The Bulletin - Spring 2015

Thinking Globally

BY PETER BRANCH, HEAD OF SCHOOL

It is so liberating to be able to go outside Hopelands now that the snow is gone from our fields and the ice on the Green River and our freshwater pond has melted. Our teachers who make use of our unique campus can now take our students physically outside the classroom to think and learn. But the fact is that Rocky Hill School students can think outside the classroom throughout the year thanks to innovative and dynamic teachers and programs. Of course, technology has given some of that power to our children, but so much more is going on in our school that expands our students’ learning than the mere use of technology. In that effort, Rocky Hill School is in a leadership position.

During the height of our New England record-breaking winter, Boston was the site of this year’s National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) annual convention. The sense that schools like Rocky Hill need to be nimble, flexible, and innovative in our governance, management, and instruction was manifested throughout the various workshops and presentations. The theme of the conference was Design the Revolution: Blending Learning, Leading and Innovation. This title conveys the belief that there is a compelling need for a change in methods throughout independent schools. At the same time, NAIS restated that “Four key values define the independent school community and drive our work: excellence, equity, efficiency, and emotion.” In other words, we must implement creative means to achieve traditional ends.

This edition of The Bulletin describes many new ways of developing thinking skills and many ways in which Rocky Hill School is working to strengthen itself as a teaching and learning institution. Catching the Wind: Highlights of the Strategic Plan 2014-15 brings you up to date on some initiatives which fulfill long-term plans for experiential learning opportunities, environmental programming, individualized instruction, partnerships, global education, and attention to our student diversity.

The columns What’s New, Campus Scenes, and Around the Rock detail such outcomes as the installation of solar panels on the Alan J. Flynn, Jr. Academic Center, the reopening of the Land of Fires Nature Trail, the successes of our math and robotics teams, the fifth grade Cardboard Regatta, the Garden Classroom, and World

Cultures Week, among many other demonstrations of the School’s commitment to the environment and to hands-on, project-based learning. The article entitled Think Outside the Classroom expands on the “convergence of nature and education” at Rocky Hill from the perspective of a science teacher who is also the Head of the Middle School. The Mariner Review demonstrates the essential importance of team sports, as well as other extra-curriculars, in developing individual leadership and collaborative effort.

One of our most promising recent initiatives draws on our 20-year commitment to educating students from outside of the United States, especially at the high school level. Rocky Hill School’s success in teaching, integrating, and providing college guidance to our international students has gained for us such a positive reputation that we were sought out to provide consultation for the American program in a K-12, coed, 3,000 student school in Beijing, China. After due diligence by our Board of Trustees and a visit by me to the 100-acre campus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rocky Hill School has agreed to partner with NIT in developing their curriculum consistent with our principles and standards. While this relationship is not designed for the enrollment of any NIT students at Rocky Hill School, it may offer opportunities for short-term exchanges and class-to-class relationships. It sets our School apart as a leader in global education in Rhode Island.

Success for any school in today’s world is measured in many ways. Sadly, standardized testing has proven one of the weaker guides even when used without corrupting the educational process. To design efficient ways of reaching students, we are now able to draw up brain research, which tells us that individual students are differently stimulated and that experiential engagement has the longest effective rate of retention. Rocky Hill School has a history of effectively using its unique environment and pedagogy to educate a broad range of students. It now has the opportunity to share its out-of-the-classroom and out-of-the-box thinking throughout Rhode Island and, I dare say, the world. v

Head of School Peter Branch and Board President Ed Santos present Dr. Lydia Liu of National Institute of Technology (NIT) with commemorative pens after signing a multi-year educational consulting agreement with NIT of Beijing, China.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Legacy Families

Rocky Hill School is pleased to have 20 children/grandchildren of alumni in its current student body.

Back Row: Amaia Aldazabal ’16 (Erika Waldman Aldazabal ’81), Ethan Moyer ’18 (Don Moyer, Jr. ’88, Don Moyer, Sr. ’62), Will Janikies ’17 (William Janikies ’83), Ei Yazh Foster ’16 (SeQuahna Mars ’96), Charlotte Roch ’18 (Dawn Dunley Roch ’83, Raymond Roch ’83), Perry Clark ’19 (Richard Clark ’85).

Middle Row: Capri Catanzaro ’15 (Robert Catanzaro ’49), Max Lehouiller ’20 and Dylan Lehouiller ’21 (Lia DiLeonardo Lehouiller ’90), Jasmine Aldazabal ’20 (Erika Waldman Aldazabal ’81), Charlotte Boss ’22 and Morgan Boss ’26 (Monica Iacono Boss ’91), Alexis Weiler ’20 (Mary Lynne Kennedy ’80), Sydney Boss ’23 (Monica Iacono Boss ’91).

FRont Row: Alex Lehouiller ’24 and Luke Lehouiller ’26 (Lia DiLeonardo Lehouiller ’90), Amelia Riley ’28 (Alyson Powell ’94).

not PictuRed: Atsa Zah ’15 (Anemone Mars ’93), Sabrina Dumas ’16 (Samuel C.H. Dumas ’79, Trixie Weber Dumas ’81, Pam Dumas ’56), Cassidy Santos ’17 (John Paul Santos, Jr. ’90).

The Bulletin is made possible by:

Peter M. Branch, Head of School

Peter Hanney, Director of Communications & Marketing

Liz Cochran, Director of Alumni Relations & Divisional Coordinator

Beth DeGerlia, Director of Development

Photography: Ruth Clegg, Terry Coes, Peter Hanney, Michael Jedrey, Rob Lee, Caitlin MacDonald

Rocky Hill School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its admission,

Graphic Design: www.DonnaDeForbesCreates.com

Cover Photo: Fifth graders Davis Lee, George Cochran, and Lily Kerachsky use QR code technology to research the history of the Land of Fires Nature Trail.

NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES NEW FACULTY/STAFF

Harold Ambler came to RHS to teach US English. He previously taught at The Touchstone Community School and the Wheeler School. In addition, he has worked at Brown University and The New Yorker magazine.

Dr. Katy Basu joined RHS mid-year as the US Chemistry teacher. She previously taught science at both Lincoln School and Moses Brown School.

Mia Caetano Johnson, Esq. ’89 received her B.A. from Union College and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Albany Law School of Union University, where she was an associate editor of the Albany Law Review. As a corporate lawyer, Mia has been counsel in several law firms, including Hinckley Allen & Snyder in Providence, and Sullivan & Worcester in Boston. She also served as in-house counsel at GTECH. Since 2008, Mia and her husband have operated Johnson Law Associates in East Greenwich, which specializes in business and commercial real estate law. Mia also owns Johnson Commercial Properties, Inc., a business brokerage firm that provides campground and RV park brokerage services. Mia resides in Warwick with her husband and two sons.

Justine Johnson, DVM, DACVECC obtained her B.S. and veterinary degree from Cornell University. She then completed an internship and a residency at Tufts University to become board-certified in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care. Justine is co-owner, with her husband Gary Block, of Ocean State Veterinary Specialists, the only 24-hour emergency and specialty veterinary hospital in Rhode Island. Justine and Gary have two children at Rocky Hill School. Both have attended since nursery school and have loved their experience! Justine’s extended family includes horses, goats, cats, dogs, tortoises, and honeybees. Other interests include anything outdoors and a capella singing with Rocky Hill School parents and faculty.

2014-2015 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Bradford T. Davey ’89

Mitchell R. Edwards, Esq.

Mary H. Grant, Ph.D.

Mary Ann Hackett

William N. Janikies ‘83

Dr. Justine Johnson

Mia Caetano Johnson, Esq. ’89

Peter Hanney joined Rocky Hill School in August as Director of Communications and Marketing. His oldest son, Will, is in fourth grade at RHS.

Bill Langlois ’73 returned to campus as bus driver. He is a former state chairman of School Bus Standards and Operations for the State of Rhode Island.

Caitlin MacDonald joined RHS as fifth grade teacher this year. She recently had her first child, Ella Jean, in November.

Margo Ott, RN is Rocky Hill School’s registered nurse. Her son, Ethan, is in the sixth grade at RHS.

Jessica Russell returned to her New England roots to teach US English. She also oversees the yearbook, The Crest.

Michele A. Nota

Gordana Novakovic-Petteruti

Joan Osowa

Robert M. Powers

Stephen F. Siegel, Ph.D.

Stephen G. Soscia

Rocky Hill School would like to thank Wilson G. Saville II for serving as a trustee from 2007-2013 and as treasurer of the Board of Directors from 2013-2014. Wilson and his wife Ellen Mossop Saville collectively have given 15 years of service as trustees and are parents of two former Rocky Hill School students. Their support and love for Rocky Hill School is greatly appreciated, and they have left an indelible mark on the School.

Welcome Aboard 4

Edwin J. Santos, President

Ande Frost, Vice President

Donald McCaughey, Treasurer

James Lehouiller, Secretary

What’s New

1. Using specialized excavation equipment, habitat restoration specialists from Save The Bay and the RI Department of Environmental Management improved drainage in the Potowomut salt marsh at Rocky Hill School.

2. The “Candy Crushers” robotics team—fourth and fifth graders from RHS—competed at the FIRST® LEGO® League Robotics State Championships at Roger Williams University. They were one of the youngest teams in the competition.

3. Head of School Peter Branch and Board President Edwin Santos signed a multi-year educational consulting agreement with the National Institute of Technology of Beijing, China.

4. This year is Rocky Hill School’s 80th birthday! Thousands have connected with the School and many have unique memories to share. As part of the I ♥ RHS campaign, many have told their stories of how Rocky Hill School has impacted the lives of students, their families, friends, and teachers since 1934.

5. The School obtained two state grants to fund the installation of an educational solar array atop the Alan F. Flynn, Jr. Academic Center. The 120 solar panels, installed last August by Stuart Flanagan ‘05 and his crew at Newport Renewables, are expected to provide 20% of the building’s electricity for the next 25 years.

6. Rocky Hill School received a generous gift from the family of Lu Eldredge ‘54 to restore the Land of Fires Nature Trail. The restoration project cleared the walking path, replaced the original trail markers with new QR-coded markers, and maintains the path through long-term, student monitoring projects.

