MEADOWBROOK MAGAZINE 2023
SPRING 2023
The Meadowbrook Magazine is published by The Meadowbrook School of Weston, 10 Farm Road, Weston, MA 02493-2493
www.meadowbrook-ma.org
President of the Board of Trustees
Christopher M. Austen ’81 P ’18, ’18, ’23
Head of School
arvind s. grover
Editor
Contributing Writers
Pam
Art & Design Direction Dan
Photography Jesse
Joshua
THE COVER
Coding Companions: 1st graders working in pairs in the Danoff Family Innovation Center during a recent technology class using LEGO Spike. This tool combines physical building with digital coding, allowing students to create and program their own robots.
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Future Scientists: Nature is the ultimate classroom! These enthusiastic SK students are having a blast while learning about science in the woods on Meadowbrook’s campus.
4 The Enduring Power of Making
The EurekaLab is a place for authentic learning, problem-solving, and creativity for students of all ages.
A Century in the Making
So much has changed in 100 years, yet similarities remain; a century of education, community, and innovation—from then to now.
16 A Towering Legacy
Dave Lauten retires after an impressive 37-year career, leaving behind generations of grateful students and colleagues.
40 From Mazemakers to Middle School Head
Jordan Bentley takes the reigns as Head of Middle School with a student-centered approach and a love for the K-8 model.
A Model for Life
We’ve been serving children for a century. As I reflect on Meadowbrook’s 100th anniversary I am humbled to be at the helm of an institution founded in a completely different time under completely different circumstances—but one which remains unwavering and unchanged in our commitment to children.
As you might imagine, running a school and being able to serve children has been incredibly challenging over the past few years. The Covid-19 pandemic closed our doors in 2020; restricted so much in 2021-22; and continues to affect health in 2022-23. We’ve remained resolute and optimistic for all these years and in the end, our students have been the beneficiaries.
BY ARVIND GROVER
perhaps ours are not any easier or greater than theirs, but they are what’s most important right now. Children are incredible at living in the present and reminding us of that virtue. I imagine past leaders taking solace in the strength of children’s focus on the present. I know that I always do, and always will, keep children’s needs primary regardless of what transpires outside our doors.
I can’t help but look back and imagine what challenges my colleagues from previous eras faced—the Great Depression, World Wars, Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (giving Asian Americans the right to become citizens and vote), the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Movements, to name a few. We are not alone in our struggles, and
How did children of the past fare? How did teachers show up for students? Sometimes I look at the modern world, the emergence of advancements like the internet, artificial intelligence, human travel to Mars, and more— and I’m shocked by how different life is now than it was 100 years ago. But the children— the children are the same! I see photos from a century ago, and I see play on playgrounds; football games; reading books—and I’m comforted. I know the world of children. I know that even though there are wonderful differences between us, all human beings share a history—we were all once children.
As a K-8 school I believe our greatest gift to children is to hold up a high standard of the world for them. Here, they learn how to be a member of a community, what is right and wrong, what wonderful friends are like, what amazing teaching is, how hard they can push themselves. The K-8 years are the steepest growth curve in a child’s intellectual life, and our imagination is what makes more possible for kids during this critical time.
People sometimes worry that Meadowbrook is almost too wonderful—they wonder if we’ve created a “bubble” that doesn’t prepare our kids for the “real world.” I don’t worry about this at all—because we’ve done it on purpose. Meadowbrook isn’t a bubble—it’s a model. When our children graduate, look for high schools or colleges, join businesses or start them, get married or start families— they’ll have the highest standards for those institutions, and they just won’t settle. After all, they set their compass point at Meadowbrook. That’s as true in 2023 as it was in 1923. u
Middle Schoolers Calais and Elle enjoying a warm day on the swings during recess. Outdoor time is built into the school day at all grade levels, given the many benefits of exposure to natural light and fresh air, physical activity, and connection to nature.
making
The Enduring Power of MAKING
making AKING
When it comes to learning, the EurekaLab delivers across all subjects and grades, all-day long...
bBefore school, the Danoff Family Innovation Center— fondly dubbed the EurekaLab—is home to Middle School early birds. “They can come in at 7:45 a.m. to work on any project they want,” explains EurekaLab Coach Sue Fisher. “Each kid is doing something different. Some students are interested in learning how to use a specific piece of equipment, so they show up and we just help each other.”
When first period starts, the space morphs into a seventh-grade English class, where students work on producing physical representations of the figurative language in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”
Then—presto, change-o—it becomes a Lower School science space, where first through fourth graders create projects for the Invention Convention. After lunch, eighth graders in regular and advanced Algebra arrive to build catapults that will allow them to bring the quadratic equation to life. The EurekaLab closes the day with a senior kindergarten tech class where students begin to develop and iterate their dream playground.
“It fills the day,” Fisher reflects on all the activity. “And if we had more hours in the school day, we could fill those, too, and do even more.”
With its 3D printers, laser cutter and vinyl label machine, the EurekaLab is impressive. But Head of Lower School Rashna Mehta points out that this kind of robust makerspace isn’t unique among private schools. What does make Meadowbrook stand out, however is the fact that “the space is used by 4-year-olds to 14-year-olds for students to build and create. It allows students across 10 grades to have authentic opportunities to problem solve and make connections,” Mehta says.
First graders are all smiles as they spend their technology class in the Danoff Family Innovation Center, learning skills like coding and programming, collaboration and communication. These hands-on projects also foster critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving.
Eighth grade students get help from Ms. Fisher designing a massive set piece for their musical, The Addams Family. Many 8th grade students participate in the musical as “makers,” designing set pieces and unique costume elements for the actors.
m
p Mission Central
cLower School science teacher Meredith Houghton sees the EurekaLab as a place that animates Meadowbrook’s mission to know, love, and challenge every child. “Students who are more kinesthetic learners can really thrive in that space, which is know and love” she says. “Other students aren’t as comfortable with the building and making process—for them, that’s where the challenge comes in. And that’s good. We want to push students outside of their comfort zones and give them opportunities to develop new skills.”
