Prospect Sierra

KALEIDOSCOPE FALL 2016

What Makes Us Unique?

A Clear Message for Prospect Sierra Project Happiness Annual Report

Last year the school helped students at Tapscott brave new territories when they were heard struggling with news of national politics out on the playground at lunch.

By educating faculty and guiding students through thoughtful discussions, the children learned to think critically and independently about the problems facing their world.

—Judith Zahid, parent of Majid (’20) and Lena (’24)

WHAT’S INSIDE THE PROSPECT SIERRA DIFFERENCE

ENGAGEMENTS

INTERSECTIONS

Curated stories from social media, classrooms, and community perspectives—get a glimpse into the Prospect Sierra community today.

Learn how we developed a healthy school culture with a focus on diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work.

TELL ME ABOUT PROSPECT SIERRA

ACADEMICS AND IDEALS

PROJECT HAPPINESS

Encouraging great families and great students to explore Prospect Sierra requires a clear message.

From student support, to maps, math, and caring for one another, peek into classrooms and take a good look.

HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE LIST

CLASS NOTES

ANNUAL REPORT

Whether their contributions are big or small, Prospect Sierra alum are “changemakers” in the world.

Hard work and thousands of small touch points make a great institution. Review our budget and financials.

A collection of diverse and colorful stories about what makes Prospect Sierra a unique place to explore, learn, and grow.

2 8

The future is bright! Find out what lies ahead for Prospect Sierra alumni.

18

2 | PROSPECT SIERRA

4

10

20

6

“A Community That Celebrates.” Hear from Division Heads about how we encourage and cultivate happiness and joy at school.

14

24 KALEIDOSCOPE | 1

Last year the school helped students at Tapscott brave new territories when they were heard struggling with news of national politics out on the playground at lunch.

By educating faculty and guiding students through thoughtful discussions, the children learned to think critically and independently about the problems facing their world.

—Judith Zahid, parent of Majid (’20) and Lena (’24)

WHAT’S INSIDE THE PROSPECT SIERRA DIFFERENCE

ENGAGEMENTS

INTERSECTIONS

Curated stories from social media, classrooms, and community perspectives—get a glimpse into the Prospect Sierra community today.

Learn how we developed a healthy school culture with a focus on diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work.

TELL ME ABOUT PROSPECT SIERRA

ACADEMICS AND IDEALS

PROJECT HAPPINESS

Encouraging great families and great students to explore Prospect Sierra requires a clear message.

From student support, to maps, math, and caring for one another, peek into classrooms and take a good look.

HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE LIST

CLASS NOTES

ANNUAL REPORT

Whether their contributions are big or small, Prospect Sierra alum are “changemakers” in the world.

Hard work and thousands of small touch points make a great institution. Review our budget and financials.

A collection of diverse and colorful stories about what makes Prospect Sierra a unique place to explore, learn, and grow.

2 8

The future is bright! Find out what lies ahead for Prospect Sierra alumni.

18

2 | PROSPECT SIERRA

4

10

20

6

“A Community That Celebrates.” Hear from Division Heads about how we encourage and cultivate happiness and joy at school.

14

24 KALEIDOSCOPE | 1

THE PROSPECT SIERRA DIFFERENCE n BY KATHERINE DINH, HEAD OF SCHOOL

“We can always tell the kids who went to Prospect Sierra.”

I

have heard this countless times from high school teachers and administrators

who have had experiences with our alumni. They are notable for their intellectual pursuits and their understanding of themselves as learners.

They are courageous and unafraid to ask questions. They stand out.

Our students develop these traits because of our teachers, who work to make

connections between what students learn in the classroom and what they experience outside of it. I see it every day. When studying math, students are asked to delve into real social inequities regarding wages for men and women. In sixth grade humanities, they develop research, writing, and presentation skills while studying agriculture, gaining deep empathy for local farmers and the environmental and economic challenges that they face.

Families who choose Prospect Sierra do so not only because of our commitment to their children’s intellectual engagement, but because of our work to foster a community that inspires self-knowledge and care for others. I get a wonderful perspective of how our students learn by visiting classrooms, doing work alongside students, and spending time with them during lunch or recess. I am blown away each and every day by what I see. It’s easy to understand how our alumni are so memorable—they are the “Prospect Sierra difference.”

In this first issue of our new magazine, Kaleidoscope, we hope to share with you the diverse and colorful stories that blend together to make Prospect Sierra a unique and inspiring place to explore, learn, and grow.

2 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 3

THE PROSPECT SIERRA DIFFERENCE n BY KATHERINE DINH, HEAD OF SCHOOL

“We can always tell the kids who went to Prospect Sierra.”

I

have heard this countless times from high school teachers and administrators

who have had experiences with our alumni. They are notable for their intellectual pursuits and their understanding of themselves as learners.

They are courageous and unafraid to ask questions. They stand out.

Our students develop these traits because of our teachers, who work to make

connections between what students learn in the classroom and what they experience outside of it. I see it every day. When studying math, students are asked to delve into real social inequities regarding wages for men and women. In sixth grade humanities, they develop research, writing, and presentation skills while studying agriculture, gaining deep empathy for local farmers and the environmental and economic challenges that they face.

Families who choose Prospect Sierra do so not only because of our commitment to their children’s intellectual engagement, but because of our work to foster a community that inspires self-knowledge and care for others. I get a wonderful perspective of how our students learn by visiting classrooms, doing work alongside students, and spending time with them during lunch or recess. I am blown away each and every day by what I see. It’s easy to understand how our alumni are so memorable—they are the “Prospect Sierra difference.”

In this first issue of our new magazine, Kaleidoscope, we hope to share with you the diverse and colorful stories that blend together to make Prospect Sierra a unique and inspiring place to explore, learn, and grow.

2 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 3

ENGAGEMENTS

DEEPENING GREENING As one of our six strategic priorities,

A Glimpse into the Prospect Sierra Community

Prospect Sierra is implementing a comprehensive green strategy that guides our decisions regarding curriculum, operations, and facilities.

This past year, our Faculty Green Team Leaders led multiple ecoliteracy workshops, and the school invested in a 105 kW photovoltaic system, which now provides 80% of the school’s electrical needs. We project savings of $2.6 million over the next 30 years.

The administration and the Prospect Sierra Parents Association have also

I always dreamed of a dazzling literary arts center to bring together and serve the vast artistic East Bay writing community, so with the help of my partner I took the initiative and built it.

Left Margin LIT offers classes for adults and high school students, soon adding master classes, a reading series, book groups, and maybe even literary happy hour. Come collaborate with us.

improved the nutritional value in our lunch and snack offerings, and the

—Rachel Richardson (’91)

Sustainability Committee helps ensure that school events feature compostable and recyclable items.

BEING YOUR TRUE SELF

YOU HAVE TO GET CLOSE

Danté Ryan (’12) is the most recent Prospect

Propsect Sierra has partnered with enGender

Sierra Alumni Action Award winner. He led a

(www.engendernow.org) to run Bay Area

peaceful protest of the Berkeley High School

Rainbow Day Camp, a successful summer

student body in fall 2015, shining a light on

camp for gender diverse youth ages 4–18 the

the shortcomings of the BHS administration

past two years. Over 50 campers spend an

to address a series of racist incidents at the

amazing two weeks at the Tapscott campus

school. Danté spoke to our middle school

engaging in circus arts, visual arts, outdoor

when he accepted the award, displaying great

play, poetry, and the priceless experience of

humility as well as fiery passion to continue

feeling safe being their true selves as they

his work. At Prospect Sierra, Danté said he

formed new friendships. One camper said,

learned that he had a voice, and that voice

“I’ve never been around other trans kids

needed to be heard.

before. It was pure joy.”

In 2016, Prospect Sierra faculty were privileged to hear Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, speak at the annual NAIS conference. Bryan Stevenson told the story of his grandmother pulling him close, hugging him as tightly as she could to remind him, “You can’t understand most of the important things from a distance, Bryan. You have to get close.” Stevenson says that proximity has taught him one basic and humbling truth: “Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” His expert balance of personal stories, revealing the humanity of Equal Justice Initiative clients who are also condemned prisoners, along with his methodical fact gathering, brings to light the failures of our criminal justice system and leaves us committed to finding a path to right these wrongs. At Prospect Sierra, we know that we must follow his advice and get close to the issue. As challenging as it might be, we must bear witness to the truths being spoken and work to change the narrative.

GIVING VOICE TO YOUR PASSION

4 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 5

ENGAGEMENTS

DEEPENING GREENING As one of our six strategic priorities,

A Glimpse into the Prospect Sierra Community

Prospect Sierra is implementing a comprehensive green strategy that guides our decisions regarding curriculum, operations, and facilities.

This past year, our Faculty Green Team Leaders led multiple ecoliteracy workshops, and the school invested in a 105 kW photovoltaic system, which now provides 80% of the school’s electrical needs. We project savings of $2.6 million over the next 30 years.

The administration and the Prospect Sierra Parents Association have also

I always dreamed of a dazzling literary arts center to bring together and serve the vast artistic East Bay writing community, so with the help of my partner I took the initiative and built it.

Left Margin LIT offers classes for adults and high school students, soon adding master classes, a reading series, book groups, and maybe even literary happy hour. Come collaborate with us.

improved the nutritional value in our lunch and snack offerings, and the

—Rachel Richardson (’91)

Sustainability Committee helps ensure that school events feature compostable and recyclable items.

BEING YOUR TRUE SELF

YOU HAVE TO GET CLOSE

Danté Ryan (’12) is the most recent Prospect

Propsect Sierra has partnered with enGender

Sierra Alumni Action Award winner. He led a

(www.engendernow.org) to run Bay Area

peaceful protest of the Berkeley High School

Rainbow Day Camp, a successful summer

student body in fall 2015, shining a light on

camp for gender diverse youth ages 4–18 the

the shortcomings of the BHS administration

past two years. Over 50 campers spend an

to address a series of racist incidents at the

amazing two weeks at the Tapscott campus

school. Danté spoke to our middle school

engaging in circus arts, visual arts, outdoor

when he accepted the award, displaying great

play, poetry, and the priceless experience of

humility as well as fiery passion to continue

feeling safe being their true selves as they

his work. At Prospect Sierra, Danté said he

formed new friendships. One camper said,

learned that he had a voice, and that voice

“I’ve never been around other trans kids

needed to be heard.

before. It was pure joy.”

In 2016, Prospect Sierra faculty were privileged to hear Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, speak at the annual NAIS conference. Bryan Stevenson told the story of his grandmother pulling him close, hugging him as tightly as she could to remind him, “You can’t understand most of the important things from a distance, Bryan. You have to get close.” Stevenson says that proximity has taught him one basic and humbling truth: “Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” His expert balance of personal stories, revealing the humanity of Equal Justice Initiative clients who are also condemned prisoners, along with his methodical fact gathering, brings to light the failures of our criminal justice system and leaves us committed to finding a path to right these wrongs. At Prospect Sierra, we know that we must follow his advice and get close to the issue. As challenging as it might be, we must bear witness to the truths being spoken and work to change the narrative.

GIVING VOICE TO YOUR PASSION

4 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 5

INTERSECTIONS Diversity and Inclusion: From the Ground Up and the Top Down n BY BRITT ANDERSON, DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

’09

Established Diversity and Inclusion Team led by Director of Diversity and Inclusion and teacher leaders at each campus. Developed common language using Steven Jones’ cycle of cultural competency, and increased cultural practices that prioritize using name tags, learning names, greeting people by name, asking questions, and sharing stories.

R

The true measure of our [society’s] character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned.

We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated.

— Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

’11

Developed “This PS Life” program, which supports story sharing from underrepresented groups to the larger community, developing empathy through curiosity.

Began evening Diversity and Inclusion Dialogues with parents. Feedback from families helped us welcome new sixth grade families in more inclusive ways.

Presented “Diversity and Inclusion: From the Ground Up and The Top Down” at the 2012 People of Color Conference.

’10

’16

’14

’12

Began Gender Spectrum training for faculty and staff, founded GSA (Gender Sexuality Awareness Group), and initiated partnership with Equal Read. Launched campus specific diversity and inclusion teacher committees.

Hosted All Together Now, a community event to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Studied Whistling Vivaldi, Quiet, and Transgender Child.

Adopted Identity Safe Classroom framework.

’13

those who wish to dig deeper into conversation.

Prioritized the integration of cultural competency and emotional intelligence in new Strategic Plan. Shared executive functioning workshop. Established Middle School Diversity Council.

Launched school-wide theme on identity. Held conversations around Just Mercy, our allschool summer read.

Prepared for the 2016 presidential election by discussing how we can support all of our families during a time of nationwide tension.

’15

(www.equalread.org) help us expand our knowledge on race,

esearch shows that the complex problems we

community. Using the skills-based approach to capacity

face today require diverse perspectives to most

building developed by leading diversity expert Dr. Steven

effectively find solutions. At Prospect Sierra, we

Jones, we ask our students, “Who are you? Who do you need

groups such as the GSA (Gender Sexuality Awareness Group)

commit to helping our students become global

to learn more about?” and build upon the understanding that

and the Middle School Diversity Council, students can

opens up the world to us, but helps us get to know ourselves.

self-knowledge fosters empathy.

discuss the issues facing them and develop leadership skills.

These conversations are now happening at many levels.

citizens. Katherine Dinh, Head of School, appointed our first faculty leaders in 2009. They now play an important role in

Other ways we foster growth include faculty committees,

There are similar lunch clubs at Avis for students. Through

gender, learning differences, executive functioning, and more.

We know that cross cultural communication not only

Diversity and Inclusion Dialogues help us share with

We will continue to create opportunities for our students,

engaging our community in diversity and inclusion practices.

careful training of new employees, and the introduction of

parents the skills we practice with teachers and welcome

faculty, and parents to know themselves first, in order to

These leaders work to develop common language among

both faculty of color and white, anti-racist lunch groups.

new families to the school. Partnerships with Gender

allow curiosity to guide us towards the important goal of

faculty and staff in order to engage and create an inclusive

These cohort groups support employees and are a forum for

Spectrum (www.genderspectrum.org) and Equal Read

building empathy toward others.

6 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 7

INTERSECTIONS Diversity and Inclusion: From the Ground Up and the Top Down n BY BRITT ANDERSON, DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

’09

Established Diversity and Inclusion Team led by Director of Diversity and Inclusion and teacher leaders at each campus. Developed common language using Steven Jones’ cycle of cultural competency, and increased cultural practices that prioritize using name tags, learning names, greeting people by name, asking questions, and sharing stories.

R

The true measure of our [society’s] character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned.

We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated.

— Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

’11

Developed “This PS Life” program, which supports story sharing from underrepresented groups to the larger community, developing empathy through curiosity.

Began evening Diversity and Inclusion Dialogues with parents. Feedback from families helped us welcome new sixth grade families in more inclusive ways.

Presented “Diversity and Inclusion: From the Ground Up and The Top Down” at the 2012 People of Color Conference.

’10

’16

’14

’12

Began Gender Spectrum training for faculty and staff, founded GSA (Gender Sexuality Awareness Group), and initiated partnership with Equal Read. Launched campus specific diversity and inclusion teacher committees.

Hosted All Together Now, a community event to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Studied Whistling Vivaldi, Quiet, and Transgender Child.

Adopted Identity Safe Classroom framework.

’13

those who wish to dig deeper into conversation.

Prioritized the integration of cultural competency and emotional intelligence in new Strategic Plan. Shared executive functioning workshop. Established Middle School Diversity Council.

Launched school-wide theme on identity. Held conversations around Just Mercy, our allschool summer read.

