News SPRING 2018
traditions
transformation
CELEB RA T I N G PECK’S 1 2 5 T H A N N I VERSARY
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Peck News SPRING 2018
A twice-yearly publication for families, faculty, and alumni of The Peck School in Morristown, New Jersey
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FEATURES
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Function, Form, and Peck’s Campaign for the Future Our 2015 Strategic Plan lays the path for elevating the enduring excellence of The Peck School.
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Enriching Lives and Leaving Legacies Early donors to The Peck Promise: The Campaign for Excellence Elevated are inspired to “pay it forward” for future generations of Peck students.
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What’s the Real Dirt on The Peck School? Peck’s construction team recently discovered that even our campus soil is a (geologically) strong foundation for Peck students.
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Think. Question. Do. Harvard’s Agency by Design research initiative lays a roadmap at Peck for teaching children how to learn.
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Teaming STEAM with Physical Education Peck’s athletic department breaks down silos between academic and physical education.
PECK VOICES
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The Drive for 125 Jamie Foley ‘85 rallies Peck’s alumni to come together for our first ever day of giving on June 7, in honor of Peck’s 125th birthday year.
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Young Alumni Spotlight: Lindsey Yu ‘14 Still in secondary school, alumna Lindsey Yu has been distinguishing herself as an innovator and entrepreneur.
DEPARTMENTS 5 Letter from the Head of School 6
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News Alert: The Peck School Announces $12M Campaign to Make Space for Future Teaching & Learning
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Why Does Annual Giving Matter Right Now?
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Campus News
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PA Spring Fundraiser: Celebrating 125 Years of Peck Pride
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Athletics Update
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Go Pride!
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Faculty Notes
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Alumni Updates
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Class Notes Peck News
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L E A D E R S H I P
Peck News
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ADMINISTRATION
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Head of School Andrew C. Delinsky
President Edward James Foley IV ’85
Director of Athletics David Carlo
Vice President Daniel Honeker
peckschool.org
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Erin Ceder
Vice President Janet S. Pearce
Head of School
Director of Technology Kevin Grieshaber
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The Pe c k Sc h o o l 247 South Street Morristown, NJ 07960-7381 973.539.8660
ANDREW C. DELINSKY adelinsky@peckschool.org EDITORIAL STAFF Director of Advancement JOAN SMITH MYERS jmyers@peckschool.org Director of Communications JENNIFER CLEARY jcleary@peckschool.org Associate Director of Alumni Relations
Director of Advancement Joan Smith Myers Head of the Upper School Daisy Savage Director of Finance and Operations Andrew Schneider Head of the Lower School Nina Sharma Director of Curriculum and Faculty Development Christopher Weaver
KAY MALONE kmalone@peckschool.org Campaign Director LAUREN SPIRIG lspirig@peckschool.org Director of Marketing and Community Outreach CHRIS STARR cstarr@peckschool.org Advancement Associate SUSAN YUHAS syuhas@peckschool.org
PARENTS ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Christina Melchionni Vice President Stefanie Bolton Secretary Susan Santomassimo Treasurer Amber Leach
Treasurer Thomas J. Pryma Secretary Holly P. Brown Head of School* Andrew C. Delinsky Carter Marsh Abbott ’89 Mark C. Bush Keeneh M. Comizio Brian D. Crosby John S. Dubel Mahmoud Elassir David Hepp Carrie Kurtzman Marc M. Manahan Christina Melchionni, PA President* JeanAnn Morgan-Liftin Souren G. Ouzounian Jai G. Parekh G. Michael Pendy Patrick C. Ramsey Subhadra Shah Elliston Hensler Siedem ’82 Charles Sorrentino Casey Wells David T. Welsh * Ex Officio member
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jason Jones Photography, The Peck School, The Peck School Archives, Peck Faculty ARTICLE CONTRIBUTORS: Jane Attah, Katie Bruno, David Carlo, Laura Caruso, Jennifer Cleary, Andrew C. Delinsky, Jamie Foley ‘85, Kay Malone, Joan Myers, Lauren Spirig, Chris Starr, Dr. Susanne Struebing, Suzanne Sweeney ‘72, Susan Yuhas PRINTING: J. S. McCarthy Printers ART DIRECTOR: Greta G. Chinnadurai
This publication was printed with 100% renewable Green-e certified wind power and on paper from responsible sources certified by the FSC
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The Peck School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or family composition in the administrative policies or operation of the school.
F R O M
T H E
H E A D
O F
S C H O O L
Dear Peck Community, AS WE THINK ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING AT PECK,
and all that we are poised to achieve in the years to come, there may be no better year than this, our 125th Anniversary year, that truly encapsulates our new tagline, Timeless Traditions | Timely Transformation. For 125 years, The Peck School has endeavored to instill knowledge guided by values in order to forge the principled and productive mindset so crucial to success in an ever-changing world. And for 125 years, Peck students have grown into thinkers and problem-solvers, community builders, and productive citizens. With the firm foundation of our past shaping our transformational pathway ahead, we began this anniversary year seeing truly innovative and inspirational moments that also reflect our timeless values and traditions. Our new Idea & Design and K.I.D. Labs are physical representations of the Socratic question “why,” as students learn to create and deconstruct, and make their own discoveries. Our Robotics Lab fosters orderly, logical thinking infused by the energy and excitement of authentic collaboration. The 7th & 8th Grade Commons cements lifelong class bonds, as well as a sense of leadership and academic ownership as our future Peck graduates prepare to matriculate to some of the best secondary schools around the country. And while celebrating 125 years of Peck’s memories and milestones, we’ve embarked upon The Peck Promise, our campaign—and our pledge—to elevate the enduring excellence of our school and community. Guided by our 2015 Strategic Plan, which established the footprint of our updated campus master plan, we are transforming our spaces to keep up with the timeless principles of our mission and philosophy. That’s why the changes you see happening on campus are so much more than bricks and mortar. These improved and reimagined spaces will be the necessary springboards for our students to take their places in a rapidly-changing and globally-oriented world. In this issue of Peck News, you’ll read about timely transformations happening on both a small and large scale, at Peck and for our Peck alumni; transformations that are rooted in the fertile ground of our timeless traditions. In The Peck Promise Campaign, our community is rising to the occasion with an incredible level of support—we’re over 85% of the way to our $12 million goal
just three months after our public launch of the campaign. Our current donors truly embody the “pay it forward” message and are carrying on the generous legacies of past Peck families. We’re poised to infuse our curriculum with tools from Harvard’s Agency by Design, a maker-centered learning framework that enhances learning at a broad level, across the full K-8 curriculum. And alumna Lindsey Yu ‘14 took the initial spark for coding and technology that she found at Peck to establish herself as an entrepreneur and innovator—all before heading off to college in the fall of 2018! I hope you enjoy this issue of the Peck News, and look forward to welcoming you on campus soon. Sincerely,
Andrew C. Delinsky Head of School
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NE W S A L ER T The Peck School Announces
$12 Million Campaign To Make Space For Future Teaching & Learning MORRISTOWN, NJ: ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 26,
Gymnasium in honor of early campaign benefactors and past
THE PECK SCHOOL HOSTED A COLORFUL AND
Peck parents, Kim and Finn Wentworth of Morristown.
ECLECTIC EVENT TO SHOWCASE ELEMENTS OF
Mr. Wentworth is also a former trustee of the school.
THE SCHOOL’S TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATIONAL
The new capital campaign and master plan promise to elevate
C U R R I C U L U M . The event was followed by a grand
the enduring excellence of The Peck School by securing the
celebration to announce an ambitious $12 million fundraising
funds to, among several projects, create the necessary spaces for
goal. The Peck Promise: The Campaign for Excellence Elevated
innovation, inspiration, and ingenuity.
is the school’s first major fundraising endeavor in over a decade, and the dollars raised will further actualize Peck’s strategic and
One of the largest projects currently underway is the
master plans.
construction of The Peck Commons, which will foster stronger
The event was hosted in the recently-christened Don Diebold Center for Sportsmanship & Athletics, a 30,000 square-foot sports complex that was funded along with other major projects in The Campaign for Peck, which concluded in 2007. The evening began as attendees explored a series of interactive showcases, driven by faculty and students, illustrating engaging curricular developments at the school such as: claymation, 3D modeling, laser cutting and engraving, computational thinking, robotics, collaborative art, rapid prototyping, and creative coding. The interactive exhibits highlighted design thinking and student-centered learning initiatives, while reinforcing traditions
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community ties and serve as a hub for fresh programming and events, artistic endeavors, character development, and an expansive new space for family dining and a multipurpose auditorium. In addition, the campaign aims to fund the creation of a ‘corridor of collaboration’ for a STEAM wing, which will co-locate science and math classrooms and labs, art studios, and the existing woodshop to facilitate greater opportunities for cross-curricular projects and team teaching. The F.M. Kirby Family Lower School Building will undergo improvements to incorporate a state-of-the-art science lab and relocate administrative offices to enhance student services and safety.
such as Peck’s character development and family dining
The new campus master plan also involves the demolition
programs. The exhibition took place in the upper gymnasium of
of the 60-year-old cinderblock “Old Gym” and the creation
the school, which has also recently been named the Wentworth
of a redesigned campus entrance, green space, and expanded
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outdoor play area. As a result, members of the Morristown community traveling along South Street will be re-introduced to the classic architecture and façade of the Victorian-era Lindenwold Mansion —one of New Jersey’s historic landmarks. Lindenwold sits at the center of the school’s campus and symbolizes the timeless traditions celebrated by Peck, while offering timely transformation in learning in a state-of-the-art Idea & Design Lab recently constructed in the mansion’s walk-out basement. Other projects in the school’s master plan were able to be completed early, in the summer of 2017, thanks to generous leadership gifts from Board members, current parents, past parents, and alumni. These projects include an Idea & Design Lab, a re-imagining of the school’s kindergarten building, an outdoor classroom, the construction of a new Robotics Lab, the creation of a 7th & 8th Grade Commons, and a Kindergarten version of the Idea & Design Lab (K.I.D. Lab). “For 125 years, Peck has been a leader in K-8 education. As a school, we take pride in honoring our history, we remain committed to our core values, we hold ourselves to high standards of excellence, and we have been unafraid to adapt and innovate,” said Head of School Andy Delinsky to over 350 attendees at the campaign launch. Board President Jamie Foley ’85 added, “I am thrilled to be here tonight and honored to be part of this special occasion. A night like tonight really does bring into focus the amazing place Peck is.” For detailed information and media, including a live feed of our construction zone, visit peckpromise.org/news. Peck News
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Functi on, form, and Peck ’s campaign
for the future:
How today’s Strategic Plan maps a path for tomorrow THE ENGLISH WRITER AND GEOGRAPHER NICHOLAS CRANE ONCE DECLARED THAT “MAPS CODIFY THE MIRACLE OF EXISTENCE,”
helping us to make sense of the wild and wondrous world that surrounds and shapes our daily lives [i]. In the same way, a master plan might be said to codify the existence of a school: tracing the perimeter of the grounds, charting the position of the buildings, pinpointing labs and classrooms and studios—but also revealing something key about how and why things happen, quite apart from where. For many months, we at The Peck School have been poring over our own master plan in preparation for our Peck Promise campaign—charting every foot of space on our grounds, reimagining the layouts of our classrooms, and even reshaping some longstanding structures and sketching out new ones. However, long before we began rethinking The Peck School’s physical footprint, our leadership team mapped the curricular and cultural shape of things to come. In 2015, we forged a strategic plan to outline how Peck will facilitate continued mastery of timeless academic skill sets; build upon our strengths in hands-on, problem-solving, design-thinking projects; and instill the intellectual and emotional dexterity our graduates need in a rapidly-changing world.
