Priorities #22: Spring 2003

PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School

Woodside Priory School

Auction • Dinner • Dance A Learning Community for the New Century

APRIL 2003

Woodside Priory School A Learning Community for the New Century In This Issue In biblical times, “talents” meant money. During the Lenten season, Priory students are using their actual talents to raise funds for renovating a home in East Palo Alto. This and more about the spring season in From the Headmaster, page 3.

Winter at a Glance, Page 4-5

More than 30 talented young musicians performed at the Priory’s Cookies ‘n Classics music recital . . . Blood donors provided Stanford Blood Bank with more than 66 components for individual transfusions . . . Seniors learned to work their way through a complex, university-level research library . . . And two exceptional seniors took over Director Tom Carter’s job for the winter drama production. This and more in Winter at a Glance, pages 4-5.

Experience Woodside Priory circa 1957 at the spectacular auction and dinner dance set for May 3. See Priory history from that first year forward, taste the food and hear the music of that simpler time, and have the time of your life helping the school raise funds.

Previews of especially tempting auction items and the evening’s events are on pages 6-7.

Auction!, Page 6-7

Although there are several interpretations of the crosier and its origins, it is clearly a symbol of office whereby a Bishop leads his community as a shepherd might lead his flock. Father Martin has made several, most recently one presented to San Francisco’s newly appointed Bishop Wang. Photos and details are in Benedictine Letter, pages 8-9.

Middle School—can there be a more confusing time of life? Perhaps it seems so because the range of “normal development” is never wider than at grades 6-8. Priory faculty have asked for special training in “differentiated learning,” which is one way to make the most of these exciting, challenging years in the classroom. Conversation With Shawna Trujillo and Mitch Neuger, pages 10-13.

Bihop Wang visits, Page 8-9

The Golden Jubilee Campaign is on target, thanks to these donors. Their names and a progress report on the Maas Family Commons, Chapel renovation, and Performing Arts Center campaign are on pages 14-15.

Board of Directors Abbott Matthew Leavy, OSB Father Mark Cooper, OSB Brother Edward Englund, OSB Father Martin Mager, OSB Father William Sullivan, OSB Board of Trustees Mr. Dave Arnold Mr. Peter Campagna Mrs. Liz Cirino Mr. Wayne Davison Mr. Al Ebneter Mrs. Anne Hannigan Mrs. Dotty Hayes Father Pius Horvath Mr. George Huertas Mr. Craig Johnson Mrs. Virginia Kavanaugh Mr. Robert Klein Mr. Steven Krausz Mrs. Mary Lemuth Mrs. Janiece Bacon Oblak Mr. Bill Roberts Mr. Ray Rothrock Mr. Andy Schilling Mr. Bob Simon Mr. Bob Ward Mrs. Donna Wengert-Neff Dr. Stuart Young Priorities magazine is published in October, January, April and July by Woodside Priory School for its alumni, parents, students, neighbors and friends. Contact the Communications Office at 650-851-6193 or the school at 650-851-8221.

Middle School, Page 10-13

Editor: Carolyn Dobervich Design: Jim Kirkland, Copperline Multimedia Photos: Jim Kirkland, Father Martin Mager, Carolyn Dobervich.

Cover: Johnny Rockets in Redwood City is the hep-cat setting for our time travelers . They are Ellie Gold and Greg Pfau at the fountain, Julia and Lauren Duncan with Lauren Frasch at the table and Father Marus polishing glasses.

Story on page six.

Chapel Services Masses at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sunday Hungarian service 8 p.m. third Friday (Taize) ecumenical service

From the Headmaster Dear Priory Community,

A

s I write this, the conflict in Iraq is just a few days old and looms large in my thinking. At school, we are dealing with this situation in two ways. First, although none of us expects the conflict to touch the Bay Area, it is reassuring to everyone for us review our usual emergency procedures. We have done so and are updating parent contact information. I have also contacted local emergency preparedness authorities for any additional precautions that we should be taking. They, as well as we, feel that the Priory campus is a safe place to be.

