19 minute read
Advancement
Letter from Advancement
Dear SFS Community,
We are off to a great start to the new school year, with more in person activities and events happening on campus, feeling a lot closer to the pre-pandemic days. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support in driving our mission forward. We have received 100% participation from the Board of Governors, and more than 83% participation from our faculty and staff, raising KRW….. to the Annual Fund and KRW ….. In total giving as of November 8, 2022.
The Annual Fund is an important resource for the school which helps us to provide world-class education for our students. On page XX you can read more about how your gifts to the Annual Fund have impacted the learning journeys and experiences of our students.
Last June, at the High School Awards Ceremony, the second recipient of the Jack R. Moon Biology Scholarship was presented to Irene Cho ‘22. Irene used this scholarship to conduct research to test the decomposition of different biodegradable cup options this past summer. Read more about Irene and other scholarship recipients, and the impact you made to inspire future leaders on pages XX and XX.
This past summer, we also successfully completed the Pitch In: Playground, making an immediate impact on our students' wellbeing. It is lovely to see the students excited and enjoying the new playground. Thank you SFS community for helping us build a much exciting space for our students to play, learn, grow, and build community with their peers.
The support of our SFS donors and community serves as a constant source of inspiration and motivation. Our need for financial support to maintain the highest level of educational opportunities for our students continues. Please take this opportunity to join our growing donor community by making a gift of any size. Participation builds community; it is more important that you give than what you give. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support of SFS and we look forward to your support in the 2022-2023 school year.
2022 is the 110 years since the founding of Seoul Foreign School. While we wished to celebrate this legacy last year, due to COVID-19 restrictions this was a challenge. We are hopeful that we could bring our community back together in the spring to celebrate this milestone together. Planning is underway, so please stay tuned for any upcoming event in the spring.
With much appreciation,
Yoojin Um Director of Advancement
What happens to my gift?
Every gift has a major impact on our community. Here are a few testimonials from our Faculty and Staff on how your gift enhanced the learning experiences of our students.
Consultants in math and literacy in the Elementary School
Michael Lucchesi ES PYP Coordinator
The power of mathematics for describing and analyzing the world around us is such that it has become a highly effective tool for solving problems. As a community of learners, we also recognized that students can appreciate the intrinsic fascination of mathematics and explore the world through its unique perceptions. In the same way that students describe themselves as “authors” or “artists”, our IB maths teaching should also provide students with the opportunity to see themselves as “mathematicians”, where they enjoy and are enthusiastic when exploring and learning about mathematics. In the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), mathematics is also viewed as a vehicle to support inquiry, providing a global language through which we make sense of the world around us. It is intended that students become competent users of the language of mathematics, and can begin to use it as a way of thinking, as opposed to seeing it as a series of facts and equations to be memorized.
Ongoing staff training, and new resources have refocused our PYP staff around research informed practices and strategies that support learners. At its core, has been the exploration of new resources, and manipulatives as well as low ceiling high threshold activities that ensure all learners can acquire mathematical understanding by constructing their own meaning through ever-increasing levels of abstraction, starting with exploring their own personal experiences, understandings and knowledge. As we move forward with innovating, and further strengthening our Mathematics programme in the PYP we are thankful for the support of the Annual Fund in helping us to set the direction for the future of Maths in the Elementary School.
Early Years Robotics Equipment
Heather Breedlove Digital Learning Coach
Young students in the elementary school are learning coding in a hands-on way with the help of Beebots. Beebots are robots designed specifically for young children to learn sequencing, estimation, problem-solving, and just having fun. They plan algorithms, debug and solve problems.
“The grade 3 students are working with VEX materials to build simple machines for their Forces & Motion unit of inquiry. Each group worked in pairs to create a different simple machine- lever, pulley, wheel/axle, pendulum, inclined plane. VEX is also part of the after school Robotics SWEP and Competition Team programs.”
Katy Freeman Foundation Teacher
“In the Foundation class at The British School we are challenging our early learners with their thinking and problem solving as well as developing their coding and computational skills. Children learn best when they can move, touch and engage with real tools and objects which is why our Rugged Robots and Bee Bots are such a great resource. The students practice counting, sequencing, estimating, directionality and vocabulary which are all some pretty amazing 21st century skills. The children can learn how code affects their physical surroundings when the robots perform specific functions according to how they instruct them.”
