Graland Today by Graland Country Day School

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Students and Teamwork

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AY D Wagner started by sharing his belief that teaching is no longer AN about content knowledge alone. There’s no competitive advantage to simply knowing more, he says, because information itself is readily available through various resources. After interviewing countless experts, professionals and employers, Wagner identified several competencies, CENTURY or “survival skills,” that students need to succeed in the future. LEARNING CENTURY LEARNING “It’s a ‘buyer’s market’ for employers,” Wagner says. “They are looking for flexible, A Y D adaptable, creative problem solversNwho take D Ainitiative. They want innovators.” CO UN T RY AL

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Wagner says teachers often reward individual achievement but innovation is a team concept, one that Graland has adopted. “I truly believe our emphasis on collaboration in multiple subject areas separates us from all other schools,” says James Foreman, dean of Grades 5/6 and diversity

LEARNING

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GRALAND COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Newest Master Teachers Page 2

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Family of Artists Page 8

Alumni - 11 LEARNING Donors - 12

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A crowd of faculty, staff, parents, guests and OUNTRone Y D young Ceven D AY AN alumnus spent an evening in April absorbing the ideas of Dr. Tony Wagner, an education expert and author of Creating Innovators. He shared several ways teachers can develop an innovative mindset in children. It begs the question: How areCENTURY Wagner’s ideas being LEARNING implemented as Graland considers our students’ future success?

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As far as historic moments go, Graland is on the verge of a big one. Our seventh graders and their chaperones are taking flight to Washington, D.C. soon where they will tour our nation’s capitol city for a perspective on American history. “This year our theme in seventh grade is ‘engaged citizens,’” explains history teacher Beth Gaffga. “This trip will culminate our studies of freedom, the founding of the United States and democracy.” The itinerary for the adventure is packed with one-of-a-kind excursions. Students will visit Gettysburg where they will tour a battlefield, museum and visitors center. They’ll also have lunch at the historic McPherson family home (built in 1875) where Beth spent childhood summers. “I love Gettysburg,” Beth shares. “It’s such a cool, sacred place because of the history. We just studied the Civil War and examined Lincoln’s

Education Expert Shares Insights OL ® AT G RA HO L SC

Grade 7 Launches Inaugural DC Trip

APRIL-JUNE 2014

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“I have definitely realized long lasting friendships with other Graland parents thanks to the GPA.” - Incoming GPA President Lisen Kintzele, see story page 14

Master Teachers Earn Inductions

At Graland Country Day School it is our mission to: Achieve intellectual excellence, build strong character, enrich learning through the arts and athletics, and prepare our students to be engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders. Ascende Omnem Montem GRALAND’S GUIDING PRINCIPLES Pursue Excellence Guide Critical Thinking Instill Integrity Inspire Leadership Promote Independence Stimulate Innovation Honor Individuality Cultivate Compassion Embrace Experiences Celebrate Perseverance Value Tradition Build Community

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The Master Teachers class of 2014 includes two longtime instructors who reached the 20-year mark at Graland. On April 18, the entire school will assemble to honor science teacher Andy Dodge and Spanish teacher and service learning coordinator Christi James.

Christi James, Spanish Teacher and

Spanish teacher Christi James was trilingual by the age of 5. “I can remember myself as a kindergartner in Mexico saying goodbye to my mom in English, greeting my friends on the playground in Spanish and walking into my classroom where the teacher only spoke German,” she says. That multicultural start helped prepare Christi for a lifetime of experiences that have shaped her life and her career. Today, she reflects back on more than 20 years as a Graland educator with a new title: Master Teacher.

Teaching Graland Today is a monthly publication of Graland Country Day School Volume 3, Issue 4 Send correspondence to: Associate Director of Communications Graland Country Day School 55 Clermont Street Denver, CO 80220 communications@graland.org graland.org

Every teacher has her favorites – favorite grade levels, that is. Christi’s is third grade, where the Colorado curriculum is so much fun to teach. “The teaching is so rich and the kids are ready linguistically to learn,” she explains. “They learn about Colorado wildlife, so we bring native animals into the classroom. We eat our way through the Graland garden while learning about native plants and vegetables. The third grade Spanish unit on Colorado is some of the best curriculum writing I’ve ever done.”

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Andy Dodge, Teacher, Sports Coach, Gates Co-Director In what ways has Graland supported your professional goals How do you keep yourself motivated or engaged in teaching? over the years? The kids take care of that! Not only are they completely different Graland has always been supportive of any professional each year, they are constantly changing and growing throughout development (conferences, etc.) that I have taken. the year. There is such a variety of personalities, strengths, (Most recently, those have included a week-long challenges, and opportunities for learning, that it is hard iPad training at Harvard University, a visit to not to be energized and inspired by them. Faculty Fact: Andy collaborate with a new and growing Gates has a sociology degree with What has your 20+ years of experience taught program at the Cardigan School in New an English minor. He has you about being an educator? taken multiple roles at Graland Hampshire). Starting this summer, I will be One of the reasons I love teaching is that it is including Grade 3 classroom pursuing a graduate degree in Educational teacher, Grade 5 trip coordinator more art than science… a craft that can never be Leadership. (La Foret) and coach of girls’ truly perfected. There is always so much to learn What is your favorite Graland tradition? Why? basketball, tennis and from others and areas to grow, both personally and lacrosse! I may be biased, but the annual Gates professionally. Competition represents some of the most inspiring What do you find the most interesting about science? growth that I’ve seen in our students over the years. Done right, science is an endeavor of inquiry and discovery, and I believe that its real world approach to allowing young is perfectly suited to the curious and inquisitive minds of middle inventors the time to struggle, fail, innovate and persevere on school students. I always look forward to teaching astronomy, their own through a challenging problem is a very important as its base of knowledge is ever growing and changing. When model for learning. students begin to grasp and understand certain elements, it You met your wife Meggan when she was a teacher at always has a big “wow” factor. Graland. What’s the story? How has Graland’s science curriculum improved with the In 1998, our team put together a search committee for the recent changes? Grade 5 English/History position. A number of Graland people While always strong, I feel that the current science program has approached me, unsolicited, to recommend a current support benefitted greatly from all of the work completed last year by teacher, Meggan Reddy, as an excellent candidate. Meggan was the Science Task Force. We now have a program that is more ultimately hired and became a crucial member of our team. comprehensive and intentional in its scope, better bridges the After working closely with her for two years, I began to develop work of Lower and Middle schools, employs more hands-on some personal feelings for her (click to read the long version of engineering, and better prepares our students to think critically the story). about the scientific issues facing our future.