[i] Crane, Nicholas. Mercator: the Man who Mapped the Planet. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2002. Peck News
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Only then, after our work on the strategic plan left us certain of our programmatic aspirations, did we turn to the task of assessing our physical capacities in the master planning process. The Peck Promise: The Campaign for Excellence Elevated seeks to fund crucial capital improvements to our campus. However, the driving purpose of this campaign is to sustain a continually enriched, ever-evolving, educational and community experience for our students. It is a commitment that predates our current campaign, lives in our classrooms now, and promises to remain at the heart of our efforts for generations to come.
The shifting shape of learning at Peck Our 2015 Strategic Plan called for sustained support for innovative teaching and learning. One year later, our campus master plan responded to this pivotal directive by planning spaces that empower complex problem-solving, house design technology and tools, and facilitate cross-curricular connections. With the help of early donors, Peck has completed some vital instructional facilities, including our new Robotics Lab and the Idea & Design Lab. By mid-2019, we will also complete a STEAM wing to co-locate math classrooms and new science labs next to the art studios and Robotics Lab. Yet, more important than the spaces themselves are the teaching and learning mindsets they are designed to incubate. New facilities empower Peck to do what it already does well even better: to enable our students to think, question, create, and deconstruct across the curriculum and in all areas of study.
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Sustaining a culture of great teaching
creating environments that allow faculty
all members of this inclusive, involved
members to teach the way they aspire
school family. This is the largest and most
to teach.”
ambitious project of The Peck Promise Campaign, a much-needed update
The Peck School is defined by a culture of teaching excellence and instructional
Holding space for
intellectual curiosity instilled by an
transformative relationships
facility will enable us to enhance meal
Peck educators eagerly embrace every new opportunity to learn about learning itself—and, in particular, they think critically and carefully about how to ensure evolving facilities support enduring goals.
tradition of family-style dining. A new
inspiring Kindergarten teacher to a laserfocused fascination with ancient history provoked in an Upper School language class, the Peck experience turns on masterful teaching in every classroom. The strategic plan recognizes this, and, in turn, The Peck Promise Campaign seeks to renovate and reimagine the instructional spaces necessary for teachers to evolve their pedagogical ideas. As Bruce Schwartz, director of Peck’s Idea & Design Lab, sees it, these new classrooms and labs are concrete manifestations of the school’s commitment to fresh methods of teaching and learning. “These facilities act as hubs that extend spokes into every aspect of the Peck curriculum and other learning spaces,” he explains. “Guided by the goals of our strategic plan, we are
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that solves several logistical difficulties
innovation. From the wide-ranging
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From its earliest days, Peck has prized the authentic, lasting relationships the school facilitates between students and educators, among classmates and schoolmates, and with the community at large. Fittingly, the strategic plan prioritizes collaboration and community spirit. And as a result, The Peck Promise Campaign seeks to support the creation of spaces that harbor longstanding traditions of fellowship. In particular, the construction of The Peck Commons lies at the heart of both our campus and our commitment to
efficiently and economically. A new dining service while safeguarding our treasured multipurpose room will at last create a space large enough to accommodate the whole of the Peck community at once, allowing us to gather for performances and milestones. And when completed, our music classrooms and outdoor amphitheater will function as centers of artistic expression and creative endeavor— while our InDeCoRe Center nurtures the character development and service learning work that lies at the core of a Peck experience. The physical improvements made possible by The Peck Promise Campaign carve out niches in which we will nurture these relationships and preserve these connections for decades to come.
I N T H E E N D , the success of The Peck Promise Campaign might be
most easily gauged by the changes it has brought to our campus map— quantified in terms of the number of square feet added, buildings raised, or rooms renovated. But the real measure of our success will register in the learning experiences of our students and the lifelong successes of our alumni. While the form of our school will indeed be changed in exciting ways, our planning ensures that it will take shape around Peck’s timeless function—as a center of integrated learning, inspired teaching, and transformative community.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: Our fifth-grade students ask themselves what it would take—scientifically, logistically, and culturally—to build and sustain a community on Mars, then spend the arc of an academic year forming well-rounded, thoroughly vetted answers. From novels that explore the basis of community to miniature rovers (built in the Robotics Lab) and tested on 3-D models of the Martian landscape (printed in the Idea & Design Lab), our students learn to think their way through the complexity of civilization, coordinate collaborative efforts with classmates, and connect insights across classes and projects.
Creativity on fast-forward: Our approach to rapid prototyping requires eighth-grade students to explore new tools and technologies in the Idea & Design Lab, learning to solder and wire simple circuits, sew, or bend plexiglass. They also learn to think boldly, risk failure, and see their own efforts iteratively. And, as our students respond to design challenges posed on behalf of a fictional character, possessed of a unique biography and specific needs, they learn to root the design process in human empathy—working to solve problems for others.
A place for leadership: The 7th & 8th Grade Commons, which was completed in the summer of 2017 with the support of early donors, is designed to inspire a strong sense of community and honor the accomplishments of our oldest students. Here, seventh and eighth graders can continue classroom discussions, cement bonds of friendship, and savor the autonomy and freedom they have earned.
A bright start: Our enhancements to our early learning spaces include the Kindergarten Idea & Design Lab and an outdoor classroom—staging areas where our youngest students can establish connections with one another and welcome older schoolmates as collaborators and helpers.
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Enriching lives and leaving legacies:
Giving philosophies of a few early Peck Promise donors WINSTON CHURCHILL DREW A WELL-KNOWN DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE IMMEDIATE NEED TO CARE FOR OURSELVES AND THE MORE EXPANSIVE CALL TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL-BEING OF OTHERS. “WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET,” HE FAMOUSLY NOTED. “WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE.”
For many of the early donors to The Peck Promise Campaign, there seems to be an even broader motivation in play. By giving, these extraordinary Peck supporters hope to honor and enrich many lives—paying tribute to those of treasured friends, family members, or mentors and enriching those of their children and grandchildren. Even more remarkably, our donors speak of a guiding commitment to enhancing the lives of children and families they do not (and perhaps will never) know: those of future Peck students, from across the region and every walk of life, who will reap returns on today’s investments tomorrow.
The Peck School provided our four daughters with an excellent educational experience in the classroom and on the playing field. We will always be grateful to the faculty who guided them through their nine years at the school, and who instilled in them the confidence to handle future challenges. Our girls emerged from the Peck experience as strong young women, and seeing this inspired us to consistently contribute to Peck over the years, and it’s why we will remain committed to the school in the years to come.
Annette and John Worthington Past Parents
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Our kids today benefit from generations of generous donors who have gone before us. Now, this is our opportunity to pay that generosity forward, to help Peck evolve for many years to come.
Lauren and Hayden Baker
Like many Peck supporters, Lauren and Hayden Baker came to know the school first as parents, after enrolling Carter ‘23 and Hadley ‘24. As their children progressed through Lower School, Lauren and Hayden themselves became more deeply involved in the community, forging strong bonds with Peck educators and fellow Peck families. Over time, the Bakers say they have developed an appreciation for the school’s history and a sense of responsibility for Peck’s future. The couple describes being struck by a series of old photographs recently exhibited on campus, which chronicled the school grounds across the decades. “Those grainy black and white photos,” the Bakers say, “stand in stark contrast to the gorgeous facilities our kids enjoy now and remind us how many generous donors over time have helped Peck become the institution it is today.” In The Peck Promise Campaign, the Bakers see their own chance to “help Peck carry on its long tradition of helping Peck families raise good kids.” Moreover, the Bakers envision Peck’s good kids growing into contributors and change-makers who will leave their own indelible, vital marks on the community. “Any one family is only here for a short while, but for the past 125 years Peck has sought to continually adapt to an ever-changing world and help shape thoughtful, caring, hard-working, and intellectually curious kids.” That, the Bakers believe, “will always matter.”
In our years at Peck we’ve admired and appreciated how prior generations have shaped the school. Those who came before us made Peck into a place we are proud to be a part of—steeped in traditional values, but always with a focus on elevating this amazing experience even further whenever possible. Our boys will be graduating soon but we are excited to have our opportunity to “pay it forward.”
Liz and Tom Pryma Current Parents
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Peck is a place that lives its ideals. When this school espouses its values, it’s not just lip service—Peck actually embodies them and engrains them in each child. A gift to this school is a way of directly underwriting that mission.
Carter Marsh Abbott, Class of 1989 For Peck graduate and Board of Trustees member Carter Marsh Abbott, supporting her alma mater is a long-established habit, instilled by her parents Elizabeth (Betty) and Spencer Marsh. “My mother taught at Peck, and she encouraged me to contribute to the annual fund as a very young alumna—even while I was still in high school. My parents always stressed the importance of giving back with our time, talent, and treasure.” As current Peck parents, Carter and her husband, Red Abbott, have continued to honor this principle with an early contribution to The Peck Promise Campaign. Carter knows firsthand the effect capital improvements can have on the daily life of a student. She attended Peck when the cafeteria was built in the 1980s and can vividly recall the excitement generated when the new facility was dedicated and opened. “It was a gathering space for us,” she remembers, “and an investment by the school community in their students, as well as in our custom of family style dining and the sustaining, formative relationships this tradition fosters.” Now, Carter and Red give to signal their own continued support for the school and its students—and the faculty members who show such deep devotion to both. “Peck educators are attuned to each child and dedicated to the craft of teaching,” Carter explains. “Our gift to The Peck Promise Campaign ensures top-notch facilities to match our top-notch teachers.” This is vitally important, she says, in giving existing teachers the resources they merit and empowering Peck to recruit exemplary candidates for future positions. “The physical facilities we create now are extremely important,” she notes, “because they will shape the teaching and learning lives of our faculty and students for many generations to come.”
With our three older children currently in their early years at Peck and our fourth yet to start, foremost in our minds is to make certain The Peck School attracts and retains quality educators and provides those educators with premier resources to effect academic excellence. We believe our support of Peck’s mission through our contribution to the campaign will help achieve that goal and have a lasting benefit for future students.
Lorena and Edward Eaton Current Parents
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Peck has always provided a wonderful family-oriented learning community. The world changes and the school must change with it, but I believe Peck will use its resources to make wise, measured steps forward.
Gay Osborn, Class of 1966 G A Y O S B ORN, mi d d l e r o w ce n te r
When Peck alumna Gay Osborn discusses her decision to support The Peck Promise Campaign, her words are informed by thoughtful perspective and infused with optimism. She remembers being warmly welcomed at Peck as a student and recalls finding the same personally affirming, academically challenging environment when both her children enrolled. Just as the Morristown region has grown and changed over the years, Gay recognizes that the school has changed, too—while remaining true to its core principles. “I still like what I see in the culture at Peck,” she says. “And in terms of the curriculum, I’m particularly intrigued by the possibilities of the school’s new labs and makerspaces.” Gay’s early contribution to the campaign, made on behalf of herself and her family, helped Peck complete the Idea & Design Lab. “The name of the space itself—the Idea & Design Lab—is exciting,” Gay explains. “It encompasses so many possibilities for working through and solving thought-provoking problems. The lab promises to be a place where students can see their ideas materialize and learn to trust their own creativity.” While Gay appreciates the unchanging values that guide The Peck School, her generosity will enable the school to adapt, grow, and remain thoughtfully relevant in a changing world. “I hope the school will continue to evolve,” she says, “and continue—one year or five years or one hundred years down the road—to invite students to think boldly and inventively outside any academic box.”