Through the months-long Invention Convention process, Houghton coached students in the EurekaLab through the ups and downs of developing their inventions. “There’s no right answer in the Invention Convention,” she observes. “Students can come to me and ask for help, but I don’t know how to build their idea. That can be an uncomfortable spot for students. They have to use their critical thinking skills to problem solve and communicate with their partners.”
Houghton values the EurekaLab as a place to do science. “In Lower School, we focus on how we can act like scientists and think like scientists. The ability to have a space where students can practice that is essential.” To Houghton, the EurekaLab is “a place that combines science, technology, and art with design thinking in a way that is natural, in-
terdisciplinary, and encourages creativity. Students can learn so many different skills. Plus, you see 4and 5-year-olds using screwdrivers and hammers. I don’t think that’s happening a lot of other places.”
Process Focused
fArts Department Chair Matt Molyneux calls the EurekaLab “a fun and joyful place.” “It gives us a separate space that’s got its own rules and its own mentality. Nothing in there is ever graded except for—did it work? And if not, can you fix it? The outcome isn’t nearly as important as the way that students have to continually iterate and problem solve and improve projects. Because that’s innovation,” he continues. “We work hard to help students understand that when something breaks, it’s fine because you just learned something. That’s not an easy lesson to grasp. It’s a different way of thinking that I think is critical for what students are going to face in the future. We’re pretty confident that half the jobs our students are going to hold haven’t even been invented yet. So we need to give them lots of opportunities to try and fail and try again so they develop confidence in the process of learning.”
As an educator, Middle School mathematics teacher Alifiyah Patrawala appreciates the ability to collaborate with Fisher and Innovation Coach Dan Riles. When Patrawala and fellow mathematics
teacher Leah Weintraub came up with the idea of having students build catapults to apply the quadratic equation, “we were able to draw on the brain power of Sue and Dan—people who could help us think outside of our own vision,” Patrawala says.
“They had so many great suggestions of resources and materials and apps we could use,” Weintraub adds. “Having them as resources really brought the project to life.”
Fisher fully embraces the role of facilitator. “The teachers take the lead on the curricular pieces, and we take the lead on the supplies, logistics, and nuts and bolts,” she says. “We take that piece off their plates so they can show up knowing that they can just focus on teaching.”
And that ability to focus on the teaching contributes greatly to student learning. Frequently, students report that it’s easier for them to understand complex concepts when working with a physical representation. Eighth grader Oliver says, “[Originally,] I did not do well on the parabola unit, but after the unit was over we went back and did the project in the EurekaLab, and that helped me to figure it out right away. It helped it click.”
s yShow Your Work
wAnother benefit of the EurekaLab is that it introduces unpredictability into learning. “All of the learning that’s going to happen can’t necessarily
be planned out in advance,” says Mehta. “Students have to learn to deal with the element of surprise.” Sitting at the lunch table recently with third and fourth graders, Mehta took great delight in hearing students talk about the Invention Convention. “They would describe where they were in building their inventions, reflecting on how they were thinking about it and whether or not they actually thought they’d be able to put it together. It was wonderful to see them so genuinely excited about learning.”
A few years ago, Middle School English teacher Carrie Wihbey decided to use the EurekaLab to help students decipher the densely figurative language of Shakespeare. “Shakespeare’s text is full of really complex metaphors—things that it’s easy for students to skip over,” she observes. “Bringing them to the EurekaLab in Act One of ‘Macbeth’ is a way to get them to pay attention to and engage with these very complex concepts in a much more concrete way. And once they’ve embraced these ideas in physical form, they don’t forget them. By Act Five, they’re no longer abstractions. They’re deeply ingrained in their minds.”
Seventh grader Emerson shared her experience learning this way. “Our project was the progression of gender in the book. My partner and I made these Macbeth figures and we dressed them up in clothes… there was Lady Macbeth who is very powerful in a long, red, royal dress with a sword and shield, showing her power. And then Macbeth was right next to Lady MacBeth, but he was shorter and smaller to show how she is more powerful than him,” she says. This
EurekaLab project “helped a lot of us understand what the progression of ideas was. I learned a lot from watching other people’s projects, what they did, and how it was different from ours.”
In many respects, the EurekaLab is headquarters for how learning is evolving. “The way kids can show mastery is changing,” notes Molyneaux. “It’s not just taking tests and writing papers anymore. It’s building 3D presentations and artistic ways of demonstrating learning. I think this helps Meadowbrook students stand out when they get to high school. Imagine a student who goes on from Meadowbrook and is given a new challenge: They’ll have the experience and the confidence to say, ‘All right, let’s grab all this stuff, try and solve it, and then let’s keep working till we figure it out.’”
Wihbey agrees that the EurekaLab enables more authentic assessment. “When students create something with their hands, it introduces an element of playfulness and experimentation that is really helpful,” she adds. “The big question always is, can you keep kids interested in what they’re actually doing? The more we can give them agency in and ownership over their learning, the easier that will be.”
wWalking the Walk
wAnd while the EurekaLab encourages students to employ the design thinking process, which
includes reflection, it turns out that it presents the same opportunity for faculty members. “After the Invention Convention, Meredith, [Lower School science teacher] Jess [MacManus], and I met to talk about what would we do differently,” Fisher explains. “We felt that being in the EurekaLab every day for two months was too much time for the kids. And a lot of the work of making an invention is documenting your work or brainstorming with your partner about your next step. You don’t actually need to be in the space to do that work. We decided to track projects in a different way next year so we could work with smaller groups and free up the space a little more for other classes.”
