Paw Prints
FALL
2014
lake forest country day school
Tradition & Innovation:
Celebrating
125 Years
Under the Oak
Also in this issue:
2013 -2014
Annual Report
FALL 2014
HEAD OF SCHOOL Our Mission 4
Inspired teaching, academic rigor, attention to individual needs, a commitment to responsible citizenship—these principles infuse every aspect of life at Lake Forest Country Day School and define our dedication to producing students of strong character with a passion for learning.
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INSIDE Lake Forest Country Day School PAW PRINTS 4 | 125 Years 8 | LFCDS in Pictures
Lake 10Forest Day School | Stepping Country up to STEAM 18 | Graduation 2014 24 | Class Notes 26 | Alumni Reception 27 | Yvonne Banks Award 28 | Golden Apple 30 | Board of Trustees 33 | Annual Report
Head of School Bob Whelan Chair, Board of Trustees Wendy Weil Board of Trustees Nicholas Alexos Joseph Andrea Earl J. Barnes II Bill Collins Pedro DeJesus Ahmed Farag Kate Fitzgerald ’87 William Giambrone Rebecca Graf David Grumhaus ’81 David Keller Adam Kriger Jane O’Neil Diane Potts Marianne Silver Yvonne Steinwold Jana Van Paris Stephen Wright Managing Editor John Kinzer Design Peapod Design, New Canaan, CT Photography Tim Coffey
10 SINGAPORE MATH AND STEAM INNOVATION LAB
22 THE BONDY HODGKINS AWARD
We have tried to accurately recognize those who have contributed so thoughtfully to the School. We apologize in advance if we inadvertently made an error of any kind. Please advise the Development Office at (847) 234-2350 x120 of any edits so that we may correct our records immediately.
Contributors Bob Bullard Bill Collins Tanner Edwards Rosemary Forsyth Candace Gregg Jill London Susan Murphy Sarah Thomas
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02 HEAD OF SCHOOL
A MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL The pages of this magazine provide stories rooted in I can’t remember exactly when I became the very foundation that generations of faculty, students, too big to be hoisted up on my dad’s families, and volunteers have helped develop at Lake shoulders to get a better look, but I’ve Forest Country Day School. never stopped appreciating that viewpoint. On a picture perfect July 4th in Lake Bluff “ You’ll be reminded of familiar this past summer, themes related to the development one image in of character, leadership, and particular stayed with me. a commitment to the craft of With the tree lined street packed two or three people deep, a preschool aged child was perched on his dad’s shoulders, a tiny American flag in hand, eyes wide as the bands and the floats rolled by. There was little doubt that vantage point allowed for a dramatically improved perspective, and an opportunity to be more deeply engaged with something special. Several hundred Lake Forest Country Day School families, alumni, parents of alumni, former faculty, and friends paraded back onto campus this past June for a celebration of 125 years of teaching and learning. In addition to the shared experience as members of an exceptional school community, we all have benefitted from the perspective of a perch on the shoulders of those who came before: veteran faculty who developed and maintained the culture and traditions, tireless volunteers who modeled the remarkable spirit of LFCDS volunteerism, and alumni who internalized our School community’s values and brought them to the places where they would live, work, and contribute.
communicating an idea through oral and written expression which have remained constant at LFCDS.”
You’ll also read about the seeds of new initiatives— Singapore mathematics, Lego robotics, and STEAM— which will cultivate the creative problem solving skills required in a rapidly evolving world. Reading further, you will hear about our tremendous faculty, who are excelling in the present, and constantly striving to improve their already strong curricula. Finally, our Annual Report provides a window into the extraordinary tradition of generosity in our community and the powerful impact of that support on the lives of our students and faculty. This is an incredibly exciting time to be part of Lake Forest Country Day School. Thank you for being a part of our 125 year tradition—one that has laid the groundwork for continued growth in the future. Sincerely,
Bob Whelan
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FALL 2014
04 125 YEARS
125 YEARS UNDER THE OAK
On Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7, Lake Forest Country Day School hosted two celebratory events in honor of the School’s 125th anniversary. Lake Forest Country Day School owes its roots to the founding of the Alcott School in 1888, and is in the third physical location in its long and storied history. Although numerous teachers and students have come and gone through the doors of this School throughout the past century and a quarter, each teaching lesson, speaking contest, friendship, choral concert, football game, eighth-grade play, graduation ceremony, and class reunion has contributed to building a solid, interconnected School community that passionately identifies with the mission of the School. During the first weekend in June, the School celebrated the rekindling of this community as the central focus of this milestone, bringing together members from the Alcott School, Bell School, Lake Forest Day School, and Lake Forest Country Day School—spanning over 125 years of School history.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 6 EVENING CELEBRATION The evening featured a conversational gathering in the atrium, commons areas, library, and upper and lower hallways. Highlights included speeches from Assistant Head of School Bob Bullard, Chair of the Board Wendy Weil, and Head of School Bob Whelan, a video viewing, and the 50th reunion of the class of 1964.
