tell me & I’ll listen. show me & I’ll watch. involve me & I’ll learn - Teton Lakota Native Americans
Learning in the Outdoors 1 THE SAGE October/November 2014
f
front cover: photo by 6th grader flynn lundeen at marin headlands back cover: kandinsky inspired art by william moore sage ridge school 2515 crossbow court, reno nevada 89511 775.852.6222 www.sageridge.org facebook: www.facebook.com/sageridge twitter: @sageridgeschool for submissions, please email robin monteith at rmonteith@sageridge.org co-editors robin monteith & jill strawder-bubala
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Table of Contents October/November 2014
6
12
Meet Mrs. Bollesen
A monthly column by Celeste Barnaby reflecting on life as a college freshman
16
18
26
A note from Head of School about the importance of celebrating our Veterans
Alumni spotlight story featuring Kristan Brown ‘05 and her life on the stage
A collection of moments from the various adventures during Outdoor Ed week
4
Thinking Out Loud
A monthly note from Headmaster Norm Colb
Veteran’s Day
5th Grade Teacher Extraordinaire
Life in NYC
Notes from the Front
Outdoor Ed
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THINKING OUT LOUD
The Strategic Plan: Roadmap to the Future Have you ever wondered how a school decides what to do to improve itself? Suggestions from faculty, parents and students certainly play a role, and it is not at all unusual for members of the Sage Ridge community to suggest a whole host of interesting ideas. Some would have us add new programs. Others would change the calendar. Or use new textbooks. Or expand our use of technology. Or reduce it. The ideas keep coming. Indeed, I see such suggestions as the sign of a healthy school, one that is determined to get better and better.
out a rudder, going this way and that, tossed around by the waves of expediency. A strategic plan is a rudder. It helps the school find its way and stay the course.
To make an obvious point, however, it is simply not possible for a school to adopt all of the ideas that come its way, even the most promising of ones. So, again, how does a school decide what to do to move ahead? For people in my line of work, the best answer is found in the school’s strategic plan. A well done strategic plan grows out of a comprehensive process that captures the values of as many members of the school’s community as possible. A plan that is developed this way sets priorities that are sure to serve the school well as it evolves. In contrast, a school without a strategic plan is a ship with-
The goals detailed in the Plan strike me as both ambitious and attainable. Beyond its specific goals, the most significant aspect of the Plan is it recommitment to our traditional values:
I am delighted that we now have such a plan, one that presents an exciting vision of Sage Ridge’s future. Approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees at its first meeting of the year, our Strategic Plan sets out in detail what we hope to achieve across broad range of topics – from governance to curriculum, and from facilities to enrollment.
- High standards for all students. - An emphasis on writing and speaking across the curriculum and in all grades. - The study of rigorous subject matter that has stood the test of time. - Extensive opportunities to engage in research and problem solving. - A focus on character, with a particular emphasis on
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“They ha touched t
ave truly the future”
developing empathy, altruism, and an appreciation for the richness of diversity. - Close and mutually respectful relationships between faculty and staff and the students we serve. - A use of technology in ways that enhance the student-teacher relationship rather than erode or replace it. I am particularly pleased by this section because it affirms the School’s essential humaneness, reminding us all that adolescents need as much contact as they possibly can have with caring teachers in small settings. For a strategic plan to emphasize the importance of such contact is unusual and certainly worth celebrating. If you take the time to read the Sage Ridge Plan in its entirety, you will note that much of our development depends on an increase in enrollment. While I am pleased that enrollment this year is 206, a significant increase from the 195 of just a year ago, if the School is to realize all of its aspirations, enrollment will need to reach 240 students within the next few years. Is an enrollment of this size attainable? I am convinced it is, especially in view of the excellence of the program we offer and the region’s improving financial climate. But growing to 240 students will not happen on its own. We need your help: if you know families with children who would thrive here, I hope you will encourage them to explore all that Sage Ridge has
to offer. By the way, one of the resources you might find useful is this magazine. With a simple “forward” you can share it with your friends and neighbors, allowing them to peer beyond our front door to learn much more about the School and its vibrant atmosphere. Again, I hope you will take the time to review our new Strategic Plan here. A great deal of work went into developing it, and I will close by expressing my deepest appreciation to the members of our community who worked so hard to convert a set of interesting ideas to a compelling vision of our future: • Dr. Ruth Adams, chair and trustee • Kate Eisele, Ph.D., faculty • Michelle Gallivan-Wallace, faculty • Vickie Ives, parent • Julie Olesinski, parent • Tonya Robison, administration • Jill Strawder-Bubala, faculty • Katie Welsh, faculty • Richard Wilson, trustee The next time you see these dedicated individuals, I hope you will let them know how much you appreciate the gift they have given us all. They have truly touched the future.