Prepared for the 2016 presidential election by discussing how we can support all of our families during a time of nationwide tension.

’15

(www.equalread.org) help us expand our knowledge on race,

esearch shows that the complex problems we

community. Using the skills-based approach to capacity

face today require diverse perspectives to most

building developed by leading diversity expert Dr. Steven

effectively find solutions. At Prospect Sierra, we

Jones, we ask our students, “Who are you? Who do you need

groups such as the GSA (Gender Sexuality Awareness Group)

commit to helping our students become global

to learn more about?” and build upon the understanding that

and the Middle School Diversity Council, students can

opens up the world to us, but helps us get to know ourselves.

self-knowledge fosters empathy.

discuss the issues facing them and develop leadership skills.

These conversations are now happening at many levels.

citizens. Katherine Dinh, Head of School, appointed our first faculty leaders in 2009. They now play an important role in

Other ways we foster growth include faculty committees,

There are similar lunch clubs at Avis for students. Through

gender, learning differences, executive functioning, and more.

We know that cross cultural communication not only

Diversity and Inclusion Dialogues help us share with

We will continue to create opportunities for our students,

engaging our community in diversity and inclusion practices.

careful training of new employees, and the introduction of

parents the skills we practice with teachers and welcome

faculty, and parents to know themselves first, in order to

These leaders work to develop common language among

both faculty of color and white, anti-racist lunch groups.

new families to the school. Partnerships with Gender

allow curiosity to guide us towards the important goal of

faculty and staff in order to engage and create an inclusive

These cohort groups support employees and are a forum for

Spectrum (www.genderspectrum.org) and Equal Read

building empathy toward others.

6 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 7

TELL ME ABOUT PROSPECT SIERRA A Clear Message for Great Families and Great Students n BY MARY DENARDO, WENDY HORNG BRAWER, AND RENÉE THOMPSON

“Tell me about Prospect Sierra.”

We’ve all been asked to do this at least a few times, and we hope you’ve answered with pride. After all, our academic program, which prioritizes intellectual and emotional intelligence, is celebrated as one of the finest in East Bay—and even in the nation. Our administrators and teachers are the best in their fields. Our families are diverse, engaged, and enthusiastic.

Yet, even with this grateful community of families and a positive reputation, it can be challenging to describe exactly what makes Prospect Sierra unique. Knowing and broadcasting our unique place in the East Bay’s education landscape is paramount to our continued success, especially with approximately 30 independent schools in our region.

That’s why we began work in December 2015 with Mission Minded—a brand strategy and communications agency that helps schools reach their highest potential. We started by carefully reviewing our communications, evaluating the many school options in the East Bay, and talking with our current parents, faculty, staff, board, and parents of recent alums. We spent time in workshops brainstorming and sharing our Prospect Sierra experiences.

We sought to uncover:

What is Prospect Sierra’s reputation, and what is the reputation for which we’d like to be known?

It’s no surprise that our research showed that those within our

8 | PROSPECT SIERRA

parents see independent schools as elitist, which prevents some families from even considering schools like Prospect Sierra. As you know, nothing could be further from the truth. Prospect Sierra is a welcoming and inclusive community of shared values with a neighborly feel.

While our academic program is rigorous, it’s integrated with an emphasis on human emotion, developing students with both the tools and the courage to be great people—not just great students.

We need to spread that word.

As a result of these findings, we’ve: • Solidified our brand and messaging strategy, identifying our most closely held principles and the value that comes from being a member of our community.

• Created strategic messages that highlight the best of Prospect Sierra and what sets us apart from other education options.

• Developed a fresh new visual identity, including a logo that showcases our community values and joyful, down-to-earth personality.

• Updated our key communications tools, including our admissions materials, this publication, including the annual report, and our website.

With your support, we can continue to proudly and clearly

community are exceedingly pleased with their decision to join our

sing Prospect Sierra’s praises, an important part of ensuring

school. However, we also identified a challenge: many East Bay

the continued success of our beloved community.

KALEIDOSCOPE | 9

TELL ME ABOUT PROSPECT SIERRA A Clear Message for Great Families and Great Students n BY MARY DENARDO, WENDY HORNG BRAWER, AND RENÉE THOMPSON

“Tell me about Prospect Sierra.”

We’ve all been asked to do this at least a few times, and we hope you’ve answered with pride. After all, our academic program, which prioritizes intellectual and emotional intelligence, is celebrated as one of the finest in East Bay—and even in the nation. Our administrators and teachers are the best in their fields. Our families are diverse, engaged, and enthusiastic.

Yet, even with this grateful community of families and a positive reputation, it can be challenging to describe exactly what makes Prospect Sierra unique. Knowing and broadcasting our unique place in the East Bay’s education landscape is paramount to our continued success, especially with approximately 30 independent schools in our region.

That’s why we began work in December 2015 with Mission Minded—a brand strategy and communications agency that helps schools reach their highest potential. We started by carefully reviewing our communications, evaluating the many school options in the East Bay, and talking with our current parents, faculty, staff, board, and parents of recent alums. We spent time in workshops brainstorming and sharing our Prospect Sierra experiences.

We sought to uncover:

What is Prospect Sierra’s reputation, and what is the reputation for which we’d like to be known?

It’s no surprise that our research showed that those within our

8 | PROSPECT SIERRA

parents see independent schools as elitist, which prevents some families from even considering schools like Prospect Sierra. As you know, nothing could be further from the truth. Prospect Sierra is a welcoming and inclusive community of shared values with a neighborly feel.

While our academic program is rigorous, it’s integrated with an emphasis on human emotion, developing students with both the tools and the courage to be great people—not just great students.

We need to spread that word.

As a result of these findings, we’ve: • Solidified our brand and messaging strategy, identifying our most closely held principles and the value that comes from being a member of our community.

• Created strategic messages that highlight the best of Prospect Sierra and what sets us apart from other education options.

• Developed a fresh new visual identity, including a logo that showcases our community values and joyful, down-to-earth personality.

• Updated our key communications tools, including our admissions materials, this publication, including the annual report, and our website.

With your support, we can continue to proudly and clearly

community are exceedingly pleased with their decision to join our

sing Prospect Sierra’s praises, an important part of ensuring

school. However, we also identified a challenge: many East Bay

the continued success of our beloved community.

KALEIDOSCOPE | 9

ACADEMICS AND IDEALS

AUTHENTIC, CARING RELATIONSHIPS

Give Them the Tools to Build a Better World

Central to inspiring students is connection. We aspire to connect and develop authentic, caring

ART AND SCIENCE GO TOGETHER LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM!

relationships with kids whenever

At Back to School Night this fall, Jesse Feldman,

harvesting potatoes, and playing

eighth grade science teacher, presented several

flashlight tag under the full moon

projects that overlapped disciplines. He loves

in an open pasture—essentially,

Think back to your elementary math classroom. Were you sitting in rows of desks

surprising his students when he assigns a Natural

we are bringing faculty and

with just a pencil and paper in front of you? Did you study flashcards or memorize

Selection Comic Strip project, for example.

students together to share fun and

the times table? How things have changed! In 2015, Prospect Sierra embarked on a

Students select a topic related to the evolutionary

meaningful experiences. From Live

process to bring Bridges math into our classrooms, which focuses on direct instruction,

process of natural selection, i.e., why elephant ears

Power Farm to being on campus,

structured investigation, and open exploration. Bridges allows our teachers to tap into the

are larger or differently shaped in some species

we take the time to have face to

intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically,

than others. From here, they dig deeply into the

face conversations with students

visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.

research, utilizing many resources. What’s next?

and colleagues. As faculty, we ask

Step into a Prospect Sierra math classroom and you might find students working in

Turning this science research into an art project,

questions: What’s going on in this

groups to solve a problem by sorting objects, taking notes, and discussing multiple paths

namely, creating a comic strip with 12–16 hand

student’s life? How has their day

to a common solution. Our students can explain their thinking, visually model different

drawn cells that visually depict their learning! Jesse

been? What are they struggling with?

approaches to a solution, and utilize various math manipulatives to gain a deeper

knows that we all have different strengths and

Where do they need to be seen and

understanding of developmentally appropriate math concepts.

ways of absorbing knowledge. Some of the ways

heard? Even those students who, on

he supports this belief is by having the students

occasion, are sent to our offices for

has proven that our new math program not only provides a strong foundational

use photography when studying plants and

whatever reason, are a gift to spend

understanding, but also encourages collaboration and growth. The best news of all:

encouraging sketching and visual note-taking in

time with. It’s truly a joy to connect.

students report that they love math!

we can. The sixth grade farm trip is a particular favorite. Shoveling manure, feeding livestock,

A NEW DAY FOR MATH LEARNING

Student feedback about these changes, as well as data from math assessments,

his classes. Art and science clearly go together like green eggs and ham!

We’re convinced that what students learn during their elementary and middle school years here will carry them throughout their lives whatever they choose to do.

— Tracey Croom and Sunny McKay, 2016–17 Annual Fund Co-Chairs

10 | PROSPECT SIERRA

CURRICULUM MAPPING AS FACULTY LEADERSHIP At Prospect Sierra, there are many leadership opportunities for faculty and staff. Last year, a teacher developed a K–8 curriculum map which is featured on our new website www.prospectsierra.org/curriculum-grid.

She gathered data and made it accessible for our parents who relish the chance to explore our K–8 curriculum more deeply.

KALEIDOSCOPE | 11

ACADEMICS AND IDEALS

AUTHENTIC, CARING RELATIONSHIPS

Give Them the Tools to Build a Better World

Central to inspiring students is connection. We aspire to connect and develop authentic, caring

ART AND SCIENCE GO TOGETHER LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM!

relationships with kids whenever

At Back to School Night this fall, Jesse Feldman,

harvesting potatoes, and playing

eighth grade science teacher, presented several

flashlight tag under the full moon

projects that overlapped disciplines. He loves

in an open pasture—essentially,

Think back to your elementary math classroom. Were you sitting in rows of desks

surprising his students when he assigns a Natural

we are bringing faculty and

with just a pencil and paper in front of you? Did you study flashcards or memorize

Selection Comic Strip project, for example.

students together to share fun and

the times table? How things have changed! In 2015, Prospect Sierra embarked on a

Students select a topic related to the evolutionary

meaningful experiences. From Live

process to bring Bridges math into our classrooms, which focuses on direct instruction,

process of natural selection, i.e., why elephant ears

Power Farm to being on campus,

structured investigation, and open exploration. Bridges allows our teachers to tap into the

are larger or differently shaped in some species

we take the time to have face to

intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically,

than others. From here, they dig deeply into the

face conversations with students

visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.

research, utilizing many resources. What’s next?

and colleagues. As faculty, we ask

Step into a Prospect Sierra math classroom and you might find students working in

Turning this science research into an art project,

questions: What’s going on in this

groups to solve a problem by sorting objects, taking notes, and discussing multiple paths

namely, creating a comic strip with 12–16 hand

student’s life? How has their day

to a common solution. Our students can explain their thinking, visually model different

drawn cells that visually depict their learning! Jesse

been? What are they struggling with?

approaches to a solution, and utilize various math manipulatives to gain a deeper

knows that we all have different strengths and

Where do they need to be seen and

understanding of developmentally appropriate math concepts.

ways of absorbing knowledge. Some of the ways

heard? Even those students who, on

he supports this belief is by having the students

occasion, are sent to our offices for

has proven that our new math program not only provides a strong foundational

use photography when studying plants and

whatever reason, are a gift to spend

understanding, but also encourages collaboration and growth. The best news of all:

encouraging sketching and visual note-taking in

time with. It’s truly a joy to connect.

students report that they love math!

we can. The sixth grade farm trip is a particular favorite. Shoveling manure, feeding livestock,

A NEW DAY FOR MATH LEARNING

Student feedback about these changes, as well as data from math assessments,

his classes. Art and science clearly go together like green eggs and ham!

We’re convinced that what students learn during their elementary and middle school years here will carry them throughout their lives whatever they choose to do.

— Tracey Croom and Sunny McKay, 2016–17 Annual Fund Co-Chairs

10 | PROSPECT SIERRA

CURRICULUM MAPPING AS FACULTY LEADERSHIP At Prospect Sierra, there are many leadership opportunities for faculty and staff. Last year, a teacher developed a K–8 curriculum map which is featured on our new website www.prospectsierra.org/curriculum-grid.

She gathered data and made it accessible for our parents who relish the chance to explore our K–8 curriculum more deeply.

KALEIDOSCOPE | 11

When we were looking at schools, we wanted a place that would broaden our children’s education beyond top-notch academics, and we found it in Prospect Sierra. Because of Prospect Sierra’s emphasis on social development, self-knowledge, and communication, our children are learning skills that will help them navigate a complex and diverse world with empathy and confidence.

For example, when we were camping over Labor Day weekend, I made a thoughtless statement that I worried might have offended our friends. I mentioned to my 7-year old daughter that I needed to apologize, and she confidently coached me on how to do it. She explained that she apologizes to her friends all the time, and she walked me through exactly what I needed to say. It was amazing and moving, and I know she learned it in school!

—Emily Bruce, parent of Zeke (’20) and Lila (’23)

BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN EACH STUDENT Our dedicated learning specialists consult about student learning accommodations, serve as a resource to parents, and facilitate meetings with outside providers when needed, all to benefit our students.

12 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 13

When we were looking at schools, we wanted a place that would broaden our children’s education beyond top-notch academics, and we found it in Prospect Sierra. Because of Prospect Sierra’s emphasis on social development, self-knowledge, and communication, our children are learning skills that will help them navigate a complex and diverse world with empathy and confidence.

For example, when we were camping over Labor Day weekend, I made a thoughtless statement that I worried might have offended our friends. I mentioned to my 7-year old daughter that I needed to apologize, and she confidently coached me on how to do it. She explained that she apologizes to her friends all the time, and she walked me through exactly what I needed to say. It was amazing and moving, and I know she learned it in school!

—Emily Bruce, parent of Zeke (’20) and Lila (’23)

BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN EACH STUDENT Our dedicated learning specialists consult about student learning accommodations, serve as a resource to parents, and facilitate meetings with outside providers when needed, all to benefit our students.

12 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 13

PROJECT HAPPINESS A Community that Celebrates; Cultivating Happiness Together n BY ABBY GUINN, ELEMENTARY DIVISION HEAD AND HEATHER ROGERS, MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION HEAD

K

atherine Dinh likes to ask faculty to underline words in our school’s mission that resonate with them. Some phrases are more popular than others: “Students are passionate,” “deep

meaningful understanding,” and “creative and independent thinkers.” We certainly value these ideals—they’re what brought us to Prospect Sierra. However, we’re also continuously drawn to a different phrase: “Community that celebrates.”

We believe learning must be joyful. How does one teach happiness? It is, after all, an emotion, not a skill. Based on our own experiences, we’ve come to believe that happiness can be cultivated by schools in ways both big and small.

What does happiness look like and how do we cultivate it?

AUTHENTICITY At Tapscott, we make sure our students know that emotions matter. Abby once shared at morning meeting that her favorite author, Maya Angelou, had passed away. The reaction from the students was inspiring. Many approached her throughout the week to ask if she was feeling better, and to share their own stories about times when they were “in the blue.” In being authentic, we show that it’s okay to feel

Having fun is what athletes refer to as “being in the zone,” the ideal performance state. Our faculty work tirelessly to infuse joy into an inspired, dynamic learning experience for young people, and in doing so bring great joy to themselves.

—Heather Rogers, Middle School Division Head

something other than good. The stress and anxiety this lifts off their shoulders when we foster authenticity positively impacts students’ ability to learn.