• The School recently installed a campus-wide alert system to notify those on the School’s property of an emergency. Messages can be broadcast through new phones and exterior speakers, and can be heard anywhere on the 84-acre property. The system was funded with proceeds from the Catch the Wave Gala

• The School was successful in reaching 80% participation in the Annual Fund by the 80th day of school. All classes past and present who reached the milestone will have an I ♥ RHS 80th Anniversary brick installed in the Garden Brickwalk for their class.

• The Tide, a biweekly student-run online newspaper, debuted this year as a publication focused on local, national, and international issues of wide-scope importance as well as local events surrounding Rocky Hill School. Read The Tide on the Web at www.thetiderhs.com

The Mariner Review

BY ART ENTWISTLE IV MED, ATC, LAT, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

The smaller the community, inherently, the tighter it must be to be successful. Each individual plays an important role and is given the opportunity to experiment with many responsibilities. Through success and failure, much is learned, and with experience comes the opportunity for all individuals to better “know thyself.” This knowledge translates into preparation for college and lifelong learning.

In athletics, the small community environment allows for experimenting in a variety of program options and often leads to the uncovering of hidden talents. At Rocky Hill School, “Small School, Big Opportunities” holds true. Community success is achieved through the support of the faculty and the tenacity of the multi-sport athlete. The talent that exists at Rocky Hill is not to be taken for granted, as is evident by our numerous athletic achievements.

Spring Athletics

Some achievements from last year include the 2014 Girls’ Varsity Softball team (RHS/Juanita Sanchez co-op) becoming the RIIL DIII runnerup. They lost to Narragansett High School in the championship game for the second year in a row.

Lisa DeMoranville ’15 and Allison DeGerlia ’16 both received RIIL First Team All-Division selection. Heather Lind ’17 received Third Team All-Division selection. The 2014 Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse team made it to the semifinals in the SENE, qualifying for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Mike Levy ’14 and Douglas Cochran ’16 both received SENE all-league selection. The 2014 Girls’ Varsity lacrosse team made it to the semifinals in the SENE. Kathryn Nota ’15 and Julia Asadorian ’15 both received SENE All-League selection. Raymond Mancini ’15 received an All-League SENE Honorable Mention for Golf.

Fall Athletics

The Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey team was nominated as the 2014 RIIL Division II Field Hockey Sportsmanship Team of the Year.

Sabrina Dumas ’16 and Mary McKenny ’16 both received RIIL Second Team All-Division selection. The Girls’ Varsity Soccer team

had a solid season. Rebecca Porras ’15 and Kathryn Nota ’15 both received SENE All-League selection.

The Boys’ Varsity soccer team continued its long standing tradition of making the SENE playoffs. They lost in the SENE semifinals to eventual NEPSAC Class D champions St. Andrew’s School. Jared Barroso ’16, German Rodriguez ’15, and Brody Rubenstein ’17 all received SENE All-League selection. The Varsity Cross Country team again had a great turn out. Misha Randall ’17 received SENE All-League selection for finishing in the top 15 at the SENE championship meet.

Winter Athletics

The Boys’ Varsity Basketball team was the runnerup in the 10th Annual Mariner Classic and made it to the Division II championship game. Brody Rubenstein ’17 was voted to the all-tournament team. The Girls’ Varsity Basketball season wrapped up their full season playing very competetive games. Although they did not make it to the championship, the girls enjoyed playing in a very challenging league. The Boys’ Varsity Co-op Ice Hockey team was made up of Rocky Hill School, Middletown High School, and Rogers High School. Known as “RMR,” the team qualified for the playoffs.

Winning records and trophies are not the only goals that are set forth for Rocky Hill School teams. Guided by the leadership of skilled and enthusiastic coaches and teachers, student athletes achieve success by learning the values of contributing to something bigger than themselves through community service, personal improvement, and demonstrating good sportsmanship. Not only are our students held to high standards in the classroom, but they are also held to the same standards on the playing fields.

It has been well documented in research that athletic participation is reciprocal to learning in the classroom. Each form of learning benefits the other. Rocky Hill School’s strong athletic programs are made up of: a solid foundation of Lower School physical education, recess, and afterschool sports; Middle School physical education along with a competitive athletic program; and a competitive Upper School athletic program. v

Catching the Wind

Highlights of the Strategic Plan 2014-2015

BY BELINDA SNYMAN, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PLANNING

Inspired by a wonderful poem by Jenna O’del ’16, I sat down to reflect on Rocky Hill School, its idyllic location, and the gifts that nature bestows upon those who pay homage and serve as stewards and citizens of the world. On any typical day the wind, the sun, and the water provide the backdrop to numerous undertakings and enterprises: on the river or shoreline, up the Land of Fires Nature Trail, in the Garden Classroom, around the Harkness tables, through the solar panels—the environment’s call to students here and from across the world resounds loudly.

Year Three of the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan has continued to see the successful planning, implementation, and development of an ambitious list of initiatives identified at its inception. Distinctive features and programs have served to draw new families. Faculty and students have embraced program and experiential learning opportunities that differentiate and distinguish Rocky Hill School from its peer independent schools in the state, while celebrating the personal stories of our wonderfully diverse community. Woven through the richly layered stories are the accomplishments, successes, and unique experiences of each individual. Every well-supported person is capable of much.

Flagship initiatives introduced in the second year of the plan have been expanded and enhanced, enabling each to emerge as key projects: specifically those related to the waterfront and environment, the visual and performing arts, international educational institutions—and most important—a deepened diversity initiative that has cast a wider net to embrace all members of the community. The growth and successes of the flagship initiatives are all the result of deeply enriching partnerships: between students; students and faculty; faculty and families; the School and local communities; individual groups and organizations, as well as other learning institutions here at home and abroad. The internationalization of Rocky Hill School has been a wonder to behold and an honor to be part of.

On the academic front, differentiated instruction, divisional linking, and cross-disciplinary learning opportunities have enriched and broadened the scope of content and skills, allowing students to build on their strengths and achieve excellence, while tailoring their learning to match their needs and fulfill their aspirations.

Passion-based learning goes hand-in-hand with the indiviualized programs and opportunities referenced under our academic initiative, Polaris (the name of the North Star that provides direction) that includes project-based inspired curriculum, development of individual talents and skills, and support of independent studies. The re-envisioning of Upper School academic offerings has also inspired the creation of opportunities for advancement, specialization, multi-language studies (Latin and Greek), student-created course content (The Coffeehouse: Building Perspectives on Current Events, the outcome of which is an online student newspaper, The Tide), and new semester electives in English. The sense of collaboration and connectedness emanating from students and faculty is palpable on campus, and is perhaps the inevitable result of a truly synchronized and individuated curriculum.

The continued infusion and development of specific technologies in each of the divisions has been focused on the model classrooms in the Lower School, the appointment of technology mentors in Lower, Middle, and Upper School, the outdoor classrooms—and by extension, the Land of Fires Nature Trail and environmental curriculum with the inclusion of QR codes, iPads, and Wi-Fi hotspots. Robotics and creative design has emerged in the robotics electives and team participation in state competitions, Maker elective studies in the Upper School, and the expansion of the Lower School robotics program to include the FIRST® LEGO® League and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League competitions.

Many of the successes achieved in recent endeavors can be attributed to the growing number of partnerships formed in the last year, as well as brand new affiliations. Highlights of those include Save The Bay; “Behind the Scenes”—our curriculum and program informational sessions for parents; Trinity Repertory Company; and with various alums, including Newport Renewables (Stuart Flanagan ’05 ) for the photovoltaic solar panels and related environmental curriculum, and others who collaborate to grow our entrepreneurship endeavors through the Senior Seminar and the Senior Internship project (Giles Van Gruisen ’12 ). Deserving of particular mention are the initiatives undertaken with URI, specifically Dr. Laura Meyerson and her students (in collaboration

with Michael Jedrey and the Middle School), as well as the URI Master Gardeners in collaboration with the stewards of the Garden Classroom, and Flik Dining Services, led by Chef Rob DeLuise who is actively involved in the academic and co-curricular activities across the community. The most ambitious and exciting initiative is undoubtedly the School’s partnership with the National Institute of Technology in China. Upper School classrooms, particularly, are humming with the intellectual and creative energy that the partnership has already created.

As Rocky Hill School celebrates the accomplishments of this year’s goals, the community is already hard at work to determine the priorities for evolving the current plan, a process of “evergreening” that will navigate the direction of the School beyond 2015. v

Powerful

A poem by Jenna O’del ‘16

On Monday, we sail. Five days a week, we sail. We head down to the docks, grab the sails and the rudders and rig the boats.

We push the boats off the dock and guide them down into the bay.

There’s the sun in our eyes

And the wind hitting our sails.

As we sail, We tack

And occasionally jibe, We smile.

The shore is our limit. No playing field, No soccer goal, No lines to surpass.

We laugh as we catch the wind in a certain way And fly across the water.

With the shore our limit And the wind our power, Nothing can stop us.

Left: Danil Randall ’17 at the Land of Fires Nature Trail Clearing Day in September. CLoCkwise from BeLow: BJ Kerachsky ’25 with his grandfather, John Reedy, during GrandFriends’ Day in the Lower School; Heather Lind ’17 in the ceramics studio; Fifth graders Lily O’Neil, Lily Kerachsky, Charlotte Boss, and Skye Skultety at the outdoor Harkness table.

Around the Rock

Brady Dill ‘15 and Shane Woolley ‘15 were named National Merit Finalists. They are among 15,000 students who earned the honor out of the more than 1.5 million PSAT test takers.

Sadie Reimer ‘17 performed in Island Moving Company’s The Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff Mansion.

Raymond Mancini ‘15 and Shane Woolley ‘15 launched the student-run newspaper, The Tide, a platform to express opinions on a wide variety of topics.

Raymond Mancini ‘15 was accepted to the 2014 Rhode Island Second District Congressional Youth Cabinet.

