SPRING 2016
THE RIGHTEOUS ARE AS BOLD AS LIONS
Head of School Corner Team Building In college, my wrestling career was highlighted by daily workouts with an AllAmerican heavyweight aptly nicknamed “Bear.” While I don’t wrestle bears anymore, what sticks with me is the experience of persevering through hard training toward
About the Cover
Our theme verse this year is Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” It is our hope that our students and our school will be known by righteous boldness, willing to follow God wherever he might lead. Cover image used with permission from Crosscards.com.
a greater goal and the importance of doing that as a team. We are building a team here at The City School. From parents and students, churches and foundations, board members and staff members, community members and financial supporters, we have come together as a team to strive toward the goal of seeing our students bring
Right: Fairmount celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday with a morning of activities and reading games. Students even got to try green eggs and ham. The verdict. . . “they’re great!”
the light of Jesus to the city we love. You are a member of our team here at The City School. The board of directors and staff leadership have just come out of a time of discerning a strategic plan for our school. Encouraged by scriptures, like “The Parable of the Talents,” which speak of doubling God’s investment, we plan to grow deeper and wider. This issue of the Lantern highlights some members of our school family—our team—who represent, lead, or are impacted by
Spring 2016 Lantern Volume 3
Issue 2
We hope you enjoy reading the Lantern. We are excited to keep you informed about all that God is doing in the life of our school.
the work of our strategic plan. They can help tell the deeper and wider stories that hint at our future return on the talents God has given us.
Editorial
Administration
Ryan Kellermeyer Development Director
Jake Becker Head of School
Please pray with me about how you can become an invested member in
Brandon Van Deinse Communications Director
Krista Wieder Strategic Advisor
our amazing team, for your joy and the Lord’s glory. Gratefully humbled,
Anna Taylor Gunther Staff Writer and Publication Design
Katelin Condé-Rodriguez Alumni Relations
Special thanks for photography go to Tara Durkin and Abi Reimold. Change of Address
Jake Becker
Contact the Development Office. The City School, 860 N. 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130 or call 215.769.5363. Printing Minuteman Press | Philadelphia, PA The Lantern is the biannual publication of The City School. The City School is a pre-k through 12 collegepreparatory Christian school celebrating over 35 years in the heart of Philadelphia. Our mission is to train students’ minds, disciple their hearts, and bring light to the city—one child at a time.
EVERYTHING MADE NEW
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2
Reading Futures
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Long-time volunteer Terry Mond works closely with students with reading difficulties like dyslexia to help them thrive.
Bridging Home and School
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Development Director Ryan Kellermeyer shares how encountering The City School gave him eyes to see God’s vision for new creation.
Meet Betty Handy, the mother who is passionately working to build up our Home and School Association.
The Way Things Work
15
Photos and reactions from our first ever S.T.E.A.M. day, a joint project between the Fairmount and Walnut Street campuses.
From Every Nation
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Our partnership with the University City Chinese Christian Church has blessed us with a more diverse student body and space for our middle school.
From the Pew to the Board Room
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From Top to Bottom: Our new Development Director Ryan Kellermeyer. Bethany reads a book during in class reading time . Ariel searches for dinosaur bones at one of the Fairmount ST.E.A.M. stations.
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Our newest board member, Ron Ferner, and his wife Beth share their own journey to deep involvement with The City School.
Also in this issue: College Acceptances, p 6; Fairmount Library, p 11; Community Connections, p 20; Alumni Spotlight: Jamie-Claire Chau, p 24;
Everything Made New by Ryan Kellermeyer, Development Director
W
hat do you
All of my life, I’ve found it difficult
see? “Then I saw
to see God’s grace in education. As a
a new heaven and a new earth… I
saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God… Look! God’s dwelling place is
“Imagine our city mobilized around a Shared longing for new creation.”
child in Indiana, I was bored in school. I felt like my teachers wanted to fit me into a box that wasn’t my size or shape. As I surveyed the educational landscape in Philadelphia as an adult,
now among the people… I am making
I observed what appeared to be a zero-
everything new!” (Revelation 21:1-5).
sum game pitting dedicated educators
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against one another in competition
Jerusalem.” Perhaps He will help me
for scarce and dwindling resources. If
see where I fit in this mission.
educating children involved choosing sides, I didn’t want to engage. This
So, I agreed to spend a day visiting all
was my mindset when Jake asked me
“Perhaps, I thought,
four campuses. Fairmount was first.
to consider applying for the role of
God will give me
Walking in with Jake, I saw Lux Urbi
Development Director at The City
eyes to see how
School. “I’m probably not interested,” I told him. “Education just isn’t
education might
something I’m passionate about.”
look in the ‘new
“Visit our school,” he persisted, “then tell me if there is something here that
Jerusalem.’”
thought, God will give me eyes to see how education might look in the “new
“That’s awesome,” I said. “Who doesn’t want to go to work bringing light to the city every day?” Then it was on to Spruce Hill. I saw order and compassion. I saw children lined up quietly and happily at the same time.
captures your heart for ministry.” I was skeptical but open. Perhaps, I
in big bold signage over the entrance.
Miracles do happen. At Walnut Street, Ryan has been deeply involved in efforts to revitalize his neighborhood. Here he stands with a mural arts project that he helped place.