Norman M. Colb Head of School
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From tutoring underprivileged girls in writing to volunteering at local schools from the time she was in her early twenties, Mrs. Bollesen, SRS’s new Grade 5 teacher, has always had close ties to education. Mrs. Bollesen also comes from a long line of educators, but her trail to the classroom encompasses a 20 year journey through wind storms in Iowa, luxury cruises aboard Holland America, and volunteering at her children’s schools. Twenty years ago, Grade 5 Teacher Ann Bollesen was chasing news stories in Sioux City, working her own camera, writing, and producing her own segments for the city’s ABC affiliate station. She describes it as a brutal beginning to what she thought would be a career in television news. As an undergraduate at San Diego State, Mrs. Bollesen said she looked for a major that would utilize both writing skills and people skills. She decided on journalism and felt that majoring and working in broadcast would allow her to be on both sides of the camera, and that is exactly what happened. She remembers covering a story, outside in the cold, Iowa windy and blustery weather. “Literally, my camera kept falling over, so I would have to stop taping and run around to put it back on the tripod.” Mrs. Bollesen, a southern Californian who grew up in temperate Orange County, was not a big fan of the cold, dark Iowa winters. And she realized she just did not have the desire to chase news stories 24 hours a
day on the off chance that one of them would land her a job in a bigger market. “I just could not live and breathe news all the time like some of my coworkers,” Mrs.
Mee
5th grad
Bollesen remembers. It was at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where Mrs. Bollesen worked in the public relations department, that she met her husband, Dave. He was finishing up his degree in industrial design and she landed one of his designs in a local newspaper. From the Art Center College of Design, Mrs. Bollesen went to work for Holland American Cruise Lines and fondly remembers how her job often required her to take cruises while she entertained and worked with the media to promote stories about the cruise line. It was the birth of her children, Johnna, 16, and Clay, 14, that tore Mrs. Bollesen away from writing and the cruise ship industry. She wanted to rear them full time and stayed
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“Her deep car students can b in each intera she has with t
et Mrs. Bollesen
home for 10 years to do so. When it was time for Mrs. Bollesen to return to work, she remembers being drawn to the idea of teaching because of the positive experiences she had as a volunteer in her children’s
de teacher extraordinaire
re for the be seen action them.”
classrooms. Living in Seattle at the time, Mrs. Bollesen earned her K-8 teaching certificate at the University of Washington. Soon after she finished the degree, her family relocated to Reno for Mr. Bollesen’s job at IGT. Mrs. Bollesen taught for three years at Brookfield School before coming to Sage Ridge in August. She is drawn to teaching Grade 5 students because of the way “you can transfer the students out of the flash card stage into the critical thinking, analyzing, and evaluating stage.” Mrs. Bollesen says she “loves to get the students thinking and seeing their brains expand in amazing ways.” During her interview, Ms. Long, Middle School Director, appreciated Mrs. Bollesen’s connection with the students during her lesson. 7 THE SAGE October/November 2014
“(She) was the best candidate for the position because she had a high level of professionalism and most importantly, a love for the students and for teaching. This is her second career, a career she chose and worked hard to achieve; she is passionate about education,” Ms. Long says. Mrs. Bollesen said she was sold on SRS when she interviewed in the spring. She loved the positive energy in the school. “I felt the energy roaming around the halls. I saw teachers showing interest in kids of all grades, not just the kids in their classes,” she says. She also noticed how the teachers really seem to like each other and work well together. If you ask Mrs. Bollesen what she enjoys most about teaching, she will quickly respond by telling you about the best part of her day in the classroom. It’s when her students return to her after being out of her room with one of their other teachers. Mrs. Bollesen says she misses her students when they leave her class to attend physical education, math, science, and their elective arts classes. Previously working in a contained elementary school classroom where the students stayed with her
most of the day, Mrs. Bollesen said she is adjusting to sharing her students with other teachers during the day. At Sage Ridge, Grade 5 students stay with their homeroom teachers for a double block of English and for history class. For math, the students move to the other Grade 5 teacher so that both Mrs. Bollesen and Grade 5 Teacher Ms. Ward have a chance to work with all of the students in the grade. For science, the students meet with Ms. Weems and for physical education they have class with Mr. Manning or Ms. Kratzer. This semester the Grade 5 students are participating in theatre and music for their arts rotation, so during their elective time, they work with Theatre Director Cameron Crain and Music Director Ricky Hutton. But it’s Mrs. Bollesen who is responsible for them for the majority of the day. She watches over them, checks in with their other teachers to see how they are doing, greets them in the morning, and says goodbye to them in the afternoons as they are cleaning out their cubbies. She guides them,
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leads them, and watches them grow. “Her deep care for the students can be seen in each interaction she has with them,” says her mentor and Grade 5 Teacher Ms. Ward. “She shows that same caring demeanor to her colleagues and is a joy to work with.” “Our favorite part of our experience at our last school was Mrs. Bollesen. We were delighted to learn she had joined the Sage Ridge family, and even more excited when we found out our son Dane would get her for his second year! She brings a positive, encouraging leadership role to the classroom, and our favorite part about Mrs. Bollesen is her accessibility.” -Lori Heeren “Our daughter had the privilege of having Ann Bollesen last year as her fourth grade teacher. Not only was she an exceptional educator, she also came to show her support at Arabella’s USA karate team trials. As a teacher she provides intellectual and emotional support to all her students. When we heard she was coming to Sage Ridge as a fifth grade teacher, we followed her.” - The Cullen Family “Mrs. Bollesen was the perfect 4th grade teacher for Daria and easy to work with as a parent. She helped to foster Daria’s growing independence in learning. She is an advocate for students doing their own projects without the overreach of parent involvement.” -Stephanie Moore
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Q:
Parenting 411
My child struggles with perfectionism. It just breaks my heart to see him getting down on himself when making the slightest mistake. He is hesitant to try new things. Sometimes, it actually paralyzes him, which can make homework time miserable for everybody. How can I help him
A:
Many individuals see the positive aspects of how perfectionism can motivate a person but they often miss the negative aspects. Perfectionism is painful. Perfectionists suffer greatly from their own self-criticism, and even if they do well at something, they can’t enjoy it because they feel they should have done better. Eventually this can form a negative self-concept that avoids vulnerability because of the risk-taking it requires and a lack of resiliency for work that is appropriately challenging.