Students and adults react emotionally and personally to this conflict in a wide variety of ways. In the same vein, feelings about the necessity of this war of cover a wide range of views. We are taking several steps to acknowledge and support this diversity. We are providing time for discussion of all sides of the issue and are doing what we can to relieve emotional stress.

The church and Chapel have a role to play in this difficult time. First, the Chapel is a place of peace and contemplation and we remind people through the morning bulletin that they are welcome to drop in during the day, if they wish, to meditate or pray.

Second, the Benedictine rule of hospitality—that all are welcomed with honor and respect—is our guide as we explore differing views.

Now, on to other matters of campus life.

We were honored recently to have Bishop Wang, the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, on our campus. Father Martin invited him to our Ash Wednesday service to meet our community and also to receive the crozier that is the symbol of his office. The crozier was hand crafted by Father Martin—please see Benedictine Letter, pages 8-9, to learn the interesting details of this and other croziers.

Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent for

the Priory and for Christian churches throughout the world. At the Priory Lenten service, we read the Parable of the Talents— the Bible story in which a good master chastises his servant for hiding his "talent" (which meant money in biblical times) instead of using it to good purpose. At the end of the story, we gave everyone in the community $1 each, with the challenge to make it multiply over the days of Lent, using their own "talents" –in this case, their personal efforts. This Lenten project has been very successful for the last two years, both in inspiring students to realize what they can do on their own, and as a source of funds for charity. Last year, the initial $300 grew to more than $1,800. See the photo in Spring at a Glance.

The "talents" contributions this year will be used for Rebuilding Together, a national one-day home renovation program in which the Priory has participated with both funds and volunteer workers for the past 14 years. Mrs. Rosetter (sic.) Crockett, an East Palo Alto resident, is the homeowner who will have her abode redone by our team of students, faculty, parents and staff on April 26. I always enjoy the day—for me, it’s a perfect way to end this special liturgical season.

The arrival of springlike weather has all of us thinking about how quickly this school year has moved. Last week, we sent out acceptances to students and families for the next academic year, and in a few short months we will graduate the class of 2003.

May the Easter season help you leave behind hypocrisy and gloom and open yourself to the peace and joy of new life. And may it bring a season of peace to the world.

Yours in the spirit of Saint Benedict,

Headmaster

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This Lenten project has been very successful for the last two years- inspiring students to realize what they can do on their own, and as a source of funds for charity.

Winter at a Glance Dr. Judith Browning’s senior English class spent the morning at Stanford University’s Green undergraduate library on a project with two purposes.

The first was to give students time and resources for researching background information they later used in writing individual narrative histories—”not a story, but a telling of an historical event from a subjective point of view (in this case, their individual family histories).” The second was to give the students practice in sorting through the vast resources of a university-level library.

Thirty-two students, staff and parents lined up to give blood (five for the first time) at Woodside Priory’s second blood drive, held on March 3 in Founders Hall. When the blood was divided into the three or four componants that can be given to patients, a total of 66 were provided.

These Priory vocalists were among some 30 student musicans who performed at the January Cookies ‘n Classics recital held in the Father Christopher room.

Many students used the recital opportunity to demonstrate musical expertise acquired through private lessons, as well as with Priory choir, orchestra, and vocal training.

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Leila Novotny shows the angst of working with a difficult playwrite in one of four short plays co-produced by student directors Aubrey Rawlins and Mia Romano.

The cast included a range of actors from sixth to twelfth grades, first-timers and old pros. As always, the audience overflowed the seating and filled the floor space.

Priory High School athletes fielded teams in boys and girls basketball and girls soccer, while the Middle School girls and boys basketball teams filled to overflowing during the winter athletic season. In this photo, Abby Mills is on the field for the Priory.

Alyssa Cheung was one of many students receiving ashes and blessings outside the Chapel following services to begin the Lenten season. At the service, students received $1 each and the challenge of making that sum grow through their personal efforts by Easter. Last year, students began with a collective $300 and raised $1,863 for charity.