Brenna Miller ‘15 has been named a Commended Student in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Charlotte Boss ‘22 ran in the O2X Summit Challenges at Sunday River and won the single diamond race for females 17 and under with a time of 1:36:54.

Allison DeGerlia ‘16 is serving as a member of the 2014-15 RIIL Student Advisory Board.

Alyssa Grayson ‘19 was selected to be a Rhode Island delegate at the Big E where she competed with the Rhode Island dog team. She was also named one of Rhode Island’s top two youth volunteers of 2015 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

German Rodriguez ‘15 and Jared Barroso ‘16 were selected for the New England All-Star soccer game at Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, CT.

Jared Lind ‘19 landed the role of “Tom of Warwick” in the Providence Performing Arts Center’s production of “Camelot.”

Sabrina Dumas ‘16 earned her second degree black belt with a perfect score. Her mom, Trixie Dumas ‘81, tested and passed for her sixth degree.

Anessa Petteruti ‘17 performed Chopin’s Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor, Op. 20 in Williams Hall as part of her piano studies at New England Conservatory in Boston.

Several student artists earned awards at the 2015 RI Scholastic Art Competition: Ruihan Xia ‘16, two Silver Keys, Painting; Read Frost ‘15, Silver Key, Ceramics; and Julia Asadorian ‘15, Gold Key, Ceramics.

Hunter Corbett ‘17 will represent RHS at the 2015 National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine and Health Care this summer.

Will Hanney ‘23, Alex Sulyma ‘24, and Francesca McCaughey ‘23 all placed in the top 10 of over 200 students from area schools in the SumDog math competition.

Elizabeth Farber ‘15 for her poem, “The Empress.” Jenna O’del ‘16 earned a Silver Key for her short story, “The Ruined Drawing of Shay.”

Maureen Fahey, US mathematics teacher, was elected President of the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Bridge Association.

A portrait of US history teacher John Hughes by school photographer Terry Coes, entitled “Gentleman John,” was given a Judge’s Award at the Annual Image Competition of the Professional Photographers of Rhode Island.

Chrissy Cerenzia, Director of College Counseling, was selected to be a member of the faculty at the New England Association for College Admission Counseling’s Summer Institute.

Rachel Armentano, US/MS art teacher, won the October smART Teacher Challenge for her flower painting lesson. The award was sponsored by Blick Art Materials.

Logan Castaldo ‘25 qualified as a semifinalist in the Future Engineers, 3-D Printing in Space Challenge.

Amanda Siegel ‘15 (flutist) and Lauren Silva ‘16 (clarinetist) participated in the URI Honors Band.

Max Lehouiller ‘20 won the General Nathanael Greene Pettaquamscutt Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest.

At Hera Gallery’s 27th Young Adults’ Exhibition, Danny Samudio ‘16 earned Honorable Mention for “Dancing Fish,” Meiye Song ‘18 earned Honorable Mention for “Lincoln Center by Night,” and Capri Catanzaro ‘15 earned Second Place in Ceramics for “Woodenware.”

Several student were recognized for their writing in the NorthEast Writing Region-AtLarge. Honorable mentions went to Deirdre Irvine ‘17 for her poem, “Migration” and

In October, Rocky Hill School hosted its first ever Certamen, a quiz competition for Latin students.

RHS students raised more than $7,000 for the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart and Hoops For Heart fundraisers.

The Rocky Hill School Math Team competed at the area Math League competition in February. The A team came in first and the B team tied for third.

The Lower School robotics team earned a spot in the state qualifying competition at Roger Williams University. The Robotics Independent Study class in the Upper School competed in the State Championship of the First Tech Challenge at New England Tech, finishing 10th out of 32 teams.

RHS students established an Interact Club, a Rotary International service organization for students in grades 7-12. Nearly 20 Middle and Upper School students will engage in meaningful community service projects.

Campus Scenes

1. Will Hanney ’23 discussed a problem-solving game with his grandfather, Reg Elwell, on GrandFriends’ Day.

2. Middle School students observed the marsh restoration by personnel from Save The Bay and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

3. Adam Proulx ‘15 and Chase Mulvaney ’17 performed during the annual Veterans Day ceremony.

4. Zahara Ankoma ‘27 showed off her award during the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. Over $7,000 was raised for the American Heart Association.

5. The 2014 Fall Classic Golf & Tennis Tournament was a fun-filled sunny day and raised over $48,000 to support students, arts, athletics, and academics at Rocky Hill School.

6. The Lower School listened to tales from internationally acclaimed storyteller Len Cabral on a snowy day.

7. Lower School students enjoyed pictureperfect weather for their annual Kite Day.

8. Jasmine Aldazabal ‘20 and Spanish teacher Nancy Maguire-Rambo danced to traditional Irish music from Mary King, Phil Edmonds, and Dan Lanier during World Cultures Week.

9. Davis Lee ‘22 demonstrated his homemade vessel during the fifth grade Cardboard Regatta.

Reunion 2014

BY LIZ COCHRAN, DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

The Alumni Reunion this past June was a comforting reminder of the amazing environment and qualities that make Rocky Hill School such a special place. “Then, Now, Always” was once again the mantra for this special event for alumni, former faculty, and friends. The Alumni Association Reunion Committee, led by Lauren Friedman Koblick ’02 , made every effort to schedule events that flowed together for a fun-filled day.

At the Alumni Association’s annual meeting, officers and fellow alumni members met with Head of School Peter Branch to discuss goals and upcoming events and to distribute funds in support of programs at RHS. The weather was perfect for the Alumni Lacrosse games that followed. Alumni teams enjoyed the day with wins in both games: Alumnae 12-6 and Alumni 13-10.

Items supported by the Alumni Association in 2013-2014

• 5K Bronze Sponsor

• ACE CD players

• Financial Aid Fund

• Curtains for the Performing Art Department

• Financial aid assistance with 8th Grade Quebec and 11th Grade Washington, DC trips

• Golf Program Book Sponsor

• Yearbook Sponsor

Reunion classes, especially milestone years ending in 4 and 9, and other attendees enjoyed recounting memories of their time at Rocky Hill School. The evening reception saw the return of the steak roast meal served by Chef Rob and Flik Independent Dining. More than 130 guests delighted in the menu of garlic herb marinated flank steak, yogurt marinated grilled chicken, grilled local vegetables, and a vibrant farm-fresh salad bar.

The Alumni Association held a silent auction during the reception to support financial aid scholarships. This initiative is close to the hearts of all alumni as it assists children who may not have the opportunity to experience a Rocky Hill School education without financial assistance. More than $1,000 was raised for the cause.

Special thanks for Reunion donations go out to: Dawn ’83 and Ray Roch ’83, Roch’s Fresh Foods, Sue and Richard Clark ’85, Clark Farms, Antonio’s Bakery, The DiSegna Family, Big River Spirits, Trixie ’81 and Sam Dumas ’79, Monica Iacono Boss ’91 and Geoff Boss, Anne Shaw Burgan (mother of Sarah Shaw Siskin ’78 and Martha Shaw ’80), Michael Chatterley, Coes Photography, Flik Dining Services, Rome Kirby ’07 and 2013 America’s Cup Winner’s Team Oracle, RHS Alumni Association, RHS and Summer Enrichment Academy, Lauren M. Smith ’86, The Pour People Bartenders, Nathan Maine ’92, and Paul Tukey.

Under the tent on Hopelands lawn, a special moment was shared in the farewell to Donna Goldstein, who announced her retirement after 35 years at Rocky Hill School. Donna was warmly surrounded by her husband, parents, former students, colleagues, and friends as they all honored her years of care, compassion, and dedication for all at Rocky Hill School. Patty Pontarelli, Head of the Lower School and close friend of Donna, led the tribute to Donna gave 100% every day to every child at Rocky Hill School during her tenure as teacher, mentor, and friend. v

(ABove) 1989: Mia Caetano Johnson, Brad Davey, Rhaea Photopoulos, Tracy Girasole Miner, Jared Zimmer, Catherine Procaccini, Karen Hajj, Alyson Patin Daker. right: (1) A salute to Donna Goldstein; (2) 2004: Max Sackett, Alex Champagne, Mike Carney, Sam Tyree, Jonathan Pruell, David Ursillo, Shaun Hogan, Glenn Morrow, Philip Buffum, Sarah Tucker, Ashley Evron Machala;

(3) 1984: Joe Pedorella and Charlie Blanchard; (4) 1974: John Wilson, Joyce Hempstead, Loren Carpenter; (5) 1999: Kathryn McClaughlin Shike and baby James, Neal Buckley and baby Abby, Lisa Litner, Susan Cardones, Keith Ranaldi;

(6) 1971: Roger Ray, Paul Sacco, Luca Razza, Leo St.Onge, Meryl Clark, David Clark; (7) 2009: Alina Petteruti and Laura Hudson; (8) 1979: Gary Monnier (former faculty), Sherry Branson, Noel Nutini, Dale Haxton Monnier, Dan Bentley, Sam Dumas, Trixie Webber Dumas ’81, Jennifer Young Schnell, Elisa Silverstein Heath, Jeff Clark, Betsy Blanchard Rafferty. (9) fACuLty And former fACuLty: Front Row - Motria Holowinsky, Donna Goldstien, Joan Osowa, Peter Branch, Beth DeGerlia, Barbara Streuli, Belinda Snyman, Donna Tocco Greenaway ’75, Marilyn Edwards, Els Shine; Back Row - Liz Cochran, Patty Pontarelli, Ken Geiersbach, Mary Wright, Paul Tukey, Kathy Geiersbach, Pam Dumas ’54, Sam Dumas ’79, Trixie Dumas ’81, Art Entwhistle, Liz Carley, Theresa Conroy, Mike Chatterley, Tom Adams, Roxanne Card, Whitney Barker, Maria Emmons, Ernie Drew, Mike Jedrey, Sue Pillsbury, Terry Coes, and Gary Monnier.

Donna Goldstein: In Her Own Words

First and foremost my deepest gratitude to former Headmaster Alan Flynn. He hired me in 1979 when I was 22 years old and just out of college. Clearly, he was a brilliant Headmaster--and he could spot talent!