So, what can you do? 1) Acknowledge that there are two types of perfectionism (which is still debated in the research) and be able to identify if your child has one of these. Healthy perfectionism is defined by an individual who derives pleasure from doing something well which is difficult. Unhealthy perfectionism sets in when an individual sets goals that are unattainable or all-consuming, and they never receive pleasure from a job well done. 2) Look at what you are modeling for your children and the role models who surround them. Help them see the value in mistakes and what a powerful life skill resiliency is. 3) Use empathy to help discover what your child’s motivation is for his perfectionist traits. Understanding your child’s world view does not mean you agree with it but rather you can appreciate his view for a moment in time.
This helps the child on many levels: first it gives insight into her level of challenge, secondly, it helps her evaluate when enough is enough. Lastly, it helps when she is under-achieving because of fear of failure. 7) Know when it is time for professional help. Perfectionism may come and go in some people, but when it becomes all-consuming, it is time for professional help. If you child seems preoccupied by his perfectionism, or if perfectionism frequently gets in the way of his happiness or his ability to enjoy life, these are red flags. Perfectionism is a characteristic for many children. Freeing your child from perfectionism is a process that takes time. Be patient with your child and yourself. Remember that perfectionism can be reversed and used in a positive manner, as long as self-acceptance, compassion, and support are a part of the process.
4) Externalize the perfectionism and align with your child to work against it. This strategy will help you from engaging in power struggles with your child and help her feel supported while struggling with perfectionism. 5) Employ new coping skills with your child. Role play with him, model how you handle difficult situations, try new things that the whole family will find difficult. All of these things will show your child how healthy it is to make mistakes and how necessary they are for growth. 6) Emphasize effort over outcome.
Monica Joyner is a Reno therapist specializing in services related to the educational needs of the community. She loves working with the gifted and talented community and helping parents and students with their unique challenges. She can be reached at MJoyner@joynercounseling.
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NOTES FROM THE FRONT... life as a college freshman by Celeste Barnaby
Orientation, Also Known as an Introvert’s Nightmare Most colleges have an orientation period before classes begin when freshmen move in and spend a couple days getting situated, learning about the school, and meeting peers. There are usually a lot of cool events that you can choose to attend at your leisure. This is your chance to make a first impression and foster friendships that could potentially last throughout your time at college. Going into my orientation, I felt optimistic about my ability to make new friends and adjust to my new setting. And for the first few days after moving in, it seemed like everything was going great. I introduced myself to people, had some pleasant albeit semi-awkward icebreaker conversations, and exchanged phone numbers with fellow freshmen. There were a couple bumps in the road: on the second day of orientation I accidentally went to a meeting for transfer students, and, too embarrassed to get up and leave, stayed for its entirety. The silver lining is that if I ever transfer to another school and then back to Wesleyan, I will know exactly how to deal with my credits. Despite this and a few other minor mishaps (did you know you have
to bring your keys with you every time you leave your dorm?), I was feeling good about how things were going. Knowing that it can be hard for me to get to know people, I really pushed myself to attend events and meet as many people as I could. When asked for what must have been the dozenth time, “oh, you’re from Ne-vah-da? Have you ever lived in cold weather?”, I clenched my teeth and replied, “I’ve seen snow once or twice.” But after a couple days, I noticed a shift in how people were socializing. People who just a few days ago were strangers started acting like close friends. They would show up to events in packs, sitting together and giggling about day-old inside jokes. They started going out to parties at night, while I stayed in my dorm eating Cheez-its and watching Youtube videos. What? I thought to myself. It’s been literally 48 hours—how could people have friends already? I started to get anxious that groups would soon cement themselves as cliques, leaving me an outsider. The anxiety turned to disappointment and discouraged me from going to more events. The most frustrating part was that I just didn’t know what I was doing wrong, what I could have changed to made friends with the apparent effortlessness that everyone else could.
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Feeling totally dejected, I decided to focus on something I knew I could control: the actual academic part of college. As soon as classes started, I dove into studying. I also joined a couple clubs that looked interesting, which altogether made my schedule pretty busy. And after a couple weeks, I figured out the thing I had been missing in trying to make friends: time. All I needed was an adjustment period to get over the learning curve of college. Orientation can be fun for certain people, but for me it was just way too hectic, and it put too much pressure on me to be social 24/7. As an introvert, it just takes me a little longer than average to form relationships with people. Now, two months into college, I have a small group of really awesome friends. We’re not exactly BFF’s yet, but we’re getting there. And I also realize that a lot of the friendships I saw being established over orientation really weren’t as solid as I thought. The bottom line: college can feel really overwhelming in a wide variety of ways. So far, the best way I’ve found of dealing with stress is to just do your homework, take a nap, and chill out. It’s going to be okay. Peace out, Celeste Barnaby, Wesleyan University Class of 2018
Education In The News Fans of athletic teams are respectful enough for the most part. They take the extra step to demonstrate their team spirit, whether leading team cheers or dressed up in curious costumes. But we’ve all seen the athletic supporter who goes too far. We just wish the person would sit down and be quiet. So what can a school do when the fan becomes a fanatic? The simple answer is to ask the fan to leave the premises. All property owners have the right in Nevada to ask persons to leave if they are “vexing or annoying” others. This is true at public schools, private schools, or any other property. If the fan refuses, the owner can contact the police and request the person be arrested for a misdemeanor trespass. The property owner also can ban the fan from the premises on future occasions. These are rare situations. But they’re also the ones that end up in court. The fan who wants to come back may sue for violation of his Constitutional rights. The cases have touched on the fan’s First Amendment freedom of speech at events, the First Amendment right to freedom of assembly at the school, and a Fourteenth Amendment freedom to travel to school programs. None of these arguments have been particularly successful from the fan’s perspective. Often, however, there is a balancing to determine whether the extent of the conduct warrants the punishment. While a fan’s rights are more limit-
ed at a private school since Constitutional protections limit the powers of governmental entities, they are still exist. This is particularly true because the school engages in home and away competitions with public schools, and it competes in state tournaments. A fan at a Sage Ridge event still may be able to assert Constitutional rights.