I saw school spirit on game day, and I instantly became a Lions’ fan. Finally, at Rittenhouse I sat in on two classes. In one I saw young women and men praying for each other with genuine concern. In the second, I saw students engaged in thoughtful dialogue about life’s most challenging questions in a safe and affirming atmosphere. I saw caring adults investing in their students in ways I never experienced from my own teachers. Throughout the school, there was a sense of order, kindness, joy, and faithful curiosity. You might even call it shalom. After a long day, I was incredibly jealous that I did not have an opportunity to attend a place like The City School. I would have thrived here, and it makes me wonder where I would be today if I had studied at The City School. I decided it wasn’t too late to start those studies. I left intrigued. I had seen God’s grace in education. I saw something like a glimpse into “a new heaven and a new earth,” right
Mural Artist: Ben Volta
here in a school in the city I love.
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I experienced shalom at The City School, and I wanted to learn more. What is the role of the church?
The Apostle Paul helps us bridge
the future of new creation with our
this light, this message of God’s
Whether we are students, parents,
daily lives. “Therefore, if anyone is
reconciling work, to the city at large. If
volunteers, prayer warriors, donors,
in Christ, the new creation has come:
the whole world felt like what I caught
faculty, staff, or some combination of
The old has gone, the new is here! All
glimpses of at The City School, we’d
these, we are The City School, and the
this is from God, who reconciled us to
call that shalom. New creation. Heaven
mission of The City School is bigger
himself through Christ and gave us
on earth. Who doesn’t want to be a
than The City School.
the ministry of reconciliation: that God
part of that?
was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (1 Corinthians 2:17-19). In his book The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, Theologian Lesslie Newbigin suggests that our embrace of Jesus’ message of reconciliation will position
altered the trajectory of history,
approach to the task of
setting it on a new creation path.
development?
God is reconciling the whole world to
Romans 8:17 tells us that “creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” I can
as one of its many endeavors, is to
Philadelphia look like? Do you have eyes to see it? What does its educational environment look like?
“If it is possible in the classroom, it is possible in the
offers a taste of what God is cooking
world.”
the completion of his reconciliation
I’ve seem them in action, and they
mission. I got a taste of shalom that
inspire me.
able, for the first time, to imagine what education looks like in the new Jerusalem. I saw education bringing shalom in Philadelphia, and it gave me hope. If it is possible in the classroom,
How do our kids learn? What do they learn? Who are they encouraged to become? What role do you play in reconciling their world with God’s promise of new creation? Creation waits in eager expectation
Lamb, the banquet that will celebrate
day at The City School and was
reconciliation.
children of God at The City School.
be like a demonstration kitchen that up for the marriage supper of the
The City School to this message of
What does a fully reconciled
and foretaste of God’s redeeming The Church, and The City School
himself in Jesus, and he has committed
tell you that we have some bona fide
the Church “as sign, instrument, grace for the whole life of society.”
The resurrection of Jesus radically
How does this inform my
The City School has adopted five core commitments which provide a lens for discovering others similarly called as children of God: Jesus, Shalom, The City, Excellence, and Accessibility.
it is possible in the world.
Anyone pursuing these five core
Imagine students of The City School
areas, is already closely aligned with
extending their learned patterns
The City School. Who else is practicing
of reconciliation and shalom into
countercultural patterns and living
the marketplace and into a broken
out God’s message of reconciliation so
world. Imagine how, as employees,
that the church is becoming a greater
they will handle conflict with grace.
“sign, instrument, and foretaste of
Imagine how, as neighbors, they will
God’s redeeming grace for the whole
care for the most difficult or needy
life of society?” Who are they? Where
person on their block. Every day,
are they? How do we connect with
as young people, they are hearing
them? Imagine our city mobilized
God’s message of reconciliation,
around our shared longing for new
experiencing it from caring adults,
creation. Imagine a movement like this
and practicing its application among
launching out from The City School to
themselves. As they grow, they bring
bring light to our city.
commitments, in education or other
for the children of God to be revealed. I’ve met some of them at The City School. By God’s grace, I am one of them. I thank God for giving me eyes to see his grace at work in education, and I am thrilled to have a role that fits me at The City School. I look forward to working with the rest of our community as we pursue God’s ministry of reconciliation together. Looking over a broken world, “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’”
Ryan Kellermeyer: Sixteen years ago Ryan moved from rural Indiana to Hunting Park Philadelphia. Since then he’s been working passionately to bring shalom—peace, justice, harmony—to his neighborhood. He is a Deacon at Grace and Peace Community Fellowship and serves on the boards of Hunting Park United, Fruit of the Vine International, and Timoteo Sports. He is interested in theology, economics, local politics, and spontaneous city adventures.
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“The struggle, the science, critical thinking and judgment making, the shocking surprises—these are the reasons I chose to pursue Criminal Justice. It is an academic and action-packed field. More than anything, I just want to help people. With a degree in Criminal Justice I could become a police officer, a crime scene investigator, an FBI agent, a forensic anthropologist, or a counselor who helps young people caught in lifestyles of destruction. Wherever my education takes me, I know God will use me to bring justice to the world.” - James
Takin g the ne x t St e ps S e n i o r co l l ege acce p ta n c e s a n d major s
Above: Spring brings college acceptance letters and important decisions. Our seniors work with our dedicated college guidance counselor to decide what choices of school and major make the most sense for them. Pictured above from left to right and top to bottom, Sierra, Nick, Armani, Maria, Cherisse, Makaiya, Nyeerah, Anthony, and Gabriella declare their chosen schools and intended majors.
