WINTER 2010
The Campaign for Kent Place School
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TOMORROW S
“We are grateful to all who made this dream a reality. From the vision of the Board of Trustees to our generous donors and from the planning by committees of teachers, staff and administration to the execution of the pre-building planning sessions: the seeds of this project started to grow very quickly as we established our goals that centered on providing top teaching and learning spaces for our Middle School students.” – Sue Bosland, Head of School, at the October 2010 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Middle School
KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH OUR BRAND NEW SCHOOL WEBSITE! Fundraising for Phases I and II of The Campaign for Kent Place School has officially ended. Please continue to visit www.kentplace.org/campaign for information and updates on the progress of Phase III.
Morning Meeting in Atwood Hall
KENT PLACE OPENS ACADEMIC YEAR WITH BRAND NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL On Tuesday, September 7, Middle School students and faculty eagerly entered the halls of their newly remodeled space. Fresh paint and new lockers weren’t the only additions to this sustainably-built project: interactive smart boards, state-of-the-art science and media labs, a health center and new office and meeting spaces were all welcomed with the first day. “The new Middle School space is the realization of a dream,” said Christine Clemens, Middle School history teacher. “Finally, we have a place that brings us together as a community.” Phase II of The Campaign for Kent Place School, the renovation of the former Upper School into the new Middle School, was completed on schedule. While the community is enjoying the 21st-century learning environment, the main staircase and the refurbished stained-glass windows and benches have been left intact, placing the traditions of Kent Place alongside the innovations to the building. The centerpiece of the Middle School is Atwood Hall, the spectacular multi-purpose commons area used for Morning Meeting and events. During the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on Wednesday, October 27, a special dedication of the room was held in honor of alumnae Ginger Atwood Ackerley ’56 and Margot Saur Meyer ’56. “Our new Middle School truly inspires us to motivate and transform our students as they become the pioneers and leaders of tomorrow,” remarked Sue Bosland, Head of School. KPS
Students use their new netbooks in the Computer Lab.
Students stop to chat at their new lockers.
New desks provide more room for collaboration.
One of the new science classrooms is called the “Sky Lab.”
New technology is used in French class.
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY CELEBRATES EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP On Wednesday, October 27, more than 150 faculty, staff, alumnae and friends gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Middle School with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony. Prior to the event, Middle School student guides gave tours of the new space while others gathered in Atwood Hall, the beautiful new multi-purpose room, for the start of the program. Guests were welcomed by Head of School Sue Bosland, who spoke about the historic building and its transformation into an inspirational learning space. Director of the Middle School Karen Rezach followed and introduced a short video of student and faculty reactions to the new building produced by Middle School technology coordinator Marni Endlich.
Elizabeth added, “If the hallmarks of a Kent Place education are excellence, leadership, tradition and lasting friendships, then that is what is personified here. Margot and Ginger absolutely embody the mission of Kent Place.” Board of Trustee President John C. Chrystal shared his observations of the Campaign and reflected on the past decade of change for Kent Place. The event concluded as the ribbon was cut for the new Middle School and a dedication plaque of Atwood Hall was raised with the phrase “To friendship and leadership.” KPS
“The new building makes me feel happy, collaborative, environmentally friendly and active. My classmates also enjoy the new Middle School, especially the new laptops and having lockers for the first time. I always see smiles on everyone’s faces.” – Jessica Ken-Kwofie, Grade 6
Elizabeth Budd Bugliari ’59, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations, spoke about the history of Atwood Hall, which had been the Study Hall when she was a student, and most recently the Upper School art facility. Elizabeth introduced Ginger Atwood Ackerley ’56, who traveled to campus from the state of Washington, and Margot Saur Meyer ’56 for a special dedication of the room. Margot, who named Atwood Hall in honor of her classmate and friend, shared her memories of Ginger as a witty and outgoing student, one who demonstrated her leadership abilities both in and out of the classroom. “Always a person of action, Ginger somehow knew inside that she had what it took to be that leader,” Margot remarked. “Only later did I recognize and understand the relationship between this intrinsic value and the path Ginger had chosen – the link between the leadership fostered by the Kent Place experience and Ginger’s actions.”
Middle Schoolers put their new netbooks to work during math class.