I am frequently asked how teaching at Rocky Hill School has changed throughout the years. Well…

When I started teaching, an apple was a fruit. A cloud was something you looked at in the sky. Chalk was my tool. A kid could bring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to school. And teachers gathered in the smokers’ lounge!

As we all know, Rocky Hill is a small family school and some years ago they adopted the slogan “Your child, our family.” I took that to heart.

The most important lessons I taught my students could not be found between the covers of their books. It was exciting to find that special talent in each of my students, which gave them the confidence to grow and to learn.

I matured at Rocky Hill. My sons Mark and Robert grew up here. Lifelong friendships were made here.

In the Lower School we teach the children to take turns. I have been blessed to have had a wonderful, rewarding, and joyful turn. I wish the entire Rocky Hill School community success and prosperity as they move forward in the next 35 years and beyond!

Homecoming 2014

BY PETER HANNEY, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Once again, Mother Nature blessed the Rocky Hill School campus with a beautiful weekend for Homecoming. On Friday, the weekend kicked off with the annual pep rally in the gym followed by the Lower School Kite Day on the athletic fields. The energy at both events was palpable as students, faculty, and staff were decked out in blue and white to show their Rocky Hill School pride.

On Saturday, the day began with the official dedication of the Land of Fires Nature Trail along with the unveiling of the trail header sign that is posted near the front circle and Hopelands. Guided hikes along the nearly 1.5-mile long trail were offered to guests on campus.

The faculty and student band pelted out an admirable list of songs from the balcony of the Flynn Center while visitors to the campus enjoyed food and fun activities on the quad. The Rhode Island Blood Center was on hand to accept blood donations for those in need of transfusions in Southern New England.

Alumni/ae beat out varsity players in two out of three of the soccer and field hockey games. After the games, Peter Branch and his wife, Paula Carreiro, welcomed all participants to a reception for alums, players, and friends on the back deck of the Head of School’s house featuring chowder and clam cakes from Flik Dining Services.

Our gratitude goes out to all participants who came from near and far to share the special day at Rocky Hill School. v

’15, Adam

’15, and Douglas Cochran ’16 arrive at the Head of School’s house after the Alumni vs. Varsity soccer game; Faculty, staff, students, and alumni gave up a beautiful Saturday in September to help clear the Land of Fires Nature Trail; Patty Pontarelli, Head of Lower School; Sarah Pontarelli ’07; Jacqui Yamada, Director of International Programs; Liz Cochran, Director of Alumni Relations; and Sarah Shaw Siskin ’78 shared a post-game moment; Homecoming guests gathered on the deck of the Head of School’s house for a reception catered by Chef Rob and Flik Independent School Dining.

CLoCkwise from Left: Read Frost ’15, JC Armonies-Assalone

Proulx

Career Day

Once again, Career Day was a big hit! The School and the Alumni Association came together to offer juniors and seniors valuable insight into the college experiences and career paths of Rocky Hill School Alumni. The Alumni speakers and a current staff member who participated were as follows:

Stuart J. Flanagan ’05

Principal of Newport Renewables NPTRE™

University of Vermont ’09, B.S. Natural Resources, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Economics

Scott Grace ’89

President of Overhead Door Garage Headquarters and Specified Building Products Corporation Roanoke College ’93, B.A.

Peter Hanney

Director of Communications, Rocky Hill School Roger Williams University ’93, B.A. Communications; University of Rhode Island ’10, Masters of Public Administration

Charles P. Iacono ’99

Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Relations, Home Care & Hospice of New England Assumption College ’03, B.A. Communications, Minor in Political Science; Johnson & Wales University ’04, MBA - concentrations in Global Business Leadership and Organizational Leadership

Mia Ann Caetano Johnson, Esq. ’89 Partner, Johnson Law Associates Union College ’94, B.A.; Albany Law School ’97, J.D.

Mary Lynne Kennedy ’80

Neuropsychologist, Fatima Hospital

Brown University ’84, B.A.; University of Rhode Island ’94, Ph.D. Program in School Psychology; Brown Medical School ’96, Post Doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology

Melissa Bennett Narcizo ’80 Owner, Lakuna Design

Carolyn Broccoli Wren ’91

Pediatric Massage Therapist, Hasbro Children’s Hospital Plymouth State University ’96, B.S. Environmental Education; Bancroft School of Massage Therapy ’01

Paul Zarrella ’87

Broker Owner, Williams & Stuart Real Estate; President, Sunshine Development, Inc.; News Talk 630 WPRO and 99.7 FM Real Estate Advisor Stetson University ’91, B.A. Business Administration

from toP, Left: Charles Iacono ’99; Carolyn Broccoli Wren ’91; Melissa Bennett Narcizo ’80. grouP shot: Scott Grace ’89, Paul Zarella ’87, Charles Iacono ’99, Carolyn Wren ’91, Stuart Flanagan ’05, Melissa Narcizo ’80, and Mary Lynne Kennedy ’80.

Think Outside the Classroom

BY MICHAEL JEDREY, HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

When one thought about school back in the day, a roomful of desks surrounded by chalkboards and bookshelves might have been the image that came to mind, along with the sounds of lockers being opened and closed and teachers asking books to be open to a specific page. Today, of course, we can still hear the lockers, as well as the voices in the classrooms and in the hallways. Our desks have been replaced with tables and our chalkboards are now white. At Rocky Hill School, the elements of a traditional classroom can still be found but our concept of the classroom is far more expansive. With technology at our fingertips, a digital classroom awaits us with a few taps of a keyboard or a swipe on a screen. Within seconds, we can find information about whatever we can imagine. That has become the norm in just about every school in the United States.

As a science teacher at Rocky Hill School for 26 years, my classroom is measured in acres, not square feet. My best days with students are those in which my shoes are muddy and my jacket is on more than off. Studying and respecting our environment has never been more important and the most profound and long-lasting learning will often take place outside of the four walls of the classroom.

Arriving at Rocky Hill School, one is struck by the convergence of nature and education. Just before I bounce my truck over the speed bump at the front entrance each morning, I look to the left past the wall to see how much water is in the vernal pool. This periodic wetland can grow from a large puddle to a small pond after one good rainstorm or when the winter snows melt, and it is teaming with a variety of animals that have adapted to this unique habitat. Just past the speed bump and to the right, the stately elm tree stands as it has for the past century or more, guarding the front of Hopelands. It is one of the many stops along the Land of Fires Nature Trail. Beyond the elm, one sees the reflection of the morning sun bouncing off the waters of Narragansett Bay, lighting up the salt marsh that separates our campus from the Green River. Just beyond

Hopelands, the pillars of the Alan J. Flynn Academic Center stand tall, and from this angle one can see the array of photovoltaic solar panels that now provide 20 percent of the building’s electricity.

Experiential and environmental education are crucial for young learners who will one day become the stewards of our planet. Connecting our students with the outside world helps create memorable experiences and provides the opportunity to shape and develop perspectives. On a windy day this past fall, my students and I found ourselves at the edge of the athletics fields on the border of the salt marsh. The seeds of the milkweed and countless other marsh plants blowing past us led to an impromptu conversation on the ways that plants maximize their potential to reproduce and survive. We could have read about this in the classroom, or searched

ABove: Dylan Lehouiller ’21 in the Garden Classroom with a load of kale. Vegetables grown in the garden are served to the School community by Chef Rob of Flik Independent School Dining. BeLow: Michael Jedrey’s eighth grade science class explores organism and ecosystem interaction on the Bay shoreline.

Classroom

“seed dispersal” on YouTube and learned everything we needed to know about the mechanisms of plant reproduction. However, having thousands of seeds swirling past us while we formulated an explanation for this evolutionary feature captured the attention of the students in a much more profound and lasting way. They didn’t just read about it; they were experiencing it.

Throughout the year, the students in Mr. Wheeler’s sixth grade science class have made the Garden Classroom an extension of their room in Hale to learn about the cycle of nutrients in the circle of life in plants. Beginning with vegetable waste from the kitchen, the students work together with Chef Rob Deluise and his team at Flik Dining to compost the waste in several large containers outside of the garden. They learn about decomposers and how soils are developed. Mr. Wheeler and his students also maintain two large worm bins inside of the classroom. From this compost, the students plant vegetable seeds in the classroom, the seedlings of which are then transplanted into the raised beds that previous sixth grade students had built in the Garden Classroom. After a few months of care, the students harvest bins of kale, spinach, and lettuce greens which are then served at the salad bar in Campbell Center. The waste from the harvest goes right back into the composters and the process begins again. There is something uniquely powerful about growing one’s own food while discussing sustainability in the classroom.

Rekindling the Land of Fires

In 1996, renowned naturalist Prentice Stout joined the faculty at Rocky Hill School as Director of Marine and Environmental Sciences. As an expert on coastal ecosystems, Prentice considered the shoreline, salt marsh, and pinewood grove to be his classrooms. I clearly remember watching him lead his band of Upper School students off into the field with boots and shovels in hand, wishing I was going along to hear one of Prentice’s many stories about the critters they would surely encounter.

In 1998, Prentice and some of his students mapped and created the nature trail captured in the title of a book that he was writing about Potowomut Neck. “Land of Fires” told the story of the natural environment at Rocky Hill School. With its 29 markers along the trail, the book poetically described the remarkable diversity of flora and fauna that existed on our campus. Over the years, the salt marsh and the woods behind the tennis courts and playground slowly reclaimed what was once theirs and the trail was nearly forgotten beneath the vines, grasses, and brush.

Last year, our gaze refocused on our environment and particularly the waterfront. Aided by a generous gift from the family of Lu Eldredge ’54, and in collaboration with Save The Bay, the University of Rhode Island, The Nature Conservancy, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, and Rainone Landscaping, the commitment was made to rediscover the Land of Fires Nature Trail. Guiding this initiative has been Rochelle Devault, Upper School teacher of marine and environmental science. With her students, Rochelle has remapped the trail and reclaimed the trail markers using GPS.

