footsteps Spring/Summer 2014
Our Mission At Marin Primary & Middle School we make education meaningful, while encouraging pride in self, respect for others, and enthusiasm for learning. we treasure childhood.
We honor and enjoy children’s natural curiosity, competence, and exuberance.
we teach to reach children.
Using teams of teachers and educational methods tailored to how children learn best, we connect with our students, build trusting relationships, and make learning relevant, memorable, and fun. we teach children to reach.
Asking not “how smart is the child” but “how is the child smart,” we guide our students to see their full potential, and we equip them to pursue it with passion and purpose.
we inspire children to make a difference.
We value academic excellence, personal integrity, and community action and encourage our students to become informed, engaged, and ethical global citizens.
c n letters 4
Julie’s Letter
around campus 6
School Happenings
10
Around Campus
11
Blast from the Past
features 12
A Grand Opening
16 African Extravaganza 18
MP&MS Rebrands
20
Auction Recap
22 Remembering
David R. Heath
24
Congratulations to
the Class of 2014
alumni 26
College Update
t
o
t n s
e
Reflection, Learning, and Growth Welcome to the latest edition of Footsteps, coming to you with a new look to match the launch of our new logo and website. As you will see in the following pages, this year has been filled with exciting growth and change for our school.
This has also been a time of re-
our long-standing projects lab as we
on the playground and remains the
membering our roots and the vision of
enhance students’ development in
heart of our school in so many ways.
our first head of school, David Heath.
the areas known as STEAM (science,
Families from the school’s early years
technology, engineering, art, math).
joined us to celebrate David’s life
Thanks to the generous support
The wise and dedicated members of our Board of Trustees have a keen eye focused on the future of our
on a beautiful May afternoon in the
from the Auction’s Fund-in-Need
school. Late this spring the Board
new amphitheater and the renovated
drive, the unique specialist classes
began work on a new strategic plan
David R. Heath Outdoor Education
that are such a vital part of our
to guide future growth. A survey of
Center. Somewhere in the archives
program received a significant boost.
all parents, along with consultant-
Over the summer the computer
led focus groups, provided helpful
we have David’s penciled plans for a garden, with an amphitheater and
lab will become a more responsive
feedback as well as ideas for future
specialist classes clustered around a
learning space for cutting edge
consideration, and a day long retreat
central outdoor space. We’re honoring
technology, a cork floor will be
for the larger strategic planning
his vision as the school evolves to
installed in the music room to better
committee enhanced the project’s
meet the needs of a new generation
support movement and sound, mirrors
strong foundation. Updates about
of students and families.
will enhance drama and indoor PE in
this important effort will be shared in
the multipurpose room, new tables
future Footsteps.
While the completion of such a major project may be the most
will provide greater flexibility in
obvious improvement over the past
Spanish, and projects lab will have a
chance to share these glimpses of
We’re so pleased to have this
year, our students have also benefited
range of new tools and materials for
life at school, especially with those of
from enhancements to the academic
students to learn through tinkering
you who aren’t able to visit regularly.
program. The thoughtful engagement
and inventing. Other new materials
You are all so important in the life
of our teachers and division directors
will support the teaching of coding
of our community. Thank you for
has supported deeper implementation
and engineering, including recently
your ongoing commitment to Marin
of the new primary school math
developed “bots” for younger
Primary & Middle School.
program, a schoolwide review of
students and a 3D printer in middle
the science program, and a focus
school. The garden, another specialist
on ways to more deeply integrate
area, benefited from this year’s work
school happenings on and around campus
Williams School Visit
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
MP&MS students develop an understanding of their
It may have been a while since they sat in a classroom, but
role in the larger global community through interactive
the many guests who came to MP&MS on April 25 for our
experiences designed to immerse them in other cultures.
annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day celebration
This year, second and fourth grade students were able to
quickly adjusted to the activities unfolding before them.