Nikki Kim ES Early Childhood Teacher
"In the early years, we introduce robotics and programming skills through equipment such as the Bee-bots, Rugged bots, Probots and Tinker bots. Children are taught and challenged to use simple coding algorithms to explore directional commands New Speaker and amplifier system in to move the bots. I work closely with Mrs. Breedlove, ES Digital the Lyso Centre for the Performing Arts learning coach, to select the appropriate tools and to plan for the early years students to inspire their curiosity in robotics." John Black Theatre Manager “As our flagship performance facility, the Mainstage Theatre is a world-class performance environment for our students of all ages, as well as for our community attending events. Nearing 20-years old, the existing PA was in need of replacement. Our main goal for the new system was to deliver the same level of audio in all 701 seats, which the old system couldn't do. This was achieved by adding speakers in the stage facade, under the balcony, and by using the most up-to-date technology available so that audiences will continue to be inspired and moved by our students on stage for the next 20-years.”
Jack R. Moon Biology Scholarship - Irene Cho ´23
Last Spring, The Jack R. Moon Biology Scholarship was awarded for the second time to Irene Cho, Grade 12. This annual scholarship, established by longtime faculty member Jack R. Moon and funded additionally by community donors, awards $1,000 (USD) to a Grade 11 student who has a passion for Biology and exhibits the mission and values of Seoul Foreign School. Recipients may use these funds to assist tuition, summer programs, or research opportunities. Here is an article on how Irene utilized her scholarship this past summer.
Hello! My name is Irene Cho, the 2022 recipient of the Jack Moon Biology Scholarship. I was fortunate to be awarded this scholarship at the end of my junior year. With the scholarship fund, I completed a summer-long project that allowed me to push forward toward my goal. In this article, I will be answering a series of questions to allow you to gain insight into how I was able to utilize this scholarship.
How did you utilize the scholarship?
The goal when applying for this scholarship was to use the money to be able to test the decomposition of different biodegradable cup options. With the support of Mr. Abe Ryu, the high school cafeteria Crave’s Director, I was told that if I could find a suitable eco-friendly alternative to the plastic cups we use now, he would be willing to use them—even if it was more costly. So, my journey began. This summer, instead of diving headfirst into testing, I did a plethora of research. Because we were planning to compost the cups on our own campus, to lower our carbon footprint, I needed to check whether or not the cups would actually degrade-this was the goal for the scholarship.
I tested two types of cups: PLA and paper. Using a fermentation method called Bokashi composting (the name is misleading because it isn’t actually composting), I placed the cups, soil, and fruit scraps into a transparent container and poured in a solution of tomato juice-scented effective microorganisms (EM). These EM would conduct anaerobic respiration, due to the airtight seal, and ferment the food scraps and cups, making them more susceptible to breaking down when moved to the composting bin.
What did you find out?
Months into the project showed a clear difference between the cups in the decomposition process. While the PLA had moss growing all over it, a sign of decomposition, the growth on the paper cup was very small. In the end, I took this as a sign that PLA would be a more efficient choice for the eco-friendly alternative to plastic cups.
How did you come up with the project idea?
This attempt to find the right eco-friendly alternative is actually not my first. Last year, in my junior year, I conducted a similar initiative as my CAS project with Arisha Fatma. Our main goal was to implement an eco-friendly alternative to the plastic cups at Crave. As it would turn out, many things went wrong. The cups we chose had unexpected faults and many people did not properly dispose of them although we laid out a bin. After experiencing this failure, I decided to reflect back on what I did wrong and try once again to reach the goal I had set. This was how I came up with the project for the scholarship.
How beneficial was the scholarship?
This scholarship was the first step I took in a prolonged adventure. Thanks to this opportunity, I was able to find the right cups to implement as well as test the bokashi composting system’s efficiency. Because of this information I collected, I am able to move to the next step in the process: purchasing the bokashi bins, promoting proper recycling, and then implementing the cups at Crave. Without this scholarship, I never would have been able to proceed with this project.
What’s next?
With the support of the high school sustainability committee, I will be continuing the year-long journey of implementing the cups. Follow @sfs_sustainability on Instagram to remain updated on our progress. Please keep a look out for our progress!
This scholarship has been sponsored by Langston (Former Assistant Head of School - Operations) and Linda (Former Faculty) Rogde to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding talent and abilities in either Performing or Visual Arts. The recipient of the LANGSTON K. ROGDE MEMORIAL VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP Award was Andrei Cucu ‘22.
Andrei’s accomplishments in the area of performing arts and academic music have been impressive during his high school career. He took IGCSE music in grade 9 with Mr. Ford, MYP Music in grade 10 with Mr. Yaniw and DP Music with Mr. Walker and Ms. Johnson. Andrei has a very keen mind for music theory and is a prolific composer who is not afraid to experiment with new ideas. His intellectual curiosity, passion for understanding music, and dislike for cliches will greatly benefit him as he goes on to study music.
