinrich Carey (’20) has grown five inches during quarantine! He is a freshman at Lincoln High School, where he continues to study German and Spanish. He recently passed the DSD1, a German language certification that prepares participants for study in Germany, where his cousins, aunt and uncle live just outside of Munich.
Alumni news was shared with FAIS over the course of the past year. We apologize if some details are no longer current. Want to update your information? Don't see yourself in the updates or lists of schools? Share your story with the FAIS community: www.faispdx.org/AlumniUpdates
Farida Abdelmoneum Rianne Aboumengel Delaney Armstrong Anshul Arunkumar Tim Barthel Collin Barton Sasha Beall Batiste Bergstrom Ishaan Bhutani Greyson Bruder Christian Chang Henry Channell Sriya Chinnam Marilyn Chow Sienna Francis Max Garcia Helena Garzotto Eden Gotcher Anousha Greiveldinger Kaitlyn Gresham Isabella Grunkemeier Emma Gurcan Rachel Haughton Tom Hockensmith Gabe Hodgson Nicole Hopman Margot Jaffe Sydney Jensen Ailey Johnson Cyrus Kagan Niko Kang Béatrice Kelly Rohan Lalwani Caroline Lee Amelia Leonard Talia Lippincott Clara McIntyre Maddie Murphy Hana Nakamura-Daya Abani Neferkara Nikita Novokhatniy Carly O'Donnell Cole O'Donnell Isabelle Packham Alesandra Pardini Lucas Pejovic-Nezhat Aislyn Putnam Addison Riley Arthur Rosier Arthur Rosier Mayah Salhi Frederick Schemel Spencer Schuh Nazlee Shahidzadeh Margot Sims Nicole Stoffels Allie Thigpen Molly Townes Alexander Voutsas Sivanny Walz Evan Wehbe Jack Wentzien Lena Werner Sudeeksha Yadav
unknown at time of publication University of Washington Washington State University Baylor University unknown at time of publication Santa Clara University University of Colorado Boulder unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication University of Colorado Colorado Springs unknown at time of publication Case Western Reserve University unknown at time of publication University of California, Davis Washington State University University of Oregon Clark Honors College gap year, University of San Francisco unknown at time of publication University of Notre Dame unknown at time of publication University of California, Berkeley unknown at time of publication Whitman College unknown at time of publication University of Oregon unknown at time of publication The George Washington University Tulane University University of Oregon gap year, Whitman College unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication University of California, Santa Barbara unknown at time of publication Carleton College unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication Oregon State University Honors College Brown University gap year University of Oregon University of Arizona Southern Utah University unknown at time of publication Loyola Marymount University University of Oregon unknown at time of publication Lincoln High School University of Oregon unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication University of Oregon unknown at time of publication unknown at time of publication University of Hawaii University of San Francisco gap year Ecole Polytechnique Fédéral de Lausanne unknown at time of publication University of Wisconsin – Madison University of Oregon Clark Honors College gap year Georgetown University
NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE
PAID
PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO 2035
8500 NW Johnson Street Portland, Oregon 97229 USA
RETURNED FOR IN-PERSON CLASSES FEBRUARY 2021 Preschool − 3rd Grade
TRANSITIONED FROM HYBRID TO IN-PERSON APRIL 2021 4th − 8th Grade
To our faculty and staff, who have been diligent stewards of our safety and well-being... To our families, who have shown incredible patience, partnership, and resilience...
FAIS IS BACK ON CAMPUS! ALL GRADES. ALL DAY. ALL WEEK.
THANK YOU | MERCI | DANKE | XIE XIE | GRACIAS
Connect with us at our Virtual Admissions Center!
It has been a long, unexpected journey -- but one we continue to travel together, as a community.
Schedule a 1:1 Zoom meeting View a campus photo tour Register for a virtual group visit
Know someone looking for the right preschool, kindergarten, or middle school? Invite them to discover why immersion is so much more than learning another language at FAIS: Portland's longest established immersion school and only IB school for preschool-8th grade.
faispdx.org/VirtualAdmissionsCenter
LANGUAGE IMMERSION | INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) | PRESCHOOL - 8 th GRADE