use their Spanish through Skype and email communication
Depending on what classes their grandchildren or friends
with their penpals at the Colegio Williams de Cuernavaca
had, the guests witnessed students reading aloud, spelling,
in Mexico. MP&MS staff were involved in the exchange
solving math problems, practicing their Spanish, or heard
as well — teachers Peter Eldredge, Rebecca Wunderlich,
presentations prepared especially for them. Despite the
Arturo Cuevas, and head of school Julie Elam visited their
wintery, rainy conditions, fun was had by all as we all
colleagues in Cuernavaca for a week last fall as part of
reveled in sharing the daily life of MP&MS students.
this ongoing relationship. The return visit of a group of teachers from the Williams School to MP&MS was one of the year’s highlights. They spent the week with our students teaching Mexican geography, culture, Spanish songs, and dances that were then performed to the delight of the whole school.
May Day Celebration
International Day
MP&MS students took time off from books, classrooms,
An idea born twelve years ago by fifth grade teacher
and math problems to enjoy a beautiful spring day in the
Meike Wanberg, International Day is a festive school-
newly renovated garden to celebrate May Day. Students
wide celebration that promotes the value of learning
danced in the May Pole tradition, released butterflies
and understanding world cultures including many within
and worms, painted planter bed signs, had their faces
our own community. Each year, classrooms choose a
painted, made flower crowns, and enjoyed popcorn and
country of focus and delve into exploring their country’s
lemonade while listening to great music. After a long year
uniqueness learning about a range of topics such as
of work, many thanks go to Garden Committee parent
currency, language, geography, customs, and music. This
Co-Chairs Donny Stroh and Kelli Limm Fair, Jason Perko,
study culminates on International Day where costume
who designed the plans, and Kurt Schottstaedt, who built
-adorned classes present a unique song, dance, or theater
Jason’s plans into reality. Outdoor education teachers
piece to the school community. In keeping with tradition,
Angela and Kat worked overtime to get the garden ready
the day includes a delicious international buffet with
and have turned it into an oasis of outdoor learning to be
delicacies from around the world. From Scottish kilts to
enjoyed by all.
Indian saris, from geography bees to drumming circles, from samosas to sauerkraut, each year International Day proves to be a community favorite!
school happenings on and around campus
Fifth Graders Take on Yosemite
JamFest
Although overnight outdoor education trips begin in
The Sweetwater Music Hall was the perfect venue for
second grade, only one grade takes on Yosemite: our brave
this year’s JamFest, a favorite MP&MS event for current
and resourceful fifth graders. Each year they diligently
students and almuni. The school’s many talented musicians
prepare by learning how to plan and navigate trips in
— from singers and bassists to guitarists and drummers —
the wilderness, and practice minimum-impact wilderness
enlivened the spring evening with a range of music. Close
living. The trip provides students with an experience of
to 100 guests enjoyed both group and solo performances
nature while exploring the topics of ecology and science.
by over 35 musicians. New to the lineup this year were
Spending time in an area that is so rich in biodiversity
eighth graders Jeremy Kaplan, Ben Whitaker, Felix
and observing first hand the relationships between plants
Sorokine, Morgan Glasser, Jake Kristy, Brett Schneider,
and animals certainly enriches the conversations in the
Avery Robinson, and Elly Labay. The show also featured a
classroom. During the four-day trip to Yosemite, students
rousing Beatles medley honoring David Heath by stand-
walk the valley floor, observing its biological, ecological,
out alumni performers Kendra Pollock, Miles Schon, Natalie
and geological marvels. They hike to Mirror Lake, explore
Sears (who sang accompanied by her father Pete on
the Spider Caves at the base of Yosemite Falls,
piano), Erika Mott, and Cole Schneider.
and take time to journal and reflect about their experiences. The Yosemite trip is an anchor for the middle school’s dedication to outdoor education, which enriches our curriculum and ultimately our students’ lives.