Find more photos of school life at: www.facebook.com/thecityschool.
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READING FUTURES
Photo Credits: Tara Durkin (Right) & Abi Reimold (Left)
H e l p i n g S t u d e n ts w i th DYS LEXIA th r i v e
by Brandon Van Deinse, Communications Director
O
ne of the key
Houses, fill our libraries with books,
initiatives
chaperone field trips throughout the
drawn from our strategic plan
is our desire to reinvigorate our volunteer programs. The City School is a richly diverse community of people gifted with a variety of talents and passions. We encourage everyone in our school family to use their gifts as we live out our mission together. Volunteers help us plan and execute events, share their testimonies at Open
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dys·lex·i·a • noun
city, and tutor struggling students.
a general term for
Terry Mond has been volunteering
disorders that involve
since 1998, when her older daughter
difficulty in learning to
was in first grade and her younger
read or interpret words,
daughter, Sarah, was three. Sarah
letters, and other symbols,
was a bright girl who found joy and
but that do not affect
excitement in learning. However, she
general intelligence
struggled to read. In second grade, Sarah was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disorder that disrupts a
Reading instruction at The City School begins in pre-kindergarten where students like Ariel (pictured above with teacher Africa Jones) learn to recognize letters and sounds. If a reading difficulty is diagnosed or a need is recognized as a child progresses, volunteers like Terry come alongside to help these students retain a joy of learning while overcoming reading struggles.
person’s ability to decode words and
reading programs designed to help
through her reading challenges,”
read with ease.
dyslexic students overcome their
Terry remembers, “it dawned on me
challenges. One program she learned
how many other City School students
about was Wilson Language Training.
might be struggling with the same
After being tested for dyslexia, Sarah
thing.” Terry thought of the many
tried the program and began to make
smart, inquisitive, hard-working
slow but staggering progress! Joyful
students who, for some reason,
to have found a solution that worked,
struggle immensely when it comes
Terry shared her discovery with City
to reading. With dyslexia only dimly
School teachers and took the initiative
understood and rarely diagnosed at
to become certified in Wilson training.
that time, Terry knew this was an area
At the time—fifteen years ago— dyslexia was not well understood. Although we had few resources and little exposure to this learning challenge at the time, City School teachers were eager to do everything they could to help Sarah thrive as a young reader. Terry learned everything she could about dyslexia and began to research
“As Sarah and I spent hours working
in which The City School could grow to more richly serve our students with 9
their diverse strengths and struggles. Terry began to offer her services to other students struggling to read. As a former elementary school teacher with a Reading Specialist Certificate and a Wilson Language Training Certificate, she continues to volunteer her time one-on-one with students struggling to read. She works especially closely with students challenged by dyslexia and similar reading disorders, the thing that captured her heart with her own daughter. “I am working with one student right now,” she says, smiling, “—he’s so smart and eager to learn, and he puts his whole heart into everything he does, but dyslexia makes reading nearly impossible for him. Because it takes so much from him to work against the way his brain is wired, reading is mentally and emotionally draining.” Terry works with her Above Terry works closely with our students, giving them the tools to overcome reading challenges.
this new department last year, she
“Reading will always be a struggle, but now it’s one they can overcome.”
looked to Terry for guidance. “Terry invests so much time in our students, our program, and in me,” Amy says. “She meets with me every time she comes to tutor. One thing that’s always been impressed on my heart is how she looks into our students’ futures. She’s always talking about who our students
astounding progress, but she knows
are becoming and who they’re going
overcoming a learning challenge like
to be five, ten years down the road.
dyslexia takes years and that it is never
She’s working through so much more
cured. “The Wilson program takes
than reading difficulties—she’s giving
four years of consistent, diligent work,”
our students hope that will guide them
Terry explains. “While it transforms
through their whole lives.”
students into better readers, dyslexia is something they will have to work with their entire lives—reading will always be a struggle, but now it’s one they can
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~20% of the general population is dyslexic.
1 in 8
Chance a child who falls behind in 1st grade has of ever catching up to grade level without intervention.
As each of us continues to invest more deeply in our students and our mission, we invite you to prayerfully
overcome.”
follow Terry’s footsteps and consider
Terry also serves as a mentor to
Jesus’ grace to the students entrusted
Amy Evans, our Academic Support
to us.
Coordinator. When Amy pioneered
D i d yo u k n ow ?
how your time and talents can show
100%
of dyslexic people process information in a separate area of the brain than people who do not struggle with dyslexia.
Statistics from: http://decodingdyslexiaoh.org/what-is/what-is-dyslexia/
student three days a week and has seen
Meet Mark & Terry Mark Wagenveld and Terry Mond are parents of City School graduates, volunteers, donors, and leaders in The City School community. Mark sits on the board and is Co-chair of the Building & Grounds Committee, which ensures our campuses are well-maintained and in working order. Terry has been volunteering since 1998 and, for the last few years, has spent several hours every week working oneon-one with students with dyslexia and other reading challenges. She also helps middle school students write their capstone research papers and has invested deeply in students outside of school. As we consider how to empower parents and volunteers to use their gifts to support our mission, we hope sharing Terry’s story will inspire you to consider where your talents might bless our students.