We give to Peck because it has given so much to us. The Peck School has been an immense jumpstart for our kids’ educational and character trajectory over the years. We could not be happier with how they’ve matured, and owe so much of their success to our partners in raising them: the teachers and administration at The Peck School. We firmly believe it is important to give back to society in any way we can—and to always ‘take care of the hand that nurtured and supported you.’
Swati and Jai Parekh Past Parents Peck News
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For us, the single most important investment we will ever make is in the education of our children. The Peck Promise Campaign is an opportunity to make a similar investment in all Peck children, present and future. Rania Makki and Mahmoud Elassir
When Rania Makki and Mahmoud Elassir were choosing a school for their daughter, Peck made an immediate impression. “We went to several open houses,” Rania explains, “but Peck’s articulation of character education stood out. Peck’s strong emphasis on values like respect, fairness, and trustworthiness really caught my attention.” Their daughter is now in the sixth grade at Peck, and the family is pleased that these values are not just words, but principles that Peck educators model and expound every day. Mahmoud, who currently serves on the Peck Board of Trustees, adds that Peck’s commitment to a warm and ethical community made the choice to give an easy one. “At Peck, doing the right thing is the daily default,” he says, “and we wanted to support that culture.” As their twin boys look forward to joining their older sister at Peck, Mahmoud and Rania feel called to support the community that will one day embrace all three of their children. Rania explains that this sense of duty is heightened by the couple’s own childhood experiences in Beirut, Lebanon. “We grew up dealing with the reality of war, when innocence, childhood, and fair play were all in peril. A supportive community is hard to maintain when the main focus is survival. For our children, we wanted to provide a secure, supportive environment where they can focus on learning and discovery and just being children.” Through their generous gift, the Makki-Elassir family sustains Peck’s mission of character education and supports new spaces in which our students can build connection and community.
I feel compelled and honored to give back to Peck. Everything we do to support our school helps these children develop into inquisitive, self-sufficient, and considerate members of our community. I have the utmost trust and confidence in the school’s leadership and their plans to further expand the already-fantastic facilities and resources offered at Peck. I am thrilled that my students are learning in an environment that knows only the boundaries of their own imaginations.
Michael Karosen Lower School Science Teacher
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We joined The Peck School three years ago, and the community has been so warm and welcoming. We believe in the administration and their vision for Peck and its students. Our children have benefited tremendously from the opportunities afforded by a Peck education, due in large part to the generosity of those before us. We want to do our part to support Peck students in the years to come by participating in The Peck Promise Campaign.
Sylvie and Chris Downey Current Parents
It’s been an amazing adventure, now spanning 42 years, to watch our children and grandchildren learning at Peck, and see their minds captured by teachers who love to teach! We will always contribute to Peck, where the values we cherish are taught every day and are encouraged through example. The world is a very different place than it was 1979—but the young men and women graduating now have only changed for the better. Our world needs them. Our gift to Peck will always be a thank you from our hearts.
Kim and Noel Foley Past Parents, Current Grandparents
My family and I do not view campaign support as simply ‘giving.’ Rather, it is an investment that will deliver compounding benefits for current and future students. For me, as an alumnus of the school, historic Lindenwold, spirited Field Days, and the timeless faculty will remain forever ingrained in my fondest Peck memories. Our hope is that this new capital campaign will facilitate even more Peck traditions for all the fortunate generations to come.
Philip Kim ‘90 Alumnus, Current Parent
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The Peck Promise Campaign passes $10 million mark! The Peck School has always been a collective effort; one in which every student, every family, every educator, and every donor plays a critical role. Together, we are the keepers of the Peck Promise—as we work to honor our timeless mission, and make timely moves to secure our future. Thanks to the generosity of the donors below, we are well on our way to our ambitious $12 million goal. We are so appreciative of the visionary members of our community who have already pledged their support to The Peck Promise.*
Carter ‘89 and Red Abbott
Julie Casola
Lorena and Edward Eaton
Lauren and Hayden Baker
Emily and Finn Caspersen
Catrin and Gregg Edell
Jeff and Melissa Bartoli
Virgina and Shawn Cepeda
Rania Makki and Mahmoud Elassir
Scott Beil
Sarah Chan and Philip Sim
F.M. Kirby Foundation
BeSiTe Foundation (c/o Drs. Swati and Jai Parekh)
Jennifer Cleary
Amanda and Robert Falk
Stephanie and Russell Colaco
Julie and Thomas Bliemel
Mary Faugno
Keeneh and Robert Comizio
Guy and Stefanie Bolton
Brian and Tiffany Crosby
Holly and Norman Brown
Colette and Jim Cross
Jean and Barrett Brown Katherine Bruno
Zheng Song-Decker and J. Nicholas Decker
Virginia and Rodney Frelinghuysen
Kathleen and Bret Budenbender
Andrew and Julie Delinsky
Jennifer and Fenwick Garvey
Barbara and Stephen Delinsky
Susan and David Gibbons
Kristen and Joseph DiPasquale
Kevin Grieshaber
Kristin and Mark Bush
Molly Donnelly
Jason Guss
Karla and William Calder
Chris and Sylvie Downey
James and Sarah Heck
Lorraine Callaghan
The Dubel Family
Sheila and David Hepp
Ariadna Biete Ribas and Victor Bulto Carulla
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Janine Finnegan Wanda Fiorini The Foley Family
Todd and Nina Hohman
Joan Myers
Lauren Spirig
Kimberly and Daniel Honeker
Christa and Charles Nees
Christopher Starr
Robert and Laurie Jacobs
Kirsten and Stephen Neville
Jennifer and David Thomas
Susan Kratina and Rajiv Kamilla
Julie O’Rourke
Carolyn Vallario
Elizabeth and Andrew Kapp
Kate and Todd Van Cleef
Michael Karosen
Operation Recognition (Diebold Center Naming Initiative Donors)
Sue and Philip Kim ‘90
Gay Hartranft Osborn ‘66 and Family
Adrienne and Dillard Kirby ‘73
Carol and Souren Ouzounian
Achilles and Hetty Kintiroglou
Janet and J.D. Pearce
The Klehm Family
Peck Parents Association
Carrie and Brad Kurtzman
Antonia and Rob Pelaez
JeanAnn Morgan-Liftin and Alan Liftin
Katarina and Mike Pendy
Colleen Loughman
Tracy (Meerwarth) Pester ‘88 and Scott Pester
Timothy Loveday Christine LoVerde The Lyon Family Anne ‘73 and Tom MacCowatt Katie and Patrick Machir Mary and Christopher MacVicar Genevieve and Matthew Mallgrave
Melinda and Jaime Vieser Casey and Mark Wells Lisa and David Welsh Kim and Finn Wentworth Erin Wolters Annette and John Worthington Megan and Erik Young Susan Yuhas
Jim and Jeanne Petrucci Liz and Tom Pryma Kristen and Patrick Ramsey Melissa and Peter Ramsey Shannon and Sean Riley The Rogers Family
The Don Diebold Center for Sportsmanship and Athletics (Leadership Donors) Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. James L. Bellis Jr. ‘67 Mr. and Mrs. John L. Dana ‘69
Kay Malone
Sara Ruark
Ann Marie and Marc Manahan
Anton and Laura Sahazizian
Gail and Paul Mandel
Susan and Michael Santomassimo
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Scott Marsh III
Daisy and Thomas Savage
Michael and Beth Mastrangelo
Virginia Savage ‘05
Mr. and Mrs. E. Burke Ross Jr. ‘65
Allison and Matthew McMahon
Bruce Schwartz
Edmund B. Ross III ‘00
Heather and Bruce Medd
Katherine Seitz
Dana T. Ross ‘98
Christina and Keith Melchionni
Pragati and Mihir Shah
Charlotte Ross Canet ‘02
Maribel and Bradley Mohr
Suba and Suken Shah
Allyson Ross-Pachios ‘91
Irene and Mark Mortensen
Ellis ‘82 and Peter Siedem
Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Storms
Jennifer and Frederick Moss
Alison and Charles Sorrentino
Mr. and Mrs. J. Brian Thebault
Mr. and Mrs. R. Kelly Doherty Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Gilfillan Mr. and Mrs. James H. Higgins III
* Every effort has been made to ensure that all contributors who have made a gift or pledge to The Peck Promise Campaign as of May 3, 2018 are recognized on this list. Throughout the length of the campaign, all contributors will be recognized online at www.peckpromise.org/ourdonors.
Peck News
| 21
What’s the Real Dirt on The Peck School? At Peck, children learn by doing—mastering foundational
foun·da·tion foun′dāSH(ә)n noun
academic skills and conquering classic content in fresh and active ways. Generations of families have benefited from the strong foundation of a Peck education. It should come as no surprise, then, to learn that the very buildings within which our students learn and grow sit on a
1. the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level. 2. an underlying basis or principle for something.
geologically strong foundation. Our building team recently unearthed this evidence during their excavation for the construction of the new Peck Commons. Not only are the architects and builders pleased by what they see, the excess sediment is being sold and shipped off to less well-endowed construction sites. Apparently, Peck dirt is in high demand. “Dirt is a critically important component in the engineering
3. the action of establishing an
process. Buildings need to rest on strong and stable soil,” says
institution or organization on
David Welsh, co-chair of The Peck Promise Campaign, and a
a permanent basis, especially
member of Peck’s Board of Trustees.
with an endowment.