In September 2014, Rochelle coordinated a community workday, during which students, parents, faculty, and staff wielded shovels, rakes, loppers, weed whackers, and post diggers to uncover the overgrown and nearly forgotten trail. Rochelle has also been a driving force behind bringing the trail into the digital world by creating a website (www.landoffires.rockyhill.org ) with information and data from Prentice Stout’s book. Adorned with QR codes, the new trail posts offer users the ability to access specific pages of the Web site for each geographical loaction.

This spring, we will complete the trail restoration by working past the vernal pool and through the upland woods on campus, creating wonderful “classrooms” for our students to explore, to question, to marvel at, and to learn from. v

Class News

1953

Nancy Cook writes: “I now live in Arkansas but spent over 50 years in California. I moved here to be closer to some family in North Carolina. I still have family in California too, so this is sort of in the middle. I love this state; it is truly a beautiful place. I live in the middle of the woods with abundant wildlife all around me. I am a RN and have spent most of my working days as a medical social worker. At present I am the Executive Director for a homeless women and children’s shelter, and I am getting ready to retire so that I can finish my studies and be ordained in the fall in the Episcopal church. I have three children, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. My husband of 35 years passed away almost 13 years ago, and I truly value the wonderful years I had with him. I don’t have any family in Rhode Island, but do visit occasionally and have taken my grandchildren to see Rocky Hill so that they might have an idea of where Nana grew up and went to school.”

1954

Jeff Ellis: This year’s biggest news was the marriage of our daughter this summer. Catherine is an athletic trainer, currently with Quinnipiac University. David, her husband, is a technical estimator for a company that fabricates wiring harnesses for aircraft.

1967 Scribe: Lucy Tillman, alumni@rockyhill.org

1968 Scribe: Nancy Hoxsie Mead, Hoxsiemead@aol.com

1969 Scribe: Christine Hoxsie Morris, alumni@rockyhill.org

1970 - 45th Reunion Year

Jama and Jim Young love living in the lush tropics on island time! We are on one of the barrier islands near Vero Beach village. Jim is still associated with Vantage and is enjoying consulting, especially if the projects involve strategic planning. We stopped by the RHS campus for a familiar romp with Ben-dog last summer. Jama continues to consult

This picture was taken this past summer. Paul, Leo, and Luca have started to meet at least once a month since a year ago last November. Previous to that, they had not sat down at the same table for over 40 years. “When we got together with the girls, we all had not been together for 44 years and it was not even a bit uncomfortable for any of us...it was like we never were apart...unreal!”

Photo: Kathryn Harris, Leo St. Onge, Juli Goodhue, Luca, and Paul Sacco.

1971 Scribe: Roger Ray, rray4@cox.net

1972 Scribe: Lori Silverstein Dorsey, oreocatri@cox.net

1973 Scribe: Catherine Tingley Fairbairn, alumni@rockyhill.org

1974 Scribe: Joyce E. Hempstead, joyce.hempstead@roxburylatin.org

1975 - 40th Reunion Year

part time (Young Pursuits) with families on independent school/college choice. She’s also developing characters for a book, and will begin volunteering for a local literacy organization in 2015. We bike, swim, golf, and travel frequently to visit our three grandsons on the west coast. Sending our best wishes to our friends in RI for a healthy and happy 2015! Photo: Blake (6) and Cade (3) Hardy and Scott Reardon V (8 mos).

1970 Scribe needed: alumni@rockyhill.org

Youngest child, Ian, is at the Army’s Field Medical School. Seth, our oldest, is a Captain with the Westfield, Massachusetts Fire Department. Photo: Ian, Carol, Catherine, David, Jeff, and Seth.

1971

Luca Razza: After a successful reunion this past June, Luca wrote that it is so cool to see fellow classmates and remember the faces and experiences. Rocky Hill was more like a big family rather than a school of children.

Donna Tocco Greenaway: “I am defending my dissertation for the Humanities PhD in the spring. My dissertation examines the effect of assisted reproductive technology on humanity; it examines bioethics using popular literature and the law. I continue to enjoy teaching in the Political Science Deprtment at Salve Regina University. I am excited about the class of 1975’s 40th reunion in June, and I hope everyone will join me! Come to Rocky Hill’s truly beautiful campus on the bay, share some good food and some laughs with your old friends. I can be reached at dgreenaway@ cox.net or on Facebook.”

1975 Scribe: Donna Tocco Greenaway, dgreenaway@cox.net

1976 Scribe: Mary Jean Keebler Roche, mjmom02@aol.com

1977 Scribe: Susan Magee Rinebolt, suebru1212@juno.com

1978

Karl Wadensten writes that all cool things are going on here with KW and Kym. Tatum is a junior at Salve Regina, loving the core discipline work in marketing and business organization and may be even a budding lawyer. Taum is aiming for a summer internship at Guilt or some other marketer of trendy fashion. Sven is at Northeastern rocking the engineering school. He was on Dean’s list and high honors freshman year and will be looking for a co-op opportunity this summer and fall. Lars is a larger than life senior at Wheeler school in Providence, going through the stress of picking a college. Magnus is a true 8th grader living vicariously through his older siblings. With the three older kids off at school, Kym and I have all the time in the world to keep our eyes on him. Magnus still has aspirations of a cattle farm, the high plains blue skies and the Ponder Rosa. Life is good to be the youngest in the “WAD Squad.“ I am sure Kym and I will be traveling to the southwest to help him quench his cowboy appetite.

Sarah Shaw Siskin visited her son’s family and took the opportunity to spoil her grandchild this past December in Florida.

1978 Scribe: Sarah Shaw Siskin, forked427@comcast.net

1979

Robert Hempstead is a cruise ship captain, retired military, and ex-Bering Sea fisherman. He rides motorcycles and is married with two cats and no kids. Robert lives in Issaquah, WA and visits RI once or twice a year. He has fond memories of Rocky Hill School and hopes to make a reunion one day.

Jeff Clark: “After 47 years we sold the family home in Plum Beach, where I’d been living since my dad’s death in 2011. I enjoyed some travel opportunities over the summer and fall, including a South African safari, and moved to a quiet place in Newport to start the “next chapter.” I’m very involved with service work at Trinity Church and enjoy my family and a circle of great friends.”

1979 Scribe: Charlotte Pillsbury Wood, charlottepwood@comcast.net

1980 - 35th Reunion Year

Mary Lynne Kennedy: “We spent part of the summer in Costa Rica surfing and watching the green Ridley sea turtles lay their eggs. We also went inland and viewed the tropical rainforest and the diverse animal and plant life. Alexis is active on her competitive rock climbing team and we have been enjoying watching her improve. She is right in the middle of RHS middle school, seventh grade, and we are so pleased with her experience at RHS. I have the added benefit of being able to be on campus often which brings back wonderful memories.”

1980 Scribe: Mary Lynne Kennedy, MLKMDW@juno.com

1981

Richmond Dougall: “I practice law in the greater Nashville area. I have very fond memories of Rocky Hill: LAX, soccer, basketball, art with Ms. Hollowinsky, and good lunches. I even have some fond memories of Paul Tukey! I also remember some pretty crazy parties. I am very happily married to a former Miss Teen Vermont, and we have two beautiful, talented children. Our son and daughter are both excellent students, swimmers, basketball players, singers, and actors. We all love to travel and perform, and we are very successful at having family fun! All my best to everyone I knew in those days of yore.”

1981 Scribe: Lisa Batty Spicuzza, spicuzza2@cox.net

1982 Scribe: Pamela Timperley Buckenmaier, alumni@rockyhill.org

1983 Scribe: Jo-Anne Coghlin Intrator, jcintrator@comcast.net

1984 Scribe: Erin E. Clement, eec0715@cox.net

1985 - 30th Reunion Year

Scribe: Elisabeth Brown, Zeph2Pixie@yahoo.com

1986

Kristin Dahl shared this photo of her beautiful family: Emily, Kristin, Andrew, Ashley, Thomas, and Sarah. She is looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion!

1986 Scribe: Lauren M. Smith, smith.lauren_m@yahoo.com

1987

Kristin Walberg Urbach is enjoying living in RI after living in D.C. for two decades! She’s enjoying seeing RHS friends and being with her daughters who are 12 and 14 years old. She also is enjoying seeing Kristin Fain Dahl, class of 1986, and her children.

1987 Scribe: Sally Kenyon Grant, RobandSally@comcast.net

1988 Scribe: Spurgeon W. Thompson III, spurgeonthompson@hotmail.com

1989 Scribes: Rhaea N. Photopoulos, rhaea31@ yahoo.com; Mia Ann Caetano Johnson, mcaetanojohnson@verizon.net

1990 - 25th Reunion Year

Gregory Blasbalg was elected to the North Kingstown School Committee.

1990 Scribe needed: alumni@rockyhill.org

1991 Scribe: Liana J. Magner, liana.magner@mercer.com

1992

Jeremy R. Pierce: “I wanted to let you know that I have a book called A Realist Metaphysics of Race, published by Lexington Books. I am currently teaching philosophy and English at Le Moyne College in Syracuse,

REUNION 2015 • SATURDAY, JUNE 13 • Celebrating years ending in 0 and 5

Class News

NY. Samantha and the kids are doing well. We have five kids: Ethan (13), Isaiah (12), Sophia (10), Jewel (6), and Caspian (4).”

1992 Scribe: Crystal Siebel Hoyt, alumni@rockyhill.org

1993

Congratulations to Julie Beebe and everyone at JW Graham for winning 1st Place at the 29th Annual Wickford Festival of Lights for their holiday display “Frozen in Wickford.”

Bridget L. Lawton is a stay-at-home mom with five amazing children: Gracyn (8), Georgia (6), Garrett (4), Geneveive (3) and Griffin (1). They live in Hope Valley, RI.

Entertainment, a Los Angeles production company. Photo: Isabelle (3) and Chloe (4 months).

