BULLETIN
VOLUME XXXIII, 2017 - 2018
A COLLECTION OF VOICES FROM OUR PARENT COMMUNITY
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OVERTURES
he year Far Brook turned 70 was the year I watched my daughter complete her journey here with both joy and melancholy; the year that snow days led to a rare and magical Morning Meeting performance of Stabat Mater; the year that our community and our nation stood up as one against gun violence; it was the year of several disconcertingly warm winter afternoons and a shockingly frigid first day of spring. It was, like so many other years at Far Brook, marked by learning and growing, by song and poetry, by nature, by celebration and by contemplation, by gratitude. Gratitude for what this School instills in our children and what it inspires them to give back to the world. May it continue to do so for many, many generations to come. Happy birthday, Far Brook. Hope Chernov
Nick P., Eighth Grade
For valentine’s day, a ‘loving’ morning meeting By koonam aurora “Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” Mother Teresa
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here was something very special about Morning Meeting that day. It may sound cliché, and rightfully so, because love enveloped Moore Hall and permeated the air. I have attended many a Morning Meeting, but this time I felt something different that stirred my soul. As I sat in the back of Moore Hall by the windows, I took a deliberate and mindful moment to glance over at all the faces I could see from my vantage point, the most memorable being Amy Ziebarth’s smile as she watched the morning’s presentation. Fifth Grade teacher Jaimee Cowen and Learning Specialist Jennifer Haakmat narrated a beautiful showcase featuring Mildred and Richard Loving. The Lovings were an interracial couple who, in 1958, married in Washington, D.C. but lived in Virginia, where their marriage was illegal; they were arrested but released on the condition that they leave the state. They subsequently moved permanently to D.C., but, frustrated that they could not visit family in Virginia, they eventually sought help from the ACLU. Finally, in 1967, The Supreme Court unanimously overturned the Lovings’ convictions, ruling that the ban on interracial marriage was unconstitutional. Their 2
Grace, Eighth Grade
touching, inspiring story was matched only by the culmination of the morning’s presentation: photographs that introduced us to the diverse families that make up our Far Brook faculty. It was so beautiful to see our rich school culture through the lens of love and the fabric of acceptance.
they would tell us countless ‘loving’ stories and fond memories that each child, alum, and faculty member has no doubt experienced. Love has many meanings and many faces and, in the end, it conquers all!
Far Brook is celebrating its 70th birthday this year. If the School walls could talk,
Wylie, Third Grade
Zeke, Kindergarten
Nursery 3
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Far brook first impressions Nursery and Kindergarten families new to our community share special moments from their first year at Far Brook.
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knew Zeke was loving Far Brook after the first month when he said, "Mom, can I go to Far Brook next year?" Then, a month or two later he again said, "Mom, can I go to Far Brook next year?" I said, "Yes! That's the plan!" To which he then asked, "How long can I go there?" "Until Eighth Grade," I replied. He took a moment and then said, "I want to go after Eighth Grade too." I told him I'd see what I could work out... :) - Kate Dawson
Olamide, Eighth Grade
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e: Tell me about your day.
Sebastian: Oh mummy, it was so good. We did so many fun things. Honestly, I don’t think my life could get any better. Me (to myself): Mission accomplished. Aidan, Kindergarten
-Rebecca Stokes 4
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he other day Bryce and I were hanging out together and he said to me, “Mom, you know you can send kind wishes even to yourself!” I said, “Really? Where did you learn that?” “From my teachers,” he said, “Karen and Danyel.” Then he put his hand on his heart and said, “May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be strong.” Then, “WHOOOOOSH!” (to ‘send’ it to himself). He then repeated the kind wish: “May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be strong … WHOOSH!” and ‘sent’ one to me also.
Yuxin, Fifth Grade
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My heart was full! Witnessing him give the kindness and confidence to himself was so touching and inspiring. Being a recipient of the ‘kind wish’ sent straight from his heart felt amazing!
e: What did you do at school today? Monte: We had breathing time.
Me: Breathing time? What is that?