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Service Learning Coordinator

Service Learning

Besides working as an enthusiastic foreign language teacher, Christi also coordinates the school’s service learning program. “Service learning at Graland is so authentic and purposeful and empowering,” she says. “We expose children to the needs of the world so they can use their resources and time to do amazing things.” Christi models what she teaches. In 2012, she received a summer sabbatical grant from Graland to volunteer for two weeks in Guatemala, a country she had studied and taught about for 20 years. “It was a gift,” she says. “To go there as an educator and work in cross-cultural activities with other educators was life changing.” Faculty Fact: In 2010, A lifelong learner, Christi is now Christi was awarded the working on a master’s degree at Regis Excellence in Teaching University with a focus on curriculum Award from the Colorado and instruction. When her classroom Congress of Foreign teaching days are behind her, she wants to Language Teachers. help other educators build bridges between lessons and the real world.

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KINDERGARTEN RODEO Friday, May 9 8:20 a.m. Assembly in Fieldhouse 9 a.m. Games on Preisser Field

GRADE 2 BIOGRAPHY TEA Friday, May 16 8:30 a.m. in Anschutz Commons

Summer Fun Guide Graland’s summer program is a great way to keep students connected and learning through the warm days ahead. We have camps for ages 3 and up, including just-graduated eighth graders. Check out the catalog and register for a camp today!

LOWER SCHOOL

Little Kid, Big City Inspired by Nature Drama Yama Beginning Lacrosse for Boys Local Heroes Chinese Ballet Festival of Fairies Kid Coders Life’s a Zoo The Science of Playgrounds The Ten Bakery Reading Rainbow Soccer

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Chinese Ballet An Art Experience Skateboarding Hemispheres (overnight camping trip) Lacrosse Skills Camp Brainpower! Soccer Spanish Language and Culture

GO LEARN

Lower School News Wonder. It’s the title of a song that inspired a book that now inspires Graland’s fourth grade. In late February, students began a literacy unit designed around Wonder, a book by R. J. Palacio. The book’s protagonist, August Pullman, is a fifth grader with a severe facial deformity. When he transfers into a new school, he wants to be treated like a normal boy but finds his classmates struggle to accept him. The story allows students to exercise their developing vocabulary, reading and writing strategies while examining their views about people who are “different.” “Wonder reflects the whole idea that it’s more important to be kind than to be right,” explains fourth grade teacher Ashleigh Finn. “We see acts of unkindness in the book and we can go in-depth during our discussions because these students have a background with their special needs buddies.” Students were not only engaged in the story, they practiced literacy lessons like compare/ contrast, sequencing and character analysis. They learned to be active readers by annotating the text so they were prepared for classroom discussion. They used blog technology to participate in online discussions. And this year, students added a crossdepartmental aspect; their spring concert featured the lyrics used to begin each of the book’s sections. “I love teaching this book because there are so many ways to add to the lesson,” Ashleigh says. “The title is so new that I’m designing lessons around the literature and creating resources for other teachers who want to use it in their classrooms.”

Which fourth grade teacher is retiring after 26 years at Graland? TURN TO THE BACK PAGE TO FIND OUT!

For the third year, fourth graders campaigned on campus to end use of the words “retard” and “retarded” as part of their yearlong special buddy program with Project Unify, a program of the Special Olympics of Colorado. “Spread the Word to End the Word” is a national campaign held every March that asks people to stop saying the “R-word” as a way to create more accepting attitudes and communities for all people. At Graland, the campaign is a student-led initiative that lets fourth graders decide the strategies. In the past, they have created campus posters, presented at an all school assembly, talked to Middle School advisories, made a media pitch and advocated for students to sign a pledge online. “The theme for fourth grade is empathy,” shares teacher Jessica Rowe. “We spend the year talking about looking outside our own lives and how our choices affect others.” The “R-word” campaign allows students to advocate for their special needs friends in a way that will make their buddies’ lives better.

Sam Loewi Unified Neighborhood Games FRIDAY, MAY 2 10-11 a.m. Ceremony in the Fieldhouse 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Games and Celebration on Preisser Field

GO LEAD

GO HELP

FOCUS ON GRADE 4 Fourth graders enjoy new responsibilities as leaders of the Lower School. For one, students in Luayne Lambert’s class are the only students allowed to raise the flag each school day. “They understand flag etiquette and take their jobs seriously,” shares Lisa Ross, Grade 4 teacher. “Mrs. Lambert talks to them about the importance of representing our country and taking pride in our traditions.” Another place you’ll find fourth graders leading is during Lower School assemblies. A boy and girl from one class are selected for each assembly to act as the event hosts. They meet several times before school and during recess with Parthenia Williams, teacher services coordinator, who helps them understand and practice the script. “They love this job and will practice over and over until the assembly,” Lisa says. “When they step up to the microphone, you can see they take pride in being the older students.” Finally, fourth grade is the first time students become the big buddies in Graland’s Buddy Program. They work throughout the year with kindergartners, who look at them as the “rock stars” of Lower School. “You see many kids change as soon as we walk into the kindergarten classroom,” Lisa says. “They realize they’re in charge and they need to set a good example.”

Grade 4 Families: Middle School Transition Night TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 6:30-7:30 PM FRIES FAMILY THEATER Josh Cobb, head of Middle School, and his team of deans will help you prepare to send your child to Grade 5. Join other parents for an informational time of sharing.