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Auction and Dinner Dance

In the beginning... Woodside Priory 1957 Will Deliver Surprises and Fun In the beginning, when the Priory opened its doors in 1957, there were seven young monks, a bare hillside, and 14 boys. In the culture around them, there were classic cars, rock ‘n roll music, film stars, soda shops, crazy clothes and dances that made the ‘50s a time to remember.

The event will simulate a simpler, more relaxed time.

Father Martin Mager is at work on the 19th in his tall clock series. This one will stand over seven feet tall and is made of a delicious black walnut wood, which has the color of rich chocolate. The mechanism, face, weights and lyre pendulum are imported from Germany. Each of Father Martin’s gems is signed and dated.

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Symbols of the ‘50s: kids loved them, parents worried about them, and the older generation didn’t understand them. Guests at the Priory will be immersed in them at the annual auction and dinner dance, which this year celebrates the Priory’s 45th anniversary.

You’ll know you’re there by the classic Ford Fairlane convertible parked at the curb when the party begins—6 p.m., May 3 at the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood Shores.

The emphasis at this year’s auction is on fun—it’s a party no Priory community member from ‘57 forward will want to miss.

The colors and ambiance will speed you backwards, and the food and music will recapture the spirit of those carefree times.

Sometimes, you could swear you were in a—well that’s a secret, which Auction Chair Carol Duncan doesn’t want to reveal until dinner at 8:00 p.m.

Remember Elvis, Marilyn and James Dean? You’ll see them and other teen heart throbs—they each head up a room filled with silent auction treats. You’ll see items from dreamy to practical—and probably at prices that will tempt you to stock up for the year ahead.

Restaurant certificates, wines, art, jewels, professional services, vacation home getaways, gift items, sports memorabilia, great tickets to special events, things you need and things you want will all be spread before you with a lavish hand. There will be something for every taste and pocketbook.

As always, parents can secure a variety of school–site rewards for their children. How about Headmaster for a Day? The most prized parking spot? Naming rights to the Priory driveway, or —drum roll, please—a week of free dress for an entire class?

After the silent auction, the sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and

wines and dinner and dessert, the live auction will have everyone laughing as Headmaster Tim Molak hones his live-auctioneering skills.

The Priory auction is a shopping spree everyone can feel good about, the headmaster emphasizes.

Proceeds go directly into the operating budget to support small class size, excellent teachers and other essential elements of a Priory education. This is the school’s only big fund-raiser of the year—as well as its only big, all-school social event—and the Priory counts on these funds, Mr. Molak said.

A sampler of the temptations includes: • Meet KPIX reporter Kate Kelly and the news staff, tour the facility, and find out how they get all that information from the world to your TV screen.

• Bonsai is a living work of art and the Priory has two trees lovingly created by a Priory grandfather, a practitioner of more than 40 years. He founded the Golden Bate Bonsai Club, was the first president of the Kasamura Bonsai Clubs, and designed the beautiful Oakland Bonsai Garden.

He is just one step away from a master’s ranking (there are only 2,000 bonsai masters in the world).

picking up the pace of the evening, keeping things lively, and starting the dancing a little earlier,” said Carol.

“People will encounter lots of entertaining surprises, from the larger-than-life photo stroll through Priory history to....well, if I tell the rest, it won’t be a surprise,” she added.

“The great spirit among the volunteers and the continued support from our donors are more than inspiring. The best way we can thank them is to buy tickets, celebrate, and make this the best anniversary party ever,” said Wayne Davison, Chair of the Priory Board of Trustees.

—C. Dobervich

You’ll see items from dreamy to practical— and probably at prices that will tempt you

To-Do List

Order tickets NOW—call Linda at 650-323-6928.

Raffle Ticket-call Virginia at 650-598-9181.

Preview items online-woodsidepriory.com/auction

• Are you ready for a mini-vacation? How about a five-star getaway in La Paz, Mexico? Or, how about a three-bedroom, three-bath flat near Hyde Park and Sloan Square in London? It’s yours for six nights—great for a family trip or a friends’ reunion.