-Mara Berger
Monte: You know, you shake the globe and the glitter comes down and you breathe and when the light goes out it’s over. Me: Do you like breathing time? Monte: Yes. Me: What do you like about breathing time? Monte: It makes me CAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLMMMMMM. -Jenny Dahlen Grace, Kindergarten
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his morning after I packed Rosie’s backpack and we were about to leave the house, Rosie quickly grabbed her rabbit and told me, “Mommy, I am INSPIRED by Luca yesterday, and I want to bring this to school to share with my class.” Me: Inspired? (I am surprised by her vocabulary.) Rosie: Yes. Luca shared his story yesterday, and I am inspired by him. I want to share my story about my bunny with my friends too! -Lili Zhu
Katie, Eighth Grade Jada, Third Grade
Emma, Second Grade
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A far brook student, now a far brook parent By Rebecca Wildman repetti ’93
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s a Far Brook Alumna, I’ve been asked many times why I came back to the School as a parent and, more so, what it feels like to watch my children experience Far Brook. I always think I’ll have a good, succinct answer for these questions, but inevitably, my response is rambling and emotional. And that’s because my experience as a Far Brook student then and as a Far Brook parent now is multilayered, emotional, and changes with every new year. Sawyer, Sixth Grade
Thinking about my son Nathan’s time this year in Second Grade, there are many wonderful aspects I could mention, far too many for this space really. What stands out most for me, however, is how I am starting to see the person he is becoming. I know this is due in large part to the love and guidance of his teachers (Megan Gottlieb and Ashley Barnes), not to mention his preceding years at Far Brook. I see the coming together of almost four years of learning about both himself and how to be a part of a
community; how to care for other people and their feelings, and how to grow into a kind person who cares about the world around him and wants to do his part to make it better than how he found it. Second Grade is filled with many special experiences – Alien Night, class trips, the kids’ first performance for Instrumental Music Night – but the standout for me was Family Share. During Family Share, 7
each child gets to talk about what makes his/ her/their family unique and interesting. At first, when thinking about the task, I honestly worried we wouldn’t have anything terribly exciting to talk about. But once our family started discussing it, the purpose of the assignment became very clear: we all have something important to share, and we all bring our unique selves to the groups we are a part of – and alter them accordingly just as they change us. Family Share is therefore a perfect illustration of Second Grade: each child is amazing in her/his/their own way, each has something important to give to the world, and each is a small but integral part of a big universe. It’s in this way that Second Grade fits beautifully into the Far Brook journey I so hoped my children would have – being guided to discover themselves and their voices while simultaneously being encouraged to care about the community and world around them. What parent wouldn’t return, if given the chance?
Reagan, First Grade
Louisa, Sixth Grade
Matthew, Fifth Grade
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Cultivating pride at far brook By Kosha brightwell-massal
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or the past two years, Far Brook School has played host to twelve New Jersey independent schools that gathered for a day-long conference. Widening the Lens (WTL) brought together teams from each school comprising teachers, administrators, diversity coordinators, board members, alumni, parents, and students, all of whom met in ‘pods’ to explore and work collaboratively towards furthering a collective understanding of issues and practices relating to diversity; through discussion and brainstorming, the schools crafted ‘action plans’ that seek to broaden and improve inclusion within their school communities. The focus of the most recent WTL in November of 2017 was LGBTQ+: Illuminating the Spectrum and Cultivating Pride. Parents of current Far Brook students – of which I was one – volunteered as scribes and discussion facilitators, attending trainings to prepare for the conference. A crisp Saturday morning featured a keynote address given by New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow, during which he touched upon his painful personal history as well as his advocacy efforts for LGBTQ+ children. I was moved to tears; moreover, it made me reconsider the struggles of my LGBTQ+ friends and family in ways that I hadn’t before. 9
Tyler, Eighth Grade
Breanna, Seventh Grade
After the keynote in the music building, the group dispersed and reassembled into smaller discussion sections all over Far Brook’s campus. As a facilitator of a parent pod, I was impressed by the participants’ sincere and thoughtful expressions, and the collective desire to know and understand more. I learned so much from the dialogue, namely that we all share the hope for our children to be able to fully express all aspects of themselves in a safe, compassionate environment. Perhaps more importantly, I felt that our group had generated concrete, implementable ideas towards fostering more inclusive school communities that recognize the diversity of all of our children, as they come to us, and as they evolve.
Lara, Eighth Grade
Eye-opening and invigorating, the conference was a reminder of why I love Far Brook so much. I came away with a deeper appreciation of our caring, forward-thinking faculty and staff, all of whom seek to develop intellect as well as character, that of our children and our larger community.
Samiyah, Seventh Grade
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I survived my daughter’s trip to D.C. By Neil marks
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he Sixth Grade classroom was abuzz with excitement for the Washington, D.C. trip, and my mind was abuzz with concern for Louisa, our absent-minded daydreamer. Easily distracted, she can get lost between her room and the kitchen. So along with the opportunity to visit the Newseum, the Museum of AfricanAmerican History, and the Capitol, would be the opportunity to get lost somewhere in between.