Further endorsement for the importance of soil (and the esoteric beauty of a Google search) can be found on the Soils Matter Blog (soilsmatter.wordpress.com):
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For the Geomorphologists Among Us: Somewhere in the neighborhood of 50,000 years ago, much of the Morristown area was buried under 10,000 feet of ice. The Wisconsin Glaciation period, as it is known, pushed up vast amounts of soil and rock in its wake as it plowed from the north towards the south of New Jersey. As the glacier receded, rivers, deltas, and lakes were formed in the glacial outwash. Morristown is located on the former western edge of a lake that was known as Glacial Lake Passaic, which existed 10,000 to 13,000 years ago. In fact, South Street in Morristown runs along the top of a ridge that drops off into a valley that was once part of the Glacial Lake Passaic basin. The Peck School is located on the border of two very distinct native soil deposits that were deposited during and after the recession of the Wisconsin Glacier. “The strength and stability of soil depend on its physical
The soils beneath Peck are
properties. Soil with good structure is more stable. Clay textures
primarily clean sands with very
are often more stable than sand textures because they have better
little silt content. They are ideal for
structure. However, a mix of particle sizes (and pore sizes) is best
construction, as the soils are easily
for engineering (just as it is best for growing crops). It is also
compacted, do not readily degrade
important that soil is stable through wetting and drying cycles,
during periods of wet weather, and
so that expanding soil does not crack roads or foundations.”
are relatively free draining. As the lake
The soil beneath The Peck School, it turns out, is an ideal mix of clay and sand, with no extraneous stumps, rocks, and other bits and pieces. Perhaps our talented scientific students can do a bit of geomorphology (the study of soil in its natural environment) to tell us more about how our sediment got this way. The new Peck Commons will be a future hub for communitybuilding, family dining, performance, and character education at Peck. Just as the very soil beneath the new building promises to provide a solid and durable foundation for construction,
went through thousands of years of freezing and thawing cycles and the river continued to transport more sediments to the lake from other receding glacier areas, these materials built up in many areas greater than 10 or 20 feet thick. The last remnant of the Glacial Lake Passaic is the Great Swamp, which is located just south from Morristown.
the collaborations and relationships formed above ground will bolster the foundations of a Peck education for years to come. So what’s the real dirt on The Peck School? It is tangible
Information from SESI Consulting Engineers, Justin Protasiewicz, Principal.
evidence that The Peck Promise Campaign continues to support an already rock-solid education. Peck News
| 23
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Think. Question. Do: Inside Agency by Design at Peck IN PECK’S IDEA & DESIGN LAB, THE CATCHPHRASE
problem-solve for others, and helps them visualize connections
“THINK, QUESTION, DO” IS COLORFULLY POSTED
and patterns. It speaks to young people’s innate curiosity
TO THE WALLS NEXT TO LASER-CUTTERS AND
about the world around them, providing ample room to ask
SMART BOARDS, SEWING MACHINES AND 3D P R I N T E R S . But how does this axiom speak beyond the tools in
that room—beyond the room itself—and become a roadmap showing how children learn? Agency by Design (AbD) is both a research initiative and teaching framework that helps educators address this question. Begun in 2012 through Harvard’s Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, AbD’s initial work delved deeply
why, to explore and tinker, see results, and go back again. To put it another way, the framework acts as a set of teaching “instructions” that can be used to get students of all ages to begin examining, questioning, and reasoning more deeply—no matter the age, or subject matter. The framework is circular, and can be used in parts or as a whole. It encourages three core capacities: Looking Closely, Exploring Complexities, and Finding Opportunity. Each of these
into the whole of maker education and pedagogical research. Researchers hypothesized that by fostering an innate sensitivity to design—the ability to look closely at something, and see how parts interconnect and relate to a whole—students can better realize their own agency in taking responsibility for their learning. Which is, of course, the ultimate goal of maker education: a growth mindset in which students are empowered to shape their own worlds. For the past year, Bruce Schwartz, Director of the Idea & Design Lab, along with LS Technology Integrator Jen Garvey and LS Associate/Kindergarten Idea & Design Lab (K.I.D.) Teacher Jessica Cathcart, have been using Agency by Design to guide lessons in Peck’s K.I.D. and Idea & Design Labs—where it’s often easier for young minds to visualize and begin developing these thinking patterns through hands-on, STEAM-related projects. The goal is to begin transferring these modes of thinking outside the labs into all other learning spaces. The AbD framework is responsive and flexible; it encourages collaboration and community, prompts students on how to Peck News
| 25
is transferable to any academic process—from designing and
routines can be used for any grade...for example, using ‘Looking
prototyping a paper-cup bobsled to critically analyzing literature.
Closely’ to observe the natural world might have a different
The framework also includes ‘thinking routines’ that help
outcome for a first grader than an eighth grader, but that pattern
reinforce necessary habits of mind to achieve these capacities.
of thinking is the same at any level. And the more these patterns
For example, the first grade recently used AbD’s “What If”
are used, the more they become habits.”
thinking routine to imagine how they could better design a house for a partner, practicing divergent thinking (imagining new possibilities) and convergent thinking (deciding on an effective approach to redesign a system.)
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Bruce Schwartz adds that “even though in the labs we focus on bringing things to market, we emphasize the process over the product. We’re bringing to light the thinking patterns that are applicable equally in making a device, or breaking down a
“We spent a year looking at frameworks,” said Jen Garvey.
piece of music, or writing an essay. We want students to take the
“We’re not just looking at how to rethink products and
thinking and the questioning that they do here in this lab, and
inventions, we’re trying to rethink processes. And [AbD’s] thinking
use that mindset in every other class, and outside of school.”
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About Bruce Schwartz, Director of the Idea & Design Lab At Peck he also served as the Upper
Jessica Cathcart, led Peck’s initiative
School Tech Integrator, and before that
to identify an overarching framework
was a tech integrator at the Key School
that could apply the design process
in Maryland.
(or, “thinking process”) equally across
When asked why Peck named this an ‘Idea & Design’ Lab, Mr. Schwartz answers, “We named it an Idea & Design Lab and not a ‘Let’s Make Something’ lab, because we want students to really focus on the process of designing—on the process of analyzing and making decisions—not just the end product itself. And, speaking to our core values, every design process starts with empathy; identifying who you’re making a product for, and solving a problem for someone else. This can be BRUCE SCHWARTZ HAS ALWAYS L O V E D T E C H N O L O G Y and the role it
plays in education, though it could be said that he shapes his role as Director of the
challenging for elementary and middle school kids, but it forces them to really slow down and think things through, look closely, and imagine possibilities.”
Idea & Design Lab at Peck just as much
In the summer of 2017, Mr. Schwartz,
by his 20-plus years of experience in the
working with teachers Jen Garvey and
grades K through 8, and throughout the full curriculum; athletics and character education included. After attending a three-day immersive workshop in Pittsburgh about Agency by Design, Mr. Schwartz found that this framework— which is grounded in the arts and humanities by virtue of its’ origin at Harvard’s Project Zero initiative—is the perfect fit for elementary and middle school minds, and can be readily applied for all Peck teachers. The three teachers led professional development for Peck’s faculty in April, 2018, and in July, facilitators from Agency by Design will lead a two-day training workshop for how to implement this framework across a variety of classrooms and learning spaces.
business realm of corporate trademark licensing and product development. “My talents in that area were always in seeing relationships, and how parts work together,” he says. “I always knew that if I took A, plus B, I could equal C. I could apply this in analyzing brands, what they mean, and what are opportunities to extend that into new areas.” Mr. Schwartz helped bring the Caterpillar® brand concept to rugged construction workwear, and at Sony, helped develop the first biometric USB devices and Sony-product-filled airport vending machines. He has a liberal arts background in political science, diplomacy, and foreign affairs—and, speaking to his natural flair for teaching—four kids who grew up always asking why. “I remember being utterly exhausted by the constant questioning...but now, that’s exactly what I want to hear from my current students!” Peck News
| 27
TEAMING STEAM W I T H PHYSICAL ED UCATI ON ANY TRULY VALUABLE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO ENGAGING STUDENTS INTELLECTUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND PHYSICALLY.
In the past, the world of general education had often addressed these aspects of learning in separate silos. Students may have sat passively in a classroom while a teacher engaged them intellectually. Later in the day, perhaps, they participated in an arts or music class to engage emotionally with the subject. Periodically, students would be shuttled to a gym class and put through the rigors of a rope climb, calisthenics, or a competitive ball game. This eventually became known as “physical education” with the addition of health and nutrition information added to the mix. Fortunately, modern educators are breaking down these silos and generating overwhelming evidence that movement and exercise should be as much a part of the academic experience as science, technology, engineering, and math should be part of physical education. As a Wall Street Journal education columnist Valerie Strauss once wrote, “Letting kids move in class isn’t a break from learning. It IS learning.” Physical education is essential and must “fit” or integrate within an overall school philosophy. At Peck, this means not just complimenting the work that our academic faculty are facilitating, but providing an active foundation for a lifelong appreciation of movement and exercise, combined with a commitment to intellectual curiosity and exploration. At The Peck School, problem-based, hands-on learning and STEAM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) promote collaboration, teamwork, trial and error, and other skillsets that have long been nurtured in our physical education program. “Because students learn in different ways and excel in different environments, it’s important that we cast a wide net. We need to bring physical movement into the classroom and also find opportunities for problem solving and engineering in
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Physical Education can be an amazing learning environment for just about any academic concept
PE,” explains Chris Weaver, Peck’s Director of Curriculum and Faculty Development. Just as our classroom teachers have been ‘activating’ students with movement in and around the classroom, our physical education teachers have been doing some ‘intellectualizing’ during their own time with students. “PE can be an amazing learning environment for almost any academic concept,” says Sue Sweeney, Assistant Athletic Director, Head of Girls Athletics, and Physical Education Teacher. Coach Sweeney, and the entire Athletics Department at Peck, enjoy integrating physical activity with intellectual collaboration. Their hope is to blur the lines between what students do in their academic pursuits, and what they do in the gym. A great example of how they give students a workout while practicing engineering
individually, students picked a nation and a flag and spent several periods in the ID Lab constructing functional prototypes of their nations’ bobsleds. Finally, students competed with each other to race down a miniature bobsled track constructed out of rain gutters. (Watch a video at www.peckschool.org/bobsleds).
skills is the “hula hoop huts” game. Building hula hoop huts
At Peck, we are asking, “How can we utilize our Diebold Center
under the pressure of an incoming foam ball is a great team-
for Sportsmanship & Athletics, and the playing fields, beyond
building activity where students actively work on cooperation
exercise of the body to incorporate exercise of the mind—and
and communication while getting a workout at the same time.
infuse into a physical education program the goal of preparing
Teams of students work together using six hula hoops in
physically literate students for work and life?”
sequence to construct a freestanding structure resembling a
In elementary grades, for example, guided discovery and
hut. Every incoming ball they catch equates to one more hula
adventure education can promote problem-solving, decision-
hoop they can add to their structure. When they are finished
making and cooperation among groups. This leads to an
constructing, they must then defend their structure from
understanding of group dynamics, leadership, and navigating
incoming balls. Students enjoy this blend of engineering and
disagreement. In Upper School, creative approaches can be
exercise so much that they are often found organizing their own
used to teach basic nutrition, stress management, and other
pick-up games during recess!
lifelong physical skills. Perhaps our PE students might utilize
Another example of stretching the boundaries of physical
students to track vital health statistics during exercise.
education is the recent foray Coach Sweeney took with her
The possibilities are exciting when young, tech-savvy
PE classes into Peck’s Idea & Design Lab. Students had
students approach physical education with the same ‘design
been studying aspects of the 2018 Winter Olympics and, in
thinking’ concepts nurtured throughout the rest of their
particular, they focused on the sport of bobsled racing. Working
academic experience.
their coding course to develop an app to encourage other
Peck News
| 29
Why Does Annual Giving Matter Right Now? For more than 125 years, The Peck School has transformed the lives of its elementary school students every day, generation by generation. And in every year, you help us accomplish this by supporting our operating costs through The Peck Fund. You help keep the timeless educational tools of pencils and books in each classroom. You help outfit our athletic teams with the latest equipment. You help students dive into the future of technology, and faculty dive deeply into their professions, ensuring the most relevant, dynamic experience for elementary and middle school education, on a year-to-year operating basis. The Peck School’s annual (i.e., right now) operating costs for the school are approximately $12M. Annual tuition revenue covers 86% of these annual operating costs. For the 14% balance, Peck relies on contributions to The Peck Fund. Next to tuition, annual giving contributions are the single largest source of income to the school. While tuition provides most of the necessary dollars to ensure that our students receive a quality education, we hope to do so much more. A strong annual fund allows us to offer our students and our teachers a wide array of opportunities. Like all independent schools, Peck depends on contributions from all its constituents—its parents, grandparents, alumni, past parents, and friends—to help bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of operating the school. We also count on corporate matching gifts and grant funding from foundations, as well. The Peck Fund drive allows us to educate donors consistently about the importance of our school’s impact and value to both our community and the wider community. For generations, constituents such as alumni and past parents, have, in effect, paid it forward by strongly supporting the annual fund long after they or their children have graduated. We hope every member of the Peck community participates in this fund and we ask you to give to the best of your ability. Every gift to The Peck Fund ensures our students grow to their full potential. We know there are many causes that clamor for your attention—and we are grateful for your consideration in choosing to make a difference to the day-to-day operations at Peck.