“Terry is always talking about who Our students are becoming and who they’re going to be five, ten years down the road. She’s working through so much more than reading difficulties—she’s giving our students hope that will guide them through their whole lives.” -Amy Evans, Academic Support Coordinator
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED BOOKS, SUPPLIES, and TIME TO LAUNCH OUR FAIRMOUNT LIBRARY! As part of Read Across America week the Fairmount campus officially launched the book check out system. Mrs. Gregory explained to students how to use their new book buddy bags to safely transport the books to and from school. Then each student was able to pick his or her very first book to check out and take home. There were smiles all around and looks of determination as each child tried to find the perfect book. As the class transitioned to the computer portion of the period, one little boy asked, “Mrs. Gregory, could I just spend the whole class reading books?” We’re grateful to have this wonderful resource for our young readers.
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Bridging Home & School
The City School is a family of families. We invite parents to bring their talents, passions, and voices to our community because we believe their partnership is crucial if our students are going to thrive as young learners. Marcus and Betty Handy have been City School parents since 2009. But in our family they are more than parents— they are leaders, culture-makers, advocates, and partners in God’s work. This year Betty will be spearheading our efforts to revitalize the Home & School Association and unify its presence across our four campuses. We sat down with Betty to get her insight as a parent leader.
H
ow did you
run up to her with open arms for what
and enhanced it with his plan to
learn about The
were apparently daily hugs. We got
expand it across the city. We knew
City School?
the sense that the school was a family-
The City School before the name
What drew you
oriented environment with diversity
change, and although change can be
in its student body, teachers, and
uncomfortable, it is inevitable and
to our community?
necessary. We support and commend
We learned about The City School through a friend. Her children were loving their classes here, and she was
Jake in his efforts to grow the school. It takes courage to innovate and convince
fortified by the
others that change is worth any risk or
and the way the teachers invested
investment of time
sacrifice. We have no doubt that he has
in their students. It sounded like a
by parents.”
impressed with the rigorous academics
perfect fit for us, so we decided to visit. After attending an Open House and talking with other parents and students, my husband and I were convinced that this is where we wanted our children to learn and grow. Our first impression was that it was a warm, loving atmosphere. Principal Hook
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“Schools are
encountered resistance from various entities. We weren’t always sure ourselves, but we both prayed about
staff. Most importantly, it was clearly grounded in Christian principles.
it and made a decision to get to know more about the heart of the school’s new leader. We believe he sincerely
How do you feel about
loves this school and works tirelessly
The City School’s growth,
to serve its collective best interest. We
direction, and leadership?
are committed to our children and the
was pleasant and demonstrated her
We feel as though Jake Becker has
love of children as we saw students
taken what was already a great model
quality of education that they receive at The City School. There’s so much
Icon Designed by Freepik.
I n v i t i n g Pa r e n ts D e e p e r
more to this school than what’s in the
adversities, and even self-doubt. No
his teachings. They look forward to
name. We are here to stay as long as
matter how successful they get, we
chapel experiences, and my daughter
Christ is always at the center of what
want them to have an appreciation of
even gave her heart to Jesus on the
takes place within the school.
family and always be humble enough
National Day of Prayer in school. Our
to help others along their journey.
children have comfort in praying
Can you tell me about your hopes and dreams for your
What’s the value of a
kids?
Christian education?
Our hopes and dreams for our kids
We love the Lord and believe that
are that each of them be of strong
it does take a village to raise a child,
character, knows and loves the Lord,
as the African Proverb states. In the
and becomes a productive citizen of
village, there needs to be a school,
aloud and leading others in prayer. In school, Christ needs to have an acknowledged presence because as our young children are developing their characters, Jesus needs to be at the heart of their decisions and their actions. We want our children to have
“We want to create opportunities for parents to connect with one another and have firsthand knowledge of the direction the school is heading. That will be the mission of home and school. ” The Handy Family. Betty is the new head of Home and School.
this world. We both value education
church, and family that partners in
confidence in their Christian walk. A
and anticipate that our son and
raising a child. Our son and daughter
Christian education makes it possible
daughter will use their God-given gifts
attended Christian preschools, so
for them to learn and grow up in an
to make society better for the next
we wanted to continue having them
environment that supports our beliefs
generation. Our dream is for them
attend a school that will not only offer
and values in a world that seems
to live a life that is more progressive
academic rigor, but will help them
to diminish God’s crucial role. The
yet less stressful than ours. They will
develop their love for Christ and
City School helps them to build that
value good health—physical, mental
how to live according to His word.
confidence!
and spiritual. We hope they will always
It’s what they learn at home and at
have a relationship with Christ so
church, so it only makes sense to put
that they are guided by God’s word.
them in a school that reinforces what
We have planted the seeds. Our job
the rest of the village is instilling in
is to cultivate them and pray that
them. Our children earnestly and
they thrive in spite of challenges,
enthusiastically speak about God and
What does excellence mean to you?