• Here’s a rare opportunity to tour a private collection of more than 200 military vehicles housed in Portola Valley. A party of 15 will also be treated to a luncheon on the site, catered by Michelle Rapp’s M2 Event Planning.

• People who have been watching and enjoying Taylor Eigsti’s career in jazz music won’t want to miss the group of tickets to his upcoming concert at the luxurious Filoli estate. What an event!

• You’ll get dinner, theater, circus, comedy and music all together and presented under a glamorous big top tent on the San Francisco waterfront. It’s the famous Teatro Zinzanni and someone will get four tickets.

“We’re going to recreate the fun and simpler times of the 50s in dance and food, and I hope people will love it. We are

For an eye-popping yard in the spring, the Priory’s eighth grade boys basketball team will bring 500 bulbs and plant them in the bare spot of your choice.

Can you picture yourself relaxing in the sauna, then having a late breakfast on the beach? The fabulous Four Seasons resort in Punta Mita, Mexico has everything.

This blue and white 1970 Mercedes 280 SL is a classic.

Appraised at $27,000, it is in excellent condition and has under100,000 miles. Experts say the model is “very reliable, with performance to match,” and a pleasure in modern city driving. For bidding information, go to the online auction at www.woodsidepriory.com/auction.

Benedictine Letter

A Crozier for the Bishop

The newly appointed bishop leaves the Priory chapel with his symbol of office.

The crook contains black walnut, rosewood and ebony with jade set in silver just below.

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W

hen the Archdiocese of San Francisco recently announced the appointment of a new Auxiliary Bishop to serve as associate to Archbishop Levada, Father Martin received a “crozier call,” as he has many times in the past.

The new Bishop Wang, having seen some examples of Father Martin’s outstanding hand craftsmanship in wood, contacted Father Martin right away about a personal crozier to help him properly begin in his new role. In doing so, he was following in the tradition of Archbishops Levada and Quinn of San Francisco, Bishops Garcia of Sacramento, Mulvee of Delaware, Gendron of New Hampshire, and several others who carry Father Martin’s hand crafted staff.

The crozier (also spelled crosier) is one among several official insignia of a bishop’s office. It is a stylized shepherd’s crook carried by the bishop and used at many of the liturgical functions over which he officiates. Use of this staff was mentioned in church documents as far back as the fifth century. Over time, it has signified the doctrinal and disciplinary power of bishops to “sustain the weak and faltering, confirm the wavering in faith, and lead back the erring ones into the true fold,” according to the Catholic Encyclopedia.

“Today, it is clearly used as a symbol of office whereby a bishop leads his community as a shepherd might lead his flock,” explained Father Martin.

Father Martin recalls his first crozier as a shared project with another young priest back in New Hampshire in the early 1970s. They worked in the basement, using steam from the giant boiler that heated the building to gently mold and shape the crook. Today’s “Croziers by Martin” involve greater variety of materials and intricacy of design. They can be taken apart for convenience in travel—and, in fact, finding an appropriate carrying case is as big a challenge as making the staff, Father Martin indicates.

One crozier case began its life as a pool cue carrier.

Bishop Wang’s carrying case is light and sturdy and

definitely unique. Ironically, it was a weapon case before being converted by Father Martin to protect the bishop’s staff.

When Bishop Wang first called about the crozier, he requested a design that would be unique yet simple. Those who met this charming man at the Priory would say that such a symbol would suit him.

Bishop Wang was born and lived much of his life in China and is the only Asian bishop in the United States. His calm demeanor, quiet humor and clear intelligence shine through in even a brief meeting.

Father Martin formed the gracefully curved crook of black walnut and Brazilian rosewood, with transitional pieces of ebony. The node section is of cherry and the lower part, or staff, is also of cherry.

Four pieces of jade, set in silver by Priory art instructor Reed Easley, were applied to the node.

