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P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E PA R E N T S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N F O R T H E B I S H O P ’ S C O M M U N I T Y
A MESSAGE FROM THE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT T H I S Y E A R ’ S PA T H E M E O F F O C U S I S “Communicating with Dignity,”
Jennifer Schwarz, Parents' Association President
promoting positive, constructive and authentic dialogue among all School constituencies. From my vantage point as PA president, I am happy to report that I see great evidence of this guiding principle at work at The Bishop’s School. I see the Bishop’s community reaching out to all parents and students, listening to their feedback and taking thoughtful consideration of their concerns. I see parents modeling tolerance, empathy and respect while leaving judgment behind. I see faculty and staff extending grace to struggling students and teaching empathy as a basis of moral code. I see students, gathered around Harkness tables, learning to listen to each other’s opinions, to offer thoughtful feedback and, sometimes, to simply agree to respectfully disagree. As empathy is plummeting nationwide and people are tightening their social circles and social media input to hear only what they want to hear, Bishop’s gives me hope for our future. There is much to look forward to this semester. In March, the PA welcomes author Michele Borba to discuss her new book, “Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World” (see p. 2). This year’s auction on April 28, “Bamboleo, A Knight in Spain, Olé,” promises to transport us to Europe for the night with food and music as we raise money for financial aid and faculty professional growth. Please plan to attend (see back cover story). And there’s more. For the latest campus news, attend PA meetings. Attendance has been tremendous this year – another indicator of our community’s strength. I’m enormously grateful to be a part of the Bishop’s community, and especially thankful to the PA leadership team, the staff and every parent volunteer for their generous support. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” As we begin a new year, I urge you to be a source of light at Bishop’s and in your community, and to continue to communicate with dignity in all that you do. Sincerely,
W EDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 28, 2018 8:00 a.m. PA Meeting MONDAY
MARCH 19, 2018
5:30 Dinner, 6:00 p.m. PA Meeting Michele Borba will speak at 6:30 p.m. W EDNESDAY
APRIL 18, 2018 8:00 a.m. PA Meeting SAT UR DAY
APRIL 28, 2018 The Bishop's Auction W EDNESDAY
MAY 16, 2018 8:00 a.m. PA Meeting
Jennifer Schwarz (Megan ’17, Logan ’20) W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 1 1
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PA SPEAKERS
HABITS + EMPATHY = SUCCESS BY L I S A C R A M E R A N D C AT H E R I N E I V E Y L E E
SKILLS ADD UP TO SUCCESS R I C H A R D R U S CZ Y K T H E A RT O F P RO B L E M S O LV I N G T H E N O V E M B E R PA M E E T I N G F E AT U R E D
a lively and informative guest speaker, Richard Rusczyk, founder of the math education
L
n TIPS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
LISTEN READ WRITE CODE PLAY EXERCISE EXPLORE EXCEL ASPIRE
organization, The Art of Problem Solving. Mr. Rusczyk’s TED-talk
style presentation, “Tips for Student
Success,” centered on the importance
of problem solving skills and how they can help students prepare for solving
tomorrow's toughest problems. Mr. Rusczyk, a childhood math prodigy and competitor, also shared a list of “complementary” skills and habits
he has observed in many of the brilliant mathematicians and coworkers he has competed against and worked with at The Art of Problem
Solving, an online school and textbook publisher used by top math
students around the world. If you missed his talk, you can find it on the Bishop’s YouTube channel.
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EDITOR Catherine Ivey Lee DESIGN & PRODUCTION Jean Fujisaki CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lisa Cramer Catherine Ivey Lee Jennifer Schwarz EDITORIAL & PARENT LIAISON Keri Peckham PHOTOGRAPHY Jen Heisel Cathy Morrison Keri Peckham Pixster Michael Spengler PRINTING North Shores Printery NEWS YOU CAN USE is produced by The Bishop's School Parents' Association to inform and support Bishop's families through
EMPATHY IS ON THE DECLINE: HOW TO BOOST IT IN OUR CHILDREN DR. MICHELE BORBA D I D Y O U K N O W T H AT A C C O R D I N G TO S O M E
studies empathy in teenagers is down 40 percent from
what it was three decades ago? How we got here and what
2
the school year. Please submit suggestions and articles via email to the editor, Catherine Ivey Lee at catherineiveylee@gmail.com.
The Bishop’s School
can be done about it will be the focus of a talk given by
M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T
renowned parenting expert and psychologist, will discuss
academic community pursuing
how we, as parents, can better foster empathy in our own
excellence in the context of
than 130 times as well as Fox & Friends, MSNBC, Dateline
dedicated to offering the highest
the PA’s guest speaker this March. Michele Borba, Ed.D., a
The Bishop’s School is an
how social media and other factors are killing empathy and
intellectual, artistic and athletic
children. Dr. Borba has appeared on the Today Show more
the Episcopal tradition. We are
and Anderson Cooper and will draw from her most recent book, “Unselfie: Why
quality education to a diverse
step empathy building program for kids of all ages and discusses why empathy is
integrity, imagination, moral
attend Dr. Borba’s talk on March 19.
to serving the larger community.
Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World.” Her work outlines a nine-
student body and to fostering
the most important life skill we can teach our children. To learn more, be sure to
responsibility and commitment
THE BISHOP ’S SCHOOL
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PARENTS' ASSOCIATION FALL HIGHLIGHTS G UP K E E P I NT H E W I T H
Parents' Association!
PA meetings are a great way to find out the latest happenings at Bishop's and to hear updates from the administration. If you can't attend in person, you can find video of PA meetings on the “parent information” page of the Bishop’s website. In addition, be sure to follow Bishop's on social media at facebook.com/the.bishops.school and instagram.com/the_bishops_school.
High attendance at the Parents’ Association December meeting
Holiday fun with the PA executive board; Trustee and Head of School Search Committee Chair Barbara Edwards ’84 gives an update.
OPEN HOUSE Parent volunteers greet families at the Admissions Open House.
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
The campus shined bright on Nov. 30 thanks to the vision of Christmas Tree Lighting co-chairs Nora Kaiser and Lauren Hardy (top left photo).
HOLIDAY COOKIE SOIRÉE
Debbie Rider, Jennifer Cayer and Jenn Beamer W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 3
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FOCUS ON: GETTING INVOLVED
WE ASKED YOU: WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER AT BISHOP’S? S H A RO N P E N G ( A S H LE Y ’ 1 5 , E VA N ’ 1 8)
“I wanted my kids to attend
Bishop’s to gain knowledge,
develop skills, and learn to serve the community and the world, and I volunteer for those exact
friendships have been forged while
involved. Whether it’s supporting
cherished my time at Bishop’s
prospective families at Open
volunteering at Bishop’s. I have
and can honestly say that I have
received more than I have given over the past seven years.” ||||||||
same reasons. I love working
with the compassionate, talented
House or acting as a team parent, it’s about making connections
with kids, parents, faculty and
staff. I have particularly enjoyed
establishing personal relationships with our new families through the
and worldly Bishop’s parents. I
Ambassador Program.
learn valuable lessons from them
Getting involved as a parent
– amazing people whose areas of
volunteer completes the concept
expertise cover a wide spectrum –
of unity at Bishop’s. Through my
community.”
extend kindness and model civic
and together we serve the School
volunteering, I’ve been able to
||||||||
M IN A K E SS L E R
L A UR I E H OWA R D
(D R EW ’2 1, W I L L ’2 3)
( J O R DA N ’ 1 8, LO GA N ’ 22 )
“Volunteering at Bishop’s is an
“I volunteer because there is no
place I’d rather be than at Bishop’s where my kids spend most of
their days. Volunteering has been a great way to get to know my
kids’ classmates and the faculty
and staff. Most of my really close
hear us say every day).” ||||||||
love giving back to the community that does so much for our children and enhancing our School
community as a result of my
actions. I’m grateful that Bishop’s
offers so many opportunities to get
“Part of what’s terrific about my job is the chance to see wonderful things in all corners of campus: the events that have a lot of fanfare and the quiet moments that go unheralded. The respect, kindness and compassion to which the PA theme speaks is something I see exhibited all the time. I recently watched as a teacher stayed late to help a student with a math concept. The teacher showed such respect for the questions with which the student was struggling; the interaction was all about getting to a more confident place with the material, it wasn’t about anyone’s not knowing where that place was. It wasn’t about judgment; it was about inquiry.” — A I ME C L AIRE RO C H E , H E AD O F SC HO O L THE BISHOP ’S SCHOOL
mindedness (something my kids
extremely rewarding experience. I
Communicating with Dignity In Action
4
Annual Giving, helping out
TE RE S A HIXSON (B EN N ETT ’18, HARRY ’18)
“Bishop’s operates using many ‘engines’ – its faculty and staff, our tuition paid and also its
volunteers’ energies and resources. I enjoy volunteering in my kids’ interest areas: performing arts,
technical theater, advisory and visual arts; as well as my own interests: the library and the
auction. I’ve loved working with different parents and teachers in each endeavor, and I’ve always
gained more than I’ve given. That’s that blessing of volunteering.” ||||||||
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What about The Bishop’s School community inspires you? “The transformation that happens to our students over the four, six or seven years that they are a part of this community inspires me. I feel incredibly lucky to have a front-row seat as our students recognize and then realize MARY W I SCO (ISABELLE ’ 1 8)
“I enjoy getting to know the
community and watching the
students grow over the years.
I particularly like to share my
their own potential. I also appreciate that the growth we witness in our students could not happen without the incredible support system each of them has in the form of peers, teachers, advisors and parents.” — MICHAEL BEAMER , DEAN OF STUDENTS and experiencing Bishop’s from
Filipino dishes as I often volunteer
their perspective. I’ve helped out in
functions. The students develop a
son started here in 2008, including
near to my heart.”
Arts Circle, but teaching the ninth-
to provide food for various school new palate for this taste profile so ||||||||
a variety of areas since my oldest the library and the Performing
graders CPR every year has been one of the most rewarding and
meaningful experiences I’ve had.