• Close to 400 people attended the reception, including
parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and former and current faculty and staff. • Guests were shown an LFCDS production video
on the School history. Feel free to visit http://www.lfcds.org/125thanniversary to watch the video! • The LFCDS Honors Chorus performed a sequence
of songs for those in attendance. Bob Bullard followed with a speech that highlighted some of the great memories from his forty-two year career at LFCDS, while also discussing the forward progress the School has already made under Head of School Bob Whelan. • Bob Whelan expressed his excitement for the future of
the School, touching upon new programs and initiatives such as the Innovation Lab, and cherishing the tradition of the School by honoring past trustees and alumni, including the Class of 1964 on their 50th reunion. • 125th chair Kate Fitzgerald and Friday Event co-chairs,
Avery Keller and Molly Flavin, orchestrated the successful event, which was measured by the degree of connection and camaraderie among long-time friends and families.
FALL 2014
06 125 YEARS
CLASS OF 1964
Celebrates 50th Reunion
Back Row (L to R): Keith Reed, George “Bill” Swope, Tempel Smith, Hoyt Bacon, Wendy Wheeler White, Sharon Barr, Robert Meers, David Barkhausen Front Row (L to R): Ann Gillette, Jane Bowers Davis, Pam Isham Clute, Julie Isham Ward, Debbie Waud, Sandy Stuart
While friends and acquaintances filled the LFCDS atrium with laughter and memories throughout the night, among the highlights was the Class of 1964, who celebrated their 50th reunion. Head of School Bob Whelan personally recognized this class as an integral cornerstone of the LFCDS community, and a testament to the continued friendship and palpable bond that thrives between alumni and the School.
“I think that the class was special for so many people for a number of reasons. Many of us were “lifers” (or nearly so), attending LFCDS from K-8. We were the first class to have 9th grade for boys, because of the number of guys who wanted to stay.” —Keith Reed ’64
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125 YEARS 07
SATURDAY, JUNE 7 FAMILY FUN BBQ The outdoor gathering took place on the athletic fields behind the school and the green under the oak tree. It featured burger and hot dog stands, snow cone machines, inflatable jump houses and obstacle courses, and a live band led by LFCDS alumni Doug Falls ’82 and Ed Stevenson ’75! • Over 600 people attended the barbeque on what turned
out to be a picture-perfect day. • The event offered numerous opportunities for former
students to reconnect with teachers, and for families to connect with each other over good food and live entertainment. • 125th chair Kate Fitzgerald and Saturday co-chairs
Kate Mursau and Rachel Osborne are to be applauded for planning this family-oriented closing event on such a monumental weekend for Lake Forest Country Day School.
While Bob Whelan honored the past century and a quarter of the School’s history during his remarks at the cocktail reception, the weekend also signaled the vitality of the School in the present, and its optimistic future—one that could undoubtedly extend for another century and a quarter, and more. Given that the combined total number of people who visited LFCDS during the weekend was close to one thousand, it is clear that the School has had a powerful impact upon the course of many individual lives, and that it still shines as a beacon that strengthens the genuine relationships forged on its grounds. In the course of its history, the School has stood not just as a building, or even many buildings; instead, it has thrived as a community—one whose roots stretch back 125 years and continue to grow outward, reaching confidently into the future. On behalf of LFCDS, we thank everyone who attended and helped make the weekend such a heart-warming and inspiring experience.
FALL 2014
08 LFCDS IN PICTURES FOURTH-GRADE GRADUATION
FIELD DAY
HOUSE CUP
GRANDPARENTS’ & SPECIAL FRIENDS’ DAY
CHORAL & BAND CONCERTS
SCIENTIST-IN-RESIDENCE DAY
PIONEER DAYS
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10 STEAM
STEPPING UP TO STEAM
On any given day at LFCDS, teachers and students engage in a myriad of interactive learning experiences across multiple educational disciplines—varying from poetry readings and improvisational acting in drama class to historical debates and digital design lessons. These days, there is no shortage of inspirational magic that takes place in the science and math rooms as well, where students are engineering structurally-sound KNEX roller coasters, programming robotic “moon-bots” with
specific functions, and testing the devastating effects of high speed winds in the tornado simulator. Such visionary endeavors make up the unique STEAM program at LFCDS that has just recently undergone a robust, student-driven upgrade. A solid foundation in STEAM, or science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, has been well-documented as a critical tool for success in today’s highly integrated economy. While decision-makers in government and business have recently worked to strengthen STEAM programs and training nationwide in order to cultivate a new generation of American engineers and scientists,
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STEAM “ For many years, conversations have been recurring about how connections could be made between math and science.” – Andy Sperling HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
leaders at LFCDS have been examining ways to optimize an already strong math and science curriculum for 21st century demands. If the result of this push has been a fresh course that is pertinent and applicable in today’s technology-driven world, then the catalyst behind this process was a will to generate new opportunities at the intersection of fundamental academic disciplines. From that collegial dialogue emerged the consensus that STEAM-based interdisciplinary units had long been occurring in Upper School teaching lessons. All that was needed to create a full-fledged STEAM element of the curriculum, then, was to formalize the projects LFCDS science and mathematics instructors had been engaged in for years. That formalization made its debut with the official launch of LFCDS’ STEAM curriculum this past fall, along with the building of a fully operational Innovation Laboratory. Instead of a technology class and in addition to an unchanged math and science course list, students now take a semester-long, project-based STEAM course during each
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of their years in the Upper School, and they will also be introduced to STEAM lessons in the Lower School. Their classes are a fusion of LFCDS STEAM elements old and new, melding classic Country Day experiences with advanced explorations that are at the forefront of contemporary science. For instance, students in sixth grade take part in the now traditional LFCDS odyssey of engineering a LEGO robot from coding to regional competition. In newer enterprises, fifth-grade students will now be introduced to the skills needed for STEAM success through basic video game design. This edifying endeavor should afford them the problem-solving abilities necessary to succeed in carbon dioxide dragster design and racing in seventh grade and balsa wood bridge construction once they’ve come to their final year at LFCDS. While excitedly detailing the elements of the curriculum, Andy Sperling makes special note that the School’s new program goes by “STEAM” instead of “STEM” for a reason. “The whole idea is not just to be cutting-edge, but to be leaders in innovation,” says Sperling. “In our minds, the STEAM allows for the intersection of arts and science, as the connection between design and technology is playing such an increasingly crucial role in the innovation industry.” While it remains to be seen what roles our students will play in this evolving world economy, what is certain is that they are developing creative risk-taking skills that will allow them to generate real change. As for the lab itself, the future possibilities are as endless as they are promising.