1994 Scribe: Tracey Brown Banach, tracey_eb@hotmail.com

1995 - 20th Reunion Year

Daniel Dorson flew his last Air Force flight in June and moved to Minneapolis to live closer to his wife’s family. His three kids and cocker spaniel enjoy playing in the snow. He now works as a project manager in the IT department for Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

1999

Susan Dorson Cardones: We welcomed Alexander James (below) into our family August 9, 2014. Our three-year-old Audrey loves her new big sister role. It was nice to come back to RHS this past June and see fellow class members at our 15-year reunion.

1995 Scribe: Rebecca M. Krasnof, drbecky@gmail.com

1996

1993 Scribe: Lisa Dorson Borge, lrborge@gmail.com

1994

Mary Kochones, her husband Steve and daughter Isabelle welcomed Chloe Elizabeth to their family on July 24, 2014. Mary celebrated 10 years at Prometheus

Michaela Kelly: ”In August my stepdaughter Maggie Kelly came to live in CA with Rob and I. She started high school as a freshman at Valley Center High. I am proud to say that she’s taken to our horseback riding and rodeo activities quite well! Maggie will be competing for Junior Miss Rodeo queen in the VC Stampede this spring. I never thought I would say this, but I will be one of those crazy beauty queen moms!

Adam Hudson welcomed to the world Luke Alexander Hudson, born March 7, 2014 at 1:30 p.m., 6 lbs. 11oz.

Jennifer Coes announced the birth of her son Wesley Loring Huffman. Photo top, right.

1996 Scribe: Erica Harrington Perkoski, ericaharrington@msn.com

1997 Scribe: Marianne C. SanAntonio, msanantonio@mail.une.edu

1998 Scribe: Katherine Hoagland Scott, khscott@hotmail.com

2000 - 15th Reunion Year

Joshua Dubs is working as a solo practitioner attorney in Buffalo, NY, doing work in a number of legal fields. In addition to his busy practice, Josh serves on the board of two non-profits in the Buffalo area, and received the New York State Bar Association’s President’s Pro Bono award for his dedication to pro bono legal work in Western New York. He lives in North Tonawanda with his wife Lauren and their cat Sunny.

In November 2014 Ryan Kenner and his wife Laura competed at the Ohio Star Ball (also known as PBS’s America’s Ballroom Challenge). They competed in the Open Professional American Smooth category and made the Top 24! (To be aired on PBS

1999 Scribe: Megan Andreozzi Fox, mcandreozzi@gmail.com

for more news, upcoming events and classmate contact information.

REUNION

in April.) Laura and I teach ballroom dance in the Southern New England area. I have coached the Clark University Ballroom Team for the past two years and have judged many local collegiate ballroom dance competitions. In addition, my photography business has taken off over the past two years. We now shoot over 30 multi-day sporting events each year and are looking to expand further. Wedding & Portrait Photography, “The Knot Best Of Weddings 2012 Pick,” RyanKennerPhotography.com

Erich von Boeselager: “I live in Cleveland, OH, working at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center as a mental health counselor. I graduated from the University of Cincinnati in ‘04 and went into the Navy. I was stationed out of Jacksonville, NC and then in Washington, DC where I got a Masters of Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary. I then attended Kent State University to get my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am married to an amazing woman, Tilisha, who is a therapist and professor at John Carroll University. In our free time we travel and spend time with friends and family in the Cleveland Heights area.”

Stephanie Soscia married Mark Kalb on October 11, 2014 at the Artists for Humanity Epicenter near their home in South Boston, Massachusetts. It was a wonderful day, followed by a wonderful honeymoon in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Celebrating years ending in 0 and 5

2002

Lauren B. Friedman Koblick and Richard Koblick were married on October 11, 2014 in Delray Beach, Florida. RHS Alumni in attendance: Lauren Marsh Bush ‘02, Allison Friedman ‘05, Meaghan Mooney ’02

Providence surrounded by our friends and family and even some alumni: Eric ‘00 and Ashley Evron Machala ‘04 and Kathryn Donnelly ‘04. Charles and I live in western Massachusetts, where I work as the Manager of Firearms Compliance at Smith & Wesson Corp. in Springfield. Most recently, this past fall, I was a keynote speaker at a Firearms Industry event, discussing best practices for third party due diligence to ensure compliance with ATF and ITAR regulations.

2004 Scribes: Kristin Kacewicz Clarke, kskacewicz@gmail.com; Kathryn A. Donnelly, kathryndonn@gmail.com

2005 - 10th Reunion Year

Arthur Danskin writes that he lives in Los Angeles, got married, spent several years working for Nvidia and now is writing a computer game. http://anisopteragames.com

Umberto Capuano married Lauren Obst on June 28,2014 at Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club. See header photo above.

2002 Scribe: Kristin McLimans Mitchell, kmitchell1226@gmail.com

2003 Scribe: Nicholas F. Pereira, NickFP@gmail.com

2004

Hope A. Sholes and Charles Pinder were married on August 31, 2014 at the Providence Biltmore in downtown

Sara Jane Daisy Micali and Jon Pruell got married September 20, 2014.

2000 Scribe: Stephanie Soscia, ssoscia@gmail.com

2001 Scribe: Bridget Sullivan, BSullivanRD@gmail.com

2005 Scribe: Kate Corvese, kate.corvese@gmail.com

2006

In December 2014 Brooke Mauran got her Masters in mental health.

2006 Scribe: Laura Verardo-Goodrich, Laura.verardogoodrich@gmail.com

2015 • SATURDAY, JUNE 13 •

Class News

ALUMNI.ROCKYHILL.ORG for more news, upcoming events and classmate contact information.

WWW.ALUMNI.ROCKYHILL.ORG for more news, upcoming events and classmate contact information.

2007

Rebecca Smith is now in Florida working with a friend creating T-shirt designs. We have a Facebook page, SandR Products, and are happy to hear your input on any of our designs. If you have any design ideas of your own or if you need designs for different events, feel free to contact us, and we will see how we can help you or get it for a better price. Feel free to like us on Facebook and send a message, if you feel so inclined.

In April 2014, S. A. Skeen was nominated for an Emmy for “Outstanding Sports Documentary Series.” He was an Associate Producer on the project “Casualties of the Gridiron” for GQ Magazine.

2007 Scribes: Patricia L. Capuano, pcapuano@gmail.com; Courtney Lada, courtney.e.lada@gmail.com

2008 Scribes: Hannah C. Knowles, hannahcknowles@gmail.com; Sarah L. Knowles, sarahlknowles@gmail.com; Allison E. Rooney, allisonerooney@gmail.com

2009 Scribe: Ellie Sharpe, eleanor_sharpe@alumni.brown.edu

2010 - 5th Reunion Year

Breanna Lynch graduated from Wheaton College on May 17th with a B.A. in French and Secondary Education. She will be spending the 2014-2015 school year in Upper Normandy, France, as a teaching assistant in a secondary school. Then for the 2015-2016 year, she’ll be attending Smith College to get her Masters in the Art of Teaching.

Chelsey Frost and Moriah Maron graduated from Boston College and Franklin & Marshall, respectively, this past spring. The two reconnected after four years in different parts of the country and decided to backpack around Europe and see as much as they could before they ran out of money. So, over the course of two months, they visited eight countries. The girls ate baguettes on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower, hiked between the Cliffside towns of the Cinque Terre, tried

the world’s greatest pizza in Naples, went canyoning and hang-gliding in Interlaken, tasted genuine Oktoberfest beers in Munich, and the list goes on! The girls agreed that they were lucky to take this first big leap into the world with each other at their side.

Sarah Taylor was recently hired at Rocky Hill School as Admissions Assistant. Welcome back to your alma mater, Sarah!

2010 Scribe: Sarah Taylor, staylor7@conncoll.edu

2011

Jonathan Pine writes, “After graduating from Rocky Hill in 2011, I attended Hofstra University for a semester, then down to Washington D.C. for a semester at George Washington University. I also continued my work with Congressman David N. Cicilline. In the fall of 2012 I took a semester off from school to work as deputy field organizer on David Cicilline’s re-election campaign. In total I worked two years in both the congressman’s D.C. and District offices. I had a brief internship in Mayor Angel Tavares’ office. I am currently a sophomore political science major at Quinnipiac University and the Vice President of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. I am also an intern for Providence Mayoral Candidate Brett Smiley. I’m hoping to either go back down to D.C. and work as a congressional staffer or join a political consulting firm.”

2011 Scribe: Stephanie Mattioli, smattioli@my.uri.edu

2012

In early 2014 Christina Leahy, Helen Atkins ‘13 and Laura White ‘12 came back to RHS to visit. Christina is still going to Emannuel. Laura is still going to RIC and Helen was in the process of transferring to Lynn.

Cooper Robinson attends Rhode College in Memphis, TN. He is a prominent player for Rhodes College Men’s lacrosse team. He was recently named Captain and made the 2014

Spring athlete academic honor roll. He is a member of SAE fraternity and very active in community activities as philanthropy chair. Cooper is majoring in business with a minor in computer science. Last summer he did an internship at Marsh in Boston, MA. In 2015, he will be interning in London for one month following school.

Maria Charbonneau sent in a photo from the summer that was taken of Hayley Greene ’11 and Maria when they were in Europe together! They’re standing in front of Notre Dame in Paris, France. They spent half a month traveling to London, Paris, and Rome together. It was “utterly fab,” as the Londoners say, and they’re already planning their next adventure together.

Maria was officially inducted into the College of Pharmacy at URI this past fall. She participated in the White Coat Ceremony and received her professional white coat. “I guess I really am in the big leagues now. It’s daunting knowing how much work I still have ahead of me but I’m confident knowing how well The Hill prepared me. The next four years are going to fly by, I’m sure!”

Tyler Thran is a junior at University of Vermont. After taking a semester off last year to obtain his Level II snowboard instructor certificate, he has secured a job at Stowe this winter at the ski school.