The selection of various woods was made for aesthetic reasons as well as the symbolic aspect of reflecting the universality and diversity of the church, Father Martin said. Specifically: • Black walnut is from Southern states • Cherry is from East Coast states • Ebony is from Africa • Rosewood is from Brazil • Jade is a highly prized stone around the world, but especially in Asia The crozier was presented to Bishop Wang at a special student service for Ash Wednesday as a gift from the Woodside Priory community. The community enjoyed his visit through the morning and lunch.

—C. Dobervich

The selection of various woods was made for aesthetic reasons as well as the symbolic aspect of reflecting the universality and diversity of the church.

Father Martin and Bishop Wang—the Bishop and craftsman discuss the newly created crozier.

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Conversation With

Shawna Trujillo and Mitch Neuger S

Students benefit from a great partnership among the Middle School faculty and parents.

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hawna Trujillo, Dean of the Middle School, and Mitch Neuger, a leader among the Middle School faculty, have in common their youth, their energy, a love of the process of building a small community, and a love for being in a classroom filled with what Shawna describes as "rowdy, hormonal, distractable, bright-eyed young people."

Together, they are taking the lead in helping the Priory faculty reach a laudable goal—understanding what makes those young adolescents tick, and providing school experiences that make the most of this stage in their lives.

Shawna comes to the task with a string of special training programs and awards. She was attracted to teaching this age because she remembers middle school as "not the best time of my life. I hope I can be a positive, empathetic adolescent supporter." Much of her day is devoted to chatting with students who drop in at her office or parents who phone for a quick consultation—and she enjoys this part of her work, she says. While wearing her administrator’s hat, she enjoys the daily trouble-shooting and the opportunity to help faculty attain their professional best, she adds.

Shawna teaches in the eighth grade.

Mitch discovered teaching while working as an intern at a summer program devoted to ending world hunger. Part of his work involved reading the stories of teachers, and he was struck by the importance of their work. A Yale graduate in American Studies, he loves the opportunity to help students learn the critical thinking skills and supportive community attitudes that bring vitality to a democracy, he says.

Last year, Mitch stood in as acting Dean through the fall while Shawna took a leave of absence for the birth of her second child. In the spring, he headed the committee that, in effect, led to diversified learning, a current theme, in professional development. Shawna lives on the campus with her husband Chris, and children Taylor, 3 and Parker, 1. Mitch also lives on the campus.

—C. Dobervich Priory Middle School students seem to enjoy school. The record shows that they’re doing well when they go on to high school. What do you think is going right for these students?

S—First, they benefit from a great partnership among the Middle School faculty and parents.

Families are very supportive and encouraging. They provide so many, many things that encourage success. These students have successful behavior modeled for them both at home and at school— they’ve GOT to succeed!

M—At school, students are surrounded by a group of caring adults. Each student may not connect with each teacher, but I think students recognize the adults in their school lives as being kind and open to them—making time and space even in class to talk about things that are important to them.

S—I think each student really connects with at least one adult here. That’s an important goal, and we work on it.

Is competition a factor when most of the students come to class highly motivated and expecting to succeed?

S—Students definitely encourage and chase one another in their learning. I think that for our students it’s usually a positive thing. It’s negative when students won’t allow themselves to do anything less than perfect work— and that happens. That need to be perfect actually interferes with their learning.

We think it’s important for all Middle School students to learn by making small mistakes. All of their teachers are really ready for that. We’re working on encouraging parents and students to understand that it’s okay. Middle school is the time for them to stumble. They pick themselves up, they dust themselves off, and they figure out how to do it next time. This builds resilience into them when the stakes aren’t so high.

Let’s take an example of an English assignment that was completed but forgotten. Isn’t it okay for a parent to drop the assignment off at school?

S—I’d rather the parent let the student deliver it the next day. When the student knows it’s his or her responsibility, it won’t take these students too many times before they figure out a way to get here with it.

Then they have the benefit of thinking through what went wrong, asking for help if they need it, but getting a process that works for them. And nobody, nobody is going to fail our Middle School because of a forgotten assignment!

Does "mistake aversion" impact the way students learn the academic subject matter of Middle School?

M—Many of our students are used to absorbing and succeeding on their natural talent. "Learning how to learn" is new to them. But it is a skill they need to develop before high school and definitely before college.

