Year in Review, 2017–2018 1
OUR MISSION Create a welcoming, diverse school community in which learners are: INSPIRED to strive for excellence and contribute positively to their communities. CHALLENGED to explore big ideas independently and collaboratively. EMPOWERED to pursue their goals with confidence, persistence, and integrity. 2
Newton Montessori School
Y E A R I N R E V I E W 2 0 18 – 2 0 19
What’s in a name? Likely you’re familiar with Juliet’s conclusion: a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. But we know there’s a bit more to it. A name can be a first impression, a personal symbol. A name’s power is the story it tells. We love the name Wellan for its Old English meaning: “to bubble up from a deep source.” As one of our sixth graders shared in his Elementary graduation speech, “That’s exactly what happens at this school. Here, teachers let you explore all the questions you have inside—you are really encouraged to research what interests you.” Under the guidance of Montessori teachers, students’ intrinsic motivation, eagerness to learn, and curiosity drive deep and meaningful learning experiences far beyond the grade-level expectations of a traditional school. Our logo, too, tells a story. On the day it was revealed, we asked students, “What do you see?” The answers we heard included books... a map... a W!... blocks... stairs... geometry materials... There is a lesson even in this multitude of answers: there are endless possibilities when you’re open to considering new perspectives. For one moment, let’s see the logo as a map. Each Wellan student embarks on a unique learning journey as young as 15 months old, and that journey now culminates in our Voyager program for Grades 7–8. The many ways children earn independence from the time they learn to change their shoes, to the time they develop and follow their own work plan, to the time they speak to a crowd of peers and adults all prepare them to take full responsibility for their work as they delve into complex academic and ethical questions. We look forward to the off-site excursions and curricular “deep dives” this year will bring for our first Voyager class. While our journeys are often measured in three-year cycles and birthday walks around the sun, this issue of the Year In Review pauses to reflect and celebrate our journey through one school year: the friendships formed, lessons learned, and memories made. You’ll see that as students, family members, faculty, staff, and friends, we all contribute to this special community experience as we Inspire, Challenge, and Empower one another. Thank you so much for all the ways you support Wellan. And thank you for the privilege of leading this wonderful school.
Beth Black Head of School
Formerly Newton Montessori School
MEMORIES BY MONTH Our Favorite Moments of 2018–2019
2
SCHOOL SUPPORT Glitz! and Annual Giving
26
FINANCIAL REPORT
31
STAFF NEWS Personal Celebrations and Professional Development
32
VOLUNTEERS Committed to Making a Difference
34
CLUBS AND CLASSES
36
LIFE AFTER WELLAN
40
Managing Editor/Writer: Beth Black Designer; Writer; Photographer: Ashley Robinson Publication Assistant; Photographer: Haley Crocker Guest Photographer: Chris Dumas
AU G U S T R 2018 “ TE AMWORK MAK E S THE DRE AM WORK .” August was about teamwork from start to finish. It’s what made the Summer Program so fun for kids. It’s what completed all the renovations in time to open school. And it’s what kicked off the year in a positive way for teachers during “Prep Week.”
SUMMER PROGR AM SPECIAL GUESTS Puddlestompers (Left)
Commonwealth Circus
Eric Carle Museum
New England Aquarium
Audubon Society
Zoo New England
Knucklebones (Right)
Museum of Science
S U M M E R 2 0 18 R E N O V AT I O N S Basketball court (Left) and other playground updates: gaga pit, mud kitchen, play house Bathrooms on the interior of every Primary classroom
Expanded Lower Elementary Classrooms Conference room converted to Beginner Half Day classroom (bathroom added)
S TA F F P R E P W E E K H I G H L I G H T S Teachers returned from summer vacation and walked into the building through a genuine Fenway turnstile to get to “Owl Stadium” (the school gym). Each staff member received their own set of “baseball cards” to trade with colleagues.
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Wellan Montessori School
Students in the Summer Program enjoyed a visit from Knucklebones.
“Summertime is for being outdoors with your friends, trying new things and... pool noodles!” — Maria Gionfriddo, Director of Auxiliary Programs
Year in Review, 2017–2018 5
First Day of School photos are a popular annual tradition.
“The first day of school is the best day of the year. I like seeing my friends and meeting new ones, too.” — Wellan Student
Year 6 Newton in Review, Montessori 2017–2018School 6
S E P T E M B E R $ 2018 W E A R E A C O M M U N I T Y. September means meetings, reunions, and starting the next step on our journey. We have our first all-school gatherings and settle in for a great year of making connections—in our learning and with one another.
FA L L F E S T I VA L F U N Fall Festival has become a tradition filled with laughs, outdoor fun, and the occasional splash. It’s the perfect chance to get to know other families and teachers at the start of the year.
SERVICE EVENT C E L E B R AT I O N O F P E A C E Each year, the Year 3 students in Primary, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary join our Y3 Student Leaders group and guide the whole school in a celebration of International Peace Day. It’s the first of many service events throughout the year.
CL ASSROOM COMMUNIT Y In the first month of school, students get to know their peers and teachers, their classroom environment and their routine. They learn responsibilities in caring for all of the above!
Year in Review, 2018–2019 5
O C TO B E R ● 2018 WE CAN BE ANYTHING. It takes a certain amount of imagination to “be anything”—whether that’s a runner who crosses the finish line, an engineer of cardboard vehicles, or even a character from your favorite book. At Wellan, imagination abounds.
PA E V E N T B I L L’ S P I Z Z E R I A 5 K Being together off campus + dressing up for the Spooky Sprint + a healthy dose of exercise (and a healthy dose of pizza) = a winning combination. Families and staff who attended won the Team Event, and Wellan dad, Peter Bowring, finished the race in second place!
F A M I LY C A R D B O A R D C H A L L E N G E Everyone knows that when a child receives a present, the best part is... the box! We know there’s something to that: cardboard is the perfect medium to let your imagination run wild. That’s why students in Design Lab take on the Imagination.org Global Cardboard Challenge—and families get to join in the fun, too!
HALLOWEEN TR ADITIONS Each year for Halloween, Wellan students in Primary and Elementary take on a range of different personalities as they parade around the block. Elementary students transform into historical figures and heroes, while Primary students can be anything they like (see a Rainbow Fish to your right!). Our youngest students dress up, too, and things can get wild at the Beginners family sing-along!