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So, Where Do Your Peck Fund Dollars Go? From g fitsof$ 50 to g fitsof$ 10,000, and every d olal r n i betw een and m ore, your g enerousg fitsto The PeckFund m ake a d i
fference rig htnow for our
school.N o m atter the size ofyour g fitto The PeckFund — sm allor al rg e— w e are g ratefulto have youasp artofour p hial nthrop ci com m unity!
$50+
1
#
Pencils eara timeless ooltorf a timeless educa tion. Through the sec ond g rade , students lear n the art of cursiv e handwr iting (and ar e of rmally assessed) — and throughout their en tire Peck educa tion, studen ts never lose the eelf of a pencil amidst yping t and tapping on the
$100+
latestechnolog t ical terfac in es.
Let’s Stay #1!
D iverse lending libr aries in our nglish E classr oom exp and
to be #1 when it comes to rates
young minds into new horizons, building empathy and critical analy sis , better readers and wr iters, and an appr eciation of the erary lit arts.
This year, we strive once again of current parent participation among our peer independent schools! For the last few years, our incredible 98% parent
$500+ Peck’s o utstanding
sp orts pr ogram
rests o n a
foundation o fsafe and soundequipment,meticulously cared -for g ymnasiums and fields, and uniforms to wear wit h pride.
participation has been the envy (and, dare we say, the gold standard!) for other schools’ philanthropic programs. Although the dollar amount
$1000+ Guided
Math, small gr oup pr oficienc y-driven instructi on,
is an essentialtoolfor teaching Lower School students to ‘thinklike mathematicians ’— boo sting lifelong skills for logical reasoning and computationalthinking.
is very important, it’s only part of the story. We also have a participation goal. High participation is a vote of confidence; a sign that we, as parents, alumni, grandparents,
$5,000+
Peck ’s FIR ST Lego Leagueteamsare making wavesin r obotics competitions, and Upper School science classes are digging deepl y into data and analysis, devising
newexperiments,and
disc overing how the w orld w orks.iPad Pros help studentsto predict, pr ogram, and evaluateoutcomes.
past parents, and friends of Peck, invest in our students’ education and believe in the school’s mission. Every day. A high percentage rate can also have an impact on gifts
$10,000+ A str ong teaching
and learning community requires
inn ovative, d ynamic faculty to lead the wa y.Professional devel opmentat Peckis m ore than attending w orkshops; it ’s creating and sustaining a cultureofteaching excellence.
Ever y gift to Th e PeckFundensures our studentsgr ow to their fullp otential.Thank you for considering
a gift to Th e PeckFund.
from outside sources such as foundations and corporations, who consider constituent participation before committing funds to the school. Let’s stay # 1 for current parents, and keep setting great records for participating in The Peck Fund from our past parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends, too! Peck News
| 31
CAMPUS NEWS Peck’s “PeckBots” Commended at State Competition After their commendation at the regional competition for epitomizing the “Core Values” of the FIRST Lego League (FLL), The Peck School’s all-girls robotics squad moved on to compete in the Northern New Jersey State FLL Championship at Mt. Olive School in Flanders on December 9th. Once again, our “PeckBots” (as they call themselves) fared very well in the competition and came home with the official Teamwork Award.
TH E PECK “PECKBOTS” RECEIVE THE FLL TEAMWORK AWARD
Represented in 88 countries, the FIRST Lego League challenges students aged 9-14 to research and develop a solution to a real-world problem. They must also design, build, and program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology, and compete on a tabletop playing field. Throughout the program, all participants must adhere
[The Teamwork Award] recognizes a team that is able to accomplish more together than they could as individuals through shared goals, strong communication, effective problem solving, and excellent time management.
to the FLL’s Core Values governing, among other positive traits, Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition®.
For their real-world problem, Team
As the FIRST Lego League states,
PeckBots chose the delivery of water
“[The Teamwork Award] recognizes
in rural areas as their problem and
a team that is able to accomplish
developed a robot that can enter
more together than they could as
pipes, detect leaks, and repair them.
individuals through shared goals, strong communication, effective problem solving, and excellent time management.” The girls have brought to robotics the same ethos of sportsmanship and communication that
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The team chose The Water Project as a fundraising component to complement their work—and learned in late January that The Water Project will be directing their raised funds towards one of their programs in western Kenya!
our athletic department emphasizes on
Congratulations to PeckBots teammates
the court and the sports field.
Janet Pearce ‘18, Megan Wu ‘18, Kay
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Lyon ‘19, Heidi Pearce ‘20, Scarlette Liftin ‘21, Gianna Piloto ‘21, and Harini Venkatesh ‘21. A big thank you to the dedicated faculty coaches who worked with all our robotics teams throughout this year: Bruce Schwartz, Director of Peck’s Idea & Design Lab; Kevin Grieshaber, Director of Technology / Grade 5-8 Tech Integrator; Genny EliasWarren, Upper School Science Teacher; and Lee Collik, Technology Specialist.
SEV EN T Y - S IX TR O M B O N E S , A N D ONE MU SI C MA N! To the delight of students and parents alike, Peck students produced and performed The Music Man, Jr. as this year’s Winter Musical in February 2018. This rousing adaptation of Meredith Wilson’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy follows traveling salesman Professor Harold Hill (played by Will Calder ‘18) as he fast-talks his way into selling the people of River City, Iowa, a slew of musical instruments and uniforms with the promise of starting up a boys’ band. Mr. Hill, however, doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef—and his plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for the town’s conscientious librarian (played by Caroline Keating ‘18). This warm, good-humored musical features some of the original show’s most iconic pieces, and were delivered by our Peck players with tremendous enthusiasm. The winter musical highlights our students’ year-round versatility and enthusiasm for both athletic and artistic performance, as fifth-through-eighth graders can choose to audition or work in the theatrical crew in lieu of a winter sport. With a cast and crew of 39, and a veritable army of staff and parent volunteers supporting the show’s technical needs, The Music Man, Jr. showed off the best of our community’s spirit of collaboration, consideration, and creativity in producing such a large-scale performance. Congratulations on a fantastic show!
T HE C A S T AND CRE W OF TH E MUSIC MAN, JR.
C A R O L I N E K E ATING ’18 & A S HL E Y P E RTSE MLIDIS ’18
MARSH ALL HERMAN ’19
ABBY MACVICAR ’18
WILL CALD E R ’ 1 8
Peck News
| 33
Five Peck Groups Advance to History Competition
The following projects will be advancing to the state competition in May at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ:
On March 3, sixteen Peck students
Group Exhibit, The Cotton Club, by Aitalia Sharpe ‘18 and Maria Vieira ‘18
from grades six to eight traveled with
Live Performance: Individual Performance, The Split of Yugoslavia, by Will Calder ‘18
members of their families and Peck faculty advisors to the Rutgers campus in Camden, NJ to showcase their National History Day (NHD) projects at the regional level of NHD competition. These students were hand-picked to exhibit
Exhibits: Individual Exhibit, The Siege of Leningrad, by Liz Khidekel ‘18
Websites: Individual Website, The Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, by Isabella DiPasquale ‘19 Group Website, The Great Schism, by Bella Vieser ‘18, Anna Riley ‘18, Christian Carbeau ‘18, Alec Brown ‘18
in the regional event from the whole of their respective classes that created a wide variety of projects for the annual Peck Upper School NHD competition earlier in the year. (Watch a video about Peck’s NHD projects on our website!) After presentations and Q&A with National History Day judges, five groups of Peck students are moving on to the NHD state competition in May. Regardless of whether or not students advanced to the regional or state competition, the Peck History Department is extremely proud of our Peck students’ hard work and efforts.
E IGHTH-GRADERS AITALIA SHARPE AN D MARIA VIERIA RESEARCHED TH E PROHIBITION -ERA HARLEM N IGHTCLU B, THE COTTON CLU B.
C O NSI D ER A T E TO TH E ‘ C O R E Over the years, members of Peck’s Faculty Team for InDeCoRe Values (FTIV) have devised engaging ways to help students link together both our school’s underlying value of Consideration of Others, and InDeCoRe values of Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, Empathy, Honesty, and Loyalty. How do all of these notions fit together? What is the most appealing way to capture and exemplify what these values mean? The challenge is to inspire students to live these values—not only “talking the talk” but also “walking the walk.” The idea of being “Considerate to the ‘CoRe” gained resonance with the FTIV, and other members of the Peck community, primarily because it reflects the import of consideration being at the very heart of all that we say, feel, and do. Specific attention to the core, whether you envision the core of a human, an object, or the Earth itself, also implies a focus on the well-being of the community as a whole. To represent this concept visually, School Psychologist Dr. Suzanne Struebing asked eighth-grader Maria Vieira ‘18 for a bit of help. Though she’s in a busy final year at Peck, Maria was certainly “Considerate to the CoRe” when she said with all earnestness, “I’d be honored.” The graphic shows a beautiful image of the earth with a ‘CoRe (representing Community Responsibility) that is encircled by heart-shaped Linden leaves, in honor of our Lindenwold home.
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“ WHO A M I? ” Q U IZZE S P ECK ’S S E C O N D G R A D E R S Recently, parents were put to the test during Peck’s Grade 2 biography presentations as they guessed at the identities of the ‘historical figures’ standing before them. Second graders (each costumed as a historical figure they’d researched) delivered a series of clues about their characters’ accomplishments before asking, “Who Am I?”
SHAKESPEARE (AKA EMMY PRU ITT ‘24) QU IZZES SECON D GRA D E P AR E NT S .
Throughout the year, the second grade has been exploring the essential question: How does learning about myself and others help us connect? In researching the lives of people who have made significant historical achievements, students found part of that answer—that people who do extraordinary things were once second graders too, who, by believing in themselves, accomplished seemingly impossible things. The biography project has evolved over the years to include a focus on historical figures that have made significant contributions to the world including civil rights leaders, inventors, poets, women leaders, and other famous firsts. Second grade teachers Jane Attah and Christine LoVerde encourage students to personally relate to their chosen subject’s life work, making this both a meaningful and informative process. In addition to reading a biography book, students are also encouraged to use age-appropriate online resources, and also think about which of their chosen person’s achievements reflect Peck’s InDeCoRe values.
EX P L O R IN G M A R S W ITH A UGM EN TE D R E A L ITY In March, students in grades 5, 6, and 7 explored the surface of Mars, investigated the mechanics of a Mars rover, and explored the depths of a Martian crater—all without leaving the Higgins Library. With the help of a Google Pioneer Program facilitator, students used Google’s new Expedition Augmented
DOMIN ICK BECK ‘21 EX PLORS MARS
Reality (AR) app to examine elements of Mars in 3D from all angles. The technology uses augmented reality to map a 3D object, and place it within a classroom on a smartphone screen. Students can then walk around the object, analyze it as a group, move in close to examine details, or step back to get a wider perspective. In this way,
Upper School Science Teachers
“Our students had the opportunity to
Genny Elias-Warren and Tim Loveday
really get physical with the planet Mars
encountered the technology at a
in ways that aren’t otherwise possible.
conference in November of 2017.