“The Middle School is very warm and welcoming. I love the open space and all the great technology! My favorite room is Ms. Hall’s science room because of the windows that look out to the sky. There is a lot of light. My friends all feel the same, and our learning skills have improved with all the new technology in the building.” – Annaliese Fernandez, Grade 8
REMARKS FROM JOHN C. CHRYSTAL, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES I am truly in awe of the accomplishments of Kent Place School – both over the last 116 years and over the last 10. Three themes tie these eras together and underpin the success of KPS: vision, mission and support. I find history to be a great guide for the world today. Earlier this month, I pulled out an informal history of KPS written by one of its founders, Frank Crawford. It starts in 1893 with a description of a dinner hosted by William J. Curtis, who wished, with the help of others, to establish a “more satisfactory private school for girls in Summit.” The school opened in 1894 under the direction of Hamilton W. Mabie, the President of the Board. His ambition was to create “the best private girls school on the Eastern Seaboard.” Mabie believed, from the beginning, that KPS could and would become a great school and insisted that “only the best methods and highest standards of instruction be permitted.” His vision and sense of mission won the support of many parents and leaders who committed the resources KPS needed to not only survive, but also thrive.
John C. Chrystal, Sue Bosland and Lynn Daeschler Magrane ’70 cut the ceremonial ribbon.
Kim Lane, past parent, Carolyn Kostal, emeritus trustee, Linda Ormont, MS/US learning specialist, Eileen Core, former director of the Upper School and Lynn Daeschler Magrane ’70, honorary trustee
“I think the new building is beautiful, as it is a serene space for girls to learn, socialize and relax. The space affords many options for gathering as well as private time to study. The decor is modern and elegant and communicates a level of maturity that we expect from our students. The technology can only broaden the possibilities for interactive learning and arranging meetings with teachers and study groups. I am proud to be a member of the Middle School and think the space is a professional working environment for the adults as well!”
– Sara Every, MS/US counselor and health education teacher
In less than 10 years the campus grew from a rented house to nine acres with new facilities. The debt was paid off in another 20 years. This group of leaders and parents – assembled over 100 year ago – shared a vision, a sense of mission and a commitment to collective support. It seems as though history has repeated itself. Over 10 years ago, under the leadership of Lynn Daeschler Magrane ’70 and later Neale X. Trangucci, the KPS Board gathered to consider the vision and mission of KPS as it prepared for the 21st century. The mission statement we enjoy today was developed in 1996. It stresses the hallmarks of KPS: academic excellence and leadership. The Campaign for Kent Place School, essentially a blueprint that serves as our vision statement, also emerged during the late 1990’s. It outlines a vision that echoes the themes of the 1890’s – superb faculty and staff, talented students and facilities and programs that match the aspirations of both. The master plan for the buildings and grounds evolved around 2000. The current plans for the new Upper School completed last year, the new Middle School building we are celebrating tonight and the yet-to-be-built renovation of the old Middle School were all approved in 2006. It has been an amazing decade of progress – both with programs and facilities. While we will always strive to accomplish more, we are well served to reflect. Vision, mission and support – in particular, support from all of you – have made all this possible. Thank you for your guidance, your insights and your generosity. This community, from the early days of Frank Crawford and Hamilton Mabie, to the community here in this building tonight, is nothing short of inspiring.
Margot Saur Meyer ’56 and Ginger Atwood Ackerley ’56
“Upon walking into the eighth grade science classroom, aka, “The Sky Lab,” students are greeted with a spectacular view of the sky, clouds and often birds or leaves flying around, bringing nature right into the classroom. The space allows me to run labs with stations set up around the classroom, and there is enough room to move freely. The use of technology through our new netbooks has been great. Just about every day I can start the girls on an application or virtual tour of whatever we might be studying. We have used a virtual microscope to look at cells, a simulation to look at different aspects of density and another simulation that compares mitosis to meiosis. These applications enhance their understanding, and they are digital tools the girls relate to.” – Wendy Hall, chair of the Science Department
The new Middle School
Middle School classroom
“Over time, I’ve learned to define the meaning of leadership not only by what someone does, but by how and why… Everyone has an inner confidence to bring to the doing of something, and it’s out of the accessing and application of this inner confidence that leadership is born.” – Margot Saur Meyer ’56
“I was at the dedication ceremony and thought it was a wonderful tribute. Hearing about the history of our founding fathers from John, and then the speech from Margot about her friendship with Ginger, brought tears to my eyes. That, in such a short amount of time, two people could develop such a strong lasting relationship says so much about the Kent Place community. And, from reading Keeping Pace, it is obvious that this happens time and time again.” – Tizzie Benthien, physical education teacher and Kent Place Trustee
KENT PLACE SCHOOL 42 Norwood Avenue Summit, NJ 07902-0308 Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders is published by the Office of Development & Alumnae Relations. Editor Rachel Naggar Contributors Elizabeth Budd Bugliari ’59 Ryan LaMountain Rebecca Shaffer Photography Andrea Brizzi Peter Byron Kathy Cacicedo Benjamin Solomon Design Abbie Moore Design Printing Graphic Concepts For Campaign information call (908) 273-0900, ext. 213.
Visit www.kentplace.org/campaign for information and updates.