tournament and showed up at the team’s hotel. The university issued a notice of trespass and banned him from its athletic facilities. The fan challenged the ban as a violation of his free speech rights. The court rejected his argument because not all words constitute Constitutionally protected speech. Libel, for example, is not protected. The court also concluded that the fan’s harassment is not protected. Ultimately, this debate may turn on a fan’s actual conduct. The more extreme the speech, the less likely it to be protected. Schools also have the added interest in providing a safe environment for students. In balancing that interest with free speech rights, the court noted that the harassing comments did not serve any legitimate business or educational purpose. While criticism of a school board member is one thing, commentary about a goalkeeper is another. Therefore, under the circumstances, the ban from the facility was acceptable and did not harm the fan’s rights.
Fan or Fanatic?
Crossing the line in school support The issues played out earlier this year before the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The case involved the University of North Carolina and one its own supporters. Although the case involved a public university and turned less on overzealous conduct at a particular event, the concepts can be applied in other school contexts. UNC cited the fan repeatedly over six years for suggestive comments, harassment of players and staff, and open criticism of players in front of their families while volunteering as an usher. His conduct reached the tipping point when he travelled across the country for a
Lou Bubala, an attorney with Kaempfer Crowell, writes this column to highlight developing educational issues in the courts. The column is drawn from the work of his friend, Kevin McDowell, who writes for the National Council of State Education Attorneys. Disclaimer: The views expressed are not those of Sage Ridge School, Lou, Kevin or his employer, the State of Indiana.
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Scorpion
Spotl
There’s a squeak of sneakers against the gym floor, followed by a sharp, “Mine!” and an all out hustle to keep the ball in play. This is Sage Ridge School Student Athlete of the Month, Phoebe Shappell, in action. Shappell, who plays the position of Libero and is co-captain of the women’s volleyball team at Sage Ridge, is a junior this year and has been playing volleyball since 8th grade. She’s been honing her skills at school and in club volleyball, so she’s no stranger to the game. The position of Libero, however, is new to Shappell. The Libero position was added to the indoor sport of volleyball in 1999, in an effort to foster more digs and rallies, and make the game more exciting. The Libero is a defensive specialist, aims to keep the ball in play and is the only player not limited by the rules of rotation. When Shappell first took on the position, she was a little skeptical, but she quickly embraced the leadership position -- on and off the court. “As a Libero, I take the first ball and I pass a lot. I’m expected to be a leader and a strong role model of good sportsmanship,” states Shappell. Combined with her duties
Phoebe Shappell Student Athlete of the Month October 2014
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n Sports
light
as co-captain of the team, the players lean on her for her leadership, support and encouragement. Asked if she’s comfortable with all the responsibility, Shappell says, “Completely. I am here to help handle anything the girls need help with – on or off the court. If the girls want to work on certain skills,
I’m here. If someone needs a little extra encouragement because they’re struggling and getting down on themselves, I’m here.” The Sage Ridge team currently sits at 4th overall in their league. It’s early yet in the season, but their goal is to stay in the top four and make it to playoffs. “We love the
game,” states Shappell, “because it’s a team oriented sport that pushes us to our limits of skill, sportsmanship and teamwork.” Women’s volleyball is a highly competitive sport these days. When asked if sportsmanship has been a problem, Shappell states, “No. Sage Ridge athletes – all our students – are taught the importance of good sportsmanship, respect and integrity. We also realize that we are ambassadors and representatives of our school and we take that role seriously.” Despite only being a junior in a role typically reserved for seniors, she is handling the role with maturity and grace. Sage Ridge Athletic Director Pat Casey states,” Phoebe has done a tremendous job of creating a great team morale and has settled seamlessly into this position of leadership, earning the girls’ trust and respect with her level head and upbeat spirit.” When asked what Shappell wants each of her team members to know as the team moves deeper into the season and the competition heats up, she replies, “I want to make sure that each and every player knows that she is important to the team.”