It was truly amazing to watch students
They have been working ever since to participate in Google’s Pioneer Program. This special pilot program offers a free
who aren’t normally engaged in science take the lead on exploring and then connect it to our classroom learning,” said Ms. Elias-Warren after a session
objects and environments that
one-day demonstration for faculty and
are impossible or difficult to
students, as well as, separate training
see and visualize can come alive in
for faculty as part of a nationwide beta
(Watch the video on our YouTube page, at
the classroom.
test of the software and hardware.
www.peckschool.org/youtube.)
with the students.
Peck News
| 35
Peck’s Old Dining Hall Dismantled In what seemed like a blink of the eye, the Olney Dining
The dining hall has especially held countless memories for
Hall and surrounding grounds were dismantled over our
generations of Peck families who have participated over
March spring break this year. While our community watched
the years in our family meals program. The hall was built
the live construction feed with a bit of sadness, it was also
as an extension to the Old Gym thanks to the 1982 capital
with the understanding that future generations of Peck
campaign entitled “In Pursuit of Excellence.” The Old Gym
students will need a larger, more contemporary space to
itself has served Peck nobly for almost 60 years. As fond as
dine and assemble in the years ahead. This project, among
we are of the relationships and experiences both buildings
others, marks an integral component of Peck’s Master Plan,
fostered, they had grown outdated and incapable of meeting
grounded in Peck’s 2015 Strategic Plan goals, and realized
the needs of students today.
through our Peck Promise campaign—all intended to elevate a truly excellent program for future generations of students and families.
enjoyed a special lunch dedicated to the countless meals they’ve shared in that particular space. Peck alumna and
Saying ‘see you later’ to the current locations of Nikki’s
current parent Ashley Lan ’98 felt a mix of sadness and joy as
Garden and the Pride the Lion statue were also bittersweet
she proctored her last meal in the iconic hall.
moments for current and past students alike. Nikki’s Garden has been a wonderful gathering spot and fond memorial for decades. It will be re-dedicated in a prime new location in the Fall of 2019, near the garden beds overlooking the courtyard between Lindenwold and the Eckert-Huff building. Pride the Lion is currently safely in storage, before being re-installed once our landscaping plans are complete.
“To some it may seem like just another building, but to a Peck ‘lifer’ it holds countless memories. Moments that stand out to me include our sixth grade Medieval Feast, and seventh and eighth grade school dances among many others. I was lucky enough to be lunch proctor today during the last meal served in Peck’s dining hall and it was special to experience it with my daughter, Logan, a first grader. While I am sad to see this
For the time being, the Old Gym—which was attached and
building go, I am even more excited to see what the future
adjacent to the dining room—will remain, and will play host
holds for Peck,” said Ashley.
to Peck’s family dining program. Next March, over Spring Break 2019, this building too will be deconstructed to make way for a beautifully landscaped open space that will serve as the central courtyard between the Lindenwold mansion, the new Peck Commons (to be completed in Fall 2019), and the new entryway expansion to the F.M. Kirby Family Lower School.
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On the dining hall’s last day of service, students and teachers
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Tune into our live construction camera feed, view archival images as the work progresses, and read all about The Peck Promise: The Campaign for Excellence Elevated at peckpromise.org.
While I am sad to see this building go, I am even more excited to see what the future holds for Peck...
CU RREN T PAR E NT AS HLE Y LAN ‘ 9 8 VOLU N TEERED AT A LU NC H T AB LE D UR I NG THE DIN IN G HALL’ S F I NAL M E AL. Peck News
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GO P RIDE! Celebrating
125 Years of Peck Pride
O UR PE CK PA REN TS, FA CULTY, A N D S TA FF GA T HERED IN FO R CE ON THE N I G HT OF
CHAIRS MOLLY WHIPPLE, JU LIE BLIEMEL, AN D MELIN DA V I E S E R
F EB RUARY 24 T O CE LE B R A TE THE PR OUD SPIRIT OF OUR C OM M UN I TY A T THE P ARENT S A SSOC I A TI ON ’ S A N N UA L S PR I N G F UNDRAISER GALA . Appropriately, the event’s
theme reflected the exciting milestone of our 125th Anniversary year—as tribute to the firm foundations and transformative program that generations of Peck families have known and loved. Invited to “show [your] Peck Pride,” guests arrived styled in full student dress code (from then and now), as parents or as teachers, as athletes, and as Downies and Redheads. Pride the Lion made an appearance, and (almost) every Upper School teacher and staff member arrived dressed as a Peck baseball team! Thanks to a host of hardworking Parents Association chairs and volunteers,
AU CTION CHAIRS CATE EDELL AN D ALI MCMAHON
the night was a deeply meaningful affirmation of the strong ties that bind the Peck community together. With gratitude, we compliment all of our PA volunteers on a wonderful evening! Event Chairs: Julie Bliemel, Melinda Vieser, and Molly Whipple Treasurer: Carlene Pruitt Auction: Cate Edell and Ali McMahon Ad Journal: Janet Pearce and Shannon Riley M arketing : Julia Kanowitz and Asako Lee D ecorating : Megan Young Stud ent /Teacher Ad ventures: Dina Dibre and Gina Zarro Wine Pull: JeanAnn Morgan-Liftin and Arianne Sikora Sp ecial Raffle : Lacey Malloy and Melissa Ramsey Lind en G vi n i g Tree: Sarah Neuhoff Check-In /RSVP: Melissa Hedley, Kim Honeker, and Liz Pryma
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Peck News
| 39
ATHLETICS UPDATE VOL L EY BA L L The Girls Volleyball Team had a strong season, despite the squad playing at partial strength for most matches due to players out with the flu! They were a very young, new team with only one returning veteran—Maria Vieira ‘18, the squad’s captain. During the season, the players saw a ton of skill development and each improved vastly as the season progressed. Isabella DiPasquale ‘19 and Morgan Willis ‘19 took on the challenge of playing the setter position and anchored the team to several wins. Liz Sterlin ‘19 provided strong and consistent service and contributed greatly on defense along with Charlie
SE VE N TH GRADERS MORGAN WILLIS AN D LIZ STERLIN ARE PECK’S VOLLEYBALL MVPS.
Bush ‘19 and Maria Vieira. At the end of the season, the team placed second in their annual volleyball tournament, which
B A S K ETBA L L
they both hosted and played on Peck’s courts. Morgan Willis and Liz Sterlin
Though Peck’s Girls Basketball Team
depth and always showed up with
were both chosen as Peck’s MVPs. It was
did not have the “winningest” of
wonderful attitudes—we hope to see
an incredibly productive season—and
seasons, the players’ skill development
fun, too!
these players return for next season!
and improvement throughout the
–Coach Caruso
–Coach Sweeney
bringing huge highlights to each game:
Our Boys Basketball Team had a
from excellent passing, to playing tough Led by captains Zain Bari ‘18 and Marc
remarkable season, highlighted by tight-
man-to-man defense, scoring layups,
Bliemel ‘18, the Peck Boys Volleyball
knit team bonds, good communication,
and even making a three-pointer in one
hard work, solid skill development, and
Team had an awesome season. For most of the team, it was their first time playing volleyball—and so they began the season building upon basic skills, such as precisely and consistently hitting the ball over the net. By the end of the season, however, the team was successfully bumping, setting, and spiking. Our squad’s teamwork and communication, skill-building, and sheer enthusiasm made for several highlights and memorable moments this season! –Coach Guss
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season was remarkable. We saw players
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game. Savannah Leach ‘18, Anna Riley ‘18, Kate Lowry ‘18, and Sanjana Shah ‘18 were fantastic captains, and Kate Lowry received the Harding All-Star award. Eighth graders Janet Pearce, Sophie Wilkerson, Leah Paul, Aitalia Sharpe, Megan Wu, Sarika Somaiya, and Bella Vieser rounded out a leadership group that brought huge enthusiasm and an unrivaled ‘will to win’ in their final year playing for Peck. Seventh graders Ella Budenbender, Kay Lyon, and Elsa Spoor added tremendous
improvement all around. With a team comprised of mostly eighth-graders, we saw a number of great leadership moments happening on the court in both defensive and offensive plays— which is especially notable for these players’ final winter season of Peck basketball. Our four seventh grade players rounded out this solid team, and we look forward to their leadership and enthusiasm next year. Go Pride! –Coach Spadafora
WR EST L IN G Wrestling kicked off its inaugural season with great leadership by captain Ben Caspersen ‘18, who received incredible support from seventh grade teammates Charlie Medd, Jack Manahan, Thomas Colaco, Franklin Mau, Pierce Malloy, and Jack Bolton. As beginners in Peck’s newest winter sport, our wrestlers adapted well to unique training and a new set of athletic skills. Wrestling is considered a foundational sport, combining mental
THE PECK 2018 WRESTLIN G TEAM
discipline, physical strength, strategy, and preparation to produce positive results. Success in wrestling mimics success in life, as athletes are rewarded for demonstrating grit, toughness, adaptability, and resilience. Peck’s team went out and performed admirably, notching many individual
JACK MAN AHAN ‘19 SIN KS A HALF-N ELSON AS HE TU RN S HIS O P P O NE NT FOR A N EAR FALL.
wins against more experienced wrestlers from Newark Academy, Pingry, Rutgers Prep, St. Benedict’s,
I CE H O CKEY
and Ridgedale Middle. More important
Coach Bucchino and I are incredibly
battle, Peck lost in a shootout. The
than the wins however, Peck’s
impressed with the dedication,
effort put forth by each player, from our
wrestlers demonstrated respect for
enthusiasm, and honorable play
most experienced skaters to ones just
their opponents, and served as great
exhibited by our Ice Hockey Team
beginning, left us proud to coach such
ambassadors for the Peck community.
throughout the 2017-2018 hockey
Next year we will look to expand the program by acquiring a home wrestling mat and hosting our first home matches, while also looking for new participants in the current sixth grade. This first group of Peck wrestlers will always be remembered for putting Peck wrestling back on the map. –Coach Carlo
season. Traveling back and forth to
a capable and, more importantly, kind group of teammates.