FALL 2014
12 STEAM
Singapore Math Reinvigorates LEARNING AT LFCDS The School’s Singapore Math program is celebrating its second year, but understanding its arrival at LFCDS requires a trip back to the 1980’s. The story begins in Singapore, with the country’s Ministry of Education embarking on a full-scale reinvention of the nation’s public math curriculum after years of scoring near the bottom of the list in international math assessments. For more than a decade, Singaporean officials researched, devised, tested, and ultimately restructured math curricula. The end product of their overhaul, emphasizing the development of a strong number sense, superb mental-math skills, and a deep understanding of place value, would vault Singapore’s math scores to the highest ranking in the world by 1995.
By the turn of the century, educators all over the world were beginning to take notice of Singapore’s unprecedented surge in student math achievement. In the mid-2000’s, the first curricula incorporating the core principles of Singapore Math were introduced in American classrooms. Closer to Lake Forest, schools in Skokie and Barrington adopted Singapore Math programs in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
FALL 2014
STEAM 13 As fourth-grade instructor Paul Hedlund puts it, “The Singapore Math program allows each student to see the math along with making calculations.”
By the time a regularly scheduled review of LFCDS’ Lower School math curriculum began in 2012, Singapore Math and its promising early returns were on the radar of many LFCDS teachers. After an exhaustive review of potential programs and discussion among faculty and parents, LFCDS became the first independent school in the North Shore to feature a Singapore Math-based program, in the form of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Math in Focus curriculum at the start of the 2013 school year. To be clear, the impressive tale of a mathematical revolution half a world away was just one reason why Country Day decision-makers were so thrilled to bring Singapore Math to South Green Bay Road. “At the core of our search was a desire for a program that would develop confident problem solvers with a strong conceptual foundation—one that would promote flexible thinking and the ability to articulate and represent their reasoning,” says Head of Lower School Sally Bullard. The program not only distinguished itself for its research-backed pedagogical merits and impressive results, but it also stood out as uniquely suited for life at LFCDS in the digital age. “Students today are more visual learners, and Singapore Math features a variety of pathways to get to conceptual understanding,” says Bullard. The key to this conceptual mastery is known as the “CPA approach,” which is the program’s bedrock progression of concrete, pictorial, and abstract representations of concepts that teaches a more comprehensive understanding of mathematical topics. For instance, the process of learning to add fractions might include the use of concrete manipulatives, such as plastic pie slices, pictorial bar model representations of parts of a greater whole, and the eventual understanding that algorithms are the abstract depictions of a tangible addition process.
Essentially, the program provides building blocks for the advancement of more intricate calculations by encouraging students to personalize their study of math. Instead of absorbing a rigid, step-by-step formula through rote memory, students naturally develop a more flexible, over-arching approach that brings them closer to the core of why and how they are using algorithms. Simply put, students come to understand the larger meaning behind the process of solving problems, rather than memorizing the steps as a substitution for comprehension. Upper School teachers already sense that Singapore Math will make for a smoother transition to higher-level studies since students will enter the Upper School with a unique advantage. “I think our students will go into Upper School math with a much stronger conceptual understanding, as they will have not only learned how to do something but will know why it works,” says Upper School Mathematics Department Chair Ty Stuckslager. “For instance, students will enter with a better algebraic foundation, as the bar modeling system used in the Singapore Math curriculum is really a pictorial representation of algebraic concepts.” While Upper School teachers can predict with excitement the future consequences of the program, Lower School teachers are reveling in the immediate progress that their students have exhibited in just one year. While a successful start to the program is promising news, the LFCDS teachers are determined to maintain this momentum and build on this success.This past summer, each Lower School mathematics teacher attended a professional development conference on Singapore Math that has already produced visible results in the form of genuine enthusiasm and reassured confidence for the program’s future at LFCDS. You can read more about this beneficial conference on page 29. LFCDS teachers have taken up the excitement surrounding Singapore Math, but so, too, have their students. Although students have traditionally viewed math in black and white terms, Singapore Math at LFCDS has provided students with a more colorful and engaging method for mastering the fundamentals of mathematics.