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Wellan Montessori School
Volunteering to lead a craft is just one of many ways to get involved.
“I like when moms and dads come to school and help with fun projects.” — Wellan Student
Year in Review, 2017–2018 9
Y3 Student Leaders ran a Food Drive for the Center Street Food Pantry.
“When I learned about how many people go hungry in Massachusetts alone, I felt like I needed to do something. It made me work to make this the best food drive ever.” — Wellan 6th Grader Year 10 in Newton Review,Montessori 2017–2018 School 10
NOVEMBER ❦ 2018 WE GIVE THANKS. That is a refrain we all know well from the Thanksgiving Feast. Each year in their Readers’ Theatre workshop, Primary Year 3 students learn “We give thanks” as part of a poem to perform for the whole school. The students remind us that gratitude is important all year.
PA E V E N T THANKSGIVING FEAST The Thanksgiving Feast is one of the oldest and most beloved traditions of our school. The entire community of students, faculty, and staff gather in one room to enjoy a lunch of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, and pie prepared and served by parent volunteers. With our largest student body to date, this was the first year we left our gym and took over the MacKenzie Center!
SERVICE EVENT Y3 STUDENT COUNCIL FOOD DRIVE With the help of your donations, the Y3 students were able to collect, count, and deliver the following to the Centre Street Food Pantry: ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙
34 Boxes of cereal 22 packages of diapers 213 canned goods 142 misc items (such as pasta, rice, baby food)
HEART AND HAND CONFERENCE Wellan faculty have a lot to teach students— and they have just as much to teach parents, caregivers, and other educators. This year Wellan hosted its second annual “Heart and Hand” Workshops about Montessori principles to implement at home. For a full list of presenters and workshop topics, head over to Staff News on page 32.
Year in Review, 2018–2019 9
DECEMBER
2018
WE LIGHT UP THE WORLD. “Think globally, act locally.” Following the Montessori tradition in striving for peace around the globe, we start by doing our part here at school and in the Greater Boston community. As early sunsets and cold winter weather set in, we remind one another that we can shine our own light by helping one another and celebrating our differences.
PA SERVICE EVENT C A R E PA C K A G E S F O R T H E H O M E L E S S The Parent Association brought together about 100 members of the Wellan community for the first Service Saturday of the year. Families assembled 1,500 care packs to donate to Boston Heathcare for the Homeless Program, and also filled four laundry baskets full of gloves, hats, and socks as extra donations. From the tallest to the smallest among us, everyone made a difference!
F E S T I VA L O F L I G H T S Primary and Elementary students lit up the stage “Like Diamonds in the Night,” performing songs about light from different cultural traditions. Several Upper Elementary students also lit candles (pictured at right) while saying ”Let there be peace on Earth” in different languages. This annual tradition is a chance to hear the students’ musical accomplishments while also sharing what we value.
M A K E R S PA C E C R E AT I O N S The Makerspace is more than a place where we learn to build things. In fact, the first step students learn in the Design Process is “Empathize.” The 3D-printed project at left reflects a student’s problem solving to create a solar-powered flashlight, which could help a community that has no access to electricity.
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Wellan Montessori School
Students lit candles at the Festival of Lights while wishing “Peace” in several languages.
“The Festival of Lights is all about coming together in celebration of our community’s diverse traditions.” — Beth Black, Head of School
Year in Review, 2017–2018 13
A student attending the MLK Day of Service tied blankets for Project Linus.
“The fact is, you’re never too young to make a difference in your community. Students here learn they have the power to help others from a young age.” — Wellan Parent Year 14 in Newton Review,Montessori 2017–2018 School 14
JANUARY ✌ 2019 WE SHARE KINDNESS. Kindness is always a priority at Wellan, but in January, we took it to the next level—with the help of organizers in the Parent Association, in the Makerspace, and in our after-school Drama curriculum.
PA SERVICE EVENT M L K D AY O F S E R V I C E The second Service Saturday of the year was held in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Our volunteers are industrious, so this time the PA offered two projects. Families adorned rocks with positive messages for the Kindness Project and also assembled fleece blankets for Project Linus to help children in need of warmth and comfort.
CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT In Design Lab, 4th grade students sewed their own “lunch skins” which are reusable sandwich bags made out of fabric. The students discussed the important role that lunch skins can play in reducing landfill waste. Each student used a decorative stitch and a running stitch to create this project. Practical life skills and a change of habit can make a big difference!
FR I EN DSH I P I N OZ We all know the classic tale in which friends trailblaze a yellow brick road to get the Tin Man a heart, the Scarecrow a brain, the Lion courage, and Dorothy back home. Journeys can be perilous at times, and kindness is key to survival! Our after-school Drama Club conveyed this story with love, wit, bravery, and fabulous talent.
Year in Review, 2018–2019 13
FEBRUARY ♥ 2019 WE LOVE TO LEARN. Learning happens in all different ways—by listening and asking questions, by reading, and by doing. Each day brings a new lesson, maybe the one you’d least expect. It helps to have the guidance of friends and mentors along the way.
A V I S I T W I T H R E P. J O E K E N N E D Y It’s not that unusual for students to partake in a mock bill-passing activity, but it is certainly a rare treat for a congressman to visit your class afterward. Congressman Kennedy and our Upper Elementary students discussed what it’s like to work in Congress as well as the triumphs and frustrations of making decisions as a group.
“ PA W S T O R E A D ” W I T H D E S T I N Y “Sometimes when I read to my classmates I get confused and lose focus, but Destiny listens really well to me, so that doesn’t happen.” —Wellan 1st Grader This year our library adopted a new reading program which allows Elementary students to practice their oral reading skills with a trained therapy dog. Beginner students like to visit, too!
THIRD GRADE INTERNSHIPS At Wellan, every 3rd Grader has the opportunity to complete an internship. Students reflect on their skills and interests, create resumes, apply for internships that interest them, and meet with their “supervisor” for 30 minutes per week over a few months. February marks the culmination of their work—see our Journalism Intern with his finished article (now posted on our blog)!
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Wellan Montessori School
Elementary students “fell in love with reading” with a special activity on Valentine’s Day.