Mennen Arena each day requires
Rayyan Ahmed deserves special
focus, organization, and flexibility. Our
recognition for his consistent display
players adjusted to ensure they met the
of respect, patience, honest play, and
demands of their classes and honored
compassion this season. Rayyan always
their academic responsibilities while
supported his teammates, regardless
also making the most of each invaluable
of the scoreboard, and took time to
opportunity on the ice. Our team, led by
ensure younger players felt welcome
captains Chase Melchionni ‘18, Rayyan Ahmed ‘18, and Alec Whipple ‘18, ended the season with an exciting match
[EDITOR’S NOTE: The last time Peck
up against Morristown-Beard in our
had a wrestling team, it was in the 1989-
annual Frozen Four tournament. After
90 school year!]
an exciting back-and-forth overtime
and valued on our team. Rayyan’s capable, quiet leadership established a precedent for the kind of character we expect not only of our captains, but of all of our players. –Coach Savage Peck News
| 41
GO PRIDE! Peck students distinguish themselves as creators and community builders, as leaders and lifelong learners, and contributors to a better world on a daily basis! While we often see their efforts on campus, we wanted to recognize just a few students who are generously sharing their time and their talents with the greater Morristown area community. FRA NK L I N M A U ‘ 19 and A U S TIN M A U ’ 22 were selected as finalists in the 11th Annual Morristown Onstage 2018 contest at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on February 28, 2018. The brothers performed a piano duet of Hungarian Dance No. 5 by Brahms. The Annual Morristown Onstage Competition raises funds for The Morris Educational Foundation, raising more than $126,000 last year to support cultural programs and equal opportunities for students in the local school district. In an interview with the online publication Morristown Green, Franklin Mau said, “Our music teacher (Andrew Lyman) recommended this to us for experience so we decided to try out, and we made it. It feels
FRAN KLIN ‘19 AN D AU STIN ‘22 MAU
good performing in front of family, and that we’re sharing our music with different people in the world.” Last fall, NA R A Y A N V E N K A TE S H ’ 24 received a vocal award at the Telugu Fine Arts Society for performing a Carnatic music selection called “Sir Gana Naatha.” Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with southern India. Narayan has been studying this type of music at the Telugu Fine Arts Society which organizes a competition for young children to perform. To the delight of his peers at a Lower School assembly, Narayan performed his awardwinning song!
N ARAYAN VEN KATESH ‘24
On March 3, M EGA N W U ‘ 18, H E L E N P E R TS EML I DI S ‘18, BR UCE D UB E L ’ 18, and P IE R C E M A L L O Y ‘ 19 participated in the BASF “You Be The Chemist” Challenge at BASF Headquarters in Florham Park. Along with 24 students from other regional schools, Peck students volunteered to compete in the regional competition, preparing for the chemistry challenge entirely on their own time outside of school. MEGAN WU ‘18, HELEN PERTSEMLIDIS ‘18, BRU CE DU BEL ’18, AN D PIERCE MALLOY ‘19
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After receiving a commendation at the FIRST Lego League (FLL) regional competition, and the official Teamwork Award at the state level competition, Peck’s first all-girls robotics squad was invited to exhibit at NJ’s inaugural Women in Engineering Day at Liberty Science Center (LSC). The event kicked off the center’s week-long celebration for National Engineers Week, intended to give LSC guests a glimpse into the “fun and future” of the fields of engineering and technology, while also showing how each impacts people’s daily lives. The PeckBots teammates at the exhibit included GIANNA PILOTO ‘21, SCARLETTE LIFTIN ‘21, HARINI VENKATESH ‘21, and KAY LYON ‘19, with teacher and FLL advisor Genny Elias-Warren. THE PECKBOTS EX HIBIT AT LIBERTY SCI E NC E C E NT E R
This past March, The North Gallery of the Morris Museum highlighted a range of student work which showcased Peck’s arts program. The exhibit, entitled “Step into Spring: Budding Artists of The Peck School,” included painting, sculpture, and woodworking, from students in Peck’s K to 8 program. The exhibit, which corresponded with Youth Art Month, as designated by the National Art Education Association, included two or more pieces of art from each grade level. Kindergarten
Grade 5
HUD SON S A P H IE R
D Y L A N W EA VER
SCA R L ETT S TE E N B E R G
JA M E S W EL SH
Grade 1
Grade 6
J A CK SA H A ZIZIA N
P E TE R S HI NDL E
T R I NA FA L K
K A TH R YN CEP EDA
JOHN SAHAZIZIAN ‘25
H E ID I P EA RCE Grade 2
TH A TC H ER NEVI L L E
L UCY M A L L G R A V E CL I FFO R D F IE L D
Grade 7 IS A B E L LA DI P A SQ U A L E
Grade 3
C H A R L E Y BU SH
SA R A SEG A L
TE D D Y MA L L GRA VE
CHA R L I E P E N D Y
K A Y L Y ON
Grade 4
Grade 8
CHR I ST O P H E R F U
G R A H A M H Y NES
SO PHI A KA N O W ITZ
M A R IA VI EI RA
L A CHL A N N E V IL L E
E M M A SI MO N CHARLIE PEN DY ‘23
Peck News
| 43
FACULTY NOTES
F O U R F A C U L T Y ME MBE RS H ONORE D F OR 1 0 Y E ARS OF SERVICE
In Recognition of Dedication and Loyalty During the first assembly of 2018, four faculty members were honored for their 10 years of service to The Peck School. The In Recognition of Dedication and Loyalty program, which began in 2017, complements our annual 20-year recognition ceremony held each fall, and recognizes faculty and staff on their 10-year milestone anniversary. On January 8, 2018, Peck presented engraved, personalized Peck crystal apples to the following faculty: KA TI E BRU NO , L I Z L A RO SA , EL I ZA BETH M UL L ER , and ST E W A R T W IL K IN S O N . Congratulations to our dedicated community members on this honor.
Bringing NASA to Peck READING DEPARTMENTPRESENTS ON ORTON-G ILLINGHAM
Upper School science teacher G E NNY EL I A S-W A RREN was invited to join the NASA Goddard Institute for Space
Peck’s Lower School reading teachers, CAROLYN VALLARIO and
Studies (GISS) Education Ambassador
JANINE FINNEGAN, attended the NJAIS Reading Conference
Network, a new STEM educator
in December 2017 at The Chapin School in Princeton, NJ. At the conference, they shared the positive effects of the Orton-Gillingham reading methodology across the Peck Lower School. All of Peck’s K-3 teachers are certified in Orton-Gillingham and teach to all types of learners with the primary goal of fostering a love of reading within each student.
community. The network aims to provide its members with personalized access to the NASA community and educational resources, while fostering networking and collaborative opportunities for like-minded STEM educators. Ms. Elias-Warren was also qualified as a NASA practitioner of Beginning Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) in the spring of 2017.
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Faculty Deep Dives: Today’s Impact in the Classroom In last fall’s Peck News, we shared a story about how several of our faculty members have completed, or are in the process of, professional development Deep Dives into their subject matter. Here are a few teachers sharing the “fruits of their labors” that they see today! Lower School art students put their imaginations to the test in K A R EN D IS P E N ZIE R E ’ S Discovery Zone while choosing STEAM-related challenges from a Challenge Jar. The challenges are color-coded by grade level and level of difficulty, and prompt students to build and be creative with just about any materials imaginable. Mrs. Dispenziere created her arts-based Discovery Zone makerspace to, as she explains, “address the fundamentals of a STEAM experience while still maintaining what I’ve always loved about the art program at Peck.” (For your daily dose of art, follow her on instagram @mrs.dsartroom.) The “3B” Class of 2023 is building lasting memories of their
JAKE BU DEN BEN DER ’22 BU ILDS T HE PARTHEN ON IN MRS. D’S DISCO V E R Y Z O NE
third-grade year with their homeroom teacher KATIE BRUNO. Because of her Deep Dive into Responsive Classroom techniques, the 3B classroom has become deeply engaged, hands-on, and a truly tight-knit community. Her re-focused plan for morning meetings has led to respectful sharing and, as Mrs. Bruno says, “built trust and empathy among classmates. As a result, the children have learned a great deal about one another and their teachers.” In addition to all of the creative and design-thinking processes that laser-cutting has elevated at Peck, M A R K M O R TE N S E N
LI FELON G BON DS AN D ACTIVE LEARN IN G
and his students are seeing
IN MRS. BRU N O’S CLASSROOM
significant benefits to their production processes—the
TOP: LASER-CU T V S . M AC HI NE -
gifts of speed, precision, and efficiency. Game board pieces are made in minutes,
CU T GAME BOAR D P I E C E S .
not days (saving several hours of sanding time, too!), complex artwork can be
BOTTOM: THIRD G R AD E R S E T C H
precisely cut rather than “good enough” with a scroll saw, and students can etch their illustrations directly into wood grain.
THEIR STATE BI R D O N C UT T I NG BOARDS FOR THE I R S T AT E FEAST ACTIVITY
Peck News
| 45
On the Road Again:
Peck goes to NYC
IF YOU DO SOMETHING ONCE, IT’S AN EVENT; IF YOU DO IT TWICE, I T ’ S A T R A D I T I O N . Peck’s Advancement Team was
thrilled to go back “on the road” to New York City this spring, with beloved current and former faculty in tow, to spend time with Peck alumni at the Harvard Club in midtown Manhattan. For the second year in a row, the Klehm family (Sheila, Henry, Hank ‘04 and Bryce ‘11) extended their generous hospitality to the Peck community by hosting the event in the charming Gordon Reading Room. Head of School Andy Delinsky spoke to the gathered alumni about exciting transformations happening on campus, thanks to the construction made possible by the recently-launched Peck Promise campaign. The crowd also enjoyed a bittersweet moment in raising a glass to Alumni Director Kay Malone, who will be retiring in June. Kay (or “Mrs. Malone,” as alumni are likely to know her!) has been part of the Peck community since she arrived on campus as a parent in 1983. To cap off a memorable evening, Board President Jamie Foley was delighted to announce the upcoming firstever alumni day of giving, The Drive for 125. Alumni contributions to the Peck Fund will be extra-meaningful on Thursday, June 7th, when we will attempt to raise 125 gifts from alumni in a single day in order to unlock a $10,000 donation from a Peck School Trustee. Each gift will make a true impact, not unlike each student leaving their mark on Peck long after they leave its grounds. Alumni news will be abundant on our brand new alumni Facebook page - make sure you (and your fellow grads!) are following us at facebook.com/peckschoolalumni.