14 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 15

PROJECT HAPPINESS A Community that Celebrates; Cultivating Happiness Together n BY ABBY GUINN, ELEMENTARY DIVISION HEAD AND HEATHER ROGERS, MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION HEAD

K

atherine Dinh likes to ask faculty to underline words in our school’s mission that resonate with them. Some phrases are more popular than others: “Students are passionate,” “deep

meaningful understanding,” and “creative and independent thinkers.” We certainly value these ideals—they’re what brought us to Prospect Sierra. However, we’re also continuously drawn to a different phrase: “Community that celebrates.”

We believe learning must be joyful. How does one teach happiness? It is, after all, an emotion, not a skill. Based on our own experiences, we’ve come to believe that happiness can be cultivated by schools in ways both big and small.

What does happiness look like and how do we cultivate it?

AUTHENTICITY At Tapscott, we make sure our students know that emotions matter. Abby once shared at morning meeting that her favorite author, Maya Angelou, had passed away. The reaction from the students was inspiring. Many approached her throughout the week to ask if she was feeling better, and to share their own stories about times when they were “in the blue.” In being authentic, we show that it’s okay to feel

Having fun is what athletes refer to as “being in the zone,” the ideal performance state. Our faculty work tirelessly to infuse joy into an inspired, dynamic learning experience for young people, and in doing so bring great joy to themselves.

—Heather Rogers, Middle School Division Head

something other than good. The stress and anxiety this lifts off their shoulders when we foster authenticity positively impacts students’ ability to learn.

14 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 15

Joyful is the feeling word I use most when others ask me to describe our school. It’s not by accident that Prospect Sierra is such a happy, joyful place.

— Abby Guinn, Elementary Division Head

EMBRACING OUR INNER CHILD There is not a day that goes by that we don’t walk into a classroom to find a teacher crawling on the rug with a group of students or singing away to connect with a child. In remembering what it is like to be kids, we are able to break down the barrier of age. Embracing their inner child not only helps a teacher’s students feel comfortable, it relieves stress and reminds them why they love to teach.

OBSERVING CLOSELY Our new eighth grade humanities teacher, Meredith, says she finds joy when students make authentic connections between something they’ve learned in class and something

CONNECTION

PASSION

that’s happening in the world; when they apply what they’ve

Teachers work to connect with their students, and it motivates

We’ve repeatedly noticed the impact that passion can have

community services—that they enjoy away from it. Our

them. Doug, our seventh grade Team Leader, promotes an

on both students and teachers. It’s a driving force in solving

math department chair, Beth, shares that she finds joy when

atmosphere of openness in his advisory and encourages his

problems and overcoming challenges, and inspires both

“students stick with a complex problem or concept, struggle

students to share their lives outside of the classroom. He finds

intense care and focused energy. Putting forth effort, or

through confusion, and come out the other side proud of

that this fosters a sense of community between the kids. Jo,

“working hard” at something rather than simply relying

their understanding and accomplishment.” Our teachers are

our sixth grade science teacher, cherishes “days when there are

on natural skill, is essential. We look for passion in our

paying attention, observing closely, and bearing witness to

moments to play with our kids and be my ‘kid’ self—throw a

teachers—a sense they are doing something they truly love.

the development of each student.

frisbee or race solar cars.” Dean Nick exclaims robustly, “I love

Their passion is reflected by their students, and inspires them

being with kids!” when asked what brings him the most joy.

to work together to accomplish great things. Need an example?

a school where students are bursting with promise and

He means it. All of our faculty do.

Just come by and check out the bunnies, or ask someone

potential. For our faculty, every child is worth celebrating,

about the Nerdy Derby track a parent helped us build two

because every student has something to contribute. That

years ago. Both are the results of our students’ passions.

is pure joy.

16 | PROSPECT SIERRA

learned at school to the activities—like sports or art or

We love what we do. Especially, we love working in

KALEIDOSCOPE | 17

Joyful is the feeling word I use most when others ask me to describe our school. It’s not by accident that Prospect Sierra is such a happy, joyful place.

— Abby Guinn, Elementary Division Head

EMBRACING OUR INNER CHILD There is not a day that goes by that we don’t walk into a classroom to find a teacher crawling on the rug with a group of students or singing away to connect with a child. In remembering what it is like to be kids, we are able to break down the barrier of age. Embracing their inner child not only helps a teacher’s students feel comfortable, it relieves stress and reminds them why they love to teach.

OBSERVING CLOSELY Our new eighth grade humanities teacher, Meredith, says she finds joy when students make authentic connections between something they’ve learned in class and something

CONNECTION

PASSION

that’s happening in the world; when they apply what they’ve

Teachers work to connect with their students, and it motivates

We’ve repeatedly noticed the impact that passion can have

community services—that they enjoy away from it. Our

them. Doug, our seventh grade Team Leader, promotes an

on both students and teachers. It’s a driving force in solving

math department chair, Beth, shares that she finds joy when

atmosphere of openness in his advisory and encourages his

problems and overcoming challenges, and inspires both

“students stick with a complex problem or concept, struggle

students to share their lives outside of the classroom. He finds

intense care and focused energy. Putting forth effort, or

through confusion, and come out the other side proud of

that this fosters a sense of community between the kids. Jo,

“working hard” at something rather than simply relying

their understanding and accomplishment.” Our teachers are

our sixth grade science teacher, cherishes “days when there are

on natural skill, is essential. We look for passion in our

paying attention, observing closely, and bearing witness to

moments to play with our kids and be my ‘kid’ self—throw a

teachers—a sense they are doing something they truly love.

the development of each student.

frisbee or race solar cars.” Dean Nick exclaims robustly, “I love

Their passion is reflected by their students, and inspires them

being with kids!” when asked what brings him the most joy.

to work together to accomplish great things. Need an example?

a school where students are bursting with promise and

He means it. All of our faculty do.

Just come by and check out the bunnies, or ask someone

potential. For our faculty, every child is worth celebrating,

about the Nerdy Derby track a parent helped us build two

because every student has something to contribute. That

years ago. Both are the results of our students’ passions.

is pure joy.

16 | PROSPECT SIERRA

learned at school to the activities—like sports or art or

We love what we do. Especially, we love working in

KALEIDOSCOPE | 17

OH, THE PLACES THEY WILL GO!

n CLASS OF 2012—

Max Katz-Balmes

OUT INTO THE WORLD!

Natalie Keltner-Mcneil

Rafael Arms

Ian Kidder

Matthew Balsara

Jackson Kinder

Kuba Bar-Din Anglin

Kail Lakireddy

Noah Bar-Din Anglin

Navya Lakireddy

Anna Barcellos

Dixon Layton

The following is a list of high school matriculation for

Drew Layton

Lick-Wilmerding High School

Ava Barnett

Nina Lewis

the Prospect Sierra Class of 2016 and college matriculation

Jacob Lehmann Duke

The College Preparatory School

Max Barshay

Kelly Lincoln

Michaela Lewis

St. Mary‘s College High School

Erik Becker

Haley Logan

Ari Libenson

Berkeley High School

Blair Bolden

Maya Mackey

Sierra Luce

The College Preparatory School

Ani Braude

David Marcus

Sara Martos

El Cerrito High School

Oscar Brown

Eden Marish Roehr

Daisy Maslan

The College Preparatory School

Spencer Burget

Miles Martinez

Molly McCain

Carondelet High School

Erin Cain

Audrey Miller

n THE CLASS OF 2016—OFF TO HIGH SCHOOL

Sofia McKinney

St. Mary‘s College High School

Cara Chinn

Cian Modena-Hayden

Eden Adafre

St. Mary‘s College High School

Wyatt Meyer

St. Mary‘s College High School

Jenny Chua

Jeremy Morgan

Manav Ajmani

St. Mary‘s College High School

Emily Miller

The College Preparatory School

James Colwell

Perry Nalle

n COLLEGES

Lena Anderson

St. Mary‘s College High School

Macey Mino

Berkeley High School

Bella Cooper

Jesse Nankin-Royer

Amherst College

Halisi Anderson

St. Mary‘s College High School

Anuka Mohanpuhr

Berkeley High School

Alyson Crowley

Cameron O'Donnell

Brown University

Matthew Barcellos

St. Mary‘s College High School

Isaac Monheit

The College Preparatory School

Ian Dalton

Sade Odukogbe

California Polytechnic

Lucy Barnum

Lick-Wilmerding High School

Melia Oliver

Albany High School

Jordan Depasquale

Tommy Poehlmann

State University,

Evie Berg

Berkeley High School

Ella Plotkin-Oren

El Cerrito High School

George Elsbury

Ryan Qiu

San Luis Obispo

University of Arizona

Kabir Bhansali

The College Preparatory School

Isa Plowman

Berkeley High School

Matthew Feldman

Jyoti Reineke-Seldman

Colorado College

University of Illinois,

Jacob Bradley

St. Mary‘s College High School

Malachi Poole

San Domenico High School

Nekhi Foster

Danté Ryan

Cornell University

Karina Brunn

Marin Academy

Bella Raja

Marin Academy

Becky Fox

Malcolm Scruggs

Duke University

University of Oregon

Thomas Bryan-Levy

Berkeley High School

Lily Richards

Marin Academy

Kyra Frye

Camellia Sirak

Lewis & Clark College

University of Puget Sound

Finnegan Butler

St. Mary‘s College High School

Iain Rogers

Technology High School

Derby Gill

Julia Sparer

Loyola Marymount

University of San Francisco

Quentin Campbell

Berkeley High School

Sophie Shean

St. Mary‘s College High School

Meredith Grubb

Jaxon Stuhr

Finnian Casey

Lick-Wilmerding High School

Madeline Shean

Bentley High School

McKeegan Harless

Nikita Tanielian

Northeastern University

Elizabeth Chesnutt

Bishop O‘Dowd High School

Shayne Shiralian

St. Mary‘s College High School

Austin Heffley

Gillie Tillson

Oberlin College

Talia Cole

Berkeley High School

Cedar Sklar-Luers

St. Mary‘s College High School

Mina Huh

Anna Quan Tong

Pitzer College

Wellesley College

Isabel Detre

The College Preparatory School

Marlee Smith

St. Mary‘s College High School

Zoe Jeffery

Kiernan Tong

Pomona College

Whitman College

Oliver Does

Berkeley High School

Calista Sperry

St. Mary‘s College High School

Kyndelle Johnson

Eli Townsend

San Diego State University

Gap Year

Ryan Duquet

The College Preparatory School

Isaac Sterling

El Cerrito High School

Quinn Edlin

Berkeley High School

Nathan Tam

Albany High School

Francisco Flores-Mejia

Leadership High School

Wiona Tan

St. Mary‘s College High School

Blaze Goldstein

St. Mary‘s College High School

Leo Tillson

St. Mary‘s College High School

Natalie Good

Albany High School

Kate Tomashevsky

Berkeley High School

Toby Graf

St. Mary‘s College High School

Luca Vieira

St. Mary‘s College High School

Miles Hacker

El Cerrito High School

Maria Wallis

El Cerrito High School

Orli Hellerstein

Berkeley High School

Jasmine Watson

Marin Academy

Claire Houghton-Renoe

The Branson School

Japhy Wells

Berkeley High School

Owen Jump

St. Mary‘s College High School

James Woo

St. Mary‘s College High School

Jadyn Kerr

El Cerrito High School

Trevor Yun

The Athenian School

Max Keystone

El Cerrito High School

Yasmeen Zamil

St. Mary‘s College High School

Madison Kortz

Sonoma Valley High School

for the Prospect Sierra Class of 2012. Please notify us at advancement@prospectsierra.org with any errors, changes, or omissions. Stay close, stop by. You are always cherished at Prospect Sierra!

18 | PROSPECT SIERRA

“I am black and white… If someone like me can come to the table that understands what it is like to be viewed as black, yet understands white privilege in depth, then the unifying of both sides will be possible. Only when we are all unified can real change occur.” These words, spoken by 2016 Prospect Sierra Alumni Action award winner Danté Ryan (’12), illuminate the thoughtful, measured approach he takes to the issue of racial

Nicholas Wang

Smith College

Samuel Warren

Stanford University

Austin Warren

Swarthmore College

Benjamin Werthan

Tulane University

Sam Zemanek

UC Berkeley

University

UC Davis UC Riverside UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Cruz UCLA

Champaign-Urbana

University of Washington Washington and Lee University

justice. Danté’s impressive leadership in the face of racial tension at Berkeley High allowed him to help organize a peaceful march and protest of 3000 participants. As a result, the administration has taken stronger steps toward promoting open-mindedness and unity in their community. He is grateful for the opportunity to use his education from Prospect Sierra “for the greater good.”

KALEIDOSCOPE | 19

OH, THE PLACES THEY WILL GO!

n CLASS OF 2012—

Max Katz-Balmes

OUT INTO THE WORLD!