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Middle School News

GO FURTHER

Big Ideas Bring Student Success One of Graland’s goals is to develop well-rounded students who discover their passions and pursue their dreams. Of eighth grader Sam Cohen we can say, “Mission accomplished.” Sam graduates this June after arriving at Graland in kindergarten and taking full advantage of all the school offers in terms of academics and experiences. He was inducted twice into the Permanent Art Collection, ran cross-country for two years, served as a student spokesperson at admission open house events and the list goes on. His legacy, though, may well be his mark on the Gates Invention and Innovation Program. “I started thinking about inventing in fourth grade when I knew I could compete the next year,” Sam remembers. “I decided to make an invention that captures light from an outside source and recycles the light with a battery and a light bulb.” It was a big idea that was a bit above his head. “I didn’t really know what I was doing, and the invention was a disappointment,” he says. “It didn’t work and I didn’t make it into the finals which was pretty devastating.” The setback motivated Sam to work harder on his idea, which he calls Light Sense. “The next year, I won first place. The biggest thing was winning a patent nod so I can pursue a patent for Light Sense.” The following year, in seventh grade, Sam took a break from working on Light Sense to invent Bike Bot. He won third place for the product that senses when a bike on top of a car might hit an overhead object like the garage door or a low tunnel ceiling. In his final year with the Gates program, Sam elected to continue working on Light Sense before filing his patent request, a decision that required him to retire from the competition since no winning invention can be entered twice. “Light Sense finally works exactly like I want it to,” he says humbly. “Because of the Gates program I have a better understanding of what I can do as a person. Gates taught me that if I work hard at a specific task, even if I get hundreds of things wrong, I could get one thing right. That lesson can be applied to school and life. You’re going to face problems every day. Just focus on one thing and fix it, then move on.” Sam will need his own wisdom when he heads off to Kent Denver next year for high school. His ultimate goal is to develop aircraft design as an aeronautical engineer. With his Graland education, intelligence and persistence, it’s only a matter of time.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TOP INVENTORS!

GATES COMPETITION 2014 6

GRADES 5/6 DIVISION

1st

Rachel Colson & Sofia Palumbo Hugs of Hope Blanket

Pardun 2nd Emory Mago-pull - Patent Nod Goldberg Grav-WASH-ity 3rd Sophie

GRADES 7/8 DIVISION

1st

Matthew Romo-Nichols & Chase Street LAX ‘EM - Patent Nod

Greenwald 2nd Oliver Thermo-Hand Valentine In2ition 3rd Bruce

CLASS OF 2014 HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT 15%

Cherry Creek High School Colorado Academy East High School George Washington IB Kent Denver Regis Jesuit St. Mary’s Academy Other*

6% 19%

7% 19%

19% 11%

*Schools Include: Alexander Dawson School, Bishop Machebeuf High School, Cherokee Trail High School, Deerfield Academy, Front Range Christian High School, Mullen High School, St. Xavier (Ohio), Thomas Jefferson High School, Vail Mountain School

CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED ACADEMIC OR EFFORT RECOGNITION FOR TRIMESTER 2!

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Grade 7 Launches Inaugural DC Trip

dilemmas, the compromises he made to keep the Union together, his family struggles and his political struggles. We looked at how the Reconstruction would have been different if Lincoln hadn’t been assassinated.” Other stops on the trip include D.C.’s various war and presidents’ memorials. They’ll also visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Library of Congress and Capitol Hill. Students will have time for a little fun with a theater night and advisory dinners designed to celebrate a year of bonding. Finally students will participate in a Model Congress where they’ll learn about how laws are crafted. Safe travels, Grade 7!

Academic Awards Alex Alijani Ellie Bain Austin Barish Jackson Dean Hannah Finke David Geldzahler Oliver Greenwald Josh Hankin

Averie Hughes Eliza Kornfeld Mitch LaRocque Will Morris Lena Schneck

Effort Awards Alex Alijani Oliver Greenwald Eliza Kornfeld Hannah Siegel

Andy Sevilla Hannah Siegel

Grade 8

Academic Awards Lila Arnold Grace Berlind Caoimhe Bryant Will Caulkins Julia DellaSalle Lily Dines Angela East Izzy Haifleigh Tucker Hamilton Ellie Levine Jacqueline MacDonald

Ketan Mandava Katie Neal Sophia Rase Ady Richards Evan Rumsfeld Anna Scott Nathan Tormaschy Maria Jose Urbina Gonzalez Charlie Wallace

Effort Awards Grace Berlind Caoimhe Bryant Julia DellaSalle Angela East Tucker Hamilton Ellie Levine Gracey Mounsey Katie Neal CJ Polzin Ady Richards Evan Rumsfeld Nadia Solorio

GOING BY THE NUMBERS

Grade 7

64 Students

10 Chaperones

Days (April 28-May 2)

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Good Genes: Graland’s Family of Artists At the recent Scholastic Art Awards ceremony, the host surveyed the large crowd of friends and family and said, “If you have ever won a Scholastic Art Award, please stand.” Only two people did. They happened to be the proud grandparents of three more award winners: Patrick Berzins, Grade 8, and his sisters Clare ’10 and Caroline ’11, along with Bridget ‘18. The Berzins children clearly have artistic genes working in their favor thanks to talented grandparents. But, more View more importantly, their parents Mark and Margaret thoughtfully instilled a creative Berzin artwork mindset in their home that allows them graland.org to express themselves in unique ways.

A Culture of Creativity “Margaret was always a stickler for no TV at home,” Mark explains. “Creativity is one of those things you have to exercise, and it’s easy with technology to have your imagination made for you. We have always had a project room in the house with lots of paper, crayons and markers, canvas and paint.” The family also serves together with the Art Students League of Denver, a nonprofit organization that offers art instruction. Mark was the board president and is a lifetime member while Clare and Caroline are youth representatives on the at board. “We’ve tried as a family to support causes that bring art to low-income youth because I really believe creative types will rule the future,” Mark shares.

Clare, Curator of Art Appreciation

Caroline, Art Explorer

Clare is the oldest of the siblings, a senior at East High School. She won a Silver Key for the past two years in the Scholastic Art Awards contest and has one piece in Graland’s Permanent Art Collection. She likes to draw portraits in pencil or marker; this year’s winning art was a simple drawing of a man’s face with a crown. Moving on from Graland to East High School four years ago, Clare was struck by the blank, white walls surrounding her. “It was hard to know there was an art program at the school,” she says. “East is so diverse; it was counterintuitive to have so much emptiness on the walls.” And so, like an artist facing a blank canvas, she was inspired to create a program similar to Graland’s Permanent Art Collection. Thanks to her persistence, the school is now planning its third community event called the Arts Walk where students’ visual and performing art is showcased. As a result, there are 16 new pieces of permanent student art, including one of Clare’s, decorating the halls at East.