S—Children start out learning by spoon-feeding.

They would be happy to continue being spoon-fed.

But that isn’t how Middle School is supposed to look if they are to get anything of lasting value from it.

There’s a quote in (Dean of the Faculty) Nancy Newman's classroom: "Perfection is the enemy of excellence." If you must be perfect, you can’t be, you won’t be excellent.

"Learning how to learn" is a skill that students need to develop before high school.

What works in creating a positive attitude among the students?

S—Differentiated learning is a teaching style that takes a lot of the heat out of the end product, one final test at the end of the unit. Instead, differentiated learning is about the process and making progress.

Assessment occurs more frequently during the process. Things students try won’t work out all of the time, and they will learn from that and make adjustments.

Can you describe differentiated learning? What are students doing?

S—It’s a less traditional, project-based way of teaching that lets us start where the kids are. At this school, all of our students are outstanding or they wouldn’t be here. But they have different individual strengths and their rates of personal development are very different, which is normal at this age.

Differentiated learning speaks to each and every child. They make choices and make mistakes. In the process, they develop individual problem-solving strategies they can use in the next class and for the rest of their lives.

Their projects highlight their individual growth.

Gifted students can really fly with this, and when it is used appropriately all of the students can.

Faculty member and counselor Dora Marròn has expertise with academic skill-building techniques that are especially suited to middle school students.

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How prevalent is this or will it be?

S—It’s not new, but we’re looking at using more of it. Teachers will decide individually how much of the differentiated learning strategy they can use. I don’t see anybody going to 100 percent differentiation. We are still a traditional college prep school.

There are certain academic skills that all students will have to acquire in traditional ways.

If I walk into a classroom where the teacher is using differentiated learning concepts, what will I see?

Students up and moving, working independently and in small groups on a variety of projects while the teacher consults is typical of a diversified-learning-based lesson.

Differentiated learning is a less traditional, projectbased way of teaching. . . gifted students can really fly with this.

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M—In sixth grade, we’re doing persuasive writing right now. If you walked in, you could observe the whole class talk about the building blocks of a good persuasive piece, then the different products—how people persuade each other in the world. Then, you’ll see kids choose their own topics, their audiences and their products.

Later on in the process, you will see some people creating a video, other people working on a poster or a pamphlet, people working on a whole variety of products. I haven’t reached this stage yet, but I am working towards it.

With some lessons, students won’t all learn the same thing, then. If they work on different products they will have different skills—photography versus producing a skit, maybe.

S—Before beginning, Mitch knew his desired academic outcome—the effective persuasive paragraph—and he shared that up front with the students. In the end, everyone learns that. He gave some ideas about topics and products—ways that his students can go about using their paragraphs in

real life. The students can come up with their own ideas, too. One might want to do a radio broadcast, or write an article for a newspaper. This is where the flexibility and diversity comes in. Mitch can encourage each student individually to stretch his or her skills and knowledge. At the same time, he makes sure everyone gets that basic skill of writing a persuasive paragraph.

How do students like it?

S—I think they really like having us capitalize on their strengths. When we see that kids really love something we’re doing in our class, we can change the plan right on the spot to get everything we can out of that moment or that activity. A good Middle School teacher already has that capability. That teacher can stop right in the middle of a lesson and say, "Hey, this isn’t working—let’s try it a different way." The differentiated learning structure simply builds on that.

M—Students are more interested in their social lives than anything else and there are strategies we can use to capitalize on that. One is to make classes social. It means allowing a lot of conversation—talking to each other in the whole class or in small groups. It means sharing homework instead of just turning it in to the teacher. It means doing projects together instead of working alone. We find that our students really like to perform, so many of us give them opportunities to do skits.

Our eighth graders go on to high school with almost no academic "bump." This year, the overall change in GPA from eighth grade to Priory freshman year was almost too small to measure, and in many cases students improved.

How does the teacher assure that everything the high school expects is learned?