Natalie Keltner-Mcneil

Rafael Arms

Ian Kidder

Matthew Balsara

Jackson Kinder

Kuba Bar-Din Anglin

Kail Lakireddy

Noah Bar-Din Anglin

Navya Lakireddy

Anna Barcellos

Dixon Layton

The following is a list of high school matriculation for

Drew Layton

Lick-Wilmerding High School

Ava Barnett

Nina Lewis

the Prospect Sierra Class of 2016 and college matriculation

Jacob Lehmann Duke

The College Preparatory School

Max Barshay

Kelly Lincoln

Michaela Lewis

St. Mary‘s College High School

Erik Becker

Haley Logan

Ari Libenson

Berkeley High School

Blair Bolden

Maya Mackey

Sierra Luce

The College Preparatory School

Ani Braude

David Marcus

Sara Martos

El Cerrito High School

Oscar Brown

Eden Marish Roehr

Daisy Maslan

The College Preparatory School

Spencer Burget

Miles Martinez

Molly McCain

Carondelet High School

Erin Cain

Audrey Miller

n THE CLASS OF 2016—OFF TO HIGH SCHOOL

Sofia McKinney

St. Mary‘s College High School

Cara Chinn

Cian Modena-Hayden

Eden Adafre

St. Mary‘s College High School

Wyatt Meyer

St. Mary‘s College High School

Jenny Chua

Jeremy Morgan

Manav Ajmani

St. Mary‘s College High School

Emily Miller

The College Preparatory School

James Colwell

Perry Nalle

n COLLEGES

Lena Anderson

St. Mary‘s College High School

Macey Mino

Berkeley High School

Bella Cooper

Jesse Nankin-Royer

Amherst College

Halisi Anderson

St. Mary‘s College High School

Anuka Mohanpuhr

Berkeley High School

Alyson Crowley

Cameron O'Donnell

Brown University

Matthew Barcellos

St. Mary‘s College High School

Isaac Monheit

The College Preparatory School

Ian Dalton

Sade Odukogbe

California Polytechnic

Lucy Barnum

Lick-Wilmerding High School

Melia Oliver

Albany High School

Jordan Depasquale

Tommy Poehlmann

State University,

Evie Berg

Berkeley High School

Ella Plotkin-Oren

El Cerrito High School

George Elsbury

Ryan Qiu

San Luis Obispo

University of Arizona

Kabir Bhansali

The College Preparatory School

Isa Plowman

Berkeley High School

Matthew Feldman

Jyoti Reineke-Seldman

Colorado College

University of Illinois,

Jacob Bradley

St. Mary‘s College High School

Malachi Poole

San Domenico High School

Nekhi Foster

Danté Ryan

Cornell University

Karina Brunn

Marin Academy

Bella Raja

Marin Academy

Becky Fox

Malcolm Scruggs

Duke University

University of Oregon

Thomas Bryan-Levy

Berkeley High School

Lily Richards

Marin Academy

Kyra Frye

Camellia Sirak

Lewis & Clark College

University of Puget Sound

Finnegan Butler

St. Mary‘s College High School

Iain Rogers

Technology High School

Derby Gill

Julia Sparer

Loyola Marymount

University of San Francisco

Quentin Campbell

Berkeley High School

Sophie Shean

St. Mary‘s College High School

Meredith Grubb

Jaxon Stuhr

Finnian Casey

Lick-Wilmerding High School

Madeline Shean

Bentley High School

McKeegan Harless

Nikita Tanielian

Northeastern University

Elizabeth Chesnutt

Bishop O‘Dowd High School

Shayne Shiralian

St. Mary‘s College High School

Austin Heffley

Gillie Tillson

Oberlin College

Talia Cole

Berkeley High School

Cedar Sklar-Luers

St. Mary‘s College High School

Mina Huh

Anna Quan Tong

Pitzer College

Wellesley College

Isabel Detre

The College Preparatory School

Marlee Smith

St. Mary‘s College High School

Zoe Jeffery

Kiernan Tong

Pomona College

Whitman College

Oliver Does

Berkeley High School

Calista Sperry

St. Mary‘s College High School

Kyndelle Johnson

Eli Townsend

San Diego State University

Gap Year

Ryan Duquet

The College Preparatory School

Isaac Sterling

El Cerrito High School

Quinn Edlin

Berkeley High School

Nathan Tam

Albany High School

Francisco Flores-Mejia

Leadership High School

Wiona Tan

St. Mary‘s College High School

Blaze Goldstein

St. Mary‘s College High School

Leo Tillson

St. Mary‘s College High School

Natalie Good

Albany High School

Kate Tomashevsky

Berkeley High School

Toby Graf

St. Mary‘s College High School

Luca Vieira

St. Mary‘s College High School

Miles Hacker

El Cerrito High School

Maria Wallis

El Cerrito High School

Orli Hellerstein

Berkeley High School

Jasmine Watson

Marin Academy

Claire Houghton-Renoe

The Branson School

Japhy Wells

Berkeley High School

Owen Jump

St. Mary‘s College High School

James Woo

St. Mary‘s College High School

Jadyn Kerr

El Cerrito High School

Trevor Yun

The Athenian School

Max Keystone

El Cerrito High School

Yasmeen Zamil

St. Mary‘s College High School

Madison Kortz

Sonoma Valley High School

for the Prospect Sierra Class of 2012. Please notify us at advancement@prospectsierra.org with any errors, changes, or omissions. Stay close, stop by. You are always cherished at Prospect Sierra!

18 | PROSPECT SIERRA

“I am black and white… If someone like me can come to the table that understands what it is like to be viewed as black, yet understands white privilege in depth, then the unifying of both sides will be possible. Only when we are all unified can real change occur.” These words, spoken by 2016 Prospect Sierra Alumni Action award winner Danté Ryan (’12), illuminate the thoughtful, measured approach he takes to the issue of racial

Nicholas Wang

Smith College

Samuel Warren

Stanford University

Austin Warren

Swarthmore College

Benjamin Werthan

Tulane University

Sam Zemanek

UC Berkeley

University

UC Davis UC Riverside UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Cruz UCLA

Champaign-Urbana

University of Washington Washington and Lee University

justice. Danté’s impressive leadership in the face of racial tension at Berkeley High allowed him to help organize a peaceful march and protest of 3000 participants. As a result, the administration has taken stronger steps toward promoting open-mindedness and unity in their community. He is grateful for the opportunity to use his education from Prospect Sierra “for the greater good.”

KALEIDOSCOPE | 19

CLASS NOTES Please feel welcome to drop by and visit your old stomping grounds any time you’re in the area. We would love to see you!

1994

2001

KELLY RICHARDSON was the stunt

ERIN (CARR) AGIDIUS graduated from the

double for Blake Lively’s character in

University of Idaho with a BA in criminal

the summer movie, “The Shallows”.

justice, and minors in business, Spanish, and sociology. She then earned her Juris Doctor from

1996 NATHANIEL CARTMELL graduated

To send class notes, change

1990

contact information, and/or upload

from the University of Alabama School

NATHAN PHILLIPS continues in the

photos, please contact the alumni

of Law in May, 2015. He passed the

world of photography and counts it

office by reaching Liz Clark at

Alabama Bar in September, 2015, and

among the highlights of his job each

alumni@prospectsierra.org. We look

joined Bradley Arant Boult Cummings

year to return to the Avis campus,

forward to seeing you on campus!

LLP in the Birmingham office in

where he was once a student, and

October, 2015.

SHIRA GILL (BURSTEIN) is happily

still in touch with her good Prospect friends Emily Bails, Annie Gillan, and Susan Collier and recently had the opportunity to reconnect with Prospect alum Michelle Grossman in Hawaii!

Her business as a home organizer and stylist (www.shiragill.com) was recently featured in the SF Chronicle and she is in development for a TV show that explores how changing your physical environment can impact your life, career, and relationships.

handled misdemeanor cases for the Prosecuting Attorney in Asotin County, Washington, and passed the Idaho State Bar in 2013.

Erin began working for the University of Idaho as an undergraduate in 2009 and now serves as the Director of Civil Rights and Investigations. Managing a team of 15

photograph the eighth grade graduation

investigators, Erin’s unit is responsible for

ceremony. “Prospect Sierra consistently

investigating all employee and student complaints of discrimination. This includes

produces the most amazing high school

Title VII, Title IX, ADA, and other federal laws. She works closely with law

students anywhere, and I beam with

enforcement agencies and prosecutors when cases rise to the level of a criminal or

pride as they join the alumni club,

federal violation.

Passionate about her fraternity, Erin continues to serve as the alumnae advisor for

where I’ve been a member for 26 years.

1989

the UI College of Law. During that time she

I’m also very happy to be coming back

Kappa Alpha Theta, promoting the Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.)

to both campuses this fall to do school

philanthropy in Idaho.

Erin enjoys being a new homeowner and loves living in the small town of

photos once again.”

Moscow, Idaho. She also adores her animals: Puck, an 80lb German Shepherd and

Outside the orbit around his old

two very spoiled and precocious cats, Ricky and Lucy.

school, his business continues to grow with family and corporate portraits, and he has branched into

1997

2005

fine art landscape photography.

ANNA ZIAJKA STANTON is currently

ZEPHANIAH STRINGFIELD just

You can see some of his work at

an Assistant Professor of Comparative

recorded and released an Americana

www.nathanphillipsphotography.com.

Literature at Penn State.

album of entirely original songs!

Outside of photography, Nathan enjoys

He’ll be touring the album through

hanging out with his family in Berkeley,

the US next spring.

staying out of trouble, and brewing delicious beer in his backyard.

She says, “I’m back living in Berkeley with my husband and two daughters and would love to connect with other Prospect alums!”

20 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 21

CLASS NOTES Please feel welcome to drop by and visit your old stomping grounds any time you’re in the area. We would love to see you!

1994

2001

KELLY RICHARDSON was the stunt

ERIN (CARR) AGIDIUS graduated from the

double for Blake Lively’s character in

University of Idaho with a BA in criminal

the summer movie, “The Shallows”.

justice, and minors in business, Spanish, and sociology. She then earned her Juris Doctor from

1996 NATHANIEL CARTMELL graduated

To send class notes, change

1990

contact information, and/or upload

from the University of Alabama School

NATHAN PHILLIPS continues in the

photos, please contact the alumni

of Law in May, 2015. He passed the

world of photography and counts it

office by reaching Liz Clark at

Alabama Bar in September, 2015, and

among the highlights of his job each

alumni@prospectsierra.org. We look

joined Bradley Arant Boult Cummings

year to return to the Avis campus,

forward to seeing you on campus!

LLP in the Birmingham office in

where he was once a student, and

October, 2015.

SHIRA GILL (BURSTEIN) is happily

still in touch with her good Prospect friends Emily Bails, Annie Gillan, and Susan Collier and recently had the opportunity to reconnect with Prospect alum Michelle Grossman in Hawaii!

Her business as a home organizer and stylist (www.shiragill.com) was recently featured in the SF Chronicle and she is in development for a TV show that explores how changing your physical environment can impact your life, career, and relationships.

handled misdemeanor cases for the Prosecuting Attorney in Asotin County, Washington, and passed the Idaho State Bar in 2013.

Erin began working for the University of Idaho as an undergraduate in 2009 and now serves as the Director of Civil Rights and Investigations. Managing a team of 15

photograph the eighth grade graduation

investigators, Erin’s unit is responsible for

ceremony. “Prospect Sierra consistently

investigating all employee and student complaints of discrimination. This includes

produces the most amazing high school

Title VII, Title IX, ADA, and other federal laws. She works closely with law

students anywhere, and I beam with

enforcement agencies and prosecutors when cases rise to the level of a criminal or

pride as they join the alumni club,

federal violation.

Passionate about her fraternity, Erin continues to serve as the alumnae advisor for

where I’ve been a member for 26 years.

1989

the UI College of Law. During that time she

I’m also very happy to be coming back

Kappa Alpha Theta, promoting the Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.)

to both campuses this fall to do school

philanthropy in Idaho.

Erin enjoys being a new homeowner and loves living in the small town of

photos once again.”

Moscow, Idaho. She also adores her animals: Puck, an 80lb German Shepherd and

Outside the orbit around his old

two very spoiled and precocious cats, Ricky and Lucy.

school, his business continues to grow with family and corporate portraits, and he has branched into

1997

2005

fine art landscape photography.

ANNA ZIAJKA STANTON is currently

ZEPHANIAH STRINGFIELD just

You can see some of his work at

an Assistant Professor of Comparative

recorded and released an Americana

www.nathanphillipsphotography.com.

Literature at Penn State.

album of entirely original songs!

Outside of photography, Nathan enjoys

He’ll be touring the album through

hanging out with his family in Berkeley,

the US next spring.

staying out of trouble, and brewing delicious beer in his backyard.

She says, “I’m back living in Berkeley with my husband and two daughters and would love to connect with other Prospect alums!”

20 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 21

LEAH ANDERSON MATHESON is

2007

2012

currently living in Santa Ynez Valley

WYATT TONG just moved to Portland,

ANNA TONG is off to UCLA. She made the most of her summer hanging out with

working with horses. Costarricense

Oregon, and is looking for a job that

friends and working at Assemble Restaurant in the Richmond marina.

de Paso is a small breed of horses

will make good use of his background

her boss just brought to the United

in history. He graduated from

KIERNAN TONG graduated with honors from Tilden Prep and is taking a gap year

States. They have a breeding program

University of Puget Sound last year

to pursue his hope of climbing competitively internationally. Last year he placed

with 24 horses and 3 stallions, and

as a history major.

high enough to compete in Nationals, but just missed the cut-off for international

had 3 babies this year!

“I got married this last June. So my new last name is Matheson.

In my free time, I ride my own 2006

horse, Scooby, and hang out with my

ANDREW MILLER has been working

husband and our dog Winston. Santa

at a unique post production facility in

Ynez is just a 20 min drive from

LA called MTI Film. In addition to

Santa Barbara so we spend a lot of

getting to edit on shows like Bloodline,

time in the warm ocean!”

Outlander, Bates Motel, and The Affair, he has been lucky enough be part of the development and field testing of some of the most cutting edge broadcast postproduction software. Outside of work, he’s still making music and playing shows as his schedule permits. He’s also working on the campaign for CA Prop 59 to overturn Citizen’s United and has been writing and organizing for the LA chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

competition. He is training hard to make that goal a reality this year. While doing 2008 ALSON YEUNG is currently working

at Raskob Day School in Oakland as a TA. Last year he graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a major in history and a minor in education. In the coming year he hopes to begin a master’s

2009

that he works at Bridges Climbing Gym in El Cerrito as a coach for the “Teen

MARY LEMPRES is back in Brooklyn

Team” and as a route setter, as well as continuing to study Spanish at Berkeley

after a six month residency in Bergen,

Community College.

Norway. “This summer I have been lucky enough to reconnect with two of

PERRY NALLE graduated from Albany High School this year and

my past classmates (Emil and Nina) in

will be attending Cal Poly SLO as a Parks and Recreation major with

New York!”

an emphasis in event planning to follow in the steps of Leslie Knope.

program and continue into the teaching profession, maybe one day back at

2011

MEREDITH GRUBB is headed to UCLA and is currently an undeclared Life

Prospect Sierra! “I always felt that the

OLIVIA SCOTT-DAHROUGE is currently

Sciences student!

middle school put me on a great path in

living in New Zealand and is an au

life, beyond academics. I also remember

pair to two adorable boys. She lives

2015

the teachers and the staff there being

in a pretty rural area but it’s only a 15

ALEX WHITE has learned a few new programming languages, such as Java, Lua,

amazing people. Now that I’m in the

minute drive to town! “I may stay in

Python, C, INTERCAL, and ASM.

field, I’ll look toward them as examples

New Zealand and go to school in 2017.

of great teachers! Shoutout to Mary

I leave my current family in December

ToasterTechnologies, which will have a website soon, and am working on

Beth, Beth, Coach Nick, Lalia, Kristen,

and after that am planning on traveling

ToasterPush, ToasterTech’s first product. It is a device management utility kind of

Anton, Jonathan, and, I’m missing

to Asia and Europe! I’ll be home in

like Cisco Meraki. Version 4.x is currently in active development at https://github.

a bunch off the top of my head, but

America for summer 2017, but beyond

com/InternetUnexplorer/ToasterPush.

anyone there when I was a student! I

that, I have no plans as to where I’m

I am also working on a side project, MicroStuff Yindows MT which is my own

was probably a nightmare to deal with

going to live or anything! I miss my

OS written in C and assembly, and follows several UNIX standards. It is currently

at times!”

friends and family but am excited for

closed-source.

December because another PS alum is SHAWN LEE is finishing two MS

I always felt that the middle school put me on a great path in life, beyond academics.

— Alson Yeung ’08

degrees in Materials Science and

going to fly out to come see me!”

“I have also ‘founded’ (we’re not a legal entity just yet) my own company,

I have also been volunteering at summer camps, and was a press photographer at the Edinburgh Fringe festival this year.

While I am enjoying HS, I would also love to come back one of these days and

Engineering and Management Science

just pop in and say hi to everyone, I will always have fond memories from Prospect

and Engineering and working at a

Sierra, be it my classes (especially seventh and eighth grade science), hill tag during

battery company hosted at Lawrence

PE (which we barely ever played, but was by far the best thing ever), or the (then)

Berkeley National Lab.

Tech Lab and their wonderful server room/closet where you could sit back and watch the blinking lights.”

22 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 23

LEAH ANDERSON MATHESON is

2007

2012

currently living in Santa Ynez Valley

WYATT TONG just moved to Portland,

ANNA TONG is off to UCLA. She made the most of her summer hanging out with

working with horses. Costarricense

Oregon, and is looking for a job that

friends and working at Assemble Restaurant in the Richmond marina.

de Paso is a small breed of horses

will make good use of his background

her boss just brought to the United

in history. He graduated from

KIERNAN TONG graduated with honors from Tilden Prep and is taking a gap year

States. They have a breeding program

University of Puget Sound last year

to pursue his hope of climbing competitively internationally. Last year he placed

with 24 horses and 3 stallions, and

as a history major.

high enough to compete in Nationals, but just missed the cut-off for international

had 3 babies this year!

“I got married this last June. So my new last name is Matheson.

In my free time, I ride my own 2006

horse, Scooby, and hang out with my

ANDREW MILLER has been working

husband and our dog Winston. Santa

at a unique post production facility in

Ynez is just a 20 min drive from

LA called MTI Film. In addition to

Santa Barbara so we spend a lot of

getting to edit on shows like Bloodline,

time in the warm ocean!”