Art Show
Stepping Up and Graduation
MP&MS’s annual art show reflects the wide variety of
Through preschool graduation, Stepping Up, and
artistic expression and resources available to MP&MS
eighth grade graduation, we observed and celebrated
students through the art program. Students create
the accomplishments of our students over the year. At
paintings, drawings, clay sculptures, and more under the
Stepping Up, each grade shared a meaningful performance
tutelage of teachers Paul Maes and Margot Koch. Many
before moving to the seats for their next grade. Later
projects emphasize the integration of the arts in academic
that evening, the 31 MP&MS graduates impressed us all
life at MP&MS. Seventh graders learned about the pop
with presentations and performances at their graduation
art movement by making large scale paintings in the
ceremony. Celebrated by their families, teachers, and
Lichtenstein style, while second graders created a huge
members of the MP&MS community, the graduates revelled
mural to complement their study of the rain forest. In the
in all they had accomplished during their years at 20
end, we all marvelled at our students’ ability to mine their
Magnolia Avenue. Julie Elam addressed the graduating
academic studies as a source of self-expression. When
eighth graders with a mixture of personal anecdotes
asked what he liked best, Paul Maes answered “Those
and humor. She urged the graduates to trust their own
paintings and sculptures that don’t quite succeed, where
instincts, and to listen to their inner voices, as they moved
the artist’s ambitions are just out of reach of their abilities.
through their lives — skills that were learned here at
I love it when the kids aim high and end up making a mess.
MP&MS and ones that are sure to aid them in the journey
It’s the process that I enjoy most of all in the studio, that
through high school.
helps us grow as artists, even when the end result is a mess. Hurrah for beautiful messes!”
around campus What’s your favorite thing about MP&MS?
Donna: My favorite thing
Michael: Recess is my
Dan: That’s a hard question!
Yolanda: I really like
about MP&MS is the staff
favorite thing. I like to run
One of my favorite things
International Day. It’s fun
and teachers. I feel so lucky
around with my friends.
is the ability to work in an
to see all the different
to be able to work with them
environment where I help
performances and the food is
every day.
foster the minds of the future
really tasty, too.
and where those minds make me a better person.
Arturo: One thing that
Brady: My favorite part of
Lisa I really like how
Mischka: I love the Projects
really stands out for me as
school is my friends. I look
comfortable the kids are
Lab. Working with wood and
a teacher is the support
forward to seeing them every
all over campus – in the
tools is so cool. It makes our
I receive to take part in
day. I love coming to school!
classroom, outside on the
school special.
professional development. It
playground, and in the front
helps me be a better teacher.
office!
blast from the past Do you recognize these staff members? 1
2 Our staff and faculty love working at MP&MS. Take a closer look to see if you can identify these long-time MP&MS faculty and staff members. Answers below.
3
5
4
1. Susan Humphrey, 2. Matt Penwell, 3. Jennifer Lucas, 4. Jon Hull, and 5. Dave DeMartini
a Grand
Opening The beautiful new outdoor spaces
as well as the perfect spot for a
committee, chaired by Eliot Holtzman,
that make up Phase II of our campus
group of preschoolers to practice the
and school architect Peter Pfau of
master plan opened in stages through
important skill of rolling down a hill.
Pfau-Long Architecture. Both began
the winter and spring — first the sport
Square platforms scattered around
this project when their children, now
court, then the play structures and
the area have become performing
in high school and college, were in
entry paths, and finally the shaded
stages, “safety zones” in games of
our youngest grades. The project also
amphitheater. While the excitement
tag, and gathering spaces for small
benefited from the work of landscape
generated by the opening of each new
groups, as middle schoolers survey the
architect Jeff Miller and his team from
area seemed huge, the overall impact
entire space from atop one of the play
Miller Company Landscape Architects,
left many of us astounded by the
structures. The jacaranda trees have
project manager Hassan Afrookteh, and
transformation of our campus. With the
started blooming, as have the vines
the Alten Construction team.
inclusion of last year’s Magnolia Entry
on the back fence and the wisteria
project, we now have a fully accessible
climbing the arbor next to the trike
Campaign Committee Molly Gamble,
campus filled with new spaces to
shed, giving us an idea of more to
LeAnn Wanninger, and Sue Whitaker,
support students’ physical, social-
come. The amphitheater was as perfect
together with the six donors who
emotional, and academic growth.