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Veter You may have noticed that this year the school will be closed for Veterans Day – a change in our traditional calendar. I thought you would be interested in why I decided to make Veterans Day a day off from school. The decision to close school is rooted in my own experience and explaining it requires me to reminisce a bit. I went to public school in New York City beginning in the late forties. This was a period of intense patriotism. The United States had helped save the world from fascism, and everywhere - from neighborhood conversations to school curricula – the role our soldiers had played was universally revered. More than revered, the nation went to great lengths to help returning veterans resume their lives. So, for example, the school I attended created jobs for returning veterans. One such job was Shower Monitor who, for several years, supervised elementary school students who were required to take showers at school. I also vividly remember veterans teaching us the rudiments of square dancing. It was only years later that it occurred to me that both the shower and the dance programs probably had been created to provide employment for veterans. In short, my school years were a time of deep and abiding respect for the millions of people who had contributed to the successful conduct of World War II. A great deal has obviously changed since then. While I am neither a social scientist nor a historian, it seems to me that the Vietnam War profoundly changed the nation’s view of military
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service. But whatever the reason might be, I think it obvious that veterans are no longer honored to the extent that they once were and still should be. On many sides we seem to be facing threats to our democratic values, and it is the men and women in the armed services who are the bulwark against the forces that threaten our way of life. With all of this as background, it seems to me that members of the military past and present deserve to be honored in ways that are more significant than simply having an assembly program. While we definitely are going to have such a program, I think the contributions made by our military require much more. We need a day when our students and families can put aside at least briefly the other work that presses in on all of us all and spend some time thinking about the profound debt we owe all of those who have done so much to protect our democratic values. Their bravery and their commitment to purposes larger than themselves are humbling and deserve our most profound expressions of appreciation. At right, you’ll find a few suggestions for activities that will help you and your children find the deep meaning of Veterans Day. I wish you a day of reflection and appreciation.
Norm
ran’s Day Veteran’s Day Celebrations in the Reno area: City of Reno Veteran’s Day Parade Downtown Reno. http://www.reno.gov 775-334-4636 Virginia City Veterans Day Parade. C Street in Virginia City http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com 775-847-7500 Reno National Veterans Day Run 5K or 1-mile family and supporter walk Veterans and Active-Duty Military Discounts. Race will begin on 11-10-2014 at 4:11 PM http://www.veteransdayrun.org
Veteran’s Day Trivia Veteran’s Day originally got its start as Armisitice Day on November 11, 1919 as a way to honor the end of World War I. The Great War as it was then called, had ended just one year earlier. In 1926, congress voted to make it an annual observance and in 1938 it became a national holiday. It was in the ‘50’s that the holiday earned its present day name. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill in 1954, changing the name to Veteran’s Day. Today there are 21.8 million vets living in the United States and 1.6 million of them are women.
Sage Ridge will be closed on Veteran’s Day
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The Road Beyond. ...life after Sage R The class of 2005 is moving out of their care-free early and mid-twenties and into their late twenties, which means that, yes, hold your breath, the big 3-0 is right around the corner. It’s a milestone that provokes reflection. Have goals been met? Expectations lived up to? Is life generally working out as planned? These can be tough questions to answer. Is it possible that our ‘05ers could be facing a “quarter life crisis”? According to Kristan Brown, our 2005 valedictorian, yes, a quarter life crisis is a real thing. While she does not see her life in any sort of crisis per se, she is reflective about her life. In her 2005 valedictory address, Kristan Brown wondered about the paths that she and her classmates would take over the coming years. Using the iconic 1994 hit movie Forest Gump as a metaphor, she posited “that coming home again, as Forest Gump does in the movie, would be like returning to this amazingly comfortable feeling of immense friendship.” She was referring to the friendships that she had developed at Sage Ridge as a member of the school’s first Grade 6 class. She went on to say, “we take pride in each other” and are grateful for the “irreplaceable gifts that we have all given to one another.” Kristan also praised her
teachers saying that “the pride that this extraordinary faculty took in us was contagious…” Kristan’s journey since graduation took her to Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA; then Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Brunswick, NJ, where she earned her MFA in acting; and finally to Queens, NY where she started a theater production company called FloodLight Productions. She also performs in plays, and works as a server and bartender at Bobo restaurant in West Village. Her thoughts on being a restaurant server and working actor: “Hey, somebody has to live the cliché lifestyle.” FloodLight Productions specializes in immersive theatre, in which, Kristan explains, “the audience is placed within the atmosphere of a story, (and) of the set, instead of sitting in seats watching a traditional show… we offer a transformed world, in which the audience becomes the architect of their own experiences.” Long before deciding to pursue a career in theater, Kristan faced another crucial life decision: Should she stay at Sage Ridge for high school? At the time, in 2001, the upper school had about 30 students with the first class of seniors scheduled to graduate in 2003. In other words, the merits of the upper school were largely unknown.