Excellence, as we teach our children, means doing more than your best. Excellence is a standard that is not
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about perfection, but it is characterized
Betty, can you share a
by the intention and focused care and
bit of your experience
effort behind one’s actions. We should
working with college-bound
all strive to have this quality in all that
students? What do their
we do.
experiences tell you about education in the city?
Why is diversity important in
I work with at-risk high school
a school community?
students who have experienced a failed
The City School is a diverse
system in the city of Philadelphia. That
community that creates enriching
doesn’t solely isolate the public school
encounters with people of various
system as a failure, but I refer to the
backgrounds, cultures, resources, and
aggregate system in which they live—
family dynamics. We have cultivated an
including family, political, economic,
environment that models the unique
public health, and justice systems.
and various qualities of humanity and allows our students to learn and grow
When we speak of the village raising
alongside people different from them.
children, for many of my students,
Throughout The City School culture,
the village is very fractured. My role is to help young people tap into their
there is a sense of respect and kindness that celebrates these differences while embracing what we share in common. What’s your vision for the
Parental involvement is the lifeblood of our school. Whether it’s volunteering skills, chaperoning field trips, organizing events, or dressing up for Dr. Seuss day, our success depends on committed parents.
Home & School Association?
The Home and School Association will serve to strengthen The City School and improve communication between parents and administration. It is intended to build a greater sense of community across all campuses. Parental involvement is necessary at all levels of schooling. Personally, I believe that schools are fortified by the investment of time by parents. Through this organization, we will be giving voice to our parents. We are looking to enhance our familylike environment at the school with structured and purposeful parental engagement—beyond field trips and Open House events. That doesn’t
have to translate into more work or more time, but we want to create opportunities for parents to connect with one another and have firsthand knowledge of the direction the school is heading. That will be the mission of the Home and School Association. As we begin building, we could use all of the support we can get to deliver on this mission. My goal is to organize a school-wide service project where all students and parents come together at least once a year and serve those in need all across Philadelphia. After all, if we are the light to the city, we need to let the city see our light shine!
grit in order to persist in a world that has been unforgiving to them. That’s why we love The City School. In our opinion, The City School unites all branches of the village as a school which aligns with the principles of our church and our family, along with our expectations for a high quality education. Students in this city are often placed in an atmosphere of volatility and punitive policies with very little advocacy. When seeking the right school for our children, it was important to our family to find one where children are nurtured, understood, and cherished. We thank God for options to choose where and how our children will be educated, and we feel blessed to have found a school that offers all that we value to serve the best interests of our children, who mean the world to us.
WE NEED YOU! Are you a parent interested in helping us craft a new vision for Home and School? We’d love to involve you as we restructure. Please email Betty at homeandschool@cityschool.org
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S. T. E
.A
.M
.D
a y
20
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Aidyn builds a wheel out of toothpicks and candy. Later her middle school buddies will help her measure how far it can roll.
S.T.E.A.M. Day 2016 Throughout this school year, our Fairmount and Walnut Street principals have been collaborating to find ways to pair our youngest students with middle school buddies. The two campuses have had several get togethers this year. This spring, Fairmount’s S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) teacher, Mrs. Karen Gregory, organized a special morning of interactive S.T.E.A.M. activities. Middle school students enthusiastically ran tables where our pre-k to 1st graders learned about how things fly, how colors works, how friction creates heat, and much more. We look forward to S.T.E.A.M. Day becoming a yearly tradition. Quinton helps Abiyah make a paper airplane at the 3, 2, 1, Blast Off station. Students learned about aerodynamics as they built different models and then measured how far they flew.
“I really enjoyed connecting with younger students. It was exciting to see their enthusiasm for learning new
At the Float a Boat station, Malik, Lyric, and Delaney built aluminum foil boats and then tested how many pennies they could hold without sinking.
“It made me realize how much I have learned since kindergarten. I am glad to see younger students are gaining even more knowledge at The City School.” -Malik
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things.” -Quinton
Anna Maria prepares the dig site for Rajieb and his classmates to learn about zooarchaeology while unearthing dinosaur bones.
Cobe helps Andre and McKinley learn about radial symmetry while re-inventing the wheel at the Really Wheel-y station. The more even the spokes, the farther they roll.
“It was a fun opportunity to create connections between two campuses. It felt more like being one school, one family.” -Cobe
Moira guides Autumn and Paiton in understanding how the different primary colors combine to form all the colors on the color wheel.
“I liked being a leader and teaching younger students to think beyond the basics, outside the box.” -Calvin
There were lots of cold fingers at the Icy Escape station. Here Brandon works with Maggie and Luke as they attempt to use friction to create heat to release the treasures in their ice cubes. 17
Bo Gong and Dawei Xie with The City School students from the UCCCC.