Now a junior at East High, Caroline has the most art honors of the siblings with a Scholastic Gold Key, Silver Key, two honorable mentions and three pieces in Gralad’s Permanent Art Collection. She likes to work with watercolor and markers. Like all creative types, she sometimes needs a muse. “At Graland, there was a lot more direction in art class,” she explains. “We studied artists and genres and got inspiration from books. At East I’m more on my own. My way to deal with artist’s block is to look around me and draw inspiration from nature and photography. I doodle a lot. Sometimes I get into a phase where I try to perfect one thing, like a certain type of flower.”

SPRING ARTS CELEBRATION AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL Friday, April 11, 3:15-5 p.m. It’s a sure sign of spring when this annual event rolls around. Don’t miss your chance to peruse Graland student artwork while enjoying a refreshing ice cream treat! Roadmap: Find odd numbered grade levels in the Gates Middle School Building and even numbered grade levels in the Georgia Nelson Building.

Patrick, Pencil Artist Unlike Clare, Patrick doesn’t like to draw people. His artist tools are simple, pencil and paper, but his Silver Key art was a piece that took sketching to a new level. He won with a zinc plate drawing called “The Flight” that depicts an eagle flying over a golf course. “The process was a lot of detail work,” Patrick says. “I sketched it, then etched it onto metal which made it into a giant metal stamp. I was pretty excited when I won the Silver Key because I thought the other kids submitted pieces that were better than mine. I was hoping for honorable mention.” Although pencil art is his first choice, Patrick wants to learn how to work with oil pastels as the next step in developing his skill set.

Mark and Margaret give a lot of credit to Graland’s art program for nurturing their children’s artistic talents. “Mrs. Naughton has been a huge mentor for Clare and Caroline even after they graduated from Graland,” Margaret says. “She was instrumental in helping them apply for the Scholastic Art Awards the past two years and she continues to encourage their art.”

Bridget, Budding Art Lover

The youngest Berzins is Bridget, Grade 4. She has her own unique style, taking images that are unrelated and putting them together in a picture. Like Caroline, she turns to nature for inspiration. “I like to look out the window and then turn my surroundings into something with that same feel,” she says. Thanks to encouragement from her art teacher, Cathy Naughton, Bridget has learned to believe in herself as an artist. “She taught me to make stuff on paper that shows what I’m feeling and that everything’s good in your own style.”

Mark adds: “One of the reasons we chose Graland was because we wanted our children to have art on a regular basis. I can still remember Clare trying to sculpt little animals out of clay for her diorama. They have their Biography Tea poster boards and knighting shields. Thinking about their art brings me back as a dad to those moments in time.” Graland Today

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Education Expert Shares Insight

coordinator. “Partnering and group work are core to learning across all the disciplines.” One example is sixth grade and a project designed around Lois Lowry’s young adult novel, The Giver. “The Giver is about a world of sameness where everyone is equal,” explains English teacher Allison Birdsong. “We discussed the positive and negative attributes of this type of structure and students worked in small groups to come up with their own version of a utopian society.” Adds history teacher John Caldwell, “Students practiced teamwork and problem solving. They looked at the challenges their society might face by examining all sides of their decisions.” Group work promotes listening skills, adaptability and the concept of appreciating others’ ideas.

Teachers and Teamwork Wagner believes it’s also important for teachers to work together, instead of in isolation. He calls it Innovation Funding; we call it the Summer Grants Program. Graland faculty can receive funds in the summer to work with their colleagues on innovating ideas that will enhance student learning. Grade 1 teacher Nikki Spiers has proposed a summer project that would involve teachers from both Lower and Middle school divisions. If approved for funding, the educators will create projectbased math learning activities with openended forms of assessment. “For example, giving students a situation where they have to solve real world problems with a small group of partners,” she explains. “It would require knowledge application, collaboration and creativity in problem solving.”

Wagner: No More “F” Word Often, students learn that failure is the worst thing that can happen in school. Fear of failure creates compliance and risk aversion, but innovation demands students to take risks and make mistakes and fail. “There is no innovation without trial and error,” Dr. Wagner says. The key is to encourage reflection on what worked and what didn’t so the student can move forward with new goals. This concept is perfectly seen in science, where the goal is to think of “failure” as an 10

opportunity to try again. “It’s more about teaching the process and skills,” says Lower School science teacher Michelle Benge. “We allow time for students to rethink their experiments so they can apply what they learned for a different outcome. They go into their projects knowing they will have a chance to make mistakes and that trial and error is the process.”

Intrinsic Motivation Wagner believes those who are innovators don’t do their best work just to get an “A.” They are intrinsically motivated. He says teachers should include time for students to explore on their own and to create their own lessons. Inspired by Wagner’s presentation, Nikki tried something new with her first graders’ morning routine. She put large bins of LEGOTM blocks out and gave a few instructions to design a “wizards’ academy” that coincides with the upcoming Wizards Day. “Students got straight to work and were motivated to continue building throughout the day,” Nikki says. Her approach demonstrated Wagner’s theory that exploratory play with less structure encourages self-motivation, curiosity and increased engagement in the learning. Wagner calls it “the element of whimsy.” “Our work with iPads in particular feeds right into that,” says Gail Hill, director of curriculum and instruction. “When we direct questions towards the kids and let them explore answers, they come back with their own ideas and discoveries. Students have the freedom to come up

with solutions and practice transferring knowledge into new situations.”

Motivation through Guided Learning Wagner’s idea that students are “the architects of their own learning” is one that Dana Pease, Grade 3 teacher, practices regularly. “Our job is to not dump information into the students’ minds but to act as a mirror,” she says. “When they ask questions they are just thinking out loud. We guide them so they come up with their own answers. It’s more meaningful and allows them to take ownership of their own knowledge.” Our Gates program is another example. In the process of inventing a unique product or innovation, Middle School students direct their own exploration and discovery as their mistakes (trial and error) lead to greater success in the final outcome. Coaches guide the process but students are in complete control of their own learning.