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However, Kristan knew one thing that the rest of the Reno-Tahoe area would soon learn — Sage Ridge has excellent teachers. While her parents wanted her to go to a large public school, Kristan chose to stay at Sage Ridge so she could benefit from learning with teachers such as Dr. Gaye McCollum-Nickels, humanities, and Dr. Rochelle Wagner, science. Her decision paid off as she explains, “Sage Ridge instilled a voracious reading habit, a curiosity about academia, and an intellectual confidence…that has served me everywhere.” Kristan has maintained a special bond of friendship with her classmates and teachers. She visits David Hoffman, a 2005
.... Ridge classmate also now living in New York City, about once and month and maintains close ties with ‘05ers Tyler McClain and Mario Rasasco. In 2009, she visited our own theater teacher, Mr. Crain, who coached her for her MFA audition and cast her in Nevada Shakespeare’s’ 2009 production of Macbeth. Kristan’s connection with Mr. Crain goes back to her high school days when our beloved drama teacher was
Kristan Brown Sage Ridge class of 2005 by Rob van cleve
aspiring actor, Cameron Crain. Kristan and Mr. Crain performed together in two local plays, Ibsen’s Doll’s House and a comedy called Daddy’s Dynin’ Who’s Got the Will, which also started alumnus Clay Sader, class of 2003. Mr. Crain enjoyed working with Kristan “because she would commit totally to the moment of the scene” and he “was always impressed by her maturity, her work ethic, and intelligence.” Kristan knew that at some point in college she needed to make a career choice. For her, the choice was crystal clear. In the fall semester of her senior year at Whitman College, Kristan saw the play The Brothers Size in London, and decided right then that there was “no other thing that I wanted to do with my life.” Kristan chose to pursue her passion for acting and has not looked back. “I didn’t really have a plan B. I knew that I wanted to be an actor, which is why I enrolled in an MFA program.” While the business focus during her final year of graduate school, along with working 18 hour days, caused her to lose some of her joy for acting, she continued to do work to make her theater dreams a reality. When Tyler McClain visited Kristan last Thanksgiving in Queens, NY, he had the opportunity to catch-up and see her in action. “It was like
no time had passed between us… Kristan had very clearly carved out a life for herself there. She was fighting the good fight and pursuing the thing she loves, even when it occasionally felt scary.” He went on to say that he “respected how hard she was working, and how that hard work only really started for her when she clocked out of her job and spent time focusing on her theater work.” Despite the challenges of making a living as an actor, Kristan has a very clear vision for her dream job: “I want to be an artistic director.” She is certainly taking all of the steps necessary to reach that goal. Kristan says that she “thinks about Sage Ridge all the time” and when asked what she would say to current Sage Ridge students, Kristan suggests that they “look up when you’re walking outside; the sky is a magical place. Stay curious, and…leave your phones alone.” Maybe all of us could avoid a life crisis, quarter, mid, or late, if we take Kristan’s advice. Author’s note I taught Kristan history in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade and coached her in the discus during her senior year. During our conversation for this article, it was clear to me that she was the same diligent, intelligent, and humble young woman that I remember as a student.
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COLLEGE COUNSELING If you’ve seen some furrowed brows on the faces of our seniors lately, it’s because they are in the throes of the college application process. Although it’s an exciting time, filled with hopes and dreams, the reality is that it is also a period full of the pressure of exacting essays, deadlines and transcripts. Two thirds of the senior class are applying early decision to their schools of choice. We wish them much success, knowing that they have worked hard in preparing for this moment. Meanwhile, our Juniors are setting their sights on next year and preparing for the time when they too, will be applying to college. Given that many Juniors are planning to take the SAT and/or ACT in the coming months, please find both ACT and SAT schedules in the attached document, along with useful testing information and advice. Juniors may have already taken the The PSAT which is not used for college admission, but for qualification for the National Merit Scholarship. In terms of preparing for and deciding when you should sit for the ACT/SAT/SAT II (subject tests), please review the attached information and arrange to meet with me if you have any questions. Keep in mind there are no SAT Subject Tests offered in March 2015 and it's best to check the online schedule for the dates of each specific subject test: http:// sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-
subject-test-dates. I would like to arrange individual appointments with juniors either later this semester and/or next. I hope to have met with each junior family by Spring Break to help you with next steps in your college search process and to answer any questions you may have. On a related note, please find the college counseling checklist for Junior Year pasted below. This also will provide some guidance and structure for you as you approach your college search. For information about planning college visits, please contact me directly.
3 Receive PSAT results in December; review incorrect responses with your test booklet. 3 Attend College Night program for 11th Grade parents (date TBD, likely early December 2014). 3Attend College Fairs in Reno and regionally, 3 Visit colleges – Spring Break is
Junior Year (11th Grade) 3 Attend grade level
college advising meetings during select extended advisory sessions. 3 Use Family Connection to complete a career interest profiler and career cluster finder; review results. 3Make your grades count in all classes, especially your most challenging college prep courses! 3 Meet with College Admissions Reps from preferred colleges visiting Sage Ridge in the fall semester. 3 Complete Junior Questionnaire (email in the spring to each junior). 3 Take the PSAT at Sage Ridge in October (all students are pre-registered) for National Merit Scholarship consideration.
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a great time to tour campuses (see below for details on SoCal college tour through SRS). 3 Make an appointment with college counselor during second semester for college planning with parents. 3 Build a preliminary college application list and research these schools online or through mailed material. 3 Plan to take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT in the spring; consider best ways to prep for the tests.
3 Send inquiries to colleges for
additional information about academic programs and admission information. 3 Make plans early for a productive growth experience for pre-senior year summer. 3 Think about two teachers from whom you will request a recommendation for your applications. 3 Brainstorm college essay topics and begin rough drafts (use Common Application Essay Prompts) 3 Update your activities on your Family Connection resume in preparation for completing applications
Seniors
Here is what seniors need to continue working on at this stage in the college application process:
3 Draft school-specific and gen-
eral college essays, referring to the Common App as needed. 3 Update your extracurricular activities list/resume to prepare for applications and interviews. 3 Register for the fall SAT, SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT Test(s). 3 Attend the meetings with college representatives visiting SRS in the fall semester. 3 Request letters of recommendation from at least two teachers who know you well. 3 Plan and make final college visits, with interviews when available. 3 Research scholarship and financial aid options.