FROM EVERY NATION O u r pa r t n e r sh i p w i th th e u n i v e r s i ty c i ty Ch i n e s e Ch r i st i a n c h u r c h by Brandon Van Deinse, Communications Director
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“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9
P
hiladelphia is a vibrant and rhythmic city, bristling with many
cultures, customs, and
points of view. At The City School, we celebrate this diversity as a reflection of God’s artistry. Through our unique heritages and histories, we catch a glimpse of God’s kaleidoscopic beauty. We see faintly in Philadelphia what we will see vividly in the heavenly city, “a multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.” One reflection of this diversity in our school family flows through our partnership with the University City Chinese Christian Church. UCCCC
Above: 1st grader Terrance shares some of his prayer requests for the school year with high school student Maria. Praying together in small groups after our annual whole school convocation is a special way we build community between our campuses.
exists to share Jesus’ love and light with Chinese families through worship
from church. We are grateful for their
“and our students need firsthand
and services in their heart language.
enriching presence in our community
experiences with one another’s
Renowned universities like Drexel,
and believe all children benefit from
cultures and ethnic groups at early
Penn, and Temple draw many Chinese
learning alongside a diversity of peers.
ages so they can become light to the
students and scholars, and these young learners in particular need places to worship and connect that feel like
“We live in a diverse world,” explains elementary principal Stephanie Hook,
congregants from the growing Chinese Church began to explore educational options for their children. Bo Gong and Dawei Xie were among the first UCCCC families to entrust their Icon Designed by Freepik.
children to The City School. “We were looking for a school,” Bo says, “where our children would grow in character and spirit as well as academics.” We
“Our students need firsthand experiences with one another’s cultures and ethnic groups at early ages so they can become light to the city.”
several of their friends and peers
acquired University City building, we explored ways we could deepen our partnership. At the time, our middle school was already outgrowing its temporary space, and we approached UCCCC with hopes to share their building on Walnut Street. Graciously, they not only agreed to host our middle school, but they tailored their renovations and building design to accommodate the needs of our students and teachers. “The church
were excited to enroll Bo and Dawei’s son Jai-Ming, daughter Jai-Hua, and
In 2012, when the Chinese Church began to renovate their newly-
home. A few years ago coworkers and
city.”
-Stephanie Hook
has been extremely gracious,” says Walnut Street’s assistant principal,
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Joan Hamel, “and they have taken every opportunity to support and enrich our program.” As The City School and University City Chinese Christian Church continue
Co m m u n i ty Co nn ec t i o ns
to grow, we are finding shared joy in deepening our partnership. “The church and the school work cooperatively together to serve Jesus,” principal Hook says. We are currently exploring ways we can integrate
Every Year our Students are blessed by Programming, Partnerships, and Opportunities made possible by Committed Friends and new acquaintances of our school. We’d like to thank all the parents, Donors, Faculty, and Staff who help To connect us to their organizations and areas of expertise. Here are two Examples of opportunities this spring that enriched our normal academic curriculum.
our communities more fully. We are looking at ideas like volunteering our students as ESL tutors, inviting UCCCC pastors to minister through
B . E .Y. A .
our weekly chapel program, and working together to provide short-term academic enrichment for visiting Chinese families.
A select group of Rittenhouse and Walnut Street students were invited to attend the Black Engineer of the Year Awards. Over twenty of our high school and middle school students were able to connect with national leaders in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and find out what it takes to pursue a career in the sciences. At this important event in the city, one of our middle schoolers, Calvin, was specially honored by a presenting General for his dedication to his life’s goal of attending Harvard. After the ceremony, students met influential leaders in engineering and broke into small groups to discuss how their talents and passions can help them thrive in the field of engineering.
Above: Natalie shares some of her career and educational goals with an industry leader at B.E.Y.A.
Above: Our middle school campus meets in the University City Chinese Church.
We desire more fully intertwined relationships with all our church partners. God has called each of us
A S T RAL AR T i S ts Our second grade class enjoyed an educational presentation of classical music by Astral Artists’ Education and Community Engagement Program. Astral Artists is a “nonprofit intensive mentoring program that specializes in developing the early careers of extraordinary classical musicians.”
to distinct ministries in the city, and we want to support and enrich each other’s service as much as possible. We are blessed to partner with churches across a vast spectrum of cultures,
Violinist, Eunice Kim, and cellist, Christine Lamprea, engaged the students in descriptions of their instruments and demonstrated how playing them in different ways produces a variety of sounds. They played several pieces of music as examples. They also discussed how timing, tempo, and dynamics influence the sound from each instrument. At the end, students were invited to “conduct” them to perform demonstrations of each example.
traditions, and denominations, and we are thankful to God for the diversity of his people. United in love for Jesus, we consider it a joy to partner with over fifty congregations in Pennsylvania and across the country. As we go forward in our mission, how can your church join us in bringing light to the city?
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Above: Eunice Kim and Christine Lamprea from Astral Artists conducted an educational workshop with our second grade.
Thank you to Astral Artists and the generous donor who made this lesson possible. If you would like to provide or contribute to future sessions, contact Debbie Hamilton for more information at dhamilton@cityschool.org.
FROM THE PEW TO THE BOARD ROOM A n I n t e r v i e w w i th R o n a n d B e th F e r n e r
Ron and Beth Ann Ferner are leaders in business, in their church community, and in The City School family. Ron worked as an executive at Campbell’s Soup Company for more than thirty years. After retiring from Campbell’s, he started the Business and Leadership department at Cairn University, where he served as Dean until stepping down two years ago. He continues to teach business courses at the school. Beth Ann has worked for many years in marketing, media, and sales, most recently for OPEX Corporation. Ron and Beth are active members of Tenth Presbyterian Church, where Ron recently accepted a position as Executive Director and also serves as Elder Emeritus, and Beth Ann presently serves on the Nominating and the Communications Committees. Ron currently serves on the Strategic Planning Committee of our Board of Directors and Beth Ann works with our Development Committee. Their passion for God’s work at The City School exemplifies what it means to be a partner in our mission.