Outlander, Bates Motel, and The Affair, he has been lucky enough be part of the development and field testing of some of the most cutting edge broadcast postproduction software. Outside of work, he’s still making music and playing shows as his schedule permits. He’s also working on the campaign for CA Prop 59 to overturn Citizen’s United and has been writing and organizing for the LA chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

competition. He is training hard to make that goal a reality this year. While doing 2008 ALSON YEUNG is currently working

at Raskob Day School in Oakland as a TA. Last year he graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a major in history and a minor in education. In the coming year he hopes to begin a master’s

2009

that he works at Bridges Climbing Gym in El Cerrito as a coach for the “Teen

MARY LEMPRES is back in Brooklyn

Team” and as a route setter, as well as continuing to study Spanish at Berkeley

after a six month residency in Bergen,

Community College.

Norway. “This summer I have been lucky enough to reconnect with two of

PERRY NALLE graduated from Albany High School this year and

my past classmates (Emil and Nina) in

will be attending Cal Poly SLO as a Parks and Recreation major with

New York!”

an emphasis in event planning to follow in the steps of Leslie Knope.

program and continue into the teaching profession, maybe one day back at

2011

MEREDITH GRUBB is headed to UCLA and is currently an undeclared Life

Prospect Sierra! “I always felt that the

OLIVIA SCOTT-DAHROUGE is currently

Sciences student!

middle school put me on a great path in

living in New Zealand and is an au

life, beyond academics. I also remember

pair to two adorable boys. She lives

2015

the teachers and the staff there being

in a pretty rural area but it’s only a 15

ALEX WHITE has learned a few new programming languages, such as Java, Lua,

amazing people. Now that I’m in the

minute drive to town! “I may stay in

Python, C, INTERCAL, and ASM.

field, I’ll look toward them as examples

New Zealand and go to school in 2017.

of great teachers! Shoutout to Mary

I leave my current family in December

ToasterTechnologies, which will have a website soon, and am working on

Beth, Beth, Coach Nick, Lalia, Kristen,

and after that am planning on traveling

ToasterPush, ToasterTech’s first product. It is a device management utility kind of

Anton, Jonathan, and, I’m missing

to Asia and Europe! I’ll be home in

like Cisco Meraki. Version 4.x is currently in active development at https://github.

a bunch off the top of my head, but

America for summer 2017, but beyond

com/InternetUnexplorer/ToasterPush.

anyone there when I was a student! I

that, I have no plans as to where I’m

I am also working on a side project, MicroStuff Yindows MT which is my own

was probably a nightmare to deal with

going to live or anything! I miss my

OS written in C and assembly, and follows several UNIX standards. It is currently

at times!”

friends and family but am excited for

closed-source.

December because another PS alum is SHAWN LEE is finishing two MS

I always felt that the middle school put me on a great path in life, beyond academics.

— Alson Yeung ’08

degrees in Materials Science and

going to fly out to come see me!”

“I have also ‘founded’ (we’re not a legal entity just yet) my own company,

I have also been volunteering at summer camps, and was a press photographer at the Edinburgh Fringe festival this year.

While I am enjoying HS, I would also love to come back one of these days and

Engineering and Management Science

just pop in and say hi to everyone, I will always have fond memories from Prospect

and Engineering and working at a

Sierra, be it my classes (especially seventh and eighth grade science), hill tag during

battery company hosted at Lawrence

PE (which we barely ever played, but was by far the best thing ever), or the (then)

Berkeley National Lab.

Tech Lab and their wonderful server room/closet where you could sit back and watch the blinking lights.”

22 | PROSPECT SIERRA

KALEIDOSCOPE | 23

ANNUAL REPORT Thousands of Small Touch Points Make a Great Institution n BY ED DUA, CHAIR, PROSPECT SIERRA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

vacations and other personal expenses, so

PROSPECT SIERRA BOARD COMMITTEES

that our children, or grandchildren, can

This list reflects Board committee membership. Listed are members for the

be inspired by Prospect Sierra’s teachers

2015–16, and new members in 2016–17 are denoted with an asterisk.

and supported by its dedicated staff. I am proud to be part of a community that on average donates over half a million dollars, through unrestricted annual giving to make our school possible. Additionally, your contributions to our spring Fund-a-Need have provided tangible improvements to the school, including our Avis lower yard, our Tapscott kindergarten yard, the purchase of iPads, investment in our colab program, and most recently, the flexible classroom remodel. Thank you all for your donations at precisely the time we needed them to move our program forward. It is only through our collective effort, and your

B

uilding upon the vision of the founders, Prospect

generous financial contributions at every Second, we vetted and approved an investment of over

level, that we can continue to offer this

Sierra School has established itself as one of the

$350,000 to place a solar energy unit on the roof of our Avis

premier K–8 schools in the San Francisco Bay

campus. This project, which went operational in late fall 2015,

Prospect Sierra is on a very solid and firm

Area over the past ten years. With two daughters

will go a long way toward making the school carbon-neutral.

financial footing and its future is bright. The

going through the school during this time period, I’ve had the

We realized significant cost saving in its first full year of

Board of Trustees will continue to provide

privilege of witnessing the growth and evolution of the school

operation and anticipate even larger amounts subsequently,

strong oversight to support the advancement

as both a parent and a member of the Board of Trustees. Now,

because we are now generating our own energy which will

of the school’s Strategic Plan and ensure that

as the Board Chair for the 2015–16 and 2016–17 school

insulate us (pun intended) from future rate increases.

tuition dollars are spent in the most efficient

years, I’d like to share some highlights of the school and thank our community for your generous support.

This past summer, we refurbished two additional flexible

extraordinary learning opportunity.

and effective manner.

classrooms. We welcomed our fifth graders to enhanced

First, we established an investment subcommittee in 2015

classrooms that include new wiring, lighting, furniture,

Respectfully,

to manage the school’s reserves. Historically, we have invested

wraparound whiteboards, flat screen TVs, and more. In

Ed Dua (Sophie ’15 and Anna ’17)

these funds in an extremely conservative manner, placing

essence, these classrooms are designed to optimize the spaces for

them only in short-term certificates of deposits. Thanks to

collaboration, creativity, and different learning styles. Thanks

past Finance Chair Kim Martinez’s (Miles ’12 and Tara ’15)

to the generosity of our auction donors and sponsors, we were

leadership and the involvement of several parents who have

able to complete this project efficiently and cost effectively.

expertise in this arena, our Investment Committee is led by

Most importantly, we are all part of the Prospect Sierra

Kate Campbell (Griffin ’13 and Quentin ’16) and has hired

community because we care deeply about children and

Trillium Asset Management to manage the investments.

their education. Together, we have built and sustained a

Over the long term, we expect to enjoy substantially larger

nurturing environment for children to learn, grow, and

returns than we have in the past few years.

be challenged. Many of us stretch financially, foregoing

24 | PROSPECT SIERRA

Today’s Prospect Sierra is the result of years of hard work and dedication from many talented teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and of course, students.

Board of Trustees Ed Dua, Chair Ruth Bissell Jennifer Burt Charlie Casey Jennifer Chatman Sandra Colllins Diana Divecha Leo Gaspardone Nathalio Gray Aaron Mann Jim McSweeney Dave Miller Andrea Saveri Dana Tillson Denise Yamamoto Committee on Trustees Jennifer Burt, Chair Sandra Collins, Trustee Ed Dua, Board Chair Leo Gaspardone, Trustee Dana Tillson, Trustee Denise Yamamoto, Trustee Katherine Dinh, Head of School Finance Committee Jim McSweeney, Chair Roveen Bhansali, Parent* Kate Campbell, Parent Charlie Casey, Trustee Ed Dua, Board Chair Arnold Leitner, Parent* Ulrike Malmendier, Parent* Dave Miller, Trustee Simon Morris, Parent* Katherine Dinh, Head of School Wendy Horng Brawer, Director of Advancement and Partnerships Peggy Snyder, Business Officer Karen Welch, Accountant Development Committee Dave Miller, Chair Ed Dua, Board Chair Scott Gelfand, Alum Parent Sunny McKay, 2016–2017 Annual Fund Co-Chair*

Vickie Gilliland, Former Trustee Joel Mackey, Parent Kristi Nellor, Parent* Liz Maw, Parent* Kate DeYoe, Parent* Sharon Paik, Grandparent Joe Parisi, Parent Tracey Cloom, 2016–2017 Annual Fund Co-Chair* Rebekah Truemper, Parent/Event Consultant* Jennie Watson-Lamprey, 2016–2017 PSPA President* Denise Yamamoto, Trustee Katherine Dinh, Head of School Wendy Horng Brawer, Director of Advancement and Partnerships Liz Clark, Assistant Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations Peggy Snyder, Business Officer Audit Committee Jim McSweeney, Chair Investment Committee Kate Campbell, Chair Jonathan DeYoe, Parent Jim McSweeney, Trustee Katherine Dinh, Head of School Peggy Snyder, Business Officer Strategic Campus Vision Steering Committee Katherine Dinh, Co-Chair and Head of School Steve Harrington, Co-Chair and Director of Facilities Brian Feagans, Ratcliff Architects Kit Ratcliff, Ratcliff Architects David Jump, Alum Parent David Yama, Alum Parent Abby Guinn, Elementary School Division Head Wendy Horng Brawer, Director of Advancement and Partnerships Heather Rogers, Middle School Division Head Peggy Snyder, Business Officer

KALEIDOSCOPE | 25

ANNUAL REPORT Thousands of Small Touch Points Make a Great Institution n BY ED DUA, CHAIR, PROSPECT SIERRA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

vacations and other personal expenses, so

PROSPECT SIERRA BOARD COMMITTEES

that our children, or grandchildren, can

This list reflects Board committee membership. Listed are members for the

be inspired by Prospect Sierra’s teachers

2015–16, and new members in 2016–17 are denoted with an asterisk.

and supported by its dedicated staff. I am proud to be part of a community that on average donates over half a million dollars, through unrestricted annual giving to make our school possible. Additionally, your contributions to our spring Fund-a-Need have provided tangible improvements to the school, including our Avis lower yard, our Tapscott kindergarten yard, the purchase of iPads, investment in our colab program, and most recently, the flexible classroom remodel. Thank you all for your donations at precisely the time we needed them to move our program forward. It is only through our collective effort, and your

B

uilding upon the vision of the founders, Prospect

generous financial contributions at every Second, we vetted and approved an investment of over

level, that we can continue to offer this

Sierra School has established itself as one of the

$350,000 to place a solar energy unit on the roof of our Avis

premier K–8 schools in the San Francisco Bay

campus. This project, which went operational in late fall 2015,

Prospect Sierra is on a very solid and firm

Area over the past ten years. With two daughters

will go a long way toward making the school carbon-neutral.

financial footing and its future is bright. The

going through the school during this time period, I’ve had the

We realized significant cost saving in its first full year of

Board of Trustees will continue to provide

privilege of witnessing the growth and evolution of the school

operation and anticipate even larger amounts subsequently,

strong oversight to support the advancement

as both a parent and a member of the Board of Trustees. Now,

because we are now generating our own energy which will

of the school’s Strategic Plan and ensure that

as the Board Chair for the 2015–16 and 2016–17 school

insulate us (pun intended) from future rate increases.

tuition dollars are spent in the most efficient

years, I’d like to share some highlights of the school and thank our community for your generous support.

This past summer, we refurbished two additional flexible

extraordinary learning opportunity.

and effective manner.

classrooms. We welcomed our fifth graders to enhanced

First, we established an investment subcommittee in 2015

classrooms that include new wiring, lighting, furniture,

Respectfully,

to manage the school’s reserves. Historically, we have invested

wraparound whiteboards, flat screen TVs, and more. In

Ed Dua (Sophie ’15 and Anna ’17)

these funds in an extremely conservative manner, placing

essence, these classrooms are designed to optimize the spaces for

them only in short-term certificates of deposits. Thanks to

collaboration, creativity, and different learning styles. Thanks

past Finance Chair Kim Martinez’s (Miles ’12 and Tara ’15)

to the generosity of our auction donors and sponsors, we were

leadership and the involvement of several parents who have

able to complete this project efficiently and cost effectively.

expertise in this arena, our Investment Committee is led by

Most importantly, we are all part of the Prospect Sierra

Kate Campbell (Griffin ’13 and Quentin ’16) and has hired

community because we care deeply about children and

Trillium Asset Management to manage the investments.

their education. Together, we have built and sustained a

Over the long term, we expect to enjoy substantially larger

nurturing environment for children to learn, grow, and

returns than we have in the past few years.

be challenged. Many of us stretch financially, foregoing

24 | PROSPECT SIERRA

Today’s Prospect Sierra is the result of years of hard work and dedication from many talented teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and of course, students.

Board of Trustees Ed Dua, Chair Ruth Bissell Jennifer Burt Charlie Casey Jennifer Chatman Sandra Colllins Diana Divecha Leo Gaspardone Nathalio Gray Aaron Mann Jim McSweeney Dave Miller Andrea Saveri Dana Tillson Denise Yamamoto Committee on Trustees Jennifer Burt, Chair Sandra Collins, Trustee Ed Dua, Board Chair Leo Gaspardone, Trustee Dana Tillson, Trustee Denise Yamamoto, Trustee Katherine Dinh, Head of School Finance Committee Jim McSweeney, Chair Roveen Bhansali, Parent* Kate Campbell, Parent Charlie Casey, Trustee Ed Dua, Board Chair Arnold Leitner, Parent* Ulrike Malmendier, Parent* Dave Miller, Trustee Simon Morris, Parent* Katherine Dinh, Head of School Wendy Horng Brawer, Director of Advancement and Partnerships Peggy Snyder, Business Officer Karen Welch, Accountant Development Committee Dave Miller, Chair Ed Dua, Board Chair Scott Gelfand, Alum Parent Sunny McKay, 2016–2017 Annual Fund Co-Chair*

Vickie Gilliland, Former Trustee Joel Mackey, Parent Kristi Nellor, Parent* Liz Maw, Parent* Kate DeYoe, Parent* Sharon Paik, Grandparent Joe Parisi, Parent Tracey Cloom, 2016–2017 Annual Fund Co-Chair* Rebekah Truemper, Parent/Event Consultant* Jennie Watson-Lamprey, 2016–2017 PSPA President* Denise Yamamoto, Trustee Katherine Dinh, Head of School Wendy Horng Brawer, Director of Advancement and Partnerships Liz Clark, Assistant Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations Peggy Snyder, Business Officer Audit Committee Jim McSweeney, Chair Investment Committee Kate Campbell, Chair Jonathan DeYoe, Parent Jim McSweeney, Trustee Katherine Dinh, Head of School Peggy Snyder, Business Officer Strategic Campus Vision Steering Committee Katherine Dinh, Co-Chair and Head of School Steve Harrington, Co-Chair and Director of Facilities Brian Feagans, Ratcliff Architects Kit Ratcliff, Ratcliff Architects David Jump, Alum Parent David Yama, Alum Parent Abby Guinn, Elementary School Division Head Wendy Horng Brawer, Director of Advancement and Partnerships Heather Rogers, Middle School Division Head Peggy Snyder, Business Officer

KALEIDOSCOPE | 25

OPERATING BUDGET AND FINANCIALS

$425,708 RAISED BY INDIVIDUAL DONORS IN 2015–16.

SOURCES OF INCOME ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Thank you for your generous support!