As for the eighth-grade catapult project, “we heard great things from the students about specific math takeaways. Their engagement level was really high. But after doing it for two years, Leah and I have come to the conclusion that we were trying to fit the project into a too-small window of time. If we had two more days, we feel it would solidify student learning even more,” Patrawala concludes. “Algebra I can be a little abstract; the EurekaLab provides such a nice way for students to be super connected to what they’re learning.” u
A Hundred Reasons to Celebrate
We are gearing up for a once in a century celebration—the 100th anniversary of the Meadowbrook School! The school was established in 1923 and opened its doors to students in 1924, so we will be using the 2023-24 school year for a yearlong birthday extravaganza.
Get ready to celebrate a century of excellence at Meadowbrook! In honor of its 100th birthday, the school is planning an exciting array of activities and events that are sure to delight alumni, students, and faculty alike. Among the events will be a day of service, where members of the Meadowbrook community will come together to give back. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a t-shirt design contest, showcasing their artistic talents and school spirit. And, of course, there will be alumni events to reunite with old friends and reminisce about days gone by. The highlight of the celebration will be the big party on June 1, 2024, a once-in-a-lifetime event you won’t want to miss! Everyone is invited—so mark your calendars now and get ready to join in the fun at Meadowbrook’s 100th birthday celebration.
STAY UPDATED: Check out the Centennial page of our website for information as it becomes available! www.meadowbrook-ma.org/centennial
Did You Know?
Heads
In 100 years, Meadowbrook has had just seven heads of school:
1923 -1933 Alma Gray
1933 -1948 Beatrice Cervi
1948 - 1959 Esther P. Edwards
1959 - 1968 Charles Goodwin
1968 -1986 Theodore G. Rand
1986 - 2017 Stephen T. Hinds
2017 - present arvind s. grover
K-8, then Jr.K-6, then Jr.K-8
When the school opened in 1924, Meadowbrook served grades kindergarten through eight. In 1932, the Board voted to include children as young as four years old and to end at the sixth grade. In 1999, the Board voted to expand to end at eighth grade, citing educational research that showed it to be the best model for academic success.
THEN Students mostly lived in Weston
Assemblies and plays near the woods known as The Magic Forest
Ice skating on the pond
Meadowbrook in…Waltham?
Yes! The school that would become Meadowbrook began as “Mrs. Bridge’s Class” on Clark Lane in Waltham in 1890.
A Year Without a Graduation
In 2002, no graduation ceremony was held, since no 8th grade class existed yet! The first 7th grade class joined in the fall of 2001; in 2003 they became the first 8th grade graduating class in 71 years.
Use
Dedicated, innovative teachers
of outdoor campus spaces for learning and play
Academic excellence
Expert teachers
A community of belonging with shared values
Academic excellence
May Peace Prevail on Earth
A peace pole was installed by the pond and dedicated in 2014. Like all peace poles, it bears the words, “May peace prevail on Earth” in six languages. The languages chosen for Meadowbrook’s peace pole were English, the four other languages taught here (Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Latin) and Lakota, in honor of Headmaster Emeritus Steve Hinds’s great respect for Native American history.
Computers or iPads for every student
Field trips to enhance the learning experience
Using outdoor space for learning and play
After almost four decades at Meadowbrook, Dave Lauten says goodbye
Dave Lauten joined the Meadowbrook faculty in 1986, one of the last hires made by the late Headmaster Emeritus Ted Rand. At that time, he was a recent law school graduate and yearned to try his hand at teaching. Mr. Rand took a chance on this young, untested rookie (after famously calling Mr. Lauten’s dad as a reference). He became a now-legendary part of the 5th grade teaching team and remained there for 30 years before moving to the Middle School to teach English in 2017. He will retire at the end of this school year, leaving behind scores of students and faculty who will always be grateful for his wit, intelligence, and true concern for others. We asked two of his colleagues to share their thoughts on Mr. Lauten’s retirement.
A Towering
Legacy
BY CARRIE WIHBEY
For 37 years, Dave Lauten has been a giant, both literally and metaphorically, in this community. Dubbed Marcus Aurelius, our philosopher king, by our Headmaster Emeritus Steve Hinds, Mr. Lauten is without a doubt one of the most beloved teachers, by faculty, administrators, students, and parents.
As the annual writer of the fifth grade play, Mr. Lauten inflicted both Greek Mythology and modern day politics on students and their audiences in a way that made them both fascinated and endeared to the subject matter. Alums recall his “perfect juxtaposition of Hillary Clinton and Aphrodite” or being cast alongside friends in a Terry Bradshaw costume of a “bald cap and oversized suit” and a “bright orange wig” as Donald Trump. Mr. Lauten has also written and starred in countless 48-hour film projects, with roles ranging from an exterminator for a teenager house infestation to a cold-hearted principal. Students unanimously describe his contagious passion for Casablanca and Far Side comics and, somewhat less contagiously, for the Yankees.
Indulging us in his hilarity, Dave Lauten has single-handedly sustained Meadowbrook teachers with his humor. He regularly sends “very, very, optional” emails of all reports: an egg price-gouging scandal involving Meadowbrook’s chickens, tall tales of severed rabbit heads on the playground, a Meadowbrook math teacher denied presidential pardon for rigging his fantasy baseball league. Each spring, as he graded
fifth-grade papers, faculty eagerly awaited his legendary “top 5” list of history “scholarship” on Ancient Rome. He has buoyed faculty with his witty film-making antics, legendarily mentoring Kevin Christensen in the “good” ways of teaching, giving Dotty Corbiere a d-slip for running through the hallways, or, just to prove his devotion, covering his dress shoes with trash bags and wading into the Meadowbrook pond.
Mr. Lauten perfectly balances the silly and the sincere. He reads student work with “enthusiasm, encouragement and honesty,” providing students with confidence and incredible care. He has filled this place with grace and love, whether bringing a hot cup of water to a cold office with a note “just hold this,” or delivering “nutritious,” “high-end” donuts to the faculty lounge, or championing the episodic storytelling of two giggly, fifth-grade girls. He has been a wellspring of wisdom—saying just the right thing at just the right time; for 37 years, we have benefited from his profound intelligence, his calm discernment, and his deep understanding.