for the crowd on International Day as
pledged a combined $1.2 million as a
Each component of the design was
The leadership of our Capital
it was for the more intimate gathering
challenge to the community, ultimately
created to meet a specific need. The
that weekend to honor David Heath.
made this project possible by bringing
tables nestled beneath the seventh and
It has been a pleasure for all of us to
the community together to raise the
eighth grade windows provide perfect
watch students discover — and claim as
match. With a vote of support from
meeting spaces for smaller breakout
their own — the spaces best matched
the Board of Trustees, the decision to
groups as well as social conversation.
with their developmental stages.
begin construction was made in May
The rolling hills near the amphitheater
This incredible project is the result of
have already proven to be a great
the work of so many people, beginning
seating space during performances,
with our long-standing master plan
2013 — and less than one year later, our campus has been transformed.
Organic Learning Garden The David R. Heath Outdoor Education Center, our school’s organic learning garden and native wildlife habitat, includes a solar-powered outdoor classroom, raised beds for food and flower gardening, compost center, and weather station.
Gathering Spaces The spaces near the amphitheater and the grassy areas provide places for students to gather during recess, or for small classroom groups.
Amphiteather
Climbing Structures
From performance space to a setting for classroom
Free play on a climbing structure in a well-designed play
activities and social gatherings, the amphitheater
area naturally inspires children to be active and creative.
provides the perfect central gathering spot for the
Climbing provides opportunities to develop a variety of
MP&MS community.
skills and to exercise their bodies.
Sand and Water Play Experiences with sand and water are completely hands-on and open-ended. There is no right way to use sand. It invites participation, permits children to make and test hypotheses, stretches the imagination, provides a potentially soothing sensory experience, and becomes an excellent avenue for children to gain physical, cognitive, and social skills. Sand play promotes physical development as children dig, pour, sift, and scoop. It promotes the development of social skills, as the children face problems in the sandbox that require sharing, compromise, and negotiation as they work and play together. The water element creates endless possibilities for measuring, building, and exploring the senses.
Photos by Kari Orvik for Miller Company Landscape Architects
African Extravaganza Animals studied include:
The African Extravaganza is a cele-
Zebra
bration of the integration of music, art,
Junia, and Ellen help the third graders
Using the library and media lab, Yolanda,
Nile crocodile
social studies, technology, language
develop new research skills. Meanwhile, the
Bat-eared fox
arts, and science in our third grade that
students work with Paul to create an art
Hyena
demonstrates months of learning about
piece that represents their African animal.
the continent of Africa. While technically
In music class, the students work with
falling under the social studies curriculum
Jason to learn African music on the Orff
in third grade, the event highlights how
instruments. This year, alum Kaiya Holtzman
Warthog
the curriculum matter is taught across all
returned to teach the third graders a West
Dik dik
subjects over the course of three months.
African dance.
Elephant shrew Giraffe Meerkat
African wild dog
First, students work with Kristi
In the end, families of the third graders
and Sarah to select and research an
were invited to come to see the beautiful
African animal. Working with a partner,
results of their hard work in a spectacular
the students take notes and create an
and informative presentation, including their
informative Keynote presentation.
animal reports, music, dance — and food!
A New Look for Marin Primary & Middle School We are delighted to announce the
includes curriculum descriptions
program enrollment forms, Summer
enhanced Marin Primary & Middle
by grade, blogs from Julie, Erin and
Camp registration, and school store
School website, featuring our new
Dave, our school’s sustainability and
order forms are also accessible. Going
brand identity and a more user-
stewardship activities, as well as more
forward, we will reduce the volume
friendly navigation that highlights vital
robust information regarding our After
of paper documents distributed, and,
information about our school. Based
School program, Parents Association,
when possible, will migrate to online
on research conducted throughout
development efforts, admission,
forms.
our community, the new website is
and other programs. Updated eye-
designed to serve our expanding
catching photos of students, parents,
teachers were trained on the new
needs. The online experience
and faculty in action on and off
website and have begun to upload
provides easy access to information,
campus are another dazzling feature
newsletters, curriculum, and photos of
communication, collaboration, and
of the new website.