FALL 2014
14 INNOVATION LAB
The INNOVATION LAB
The newly-built Innovation Lab is the most visible representation of the forward momentum and excitement behind the STEAM program at LFCDS. From the onset, the success of the STEAM program has relied on a student-oriented curriculum that encourages academic risk and innovative leadership to generate new proposals. There is no truer example of this student-centered initiative than the inception of the Innovation Lab, which was inspired by students who submitted their own design
proposals, experiment suggestions, resource-allocation strategies, and budgets. LFCDS partnered with local and national corporations who funded the lab with state-of-the-art infrastructure that supports high-quality film production equipment, green-screen technology, advanced communication devices, electronics, a 3D printer, coding software, and many more technological capacities that the lab is now capable of delivering. Under student direction, and supervision from Chair of the Science Department, Mark Arthur, and Upper School science teacher, Lee Johnson, the Innovation Lab outgrew its initial space and has since moved to a more spacious area this
15 year, with its old location becoming the new Lego robotics room. The recent growth of the STEAM program has seen the old Lego robotics room become the new Lower School Lego center. In a second new space, the Tinker Lab, students will have the opportunities to create, experiment, build, rebuild, and use their imaginations to learn from what does not work. The Innovation Lab serves as the nucleus for applied and experimental STEAM knowledge and offers students valuable opportunities to investigate new ideas and actualize these hypotheses through cutting-edge technology and material that otherwise would not be accessible at the middle-school level. According to Mr. Arthur, the lab exists so that students can really apply science by actively creating and making objects through engineering, mechanics, coding, and robotics. In the spirit of the LFCDS community, Mr. Arthur suggests that the lab also exists as a vehicle to spread an interest in STEAM knowledge to surrounding communities. LFCDS recently partnered with the North Chicago Community Partners (N.C.C.P.) in order to provide students from the North Chicago Public School system with a chance to visit their LFCDS friends and collaborate on experiments in the open lab as part of the newly implemented “Innovation Outreach” program that will continue this year. While the Innovation Lab has been firmly integrated as a central feature of the STEAM program at LFCDS and beyond, students and teachers have vowed to continue pushing it to new levels that will lead to even more unique opportunities. Some enhancements will include using Touch Board, which uses special touch-sensitive electric paint connected to a central switchboard to emit sound, boosting video-game design software, and implementing a rocketry program. If the growth of the Innovation Lab is any indication of the success of the STEAM program, the enthusiastic student investment reflects the popularity of the curriculum and a reinvigorated passion for math and science-related education. In assessing the purpose of the Innovation Lab, Mr. Sperling mentioned, “We want our kids to go out in the community and say, ‘Look at what I’m doing at my school.’” While the verbal pride certainly exists among teachers and students within the LFCDS community—and other schools who have visited— the inspiring atmosphere of the lab more than speaks for itself.
Student Experiments To-Date:
· Speaker boxes to study Non-Newtonian fluids · Movies using Green Screen and iMovie for Google “moon-bot” competitions · Wind tunnels to study aerodynamics for CO2 dragster design · Various levers and fulcrums with the 3D printer for fifth-grade projects · Tornado Simulator testing · Programming in Linux
Future Initiatives:
· Opening the room to all disciplines for use on a daily basis · Implementing independent research and study options for students · Rocketry Program · Digital Application design · Technology integrated fashion/ “smart clothing”
FALL 2014
16 THE APPLETON MASON SOCIETY Planning Your Legacy at
LAKE FOREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Build a lasting legacy with a planned gift to Lake Forest Country Day School through the Appleton Mason Society. Members of the Appleton Mason Society have an honored status at LFCDS because their planning ensures a future of enduring vitality for LFCDS in addition to securing its fiscal stability. The commitments of Society members constitute one of Lake Forest Country Day School’s most valuable assets. The society is named after Appleton Mason, who became Headmaster of the Bell School in 1955 and served in this role until he became the first Headmaster of the consolidated Lake Forest Country Day School in 1958, a position he held until 1967. Appleton Mason had a vision of what the newly formed Lake Forest Country Day School could become and mean to generations of students. His delicate handling of the merger of two rival schools resulted in an institution today that retains the strengths of the Bell School and Lake Forest Day School—providing an academically rigorous, yet individualized, program to students age two through grade eight. Individuals who provide for LFCDS in their estate plans will be recognized in perpetuity as members of the Appleton Mason Society.
For more information please contact Bob Bullard, Assistant Head of School at bob.bullard@lfcds.org or (847) 234-2350.
Lake Forest Country Day School Welcomes New York Times Best Selling Author
DR. MICHAEL THOMPSON
For a lecture on ‘How to Raise Responsible Children’
Dr. Thompson, internationally known speaker and author of Raising Cain and Best Friends, Worst Enemies will address questions such as: How can parents communicate with children around issues of responsibility? How can parents provide their children with an internal foundation for moral behavior? Which method of parenting produces the most competent child?
Free and Open to the Public Please RSVP by calling (847) 234- 2350, or register at www.lfcds.org/mthompson
OCT
22 10 AM
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18 GRADUATION 2014
CONGRATULATIONS
CLASS OF 2014!
The class of 2014 exited the halls of LFCDS on a beautiful summer day with the sun shining brightly and their heads held high. For the “lifers,” the graduation ceremony was the culmination of 11 years of unforgettable memories, friendships, lessons learned, and goals accomplished. For everyone, the day signaled the transition of yet another LFCDS eighth-grade class from grade school to secondary school. From the teacher bookplate
readings for each student to the graduation speeches given by Anne Hennessy and David Krivoshik, each and every word spoken during the ceremony emphasized the communal bond that so strongly held this class together. According to Anne, the class of 2014 particularly stood out to teachers and parents for the way they cared for each other “as a second family.” We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors and send them off with high hopes for their next journey.