“Ms. Kathie, Mr. Terry, and a couple of parents helped to make a ‘book-loving’ event in the library. There were books wrapped in brown paper with clues and illustrations. We each got to choose a book that seemed interesting... In conclusion, Valentine’s Day was a blast!” — Wellan 5th Grader Year in Review, 2017–2018 17
M ARCH é 2019 W E H AV E S P I R I T. It might be hard for some to believe, but we have witnessed students running into the building with excitement on what appears to be a regular morning. Add special-themed days, unique projects, and family bonding into the mix, and it’s no wonder our school is known as a fun place to be.
PA EVENT SPIRIT WEEK On Caring Day, we wear and share smiles. On Curious Day, we wear our love of learning on our sleeves. On Confident Day, we boldly sport silly socks and crazy hair. On Community Day, we celebrate our school!
C AFE HOS TED BY THIRD GR ADERS It starts with a visit to Johnny’s Luncheonette and a firsthand look at the food service industry. There is a discussion about what you need to run a restaurant: planners, shoppers, chefs, and servers. Then before you know it... there is a fully functioning restaurant in the Elementary hallway! Parents and staff love to attend as honored guests and enjoy food of different cultures.
S P E C I A L S F A M I LY F U N N I G H T It’s one thing to learn about your child’s life at school through the age-old question, “How was your day?”. It’s entirely another thing to see firsthand. At the Specials Fun Night, families shared experiences to remember through lessons and games in Music, Spanish, Physical Education, Library/Tech, Art, Design Lab, and Drama.
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Wellan Montessori School
An alumna returned during a school break to volunteer in the Makerspace.
“I graduated from Wellan and at my new school, I have two weeks for spring break. I like to spend some of the time helping at Wellan. The school did a lot for me and I think it’s important to give back.” — Wellan Alumna Year in Review, 2017–2018 19
Beginners teacher Ms. Pat held grandaughter and Wellan student, Abigail, for a moment of fun in the Staff Appreciation photo booth.
“Staff Appreciation Week was Creative! Sweet! ¡Delicioso! We felt so special every day. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” — Wellan Teachers Year 20 inNewton Review,Montessori 2017–2018 School 20
APRIL ❀ 2019 WE BRING COLOR TO THE WORLD. Can you imagine a world without creative surprises, artful language, and interesting observations? Life would be grey and dull. Luckily our parents, teachers, and students prefer to take chances and explore.
PA EVENT S TA F F A P P R E C I AT I O N W E E K “Jaw-dropping” best describes the Community Room oasis during Staff Appreciation Week. Parents came together to say “thank you” to teachers through food and decorations in every color of the rainbow! Teachers agree that it feels wonderful to be showered with appreciation. At the same time, working with children and watching them grow every day is the greatest reward.
POETRY MONTH During April, Elementary students read and write while learning about different types of poems and poetic devices. When asked “How does poetry make you feel?” one student responded, “I feel calm, especially when the room is really quiet. You’re able to really understand it and know how the author was feeling when writing it.”
E L E M E N TA R Y E X P O From Constellations to Carnivorous Plants and everything in between, the Elementary Expo covers an expansive range of topics each year. Elementary students choose a topic of interest, delve deep with research, and ultimately present their findings to parents, teachers, and peers.
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M AY é 2 0 19 W E E M PAT H I Z E W H E N W E E X P L O R E . There’s something about the scent of the earth, the sounds of the birds, and the crunch of leaves and twigs that makes for powerful and memorable learning. Outdoor experiences teach us to care deeply about our environment. Luckily, for all the places that are too far away to explore on foot, we can wander just about anywhere through a good book.
PA SERVICE EVENT FA M I L I E S T E A M U P TO C L E A N U P What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to join NewtonServes at Paul’s Field? This place is near and dear to our hearts as a favorite site for Elementary Recess. The turf and the trees have provided so much fun for students, it felt rewarding for us to give back.
BEGINNERS CARE FOR PL ANTS Our youngest students go for many walks around town and enjoy flowers, trees, and critters on the way. Indoor plants give students the opportunity to care for living things and watch them grow each day. Watering with a spray bottle ensures the plants get just the right amount of moisture, while developing students’ hand strength and fine motor control.
PA EVENT T H E B O O K FA I R O P E N S NE W WORLDS TO S TUDENTS Books are the best passports to any destination! They help us learn to care for characters (and each other) while teaching us important life lessons. Best of all: at the Book Fair, students have the power to choose any book they want, which makes reading all the more exciting.
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Wellan Montessori School
Third graders explored throughout their first Nature’s Classroom trip.
“When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength.” — Dr. Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
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M AY é 2 0 19 F E AT U R E : T H E “ E R B s ” YES... WE TEST!
ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING IN A MONTESSORI ENVIRONMENT “I got an 87% on the Pink Tower!” Sounds absurd, right? What might that even mean? How would such a percentage score help a student understand what has yet to be learned? In a Montessori learning environment, what you’ll likely hear instead is: “I can do this work. I’m ready for the next one.” Our students can make this type of statement because they are capable of assessing their own learning progress—without relying on test scores or other external indicators. The works Maria Montessori designed are “autodidactic,” meaning that children can determine their own skill levels based on how well or easily they can complete the task. Self-assessment helps students develop intrinsic motivation. Instead of being motivated by grades, they become motivated by witnessing their own progress. Learning becomes its own reward. Wellan teachers engage in regular assessments of individual student learning. Through observation and dialogue with students, teachers are able to document which skills have been mastered and identify the next “just right” challenge that will stretch a student’s abilities. To ensure that students are working on the skills they need to meet (or exceed) curricular standards, teachers eventually guide students in creating individualized work plans. As students continue on the Wellan journey and do more abstract work that does not involve Montessori
materials, teachers introduce rubrics as another tool to assess work. Wellan teachers provide narrative progress reports rather than numerical or letter grades. We believe signifiers like “70%” or “A-“ do not provide adequate information about what’s actually being learned. Though we eschew traditional grading for the majority of a student’s learning journey at Wellan, we do introduce students to traditional testing and report those scores to parents.