To imagine a Meadowbrook without Mr. Lauten is almost impossible. As we honor his legacy and his life here in this place, we remember the words of another scholar of Ancient Greece, Aristotle, who wrote that a friend is a “single soul dwelling in two bodies.” Mr. Lauten, you have given so much of your friendship, your laughter, your soul to this place, and rest assured that your legacy will always dwell here with us.
Mr. Lauten has been a staple in classrooms and Meadowbrook traditions. His role as emcee of the 4th Grade Mask Assembly is the stuff of legend— ad-libbing quick quips and wry observations as the show goes on.
the lauten legacy
Some classic Mr. Lauten pics from the archives. We especially love the class picture (far right) of Mr. Lauten with fellow legend Georgie Johnson posing with their 5th grade class.
BY MIKE SCAFATI
In his 37 years teaching at Meadowbrook, Dave Lauten has emulated integrity, morality, and dignity…although on occasion he has been known to abandon his dignity to generate some laughter.
Since the beginning in 2007, Dave has been a key member of our Boston 48 Hour Film efforts, spending a fun and intense weekend with middle school students making a movie for Moose Films. He’s been our primary writer over the years while also appearing as an actor in countless films—an exterminator for a teenager house infestation in Pest Control (2010), a group therapy counselor in Love Bytes (2013), a cold-hearted and easily duped principal in Moose Tracks (2015), and even a super-powered principal headmaster in Captain Eureka: Graduation Day (2016), where true to Dave Lauten form, he helps save the day! (Dave saved the day another time playing a holographic alien in my own Providence 48 Hour Film in 2019.)
Dave’s also lent his writing and acting talents to dozens of films created just for the faculty. These movies have provided comic relief to the occasional faculty meeting and professional day, and uproarious laughter to faculty parties. Some of my personal favorites include:
The Mentor, a 2006 mockumentary on being a teacher where Dave pokes fun at the job he loves (and Kevin Christensen).
A farewell film for his former co-teacher Georgie Johnson (2007) where he seeks to find her replacement. How do you replace the irreplaceable? Dave’s now forcing us to ask this question again in 2023.
An Update from Meadowbrook, a special film in 2008 for our Headmaster Emeritus Steve Hinds to assure him everything at Meadowbrook was “OK” while Mr. Hinds was out on medical leave. Dave found himself walking down the hallway with a “Kick Me” sign on his back for this one. Jean Alpert happily put it there for him.
Over the last few years, Dave has written and acted in a series of films entitled “Mr. Lauten’s Bucket List” comedically featuring all the things he hoped to accomplish before retiring. He went above (climbed to the top of the cargo net) and beyond (waded into the Meadowbrook pond) to tell these and countless other bucket list stories. He even “caught” Ms. Corbiere running through the hallways and eating candy. But why does Mr. Lauten do it? Two reasons: He seeks to bring people together by providing some fun entertainment, even at his own expense; and he loves the creative and collaborative process in storytelling.
To those points, he did the same thing in his classrooms with his students—make learning fun and teach kids how to be storytellers—through reading, writing, and acting. And like a master teacher, he taught by his own example.
A person who acts with integrity, morality, and dignity is, according to Yiddish definition, a mensch. So can Dave Lauten be a mensch despite his occasional abandonment of self-dignity? We may need a Dave Lauten Film Festival to decide.
Want to see for yourself?
Use this code to watch some of Mr. Lauten’s best performances from Moose Films.
A Year of Athletic Achievements and School Spirit
Our middle school sports program has experienced a year filled with remarkable achievements, from personal bests, league victories, and even national recognition. Our Meadowbrook spirit and community support was at an all-time high, no better exemplified than at the annual Under the Lights event this fall at Harvard Stadium. The school community gathered to support our varsity boys and girls soccer teams with record-breaking attendance. Though our girls’ team faced a loss, the boys secured a tie against friendly rival Belmont Day School, and the smiles of every athlete made it an unforgettable experience for all.
This year, the volleyball team went undefeated in their second season, following their inaugural year when they had only one loss. The Meadowbrook girls cross country team had an exceptional season, sweeping both Independent School Championships, with team victories at the Park Invitational and the Roxbury Latin Invitational. Our squash team made their mark at the Middle School National Championships in Pennsylvania, finishing 8th overall in the country and 1st in Massachusetts.
Congratulations to all of our student-athletes on their hard work on and off the field, and thank you to the coaches who helped them along the way!
The Rhythm of Meadowbrook
The band program at Meadowbrook offers students from 4th to 8th grade a chance to explore their musical talents, with opportunities ranging from band and orchestra to rock groups. This year, our young musicians are excited to be playing a full range of instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and singing, which hasn’t been the case in recent years due to some Covid-19 restrictions.
Under the guidance of dedicated band director, Danny Williams, the 4th and 5th grade bands have been learning fun and engaging tunes while learning their new instruments. This year, songs ranged from classics like Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” to “Winter Fanfare,” an original written by Mr. Williams, which was performed at the Winter Assembly.
Our middle school grades have the additional opportunity of playing in the rock band, groups that not only play during school assemblies and events, but also spend time in Meadowbrook’s studio recording and mixing their own work. If you have had the pleasure of seeing any of Meadowbrook’s recent theater productions, you may have also heard smaller groups “in the pit” playing during plays and the musical.
From catchy tunes from our younger bands to rocking performances of our middle schoolers, our musicians are learning the basics while discovering a creative outlet. Our students continue exploring their talents in all of Meadowbrook’s arts programs – be sure to check out our social media to see and listen for yourself!
Wet Welcome: Despite a rainy start, students and faculty were all smiles for the first day of school on September 6.