the integrated academic program in
the necessary forms and documents
The My MP&MS section is our
All Marin Primary & Middle School
practice. Look for even more material
to support Marin Primary & Middle
parents’ entry into an expanded world
to be added during the summer
School students and families, as well
of communication from their child’s
months. Please visit www.mpms.org
as external visitors.
classroom — replete with calendar
today to find simple instructions on
On the external site, existing
highlights, field trip schedules, the
how to log in and navigate to your
and prospective parents will easily
family directory, and overall school
child’s class page. We hope you will
spot familiar content such as our
information. In alignment with our
enjoy browsing our new site, spotting
school mission, philosophy, vision
commitment to green business
familiar faces, and locating relevant
and values as well as noteworthy
practices, downloadable documents
and useful information with each
new material. Additional content
such as health forms, After School
returning visit.
logo
website homepage
calendar feature
On the external site, existing and prospective parents will easily spot familiar content including The new MP&MS logo
our school mission, philosophy,
combines a word mark and
and vision and values as well as
icon symbolizing MP&MS’s
noteworthy new material.
cultural essence. The three leaves inside the M represent the preschool, primary school,
The calendar feature of the new
and middle school, as well as
website can be customized
our community of students,
according to subcategories
teachers, and parents. The white
including the preschool, primary
space between the leaves can
school, middle school, and
be seen as the pages of a book,
athletics. Site users may sync the
representing a student’s journey
MP&MS calendar with a variety
throughout his/her years at
of external calendar programs
MP&MS.
such as iCal.
my mp&ms and fam
group pages
downloadble documents
Group pages have been preselected for parents based on the classes of their students. Once on a class group page, information can be accessed through a variety of tabs. These vary from page to page, but may include: posts, Class and specialist group
galleries, pages, links, files, and
All families have access to the
pages are housed under the “My
forms.
Downloadable Documents
MP&MS” button, located on the
page located under My MP&MS.
upper right of the page. This is the
This page serves as a resource
private, password protected part
and houses numerous forms
of the site. FAM (Family Access
including medical forms, field
Module) and the directory can
trip forms, donations forms,
also be accessed here by clicking
After School brochures, as well
the red login button on the left.
as general information such as
Family information can be easily
the bus schedule, preschool
updated here.
handbook, and more.
mardi gras
The scenes and sounds of New Orleans were all around at this year’s Mardi Gras-themed auction. Led by auction co-chairs Sam Cross and Hilary King, with special thanks to Mistress of Ceremonies, Sharon Stone, the evening was an unprecedented success as the MP&MS community came together for a night of spirited fun and fundraising. Upon walking into the Four Seasons Hotel, guests were greeted by a Dixieland jazz band of familiar faces, and dÊcor evoking Bourbon Street. With smart phones in hand, guests bid their hearts out at the silent auction using the new mobile bidding system. The fantastic selection of donated jewelery, trips, unique experiences, and an amazing array of class treasures was hard to resist. The lively crowd was primed for the live auction and the bidding was exciting! The room came back together for another very successful Fund-in-Need segment with paddles shooting up all around the room to support new equipment and space improvements for our beloved specialist programs. The dance floor was hopping with those working off some of the excitement. All in all, it was another incredibly successful fundraiser thanks to our ever-generous donors and bidders and the volunteers who made it happen. Our community really knows how to come together to support MP&MS!
David Rodman Heath David R. Heath, Marin Primary & Middle School’s
put those ideas into action for the well being of children
founding Head of School, passed away this past March at
and families, which he did with all his heart. David would
the age of 62. David was Head of School at MP&MS for
often share that he was honored to have that opportunity.
twenty-seven years, from 1975 to 2002 and, along with
The children who attended MP&MS during David’s tenure
founders Jim and Roberta Heath, was one of the original
remember him as a leader who cared about each of them
visionaries who developed our school’s mission and
equally. That he knew their names and backgrounds, who
educational philosophy.
their friends were and what they were passionate about.