2014 END OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
“ The thing I am going to miss most about LFCDS is the family atmosphere. I will miss how the teachers care so much about each individual student and take time to get to know each and every student. I am also going to miss how the students know each other so well and how kindly we treat each other.” —Lexie Kolb ’14
Lak Co
The Faculty Merit Award
Mason Alexander Schilling
The Allen C. Bell Scholarship Award
Lowell Weil III
The Kevin D. Gorter Award
Victoria Phyllis Giambrone Chapin Elizabeth Grumhaus David Andrew Lyon Krivoshik Lydia Rowe Puryear
The Mary E. Ballard Community Service Award
Chapin Elizabeth Grumhaus Heather Morgan Knobel David Andrew Lyon Krivoshik
The Timothy F. Briggs Sportsmanship Award
Rebecca Farrow Dee Michael A. Mesrobian Lowell Weil III Shaena J.E. Wright
The Alexander C. Bell Drama Prize
Jared Michael Hedlund Ali Tomanek
The Davies Music Prize
Anne Eileen Hennessy David Andrew Lyon Krivoshik
The Fred J. Hahn Mathematics Award
Lake For
David Andrew Lyon Krivoshik Mason Alexander Schilling Lowell Weil III
The Henry Art Prize
Aryana Farimani Victoria Phyllis Giambrone Anne Eileen Hennessy
Eighth-grade Short Story Contest
Anne Eileen Hennessy
Robbie Bermingham Speaking Contest
Chloe Whelan
James L. Marks Faculty Merit Award
Lee Johnson
STUART FAMILY SCHOLARSHIPS English Anne Eileen Hennessy Saphie Anne Potts World Language
Alec Henry Wilson Shaena J.E. Wright
FALL 2014
20 GRADUATION 2014
LIFERS: Back Row (L to R): Blake Pepper, Alec Wilson, Lowell Weil, Michael Mesrobian, Wes Dixon, Shane Lynch, Adam Steinwold, William Hanson, Ian Strudwick Front Row (L to R): Stacia McBreen, Aryana Farimani, Saphie Potts, Anne Hennessy, Olivia Maggos, Lexie Kolb, Grayson Brown
“My favorite part of graduation was the reading of the bookplates. One of the most special aspects of LFCDS is that the teachers take time to encourage and celebrate each student’s accomplishments. I will always have my bookplate as a reminder of my time at LFCDS.”
—Mason Schilling ’14
21 CLASS OF 2014
HIGH SCHOOL DESTINATIONS
“ Just like the fourth-grade graduation ceremony, I am always struck by how well the teachers know the kids. The words the teachers use are so specific and meaningful to the student. It is a testament to the time we take to get to know the students as learners and as individuals.” —Cindy Edwards GRADE 3 TEACHER
Preston Anderson Grayson Brown Jonathan Browne Paul Daniel Rebecca Dee Aidan Dee Diego Diaz Wes Dixon Aryana Farimani Victoria Giambrone Chapin Grumhaus William Hanson Ian Haupt Maximilian Hayes Jared Hedlund Anne Hennessy Justin Hone Heather Knobel Lexie Kolb David Krivoshik John Lee Shane Lynch Olivia Maggos Stacia McBreen Michael Mesrobian Blake Pepper Saphie Potts Lydia Puryear James Reid-Anderson Matthew Rozsypal Mason Schilling Adam Steinwold Ian Strudwick Sarah Tobin Alissa Tomanek Lowell Weil Alec Wilson Shaena Wright
Beacon Academy Brewster Academy Episcopal High School Lake Forest Academy Woodlands Academy Lake Forest Academy Lake County Baptist School Lake Forest High School Lake Forest High School Carmel High School Woodlands Academy Highland Park High School Beacon Academy Lake Forest Academy Libertyville High School The Lawrenceville School Lake Forest Academy Highland Park High School Vernon Hills High School Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest High School Lake Forest Academy Westminster School Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest High School Lake Forest High School Lake Forest High School Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest Academy Laurel Springs Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest High School Deerfield Academy Lake Forest High School Lake Forest Academy
FALL 2014
22 HODGKINS AWARD
BONDY HODGKINS AWARD Congratulations on this year’s winners, Susan and David!
PAST WINNERS OF THE BONDY HODGKINS AWARD 2014 David Grumhaus ’81, Susan Krivoshik 2013 Kristen Mills, Patrice Wetzel 2012 Anne Reyes 2011 Susan & Kenny Bozorgi, Joan & Kevin Shannahan 2010 Coni Carfagno, Sarah & Chuck Lamphere
Each year, the Board of Trustees celebrates parent commitment to Lake Forest Country Day School with the presentation of the Bondy Hodgkins Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service. The Bondy Hodgkins Award was established in 1985 in recognition of Bondy’s remarkable commitment to volunteer service at LFCDS, including 13 years on the Board of Trustees, the last four of which she served as President.