Celebrating Liftoff: The Meadowbrook Fund
Out of this World, an event marked by some amazing and creative space-themed outfits, showcased The Meadowbrook Fund’s ambitious goals. This adults-only gathering highlighted the incredible power of our community uniting to invest in the education and opportunities for our students, setting our sights high and ensuring a strong future for Meadowbrook. Thank you to our Event Committee for putting together such a memorable night, and thank you to all who have given to The Meadowbrook Fund so far this year! There is still time to make your gift—go to meadowbrook-ma.org/givenow.
Fall Fest: Raking in the Community Spirit
Fall Fest was a spectacular, fun-filled event where the whole community gathered to celebrate autumn. Students, teachers, and families enjoyed a vibrant mix of crafts, games, and some friendly competition in the inflatable jousting ring and obstacle course. In the ever-popular Chili CookOff, Mr. Molyneux continued his streak as champion by once again capturing the judges hearts, one spoonful at a time. An amazing day spent as a community, Fall Fest left us all grinning from ear to ear!
Love and Gratitude at Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day
On Tuesday, November 22, Meadowbrook welcomed grandparents and special friends to the annual Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day. This event offers a unique opportunity for these important figures in our students’ lives to experience the vibrant Meadowbrook experience firsthand.
The day began with the Thanksgiving assembly, aptly referred to as the Gratitude Celebration, where students in every grade showcased their hard work on stage in front of the hundreds of family members who filled the Vinik Gym. The audience watched a live Meadowbrook Minute+ production, and got to listen and sing along to tunes like “We are Thankful” and “Let it Be.” Head of School arvind grover also spoke to the group, and emphasized the vital role that grandparents and special friends play in the lives of our young learners.
After the Gratitude Celebration, our grandfriends enjoyed a reception, and then were accompanied by students to their classrooms. They observed lessons, participated in hands-on activities, and got a glimpse of what it’s like to be a Meadowbrook student.
Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day is a tradition that bridges generations and lets us share our joy of learning, while creating unforgettable memories for both the young and the young-at-heart.
Visiting Authors Spark Imagination
This year Meadowbrook students and faculty welcomed three award-winning authors and illustrators onto campus as a part of the Visiting Authors Series. Jason Chin, Scott Magoon, and Sara Farizan gave students the unique opportunity to get an in-depth look at the methods and mindsets that have guided them in their successful careers. Lessons ranged from brainstorming ideas with a pencil and sketchbook, to developing complex stories with meaningful lessons, and how layering different colors and brushstrokes can create a sense of texture in illustrations. The Visiting Authors Series has been a tremendous success, inspiring and engaging students of all ages. The authors’ captivating presentations sparked students’ imagination and creativity, inspiring them to explore new ideas and perspectives. Thank you to our Parents Association Visiting Authors Committee for all of their efforts to bring in these valuable voices.
JASON CHIN
Jason Chin, award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books, visited with our Lower School students on January 20. He has written and illustrated numerous picture books, including “Redwoods,” “Island: A Story of the Galapagos,” and “Grav-
ity,” which won the 2014 Caldecott Honor Award. In addition to his work in children’s literature, Chin has also created illustrations for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. His unique style of combining intricate drawings
with scientific research has earned him a reputation as one of the most innovative and talented illustrators working today.
SCOTT MAGOON
Scott Magoon visited our Lower School students on February 23 and showed us some of the tools that he uses to create his eye-catching illustrations. Magoon is a celebrated children’s book author and illustrator with over 25 books to his name. Some of his
most popular titles include “Breathe,” “Misunderstood Shark,” and “Linus the Little Yellow Pencil,” which was a 2019 Massachusetts Book Award finalist. Magoon’s vibrant and expressive illustrations have garnered numerous accolades, including the Boston Globe-
SARA FARIZAN
The Middle School welcomed acclaimed author Sara Farizan on April 13. Her novels, including “If You Could Be Mine,” “Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel,” and “Here to Stay,” have earned praise for their honest portrayals of identity, culture, and love. Farizan’s writing has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Lambda Literary Award, the Massachusetts Book Award, and the Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year. She has also been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Huffington Post. Farizan has spoken at schools, libraries, and conferences across the country, sharing her insights on the importance of diverse representation in literature and the power of storytelling to promote empathy and understanding.
Horn Book Award for Picture Book, the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book, and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award. He has also been honored with a nomination for the prestigious Caldecott Medal.
Welcome New Trustees
Chris Farrington P’30
Chris is a Managing Director at Cambridge Associates. He oversees custom private investment portfolios for families and private clients. Prior to this, Chris worked as a Managing Director at Pavilion Alternatives Group, providing alternative investment advisory services to institutional clients globally. He also worked as a Partner at Centinela Capital Partners, where he evaluated private equity fund and co-investment opportunities. Chris managed the domestic private equity investment program at Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and worked in leveraged finance at CIBC World Markets and Fleet Bank. Chris holds a B.A. in Economics from Duke University and a MIA from Columbia University.
Giselle Nelson P’26,’29
Giselle Nelson is an educator and researcher who specializes in the intersection of psychology and neuroscience with education. With over seven years of experience serving on Room to Grow’s Boston Advisory Board, she is now a member of the organization’s National Advisory Council, where she focuses on data collection and analysis. Giselle is also a mentor to students at Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. She served as the Co-chair of the Parents Association at Meadowbrook and has a background in both research and teaching. Her academic credentials include a BS in Biology and an MS in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, as well as an MEd in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard University.
James David P’31
James David is a partner at The Baupost Group, a Boston-based investment partnership with approximately $30 billion in client capital. He focuses on public and private credit and equity. James graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College
with an A.B. in Economics, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, where he was a Ford and Loeb Scholar and Baker Scholar. James worked in Goldman Sachs’ Special Situations Group concurrently with his studies at HBS. He serves on the Trustee Advisory Board and Finance Committee at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Meadowbrook’s Investment Committee.