ERB TESTING Starting in the first year of Upper Elementary (which corresponds to 4th grade), Wellan students participate in the Education Records Bureau Comprehensive Testing Program (you may have heard students and teachers refer to this as “the ERBs”). This testing takes place during morning sessions over the course of one week each May. The ERB website describes the Comprehensive Testing Program as follows: The Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP) is a rigorous assessment for high achieving students in areas such as reading, listening, vocabulary, writing, science (online only) and mathematics. Verbal and quantitative reasoning subtests are part of the CTP beginning in Grade 3. The CTP helps compare content specific, curriculumbased performance to the more conceptual knowledge base found in reasoning tests. 22
Wellan Montessori School
Why do we participate in Education Records Bureau tests? One reason is our commitment to preparing students for their eventual transition to a non-Montessori learning environment. We administer the ERBs so that our students get practice in taking traditional tests in a formal setting—which is often required at the secondary school and college levels. In many respects, we consider it to be a Practical Life skill akin to learning the steps involved in washing a table in Primary or writing and following a work plan in Lower Elementary. There’s a lot to it—learning to fill in bubble sheets, practicing strategies for tackling difficult questions, pacing work within time constraints, and managing oneself within the testing environment. Students learn to value tests as formative assessment tools that identify learning goals rather than as summative assessments of their abilities or definitive measures of their self-worth. Another reason we have students take the ERBs is to provide us as educators with information about strengths and gaps in student learning. Test results help us determine goals for individual students. Over time, they also provide us with useful information about how well our curriculum and teaching model are preparing students as compared to their peers in suburban public schools and other independent schools.
FIGURE A In all grades and most subjects in the past year, Wellan’s median percentile ( ■ ) has outperformed US suburban/public ( ■ ) and US independent schools ( ■ ). At left, see the median scores of Wellan’s sixth grade class as compared to other school types in 2019. No scores are shown for the “Writing Mechanics” and “Writing Concepts and Skills” subtests because we opt to assess students’ writing through the WrAP (Writing Assessment Program), also created by ERB, which is considered to be a more comprehensive assessment of writing skills. FIGURE B Read below for an interpretation of this sample of Verbal Reasoning results.
S A M P L E E R B R E S U LT S F O R W E L L A N S T U D E N T S ( V E R B A L R E A S O N I N G ) In FIGURE B, the teal diamond ( ◆ ) represents the Wellan 6th grade class of 2019. The movement of the symbol shows changes in these students’ ERB test scores over the course of their three years in Upper Elementary as compared with students from suburban public schools in the US and independent schools in the US.
and 550 out of 900 each year, which means that public school students consistently meet the average grade expectations for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade respectively. Each year, the mean scores of independent schools across the US ( ■ ) escalate, exceeding grade level expectations more and more with each passing grade level.
While this particular table focuses on Verbal Reasoning, the data trend is similar to that of other subject areas, and only one table is included for the purpose of this publication.
The curve of the teal diamonds representing Wellan exceeds even that progress, with a notable spike in the 6th grade year.
As depicted above in the year 2017, Wellan 4th grade students’ scores are on par with students from the two other types of schools. As the years progress, the mean scores of suburban public schools in the US ( ▲ ) hover consistently between 540
What could explain this positive data trend? One possible answer: Individualized work plans. At traditional schools, teachers utilize one linear curriculum for the whole class, and students work on the same lessons simultaneously. Each year, 4th graders learn 4th grade material, 5th Year in Review, 2018–2019 23
graders learn 5th grade material, and so on. There is a minimum expectation and also a ceiling to the content covered. At our school, students are allowed to progress at their own pace. We’re proud of the achievement of this class! The most recent ERB results provide positive feedback about the quality of the academic preparation Wellan students receive. That said, we recognize these statistics rely on a very small cohort size. We regard ERB test scores not as the “be all, end all” but rather as a window that lets us see where we need to go next. Test results don’t define our students; they are feedback loops that help students and teachers set new learning goals.
Public speaking with a large audience is an excellent leadership opportunity for our eldest students.
“I’m glad this school gives us chances to be adventurous. Next year, I’m going to be in the first 7th grade Voyager class. I know we will learn a lot and have fun. I will be out of my comfort zone at times, but I’m ready.” — Wellan 6th Grade Student Year 26 inNewton Review,Montessori 2017–2018 School 26
J UNE ❀ 2019 WE DID IT! The end of the school year is a time to reflect on all the learning and growing we completed throughout the year—and for 6th graders, it’s a time to demonstrate the culmination of all their learning throughout the Elementary program. This June, our whole school also celebrated a special milestone: we have a new name!
6 T H G R A D E P R E S E N TAT I O N S Each year, our 6th graders choose independent research topics. They create and follow a work plan. They read and synthesize information, meet regularly with faculty advisors, and write 5–10 page papers. They present their findings to an audience of peers and adults. The depth of knowledge and confidence students demonstrated this year was truly impressive, and we enjoyed learning about topics related to medicine, technology, and media!
“IT’S WELL AN TIME!” At our End of Year Picnic, we celebrated our new school name with the very first Wellan Pep Rally! Elementary students taught our whole community the school cheer, which we filmed from above with a drone. We were lucky to have alumni in attendance to hold the new school banner!
A WISH FOR WELL AN The change of our school name was an opportunity to reflect on who we are and make a wish for what’s to come. Wellan Design Lab Specialist Merav Rosen created an incredible wishing well for our End of Year Picnic. Students were able to drop in notes with their hopes and dreams for our school!
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Wellan depends on gifts to the Annual Fund and other fundraising efforts to support important projects throughout the school each year. Thanks to the generosity of our community, 2018–2019 was our strongest fundraising year on record! Funds raised allowed us to begin another phase of extensive renovations to our facilities, further expand enrollment and financial aid opportunities, and support the opening of a brand new middle school program in the fall of 2019.
2018–2019 Fundraising Stats: Total Fundraising¹ $210,135
Overall Participation² 74%
Average Family Gift³ $813
Faculty/Staff Participation4 100%
Glitz!, our 2019 Spring Social, brought together nearly 200 parents, staff, and friends of the school to celebrate with a glamorous night of cocktails and casino games at Brae Burn Country Club. Between courses of appetizers and turns in the photo booth, attendees tried their luck at a variety of classic casino game tables. Midway through the evening, the event team shared an exciting presentation about plans to renovate the Arts Wing over the summer. Attendees pledged their support to fund new creative resources to fill these updated classroom spaces, helping to get them ready for the first day of school in the fall. At the end of the night, guests cashed in their casino winnings for entries into our event raffle. Prize items included Boston Red Sox tickets, luxury dining experiences, special perks, and more.