2009 Nancy Clemens, Katie Hale, Lynn Taylor
The Award recognizes parents like Bondy, who have selflessly dedicated themselves to Lake Forest Country Day School and its students. A strong sense of parent involvement and participation is a hallmark of LFCDS, and the tremendous time and energy our parents dedicate to the School is an attribute that we take great pride in celebrating each year at graduation. This year we were happy to give this prestigious award to Susan Krivoshik and David Grumhaus ’81 for their selfless dedication to Lake Forest Country Day School, its students, and faculty. Susan embraced the School tradition of parental involvement in many capacities, including serving as a room parent, volunteering at the book fair, working on the auction and parent association, assisting with homecoming, and much more. David, who saw his fourth child graduate from LFCDS this past year, was the leading force behind developing a master financial plan for LFCDS. Without David, LFCDS would not have been able to prioritize, anticipate, and carry out this essential plan that will shape the future of our School.
1994 Susan Pitt
2008 Ellory Peck, Betsy Rosenfield 2007 Debbie Terlato 2006 Lisa Zenni, Sonya Wolsey-Paige 2005 Lauren Gorter, Molly South 2004 Mary Ballard 2003 Lisa Ireland 2002 Mimi & Bob Murley 2001 Carole Sandner 2000 Jane Eberly 1999 Sharon Weiss 1998 Consie Pierrepont 1997 Jill Caldcleugh, Prue Beidler 1996 Connie Nagle 1995 Jamee Field, Anne Lerner 1993 Wendy Hicks, Hope Ehrman 1992 Anthony & Maureen Culicchia, Lyn Andress 1991 Catherine Denckla, Kathleen McAllister, Carolyn Tocks 1990 Emily Battle, Jane O’Neil 1988 Darcy Donald 1987 Dianne Fitzsimons 1986 Lucia Prochnow 1985 Bondy Hodgkins
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HOMECOMING 2014 23
HOMECOMING 2014: JOIN THE CELEBRATION FAMILY FUN FOR ALL AGES
Athletic Schedule: 9 AM:
JV Field Hockey VS. Francis Parker
Saturday, October 18
9 AM:
Varsity Field Hockey VS. Francis Parker
11:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. Children’s activities and games will be located outside.
9 AM:
JV Boys Soccer VS. St. Joseph
9 AM:
JV Girls Volleyball VS. St. Joseph
10 AM:
Varsity Boys Soccer VS. St. Joseph
10 AM:
11:30 A.M. Tour the School with Bob Bullard.
Match 1-Varsity Girls Volleyball VS. St. Joseph
11 AM:
Meet at the alumni tent for a trip down memory lane and view our facilities.
Match 2-Varsity Girls Volleyball VS. St. Joseph
11:30 AM: JV Boys Football VS. St. Mary
This year’s games include many surprises!
1 PM:
Varsity Boys Football VS. St. Anastasia
FALL 2014
24 CLASS NOTES Cathy Carroll ’82 is currently founder and CEO of Legacy Onward, a leadership coaching firm that specializes in helping clients successfully manage family businesses. Cathy’s work helps countless small business managers hone the skills they need to successfully optimize work flow and business dynamics— tools she learned at LFCDS. “Looking back, I see how the teamwork opportunities at LFCDS prepared me for leadership opportunities elsewhere in my life,” Carroll says. “Whether on the field hockey field or putting together the yearbook, I had ample opportunity to work with my classmates to achieve results.”
Share your class notes please contact Rosemary Forsyth at rosemary.forsyth@lfcds.org or (847) 615-6200.
Scotty McLennan ’62
Caitlyn Fox ’00
served as Stanford University’s Dean for Religious Life, where he provided spiritual, moral, and ethical leadership for the university as a professor and minister. McLennan credits his interest in helping others to Charlie Leake, who he mentions, “was 100% there for the students—never for himself. He was a coach, he was a mentor, and he was a great spokesperson for the school, and that really resonated with me.” McLennan attended The Hotchkiss School, and then went on to receive a BA from Yale in 1970 as well as M.Div and JD degrees from Harvard Divinity and Law Schools in 1975 before arriving at Stanford.
chose the less traveled path to success—one filled with vocational risk and a budding confidence that she learned as a result of the many conversations on “living a life of consequence” while at LFCDS. While she is currently pursuing her MBA at Penn’s Wharton School of Business, Caitlyn worked in a Tanzanian community development organization straight out of college, and learned how to manage the complexities of social entrepreneurship while increasing the quality of education in developing countries.
Jessica J. Barton ’05 Melburn E. Laundry II ’84 is attending graduate school at DePaul University in Chicago.
Mathew E. Tocks ’89 and his wife Elizabeth welcomed a baby boy William, born February 27, 2013. He is adored by his two sisters, Katherine and Charlotte.
graduated magna cum laude from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: International Business and a Minor in Latin American and Iberian Studies.
Cally C. McGowan ’05 lives and works in Boston. She graduated from Boston College in 2013 and works for the Brattle Group, an economic and legal consulting firm.
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CLASS NOTES 25 Jacob T. Crofts ’07
Rahul Mehta ’10
is majoring in English Literature and Secondary Education at Northweastern University. He is also an RA and a staff member on what is considered by some to be the most popular Minecraft server in the world.
was selected as one of 40 finalists in the The Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS) competition for his research article, “A New Max-Flow Algorithm for Sparse Networks.” Intel STS is the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition, and many of its participants now hold more than 100 of the world’s most coveted science and math honors, including the Nobel Prize and the National Medal of Science. Rahul was selected as a finalist out of 2,500 submissions in all areas of science (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)
Michaela A. Bowler ’09 is entering her sophomore year at Wittenberg University. She plays field hockey and is a new member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
Genevera M. Crofts ’10 a recent graduate of Lake Forest High School will be attending the Art Institute of Chicago in the fall. Her interests lie in art and outdoor education which she hopes to incorporate into her career. Outdoor education has taught her leadership skills, and she is going into her second semester as a Teacher’s Assistant in her outdoor education class.