3 For Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA), submit required information to SRS College Counseling Office. 3 Share college essay(s) with your college counselor for advice, suggestions and editing assistance. 3 Continue to prepare for fall standardized testing and take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT, if applicable. 3 WORK ON APPLICATIONS!! Pay close attention to financial aid deadlines for ED/EA. Finally, since a SoCal college tour is being planned for Spring Break, with priority given to sophomores and juniors, I am looking for initial interest from those who would like to visit the schools on this map: SoCal SRS College Tour 2015. Please email me if you would like to add your name to a list of students going on this college tour over Spring Break. Rob Lamb, Director of College Counseling, can be reached at 775.852.6222 x 510 or at RLamb@sageridge.org
Helpful Dates & Resources: SAT Test Dates Dec. 6 Jan. 24 March 14 https://www. collegeboard.org/ ACT Test Dates Dec. 13 Feb. 7 April 18 http://www. actstudent.org/
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Meet Your Boa
John Hester John Hester is the Chief Operating Officer for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, a Reno Civil Service Commissioner, and a consultant with a Northern California management consulting firm. John served the City of Reno and Washoe County for over 30 years in various positions including Assistant City
Manager, Redevelopment Agency Administrator, Community Development Director, and Acting Water Resources Director. John and his wife Debbie have a son who is a member of the Class of 2015 at Sage Ridge School. Since joining the Sage Ridge School Board in 2010 John assembled a volunteer team of architects
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and planners that prepared the updated Campus Master Plan and he led the most recent recruitment process for the Head of School. He now serves as chair of the Leadership Committee.
ard
Sallie Armstrong Sallie Armstrong is a partner in the law firm of Downey Brand LLP, which has offices in Northern California, San Francisco, and Nevada. Sallie manages Downey Brand’s Reno office, where her practice includes commercial litigation and the representation of a wide range of stakeholders in insolvency related matters, including debtors in complex Chapter 11 cases and receivers. Sallie is recognized as one of Nevada’s leading bankruptcy lawyers. She has had an AV Preeminent® peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell for many years, and, in 2013, she was selected as a 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy by American Lawyer Media and Martindale–Hubbell™. Sallie has been elected by her peers to U. S. News - Best Lawyers every year since 1989, and, in 2012, she was chosen as Best Lawyers’ Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Lawyer of the Year. Under her supervision, Downey Brand’s Nevada office has received a Tier 1 ranking in the 2014 Edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for Bankruptcy. Sallie received her B.A., magna cum laude with distinction,
from Sweet Briar College, her J.D. from University of Arkansas School of Law, where she was member of and citations editor for the Arkansas Law Review, and her LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. Sallie has served on the Sage Ridge Board since 2009, and she currently serves as Secretary to and Vice-President of the Board. She and her husband Bob have 2 daughters. Their daughter Elizabeth (“E.B.”) is a graduate of the Class of 2013 and attends Vanderbilt University. Sallie believes in giving back to her community and recognizes the importance of community involvement. Since 2003, Sallie has worked with the Community Foundation of Western
Nevada, most recently serving as Chair of its Investment Committee. Sallie also serves on the Finance Council for her church parish, Our Lady of the Snows. Sallie appreciates the education she received, and she credits being able to leave the public school system in Arkansas to obtain her high school education at an independent, college preparatory school in Memphis, Tennessee, not only for her educational achievements but also for the success she now enjoys in the practice of law. Sallie thus believes it is important for a community to offer its residents different educational choices. For this reason, Sallie is passionate about Sage Ridge and the educational opportunities it affords residents of Northern Nevada.
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of note After School Study Hall is held daily from 3:30 - 6pm in the SRS Library. Cost is $15 per day and is available to all students on a drop-in basis.
California based climber Dave Nettle, will be back on Thursday, November 13th presenting a slideshow on his recent trip to Auyuittuq National Park from 8:05 - 8:50am. Parents are welcome!
Kudos to Sophie Kim who will be making a presentation to the Dental Society in support of recruiting dentists to provide low cost and free dental work to local seniors. Upper School Open House is scheduled for December 10th, from 6:30-8pm. This event is to help acquaint our middle school families with the programs and opportunities available in the high school. If you have questions about the event, please feel free to email Laurice Becker, Director of Admissions at LBecker@sageridge.org
Welcome to our newest Chinese student, Jingyuan who joins our 8th grade.
Parents of Gifted Kids Support Groups, led by Monica Joyner, MA, MFT-I, NCC, are starting soon. Share with other parents of gifted children in an open communication setting. For more information, please contact Ms. Joyner at 775-525-1363 or via email at mjoyner@joynercounseling.com. 24 THE SAGE October/November 2014
Sage Ridge Student Art Exhibit During the months of November and December, you’ll find the amazing art generated by both middle school and upper school art students on display at the South Valleys Library. The library is located at 15650 Wedge Pkwy, Reno, NV 89511. Please contact them at 775-851-5190 for hours.
Alumni parents who would like to be notified of alumni parent get-togethers should email Cary Ingbar at CIngbar@gmail. com to be put on the email list.
Big Praise for Cross Country coach Keri Trachok from parents and students alike who appreciated her positive and encouraging approach. With Coach Cook’s help, the team had a great season! Congrats!