Jessica Nigrelli P’27,’32
Jessica Nigrelli is a dedicated philanthropist with a wealth of experience in community affairs and charitable work. She previously worked at Bingham McCutchen LLP, where she coordinated community service programs and charitable sponsorships. Jessica is a Trustee of MSPCA-Angell, a member of The International Fund for Animal Welfare’s International Development Committee, and serves on the advisory council for Zoo New England. She is also actively involved with Horizons for Homeless Children and has started numerous philanthropic programs, including The Boston Heart Classic and Young Patrons Program at The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Jessica graduated magna cum laude from Bowdoin College with a double major in Art History and Government & Legal Studies.
Jon Nuger P’30,’32
Jon is a Managing Director at Berkshire Partners and focuses on Technology investments. He joined in 2012 and worked with several portfolio companies including Accela, Melissa & Doug, and SRS Distribution. Prior to joining Berkshire, Jon was a Business Product Manager at Metaweb Technologies, which Google acquired in 2010. He was also an Associate at Golden Gate Capital, an Associate Consultant at Bain & Company, and an English teacher in Vietnam. Jon co-founded Sidekick Partners, a $50m friends-and-family venture capital fund. He serves on the Finance Committee of Boston Collegiate Charter School.
Rachel Riemer P’26,’29
Rachel Riemer chairs the Upper School Science Department at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, supervising a 15-member team, overseeing the science curriculum, and hiring new faculty. With over 20 years of experience teaching math, chemistry, and physics in independent schools, she has worked in student life, coaching, and camp directing, including at GANN Academy and Boston University Academy. Rachel co-chairs the Community Committee at Meadowbrook School of Weston and facilitates White Awareness and Accountability Groups. She earned her Ed.M from Harvard and B.S. from The University of the South, where she was a National All-American in Varsity Women’s Field Hockey.
Tarja Vuolteenaho P’20,’23,’26
Tarja Vuolteenaho, a former CFO of Sonera US, Inc., established and managed a financial service center for three American subsidiaries of the Finnish telecom operator. She oversaw budgeting, financial accounting, reporting, and payroll for the companies, and helped implement an ERP system. Tarja also worked as a Business Controller for Nokia Siemens Networks US, Inc., responsible for reporting of the ATT account in the Northeast. Before moving to the US, she worked as a management consultant for KPMG Consulting in Europe. Tarja graduated from Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration, and has served as a Treasurer for Finlandia Foundation’s Boston Chapter.
In photo (left to right): Rachel Riemer, Jessica Nigrelli, James David, Chris Farrington, Jon Nuger, Tarja Vuolteenaho, and Gisele Nelson.
From Mazemakers to Middle School Head
Jordan’s impressive credentials and commitment to academic excellence made her a standout among a nationwide pool of candidates. Her leadership skills, passion for education, and deep understanding of the Meadowbrook community made her uniquely qualified for this critical role.
Head of School arvind grover stated, “From my perspective, Jordan is the partner I want to help guide our middle school and to build the future upon an already-strong foundation. I appreciate her thoughtfulness and commitment to academic excellence. She’s a compassionate, identity-conscious educator who puts students at the center always. Jordan is a strong proponent of clear communication with teachers, students, and families, and she doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations.”
Jordan Bentley named Head of Middle School after a months-long nationwide search
We are excited to announce that Jordan Bentley has been named the new Head of Middle School at Meadowbrook. Jordan has been a vital member of the Meadowbrook community for more than a decade, having served as acting middle school head, history and math teacher, 7th grade dean, and director of summer programs. She got her start as director of Mazemakers, now part of Branches at Meadowbrook. She had been serving as Interim Middle School Head for the 22-23 school year.
Jordan is thrilled to take the reins and to continue working with the faculty and families at Meadowbrook. As Head of Middle School, she plans to focus on fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where every student feels seen and heard. She says, “I am excited to lead our middle school division and to work alongside such a dedicated team of educators. My top priority will always be our students, and I am committed to fostering a dynamic learning community that embraces their unique talents, interests, and needs. Together, we will continue to provide a supportive and engaging environment where every student is known, loved, and challenged.”
She is a strong proponent of the K-8 educational model, emphasizing that it is the best way to achieve
overall student success, while maintaining rigorous academic standards. According to Jordan, the progress and growth she has seen during students’ three years of middle school is remarkable as students take charge of their own learning and discover their own passions and potential. She firmly believes in the students’ abilities to lead. “If you allow the space for our eighth graders to be the leaders of the school, they will be,” she says.
In his announcement to the community, Mr. grover said, “We are all fortunate to have Jordan leading our Middle School division, most especially our students. I’m excited to see what she will accomplish and I’m looking forward to continuing my partnership with her.”
Congratulations to Jordan and to the entire Middle School division!
“We are all fortunate to have Jordan leading our Middle School division, most especially our students. I’m excited to see what she will accomplish and I’m looking forward to continuing my partnership with her.” – ARVIND GROVER, HEAD OF SCHOOL
New Faculty Speak
Experts Speaking
Meadowbrook faculty members are often called upon to share their expertise with others. Here are examples of some of the work they have shared:
arvind grover Host of “Let it Fly: Kindness, Math, and the Power of Goodwill,” with Meadowbrook Alumni Parent James Rhee, AISNE Head’s Retreat and Annual Meeting, January 25, 2023.
Jenni Putnam Faculty of “New Camp Directors Workshop,” American Camping Association’s New England Camp Conference, March 29, 2023, Manchester, New Hampshire.
Dan Riles Taught master’s-level education course “Designing a New Context for Learning,” Spring 2023, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
Jonathan Schmid Co-presenter of “Google Admin Console Security Insights & Controls,” METTA CTO Clinic in March 10, 2023, Milford, MA.
“Productivity Hacks for the Overworked and Overwhelmed,” MassCUE Fall Conference, October 19, 2022, Foxborough, MA.