Jordan B. Wolff ’11 a senior at Lake Forest Academy is leading the Jewish Student Union and the Future Business Leaders of America. He is also the Editor-in-chief of the LFA Spectator (newspaper).
Rye Marra ’12 Rye was recently one of eight finalists for the sophomore narrative competition at the Berkshire School.
Will Reardon ’93 served more than a decade as a member of the U.S. Navy SEALs. During his deployment, Will operated in areas of major conflict ranging from Iraq to Afghanistan, earning four Bronze Star Medals and the John Paul Jones Award for inspirational leadership. Now based in Boston as an Assistant Vice President for Eaton Vance and equipped with a freshly minted MBA from M.I.T., Reardon traces the roots of his achievements to his formative years and early mentors at LFCDS. “The faculty constantly challenged me to push myself both in the classroom and on the athletic fields,” Reardon says. “The academic foundation, work ethic, and principles that I came away with enabled me to achieve my goals.”
FALL 2014
26 ALUMNI RECEPTION
2014 New York ALUMNI RECEPTION
On Thursday, April 24, 2014, LFCDS alumni and friends gathered with current staff and faculty at the Yale Club in Manhattan for a celebratory night full of food, drink, old friends, and memories. The spirited reception involved thirty people and spanned alumni classes ranging from 1962 to 2004. The night provided an opportunity for Head of School Bob Whelan to connect with people who deeply care about the School, and whose insight and feedback will undoubtedly lead to further success at LFCDS for years to come. Bob mentioned that he enjoys learning from conversations with LFCDS alumni and that he plans to strengthen the School’s commitment to alumni. Before the end of the night, alumni gathered in a circle and shared some of their fondest memories,
most of which centered around the lasting relationships built with teachers. The alumni in attendance repeatedly stressed how their teachers genuinely knew each of them and cared for them individually.
FALL 2014
TEACHER AWARDS 27
YVONNE BANKS Caring Teacher Award The prestigious Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award was established in 1992 to celebrate two teachers annually “who have demonstrated exceptional creativity using their abilities to help and nurture children.”
Yvonne Banks was a beloved teacher and a parent at LFCDS. The family of Yvonne Banks originally created the award to honor the compassion and support her children received from their teachers at our School during Yvonne’s illness. Participation in the nomination process has always been a wonderful way to express your appreciation for all the extra help and compassion our teachers give to the students, and this year’s winners were well-deserving of this appreciation.
2014 WINNERS Mr. Scott A. Baeseman, CHAIR OF THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT, MUSIC TEACHER
Ms. Abby Reed,
SECOND-GRADE TEACHER
RECENT PAST WINNERS
2013 Kirsten Anderson and Glenda Barnwell 2012 Mark Arthur and Shira Schwartz 2011 Andy Sperling and Glenn Kalin 2010 Lynn Beuttell and Kevin Brady 2009 Patty Crofts and Kelly Scott 2008 Nancy Clifford and Claire Concannon Visit www.lfcds.org/bhodgkins to see full list of past winners
FALL 2014
28 GOLDEN APPLE
The GOLDEN APPLE AWARD
The Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Education is given annually to ten Illinois teachers who have demonstrated a unique ability to inspire and motivate their students in exceptionally impactful ways. This past year, Lake Forest Country Day School English teacher, Kim Bell, was named a finalist for the 2014 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, marking the sixth time a LFCDS teacher has been nominated as a finalist for this prestigious award. Kim joins present LFCDS teachers Sally Bullard, Tom Crofts, Nan Caldwell, Scott Baeseman, and Maria Hempen as the previous five finalists to be recognized by the Golden Apple Foundation for their commitment to teaching. Mrs. Bell became part of this outstanding group of teachers who have graced LFCDS with their tremendous
teaching passion and abilities after advancing through a pool of over 620 nominations and 272 applicants to become one of thirty-two finalists across Illinois. Congratulations to Kim and our entire faculty who collectively enrich the LFCDS experience.
“Kim is clearly making an impact. She is not just liked by the students; she is having a significant and very positive impact on their lives.” —Tom Crofts
LFCDS GOLDEN APPLE AWARD WINNER, 1993
FALL 2014
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 29
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
While academic landscapes shift and the learning needs of students change, successful schools welcome this challenge by evolving teaching practices to best position children for success. This demand for adjustments in method and approach requires teachers to first obtain the knowledge needed to enact these positive modifications. LFCDS has always believed in enabling teachers to further their education and develop fresher approaches to teaching by heavily investing in professional development. The LFCDS community demonstrated extraordinary generosity in support of faculty professional development at the March auction. As a result, this past summer, multiple teachers across many grades and departments enhanced their classroom experience by engaging in several conferences and seminars as large groups. According to Head of Lower School Sally Bullard, “Participating as a group in professional development provides a support system of shared knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion.” One example of such an experience was the Singapore Math conference that all Lower School math teachers
attended, in which they received a thorough refresher course on how to better engage their students and advance their understanding of the concrete-pictorial-abstract approach that is at the heart of the Singapore Math curriculum. Their experience was boosted by the fact that each of the teachers went into the conference with a year under their belt of teaching Singapore Math. Among some of the teachers who took it upon themselves to advance their education this summer was Nan Caldwell, who traveled to Panama for a conference with the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). Nan mentioned that “discussions over meals and breaks with other world language professionals enhanced what were already thought-provoking and energizing ideas” brought up during the various sessions at the AATSP conference. First-grade teacher Nancy Clifford and several other LFCDS teachers attended SLANT this summer—a four day multisensory, structured training program designed to prepare teachers to more effectively involve students in reading, spelling, and writing lessons. Nancy mentioned, “All children learn differently, and I am always trying to acquire new approaches to meet each child’s individual needs.”