Hannah Gardner: “After graduating with an Art History degree from URI in December

REUNION 2015 • SATURDAY, JUNE 13 •

2012 and having time to reflect on my next steps in life, I decided to move across country. In May, I packed up my MINI with all my belongings and drove by myself out to Portland, Oregon. Over the summer I took some graduate-level classes in Nutrition at the National College of Natural Medicine before realizing it was not the path I wanted to take. When that was decided, I knew that Waldorf education was what I wanted to pursue after the experiences I had subbing at Meadowbrook Waldorf School back in RI. Currently, I am in Eugene (about two hours south of Portland, an hour west of the Cascades, and an hour east of the Pacific Ocean) and in the process of completing

In Memoriam

Devon Carlson ’89 (10/10/2014)

Joseph V. Ciuryla (5/3/2014)

Father of Heather M. Ciuryla ’93

Barbara L. Cody Barker (7/5/2014)

Mother of staff member Roxanne Card and grandmother of Emily Card Muzzy ’93.

Andra Katherine Cyronak, M.D. ’86 (2/26/2014)

Janina M. D’Abate (5/5/2014)

Mother of Marya D’Abate, John D’Abate and Janina D’Abate.

Amos Debee (2/19/2014)

Grandfather of Kamusu Zean ’14

Carol C. Hazlehurst (8/9/2014)

Former staff member, mother of Erik Holmberg ’81, Teodor Holmberg ’84,

Celebrating years ending in 0 and 5

my Waldorf teaching certification. And no, I don’t ever plan on moving back East.”

2012 Scribe: Shannon M. O’Rourke, shannonn28@verizon.net

2013

Nicholas Charbonneau wrote to say he is gearing up for a challenging semester ahead at Boston College. He misses RHS and looks forward to visiting soon.

2013 Scribe: Courtney Harrington, Cmharrington94@gmail.com

2014

Kayla Disegna: “I am enjoying my first year

at Merrimack College and made Dean’s list in my first semester. My favorite courses are Introduction to Criminology and Introduction to College Writing. Living on campus is a blast!”

Kyla Teeters is having a great year so far and enjoyed playing goalie for the Wheaton College (MA) Field HockeyTeam.

Steven Santos is having a great time at Bryant University, both academically and socially. He made Dean’s list and a lot of new friends, and hopes to carry that success over to his second semester.

2014 Scribe: Kayla Disegna, disegnak@merrimack.edu

and stepmother of Nancy (Hazlehurst) Deutsch ’77, Pamela (Hazlehurst) Thompson ’81

Peter L. Hoagland (2/20/2014)

Father of Katherine Hoagland Scott ’98 and Christopher Hoagland ’95

Jean Jeffrey ’44 (4/12/2014)

Roberta Wintersteen Levin (3/30/2014)

Mother of Roberta Wintersteen Knight ’61

Anne Marie Pontarelli (6/28/2014)

Grandmother of Sarah ’07 and Will Pontarelli ’12; In-law of Lower School Head, Patty Pontarelli

Davie Lee Raphael (12/3/2014)

Grandmother of Malcolm Meyerson ’16 and Cortlandt Meyerson ’20

Charles Sherba (4/19/2014)

Father of Alexander Sherba ’03

Doris “Dee” LaHiff Smith (7/3/14)

Former faculty member and mother of Jacqueline L. Smith ’83, James P. Smith ’85, and Lauren M. Smith ’86

Marianne H. Tukey (6/21/2014)

Former faculty member, mother of Melissa H. Tukey, M.D. ’98 and wife of former faculty member Paul M. Tukey

Maria Franziska von Trapp (2/24/2014)

Half-sister of Eleonore “Lorilee” Campbell, former Head of School Hugh D. Campbell’s wife

Catherine C.”Mima” Wradzin (3/27/2014)

Grandmother of Graham L. Gardner ’98

[ DECEMBER 15, 2013 - JANUARY 15, 2015 ]

Stay Connected

BY SARAH SHAW SISKIN, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

Greetings! What a wonderful time Alumni has had this past year. Thank you all for your generosity and continued volunteerism efforts. Reunion 2014 was phenomenal! The weather cooperated, and we had our steak roast on the Hopelands lawn. Checkered tablecloths and mason jars filled with flowers adorned the picnic tables, the tent held storyboards and awards, and there were alums all over the lawn on blankets with their families. Our First Annual Silent Auction was a success, raising over $1,000 for the School’s financial aid fund. We celebrated Sam and Trixie Dumas’ tenure at the School by bestowing the Outstanding Alumni Award on them. They were both very surprised, which shocked us all. We also honored our milestone classes, those Alumni whose graduation years end in 4 and 9. I attended Commencement and was thrilled to welcome the Class of 2014 as our newest members of the Alumni Association. Please greet them at Reunion 2015 as it will be their first official event. We are excited to have them join us!

SAVE THE DATES

17th Annual Fall Classic & Dinner Auction:

We lucked out again with the weather, and after the Alumni/Varsity game we gathered on the back deck of the Head’s house for our 3rd Annual ChowderFest. This is always a great time, so please try to attend next year if you can. Career Day took place in November and eight alumni came to share their career experiences with the upper classes. This is a very popular event, so if you want to share your story please let us know as soon as possible. The January Alumni Basketball Games were also well-attended and a great time was had by all.

September 28, 2015

Homecoming:

October 17, 2015

Alumni Career Day:

November 5, 2015

Alumni Basketball Games:

January 9, 2016

Alumni Reunion: June 11, 2016

This past fall, Alumni supported the 16th Annual Fall Classic & Dinner Auction, and Homecoming was a huge success. Alumni, families, and friends were able to explore the freshly-cleared Land of Fires Nature Trail along the waterfront. If you have some time, please take a walk along the trail. Bring your smart phone so that you can click on the posted QR codes along the way. The codes will bring you to the Land of Fires website (www. landoffires.rockyhill.org ) where you’ll find a growing trove of information based on Prentice Stout’s book, Land of Fires

As we look forward to Reunion 2015 on June 13th, other exciting things are happening on campus, not the least of which is the launch of the Search Committee to hire a new Head of School. Peter Branch will leave us after the 2015-2016 school year, and our new Head will begin in the summer of 2016. We have all loved having Peter and Paula on campus these past few years. They have brought their wealth of experiences and knowledge to the School and we see that things are in a great place. We are supportive of the School and know that the next Head of School will be right in line with the tenets of our Alma Mater.

In our own news, our Scholarship will be officially launched at Homecoming and we are hopeful for its success. Assisting a child to afford a Rocky Hill School education is so important to us and I know we all will work hard to fund it!

I hope to see you all at Reunion 2015 on June 13th. v

ROCKY HILL SCHOOL Alumni Association

A free online portal exclusively for alumni

www.alumni.rockyhill.org

With hundreds of graduates across the United States and worldwide, the Alumni Association is cultivating stronger bonds with and among alumni, laying the foundation for fundraising in support of critical programs such as scholarships and the endowment. This online portal affords alumni an interactive, customized experience, including opportunities to connect with each other, view school and class events, and make online donations. It also serves as a single point of entry for alumni to self-maintain their profile and contact information.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

BY SARAH SHAW SISKIN ‘78

The Outstanding Alumni Award was inaugurated in 1988 to recognize Alumni who have made significant contributions to life of the School and have, since they left Rocky Hill School, made their mark in the world. The recipient must demonstrate, over a significant period of time, dedication to the promotion of the School, combined with a strong sense of civic and family duty.

This year’s winners have put their heart and soul into Rocky Hill School, their community, and family. This year the Outstanding Alumni Award was presented to Sam Dumas ’79 and Trixie Webber Dumas ’81, a married couple who have sown the seeds of their talents in all areas of campus life. Both were students at RHS, they lived on campus for a while, currently work or have worked at Rocky Hill, they’ve sent their children to RHS, and their business, Big River Spirits, has supported countless events.

For those of us at a certain age, we remember them as students, and I’m lucky enough to be in that group. They were fun teenagers to be around. When I talked to their friends I learned just how much fun they were having in the 1970s. Stories about being known as ‘Magic Man’ on the School’s lacrosse teams, getting stuck in Florida with no money, antique shows, being a killer soccer player, parties at Johnson’s Pond in Coventry, weekend trips to Rock House Mountain Inn, and friends with names such as Karl, Richard, Pam, Mike, Barry, Chris, and cousin Motts, from Sweden. I heard about Sewanee, Wheaton, and RISD, the schools they attended, as well as weddings, babies, and jobs.

These two alums are part of a legacy at RHS that continues today. They have collectively supported Rocky Hill School in countless ways for more than 82 years, Sam for 46 years and Trixie for 36! They are also proud parents of Troy, Class of 2007; Tory, Class of 2010; and Sabrina, Class of 2016.

If 82 years weren’t enough, the Dumas legacy represents one of the longest family legacies in the history of the School! Sam’s mother, Pam Dumas, was a member of the Class of 1956 and a teacher, librarian, coach, mom, and friend to many students and faculty at RHS.

Thank you, Sam and Trixie, for all you do and have done for your Alma Mater!

We are proud to call you our own and celebrate both of you as the 2014 Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award recipients. v

Looking Ahead

We are calling all alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to join us for Reunion 2015 on June 13, 2015. This is a big anniversary year for Rocky Hill School as we will be celebrating the School’s commitment to 80 years of education. It is also a milestone year for those classes ending in 0 and 5.

This year, we will celebrate two retirements: Mr. Terry Coes has been teaching at RHS for 41 years (more than half of Rocky Hill School’s lifetime), and will hang up his math teacher hat to spend time with his family and pursue his passion for photography. Upper School math teacher Mrs. Barbara Cardano will also retire from the classroom after teaching at Rocky Hill School for 16 years.

We are looking for volunteers to help on the Reunion committee and ask you all to save the date for Reunion 2015. You can register online at www.rockyhill.org/reunion. If you would like to get involved in planning Reunion 2015, please email the alumni office at alumni@ rockyhill.org

from toP: Award recipients Trixie Webber Dumas ’81 and Sam Dumas ’79 presented by Alumni Association President, Sarah Shaw Siskin ’78; The Dumas Family - Sabrina ’16, Troy ’07, Pam Saute ’54, Tory ’10, Trixie Webber ’81 and Sam Dumas ’79.