Total fundraising includes unrestricted gifts, restricted gifts, pledges, ticket revenue, event sponsorships, and other event income. 2 Overall participation is measured as a percentage of 2018–2019 parents, board members, and full-time staff. 3 Average family gift is measured as an average of total contributions made by board and non-staff parent households. 4 Faculty / Staff participation is measured as a percentage of 2018–2019 full-time staff. 1
ANNUAL FUND DONORS Transformer ($5,000 +) l The Angell Family Anonymous
l David Bono and Holly Happe The Chow Family
l Anna and Durlov Khan
2018–2019
Benefactor ($1,000 – $2,499) l Brian and Jessica Alfermann Anonymous (2) ¡ Beth Black and Keith Gillette
Sree Chaguturu and Megan Hardin The Cohen Family Lee Park and Adam Crystal ¡ The Donnelly Family
The Ekici Family
Visionary ($2,500 – $4,999) Anonymous
l Sarah Rahman and Zaid Ashai l Adrian DeDomenico and Jennifer Cardy The Dumas Family Lorrie Edwards and Martin Galese Masu and Badar Khan Roger Laham and Dayana DavidouLaham
l Lauris and Ginta Lambergs The Taylor Family
l ¡
l The Elworthy Family
Partner ($500 – $999) Anonymous (2) Deryle House and Jennifer Beachell Vaish Panchapakesa and Bharathan Kumaraguru
l The Candal Family Judi Goldberg and Bill Dimmick Bianka and Lee Eichelberger Jason Jay and Alaka Ray ¡ The Jolly Family
James and Olivia Engel
Bob and Elizabeth Kane
Megan and Matthew Feinberg
The Kearney Family
The Havemeyer Family
The Murphy Family
Kristoff and Elizabeth Homan
Jessica Hawks and Daniel Nelson
Ranjit and Sucharita Kher
Bill Paine
The Laubach Family
Achal and Sveta Oza
l Jay and Swapna Mehta
The Peyton Family
The Mulliken Family
David Scott and Liz Bowie
Heidi Vanderbilt-Brown and Andrew
Wei Tong and Li Xin
Popper
Hillary and Athe Tsibris
The Raskin Family
Jim and Anne Van Dyk
Shuyu Ren and Cuiyan Xin
The Vranich Family
Andrew Teman and Erica DeRosa
John and Linda Woodard
The Wang Family
R. Jason Yong and Linda Lee
The Zimmel Family
The Zawaneh Family
2018–2019 Board Member
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2018–2019 Staff Member
CORPORATE DONORS AbbVie
Columbus Hospitality Group
Millennium
The AmazonSmile Foundation
Dr. Happe Medical Aesthetics
Mobil
Bank of America
Education First (EF)
MSCI Inc
Belmont Savings Bank
Fidelity Investments
National Grid
Biogen
Fiorella's Cucina
Novartis
BNY Mellon
Glamsquad
Oracle Corporation
Boston Duck Tours
Great Wolf Lodge New England
Qualcomm
Btone Fitness
IBM
Silverman Trykowski Associates
Cengage Learning
InHome Jams
State Street Corporation
Central Cafe Newton
Intel Corporation
Tea
Central Public House
John Hancock
Wheelock Family Theatre
Central Rock Gym Watertown
Launch Watertown
Citywide Contracting LLC
Lumiere
Year in Review, 2018–2019 27
ANNUAL FUND DONORS
2018–2019 (CONTINUED)
Friend (up to $249)
Patron ($250 – $499) Anonymous (2)
¡ The Machado-Carmona Family
Josh and Christine Berg
¡ Sarah Chadwick
The Cirasuolo Family
Salvia Jain and Devavrat Shah
¡ Haley Crocker ¡ Amanda Cusanno
¡ Michael and Joyce Silverstone
¡ Ken Condon and Becky Alukonis
¡ Andree DiCarlo
l Parul and Harit Doshi
¡ The Epstein Family
Leo and Jane Epstein
Nick and Elizabeth Ducoff The Ebeling Family Salumeh Companieh and Soorena Farboodmanesh The Fischer Family
The Gu Family
l Chad Hinkle and Jaime Vines The John Family The Katz-Hernandez Family
¡ The Stiffler Family
¡ Rachel Friebe
¡ The Maher-Tatsch Family
The Gatzos Family
¡ Wei Stanten
The Toffling Family
¡ The Gionfriddo Family ¡ The Gohery Family
Jay Torian and Jessica Erdmann-
¡ The Griffiths Family
Carlo Traverso and Florencia
The Hadlow Family ¡ Colm and Katie Hamill
Michael Swann and Davina Harris ¡ Kayla Hindle
The Liu Family
¡ Jacqueline Hogan
The Liu Family
¡ Vanessa Irzyk
Filiz M. Aslan and Scott C. Mohr
¡ Mikail Jaikaran
The Perry Family
¡ Brian Johnson
l Kerry Stevens l Claudia Urrea
The Spier Family
¡ Samantha Foley
The Fang Family
The Shen Family
Brandon Snider ¡ Madeline Sosnowski ¡ Katherine Spillman
Joanna and Tyler Kirtley
l Rachel Scott
¡ Wendy Smith
¡ Anny Espiritu CJ and Sara Floros
Irina Sigalovsky and Leonid Fridman The Goulding Family
Nicholas Scaltreto ¡ Claudia and Thomas Schmiedigen
The Cheng Family
Anuja Chaand and Manish Bhardwaj The Chen Family
Friend (up to $249)
¡ Elyse Kalins ¡ Laurie Katz ¡ Terrell Keeling ¡ Judy and John Kinner
Sager Halperin Kevin and Emma Woodward ¡ Paul and Ashley Zmuda
A SPOTLIGHT ON EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT
The Kleinerman Blecker Family
David Yu and Angela Lin
¡ Beatriz Lares
Friend (up to $249) The Alam Family ¡ Rosie and Patrick Allen ¡ Jasmin Argueta
Michael Arroyo and Nasreen Quibria Anonymous (10) The Bachman-Farago Family John and Lauren Beshears Dana Blackshire and Nicole OlenioBlackshire David Bloger and Karen Rizner ¡ The Bowring Family ¡ The Brooks Family
Porsche Jumlongras and Greg Brown ¡ Kim Burk
The Burton Family
¡ Esther Seungyeon Lee ¡ Lisa and Brian Levine ¡ Margarita Londono ¡ Emily Luce and Max Robbins ¡ Mary Evelyn Lucier
Catharina and Jason Mallet ¡ Lauretta Maynard ¡ Stephen McDonough
Yael and Gopi Mohan ¡ Christine Newsham
The Ng Family ¡ Kathie and Hugh O'Dowd
Jorge Otero and Bengisu Tulu ¡ Katie and Jason Ng ¡ Ashley Robinson ¡ Merav Rosen ¡ The Sand Family 28
Wellan Montessori School
Barb and Dennis Alfermann, Wellan Grandparents; Jodi Alfermann, Wellan Aunt
GRANDPARENT, EXTENDED FAMILY, AND ALUMNI SUPPORT GRANDPARENT AND EXTENDED FAMILY DONORS
ALUMNI DONORS
Visionary ($2,500 – $4,999)
Friend (up to $249)
Transformer ($5,000 +)
Jodi Alfermann
Analesa Berg
The Klevens Family
Benefactor ($1,000 – $2,499) The Ashai Family Dennis T. DeDomenico and Sandra Brod
Muriel L. Bono Angela Chianio Shelly Davis
Patron ($250 – $499)
Marge Donnelly