Continued Improvement In 2009, educational consultant Alan November worked with Graland to start a culture shift toward a 21st century learning program. While Graland has made many efforts at creating the ideal learning environment, administrators continue to evaluate our programs, curriculum and teaching philosophies to further serve our student body. “There’s so much more we can still do,” Gail says. “We’re lucky at Graland because we have many opportunities and freedoms to explore new ideas in education.”

Alumni News The Fruit of Service Learning How 11 guys in their 20s set out to give big in Denver

The Eagle Fund

By Kristin Eklund ‘88 Weber, Director of Alumni Relations

It was the early 2000s when a group of 11 Graland alumni got together to reconnect after college. Friends since elementary school, they talked about their careers, interests and the future. “Because of our education, with Graland as our base, we will always have something to fall back on,” says Brian Mankwitz ’93. “We felt fortunate, and we wanted others to have that advantage too.”

Brian Abrams ‘93 Michael Barkin ‘93 Jeremy Barron ‘93

Thus was formed The Eagle Fund in 2002 by a group of guys in their 20s.

Jon-Erik Borgen ‘92

Pooling Resources and Starting Early

Brewster Boyd ‘93

These young professionals from the classes of 1992-94 recognized that they could make a greater impact in the community by giving as a group instead of individually. The founders of The Eagle Fund also didn’t want to wait until their careers took off. They wanted to get going right away with the hope of increasing their gifts as they matured. “We take a venture philanthropy approach where we give grants to organizations in their early stages,” explains Jon-Erik Borgen ‘92. “This is important to us because at that point our gifts make a significant difference to the organization’s budget. We give money, and also mentor, advise and encourage fledgling groups that support education in Colorado.” Twelve years later, the men are still friends and the Eagle Fund continues to grow and evolve. To date, the group has given more than $100,000 to local organizations like the financial aid fund at Graland, Rocky Mountain Prep School and Kipp Schools.

Dan Hammon ‘93

ALUMNI REUNION

Josh Holman ‘94 Ben Ladd ‘92 Brian Mankwitz ‘93 Ryan O’Shaughnessy ‘93 Jonathan Right ‘93

FRIDAY MAY 30 & SATURDAY MAY 31 FRIDAY, MAY 30 3:10-6 PM PREISSER FIELD

All ages are welcome to join in the fun of the Graland Carnival. Bring your kids and be a kid again!

SATURDAY, MAY 31 5-9 PM

Join us for an adults only gathering celebrating all alumni.

Mr. Hickey says,

“Go to Reunion!”

All alumni are welcome! Milestone years for the classes of: 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004

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go beyond

GRALAND

ANNUAL FUND Please review the following list of Annual Fund donors and report errors or omissions to the development office (303-399-8370). Gifts under $500 can be viewed online at graland.org/afdonors2013. Remember, the deadline to donate or pay your pledge to the 2013-14 Annual Fund is June 30. Thank you for supporting Graland!

Be a Graland Volunteer Are you looking for a way to make a difference at Graland but don’t have a lot of time to offer? Join other parent volunteers on the Annual Fund campaign and work behind the scenes to raise money for school programs and services. It’s easy! Spend 4-10 hours during the month of October and contact school families, explain the Annual Fund, answer questions and request a donation. Full training is provided. Here’s what our past volunteers have to say about their experience: “The process was very organized and clear which made the experience very easy.” “Some families actually thanked me for spending my time in this way - even as they were being approached for a donation. That made it easier.” “I liked the team experience and contributing to a very important mission — our school!” Please contact Celeste Sikora Merrigan (303-336-3728) for more information on becoming an Annual Fund volunteer in the fall.

Thank You 1924 Circle ($10,000+)

Paul Gillis Barbara Grogan Anonymous (seven donors) Stan and Libby Anschutz ‘89 Holiday Grogan ‘88 Goodreau Libby Anschutz Foundation Grogan Family Fund The Anschutz Foundation Cannon Y. & Lyndia K. Harvey Philip and Nancy Anschutz Family Foundation Ben and Lucy Ana Walton Fund / Cy and Lyndia Harvey Walton Family Foundation, Inc Fred Hughes Justin ‘91 and Tobey Borus Mark and Ellie Caulkins Courtney Dorn ‘90 Hughes Caulkins Family Foundation Rebecca Hughes David Corkins and Karen Reidy Randi Jaerbyn ‘90 Corkins Family Foundation Tim and Janice Laney David ‘81 and Pam Decker Veronica McCaffrey The Denver Foundation Misha Moritz and Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Kaia Borgne ‘86 Moritz Gabe Finke and Arthur Morrissey and Janet Hayes Molly McCray-Finke Amanda Precourt ‘89 Ken and Rebecca Gart J. Anthony ‘85 and Agatha Precourt John Sr. and Susan Gowen Jay A. and Molly Precourt Graland Parent Association The Precourt Foundation Fred and Jane Hamilton Bruce ‘72 and Kirsten Rifkin Chris and Sarah Anschutz ‘86 Hunt Ron and Julie Sachs The Hunt Family Foundation Joseph Smith, Jr. Sue Kintzele Andrea Sodano ‘65 Geoff Sr. and Marty Lord Jason and Annie Wissner Lanny and Sharon Martin John Jr. and Lydia Woodard Tony ‘77 and Delisa Mayer Xcel Energy Brian and Lindsay Morgan Patrick and Tricia Youssi Morgan Family Foundation William Nelson and Lara Merriken Head of School The Old Boys Foundation Circle ($2,500-4,999) Maurice and Liz Pinto Marco and Cathy Abarca Rosenberry Charitable Term Trust Jean-Marc and Valeria Alberola Flip ‘80 and Liz Rosenberry Justin and Sarah Albert Brian and Becky Schaub Eric ‘87 and Kathryn Albright Benjmin and Lucy Ana Walton Anonymous (two donors) The Walton Family Foundation Guy and Liz Arnold Richard Weil IV ‘78 and Steve ‘77 and Lisa Bain Britney Weil Barrett and Kristin Baker Paul Wimer, Sr. and Lisa Pinto Ball Corporation Evan and Meghan Zucker Mark and Marna Belfance Jeffrey and Jacqueline Benton Founders Circle Mark and Margaret Berzins ($5,000-9,999) Mark and Rachel Brown Todd and Sarah Alijani Bo and Lauren Brownstein Brian ‘83 and Elise A. Barish David Caulkins ‘83 Michael and Shannon Bell George III ‘80 and Mike and Julie Bock Christina Caulkins Bjorn and Kathy Borgen The Chicago Community Jon-Erik ‘92 and Brooke Borgen Foundation Borgen Family Foundation Brent and Dana Klapper ‘83 Cohen John and Christine Browner Jonathan and Tim and Nancy Buese Aimee-Alyce Coleman Max ‘87 and Ramey Caulkins Peter and Amy Corrigan Sureel and Bijal Choksi Charles Frankel and Byron and Carolyn Craig Geraldine Corrigan David and Erin Dean Peter and Amy Corrigan Bernard Dvorak and Amy Blair Timothy and Kimberly Coughlon John and Sharon Dye Byron and Carolyn Craig Mark Filerman and Robin Beery John Donaldson Shawn and Elisa Fowler Susan Rodgers ‘80 Drumm John ‘92 and Andi Freyer Charles Frankel and General Mills Foundation Geraldine Corrigan