The key is to find what you enjoy
doing and your years at Bishop’s – as well as your student’s – will be greatly enhanced.” ||||||||
DAWN B IRC H M E IE R (RY L A N D ’2 2 )
“There are many reasons why I
like to volunteer at Bishop’s, but my two most important ones
are: 1) I want to lead by example. My husband and I are always
telling our kids it is important to
JO N AH GI VELBE R
be involved and help to make a
( JULEN ’ 20, LUKA ’23)
“I volunteer at Bishop’s primarily
difference. 2) I enjoy getting to meet
to community-build: it’s a chance
I am always energized after I have
because it offers a great opportunity
all the amazing parents at Bishop’s.
for me to meet other parents
spent time volunteering at school.”
and teachers. Volunteering also
provides me the chance to further contribute to Bishop’s, a school to which I am increasingly grateful with each day that passes.” ||||||||
|||||||| DAW N C A LVE TTI ( DA NIE L ’19 )
( J AC K SO N ’2 2 , C H A S E ’2 3)
“Volunteering is my way of
“I love to volunteer at Bishop’s
giving back to this remarkable
community of talented students, inspiring faculty, coaches and
(COLI N ’ 1 4, GABE ’ 17, BR E T T ’ 21 )
and gain greater insights into the
things my kids are doing at school.
I really enjoy working in the library
with cherished new friends. I’m
school socials, Bish Bowl and
or at special events such as middle
constantly blown away by the
Annual Giving where not only do
parents. As volunteers spend time
but their parents and teachers and
Bishop’s is more than a school;
Bishop’s you get so much more out
generosity and kindness of our
“I enjoy getting to work with kids
because I get to meet new people
dedicated staff. With each
volunteer role, I’m rewarded
B ETH GARON
JE N N IFE R M cILVAIN E L AN DA
on campus, it becomes evident: Bishop’s is a family.”
you get to interact with students, coaches, too. By helping out at of it than you put in.”
W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 5
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GRANDPARENTS’ DAY 2017 P H O T O G R A P H S BY J E N H E I S E L , C AT H Y M O R R I S O N A N D P I X S T E R
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY WAS SUCCESSFUL THROUGH THE EFFORTS
of a legion of parent volunteers and the leadership of event co-chairs Dawn Birchmeier (Ryland ’22), Annie Golden (Andrew ’23), and Erica and Yanir Ram (Liam ’20, Eliyah ’22).
To view more photos, visit Bishop's Flickr page.
NEXT YEAR'S DAT E
November 16, 2018
Jeffrey Jackson ’18, Jim Ireton, Terry Lynn, Jacob Jackson ’18
Elnora Morehead and Jada Davis ’21
Nicole ’21, Doris, Pete and Erin ’23 Ellsworth
German Navarro, Marie Biernacki, Aleksander ’22, Luca ’23 , Marlene and Sebastian ’22 Navarro 6
THE BISHOP ’S SCHOOL
Julie Song and Joshua Lee ’23
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Gloria and James Chow with grandson Tristan Upton ’21
Carol Rainey and Caroline Twyman ’20
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Raphael Delgado ’24, Sofia Meza and Liz Harlow
Suzie Pirtle, Rex Harrison ’23 and Frank Pavel
Manuel Zambrana, Clarence Freeman ’20 and Mary Zambrana
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Lupe Stawarz and Mozes Mooney ’18
Elspeth Myer, Bella Myer ’22, Elspeth Keyes ’20, Emma Myer ’23 and Jim Myer
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Non-Profit U.S. Postage
PAID
The Bishop’s School CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
7607 La Jolla Boulevard La Jolla, CA 92037-4799 www.bishops.com
WI N TE R 2 01 8
THE BISHOP’S AUCTION: APRIL 28, 2018
BAMBOLEO, A KNIGHT IN SPAIN, OLÉ! C A L L I N G A L L PA R E N T S ! M A R K YO U R C A L E N D A R S FOR APRIL 28 FOR THE 2018 BISHOP’S AUCTION! Held at The Bishop’s School, this year’s annual “party with a purpose” is called “Bamboleo, A Knight in Spain, Olé!” The theme promises to whisk guests off to Spain for the evening during a night filled with lively Flamenco dancers, Spanish guitar music, delicious tapas and drinks and more. Auction co-chairs Lisette Farrell (Camille ’22, James ’24) and Cari Massaad (Matthew ’17, Daniel ’19) and their committee are hard at work planning the “elegant yet fun” evening to raise money for faculty professional development and student financial aid, which approximately 20 percent of students receive. Bamboleo will feature a silent auction, a sit-down dinner, a live auction and an after-hours dance party with a DJ. “We are going to keep the theme going all night long and celebrate,” Lisette said. The Bishop’s Auction brings people together for a great cause. To get involved even before auction night, plan to also attend the Feb. 3 wine reception at the home of Dawn and Ralph Birchmeier (Ryland ’22). Guests are asked to donate bottles of wine that will be sold at the auction. For more auction information, visit www.auction.bishops.com. Olé! 8
THE BISHOP ’S SCHOOL