Nicole’s response was quick: No, she wasn’t; she was hiding out in the back of the picture. Admittedly relieved, I had also shown my hand. Over the next two days, updates from the chaperones rolled in by text and email. Louisa at the museum. Louisa at the hotel. Louisa at the food court. I knew more about her whereabouts in D.C. than I would have were she at home.
Needless to say, the trip was a fun, educational success. Museums, Soon after the group’s arrival in D.C., monuments, Cory Booker, Bernie Nicole Engelke sent an email with a quick Sanders, and a cooking class to top it off update and a couple of pictures. The first – all under the watchful eyes of Amy photo showed a smiling group of students Ziebarth, Valerie McEntee, and Mike and chaperones – but no Louisa. Maybe Chodroff, whose care extends to each and she was in the bathroom, maybe she was every Far Brook student. They showed taking the picture. It didn’t matter; against similar care and concern for a crazy Far my better judgment, I replied and asked Brook parent, as well. Nicole if Louisa was indeed missing.
Zachary, Eighth Grade
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Journeys: second grade to seventh By sirlene montenegro
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have two daughters at Far Brook. My oldest is in Seventh Grade, and I find myself focused on her current experiences at School, such as activities and academic progress, not to mention the fear and excitement that comes with planning for ‘life after Far Brook.’ I tend to forget the years during which this now young woman was growing up little by little, with enthusiasm, joy and fun, each step, one by one, leading up to now: the penultimate chapter of her Far Brook journey. When I turn to my younger daughter, a Second Grader, she is chatting excitedly about planets and constellations, games, the playground, and a thousand other things that her older sister has already experienced. I can't help but compare the trip to the planetarium of Second Grade to the Seventh Grade trip to Montréal; the simple math to advanced algebra; the ripped pants that the younger fashioned while crawling on the ground pretending to
be a puppy, to the newly-purchased rain pants that prepared my Junior High student for hiking at Pok-O-MacCready. I could go on, but the interesting thing is that the balance does not tilt to one side or the other; each trip and adventure offers experiences equally beautiful and valuable. Every year, Far Brook extends pathways to our children that cultivate the best in them, nourishing their minds and souls with memories wonderful and unique. For me, many feelings arise…nostalgia, that I most likely will not see my Seventh Grader doing pirouettes on the playground like she used to; pride, as I listen to her converse with adults, in awe of her security and maturity; joy, to see how she has grown into a much more independent young lady; and excitement, so much excitement, imagining the many dreams and goals that lie ahead for both of my daughters as they continue their journeys, through Far Brook and through life.
Nursery 4
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El Viaje: De Segundo a Séptimo Grado
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Por sirlene montenegro
engo dos hijas en Far Brook. El tener a mi hija mayor en Séptimo grado, me hace enfocarme en sus actuales experiencias escolares, actividades, progreso académico y ese miedo y a la vez emoción de saber que es hora de planear su ‘vida después de Far Brook.’ Por instantes tiendo a olvidar los años en los que esa joven de Séptimo Grado fue creciendo poco a poco, con estusiasmo, alegria y diversión, cada paso, uno a uno, llevándola hasta donde se encuentra ahora: el penúltimo capítulo de su viaje por Far Brook.
de lluvia para mi estudiante de Junior High, listos para una caminata en Pok-OMacCready. Podría seguir mencionando muchas cosas más, pero lo interesante es que la balanza no se inclina de un lado o del otro; cada viaje y aventura ofrece experiencias igualmente bellas y valiosas. Cada año, Far Brook extiende caminos para nuestros niños y niñas que cultivan lo mejor de ellos, nutriendo sus mentes y almas con memorias maravillosas y únicas.