The Attar-Vitale Family
Floyd and Fedelina Dungelman
Tun-Hou and Chwen-Ching Lee
The Frascatore Family
Partner ($500 – $999)
Judy and Richard Lappin
Ethan and Maly Bernstein
Dr. Jerold Kramer and Renee
Nicole and Hugo Liebrand
Anonymous James and Kathleen Castracane Prabha and Brij Mohta Rashida and Mawdudur Rahman
Patron ($250 – $499)
The Jolly-Rogoff Family
Friend (up to $249)
Levine Kramer The Rivers Family Carl and Joyce Tatsch Dennis and Ann Marie Winn John and Caroline Zimmel
Dennis and Barb Alfermann
The Klevens Family’s Alumni Donation allows faculty to apply for a summer travel grant each year. Read about this year’s recipents of the Faculty Travel Fellowship on page 33.
Ann-Ellen Hornidge and Ned Murphy
The Alfermann family has played an active role in our school community since 2012. Brian Alfermann is a longtime member of the Board of Trustees, and Jessica Alfermann has volunteered as a Class Parent for several years. Their four children span from Beginners to Elementary. Brian’s parents, Barb and Dennis Alfermann, and his sister, Jodi Alfermann, have been dedicated members of our extended family community.
What do you appreciate most about your family’s time at our school? Barb and Dennis: The school feels like family when we come to visit. Everyone is involved in creating a friendly and welcoming environment. Our grandchildren are excited to go to the school each day, and they truly enjoy their learning experiences. Jodi: The most powerful part of the school is how each child is appreciated for who they are. Being able to see firsthand how influential the Montessori philosophy can be is amazing. We have loved watching how quickly the pride, confidence, and self-knowledge bubble up in the children!
What inspired you to give? Barb and Dennis: We were very excited to learn about the plan to open a middle school program at Wellan. We are thrilled that our grandchildren will be able to continue their education at the school through the 8th grade, and we wanted to support this opportunity. We were also inspired by the plans to renovate the arts facilities this year, as we know how much our grandchildren enjoy those programs. Jodi: The community! For us who live so far away, we love being able to watch what the kids are doing on Facebook, and weekly we can see how much growth the little ones are experiencing. Watching the children be their own success story is such a reward for us.
What do you hope is the impact of your gift? Barb and Dennis: We hope that our giving can inspire more grandparents to give. We believe it is important for grandparents to be able to see and support the experiences their grandchildren have in the classroom. The school does a fantastic job of documenting special moments with students throughout the year, and we hope that more families will share these updates with their grandparents and relatives to get them involved. Jodi: The school embraces opportunities for growth and teaches children to have integrity and to work hard. I am proud to support the school in any way that I can, and hope that my gift allows the community to continue growing.
Whether grandparents live near the school or visit from another country, students can benefit from their cultural sharing in the classroom. Year in Review, 2017–2018 31 Parents, talk to classroom teachers about arranging this opportunity!
Data is based on draft year end report prepared on 8/1/2019. Left: Mural design by after-school students Above: Joyful learning in the art room
32
Newton Montessori School
2018–2019 Financial Report BALANCE SHEET Assets
2019 Total
2018 Total
Liabilities & Net Assets
Cash & cash equivalents
$3,109,246
$2,997,297
Current Liabilities
3,882,851
3,300,893
60,049
66,605
Total Current Assets
$7,052,146
$6,364,795
Total Property & Equipment, net
$1,314,447
$1,221,913
Accounts receivable Prepaid assets
2019 Total
2018 Total
Deferred revenue
$5,786,948
$4,992,717
Accounts payable
151,750
145,166
Accrued liabilities
525,761
469,355
Deferred rent
451,417
412,653
$6,915,876
$6,019,871
$1,450,719
$1,566,837
$8,366,594
$7,586,708
Total Current Liabilities
Net Assets Total Unrestricted Total Assets
$8,366,593
$7,586,708
Total Liabilities & Net Assets
INCOME STATEMENT Actual Revenue
Tuition & Fees
$5,844,255
Fundraising
$190,172
Summer Program After School and Enrichment Other Income Total
Fundraising
Individual Contributions
Actual Expenses
$112,369
$117,510
Corporate Gifts and Grants
$39,564
$515,711
Fundraising Events
$38,239
$93,078 $6,760,726
Salaries & Benefits Facilities
$781,736
Financial Aid and Tuition Remission
$657,430
Program Expenses
$387,215
Administrative Expenses
$539,007
Fundraising Expense Total
Year in Review, 2018–2019 31
$190,172
$4,102,808
Total
$38,737 $6,506,933
WELLAN STAFF NEWS
CONFERENCE LEADERSHIP
As of July 1, 2019
Montessori Schools of Massachusetts (MSM) Regional Conference (at Dean College) Ashley Epstein presented “Pack Your Suitcase! Montessori Geography Curriculum for Primary Students” Michael Silverstone presented “Sing for Joy, Fostering Community and Creativity: Resources to Explore Circle Singing within the Montessori Lower Elementary Context” Kayla Stiffler presented “Getting Out of the Recess Rut: An Interest Group Program for Lower Elementary” Ashley Robinson presented “Increase Your Enrollment by (Graphic) Design for Montessori Administrators”
Heart and Hand: “Every Day Montessori” Workshops for Parents and Caregivers (at Wellan) Christiana Jamroz and Becky Alukonis presented “Space Matters: Preparing the Environment to Nurture Independence” November 17, 2018 marked the second annual “Heart and Hand” conference for parents and caregivers hosted by Wellan. At left, Neus Carmona presents tips for cooking with toddlers.