Thank you to the new members of Team Meadowbrook who helped make this year a success:
Renato Apostoli Help Desk Technician
Rachel Bencosme Equity and Inclusion Intern
Brandon Brito Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion
Carolyn Corbe Teaching Assistant
Cat DiCara Teaching Assistant
Kimberly Ditty Director of Admissions and Financial Assistance
Emery Dutton Teaching Assistant
Matthew Fishbein Director of Development
Emma Gyorgy Middle School Social Studies
Nancy Knapp Middle School Learning Specialist
David Korb
Interim Director of Secondary School Counseling
Joanna Markham Junior Kindergarten
Mimi McKeon Associate Director of Student Support Services
Lizanne Moynihan Middle School Social Studies
Hilary Prus Admissions Coordinator
Jenni Putnam Director of Auxiliary Programs
Bobby Russell Director of IT
Teo Yould Auxiliary Programs Business Manager
In Memoriam
We fondly remember these members of the Meadowbrook community who have passed away recently:
ALUMNI
Jeremiah D. Newbury ’45 December 27, 2022
FRIENDS OF MEADOWBROOK
Robert “Bob” Fitzpatrick Grandparent of alumni Elizabeth ’21, Anne ’25 and current students Charlotte ’23 and Catherine ’29 Fitzpatrick and father-in-law of trustee Nicole Fitzpatrick. October 21, 2021
Marie Gray Grandparent of Leighton ‘15 and Lily Gray ‘16 April 23, 2022
Susan D’Angelo
Mother of Abby ‘06, Matt ‘06, and Amanda ‘04 D’Angelo, spouse of former trustee Bobby D’Angelo October 12, 2022
William Helm
Trustee Emeritus; father of Pamela Helm ‘67, David Helm, and William (Lloyd) Helm III ‘78 December 31, 2022
Mary Kenney Former Faculty November 26, 2022
Vickers (Vicky) Barrett Former Faculty September 21, 2022
W. Gerald Austen
Spouse of former trustee Patricia Austen; father of alumni William Austen, Jr ‘79, Christopher Austen ‘81, Elizabeth Lawson ‘84; grandfather of alumni Annabel ‘18, Cooper, ‘18, Laura ‘23, Eva ‘16, and William Austen III ‘19 September 11, 2022
Class of 2018 College Decisions
Ethan Anderson New York University
Sofia Arboleda Johns Hopkins University
Cooper Austen Princeton University
Annabel Austen University of Pennsylvania
Aneesh Batra Duke University
Elena Beard Curry College Nursing
Charlotte Bell Princeton University
Kiran Bhat Northwestern University
Caleb Blackburn-Johnson University of Southern California
Nathan Bornstein Northwestern University
Ella Brown University of Virginia
Lowanda Casimir Boston College
Karen Shanahan Grandparent of student J. ‘31
January 28, 2023
Robert Spahr Grandparent of alumni Maddie ‘16, Kaitlyn ‘20, and Chris Cappillo ‘22, father-in-law of former trustee David Capillo
November 30, 2022
Madan Loonkar Grandparent of students Arya ‘25 and Ishaan ‘23 January 22, 2022
Samuel Swisher Grandparent of students Felix ‘29 and Isabelle ‘28 November 18, 2022
Richard Chen Yale University
Ryan Chiang Tabor Academy ‘23
Sophia Di Giovanni New York University
Carson Eckert Occidental College
Edward Ellis Princeton University
Hannah Fine Wesleyan University
Aidan Glenn New York University
Williams Goldsmith Harvard University
Samantha Hamelsky Duke University
Sarah Heuer Tufts University
Margaret Hillery University of British Columbia
Meghan Hoffman University of Michigan
Arantxa Julio-Jimenez Wellesley College
John Kulow Harvard University
Kyle Laguerre University of Massachusetts Lowell
Olivia Larsen Colgate University
Caroline Le Roy Williams College
Matti Leschly Boston College
John Henry Lotz-McMillen Georgetown University
Hayley O’Connor Tulane University
Liam O’Leary University of South Carolina
Izunna Obiora Tufts University
Claudia Patz Union College
Ryan Pond Washington University at St. Louis
Justin Power Carleton College
Molly Queally Hamilton College
Charles Raghavan Grinnell College
Jared Rhee Yale University
Celeste Robinson-Lim Cornell University
Maxwell Schreiber Washington University at St. Louis
Cole Szeman Colby College
Rajan Thakore Northwestern University
Zachary Tung Johns Hopkins University
Findlay Tyler Skidmore College
alumni spotlight: Karenna Groff ‘14
From the Pitch to the Podium
Karenna Groff ’14, a biological engineering major and former All-America soccer player at MIT, has been named the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes female studentathletes who have excelled in athletics, academics, leadership, and community service. Karenna, who was one of the Top 30 honorees, was declared the winner during the NCAA Convention in San Antonio in January.
During her time at MIT, Karenna was a two-year captain of the women’s Varsity Soccer Team and played a pivotal role in three New England Athletic Conference championships. She also helped lead her team in four NCAA tournaments, including a quarterfinal run in 2021. Karenna has been a recipient of several athletic awards, including being named a three-time first-team all-conference selection and a two-time All-American by the United Soccer Coaches.
Aside from her athletic accomplishments, Karenna is passionate about community service and leadership. She worked with organizations such
as Soccer Without Borders and South End Soccer to expand opportunities for children to play soccer regardless of their economic background. Groff also co-founded the MIT Slums and Informal Settlement research group to investigate the impact of Covid-19 in slums and developed an online course, taken by more than 1,000 people from 115 countries.
Karenna’s dedication to improving healthcare access and quality is notable as well. She helped implement software to reduce maternal mortality in Tamil Nadu, India, and is currently designing a low-cost, take-home anemia diagnostic. She was awarded both a
Karenna Groff ’14 recently visited campus to be interviewed for the Meadowbrook Minute by 7th grader Cecilia.
Sandbox Innovation Fund Grant and a Peter J. Eloranta Research Fellowship. She’s currently completing her Master of Engineering in biomedical engineering at MIT, and will attend medical school at New York University to pursue a career in neurosurgery.