M—As a teacher, it takes a really clear sense of priorities, especially when you are using differentiated learning. In addition to making sure

that each student gets the target skill of the lesson, you have to be sure you cover what the other teachers in the Middle School will expect. For example, when I teach sixth grade English, I know what the seventh grade English teacher expects. Following on that, we know as a Middle School what the High School expects.

A special class was created last fall for these students, who wanted to create and perform their own rock music.

Opportunities to occasionally explore interests without comparison and competition help young teens define the older person they wish to become.

What precipitated this interest in differentiated learning?

M—Tim (Molak, headmaster) asked the Middle School faculty two years ago to do a self-study. It involved a lot of things, but one outcome is that teachers wanted to look at contemporary teaching methods to maximize learning among a group of students who are at very different places developmentally. Where students are developmentally makes a big difference in how they learn best. So, when Shawna introduced differentiated learning this spring, there was a reaction of "Hey, this is great."

Sixth grade teachers use class meeting time to build a sense of community. It is designed to be a time when students can feel comfortable bringing up issues they want to clarify or talk about.

Middle school has received a lot of attention in the past few years. Are you making use of any educational models?

S—We’ve looked in the Middle School guides— (the Carnegie Commissions’s) Turning Point 2000 and the National Middle School Association reports, which address these same issues. I have books by Mel Lavine and Robert MacKenzie in my office. We’ve used Robert McKenzie’s classroom management strategies; we use these in an effort to promote learning through logical consequences.

We are building our own program. Ours won’t look like anyone else’s. We are always re-evaluating our programs. Every year, we will get better and be more effective.

Middle School is a natural time for young teens to develop academic problem-solving and collaborative skills.

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Maas Family Commons Is Almost Complete

Winter Semester Activity: • The Maas Family Commons housing should be ready for families in mid-June.

• Donor activities, architects’ preliminary work and meetings with Portola Valley town officials are on target for the Performing Arts Center.

• More than half of the $7 million for the PAC is pledged.

Next Target: • Total $7 million for the PAC by year-end 2003 • Portola Valley approval of the Priory master plan by summer 2003 • Additions to the Priory Chapel by fall 2003 Monthly photo updates at: www.woodsidepriory.com/ campaignSee Maas Family Commons construction and a oneminute Flash presentation of the Performing Arts Center.

Despite the rainy late winter weather, construction on the seven units of housing in the Maas Family Commons stayed on schedule. Families should be able to move in mid-June. The lovely view of the hillside behind the campus is just outside their front doors. And the old barns are nicer to look at with their new façade.

Planning Begins for a More Spacious Chapel Peter Kasenchak and Jane Yates, both longtime friends of the Priory campus and Chapel communities, are heading up an effort to bring more space to the Priory’s best-loved building.

Possible enhancements to the Chapel include addition of a 340-square-foot Receiving Chapel, panels of stained glass, and a new vestibule, possibly with an exterior double bell tower.

It would be most efficient to have construction and funding support going on simultaneously, because it is desirable for construction to take place over the summer (when classes are not in session), said Headmaster Tim Molak. Peter and Jane will begin meeting in late spring with Chapel friends and others who may be interested in supporting this project, Peter said.

A double bell tower could be among the additions to the Chapel (computer generated illustration).

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Golden Jubilee Campaign Fund

Thank you for supporting Woodside Priory School... for now and our next 50 years! $1 million or more Anonymous Parents and Grandparents (3) E. Alvin and Suzanne Maas Ray and Meredith Rothrock $500,000 - $999,999 Jeffrey and Mary Ann Hiller $250,000 - $499,999 Carmen M. Christensen Trust Terry and Dorothy Hayes Robert and Connie Klein Thomas Neff and Donna Wengert-Neff Hank and Lisa Plain Alexander and Leslie Schilling $100,000 - $249,999 John and Linda Andreini James and Loren Archer Tom and Fran Dempsey Eugene and Judith Flath The Guzik Foundation Harvey and Barbara Jones John Kriewall and Betsy Haehl Rick and Amy Magnuson May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust David and Virginia Taylor Robert and Charlene Ward $50,000 - $99,999 Anonymous Parent L. James Archer Trust Andrew and Carol Duncan Albert and Susanne Ebneter Mark and Lindsay Farino William and Michelle Green Harold Harvey Estate Robert and Carolan Hass Nichola and Craig Johnson Richard and Mary Lemuth Robert and Katherine Maxfield Howard Neckowitz and Cheryl Kempton-Neckowitz Stephen Simons Allan and Heidi Will The Zaffaroni Foundation