FALL 2014
30 LFCDS TRUSTEES
2014-2015 LFCDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Wendy Weil, Chair Nicholas Alexos Joseph Andrea Earl J. Barnes II Bill Collins Pedro DeJesus Ahmed Farag Kate Fitzgerald ’87 William Giambrone Rebecca Graf David Grumhaus ’81 David Keller Adam Kriger Jane O’Neil Diane Potts Marianne Silver Yvonne Steinwold Jana Van Paris Bob Whelan Stephen Wright
TOP ROW (left to right): David Keller, Pedro DeJesus, William Giambrone, Bill Collins, Ahmed Farag, Bob Whelan; BOTTOM ROW (left to right): Yvonne Steinwold, Rebecca Graf, Dianne Potts, Marianne Silver, Kate Fitzgerald ’87, Wendy Weil, Jane O’Neil, Jana Van Paris; NOT PICTURED: Nicholas Alexos, Joseph Andrea, Earl Barnes, David Grumhaus ’81, Adam Kriger, Stephen Wright
The Lake Forest Country Day School Board is a volunteer body that serves as the guardian of the School’s mission, focusing on the welfare of students and faculty, as well as the School’s long term well-being. The Board ensures that the mission is relevant and productive to the community it serves. The Board plans, develops, and establishes policy and constantly assesses the performance of the School, leaving the School’s daily operations to the Head of the School. The trustees of the School hold regular meetings where they discuss financial statements, review committee reports, and discuss and implement policy. The work of the trustees is carried on primarily in small committees to ensure a thorough study and discussion of policy matters. Throughout the year, Board members volunteer countless hours actively learning about the School and strategizing effective policy that will serve its mission and benefit the community.
FALL 2014
LFCDS TRUSTEES 31
WELCOME OUR NEW TRUSTEES Joe Andrea
Joe Andrea is co-founder and Principal of Opus CMC. He brings a record of proven leadership and expertise in the due diligence industry. Prior to Opus CMC, Joe served in the mortgage and finance industry for over ten years. Joe is responsible for business development and client services, and he continues to create a strategic edge by evaluating the needs of the market and putting company efforts in front of those needs. Joe and his wife, Stephanie, currently live in Highland Park, Illinois and are the parents of Maggie ’18. Joe offers LFCDS a wealth of business knowledge and expertise.
Pedro DeJesus
Pedro DeJesus is Tampico Beverages’ Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. He is currently active in several civic, community, and philanthropic organizations. Pedro earned his BA in Political Science from Roosevelt University and his JD from Northwestern University School of Law. Pedro and his wife, Carroll, are the parents of Ethan ’26 and Isabella ’24, and they live in Lake Forest, Illinois. Pedro brings legal and strategic planning expertise to the Board.
Rebecca Graf
Rebecca Graf brings a wealth of knowledge to the LFCDS Board as a former award-winning teacher and banker. Rebecca has served as a volunteer on several educational committees at LFCDS, including the Robotics Competition, NCCP outreach, and the Innovation Lab. Rebecca and her husband, Mark, live in Lake Forest, Illinois and are
the parents of Foster ’15. Rebecca earned her MA in Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and contributes an understanding of schools, the teaching profession, and a passion for cutting-edge education to the Board.
David Keller
David Keller is a Principal of TK Capital, LLC and has served as a corporate attorney in Chicago. David is a trustee at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and earned his MBA from The University of Montana and his JD from the University of Chicago Law School. David and his wife, Avery, live in Lake Forest, Illinois and are the parents of Reese ’24, Coleman ’23, and Jack ’21. David brings legal expertise and board experience to LFCDS.
Marianne Silver
Marianne has developed world-class recruiting and HR programs for some of the fastest-growing companies in the transportation industry. She co-founded and is currently the Chief People Officer at Coyote Logistics. An active volunteer for LFCDS, Marianne co-chaired the Auction and has served on several committees. Marianne and her husband, former Board of Trustee Jeff Silver, live in Lake Bluff, Illinois and are the parents of seven children: three LFCDS alumni and current LFCDS student Johnny ’17. Marianne brings past board experience and business management skills to LFCDS.
CORE VALUES: Excellence Partnership Responsibility Participation Diversity
Lake Forest Country Day School 145 South Green Bay Road Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 (847) 234-2350 | www.lfcds.org
UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday, October 9 Admission Open House Wednesday, October 15 Boarding School Fair Saturday, October 18 Homecoming Wednesday, October 22 Michael Thompson Lecture Tuesday, November 11 Book Fair Family Reading Night Thursday, November 20 Admission Open House Friday, November 21 Talent Show Tuesday, November 25 Thanksgiving Assembly
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