As a performer, Andrei has been in the jazz band for the last three years. His virtuosic technique on the guitar and his deep knowledge of music theory made it easy for him to communicate his musical ideas. His improvisations inspired others, Andrei even taught himself to play the bass when the jazz band needed a bass player. He also played guitar in this year’s production of Something Rotten. Andrei is a humble musician never seeking the limelight, and always looking for new ways to grow.
International Businessperson of the Future Award - Jackson Wild ´22
The International Businessperson of the Future Award is given to a graduating senior who is pursuing a college degree leading to a career involved in the private international business sector. This scholarship was endowed anonymously in honor of Kevin and Ellen O’Donnell. Kevin O’Donell forged a career in international business and along the way, he brought the Peace Corps to Korea. Ellen O’Donnell spent her early years in China, the daughter of medical missionaries. She happily moved a family of eight children from Ohio to Korea, to support her husband’s dream. Throughout their lives, Kevin and Ellen have been positive role models for values and ethics. It is in their honor that the Seoul Foreign School International Businessperson of the Future Award is presented to the graduating student who best exemplifies a strong set of personal ethics and fairness in dealing with others, who shows a facility for international exchange and who visualizes a career supporting international understanding through private enterprise and business development. This year’s recipient is Jackson Wild.
Jackson was born in Canberra, Australia (Ngunnawal country)* and is attending the Australian National University to study a double degree in commerce and economics. After university, he wishes to work in the private business sector for an organization with global offices. He would like to pursue this goal by doing a major in management and a minor in international business taking the advantage of the work experience opportunities provided by the university to undertake internships in the private international business sector. Jackson has lived internationally his entire life: in the USA, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea and Australia. He will leverage the adaptability and cultural understanding gained by living abroad, academic qualifications, and his work experience to secure employment in his chosen field.
As part of his IB, he studied business management and economics and he investigated the financial stability of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea, which has many for-profit private sector businesses as members.
*Canberra is in Ngunnawal country. The Ngunnawal are the Indigenous people of this region and its first inhabitants.
American Journal of Health Promotion Award - Jordan Kim ´23
The American Journal of Health Promotion Award sponsored annually by Michael O’Donnell ‘70 is given to an SFS junior who best exemplifies optimal health in physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual dimensions. Jordan Kim was the recipient in 2022.
Jordan possesses all of the attributes that meet the criteria for this award. In High School Volleyball, Jordan has shown he is a principled student athlete. He gives his all in every practice and game situation. He is positive and encouraging - with some natural leadership qualities. Aside from his stellar class grades, Jordan has demonstrated intellect in sports too. His volleyball coach cites how they discussed strategy and modifying drills in order to make them accessible and challenging for the wide variety of skills that required development in the team. Jordan is also a calming presence when one is needed amongst the group. He can be vocal and enthusiastic - when it is appropriate - but he knows the difference between fun and serious situations and can move quickly between the two to be a positive role model for others. Emotionally, exhibits control and judgment. He handles himself admirably under stressful situations - both on the court and off. Jordan also possesses a strong spiritual dimension. He has a leadership role at Vida Nueva. When he speaks to the group he does so meaningfully about his faith.