En mi, muchos sentimientos afloran… Nostalgia de que probablemente no veré mas a mi niña de Séptimo Grado haciendo Cuando volteo hacia mi hija menor de piruetas en el patio de recreo como solía Segundo Grado, la encuentro emocionada hacer; orgullo, al escuchar sus hablando de planetas y constelaciones, conversaciones con adultos y darme cuenta juegos, el patio de recreo y miles de cosas de su seguridad y madurez; alegría, de ver más que mi hija mayor ya ha como ha crecido y se ha transformado en experimentado. No puedo evitar comparar una joven mucho más independiente; y el viaje al planetario de Segundo Grado con emoción, mucha emoción imaginando los el viaje a Montréal en Séptimo Grado; la muchos sueños y metas que están por venir simple matemáticas con el álgebra para mis dos hijas mientras continúan sus avanzada; los pantalones rotos de mi hija viajes, a través de Far Brook y a través de menor al gatear pretendiendo ser un perrito, sus vidas. con los recién comprados pantalones
Nursery 4
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Dottie: Friend to the third grade By nadina gugliemetti
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y daughter, Eva, was a new student at Far Brook this school year. Entering the Third Grade, she was nervous about making new friends and feeling at home in her new classroom. We were worried that she would miss her old school, but from day one she was excited about Dottie. Dottie is a land turtle. She doesn’t require extreme care, but she does need some involvement by the kids in Third Emy, Second Grade Grade. She is supported and beloved by the students, each participating in Dottie’s well-being by spraying her with comfort and a way to create dialogue with new friends; but over time, Dottie water to keep her hydrated, or even by has become a reminder of the taking her home during school breaks. responsibility we can take for other At times, Dottie joins the classroom. She living animals, and the shared takes a bath in the sink and loves to eat, appreciation for nature and all its especially when she gets bits of the kids’ wonders. lunches, which they share with her every If you are ever near the Third Grade day. classroom, stop by and say hello to Dottie is a special member of the Third Dottie. She loves visitors. Grade class. For Eva, Dottie provided 14
homecoming By Jason Cortés During the year while we are safe, warm and secure at Far Brook, many of our families are impacted by difficult, sometimes tragic events occurring in other parts the world. Jason Cortés provides us a glimpse of his family’s homecoming.
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Takeoff
lthough the weird smell had dissipated, we were still covered in the sweet mint glaze used to chase away the last bits of frost from the airplane’s wings. “They should call it Jet Green,” I murmured to myself, thinking to share the joke with the rest of the family. Matías and Lola were busy, though; a buffet of movies and TV shows was waiting to be devoured and the Fasten Seatbelts sign was the license they needed to dig in. Bon appétit! And my wife, Lydia, well, she had already buried her eyes in In the Time of the Butterflies, trying to ignore all the commotion preceding takeoff. I figured I would do some reading myself, but who am I kidding; didn’t I just say there was a buffet of movies and TV shows right at my fingertips? But I’m good, I’m good… in about three-and-a-half hours we would be home, and that’s all that mattered.
Nursery 4
Colin, Seventh
It was quite a production to get us here. We had been concerned with Matías missing rehearsals for Philoctetes. But with drama director Jim Glossman’s inventive troubleshooting and Fifth Grade teacher Jaimee Cowen’s support, we were able to put those concerns to rest - though we all got homework. Ah, Far Brook, our home away from home… Oh, here we go. Thor: Ragnarok, dubbed in Spanish! What a treat! I nod to Matías as to alert him to my discovery. “Isn’t it awesome!” I say. “Puerto Rican Thor.” 15
a name for himself weaving stories of immigrant life in NYC. My kids have been playing his music for years – I’m sure we are not the only Far Brook family to experience this – and we were of course listening to the soundtrack as I drove to the theater.
Puerto Rico Home. Things haven’t been great back home for a while now. Hurricane María struck the island on September 20th (2017), destroying what was already a crumbling infrastructure and testing the limits of our optimism. Up here, cruising the friendly skies, none of this matters. You know what I mean - it matters, but it doesn’t. Six months after the hurricane, we are finally coming back home, and that’s that. I look over at Matías and he doesn’t look too happy. Apparently, Puerto Rican Thor is not as funny as he imagined. We hit a few bumps, enough for Lydia to look up from her book and Lola her screen. The woman next to me (let’s call her Mrs. White Knuckle) grabs the armrest with all of her might and, squinting, tells me, “Ay nene, estoy loca por llegar.” Oh boy, I’m dying to get home. No worries, Señora. We’re almost home.
When you’re home The street’s a little kinder When you’re home Matías and Lola were going all out! We were laughing and singing (ahem... I, of course, was not doing either), and yet, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad. After all, even if In the Heights is ultimately a show about hope and finding one’s place in the world, Doña Claudia, the grandmother,
Home About two weeks ago, we all went to see a college production of In the Heights, LinManuel Miranda’s musical homage to the Latina/o community of Washington Heights. Before tackling the life of Hamilton (the immigrant founding father), or laying tracks for Moana, Miranda made 16
Indie, Fourth Grade
dies without ever having returned to her home in Cuba after a lifetime of hard work and dire straits. And the neighborhood changes, giving way to gentrification, with the majority of the characters moving away.