Robert and Amy Frankmore Greg ‘83 and Vikki Goldberg David and Christine Grawemeyer Jack and Celeste Grynberg Tyler ‘84 and Sarah Harvey Hal and Jackie Hawkey Steve and Linda Heiss Charles Henry and Cynthia Crews Walter and Judith Hunt Walter and Christie Isenberg John and Ann Jordan John and Maureen Kechriotis Greg Sr. ‘80 and Lisen Kintzele Jerry and Margot Ladd Joan Ladd Tim and Janice Laney Brent and Maya Lynn The Mandes Family Dirk and Carol McDermott Hudson and Diana Mead Microsoft Matching Gifts Program Arthur Morrissey and Janet Hayes Peter Sr. and Anne Mounsey Hal and Elisabeth Naiman Kathy Neustadt Northwestern Mutual Foundation Bruce and Patrina Odette Michael and Taylor Cleveland ‘88 Pardun Bradford and Rachael Rhine Francois and Catherine Safieddine Richard Schepis and Rachel Grynberg Pieter and Jennifer Schouten Don and Michelle Scott Scott and Justyn Shwayder David and Michele Steed Jeffrey ‘91 and Ginger Susman Seth ‘83 and Jennifer Terry Richard Turner and Britta Erickson Armando Vidal and Leslie Beasley ‘87 Vidal Shawn and Michelle Wallace Dan and Liz Weiner Western Union Foundation Ed and Kate Williams

Scholars Circle ($1,000-2,499) Alexander Charitable Foundation John and Jill Alfond Catherine Anderson Jim Angell Anonymous Rye III ‘91 and Catherine Wilhelm ‘90 Austin Roger and Kimberly Austin Baird Foundation, Inc. Woody ‘78 and Mitzi Beardsley Luke ‘86 and Susan Beatty Craig and Katrina Benes Mark and Amy Birner Brant Bloomberg and Meredith Linker Bloomberg Scott and Suzie Bomgaars

To Our 2013-2014 Donors! Juan and Cesilie Botello Jeffrey and Jan Burke James and Karen Carr Jose and Glenda Cebrian Collis III ‘84 and Anne Chandler John and Bayard Cobb Cook Street Consulting, Inc. Dean Electric, Inc Bruce and Dorothy Dines Bruce Jr. ‘69 and Jill Dines The Dobbins Foundation Michael Dowling The Dowling Foundation Brenton Durham ‘09 Peter ‘94 and Catherine Eklund Jean-Philippe and Jennifer Failyau Adam ‘92 and Melissa Farver Charles Farver Shane ‘89 and Amy Feiman Matthew and Courtney Ferer Jayne Ford Jack and Nathalie Fox Valerie Gates ‘69 George W. Wiedenmayer, Inc. Peter and Kathy Gillespie Clarke and Katherine Godfrey William III ‘79 and Sheri Gold The Gold Family Foundation Ronald Guillot, Jr. and Alexandra Theriault The H B B Foundation Ed and Steph Harvey Armand and Melissa Hatzidakis Eric and Maren Hayes Chris and Kim Fuller ‘86 Jacoby Correy and Christian Jones Hud and Carol Karshmer Chris Kastelic and Kitty Yuen Jim Kelley and Amie Knox Alexandra W. Kelly ‘09 T. Lloyd Kelly Foundation David ‘86 and Mary Jane Kirkpatrick Bradley and Alisa Knepper Jim Kelley and Amie Knox Brad ‘82 and Lisa Kornfeld Peter H. and E. Lucille Gaass Kuyper Foundation David ‘85 and Hollie Lubchenco Mark and Melissa Manassee Naresh and Donna Mandava Brian ‘93 and Meredith Mankwitz Mankwitz Family Foundation Craig and Dianna Goldberg ‘84 May Jay and Carolyn McCormick Daniel and Nicole McSpirit Wendy Melvin Robert Mintz* and Lisa Mintz Marcia Naiman Edward and Wendy Nekritz Martin Newburger and Deborah Knobelman Win Oberlin III and Ashley Oberlin Ryan ‘93 and Griffen O’Shaughnessy Zachary ‘87 and Anuschka Pashel Ed and Nooshin Prasthofer

Dan Yamagishi and Sharol Preisser David and Marcie Prokupk Prologis Scott and Trina Reisch Monroe and Rella Rifkin The Rifkin Foundation Jonathan Right ‘93 Sheridan Ross Charitable Foundation Charles II ‘74 and Lanora Rosenberry Mark Jr. and Ann Ladd ‘87 Ryan Chris Schneck and Patty Braun Scott W. and Catherine P. Schoelzel Ben Schulein ‘80 and Ale Marques Nancy Schulein Schwab Charitable Fund Roger and Krista Scoville Eleanor Seaman Douglas and Eleanor Seaman Charitable Foundation Xavier and Maria Sevilla Bernard Jr. and Kimberly Siegel John Jr. and Suzanne Simmons Glen Simpson and Ann Kiley Geoff and Leslie Smart Smashburger Master LLC Patrick Smith John and Dawn Song Reed Soudani and Angel Alexia John and Nancy Stamper Mr. and Mrs. John Steed Don and Marcia Thomas Don Thurman and Julia Dobbins ‘87 Mark Turnage and Natalie Bocock Turnage James Turner and Martha Solis-Turner Marian Uriarte Marshall and Diane Gates ‘69 Wallach Andrew and Joanne Wichern Christopher Jr. and Rosie Wiedenmayer Carl Williams Chip and Patti Wilson Adam and Cari Wolff June Wood Dee Writer Dan Yamagishi and Sharol Preisser Robert Young, Jr. and Christine Parisi