Those who knew and worked with David remember him as deeply passionate about his life’s work. His dedication to creating a safe and respectful place for children to
David lived his work, and the MP&MS thrived because of his personal commitment to the school’s mission. Marin Primary & Middle School continues to grow
develop as whole people, academically as well as socially
based on the original vision and mission developed and
and emotionally, was inspirational. David was masterful at
implemented by David Heath and the founders. According
attracting knowledgeable, creative, and dedicated teachers
to David, understanding a child’s priorities (Am I Safe?,
who understood the type of experience children needed
Who is My Friend?, and Does the Teacher Know Who I
in the important formative years of their lives. He was
am?) is fundamental to being able to reach a student and
determined to lead a school that embraced the arts as
to inspire a student to reach. He recognized that a child’s
fundamental to the overall experience of children, and was
attitude toward school will determine that child’s success
committed to the idea that each Marin Primary & Middle
as a student. This awareness, embraced by an effective and
School student would have the opportunity to express him
enthusiastic faculty, is at the core of our day-to-day work
or herself in creative as well as academic ways. MP&MS
at MP&MS. David’s personal life mission continues through
families and students embraced the school’s mission, and
our work in every one of our classrooms every day. David
David and his staff made it grow.
often said that his greatest accomplishment was beginning
David recognized that his ideas were not unique,
MP&MS and how satisfied it made him feel to see it continue
and that he was implementing best practices from
to grow in amazing ways. We are all deeply thankful for
the knowledgeable educators who preceded him. He
David’s dedicated time at MP&MS and for his commitment
understood that he was being given the opportunity to
to children. His legacy is unparalleled.
congratulations
On Friday, June 13, 2014 31 accomplished MP&MS eighth graders sat center stage at the Deer Park Villa in Fairfax for graduation. After being greeted and congratulated by board chair Susan Kan Whitaker, students listened as Julie Elam, head of school, welcomed and then recognized special guests. Throughout the ceremony families, teachers, and friends who surrounded the Class of 2014 were wowed by musical performances by Jeremy Kaplan, Felix Sorokine, Brett Schneider, Katie Israel, Elly Labay, Avery Robinson, Mikailah Leifer-Ives, Isabella Poutiatine, and Kimi Wu. Our graduating eighth graders are a talented group, with varied academic interests and goals for their next educational experience as can be seen in the impressive list of high schools they will be attending in the fall: • The Branson School • Convent of the Sacred Heart • Drew College Preparatory School • Marin Academy • Marin Catholic High School • The Marin School • Redwood High School • Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep • Sir Francis Drake High School • Stuart Hall High School • Tamalpais High School
mp&ms 2014 grads
MP&MS Grads Go To
COLLEGE
Our graduates’ college choices reflect the strength of their academic preparation. MP&MS students apply to and are accepted by leading institutions around the country and abroad. Over the past three years, MP&MS graduates are attending a variety of institutions, including: American University
Skidmore College
Babson College
Smith College
Brown University
Southern Methodist University
Cal Poly, Pomona
Southern Oregon University
Cal State Chico
Trinity College
California College of the Arts
Tulane University
California State University at Chico
University of Arizona
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Chapman College
University of California, Berkeley
Clemson University
University of California, Davis
Colby College
University of California, Irvine
College of Marin
University of California, Los Angeles
Colorado College
University of San Diego
Columbia College Chicago
University of California, Santa Cruz
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo
University of Colorado, Boulder
Dartmouth
University of Michigan
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach)
University of New Hampshire
Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Vancouver, Canada
University of Oregon
Emory University
University of Puget Sound
Exeter University, England
University of Southern California
George Washington University
University of Victoria, British Columbia
Harvard University
Washington and Lee University
Humboldt State University
Whittier College
Lewis and Clark
Willamette University
Oregon State University Pomona College Queens University, Canada San Diego State University Santa Barbara Community College Santa Clara University Santa Rosa Community College School of Engineering at UC San Diego Scripps College
Stay in touch! Please send us your news and notes for upcoming issues of Footsteps.
See you in September