the beach, at the plaza, at the park; and welcoming the sunrise every Saturday morning with San Juan in the rearview mirror. I have memories of abuelas of centenarian age and memory, who would tell you fantastic tales and make you Don’t get me wrong, you will still laugh fantastic dishes - for each crease and fold in my grandmother’s skin there is a with the show and most likely come recipe, a dish, a story. This was my away humming a song or two. But you see, like some of those characters, I have Puerto Rico, the one I wanted my wife and children to know and love. And they memories of a home that is not there do. anymore. I have memories of kids running down the streets eating mangos, The clapping brings me back. Maybe you quenepas, guavas, and bananas directly know this already, but Puerto Ricans love from the trees; playing basketball in the to clap when the plane lands. Welcome to blazing heat; going to music festivals at San Juan, Puerto Rico. The time is 12:04 pm and the temperature is 82 degrees. “Llegamos, nene, llegamos.” I know, I know, we’re finally home. Some people commented on the blue FEMA tarps, others, are just happy to see the blue sky. There is something special about that Caribbean sky, light everywhere! And then I look at the row next to mine. Lydia, Lola, and Matías are stretching and wondering aloud about abuelita Sonia (I hope my mother is ready to pick us up). The three of them – my family – and me enjoying their curly-haired beauty, their bright chocolate eyes. Then it hits me. Home is wherever you are, Harry, Second Grade home is what you are! 17
Far brook reflections By eighth grade parents
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harlotte came to Far Brook in Sixth Grade and was very concerned about transitioning to a school where everyone seemed to know one another. One day, she turned to me and said, “Thank you. I love this school and I'm so happy to be here.” It was a great moment for all of us.
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yler has always been on the quiet side. When he first came to Far Brook in First Grade, I can remember Joan (Angelo, now retired) and Erin (Comollo) saying he would spend long periods of time on the swing at recess, swinging by himself. Each year, little by -Allison J. Busch-Vogel little he made gains on this front. Over time, our shy boy developed more ur journey is filled with so confidence with each presentation in many special moments. We Morning Meeting, each musical will always treasure the performance, the class plays, the many sweet, harmonious joy of Morning Meeting, where it seems like times stands still as we tenderly sing our way to common ground; songs that are whimsical and reverent making us smile, laugh, and even cry. It is truly a Far Brook thing…. time waits while we pause and breathe, preparing us for the day. Like my sons Nicholas and Ryan, Zachary will take Simple Gifts with him and it will always bring him back to his days at Far Brook.
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-Gina Jacobs-Strain 18
Maya, Fourth Grade
oral presentations, the abundant classroom discussions, and the numerous opportunities for leadership, particularly in Junior High. I can remember thinking as we entered Eighth Grade that the one missing piece was for Tyler to continue to come out of his shell a little more. Imagine my surprise this fall, when the Eighth Grade performed two plays of Thornton Wilder. In The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden, Tyler played the role of the dutiful dad. He was truly larger than life onstage, poised and humorous. I couldn’t believe my eyes that this was my quiet son from First Grade. He had a confidence and swagger that astounded me and brought laughter to the audience. The kind, incredibly patient encouragement of his teachers year after year finally brought him to this moment. A true Far Brook moment! -Ali Headley
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ar Brook will always have a special place in our hearts. We watched Lara change from the shy 45" tall Kindergartener into the inspired young adult of today some 9 years and 20" later. Here we are at the end of a road, looking back and remembering all the small and big moments that make us love Far Brook. The sense of community, camaraderie, continuity, and respect will always stand out as the base for all that is good at Far Brook. Some favorite moments to remember: finding haikus hanging around campus and reading each of them; or the sense of generosity, simplicity, and gratitude permeating the Thanksgiving Processional; one day in Kindergarten when Lara came home declaring she would like a sandwich and immediately noticing how Shakespeare would have said it more eloquently; Lara bringing
Toby, Kindergarten
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home poems written in the wetlands on a misty fall day; and finally, Lara in Eighth Grade, reporting happily on having had a hug from a friend in Nursery. These snapshots are only a small glimpse into a much larger landscape full of magic and wonder that defines almost every day at Far Brook.
prepared, engaging, and confident—it was my first time watching a Far Brook performance and I was impressed. After school, I asked Miller what he thought of the show and he said, “How did they learn ALL of those words? I didn't really understand it, but they were great!” That moment truly seems like yesterday. Now in Eighth Grade, he's about to prepare -Bob and Madalina Blanton for A Midsummer Night's Dream, and his hen Miller entered Far 10 years here have more than prepared Brook in Nursery, I him to be successful in this performance thought it would be fun and beyond! to be a PCC (Parent -Katy Burns Committee Council) volunteer, so I wrote for the Bulletin. My first ick started Far Brook in assignment was to review the Sixth Fifth Grade. From the first Grade play, Coriolanus. The class was day till the last he’s always known what a gift it has been. I remember many times he would come home and say, “I just love the way they teach.” The memories and friendships he’s made with classmates and teachers will stay with him for the rest of his life. What a gift, we are forever thankful and grateful.