W
hy do you
of the passionate people who work in
support and
this ministry. We were excited about
choose to
what we heard and impressed by the
volunteer
people we met. What really drew us in
your time with the school?
was the opportunity to invest in the lives of children in our city.
We prayerfully considered where God would have us participate in
Ron, how have you been
his Kingdom work. For us, The
involved with our Strategic
City School was a natural choice.
Plan?
As members of Tenth Presbyterian Church, we became familiar with The City School through church presentations and bulletin articles over the years, and we came to know many
Through the course of my professional career, I have been involved in many strategic planning efforts, ranging from billion dollar corporations to 21
small ministries and non-profits. I am
time Beth and I attend a meeting or
in the image of God. The teachers and
grateful for the opportunity to help
event at the school, we come home
staff truly care about each child and
guide The City School through their
talking about how inspired we are by
endeavor to intentionally integrate the
next steps. God has blessed the school
the faculty, staff, and leadership of the
Christian faith into each subject. The
with these opportunities for growth,
school.
teachers and staff at The City School
and I am honored to serve on this team.
The second thing that continues to impress us is what we have observed
As a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, my assignment is to
They model Christian values and help their students see their studies and their lives in the context of the Gospel.
develop ways to track, review, and
“What really
Beth, Why should others get
refine the plan as we live it out. I
drew us in was the
involved with the school?
helps us quantify and objectively
opportunity to
Ron and I are eager to share our
measure our progress. So for example,
invest in the lives
excitement about The City School. In
the Communications plan has nine
of children in our
am interested in looking at data that
action steps. Working with the Communications team, I can verify
city ..”
that seven of those steps are already completed, and we have hard data to track progress. I have also interviewed many staff members overseeing various aspects of the Strategic Plan. My hope through these conversations is to uncover areas we can improve to more effectively live out our mission. The school’s staff is passionate and insightful, and it was a joy for me to get to know so many people giving their lives to God’s work here. Through these interviews, I have compiled a list of recommendations for organizational alignment that I believe will help us become a more effective ministry in the city. Those recommendations are being reviewed
each time we have the opportunity to visit one of the campuses. There is a joy that pervades the halls of The City School. Students here are eager to learn and participate in the classroom. This is an exceptional school where students have an all too rare opportunity—to receive an excellent education that is deeply rooted in the Christian faith. The City School is a family where each child is loved and valued as uniquely gifted and made in the image of their creator God. What is that one thing that you feel sets the school apart from other schools?
by the Board and school leadership,
The mission statement says it best, “to
and I look forward to further
train students’ minds, disciple their
partnering with the school in this
hearts and bring light to the city—one
process of growth—not just wider, but
child at a time.” While there are other
deeper.
schools in Philadelphia that provide
What stands out to you about The City School?
There are two things that impressed both of us from the outset. First is the exceptional quality and commitment of the people working here. Every 22
are the face of Jesus to these children.
an excellent education, and schools that provide an accessible education, there are too few schools that do both. Rarer still are schools that provide a rigorous, accessible education in the context of a Christian worldview that values each student as uniquely made
fact, we are so excited about the school that we recently hosted an evening at our home in Moorestown to share with family and friends what God has been doing in the life of The City School. By partnering with the school, you have the opportunity to directly invest in the lives of children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to receive a rigorous college-preparatory education—especially in a Gospelcentered environment where the love of Jesus is lived out every day. The teachers and staff here invest in each precious child, preparing them for productive, Christ-honoring lives that, by God’s grace, will bring the light and love of Jesus Christ to our city for generations to come. Who wouldn’t want to be involved with that! Tenth Presbyterian Church has been an important partner with The City School for many years. You and Beth Ann have been intimately involved in their ministry for just as long. Can you tell us about Tenth Church’s partnership with The City School and how it’s grown deeper over the years?
Beth and I have been worshiping and serving at Tenth for decades.
We actually met at Tenth and were married in 2012. Tenth Church also introduced us to The City School. As an Elder at Tenth, I was on the committee that oversaw the merger between Spruce Hill and City Center Academy in 2006. I very quickly caught a vision for what God was doing through this school community. Through all the challenges of that merger, I was filled with a profound sense of hope for God’s plan for the school. Ten years later, it is a joy for me to witness how God has cultivated this special place and led such passionate people to oversee it. Seeing our hopes from 2006 become reality at The City School today is such a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness to the school and to the students we are serving. In my current role as Executive Director at Tenth, I am working together with the staff and Session to implement the church’s mission and vision in new and creative ways, while continuing to honor our history and heritage. In that work, I certainly see The City School as a valuable partner in ministry and also as a model of innovation in Christian education. The City School has grown so much in the past years. It has grown through the mergers of unique communities and has done so in a way that honors God and their diverse partnerships. As I serve on the church’s Capital Campaign Committee, I am excited to Photo Credits: Tara Durkin
consider renovations and new ministry initiatives that will bear directly on The City School’s Rittenhouse campus. Tenth Church and The City School are ultimately reaching the city with the same mission: to share the love of Jesus Christ and the hope found only in Him.