Honors Circle ($500-999) Kenneth and Laura Adler Phillip and Deanna Albright Jeffrey Allen Brent Anderson Anonymous (three donors) Apex Dermatology Group David and Anna Asarch Axis Promotions Chris Aymond George and Kalliope Balafas Adam ‘91 and Jill Barkin Base Fitness Gint and Pam Baukus Had and Betsy Beatty David and Lauren Benson Benson Orthodontics

Kate Bermingham ‘73 The Bermingham Fund Vern Berry and Jenny Ellison ‘74 Wood Marius and Stanca Birlea Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc. Louis IV and Erica Bissette Frederic* and Roberta Bocock Frederic Scott Bocock and Roberta Bryan Bocock Trust Jon and Anne Boris Boulder Running Company Stuart and Ingvild Brown Steve Chambers and Megan Bee ‘86 Mimi Chenoweth Children’s Dentistry of Cherry Creek Steven and Meekyung Chyung David Clark CMC Group, Inc. Colorado Kids for Kids Colorado Running Mothers Jeff and Suzanne Connors Cami Cooper Jason ‘84 and Sara Drucker ‘89 Cooper Gregory Cummings and Molly McCoy Lance Davis ‘75 John and Angela DellaSalle Jay and Suzanne Detwiler Armand and Tandy Dilworth Terce Dines ‘65 Gene and Winkie Dines Tauna Dowling David and Jude Dudley Vikram and Sonia Durairaj Eberle Orthodontics Sam and Michelle Eidson John and Kelly Eisinger Andy Fisher and Tanya Atagi Kristen Fox Chris and Yvette Frampton William IV and Ali Pashel ‘89 Frankfurt Chris and Stacia Freimuth Ronald Gaeta Stephanie Garcia Evan and Ann Geldzahler Jeff and Jennifer Alvarado Geller Michael and Olga Gershovich Glenmeade Trust Company, N.A. Brett ‘92 and Tina Goldberg Lezlie Goldberg Goldman, Sachs & Co. Ross Goldstein and Cory Dunnick Lourdes Gonzalez Figueroa Ryan and Kate Gulick Bill Gurdin and Lisa Forman Patrick ‘85 and Pam Hatcher Mike Hecklinger Thomas Hey and Jennifer Grin Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld David and Karyn Huberman Kelvin Huh and Young Woo Davis and Laura Hurley Craig and Brooke Jack JP Morgan Libby Kirkpatrick

Taylor ‘88 and Molly Kirkpatrick John and Heather Klutznick Richard Knapp and Kendra Erickson David and Judy Koff Paul Krueger Labbett Hockey, LLC David and Siobhan Labbett Siobhan and John Labbett Matt and Rebecca Ledges Levin Orthodontics Andrew and Robyn Levy Ken and Kay Malo Boris and Renee Mannsfeld Scott and Karen Mattice Ford and Christine Maurer Renie Mayfield Ethel McGlynn Maeve McGrath James and Heather Mejia Kenneth and Maria Mendelsberg William and Jane Merriken Matt and Kim Montgomery Terri Morrison J.K. Mullen Foundation Matt and Erin Neren Old Greenwich Builders Joann Ortega Andrew Pagel and Cam Monroe-Pagel Brendan Patterson and Anne Bailey Pescadowear Wiley and Diane Reed Rose Community Foundation Chris ‘87 and Christy Sanchez Todd Searles Ben and Beth Shanker Stephan and Kerry Shelanski David and Michelle Sobel George and Linda Solorio Stilwell Financial Inc. Liza Stone Donald Strasburg and Jennifer Baker-Strasburg Marcia Strickland Sugarlicious Rand and Julie Sutherland Robert Swaney Robert and Julie Swaney Erik ‘82 and Amy Swanson Darren Swett and Theresa Pacheco Gary and Kerry Vickers Mark Valentine and Barb Wallace Fred Wertheimer Christopher and Merel Wilson Dan and Laura Wolf Matt and Joya Wolf Seth and Tia Wolkov Jonathan Wolman and Deborah Lamm The Wolman Family Fund Douglas and Laura Wright Michael Zeisser and Meghan Harris Richard ‘85 and Annemarie Zimmerman Ido and Mor Zucker *Deceased Graland Today

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Meet Lisen Kintzele: GPA President, 2014-15 In 2009, Lisen Kintzele stepped into her first Graland Parent Association (GPA) leadership position as co-chair of Grandparents and Special Friends Day. Since then, she’s served in a variety of roles, including co-chair of the book fair, vice president of community events and president-elect. Why does she do it? “Graland has been a great school for our boys,” says Lisen. “I want to give back to show my gratitude, and being a part of the GPA allows me to help raise funds to support the classroom as well as encourage community amongst the parent population. “The GPA is also responsible for allowing me to meet some great people outside of my boys’ classrooms,” she says. “I feel like our paths may not have crossed if I had not been working on events with them. I have definitely realized long lasting friendships with other Graland parents thanks to the GPA.” Lisen takes the reins from Kathy Gillespie, who did an incredible job serving as GPA president this year. They’re big shoes to fill, but Lisen feels she’s up to the task. “I hope new and current families will want to get involved and enjoy the year of fun activities we are planning!” she says. Read more about the new GPA president online.

GPA Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast Wednesday, May 21, 8:30-10 a.m. Anschutz Commons Please join us in recognizing Graland Parent Association volunteers for their outstanding contributions to the school community this year.