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Sophia, Fifth Grade
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-Missy Perry he thing that has resonated with me the most at Far Brook is the emphasis placed on the positive interaction
between the older students and the younger students. I know when Aidan was in Lower School, he was always really excited to interact with the Junior High students and would light up when they would know him by name and talk to him. I was at School one day this fall when Aidan was spending time with the Nursery class; I got to see him walking around campus holding hands and talking to two of the Nursery students. It was such a touching moment - I felt like I was seeing his entire Far Brook experience flash before my eyes. It seemed like only yesterday when he was that young Nursery student. -Valerie Grant
Emma, First Grade
Ansel, First Grade
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remember visiting Far Brook for the first time. I walked into Morning Meeting and watched a parade of children of varying sizes, all of whom seemed much older than my threeyear-old daughter, enter the room and sit very quietly. Murray Lopdell-Lawrence (then Head of School) stood in front of the group and said a few things. He was followed by someone - I am going play it safe and guess it was Ed Solecki (Junior High teacher) - who read a poem. Then, Mr. Artz (Director of Music) stood up and everyone sang. It was incredible. And it kept going. One song led to another, then another, and at least one more after that. And of course, this was done in rounds. First two parts, then four, and finally, eight. I wondered if he ever went for sixteen? Aside from being utterly amazed, I was sold. I wanted to get up, go home, and finish the application immediately. Fortunately, my wife was sitting next to me and stopped me from committing the faux pas of leaving early. More than a decade has passed since that day and I can hardly believe that Hannah, who estimates she has attended 1,800 Morning Meetings, only has a few
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remaining. While all this time has passed, ick’s involvement in we have watched her and the rest of the Thanksgiving Processional Eighth Grade students get taller. But more is the one of the most importantly, they have learned how to enduring memories we’ll think, how to be observant, and how to take from Far Brook. It captures what’s so appreciate each other as well as the world great about the school: community, around them. generosity, creativity, and reflection...a real gift to kick off the holiday season. Amy likes to thank us for trusting the school with our children. But when I -Chris Perry consider all of the talented, dedicated, and or their first Thanksgiving kind people we have encountered since Processional when Georgia and Hannah first entered Bill Deltz’s Nursery Charlotte were in Nursery, each class, I couldn’t imagine her being were paired with Seventh anywhere else. Grade girls. They absolutely adored each And I suspect the next parents to other and it was the beginning of a long experience their first Morning Meeting relationship that included frequent hugs will come to feel the same thing. when they saw each other at school and -Scott Gallin years of babysitting long after the older girls left Far Brook. In addition to those friendships, we got to know their families, attended their performances outside of Far Brook, and ten years later, I am still in touch with their mothers. These kind of relationships and connections have been the essence of our time at Far Brook.
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-Elyse Post '78
Langston, Third Grade
Nursery 4
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Far Brook Bulletin staff EDITORS Jennifer Barba Hope Chernov
LAYOUT Joan Burr Janice Cherkis
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Alisha Martinez
Lily V., Seventh Grade
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Irene, with Liv, Olivia, Saaliha, and Sawyer, Sixth Grade
Inside this issue: Overtures by Hope Chernov
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For Valentine’s Day,
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by Nursery and Kindergarten
by Neil Marks Journeys: From Second Grade to Seventh by Sirlene Montenegro
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El Viaje: De Segundo a Séptimo Grado 13 por Sirlene Montenegro
Families A Far Brook Student, Now A Far Brook Parent
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To D.C.
A ‘Loving’ Morning Meeting by Koonam Aurora Far Brook First Impressions
I Survived My Daughter’s Trip
Dottie: Friend to the Third Grade 7
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by Nadina Gugliemetti
by Rebecca Wildman Repetti ’93 Homecoming Cultivating Pride at Far Brook by Kosha Brightwell-Massal
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by Jason Cortés
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Far Brook Reflections by Eighth Grade Parents
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