NEWBORNS
Noah Patrick (Mother: Katie Hamill)
Samantha Foley and Kayla Stiffler presented ”Words Matter: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen” Neus Carmona and Kayla Hindle presented “‘Tot Chef’: Training Your Preschool Kitchen Helper” Merav Rosen and Paul Zmuda presented “Hammer and Saw: An Early (And Safe) Introduction to Real Tools”
WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS
Emma Grace with big sister Abigail (Mother: Deanna Griffiths)
Avery Carolyn with big sister Grace (Mother: Kayla Stiffler)
Katie Ng and husband, Jason
Christine Newsham Mak and husband, Oliver
Ashley Robinson and fiancé, Kyle
BUILDING A STRONG FUTURE FOR WELLAN
Dear Friends of Wellan, Once again we have made it through an incredible year. As we reflect on 2018–2019, we celebrate all the achievements of our faculty and our students. Seeing the culmination of their efforts—whether it is great teaching and learning, joyful selfexpression, or the offering of a well-deserved peace rose through the year—this is a source of inspiration to me. This has been a particularly special year, as we rise up with a new name and ready for the start of middle school in the fall with the first Voyager class. It is also a time to express our gratitude for the tireless work that has gone into this last year. I want to congratulate and thank our staff, our administration, our Board of Trustees, and of course, Beth Black, Head of School. Completing its thirteenth year in operation, Wellan Montessori School is growing and healthy. Our school shows the hallmarks of a maturing and recognized institution. As of the year ending June 30, 2019, we can celebrate these important accomplishments: •
We secured a new lease for the school, as well as over 2 million dollars in leaseholder improvements to our building.
•
We completed the first full year under the direction of our new strategic plan and new mission statement.
•
We officially expanded our program offerings to Grade 8, prepared to welcome our first class of 7th graders this fall.
•
We experienced a 20% growth in enrollment.
•
We raised funds at our Spring Social to renovate the Arts Wing, resulting in brand-new specials classrooms.
•
We adopted a new brand and a new name for our school to more fully and accurately convey the value the school offers to students and families.
These are indeed shared achievements; but they are also the result of an empowered and talented leadership team. This is also a time of new beginnings. As I step aside as chair of the board this academic year, I am excited that alumni parent Lauris Lambergs will be assuming this role, bringing years of experience with the school, as well as the board. In the time that I have served with the board, I have witnessed firsthand the passion and dedication that brings our vibrant community together. I am ever grateful for your faith in me, as we have worked to elevate our school and make it an environment for incredible learning and professional growth. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Adrian DeDomenico Board Chair 2016–2019 Wellan Montessori School
34 Wellan Montessori School
THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2018 –2019
PARENT ASSOCIATION 2018 –2019
CLASS PARENT VOLUNTEERS 2018 –2019
Executive Committee
Officers
B1
Adrian DeDomenico, Chair (Anna, P; Gabriel, LE; Sophia, UE) * Jay Mehta, Treasurer (Anya, LE) Namita Mohta, Vice Chair (Vihaan, P; Ayaan, LE; Aanika, FS) * Lauris Lambergs, Clerk (Sasha, FS) At-Large Members Parents of Current Students: * Brian Alfermann (Hanna, B; Hugo, B; Nora, P; Clara, LE) * David Bono (Abby, UE) * Cara Candal (Eva, LE) * Brian Elworthy (Vivian, B; Bennett, P) * Chad Hinkle (Petra, UE) * Sarah Rahman (Inaya, P; Ameer, LE; Gibran, UE) * Anna Turkova-Khan (Adam, P; Sasha, LE)
Jen Cardy, Co-President (Anna, P; Gabriel, LE; Sophia, UE) Jaime Vines, Co-President (Petra, UE) Ashley Zimmel, Vice President (Keaton, P; Eleni, P)
Committee Chairs Nathalie Bressler (Hudson, B; Addison, P) Sabeena Chacko-Raskin (Luke, P; Meera, UE; Priya, UE) Jill Dumas (Lucy, P) Tracy Goulding (Bryce, LE; Ethan, UE) Elizabeth Kane (Lillian, P) Durlov Khan (Adam, P; Sasha, LE) Meghan Murphy (Nora, LE) John Vranich (Caleb, LE)
Community Members: * Rachel Scott, Assistant Director of Admission at Beaver Country Day School * Kerry Stevens, Mathematics Teacher and Director of External Programs at Nashoba Brooks School * Claudia Urrea, Associate Director for Pre-K–12 MIT Office of Digital Learning
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6
Rose Gold, Mominah Hameed Emily Robinson, Sarah Rahman Jessica Alfermann, Jen Beachell Durlov Khan, Joan Hanania Erica DeRosa, Bronwyn Melonas Amita Vasi, Lisa Burton
LE1 Catherine Sabatos-Peyton, Kara Nemeth LE2 Tracy Goulding, Meghan Murphy, Sabeena Chacko-Raskin UE Tracy Goulding, Lisa Gillette, Judi Goldberg
In Memoriam
Parents of Former Students: * Jacqueline Angell (Clementine, FS; Montgomery, FS) Harit Doshi (Heer, FS)
Marier Hernandez, Alejandro Katz, Jessica Alfermann B2 Dan Glidden, Lauren Glidden, Megan Hardin BH Deanna Griffiths, Raha Shiranian BB Rania Hito, Caroline Ward
Student grade level as of 2018–2019 school year: B: Beginners P: Primary LE: Lower Elementary UE: Upper Elementary FS: Former Student * Board Member will return to serve in 2019–2020
Year in Review, 2018–2019 35
The Wellan Montessori School community mourns the loss of John Vranich, devoted father of Caleb and husband of Heidi Simpson-Vranich. John was an active volunteer at the school. In addition to serving as PA Chair for the Elementary Winter Family Event, John participated in the Dads’ Group, the Bill’s 5K run, Staff Appreciation Week activities, and more. His positive energy and ongoing volunteer work during medical treatment earned him the respect and affection of many. John Vranich will be deeply missed.