Graland Carnival Celebrates Mardi Gras Friday, May 30, 3:10-6 p.m., Preisser Field and Fieldhouse Fat Tuesday might have been celebrated in March, but Mardi Gras comes to Graland for the Carnival in May! The all-inclusive* wristband will be back again this year for the presale price of $25 ($30 at the door), and they will be delivered to classrooms prior to the carnival. The wearer will have unlimited access to all games, booths, inflatables, face painting, tattoos, and the limbo and hula hoop

competitions! It also includes snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy. (*Wristband does not include the Men’s Grill or Carnival Kitchen.) Plan to enjoy dinner with your family at the Men’s Grill, where you can savor a Berzins Burger (turkey burger), fruit and chips for just five bucks. Each purchase benefits Graland 100 percent because the incredible Berzins family donates it all! Visit graland.org/carnival to learn more about the Mardi Gras Carnival, sign up to volunteer and order Carnival T-shirts. You can even sponsor a T-shirt for a member of the faculty or staff. Don’t miss this annual rite of spring at Graland!

We Couldn’t Have Done it Without You! Parent volunteers are constantly toiling behind the scenes to benefit Graland. Please be sure to thank the following GPA committee chairs and their cadre of helpers for all they’ve done over the last few months: • Selena Roth and Laura Fast, Graland Inclusivity Forum and Taskforce (GIFT) • Kara Bjork, Aimee Coleman and Abbie Smith, Lower School Sock Hop • Meredith Bloomberg and Holly Farmer, Parent Education Network (PEN) • Mitzi Beardsley, Oakley Cobb and Shannon McDonald, Volunteers of America (VOA) Theodora House • Holiday Goodreau, Birch Street Bash • Donna Mandava, GPA Nominations

NEW! Outdoor Family Movie Night at Graland Friday, May 2, 6:30 p.m., Preisser Field The Graland Inclusivity Forum and Taskforce (GIFT) will bring the classic family movie, ET: The ExtraTerrestrial to campus. Pack a picnic, tote a blanket and enjoy the film under the stars. Live music will kick off the festivities, and the movie will begin at sundown on an outdoor screen. Come for as little or as long as your children will last! Close out the school year with this special event for the entire family. For more information, contact Selena Roth or Laura Fast.

TITLE SPONSORS OF THE 2014 EAGLE INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Thank you to the following sponsors for their generous support of this Graland tradition. Please thank them in person by patronizing their businesses.

Eagle Sponsor

Birdie Sponsor: The Gillespie Family The Finke Family

Par Sponsor: The Boris Family

Bogey Sponsor: The Brown Family

Family Golf Clinic Sponsor: The Lord Family

Green Sponsors: Birner Dental Management -The Birner Family The Chandler Family Colorado Monty LLC - The Montgomery Family The Wolkov Family

Hole Sponsors: #1: The Hamilton Family #2: Class of 2020 - Gulick, Hatcher, Wiley & Youssi #3: Shawn and Elisa Fowler #4: The Albright Family #5: The Gowen Family #6: Red Seal Realty - The Bivens Family #7: Ernst & Young - The Belfance Family #8: Daniels Petroleum Company - The Baker Family #9: The Decker Family #10: Levin Orthodontics #11: Dean Electric - The Bomgaars Family #12: Peepers Optical #13: The Geller Family #14: The Gillis Family #15: The Bock Family and The Caulkins Family #16: Lariat Partners and The Simmons Family #17: The Reiman Family #18: Sage Hospitality - The Isenberg Family

Par Sponsor: Ronni’s A-Team and Graland Board of Trustees

Middle School Golf Tournament Sponsor: The Alijani Family

GOLF IS A FAMILY AFFAIR AT EAGLE FAMILY GOLF CLINIC WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 • 3:30-6 P.M., COMMONGROUND GOLF COURSE, LOWRY

The 9-hole Middle School Par 3 golf tournament returns this year to Graland’s Eagle Family Golf Clinic, along with an 18hole mini putt-putt course, lessons with a golf professional, and range time for the entire family. The cost of $50 per family also includes snacks. Register online at graland.org/golf. To participate in the Middle School tournament, students must be experienced players who know the general game of golf, can carry their own clubs and keep proper score, and are independent enough to navigate the Par 3 course on their own with a playing partner (fellow Graland student). Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place players as well as for contests such as “closest to the pin” for boys and girls.

E, ! T DA ACE W L NE W P NE

2014 EAGLE INVITATIONAL

GOLF TOURNAMENT THURSDAY, MAY 15 • 8 A.M. SHOTGUN START FOSSIL TRACE GOLF CLUB, GOLDEN

Graland Today

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NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID DENVER, CO PERMIT NO. 2006

Graland Country Day School 55 Clermont Street Denver, CO 80220 303.399.0390 graland.org

Master Teacher Luayne Lambert Retiring After 26 years in a Graland classroom, fourth grade teacher Luayne Lambert will retire from a long career in education at the end of this school year. Luayne has taught several grade levels while sharing her expertise with other leaders in the Lower School and serving as a role model to her peers. Best of luck to Luayne in her well-deserved retirement years!

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Community Calendar

April 11 Spring Art Show and Ice Cream Social (see page 9)

April 18 Master Teacher Ceremony (see page 2)

The fourth grade year is full of changes; students learn to work with two teachers instead of one, they interact with a younger buddy for the first time and all year long prepare for the transition to Middle School. In the midst of this whirlwind, Luayne has been a calm presence for her students and parents. Her colleagues and I are grateful to her for sharing her knowledge and experience and it is a gift we will carry with us for many years. ~ Nan Remington, head of Lower School I started at Graland with Luayne 26 years ago. She is dedicated to the students and has an incredible ‘tool box’ as a teacher. Luayne is the first person I go to for advice. ~ Parthenia Williams, teacher services coordinator and math specialist Luayne has been an invaluable resource to all of us on the fourth grade teaching team. She has not only been a co-worker and team member to me, but also a mentor and a friend. ~ Ashleigh Finn, Grade 4 teacher

May 15 Eagle Invitational Golf Tournament (see page 15)

May 30 Carnival (see page 14)

May 31 Alumni Reunion (see page 11)

June 6 Graduation for the Class of 2014

STAY CONNECTED AND GOGRALAND!

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