2014–2015

2015–2016

Tuition and fees 11,868,741 533,323 Gifts and grants 380,018 Bus and extended program 48,232 Other income 124,218 Investments

12,307,600 571,927 372,230 68,145 -39,533

$12,954,532

$13,280,369

TOTAL

2014–2015

2015–2016

$74,654 IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Teachers, too, are lifelong learners at Prospect Sierra.

PROGRAMS FUNDED ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

2014–2015

2015–2016

Faculty and staff 7,667,793 Tuition assistance 1,650,069 Capital and technology 533,994 Facilities (including debt service) 1,865,848 Classroom budgets 404,349 Professional development 59,085 Bus and extended program 351,669 Other general operating 421,725

7,871,299 1,795,619 1,229,801 1,130,754 457,221 74,654 348,917 372,104

TOTAL

$12,954,532

$13,280,369

2014–2015

2015–2016

$2.6 MILLION $350,000 FOR SOLAR ENERGY RESULTS IN LONG-TERM SAVINGS. $2.6 MILLION over 30 years

PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Individual donations Parent Association Events Private Foundations Contributions to Endowment Directed Gifts

TOTAL 26 | PROSPECT SIERRA

2014–2015

2015–2016

431,595 53,910 59,010 105,050 67,530 65,277

425,708 no figure 64,000 67,000 4,000 39,949

$782,373

$600,657

FIFTH GRADE CLASSROOMS Refurbishing our classrooms optimizes for more collaboration, creativity, and different learning styles.

34.2% PROSPECT SIERRA IS A WELCOMING COMMUNITY MADE OF UP DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES. We support 1 in 3 students with some level of tuition assistance.

76.2% PROSPECT SIERRA INVESTS IN PEOPLE.

76.2% of our budget, or $10,124,139 in 2015–16, goes to faculty and staff salaries and benefits, tuition assistance, and classroom budgets.

2014–2015

2015–2016 KALEIDOSCOPE | 27

OPERATING BUDGET AND FINANCIALS

$425,708 RAISED BY INDIVIDUAL DONORS IN 2015–16.

SOURCES OF INCOME ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Thank you for your generous support!

2014–2015

2015–2016

Tuition and fees 11,868,741 533,323 Gifts and grants 380,018 Bus and extended program 48,232 Other income 124,218 Investments

12,307,600 571,927 372,230 68,145 -39,533

$12,954,532

$13,280,369

TOTAL

2014–2015

2015–2016

$74,654 IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Teachers, too, are lifelong learners at Prospect Sierra.

PROGRAMS FUNDED ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

2014–2015

2015–2016

Faculty and staff 7,667,793 Tuition assistance 1,650,069 Capital and technology 533,994 Facilities (including debt service) 1,865,848 Classroom budgets 404,349 Professional development 59,085 Bus and extended program 351,669 Other general operating 421,725

7,871,299 1,795,619 1,229,801 1,130,754 457,221 74,654 348,917 372,104

TOTAL

$12,954,532

$13,280,369

2014–2015

2015–2016

$2.6 MILLION $350,000 FOR SOLAR ENERGY RESULTS IN LONG-TERM SAVINGS. $2.6 MILLION over 30 years

PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Individual donations Parent Association Events Private Foundations Contributions to Endowment Directed Gifts

TOTAL 26 | PROSPECT SIERRA

2014–2015

2015–2016

431,595 53,910 59,010 105,050 67,530 65,277

425,708 no figure 64,000 67,000 4,000 39,949

$782,373

$600,657

FIFTH GRADE CLASSROOMS Refurbishing our classrooms optimizes for more collaboration, creativity, and different learning styles.

34.2% PROSPECT SIERRA IS A WELCOMING COMMUNITY MADE OF UP DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES. We support 1 in 3 students with some level of tuition assistance.

76.2% PROSPECT SIERRA INVESTS IN PEOPLE.

76.2% of our budget, or $10,124,139 in 2015–16, goes to faculty and staff salaries and benefits, tuition assistance, and classroom budgets.

2014–2015

2015–2016 KALEIDOSCOPE | 27

DONOR ROLL Each and every gift gives our faculty and students the tools to build a better world. Thank you to our current and past families, alumni, grandparents, matching gifts supporters, and sponsors for your generous contributions through the years.

Contributions for 2014–15 and 2015–16 ranged from $25 to $25,000, listed below in alphabetical order.

Anonymous (71)

Emily and Eric Bergstrom

Paul and Helen Chapman

Anonymous in honor of the

Eli and Kathleen Berland

David Chappell

Linda and Paul Bertolli

Diana Chappell

Mary DeNardo

Heidi and Robin Abbott

Betsy Bigelow-Teller

Jenny Chatman and Russell Barnett

Tina Detchon

Jennifer Ahern and

Nancy Bissell and Sidney Guthrie

Benjamin and Rosa Chavarria

Peter and Gretchen Detre

Ruth and Matt Bissell

Ken and Betsey Cheitlin in honor of

The DeYoe Family

fabulous librarians

Yohance Edwards Tigist Ajibe and Girma Adafre Shelly and Deepak Ajmani

Lucia Blakeslee in honor of Emily Hecht

Conchi and Carlos Alamo

Gerald Huff and Judy Bliss

David Allen

Nancy and Roger Boas in honor of

AllianceBernstein

Kaia, Eva, and Gabriel Boas

Jessie ‘99, Abby ‘03, and Trevor ‘07 Cindy Cheong and Ho-Doug Ko in honor of Tyler Ko

Stefano Della Vigna and Ulrike Malmendier

Katherine Dinh Diana and Arjun Divecha Jamie Does

Lin and Adam Cheyer

Mary Drinan and Reza Yeganeh

Mike Bartek and Tana Ching

Lizette Duran and Jose Fuentes

Julie Friend and Philip Dreyfus

David Glass and Alison Savitz

Whitney Hischier and Simon Morris

Corina and David Jump

Betsey and Adam Fuchs

Tracey Goldberg and Paul Pierson

Jim and Maddie Hogan

Kaiser Permanente

Annie Fujimoto and Chris Langlois

Carol Goldman

Michael Hohmeyer and Lisa Lum

Community Giving Matching

Bill and Judy Fujimoto in honor of

Tom and Leslie Goldstein

Brian Honeycutt

Kianush Golriz and

Bob and Christy Hopeman

Nehoma Katz

Amy and Annie Sharyn Funamura and Jimmy Yoo

David Hopkins and Susan Seastone

Suzan Kaufmann

Chuy Gaite

Rosa Gonzalez and Gabriel Tejeda

Wendy Horng Brawer

Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Kendall, Sr.

Gap Foundation

Nathaniel and Czarina Good

Jeff and Lynn Horowitz

Jamie Kennedy and Creighton Hurt

Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo &

The Uplands Family Foundation

The Kerr Family

Casey Horvitz

Sarah and Scott Kessler

Gift Match Program Doug Garfinkel

Homayoon Koushafar

Gift Program

Co. LLC

Brenna Garland

Heather and Justin Gray

The Lincoln Family

Reva Kidd

Kari and L. Joseph Gaspardone

Nathalio and Stevie Gray

Ben and Priti Hulse

The Kinder Family

Leo and Jane Gaspardone

Greater New Orleans Foundation

The Parisi Family

Alison and Simon King

in honor of Nick, Amy, and

Caryn and Rob Gregg

Tomiko Ibser

Suzie Kito and Mac Sterling

Katie Gaspardone

Emily Griffins

The Ida and William

Jonah Klein

Cecile Gaubert and David Sraer

Hannah Grimm

The Gelfand Family

Abby Guinn and Jon Stewart

Malcolm and Sharon Ishida

Mary Korn and Mark Wegner

Eric and Miko Gellerman

Ryan Hall and Beth Brizendine

Suzanne and Nasif Iskander

Monica Kortz and Debbie Weeks

Vicky Gellon and Amod Chopra

Steve Harrington and Mona Lea

Tamina Isolani-Nagarvala and

The Kostick Family

Stephanie Gregg Geoffrion

Art and Susan Hartinger

Inka Germann and

Molly Harrington and Chris Hartney

Malia and Antonio Isolani

Sandy Spring Trust

Itron, Inc.

Claire Kremen and Charles Fineman

Iranshid Ghadimi

Cindy and John Hatem

Christina Iwasaki and David Lyon

Rosie Krieger

Catherine Ghent and

Mik and Jane Hausauer

Ruth Cille Jacob

Amy Kubes and Scot Hacker

Nadine Haynes and Thomas Smith

Chiara Swartout Jacobus

Nicole Kyner

Wendy and Alexis Ghorai

Laura and Tim Heath

Stacey and Erin Janoff

Jonathan Laba and Dori Ahana

Dipak and Sutapa Ghosal

Bill Hebert and Lori Schechter

Jith and Inocencia Jayaratne

The Ladenheim-Martos Family

Suman Gill and Andrew Duquet

Janet and Michael Heckmann

Leslie and Mark Jobson

Christa Laib and Daniel Simons

Matthew Gilliland

Patricia Hennigan and Thomas Painter

Angela Johnson

Susan Lane

Santiago Cuenca-Romero

Brendan Creedon

Rosenthal Foundation

Sage Koenig

Rebecca and Cyril Kormos

Allen and Sandra Kratzner in honor of Emmy Elaine Steiner

Veronica Altschul and Chris Ingersoll

Angi Boyle

Dan Lieberman and Miran Choi

Deb, Matt, and Sadie Winkelstein

Philip and Stephanie Alvelda

Chris Brawer

Richard Schank and Soohyun Chon

David Early

Vickie and Jim Gilliland

Nick Hernandez

Camille Jones

Ray Langit and Darlene Atizado

American Endowment Foundation

Bodie Brizendine and Bill Bullard

June and Hwi Kwang Chung

The Eden Foundation

Philip Gilsenan

Barbara Higbie and Wayne Anderson

Kristyn Jones

Lise LaTorre and

Susan Andres and Todd Jersey

The Brodsky Family

Maya Churi and Michael Jones

Theresa Edwards

Charlotte Gjedsted

Jen Hiller and Tom Hoffman

Alice and Adam Jordan

Andrea Bronzo and Edwin Munich

Liz and T.C. Clark

Dori Eger and Craig Lauxman

Rosalyn and Brian Art

Robyn and Dixon Brooke

McKenzie Clark ‘08

Edmond Eger Nicholas Lauxman

Jonathan Bachrach and

Leigh Brown

Tom Clark ‘03

The Ekstrand Family

Richard Brown

Clif Bar & Company

Jacqueline Kent Emerson

Adam Bailey and Karin Laursen

Tamara Brown

Albert and Betty Cohen in honor

Melody Gil

Shelly Ball and Jeff Burack

Tamy Brown and Juan Guerra

Melanie Bandera-Hess and

Emily Bruce and Justin McCrary

Martin White and Joanne Cohn

Eliot Fan and Elaine Chu

Sallie Bryan and Andrew Levy

Belle Cole and David Wilson in

Rick Ferm

in memory of Stephen Andres

Mindy Zarem

Scott Hess

of Adin Gilman-Cohen

Fair Isaac Corporation

Fatima Barberan

Monique Buffler

Mike and Lisa Barcellos

Susan Bumps and Michael Cronin

Felicia Cole and Dean Amundson

Hank and Lessly Field

Amii Barnard-Bahn and

Jennifer and Michael Burt

The Collins-Reinhold Family

Harriet Finkelstein

Mark Butler and Carol Elkovich

Kirk and Theresa Cooper

The Firepine Family

Marcus and Sara Byruck

Anne Coyle and Linda Bacon

Arminda and Jonathan Fisher

Michael Bahn Raymond and Betty Barnett in honor of Ava Barnett

honor of Abby and Talia Cole

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Kate Campbell

Valerie and Brendan Creane

Stephanie Fletcher

Alex Barnum and Nina Martin

Mark Camps and Nanine McDonald

Tom and Carolyn Croom in honor

Lesly Flynn and Hank Ibser

Genie Barry

Trung and Liching Cao

Mrs. Sharon Barthmaier

Christine Carter

John Crowley

Morris and Sabrina Fox

Mark and Linda Basnage

Tim and Sylvia Carter in honor of

Jenifer Daganzo and

Louise Francis and Dennis Cusack

Fiona and Molly McLaughlin

Spencer Bernatt

Abby Franklin and Stan Chesnutt

Karen Baughman

of Tobin and Georgia Power

Hillary and Todd Forbush

Steve Bedrick and Kathryn Seligman

Melissa Casado

Caleb Davis

JoAnne Friedman in honor of

Cathy Bellanti and Joni Wallis

Danielle Cass and Guy Ashley

Keith Davis

Isaac and Ava Monheit

Lalia BenMohamed

Carlos Castaño

Lloyd Davis and Tracy Fortini

Cheryl and Jesse Berg

Jeff Chang

Mike Ellis and Kamala De Valois

28 | PROSPECT SIERRA

Douglas McSkimming

Tamara Friedman and Dirk Husselman

WHEN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO PROSPECT SIERRA, YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT YOU ARE GIVING OUR STUDENTS THE VERY BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE. Prospect Sierra students are valued, respected, and deeply connected to their teachers and friends. We know that the world is rapidly changing, and we want our students to thrive during these incredible K–8 years. We’re convinced that what they learn in elementary and middle school—getting along with others, being curious and intellectually engaged, and learning about their own strengths and challenges— will carry them throughout their lives, whatever they choose to do.

Prospect Sierra students emerge with the courage to be great people, not just great students. Your annual support of this joyful place where creativity, innovation, and the values of diversity and inclusion intertwine, is so vital. Let’s continue to build community through our philanthropic support together.

KALEIDOSCOPE | 29

DONOR ROLL Each and every gift gives our faculty and students the tools to build a better world. Thank you to our current and past families, alumni, grandparents, matching gifts supporters, and sponsors for your generous contributions through the years.

Contributions for 2014–15 and 2015–16 ranged from $25 to $25,000, listed below in alphabetical order.

Anonymous (71)

Emily and Eric Bergstrom

Paul and Helen Chapman

Anonymous in honor of the

Eli and Kathleen Berland

David Chappell

Linda and Paul Bertolli

Diana Chappell

Mary DeNardo

Heidi and Robin Abbott

Betsy Bigelow-Teller

Jenny Chatman and Russell Barnett

Tina Detchon

Jennifer Ahern and

Nancy Bissell and Sidney Guthrie

Benjamin and Rosa Chavarria

Peter and Gretchen Detre

Ruth and Matt Bissell

Ken and Betsey Cheitlin in honor of

The DeYoe Family

fabulous librarians

Yohance Edwards Tigist Ajibe and Girma Adafre Shelly and Deepak Ajmani

Lucia Blakeslee in honor of Emily Hecht

Conchi and Carlos Alamo

Gerald Huff and Judy Bliss

David Allen

Nancy and Roger Boas in honor of

AllianceBernstein

Kaia, Eva, and Gabriel Boas

Jessie ‘99, Abby ‘03, and Trevor ‘07 Cindy Cheong and Ho-Doug Ko in honor of Tyler Ko

Stefano Della Vigna and Ulrike Malmendier

Katherine Dinh Diana and Arjun Divecha Jamie Does

Lin and Adam Cheyer

Mary Drinan and Reza Yeganeh

Mike Bartek and Tana Ching

Lizette Duran and Jose Fuentes

Julie Friend and Philip Dreyfus

David Glass and Alison Savitz

Whitney Hischier and Simon Morris

Corina and David Jump

Betsey and Adam Fuchs

Tracey Goldberg and Paul Pierson

Jim and Maddie Hogan

Kaiser Permanente

Annie Fujimoto and Chris Langlois

Carol Goldman

Michael Hohmeyer and Lisa Lum

Community Giving Matching

Bill and Judy Fujimoto in honor of

Tom and Leslie Goldstein

Brian Honeycutt

Kianush Golriz and

Bob and Christy Hopeman

Nehoma Katz

Amy and Annie Sharyn Funamura and Jimmy Yoo

David Hopkins and Susan Seastone

Suzan Kaufmann

Chuy Gaite

Rosa Gonzalez and Gabriel Tejeda

Wendy Horng Brawer

Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Kendall, Sr.