For more information on giving:
2021 - 2022 Donors
As of November 9, 2022 Faculty and Staff (F/S), Alumni (A)
(USD 1 = KRW 1,191)
Annual Fund
THE MILLENNIUM CLUB
(Donated $10,000 - $49,999) Edward Choi ‘38 Family Joseph Choi '27
THE RED AND BLACK CLUB
(Donated $5,000 - $9,999) Tom and Anita Alexander (F/S) Danam Engineering Colm and Sinead Flanagan (F/S) Celine Jin (F/S) Kevin Jo Sungah (Hannah) Lim '27 (A) Jennifer Oh and Yon Sog Choi Daniel Park '34, Sophia Park '37, Jae Hong Park and Catherina Yoon (F/S) Lauren '23 and Aidan '26 Song
The Crusader Club
(Donated $2,500 - $4,999) Ryan, Sophie, Will '32, Flo '34 and Alfie '37 Hammerberg (F/S) Maryclaire Seo Yeon Kelly '35
The Crest Club
(Donated $1,000 - $2,499) Anonymous (2) Seungyoon Baik '31 Isaiah '38, Abe '35, Tim and Cyrielle Bazin (F/S) Sean, Stephanie, Spencer '37 and Sullivan '39 Cary (F/S) Youngjoong Chang, Hyolin Kim and Ian Chang '25 Kwanghae (Aaron) Choi '35 Minsoo Choi and June Kang (A) Moses, Dahee, Adeline Lia Choi ‘34 SooJin Cho (F/S) Sei Eun (Claire) Hong '28 Tchiamo '30, So Young and Simon Hurst Michael and Danielle Jarvis Lucchesi (F/S) Jerome and Silvia Kim Benjamin Sim ‘27, Michelle Kim ‘00 and Sung Jin Sim (F/S) (A) Tabitha '17, Luke '21 and Jordan '23 Kim Youan Kim '35 Nancy Le Nezet and Adam Bernard (F/S) Chloe Lee '31 and Yoojin Um (F/S) Hyunjoo Grace Lee '24
Rebeca Murray (F/S) James No and Dr. Haegeun Song Hyungji Park '85, Dongkyun Nicholas '22 and Seoyun Natalie '24 Kim (A) Susan Park and Minhoo Bae (F/S) The Prest Family (F/S) (A) Paul '04 and Hannah Rader (F/S) The Walker Family (F/S) Jessica '15, Michael '18 and Stephanie '25 Woo (F/S)
Centennial Club
(Donated $100 - $999) Anonymous (9) Ethan Albano '24 (F/S) Arnaud and Lisa Boulestreau (F/S) Melissa Brabon (F/S) The Breedlove Family (F/S) Hana Choi (F/S) Makayla Choi (F/S) Andrew Chung '97, Soo Youn Nam, Farrah Chung '29 and Micah Chung (A) The Cuello-Federighi Family Eric and Jillian De Haan (F/S) Kang Hoe Do (F/S) Mathilde '21, Hugo '26, Marieke and Jeff Doherty Yves Donval (F/S) The Elliott Family (F/S) The Feitosa Family (F/S) Noah Gerding '96 (A) The Gilmore Family (F/S) Ling Guo (F/S) Jee Hye Ha (F/S) Caroline Hahn (F/S) The Han/Chi Family Yuna Han '22 (F/S) Carl Hanson Haruka Hattori (F/S) Holly Hitchcock and Colin Spitler (F/S) The Holbrook Family (F/S) Elizabeth '27 and Madeline '30 Hwang Yuwon Jeong (F/S) Sungwoo Jo '28 Jamie '09 and Jonathan '11 Jun (F/S) Grace Jung (F/S) Seung Min Kang (F/S) Sophia Kang (F/S) Anna Kim (F/S) Crystal Kim (F/S) Dave H. Kim Dong-Joon (Andrew) An '24 and MinSung Kim (F/S) Eileen Kim '31 and Juhie Suh '92 (F/S) (A) Jean Kim (F/S) Jinny Kim (F/S) Kyu Heon Kim (F/S) Marie Kim (F/S) Nikki Kim (F/S) Paul Kim (F/S) Ryan Kim '28 Dongwook Koh (F/S) Soora Koh (F/S) Michael Kosh (F/S) Nami Kwon (F/S) Jae-Eun Lah (F/S) Andy and Joanna Lee (F/S) Helen Lee (F/S) Hugh Heung Sang Lee (F/S) Jina Lee (F/S) Junhee Lee '32 Moon Jin Lee (F/S) Seulgee Lee (F/S) Younghi Lee Arabella Lespine (F/S) Yanghee Lim (F/S) Zuzana Matusova (F/S) Elizabeth McGarroch-Slack (F/S) Heather Min (F/S) Moon Ki Min (F/S) The Munce Family (F/S) Elish Pangiraj and Prema Thomas (F/S) Anna Park (F/S) (A) Dean (Chang) Park '89, Jisoo Shim, Stephanie Park' 22 and Sylvia Park '24 (A) Brigitte Parr (F/S) David and Julia Robinson (F/S) Soomin Seo and Kangwon Lee The Shim Family Angela, Shin, Emery '29 and Calvin '31 Son (F/S) Hyesoon Shin (F/S) Shannon and Justin Smith (F/S) The Teather Family (Jade '18 and Ella '21) (F/S) Kelly Yuan Tian (F/S) Fred Underwood ‘72 (A) Peter '73 and Diana Underwood (A) Matt, Dee Dee, Lily '24 and Olivia '26 Wasmund Hye Sun Woo (F/S) Mia and Joshua Yaniw (F/S) Jami Yeo (F/S) Jeonghee Yoon (F/S) Joanna Yoo (F/S)