“In Chain Reactions Club, students begin by exploring the materials and testing their capabilities. The following week, we introduce more structure and figure out how all the pieces connect in one machine. It’s rewarding to see what we can achieve by collaborating as a team.” — Terry Keeling, Chain Reactions Club Teacher 36
Wellan Montessori School
sTUDENT ACTIVITIEs AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS AND CL ASSES For many of our students, learning at Wellan extends beyond the standard school day. After 3:00 PM, there are opportunities for all ages to explore further—as movers, musicians, makers, and more.
C R E AT I V E M O V E M E N T It is amazing how a classroom space is transformed when we see a new world in our mind’s eye. Imagination can unleash pure joy as our youngest after-school students engage in activities dreamed up by Brenda Callahan. In addition to these special visits, toddlers have the opportunity to take a parentchild dance class. All children are wired to dance!
“ O ” I S F O R “ O K L A H O M A” In the midst of acting, singing, and dancing their way through a children’s adaptation of this famous musical, Drama Club students learned why it made history. Before Oklahoma, musicals were mostly “fluff;” this story paved the way for musicals to address more serious topics. Brav“o” to all!
GLEE CLUB ROCKS! For music enthusiasts who enjoy performing contemporary songs, Glee Club is the right place. This year students performed songs including “High Hopes” by Panic! at the Disco as well as “Rise” by Jonas Blue. They even had the opportunity to record the tracks together!
Year in Review, 2018–2019 37
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS AND CLASSES IN 2018–2019: Art-Ventures Ballet Chain Reactions Club Chess Club Creative Movement Drama Club: Performance Drama Club: Theatre Tech Glee Club
Happyfeet Soccer Kikstart: Multi-Sport Little Chefs Lab Little Coders Owls Athletic Club Puddlestompers Robotics Scratch Computer Programming
40 Newton Montessori School
Woodworking Yoga Zumba
Pictured: Owls Athletic Club in the MacKenzie Center. More athletic opportunities to come in 2019–2020!
Year in Review, 2017–2018
41
LIFE AF TER WELL AN
Po r t ra i t o f a G ra d u a t e Graduates of Wellan Montessori School have gone on to excel in independent, parochial and public schools. Their strong academic preparation, community spirit, confidence, and love of learning make them assets to their new schools. Wellan graduates distinguish themselves in three key ways:
They Lean In. Wellan graduates ask lots of questions. In high school, they’re the ones in Biology class moving in for a closer look or persevering with a challenging research assignment. Personal passions fuel their curiosity and joy in learning. Well-developed study habits support strong academic achievement.
Nex t Sc h oo l s Our students are accepted at a wide range of independent and public schools, including:
They Reach Out. Wellan graduates pitch in without being asked. They’re the ones making sure a new student feels included. They know how to lead, follow, or collaborate based on what a group needs. Empathy makes them eager to contribute to their communities.
They Stand Tall. Wellan graduates have character and confidence. They don’t succumb easily to peer pressure. They are secure in themselves and willing to stand up for what they believe. They can express themselves thoughtfully and persuasively. They are ready to take on new challenges. Taking creative risks and being held accountable for responsibilities, along with lots of practice in critical thinking, reading, research, writing, public speaking and presentation skills builds earned confidence. Wellan graduates are comfortable in their own skin.
“Montessori students have a huge advantage over other students who are more traditionally prepared.” —Linda Woodard, Educational Consultant and Wellan Board Chair Emeritus 40 Wellan Montessori School
Connect with us! wellan.org/alumni What Grads and Their Parents Have to Say:
“I was at a great advantage when I transitioned to Dana Hall School because of the challenging concepts I had learned in my advanced classes at Wellan. The amazing curriculum at Wellan is taught by teachers who are caring, inclusive, and encouraging. Every teacher was there to guide me and help me grasp difficult concepts while making sure I attempted to do the material independently. They stressed organization and time management skills, which helped me manage my new workload at Dana Hall. When I was younger, I was very shy. At Wellan I learned to share my ideas with others. That experience gave me the confidence to be able to advocate and express my thoughts in my classes and at Dana Hall school meetings. I graduated from Wellan four years ago and it will always hold a special place in my heart. That’s why I have volunteered at Wellan every year during my spring break. I still feel I am part of the school community.”
“Sasha was excellently prepared by Wellan Montessori School teachers. He scored high on the ISEE standardized entrance exam and was accepted to Boston Latin, which is one of the most rigorous and selective secondary schools in the area. When he started at Boston Latin, there was little in the curriculum that he had not already seen or studied at Wellan. Once the curriculum led to new topics and areas of study, his ‘Wellan-built’ ability to assume responsibility for his learning— both planning and executing on his studies—allowed him to tackle new content with confidence.
Wellan’s biggest impact has been its real-world preparation, endowing Sasha
with the academic, social, and emotional foundation to be ready for what the world sends his way. While he may not know all the answers, he knows that he has the tools to figure out what he needs to navigate what lies ahead.”
“Priya attended Wellan Montessori School for nine years. It was the only school she had ever attended. There were just six students in her graduating class, so when she started at Ursuline Academy, I wondered how she would adapt to a new school, larger class sizes, and a bigger campus with older students.
She excelled. I was so proud
when, at the first parent-teacher conference, her teachers told me how well prepared she was for all of her classes and how actively she participated in class. She has adjusted quickly to having six classes with daily homework assignments and weekly quizzes and tests. There are so many qualities Priya learned while at Wellan that made the transition smooth—her time management skills, ability to problem-solve, confidence to form new friendships, academic agility, and, most importantly, her strength in analyzing concepts.”
Parent of
Parent of
Concetta
Sasha
Priya
Class of 2015 Dana Hall School
Class of 2018 Boston Latin School
Class of 2018 Ursuline Academy
Year in Review, 2018–2019 41
INSPIRE. CHALLENGE. EMPOWER.
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