Gap Foundation

Nathaniel and Czarina Good

Jeff and Lynn Horowitz

Jamie Kennedy and Creighton Hurt

Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo &

The Uplands Family Foundation

The Kerr Family

Casey Horvitz

Sarah and Scott Kessler

Gift Match Program Doug Garfinkel

Homayoon Koushafar

Gift Program

Co. LLC

Brenna Garland

Heather and Justin Gray

The Lincoln Family

Reva Kidd

Kari and L. Joseph Gaspardone

Nathalio and Stevie Gray

Ben and Priti Hulse

The Kinder Family

Leo and Jane Gaspardone

Greater New Orleans Foundation

The Parisi Family

Alison and Simon King

in honor of Nick, Amy, and

Caryn and Rob Gregg

Tomiko Ibser

Suzie Kito and Mac Sterling

Katie Gaspardone

Emily Griffins

The Ida and William

Jonah Klein

Cecile Gaubert and David Sraer

Hannah Grimm

The Gelfand Family

Abby Guinn and Jon Stewart

Malcolm and Sharon Ishida

Mary Korn and Mark Wegner

Eric and Miko Gellerman

Ryan Hall and Beth Brizendine

Suzanne and Nasif Iskander

Monica Kortz and Debbie Weeks

Vicky Gellon and Amod Chopra

Steve Harrington and Mona Lea

Tamina Isolani-Nagarvala and

The Kostick Family

Stephanie Gregg Geoffrion

Art and Susan Hartinger

Inka Germann and

Molly Harrington and Chris Hartney

Malia and Antonio Isolani

Sandy Spring Trust

Itron, Inc.

Claire Kremen and Charles Fineman

Iranshid Ghadimi

Cindy and John Hatem

Christina Iwasaki and David Lyon

Rosie Krieger

Catherine Ghent and

Mik and Jane Hausauer

Ruth Cille Jacob

Amy Kubes and Scot Hacker

Nadine Haynes and Thomas Smith

Chiara Swartout Jacobus

Nicole Kyner

Wendy and Alexis Ghorai

Laura and Tim Heath

Stacey and Erin Janoff

Jonathan Laba and Dori Ahana

Dipak and Sutapa Ghosal

Bill Hebert and Lori Schechter

Jith and Inocencia Jayaratne

The Ladenheim-Martos Family

Suman Gill and Andrew Duquet

Janet and Michael Heckmann

Leslie and Mark Jobson

Christa Laib and Daniel Simons

Matthew Gilliland

Patricia Hennigan and Thomas Painter

Angela Johnson

Susan Lane

Santiago Cuenca-Romero

Brendan Creedon

Rosenthal Foundation

Sage Koenig

Rebecca and Cyril Kormos

Allen and Sandra Kratzner in honor of Emmy Elaine Steiner

Veronica Altschul and Chris Ingersoll

Angi Boyle

Dan Lieberman and Miran Choi

Deb, Matt, and Sadie Winkelstein

Philip and Stephanie Alvelda

Chris Brawer

Richard Schank and Soohyun Chon

David Early

Vickie and Jim Gilliland

Nick Hernandez

Camille Jones

Ray Langit and Darlene Atizado

American Endowment Foundation

Bodie Brizendine and Bill Bullard

June and Hwi Kwang Chung

The Eden Foundation

Philip Gilsenan

Barbara Higbie and Wayne Anderson

Kristyn Jones

Lise LaTorre and

Susan Andres and Todd Jersey

The Brodsky Family

Maya Churi and Michael Jones

Theresa Edwards

Charlotte Gjedsted

Jen Hiller and Tom Hoffman

Alice and Adam Jordan

Andrea Bronzo and Edwin Munich

Liz and T.C. Clark

Dori Eger and Craig Lauxman

Rosalyn and Brian Art

Robyn and Dixon Brooke

McKenzie Clark ‘08

Edmond Eger Nicholas Lauxman

Jonathan Bachrach and

Leigh Brown

Tom Clark ‘03

The Ekstrand Family

Richard Brown

Clif Bar & Company

Jacqueline Kent Emerson

Adam Bailey and Karin Laursen

Tamara Brown

Albert and Betty Cohen in honor

Melody Gil

Shelly Ball and Jeff Burack

Tamy Brown and Juan Guerra

Melanie Bandera-Hess and

Emily Bruce and Justin McCrary

Martin White and Joanne Cohn

Eliot Fan and Elaine Chu

Sallie Bryan and Andrew Levy

Belle Cole and David Wilson in

Rick Ferm

in memory of Stephen Andres

Mindy Zarem

Scott Hess

of Adin Gilman-Cohen

Fair Isaac Corporation

Fatima Barberan

Monique Buffler

Mike and Lisa Barcellos

Susan Bumps and Michael Cronin

Felicia Cole and Dean Amundson

Hank and Lessly Field

Amii Barnard-Bahn and

Jennifer and Michael Burt

The Collins-Reinhold Family

Harriet Finkelstein

Mark Butler and Carol Elkovich

Kirk and Theresa Cooper

The Firepine Family

Marcus and Sara Byruck

Anne Coyle and Linda Bacon

Arminda and Jonathan Fisher

Michael Bahn Raymond and Betty Barnett in honor of Ava Barnett

honor of Abby and Talia Cole

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Kate Campbell

Valerie and Brendan Creane

Stephanie Fletcher

Alex Barnum and Nina Martin

Mark Camps and Nanine McDonald

Tom and Carolyn Croom in honor

Lesly Flynn and Hank Ibser

Genie Barry

Trung and Liching Cao

Mrs. Sharon Barthmaier

Christine Carter

John Crowley

Morris and Sabrina Fox

Mark and Linda Basnage

Tim and Sylvia Carter in honor of

Jenifer Daganzo and

Louise Francis and Dennis Cusack

Fiona and Molly McLaughlin

Spencer Bernatt

Abby Franklin and Stan Chesnutt

Karen Baughman

of Tobin and Georgia Power

Hillary and Todd Forbush

Steve Bedrick and Kathryn Seligman

Melissa Casado

Caleb Davis

JoAnne Friedman in honor of

Cathy Bellanti and Joni Wallis

Danielle Cass and Guy Ashley

Keith Davis

Isaac and Ava Monheit

Lalia BenMohamed

Carlos Castaño

Lloyd Davis and Tracy Fortini

Cheryl and Jesse Berg

Jeff Chang

Mike Ellis and Kamala De Valois

28 | PROSPECT SIERRA

Douglas McSkimming

Tamara Friedman and Dirk Husselman

WHEN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO PROSPECT SIERRA, YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT YOU ARE GIVING OUR STUDENTS THE VERY BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE. Prospect Sierra students are valued, respected, and deeply connected to their teachers and friends. We know that the world is rapidly changing, and we want our students to thrive during these incredible K–8 years. We’re convinced that what they learn in elementary and middle school—getting along with others, being curious and intellectually engaged, and learning about their own strengths and challenges— will carry them throughout their lives, whatever they choose to do.

Prospect Sierra students emerge with the courage to be great people, not just great students. Your annual support of this joyful place where creativity, innovation, and the values of diversity and inclusion intertwine, is so vital. Let’s continue to build community through our philanthropic support together.

KALEIDOSCOPE | 29

Andrew and Sarah Layton

Leigh Marz and Michael Ziegler

Nepheli Foundation

Charlotte Phillips

Andrew and Sarah Rosenbach

Toby and Maia Stuart

Christine and Kai Lee

Susan Maslan and Oliver Arnold

Alchemy Foundation

Fermina and Christopher Philips

Elisabeth Ross and Ian Taylor

Markiell Styles

The Huang Family

Travis Mason-Bushman in memory

Maria Montes Clemens

Bruce and Suzie Phillips

Elizabeth Rothrauff and Robert Bock

Kathryn Sugawara and

of Steve Jobs

Emma Moore

Holly Pierce

Remi Rubel

Robin and Rod Leigh

YdeDios Mathis

Tiffany Moore

Joe and Miki Pinguelo

Jannine Sabath

Caitlin Lempres Brostrom and

Matthew and Kari Matsuoka

Nick and Sloane Morgan

Lisa Pious and Stefan Milnor

Adene Sacks and Joe Hellerstein

Ruth Planas-Shelton and

Sornam Sahadevan

Amy Sullivan

Martha Salzman and Jay Aleck

Jill Suttie and Don Arbitblit

The San Francisco Foundation

Craig and Marylou Symonds

Sophia Lehmann and Jonas Duke

Nathan Brostrom

Anthony Sperber Betty Suh-Burgmann and Roland Burgmann

Erik Miller and Dinah Mattick

Elissa Fisher

Marla Lev

Tamara Matuschka

Conor Manton and Kim Morimoto

Josie and Ben Levi

Liz Maw and Gabriel Rogin

Nina Morita and Peter Brunn

Beth Lewis

Dori Maxon

MSCI Barra 2008 Charitable

Robert Lewis

David McDonald

Tabitha and Michael Lewis Fund

Mike McDonald

David Myles

Andrea Saveri and Robert Gunier

Janet Tam and Kit Ratcliff

Diana and Tom Lewis in honor of

Anton McGready

Kristin Myles

Jean and Gary Pokorny

Mike and Lisa Scarborough

Jo Tams

Sunny McKay

Flavia Nascente and

Damone and Sonja Poole

Laura and Mario Scarlata

Winnie and Anthony Tan

Jessica and Arshan Poursohi

Gloria and Steve Schliesser

Jim Taylor and Lisa Bornstein Taylor

Quinn ‘13, Dixie ‘16, and Walker ‘21

Matching Program

Malcolm and Ann Plant in honor of Hayden and Elliot Tammy Plotkin-Oren and Arnon Oren

Community Health Charities of the West

in honor of Will Symonds Susee Witt and Jeff Symonds

The Lieske Family

Raquel and Rich McKinney

Joycelyn Lin and Harvey Wong

Pierre and Judi McKoy

Alyssa Nevin and Bob Crawford

David J. Powers & Associates

Carl and Sarah Schroeder

Leslie Teicholz and Leif Haase

Vincent and Radziah Loh

Mr. Steve and Mrs. Kay McNamara

The New York Community Trust

Maria Prikot and Michael Luby

Schwab Charitable Fund

Susan and Paul Teicholz in honor

Mrs. Eleanor Luce

Rudisha McNeal

New York Life Insurance

Sheila and Myron Puckett

Xinrong and Patrick Searcy

Will Luckett and Anna Erickson

Mollie McNeil and Dacher Keltner

Caryn and Daniel Newbrun

Qualcomm Foundation

Kaja Sehrt and Pradeep Chhibber

Marcia and Ed Thayer

Mary and Greg Lyman

Jim and Juanita McSweeney

Daniel Newman and

Katherine Quist and Jim Conlow

Juliet Popper Shaffer in honor of

Renee and Caroline Thomas Jacobs

Jennifer and Rich Lyons

Beatriz Meija and Richard Jackson

Cindy Ma

Lori Merish and Charles Rose

Kimberle Nogay

Karine Reed

Meg and Greg Shean

Reneé Thompson

Jan, Jorge, and Elisa Maezono ‘99

Frances Metzman in honor of

Lewis and Dee Noonberg in honor

Brie and Peter Regis

Lily Shih and P. Witt Monts

Paul and Carol Thornburgh in honor

The Reid/Casey Family

Silicon Valley

The Mahmood/ Hirschkind Family Firuzeh Mahmoudi and Andre Carothers

Zander and Zax Lieske

Leonardo Martins

Eric Shelton

Belinda Lyons-Newman

of Lily Richards

Laura Raboff and Barry Gordon

Toby Mickelson and Donald Brody

Novartis

Ann Reidy and Olaf Groth

The Miller Family

Schuyler Oliver

Sue Reinhold

Jay Mahoney and Natasha Aziz

Jenny and Dave Miller

Isabelle Ostreicher

Jay Rhodes

James and Rena Mahshi

Jeanie Mitchell and Frederick

Celia and Jacob Lehmann Duke

Community Foundation Whendee Silver and Steve Beissinger

of Julia and Elizabeth Haase

Nancy and Andy Thompson

of Zephaniah Stringfield Roveen Bhansali and

As a nonprofit, financial support is vital to delivering the exceptional education our community values.

When you give to Prospect Sierra, you help equip classrooms, provide professional development, assist families and create economic diversity, and ensure the long-term vitality of our school.

— Wendy Horng Brawer, Director of Advancement and Partnerships

Cybele Tomlinson Amy Toro and Larry Magid

Julie Ouellette

Mark Richards and Sarah Noonberg

Diane Simoneau

Kate Toran and Joanna Totino

Mrs. Mary E. Weinmann

Shirley Wong and Deon Tam

Nick Malick

Cannon in honor of Kyle ‘01,

Rachel Parker and Andrew Larner

John Riddle and Dorothy Berndt

Nick Singer

Yen Trac and Eric Rakowski

The Welch Family

Carolyn Woolley and Jim Pickrel

Rinat Manhoff

Griff ‘03, and Claire ‘05

Steve and Teri Pastorino

Jessica Rider and Akin Arikan

Leonard Sklar and Amy Luers in

Andy Trapp

Wells Fargo Community Support

Taun and Paul Wright

Yvonne Mansell

Kara and Matthew Mitchell

Sarah and Justin Pearce

Carla and David Riemer

Barrett Tucker and Mara Stonefield

Lisa and Andrew Wells

Gloria Wu and David Chen

Susie Marcus and Ross Libenson

Ingrid Mittermaier and Serkan Hosten

Braden and Megan Penhoet

Mitzi Rivas and Carlos Iribarren

Jennifer Smith and David Schlegel

Thomas and Marcy Ubois in honor

Robin and Ed Wenrick

Paul Wyckoff and Ashley Christiani

Diane Mark and Rob Frankenberg

Charlotte and Bruce Moco

Moira Perez

Carleigh and Brandon Rochon

Kelly and Mike Smith

Nancy Werthan

Tong Xiao

Gordon Markham in honor of

Gary Monheit and Terri Friedman

Diane and Brendan Peterson

Lesbeth Rodriguez and Jason Taylor

Smith-Denison Foundation

The West Family

Henni and David Yama

Kenyatta Monroe-Sinkler and

Matt Petrik and Laura Lawson

Heather Rogers and Kathy Toon

Peggy Snyder

Tracy Westphal and John R. Cain

The Yamamoto/Hannah Family

Cindy and Jim Pawlak

Madeleine Rogin

Ms. Sharon Song Paik

Union Bank Foundation

Rachel Whitmer and Ralf Holdenried

YourCause for Chevron

PG&E Corporation Foundation

Erica Roman

Claudia and John Spain

Jim and Janet Van Huysse

Cate Whitridge

YourCause for PG&E

Phillips 66 Company

Debby and Mike Roosevelt

Cara Sperry

Vanguard Charitable

Christine Wiitala, Luke Twombly,

David and Denise Yun

Pritika and Izzy Win Leah and Joshi Marshall Colleen Martin and Mark Woo John and Kimberley Martinez

Rob Sinkler The Moody’s Foundation Matching Gifts Program

memory of Robert Sklar

Rebecca Spring and Andrew Thompson

Deborah Underwood and Larry Hengl

Endowment Program Paula Varsano and Alan Tansman

and Kira Twombly in memory of

Jamal and Judith Zahid

Eben Twombly

Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason LLP

Lalin St. Juste

Verizon Foundation

Matthew Williams

Elaine Zelnik in honor of Jaxon Stuhr

Jenny Stampp

The Vesley/Shane Family

Otto and Jessica Williams

Li Zhang and Mark Miller

Jordan and Bob Stark

Heather Vitale

Mr. and Mrs. E. Otto N. Williams, Jr.