Karenna recently visited Meadowbrook and sat down with Cecilia, one of our 7th grade student broadcast journalists, to be interviewed for Meadowbrook Minute. Read the interview here:
Cecilia: Today I’m here with Karenna Groff, class of 2014, and we’re going to ask you some questions. How was your experience at Meadowbrook when you were a student?
Karenna: I very much loved my time at Meadowbrook and I miss it a lot. It’s awesome being back here with you. I think a lot has changed. There’s been some remodels, but a lot of the wonderful people that made my Meadowbrook experience so great are still here, and clearly the classmates are still wonderful. So I’m glad to see that Meadowbrook is still the wonderful place that I remember it to be.
C: What spiked your interest in soccer?
K: Well, I really loved just getting active, playing sports outside, so I loved soccer for almost as long as I can remember. But I think it’s also just such a fun thing to do with friends. So that definitely helped me into getting to go out after school after class, and play soccer up [on the Hinds Fields]. It’s a very good time.
C: Did that motivate you to keep getting to play soccer throughout your life, like through high school and college?
K: I think at the core of my love for soccer has always been that it’s just really fun. But it is also cool when you put a lot of time and effort into something and you see that hard work pay off and you know, you end up getting results or scoring big goals, that feels good. So I think that kind of tangible payout of hard work has also always been cool to me in sports.
C: What are some motivational words for some of the girls at Meadowbrook for soccer or for anyone?
K: For girls who are interested in playing soccer, I would say go for it. It’s a very fun time and some of my best memories from Meadowbrook
are with my sports teams. You know, the Under the Lights game or some of the different traditions we used to do. So I encourage anyone thinking about it to play soccer. And for girls at Meadowbrook, I’d say if there’s anything that you love, anything that’s fun, really take it and run. Because it’ll take you places.
C: Do you want to talk a little bit more about the award you recently won?
K: Sure. I was recently named NCAA Woman of the Year, which is really special. Definitely not something I ever expected, and a very cool recognition because it looks at athletics, but then also leadership and community service and all of these things that are important to me and also, I think are very highly valued at Meadowbrook. So it was a very cool recognition.
C: Congratulations and thank you so much for coming in.
Scan this code to view the entire episode of the Meadowbrook Minute, including this interview.
From the archives: Karenna playing soccer for Meadowbrook on the Hinds Field; showing off a ceramics piece in Ms. Beard’s class (photo: Rosanne Beard).
Oh, the Places They’ll Go: Celebrating Meadowbrook’s Class of 2022
On a sunny day last June, the class of 2022 took the traditional honor walk from the courtyard to the Vinik Family Center for Awards Day, surrounded by students, faculty, and families. This marked the beginning of the two-day long celebration of this extraordinary class, which included honors and accolades, speeches and songs. The class chose Laurie Geromini, former Director of Secondary School Counseling and Financial Assistance, to be their Beloved Speaker, and Ms. G did not disappoint in sharing words of wisdom! Katharine Ellis was the class’s speaker, and she spoke fondly about the group’s shared memories and experiences. Following longstanding Meadowbrook tradition, each 8th grader was presented with a Meadowbrook M, which is given with a citation that praises each person’s unique talents and contributions to the Meadowbrook community. Here’s to our graduates and all of their achievements!
Congratulations to the Class of 2022!
Our graduates are now attending the following independent and public secondary schools:
GIBRAN ASHAI
Cambridge School of Weston
ORLI AZOULAY
Beaver Country Day School
EMILY BACON
Dexter Southfield School
VIHAAN BATRA
Noble and Greenough
CHRIS CAPPILLO
Milton Academy
ELLA CHEONG
Kimball Union Academy
MIA CHU
Noble and Greenough
ALEXA COUREY
Wellesley High School
CATHERINE CURRAN
Noble and Greenough
KATHARINE ELLIS
The Hotchkiss School
MATEO GARCIA ZAMORA
Noble and Greenough
AVERY GREEN
Middlesex School
ELI HAMELSKY
Beaver Country Day School
NICOLE HAN
Noble and Greenough
KATE HENSON
Dana Hall School
CLAUS HINCK
Weston High School
ALINA JEGEN
Cambridge School of Weston
ELLA KANG
Dana Hall School
HENRY KLOSEK
Boston College High School
CLAIRE LARSEN
Beaver Country Day School
AVERIE LEE
Concord Academy
BENJY LEVINE
Gann Academy
JAI MALHOTRA
Milton Academy
MARISSA MENDOZA
Wayland High School
LARA MOHR Middlesex School
LAUREN ONG
Concord Academy
LILA RHEE Concord Academy
PETER ROPER
Phillips Exeter Academy
AKSHAY SAYANA-DUDANI
Newton South High School
LIRA SCHWAB
Concord Academy
JACOB SIGNOROVITCH
The Commonwealth School
SEBASTIEN SOBEIH
Phillips Exeter Academy
LUCAS STUCKEY
Wellesley High School
MIA SUNG
Noble and Greenough
SAM TARLOW
Cambridge School of Weston
ARIA WANG
The Winsor School
JASMINE WANG
Lexington High School
RICARDO WATKINS
Noble and Greenough
ALEX YOON
Noble and Greenough
ALVIN ZHANG
Middlesex School
OLIVIA ZHANG
Phillips Exeter Academy
SERENA ZHAO
St. Mark’s School
Spreading the message of Earth’s worth: Students sing out in celebration of Earth Day in April, with special guest Bill Harley who helped pen an original song for the occasion. This week-long celebration of the Earth included environmental studies, a campus clean-up, and Shark Tank pitches to make Meadowbrook more climate-friendly.
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Get ready to celebrate Meadowbrook’s 100th birthday! On Saturday, June 1, 2024, we’ll be marking this historic milestone, and we want you to be a part of it. Whether you’re an alum, parent of an alum, a former faculty member, a current family, or a grandparent, everyone is invited to join in the festivities. Mark your calendars now!