Class of 2014

Acceptances and Matriculation

We’re so proud of our 2014 seniors and all of their hard work. The following listing highlights the acceptances they received from colleges and universities across the nation. (* indicates matriculation)

American University (2)

Assumption College (3)

Averett University (1)

Barry University (2)*

Bates College (1)

Bentley University (2)*

Boston College (2)*

Brandeis University (1)

Bryant University (6)*

Champlain College (1)*

Clark University (2)

Colby-Sawyer College (1)*

College of Charleston (1)

College of Mount Saint Vincent (1)

Columbus College of Art and Design (1)

Connecticut College (2)

Cornell University (1)*

Curry College (4)

Dean College (1)

Dickinson College (1)

Drexel University (1)

Elon University (1)*

Emmanuel College (2)*

Fairfield University (2)

Fairleigh Dickinson University (1)

Florida Institute of Technology (1)

Fordham University (1)

Franklin and Marshall College (1)

Franklin Pierce University (1)

Gettysburg College (1)

Gonzaga University (1)

Green Mountain College (1)

Hamilton College, NY (1)*

Hartwick College (1)

Hobart and William Smith Colleges (1)

Ithaca College (1)

Johnson & Wales University, Providence (2)*

Johnson State College (1)

Kean University (1)

Kenyon College (1)

Lasell College (2)*

LIM College (1)

Loyola University Maryland (1)

Lynn University (1)

Manhattanville College (1)

Manor College (1)

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (1)

McGill University (1)

Merrimack College (2)*

Monroe College (1)

Montana State University, Bozeman (1)

Muhlenberg College (1)

New England College (1)

New York University (1)*

Northeastern University (3)*

Norwich University (1)

Boston University (2)

Philadelphia University (1)

Pratt Institute (1)*

Providence College (1)

Purdue University (1)

Quinnipiac University (2)

Rhode Island School of Design (2)*

Ringling College of Art and Design (1)

Roger Williams University (2)

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey at New Brunswick (1)

Sacred Heart University (2)

Saint Anselm College (1)

Saint Joseph’s University (1)

Salve Regina University (1)

Savannah College of Art and Design (3)

Sewanee: The University of the South (1)

Skidmore College (2)*

St. Lawrence University (1)

St. Thomas University (1)

Stonehill College (3)

Syracuse University (1)

The University of Tampa (3)*

Trinity College (1)

University of Bridgeport (1)

University of Colorado at Boulder (1)

University of Delaware (1)

University of Denver (2)*

University of Hartford (3)

University of Maine (1)*

University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2)

University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth (2)*

University of Miami (1)

University of Michigan (2)

University of New England (1)

University of New Hampshire (2)

University of North Carolina at Wilmington (1)*

University of Redlands (1)*

University of Rhode Island (5)

University of Toronto, St. George (1)

University of Vermont (5)

Wake Forest University (1)*

Wentworth Institute of Technology (3)*

Western New England University (1)

Wheaton College MA (4)*

On Friday, June 6, 2014, Newport native Richard Saul Wurman, co-creator of the TED Conference, addressed students, faculty, family, and friends on the lawn of Hopelands during Commencement exercises. David B. Golding of East Greenwich addressed his classmates as valedictorian, and Class President Steven Santos presented the senior class gift of funds to help purchase traveler curtains and lighting equipment to improve the performing arts program and partnership with Trinity Repertory Company.

Visual Arts

1. Amaia Aldazabal ‘16, “Elephant”

2. Lucia Caito ‘21, “Winter Moonscape”

3. Danny Samudio ‘16, “Dripping Vase”

4. Ruihan Xia ‘16, “Rapture”

5. Read Frost ‘15, “Cutouts”

6. Amaia Aldazabal ‘16, “Stippled Butterfly”

7. Dihao Feng ‘16, “Sunset”

8. Violet Rosenberg ‘15, “California Coast”

9. Stephanie Petrone ‘15, “Modernist 1.0”

Call to Action

BY CHRISTINE DAVIS, PARENT TEACHER LEAGUE PRESIDENT

Iam excited to serve as PTL President during the School’s 80th birthday. It is a year when we are celebrating the many reasons we ♥ RHS. Looking at Rocky Hill’s long history, current success, and bright future, it is clear that we are a part of a very special community. The Parent Teacher League has long served as the primary way for parents to liaison with the School.

PTL Meetings

The regular PTL meetings are a platform for parents, faculty, and administrators to share goals, needs, and news. These meeting times are important for building community and connections. I encourage parents to take time from their busy schedules to join us at divisional or all-school meetings.

Volunteering

There are so many ways to support the school and volunteering through the PTL is a great way to give back. Parents can serve on a committee, respond to Class Parent requests to volunteer or donate goods, help at an event, or support admission efforts.

PTL Spring Gala

Every two years the PTL hosts its largest fundraiser—the Spring Gala. In 2013 we raised over $130,000 to support technology, athletics, campus security, financial aid, and more. In years past, the PTL has funded laptops for faculty, the big yellow bus, and the restoration of the Hopelands portico. This year we planned the Above & Beyond gala for Friday, April 24, with a live and silent auction and a goal of $125,000. The funds raised will support campus security, technology, financial aid, athletics, and campus sustainability. Visit www.rockyhill.org/ gala for information about the gala.

I hope you will make an effort to help us continue our long tradition of impactful and meaningful engagement with the School. There are many reasons to ♥ RHS and lots of ways to show it.

Email Christine at ptl@rockyhill.org or visit www.rockyhill.org/ptl to share your volunteer interest. v

Milestones and Farewells

Each June the faculty and staff join together to celebrate the year and each other. Faculty and staff who celebrate five-year milestones are acknowledged. In addition, we recognize those faculty and staff members who have retired or decided to move on to new adventures. This year we honored the following people.

MILESTONES

2009-2014 (5 YEARS)

Ann Durning (School Nurse)

Katherine Harcourt (US Science)

2004-2014 (10 YEARS)

Wayne Fougere (Plant Operations)

Matt Gnolfo (Director of Diversity; Foreign Language Dept. Chair; Latin)

1999-2014 (15 YEARS)

Barbara Cardano (US Mathematics)

Theresa Conroy (MS Mathematics)

Walter Horowitz (Technology Specialist)

1989-2014 (25 YEARS)

Timothy Greenwood (MS History & Government)

Michael Jedrey (Head of Middle School; MS Science)

Niki Stanley (ESL Teacher)

1984-2014 (30 YEARS)

Holly Cotta (Director of ACE)

1979-2014 (35 YEARS)

Donna Goldstein (Fifth Grade Teacher)

1974-2014 (40 YEARS)

Terry Coes (US Mathematics; School Photographer)

FOND FAREWELLS

Ann Durning School Nurse (2009-2014)

Donna Goldstein Lower and Middle School Teacher (1979-2014)

Jaime Gardner Lower School Health and Classroom Aide (2008-2014)

Katherine Harcourt Upper School Chemistry Teacher (2009-2014)

Kathy Majkut Preschool Teacher and Extended Day (2006-2014)

Suzanne Mastrangelo School Nurse (2012-2014)

80 Years of Excellence

Supporting and Celebrating Rocky Hill School

BY BETH DEGERLIA, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

As I sat to write this piece, there were several themes that I considered: I ♥ RHS, our school-wide theme for our 80th year; RHS By the Numbers, our tagline from the Annual Fund Appeal; and Think Outside the Classroom, our focus for open house and this issue of The Bulletin. It was not until I watched A Race to Nowhere, a documentary about education in America, that inspiration came to me and I realized all of these themes could be easily intertwined.

The film critiques modern education and the excessive pressure students and teachers are under to perform. Endless testing, metrics, and the notion that if you don’t go to the “best” college you are destined for a lackluster future, have created a stress-filled paradigm that works counter to a whole-child approach to teaching. Teachers lamented about no longer having the time to teach children how to

think, learn, problem solve, and work collaboratively; essential skills that have been lost in assessments and accountability. While student stress and workload are topics we continually have to evaluate as a college preparatory school, I realized that what so many of us love about Rocky Hill School are the countless ways teachers take learning outside the classroom and the flexibility they are given in their approach to teaching. Fundraising efforts at the School directly impact our ability to enroll engaged and excited learners; hire and retain the best faculty; support the arts, athletics and co-curricular programs; and provide classroom resources critical for inspired teaching. I thought it would be fitting, as we celebrate 80 years, to look at RHS By the Numbers and reflect on how donor support and love for RHS have helped make it possible for our students and faculty to Think Outside the Classroom.

The numbers on page 31 represent a fraction of what donor support has made possible and on behalf of the students and faculty—thank you! Beyond these numbers, I encourage you to review the 2014-2015 Annual Report of Giving. It’s always reaffirming to compile so many expressions of support into the pages of the Annual Report. Hundreds of people choose to give their time and expertise, and to make financial contributions to ensure that Rocky Hill School, its students, and its faculty flourish and excel. Between all of those lines of copy are heartwarming stories, life-long connections, and life-changing experiences that lead up to why so many of us truly ♥ Rocky Hill School.

To view a PDF of the Annual Report, please visit www.rockyhill.org/donate

RHS by the Numbers

1,251

Twelfth grade graduates since the first class of seven seniors in 1967, thanks in part to a robust financial aid program.

23

Sites on the 1.5-mile Land of Fires Nature Trail, reestablished with support from a generous donation by the family of Lu Eldredge ‘54.

10,000 Square feet of outdoor learning space in the Garden Classroom, funded entirely through donations and in-kind services from alumni, parents, and friends of the School.

6

Lower School Model Classrooms sponsored by the 2012 Catch the Wave Gala.

28

Students who can be transported to games, field trips, and school each day on the big yellow bus thanks to a contribution from the PTL.

17

Eighth grade classes that have traveled to Quebec to experience the history and culture of Old Quebec City thanks to annual fund contributions.

17

Harkness tables in the Alan F. Flynn, Jr. Academic Center, which opened in 2004 thanks in part to individual and foundation contributions.

16

Seats at the outdoor Harkness table funded by the Class of 2012 Senior Parent Gift.

2

Kilns donated by individuals to establish our flourishing ceramics program.

30

New lacrosse helmets purchased to ensure the safety of our student-athletes with funds from the 2011 Fall Classic.