Interested in hosting a Chinese student? There is a need for a family to take in a Chinese student starting in January. Need not be an SRS family. For more info, please contact Laurice Becker @ LBecker@sageridge.org.
Check it Out! The Ridge, SRS’s student newspaper, is available on line. You can find it here: http://theridge.sageridge.org/
Congrats go out to Micky Massa for her participation in the Giving Circle. Micky was one of 15 Washoe students selected to participate in the program that practices philanthropy. The students are in charge of researching, setting goals and evaluating community needs in order to allocate their $10,000 fund for greatest impact.
Cyrus Moassessi competed for a spot to speak at TEDx at the Nevada Student speaker competition. The lone high school student in the competition, Cyrus confidently delivered his message. After the competition he was invited to apply directly to TEDx University and the Good Men project.
Congratulations go out to Ethan Hardacre and Ilona Coote who competed in the 2014 NIAA State Cross Country Championships in Vegas. Ethan placed 2nd and Ilona placed 17th overall! And the SRS Boys XC Team are the 2014 Academic State Champions!
Middle School & Mini Sessions 7th & 8th graders must turn in their mini session class selection sheets by November 12th. Mini session takes place when the students return from holiday break, Jan 5th - 16th. Classes range from movie making, to science investigations to intro to yoga!
Great Job Praise goes out to the SRS Junior Classical League students who, along with their teachers, supported the Zombie Run to benefit Step 2 at Rancho San Rafael Park in October.
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Outdo
On September long trek to a d Outdoor Ed we moments from t experienced. 26 THE SAGE October/November 2014
oor Ed
8th, each grade made a weekdifferent destination as part of eek. The next few pages share the amazing adventures they
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O “The Outdoor
Ed trip was an experience like no other that I have ever had in my lifetime.” -Marco Suarez
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Outdoor Ed
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o d t u O
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d E r o o
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d t u O
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d E r doo
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E r o o d t Ou
“The w
every p gracef 34 THE SAGE October/November 2014
Ed
wind lets out a soft chime, letting peaceful friend hear the howl of its fulness...I feel alive and free.�
- Rachel Lillaney
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Outdoor 36 THE SAGE October/November 2014
Ed
d
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Mark these dates on your
Calendar 11/11
Veteran’s day no school
11/14
Soupapalooza 6 - 9pm Crossbow loft
11/14
Rummage Sale dropoff 8am - 7pm in front of the school
11/15
2nd Annual Sage ridge rummage sale great space
11/26
Thanksgiving feast & early release
11/27
Thanksgiving holiday no school (11/27 - 28)
12/4
Winter Concert 7pm
12/5
Winter formal grades 7/8
12/9
Middle school ensemble play 5pm
12/11
PAC Meeting & Parent book group 6pm & 7:30pm
12/17
Exams begin & Early Release (12/17-19)
12/22
Winter Break Begins
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Parent Association News Gift Card Reward program Nevada day classic/guide dog benefit
Nevada Day Classic/Guide Dog benefit was a huge success! Thank you to our sponsor, Sage Ridge School and to the Sage Ridge families who attended the Nevada Day Classic to Benefit Guide Dogs for the Blind. Despite the chilly weather, the race had DOUBLE the number of participants this year and was a great success!
The holidays are nearly upon us!! Make your shopping super easy by purchasing gift cards through the Sage Ridge Reward Program. Sage Ridge receives a percentage of each order so it’s an easy way to support the school. The deadlines for orders are Friday, November 21st and Friday, December 5 by 3:15pm! Orders will be available for pickup in the office within 1 week. Click here for an order form. Checks should be made out to Parent’s Association of SRS. Have questions? Please contact Jenny Zebrack.
Soupapalooza Come join the fun on Friday, November 14th from 6 - 9pm in the Crossbow Loft as we sample yummy soups in beautiful handpainted bowls. For tickets and volunteer information, check out the Parent Association info page here.
Volunteer opportunities
Looking for a way to get involved and support the school at the same time? The PA has lots of volunteer opportunities and it’s easy to sign up. Start here for a list of events and activities that need volunteers. Thank you for your time, energy and efforts!
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Moments: snapshots of daily life at Sage Ridge
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RECYCLE & REWARD
I LOVE MY TEACHERS
I LOVE MY TEACHERS
I LOVE MY TEACHERS
I LOVE MY TEACHERS
I Love My Teachers! Recycle and Reward Program The Sage Ridge School is looking to expand their already wonderful faculty and staff appreciation program, but we need your help! We have so many generous families who are philanthropic with both their time and money. The SRS Development Office, in response to parent requests, is spearheading a rewards program for faculty and staff. The idea is that families who have “extra anything” can pass it along to our amazing faculty and staff. “Extra anything” really can be anything! Meaning, spare or unused sporting event tickets, concert tickets, meals out, ski/snowboard tickets, condominium weekends/rentals, vacation homes, and so on. These are merely some examples, so you are invited to think outside the box too. Did you just remodel your house and are getting rid of that old couch, chair, or dining room set? We have many faculty and staff who are new to the area that could use such items. Cleaning out the garage? That old bike, snow-blower, or grill could find a great new home within our SRS community and family. This is absolutely a “no-pressure” request. We all really appreciate your consideration and generosity. -Please contact Blake Zahn for more information and or donations at bzahn@sageridge. org (These are tax deductible donations.)
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