$10,000 - $49,999 Patricia Adams Daniel Alegria and Mary Hufty Wayne and Cynthia Davison Hewlett Packard Company I.B.M. Corporation Judd and Mimi Iversen Steven Krausz and Alison Gold Krausz Stanley Kwong and Judy Koh Tim and Cathy Molak John and Nancy Newman Curtis Peterson and Lea Stublarec Stanley and Megan Pierson Roxy and Michelle Rapp James and Maureen Sansbury Art and Cindy Schultz Mary Catherine Shouse Shell Oil Company Foundation Joseph Tabacco and Peggy Schmidt Robert and Ramsey Waterman Marvin Wenger and Beth-Ann Schwabacher-Wenger Up to $10,000 Archbold Charitable Trust David and Donna Arnold The Ayco Charitable Foundation Douglas and Barbara Ayer John and Linda Bader Robert and Doris Barbagelata Jack and Anne Beaver Douglas and Marjorie Brent John and Kristin Brew Gisela Brugger William Budge John and Caroline Bulkeley Callie Cain Peter and Pamela Campagna Herman and Sheila Carmassi Sandro and Joan Centofanti Alan and Elizabeth Cirino Linda Davis Gerald and Nancy Dellheim

Stephen and LuAnn DeMartini Anthony and Jeska DeSzily Thomas and Judith DeSzily Richard Dioli Mark and Carolyn Dobervich William and Mary Dunn Allan and Suzanne Epstein Edward and Suzanne Eyre Arthur and Carol Graham Andrew and Patricia Haines John and Anne Hannigan Thomas and Helen Hennig Paul Holland and Linda Yates Michelle and George Huertas Peter Kasenchak John and Barbara Keller John and Patricia Kilmartin Gail Kimball Matthew Lincoln and Leanne George Genevieve Mager Frank and Patricia McGinnis Thomas and Sandra McCarthy Magdalena and Clay McCarty John and Nancy McCrady David McDaniel William and Mary McInerney Dean Miller John Miller Donald and Elizabeth Myers John and Janiece Bacon Oblak

Promote each student’s strengths • Preserve community values • Provide for the future

Ward and Mary Paine Jedd and Leslie Roe Ronald and Lila Schmidt William and Ruth Schooler Philip and Maya Sewald Robert and Annie Simon Robert and Helen Stein John and Marianne Stoner Charles Thieriot and Elizabeth Huntley Bruce and Anne Wagner Stephen and Molly Westrate Elaine and Hubert Willman James and Ellen Wilton

15

Yours for the Bidding!

The exciting and unusual will tempt bidders at “In the beginning...Woodside Priory 1957” auction and dinner dance.

Story on Page 6.

Keep the monk of your choice close to your heart with these caricature ties hand crafted by Priory faculty member Mitch Neuger. Suitable for formal occasions or with your swim trunks.

This immaculate all-wood canoe was lovingly hand crafted by Priory students and science faculty member Dave Hafleigh. It may be the last in the Priory’s famous canoe line. Dave, who began the program a few years ago, will retire this spring.

A family of four or five will spend the day on the set of a feature film being produced by Jerry Zucker, well known for his previous films Airplane, Naked Gun, Rat Race, and My Best Friend’s Wedding. Mr. Zucker will provide passes and the opportunity to meet the production crew and actors. The filming location and date are not yet set, but probably it will be Los Angeles in 2003 or early 2004. Transportation is provided.

Woodside Priory School 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 (650) 851-8221 fax (650) 851-2839

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Celebrating Our 45th Year