Wenny Zhu and Yaofei Luo

Kirk Frye and Lee Steadman

Charles and Marilyn Walker

The Williamson-Flores Family

Anne and Drew Steckler

Andrew and Nancy Wallach

Mary Beth Wilson

Richard Steele and Susan Lee

Jennie Watson-Lamprey

Thet Win and Mick Markham

In preparing this report, we've

Lisa and Carl Steiner

Michael and Rachita Watson

Maggie Winslow and Michael Graf

made every effort to ensure that

Jeremy Steinkoler and

Jim and Irene Watt and

Loretta and Tom Witt, in honor of

all information is accurate and

Michele Friedman

Alistair Sherris-Watt

Cameron Stephenson and Martin Barthmaier McKenzie Stevens

30 | PROSPECT SIERRA

of Natalia (Rosie) Bultman

Will Symonds

complete. If there is an omission or

Marty Wehner

John Dresslar and Erika Wodinsky

error, please accept our apologies

Michael McDowell and

Alison, Greg, and Lauren Wong

and notify the Advancement Office

The Wong Zamil Family

at advancement@prospectsierra.org

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence K. Wong in

so that we may correct our records.

Carolyn Weil

Annie Stine and Phil Greenberg

Cathy Weindel

Christian Storm

The Weinmann Family

honor of Sophia and Trevor Yun

Thank you!

KALEIDOSCOPE | 31

Andrew and Sarah Layton

Leigh Marz and Michael Ziegler

Nepheli Foundation

Charlotte Phillips

Andrew and Sarah Rosenbach

Toby and Maia Stuart

Christine and Kai Lee

Susan Maslan and Oliver Arnold

Alchemy Foundation

Fermina and Christopher Philips

Elisabeth Ross and Ian Taylor

Markiell Styles

The Huang Family

Travis Mason-Bushman in memory

Maria Montes Clemens

Bruce and Suzie Phillips

Elizabeth Rothrauff and Robert Bock

Kathryn Sugawara and

of Steve Jobs

Emma Moore

Holly Pierce

Remi Rubel

Robin and Rod Leigh

YdeDios Mathis

Tiffany Moore

Joe and Miki Pinguelo

Jannine Sabath

Caitlin Lempres Brostrom and

Matthew and Kari Matsuoka

Nick and Sloane Morgan

Lisa Pious and Stefan Milnor

Adene Sacks and Joe Hellerstein

Ruth Planas-Shelton and

Sornam Sahadevan

Amy Sullivan

Martha Salzman and Jay Aleck

Jill Suttie and Don Arbitblit

The San Francisco Foundation

Craig and Marylou Symonds

Sophia Lehmann and Jonas Duke

Nathan Brostrom

Anthony Sperber Betty Suh-Burgmann and Roland Burgmann

Erik Miller and Dinah Mattick

Elissa Fisher

Marla Lev

Tamara Matuschka

Conor Manton and Kim Morimoto

Josie and Ben Levi

Liz Maw and Gabriel Rogin

Nina Morita and Peter Brunn

Beth Lewis

Dori Maxon

MSCI Barra 2008 Charitable

Robert Lewis

David McDonald

Tabitha and Michael Lewis Fund

Mike McDonald

David Myles

Andrea Saveri and Robert Gunier

Janet Tam and Kit Ratcliff

Diana and Tom Lewis in honor of

Anton McGready

Kristin Myles

Jean and Gary Pokorny

Mike and Lisa Scarborough

Jo Tams

Sunny McKay

Flavia Nascente and

Damone and Sonja Poole

Laura and Mario Scarlata

Winnie and Anthony Tan

Jessica and Arshan Poursohi

Gloria and Steve Schliesser

Jim Taylor and Lisa Bornstein Taylor

Quinn ‘13, Dixie ‘16, and Walker ‘21

Matching Program

Malcolm and Ann Plant in honor of Hayden and Elliot Tammy Plotkin-Oren and Arnon Oren

Community Health Charities of the West

in honor of Will Symonds Susee Witt and Jeff Symonds

The Lieske Family

Raquel and Rich McKinney

Joycelyn Lin and Harvey Wong

Pierre and Judi McKoy

Alyssa Nevin and Bob Crawford

David J. Powers & Associates

Carl and Sarah Schroeder

Leslie Teicholz and Leif Haase

Vincent and Radziah Loh

Mr. Steve and Mrs. Kay McNamara

The New York Community Trust

Maria Prikot and Michael Luby

Schwab Charitable Fund

Susan and Paul Teicholz in honor

Mrs. Eleanor Luce

Rudisha McNeal

New York Life Insurance

Sheila and Myron Puckett

Xinrong and Patrick Searcy

Will Luckett and Anna Erickson

Mollie McNeil and Dacher Keltner

Caryn and Daniel Newbrun

Qualcomm Foundation

Kaja Sehrt and Pradeep Chhibber

Marcia and Ed Thayer

Mary and Greg Lyman

Jim and Juanita McSweeney

Daniel Newman and

Katherine Quist and Jim Conlow

Juliet Popper Shaffer in honor of

Renee and Caroline Thomas Jacobs

Jennifer and Rich Lyons

Beatriz Meija and Richard Jackson

Cindy Ma

Lori Merish and Charles Rose

Kimberle Nogay

Karine Reed

Meg and Greg Shean

Reneé Thompson

Jan, Jorge, and Elisa Maezono ‘99

Frances Metzman in honor of

Lewis and Dee Noonberg in honor

Brie and Peter Regis

Lily Shih and P. Witt Monts

Paul and Carol Thornburgh in honor

The Reid/Casey Family

Silicon Valley

The Mahmood/ Hirschkind Family Firuzeh Mahmoudi and Andre Carothers

Zander and Zax Lieske

Leonardo Martins

Eric Shelton

Belinda Lyons-Newman

of Lily Richards

Laura Raboff and Barry Gordon

Toby Mickelson and Donald Brody

Novartis

Ann Reidy and Olaf Groth

The Miller Family

Schuyler Oliver

Sue Reinhold

Jay Mahoney and Natasha Aziz

Jenny and Dave Miller

Isabelle Ostreicher

Jay Rhodes

James and Rena Mahshi

Jeanie Mitchell and Frederick

Celia and Jacob Lehmann Duke

Community Foundation Whendee Silver and Steve Beissinger

of Julia and Elizabeth Haase

Nancy and Andy Thompson

of Zephaniah Stringfield Roveen Bhansali and

As a nonprofit, financial support is vital to delivering the exceptional education our community values.

When you give to Prospect Sierra, you help equip classrooms, provide professional development, assist families and create economic diversity, and ensure the long-term vitality of our school.

— Wendy Horng Brawer, Director of Advancement and Partnerships

Cybele Tomlinson Amy Toro and Larry Magid

Julie Ouellette

Mark Richards and Sarah Noonberg

Diane Simoneau

Kate Toran and Joanna Totino

Mrs. Mary E. Weinmann

Shirley Wong and Deon Tam

Nick Malick

Cannon in honor of Kyle ‘01,

Rachel Parker and Andrew Larner

John Riddle and Dorothy Berndt

Nick Singer

Yen Trac and Eric Rakowski

The Welch Family

Carolyn Woolley and Jim Pickrel

Rinat Manhoff

Griff ‘03, and Claire ‘05

Steve and Teri Pastorino

Jessica Rider and Akin Arikan

Leonard Sklar and Amy Luers in

Andy Trapp

Wells Fargo Community Support

Taun and Paul Wright

Yvonne Mansell

Kara and Matthew Mitchell

Sarah and Justin Pearce

Carla and David Riemer

Barrett Tucker and Mara Stonefield

Lisa and Andrew Wells

Gloria Wu and David Chen

Susie Marcus and Ross Libenson

Ingrid Mittermaier and Serkan Hosten

Braden and Megan Penhoet

Mitzi Rivas and Carlos Iribarren

Jennifer Smith and David Schlegel

Thomas and Marcy Ubois in honor

Robin and Ed Wenrick

Paul Wyckoff and Ashley Christiani

Diane Mark and Rob Frankenberg

Charlotte and Bruce Moco

Moira Perez

Carleigh and Brandon Rochon

Kelly and Mike Smith

Nancy Werthan

Tong Xiao

Gordon Markham in honor of

Gary Monheit and Terri Friedman

Diane and Brendan Peterson

Lesbeth Rodriguez and Jason Taylor

Smith-Denison Foundation

The West Family

Henni and David Yama

Kenyatta Monroe-Sinkler and

Matt Petrik and Laura Lawson

Heather Rogers and Kathy Toon

Peggy Snyder

Tracy Westphal and John R. Cain

The Yamamoto/Hannah Family

Cindy and Jim Pawlak

Madeleine Rogin

Ms. Sharon Song Paik

Union Bank Foundation

Rachel Whitmer and Ralf Holdenried

YourCause for Chevron

PG&E Corporation Foundation

Erica Roman

Claudia and John Spain

Jim and Janet Van Huysse

Cate Whitridge

YourCause for PG&E

Phillips 66 Company

Debby and Mike Roosevelt

Cara Sperry

Vanguard Charitable

Christine Wiitala, Luke Twombly,

David and Denise Yun

Pritika and Izzy Win Leah and Joshi Marshall Colleen Martin and Mark Woo John and Kimberley Martinez

Rob Sinkler The Moody’s Foundation Matching Gifts Program

memory of Robert Sklar

Rebecca Spring and Andrew Thompson

Deborah Underwood and Larry Hengl

Endowment Program Paula Varsano and Alan Tansman

and Kira Twombly in memory of

Jamal and Judith Zahid

Eben Twombly

Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason LLP

Lalin St. Juste

Verizon Foundation

Matthew Williams

Elaine Zelnik in honor of Jaxon Stuhr

Jenny Stampp

The Vesley/Shane Family

Otto and Jessica Williams

Li Zhang and Mark Miller

Jordan and Bob Stark

Heather Vitale

Mr. and Mrs. E. Otto N. Williams, Jr.

Wenny Zhu and Yaofei Luo

Kirk Frye and Lee Steadman

Charles and Marilyn Walker

The Williamson-Flores Family

Anne and Drew Steckler

Andrew and Nancy Wallach

Mary Beth Wilson

Richard Steele and Susan Lee

Jennie Watson-Lamprey

Thet Win and Mick Markham

In preparing this report, we've

Lisa and Carl Steiner

Michael and Rachita Watson

Maggie Winslow and Michael Graf

made every effort to ensure that

Jeremy Steinkoler and

Jim and Irene Watt and

Loretta and Tom Witt, in honor of

all information is accurate and

Michele Friedman

Alistair Sherris-Watt

Cameron Stephenson and Martin Barthmaier McKenzie Stevens

30 | PROSPECT SIERRA

of Natalia (Rosie) Bultman

Will Symonds

complete. If there is an omission or

Marty Wehner

John Dresslar and Erika Wodinsky

error, please accept our apologies

Michael McDowell and

Alison, Greg, and Lauren Wong

and notify the Advancement Office

The Wong Zamil Family

at advancement@prospectsierra.org

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence K. Wong in

so that we may correct our records.

Carolyn Weil

Annie Stine and Phil Greenberg

Cathy Weindel

Christian Storm

The Weinmann Family

honor of Sophia and Trevor Yun

Thank you!

KALEIDOSCOPE | 31

CONTRIBUTORS TREVOR CHEITLIN (’07), COPY EDITOR

KALEIDOSCOPE FALL 2016

What Makes Us Unique?

A Clear Message for Prospect Sierra Project Happiness

Trevor is incredibly grateful for the open arms he is always greeted with at Prospect Sierra, and for the role the school has played in shaping his family since before he was born.

MISSION MINDED, DESIGN We collaborated with Mission Minded to bring our communications to life, launching a new logo, messaging, and admissions campaign this fall! Always Prospect Sierra at heart, we are celebrating our identity in new ways.

KALEIDOSCOPE Behind Kaleidoscope is the idea that learning at Prospect Sierra is multifaceted, rich, and textured. There are many perspectives to consider, different ways to solve problems, and disciplinary knowledge is not siloed,

WENDY HORNG BRAWER, EDITOR

but rather integrated. We talk about accountability

Wendy is awed by the power of many and

and engaged parent community, we also celebrate the

thanks the writers, editors, photographer

values of individuality and diversity. We tell our stories,

Smeeta Mahanti, and Mission Minded, for

listen from the heart, and connect ideas in order to

the collaborative effort to birth this new baby.

better understand one another and apply what we learn

Worth the labor and delivery.

to the complexities in the world around us.

in science, beauty in colab, and empathy in math.

From our students, to faculty and staff, to our caring

The Humanities program is really strong here, and it’s taught me to ask a lot more questions about what’s happening in the world.

—Sierra Luce (’16)

FIND YOUR PROSPECT SIERRA NETWORK Are you in creative arts, technology and innovation, education, social justice, or work as an entrepreneur?

Connect with alums and parents on Facebook and LinkedIn to network and collaborate.

32 | PROSPECT SIERRA

CONTRIBUTORS TREVOR CHEITLIN (’07), COPY EDITOR

KALEIDOSCOPE FALL 2016

What Makes Us Unique?

A Clear Message for Prospect Sierra Project Happiness

Trevor is incredibly grateful for the open arms he is always greeted with at Prospect Sierra, and for the role the school has played in shaping his family since before he was born.

MISSION MINDED, DESIGN We collaborated with Mission Minded to bring our communications to life, launching a new logo, messaging, and admissions campaign this fall! Always Prospect Sierra at heart, we are celebrating our identity in new ways.

KALEIDOSCOPE Behind Kaleidoscope is the idea that learning at Prospect Sierra is multifaceted, rich, and textured. There are many perspectives to consider, different ways to solve problems, and disciplinary knowledge is not siloed,

WENDY HORNG BRAWER, EDITOR

but rather integrated. We talk about accountability

Wendy is awed by the power of many and

and engaged parent community, we also celebrate the

thanks the writers, editors, photographer

values of individuality and diversity. We tell our stories,

Smeeta Mahanti, and Mission Minded, for

listen from the heart, and connect ideas in order to

the collaborative effort to birth this new baby.

better understand one another and apply what we learn

Worth the labor and delivery.

to the complexities in the world around us.

in science, beauty in colab, and empathy in math.

From our students, to faculty and staff, to our caring

The Humanities program is really strong here, and it’s taught me to ask a lot more questions about what’s happening in the world.

—Sierra Luce (’16)

FIND YOUR PROSPECT SIERRA NETWORK Are you in creative arts, technology and innovation, education, social justice, or work as an entrepreneur?

Connect with alums and parents on Facebook and LinkedIn to network and collaborate.

32 | PROSPECT SIERRA

Elementary School Campus 2060 Tapscott Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530

Middle School Campus 960 Avis Drive El Cerrito, CA 94530

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Prospect Sierra gives students the tools to build a better world by integrating rigorous academics with a deep understanding of human emotions. Every day our talented teachers help students connect academic experiences with ideals like ethics and empathy. The result is deeper intellectual engagement, greater self-knowledge, and compassionate relationships. Prospect Sierra students emerge with the courage to be great people, not just great students.

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