Above: Our high school was originally founded by Jim Boice, the senior pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church, and his wife Linda. Our high school still meets in the church’s facilities. We are grateful for this long-standing partnership.
23
Alumn i Sp ot l i g ht Ja m ie - Cla ire Ch au, Me ss i ah Co llege
J
amie-Claire is a sophomore at Messiah College, where she
studies Sociology and
Anthropology with a minor in Psychology. Although
Jamie was offered scholarships to several prestigious schools, including Brown University, she chose Messiah because she wanted, “to continue pursuing God in a close community of people who love Jesus.” She also wanted to stay near her family in Philadelphia, saying, “My family means the world to me—they are my rock. We have been through everything together. I need to be close to them.” Jamie has two sisters, Olivia and Yanni, who are students at The City School. “One way The City School prepared me for college is
by teaching me to find passion in learning,” she says. “I learned that we are more than our intellects and that if our hearts are not in our educations, we are going to suffer. Because I love what I’m studying, and because I have a strong sense of personal mission, I am more engaged in my courses. I study harder, I listen more attentively, I ask questions in class—because I care.” Jamie has also continued to walk closely with Jesus after
graduating from The City School. “The City School really enriched my faith,” she shares. “I saw Jesus so clearly in the lives of my teachers and friends.” At Messiah Jamie found a similar group of believers to live with and grow with. She also found a safe environment to wrestle through challenges with her faith with likeminded people who understand her 24
Above: Jamie-Claire was a leader throughout her time at The City School and graduated as valedictorian of her class. Her younger sisters Olivia and Yanni are currently enrolled at The City School.
struggles and want to more clearly see
all people equally,” Jamie says, “and
God’s grace in our broken world. “I
I want to work towards a world that
know my faith is stronger because I
shows that same kind of inclusive love
have a place to talk through my doubts
for all his children.”
and struggles,” she says. “Instead of trying to work them out in my own head, I can share my questions in community and learn alongside people grappling with the same issues. I’ve grown as a Christian because of that.”
In her senior year at The City School, Jamie shared her testimony
of God’s grace in her life during a chapel service. She talked about wanting to share Jesus’ love, joy, grace, beauty, peace, and redemption with
One area of ministry that’s
the people around her—to bring light
captured Jamie’s heart
to the city. “I understand what The
is racial reconciliation.
City School means by bringing light
At Messiah, she serves on the
to the city now. I see it clearer than I
Multicultural Council, volunteers
did as a student. I see it in myself and
in Admissions with a focus on
I see it when I look at my little sisters.
multicultural recruitment efforts,
I see Jesus’ light in us and I see how
organizes events with the Asian
my teachers nurtured that part of me
Student Association, and is a member
and prepared me to share it with the
of the Committee for Race and
world—to live it out, to be the light of
Reconciliation. “God loves and values
Jesus in a world that needs his love.”
PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE? RETIRING SOON? RETIRED NOW?
WAYS TO GIVE ANNUAL FUND The Annual Fund is the most significant fundraising priority for The City School. As a school committed to excellence and accessibility, our Annual Fund supports significant scholarships to students in need. This fund also provides money to support teachers, classroom materials, and the general operation of the school. MATCHING GIFTS If your employer participates in a matching gift program, your contributions can be doubled. Send your donation to The City School with your company’s matching gift form to initiate the matching gift process. TAX CREDITS (EITC & OSTC) Eligible businesses that pay taxes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can provide scholarship support to students in need. Contributing businesses can receive up to a 90% tax credit in return. STOCK GIFTS We welcome gifts of appreciated securities. You may take a charitable deduction for the full value of the stock and avoid capital gains tax. ENDOWMENT
There are many ways to invest in the future of The City School while making a good investment choice for you and your family! GOOD NEWS!
Make a Legacy Gift Today! How can a Legacy Gift benefit you and The City School? PROVIDE
student scholarships
PROVIDE
long-term, sustainable income to The City School
PROVIDE
income for you and your family during your lifetime
PROVIDE
tax benefits for you and your family
For more information about leaving a Legacy Gift contact the Development Office at 215.769.5363.
Gifts to the Endowment Fund provide a permanent source of funds, enabling us to provide scholarships to deserving student for years to come. LEGACY GIFTS (PLANNED GIFTS) Legacy Gifts are designed to provide donors with tax benefits, income benefits during your life, and provide a legacy through your will, while also providing for the future of The City School. GIFTS IN KIND The City School welcomes gifts of supplies and equipment. We will send you a tax deduction letter for these types of gifts.
GIVE ONLINE AT CITYSCHOOL.ORG/GIVE OR THROUGH THE MAIL USING THE GIVING ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
860 N. 24TH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19130, 215.769.5363 FAIRMOUNT, ELEMENTARY CAMPUS
BROWSE STUDENT ART GO TO CITYSCHOOL.ORG/ARTSONIA Visit our online visual arts gallery. Leave comments for our young artists, and support our art program.
Our Artsonia gallery has examples of student artwork from every level. We are excited to be able to share it with you.