The Legacy Club
(Donated under $99) Anonymous (4) Heather Adkins (F/S) Younjin Ahn (F/S) Young Bo Bae (F/S) Lychelle Bruski (F/S) AhYoung Chi and David Han (F/S) Ja Yong Choi (F/S) Hannah Chung (F/S) Cristina Cockrum (F/S) Nicole Cook (F/S) Seong Hoon Hong (F/S) Chris Horan and Julie Ly (F/S) Wootak Jeun (F/S) Jimenez and Mazul (F/S) Emmalee Johnson (F/S) Jin Hyuck Joo (F/S) Jiyoung Jung (F/S) Jung Kyo Jung (F/S) Dongsuk Kang (F/S) Sang Oh Kang (F/S) Yoon Kang (F/S) Borah Kim(F/S) Catherine Kim (F/S) Chul Hoi Kim (F/S) Doyeon (Daisy) Kim (F/S) Sung Duck Kim (F/S) Esther (Ji Young) Kim (F/S) Esther H. Kim (F/S) Hyung Gil Kim(F/S) Jiyeon Kim (F/S) Nampil Kim(F/S) Sook Young Kim (F/S) Eunha Ko (F/S) Sarah Ko (F/S) Hong Seo Koo (F/S) Ikhwan Kwon (F/S) Byung Ju Lee (F/S) Christine Lee (F/S) Eun Ji Lee (F/S) Eun Mi Jennifer Lee (F/S) Hyesoo Lee (F/S) Jae Hun Lee (F/S) Jinju Lee (F/S) Jiwon Lee (F/S) Jung Yong Lee (F/S) Seoung Hwa Lee (F/S) Seungwoo Lee (F/S) Sua Lee (F/S) Catherine Lorenz (F/S) Vasile Lozneanu (F/S) Kalina '30 and Aniela '31 Martin (F/S) Meagan Mathews (F/S) Amy Midgley (F/S)
Grace Miller (F/S) Shawn Monette (F/S) Dong Hoon Moon (F/S) Young Sik Moon (F/S) Seung Min Nam (F/S) Indira Pappaterra (F/S) Justin Park (F/S) Andrea Razon (F/S) Woochul Seol (F/S) Jany Shim (F/S) Dong Jin Shin (F/S) Chris Sykes (F/S) Karen Terry (F/S) Donna Wang (F/S) Emma Woo (F/S) Chang Kun Yang (F/S) Jean Yoo (F/S) Ji Yae Yoon (F/S) Xin Zhao (F/S) Anna Zygner(F/S)
Pitch In: Playground
THE MILLENNIUM CLUB
(Donated $10,000 - $49,999) Anonymous (1) The Striffler Family (F/S)
THE RED AND BLACK CLUB
(Donated $5,000 - $9,999) Latham-DiStasio Family
Jack R. Moon Biology Scholarship
THE CREST CLUB
(Donated $1,000 - $4,999) Jennie Rader Purvis '83 (F/S) (A)
CENTENNIAL CLUB
(Donated $100 - $999) Anonymous (2) John '04 and Stephanie '05 Black (F/S) (A) The Gilmore Family (F/S) Jack and Edie '77 Moon (F/S) (A) The Yap Family (F/S)
THE LEGACY CLUB
(Under $99) Anonymous (2) Jong Chul Choi (F/S)
Building for the Future Fund Temporarily Restricted Funds
THE RED AND BLACK CLUB
(Donated $5,000 - $9,999) Sungah (Hannah) Lim '27 (A)
THE CREST CLUB
(Donated $1,000 - $4,999) Nate and Julie Doelling (F/S) Dae Woon Kim (F/S)
CENTENNIAL CLUB
(Donated $100 - $999) Anonymous (1) Youngwoo Cho (F/S) The Creech Family (F/S) Scott and Lilly Day (F/S) Choongpyo Hong (F/S) Matt, Sophia, Caden '35 and Kaya '36 Johnson (F/S) Chris Een-Soo Kim (F/S) Hannah Kim (F/S) Yerin Amy Kim '32, Yhu-Bin Lee and Seong Dong Kim (F/S) Marcus Li '26 and Leo Malik '31 (F/S) Mariana Miroiu (F/S) Nathan '24 and Ana '27 Park (F/S) Juyeon You (F/S)
THE LEGACY CLUB
(Under $99) Anonymous (1) Won Joo Hwang (F/S)
THE RED AND BLACK CLUB
(Donated $5,000 - $9,999) Young-Han and Grace Hahm (F/S)
CENTENNIAL CLUB
(Donated $100 - $999) Julie Lee (F/S)
Endowment
CENTENNIAL CLUB
(Donated $100 - $999) Anonymous (1) Haejin Koh (F/S)