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Peck News
| 47
Peck’s Drive for 125 A note from Board President Jamie Foley ‘85 Having been a part of the community for four decades (!), I have played many roles and lived through some exciting eras—but I’m especially thrilled about what’s happening at Peck right now. Physical changes are making possible curricular and programmatic improvements that will, by building on our tradition of excellence, propel Peck students further to become the leaders, the thinkers, and the global citizens of tomorrow. And to make that happen, I’m seeing the community come together in a big way. Whether it’s making generous financial contributions or being extra considerate as we make our way around a changing campus, Peck values are on full display. Peck alumni reach all corners of the world and represent all walks of life, but we are all bound by our experience as Peck students. And one important lesson that is continually made clear is that this place was made great by the contributions of those who came before us. When you walk around campus and you see those names—Kirby, Caspersen, Higgins, Eckert, Huff, Tomlinson, Manzo, Simon1, and Wentworth, to name just a few—you know that what our students experience today is possible thanks to the foresight and faith of those who have paid it forward to future generations. It would mean so much to me for all of our alumni to come together right now, at this particularly special moment in Peck’s history, and support the school in a simple but very meaningful way—by making a donation to The Peck Fund, and continuing the strong tradition of supporting the everyday operations of this school. Your support speaks volumes about the ongoing impact of a Peck education, continues to be the foundation of our fundraising efforts, and helps the Peck we know and love continue to thrive. The BEST time to make this gift? Thursday, June 7th, our very first Day of Giving, “The Drive for 125!” If we reach our goal of securing 125 new gifts of any size (in celebration of Peck’s 125th birthday this year!) from alumni on this one special day, we will unlock a $10,000 gift from a member of our Board of Trustees! Please join us in this historic effort, and help to pay it forward in true Peck fashion! With gratitude, Jamie Foley ’85
1
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Lynda M. Franklin Music Room
125 Gifts For Peck’s 125th Year
SAVE THE DATE:
June 7, 2018
Peck News
| 49
Young Alumni Spotlight:
Lindsey Yu ’14 A M O N G T H E L I S T O F T H I N G S Lindsey Yu ’14 listed as ‘likes’ in her
eighth grade graduation bio was, “sleeping ‘til noon.” But, from the looks of everything she’s accomplished during her last four years of high school, it’s safe to say she hasn’t indulged that desire in awhile! Lindsey attributes her initial passion and spark for coding and technology to her faculty mentors at Peck. After graduating eighth grade, she chose Pingry for high school and in the four years since, she has thoroughly distinguished herself as an outspoken advocate of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), an advocate for environmental sustainability, an innovator, and an entrepreneur. In her freshman year at Pingry, Lindsey continued many of the passions that were nurtured at Peck. Since seventh grade, she had been volunteering with the NJ Bat Sanctuary and had even dedicated her Peck 8th Grade Speech to the topic. Bats are a vital part of the NJ ecosystem and play a major role in pollination and pest control. For many years, a scourge known as White Nose Syndrome has decimated their population by almost 95%. Despite a busy academic schedule in high school, Lindsey worked at the sanctuary to help rescue and rehabilitate bats as well as design an “easy build” bat house, and create online resources and education materials for the organization’s website and social media. In her sophomore year she became head of communications for the Student Technology Committee—a coalition of teachers and students that investigate new technologies for potential student use in the future. She also founded a new club at Pingry called GirlCode that studies programming languages and algorithms, and enters technical innovation challenges. In her junior year, Lindsey became Group Leader of iRT—one of the few selective research science programs at Pingry, where she worked on coding and constructing a real-time vision tracking program and robot. She also applied and was accepted to a variety of selective “hackathon” programs at the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Michigan. In the summer of 2016, Lindsey applied for and was accepted to the Cooper Union’s Summer STEM program in Manhattan. While attending, she came up with an innovative idea. She developed gardening and farming software that uses a probe to collect environmental conditions and an algorithm to I T ’S N O S U R P RISE TH AT LINDSE Y WAS A WA R DE D P E C K ’ S TE CH NOLOGY P RIZE A T HE R G R A DU ATION IN 2014!
determine which plants best fit a user’s soil and space. The objective was to optimize the planting process, so less experienced gardeners and farmers could plan out a more efficient and sustainable garden. She called her invention PlantSTEM.
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According to Lindsey, “We were able to create a functioning
friendly by offering a real-time, collaborative list for those living
probe and algorithm and were also able to successfully file a
in a communal setting. Our app allows community members to
provisional patent application on our idea. This was achieved by
‘share their shop’ and get items for others nearby.”
writing a plant-selection algorithm in Java code, designing the probe in a CAD (computer-aided design) program, wiring our
Somehow, during all this entrepreneurialism, Lindsey managed
sensors to circuits connected to an Arduino, and meeting weekly
to find acclaim as an athlete, environmental activist, and scholar.
with the patent lawyer.”
She was selected for the NJ Advance Media All-Non-Public
Pushing her invention further, and seeking a platform to locate
First Team in tennis. She has been an active volunteer with the
investors and funding, Lindsey found the Conrad Spirit of
NJ Bat Sanctuary since 7th grade, championing the benefits
Innovation Challenge. She submitted her idea, and in November
of bats and the spread of White Nose Syndrome. She has won
of 2016, she learned that her idea had advanced to the semifinals.
numerous National Latin Exam awards, and was selected as
“This meant that we had to draft a professional, intensive
a National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar
business plan and make a pitch video, in the hopes of making it
with Distinction in 2017. She also received a Certificate of
to the finals,” she explains. PlantSTEM eventually made it to the final round and joined the top 10% of all international entries in the Energy and Environment category of the challenge (her team was one of 12 selected finalists in the category). In April of 2017, Lindsey and her team attended the Innovation Summit at the Kennedy Space Center, where she delivered her pitch to a panel of judges consisting of leading entrepreneurs, government officials, and scientists.
Distinction last year from the National Center for Women in Information Technology. In the Fall of 2018, Lindsey will attend the Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. The Program combines academics from Penn Engineering and the Wharton School, into one unique educational experience. As the school explains, “Students enrolled in the M&T Program pursue degrees from both schools concurrently, creating a truly interdisciplinary
It seems that starting her own tech firm wasn’t enough to keep
learning experience. This combination enables our students
Lindsey occupied in her free time, so in August of 2017, she
not only to understand engineering and business concepts,
applied for and was accepted to the MIT Launch program. This program “brings together high school entrepreneurs from all over the US and world each summer to launch startups in a
but also to understand the integration of the two and how this intersection distinctively shapes our world.”
4-week program on the MIT campus.”
As Peck alumna Lindsey Yu continues to make a contribution
While at Launch, Lindsey cultivated a new idea—a startup
that “distinctively shapes our world,” we only hope she finds
company called Botelle. According to Lindsey, “Botelle seeks
that occasional opportunity to sleep until noon. She’s definitely
to make grocery shopping more efficient and environmentally-
earned it! Peck News
| 51
CLASS NOTES 1950s Remembering WY N A N T V A N D E R P O E L ’ 53: We were sad to hear that Wynant passed away in February 2018 after a long battle with cancer. After Peck, Wynant graduated from St. Paul’s School and Princeton University. In 1968 he founded his own design and communications firm. Through the years, he became involved in many different organizations ranging from the Center for Inter-American Relations in New York to the Fine Arts Committee for the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games. A man of many talents, he was an artist, an avid skier, an accomplished tennis player, and golfer. In 2010 he published his novel, Enigma: A Literary
WYN AN T VAN DERPOEL ’53
Fable. He is survived by his wife, Barrie Osborn Vanderpoel and his sister Madeleine Vanderpool Findlay ’63.
1960s C Y NT HI A SHA W ’ 67 has been Director of the Boettcher Mansion, an Arts & Crafts estate atop Lookout Mountain in Golden, CO, since obtaining an MA in architectural history and preservation from the University of Virginia. Her daughter, Elisabeth Berry, has an MS in chemical engineering from M.I.T. and was recently married on the 100-year-old property. Her son, James Wilder, is a graduate of CU Leeds School of Business.
CYN THIA SHAW ’67
JO HN D A NA ’6 9 was elected to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Board of Trustees for a second time, filling a seat once occupied by his father, the late Bill Dana. “This interest in conservation has been in my family for as long as I can remember,” John said to local news source TAPinto.net in October 2017. “We’re all avid fly fisherman, and the idea of protecting land and water – particularly rivers and streams – is important to us.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: Alumni—you are the eyes and ears of “life after Peck!” We love to share your stories, ensuring that the Class Notes section remains your go-to pages!
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CYN THIA SHAW ‘67 (CHILDREN ELISABETH BERRY AN D JAMES WILDER)
1980s SU SA N F A U X ’ 80 found herself just a few blocks away from Peck recently, as she performed as a First Violin with The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on April 7, 2018. The Very Best of the Boston Pops Tour was an exciting tribute to the music of George Gershwin as well as a “Best of” program of Boston Pops favorites. Her brother DAVID FAUX ’83, and mom Dorothy, enjoyed the show! A professional violinist, Susan has toured with a number of symphony and philharmonic orchestras across the country. S U S A N F AUX ‘8 0 , DAVID F AUX ‘8 3
RY A N F O L EY ’ 87 received the 2017 Family Business Award from the Grossman School of Business at the University of Vermont for his multigenerational role in successful and sustainable family business leadership. MI KE P I GNA TEL L O ’ 89 is entering his 14th year with the U.S. Department of State, with one more year in Taipei, Taiwan, on his current assignment. He and his husband Yang welcome any Peck family members in Taiwan or East Asia to get in touch with them at mpignatello@yahoo.com. Mike would especially love to reconnect with Class of ‘89 alumni! Mike’s mom, Susan Pignatello (former Peck faculty), is retired in Las Vegas and travels frequently to Asia to visit Mike as well as to Los Angeles to visit Mike’s brother and sister and their families.
1990s A MI E P I ERCE ’ 91 is engaged to Thomas McInerney. The June wedding will take place in Charleston, SC where the couple live with their dog, Piper. Amie is a kindergarten teacher at Ashley Hall, an independent private school for girls. A M I E P IE RCE ‘9 1
DE V O N GRAH AM H AMMONDS ’95 (b ack r ow lef t )
DEVO N GRA H A M H A MMO NDS ’ 95 was recognized by Variety (October 18, 2017), a weekly trade magazine for the entertainment industry, as one of the prominent up-and-comers in the entertainment business. “[Devon] has diversified A&E’s lineup by making bold programming choices, such as spearheading the controversial and awardwinning series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.” Devon told Variety that “It’s an extremely hard show and time-consuming….We are dealing with people’s personal stories; they’re bravely stepping forward and sharing moments of pain.” She says she learned great advice from her dad who once said: “Own your mistakes.” Devon is a vice president for non-fiction and alternative programming for A&E Network. In addition, Devon and her husband Jason welcomed second son Rhett in January 2018, who joins big brother, Colt. Peck News
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KA T I E SCOT T O L D ’ 95 and her husband Andy are the proud parents of Oliver Andrew Old who arrived on December 27, 2017. Big sisters Annie and Abigail will certainly give Mom and Dad a helping hand with their little brother! SA M A NT HA HA L L B O G G S ’ 96, along with her husband Hamilton, are very busy raising two sons in Denver, CO. Big brother Gil was born in December 2015, and Riley arrived two weeks before Christmas on December 9, 2017. Samantha is Director of Advancement at Evergreen Country Day School. C O UR T NEY M A TS O N ’ 98 and husband Michael
KATIE SCOTT OLD ’95 (BABY OLIVER)
Katigbak, along with daughter Quinn, are all keeping busy with a new baby in the house! Coraline Matson arrived on December 31, 2017 – just a few hours before 2018!
2000s MA R J OR I E M OC C O ’ 00 married James McInerney of London, England, on Sept. 30, 2017 at her family’s home in Bernardsville. Peck graduates in attendance were all of Marjorie’s siblings except her oldest sister, and Peck friends T A Y L OR K A R N S (a member of the Class of 2000), SH A R I T A T HOM P S O N (a member of the Class of 2000) and T HA M EK A TH O M P S O N ’ 01. C H EL SEA B L A C K E R ’ 00 writes: “My company, BlueGlass,
COU RTN EY MATSON ’98 (HU SBAN D MICHAEL AND DAU GHTERS CORALIN E AN D QU IN N )
was just named one of the ‘Deloitte Fast Fifty’ which lists the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the UK; not sure how this compares to the USA, but at “silicon roundabout” in Shoreditch it’s quite big news amongst startups! The notable angle is that we don’t have any funding—we are entirely funded and owned by myself and my husband Kevin so we were up against some pretty well-endowed competition! All of those computer/tech lessons with Mrs. Crutchlow and later teachers seem to be paying off!” SU SI E SWEENEY ’ 01 and Franz Berlacher were married on October 7, 2017 in Pawleys Island, SC. Susie is a teacher and coach at Malvern Prep outside of Philadelphia. Franz is
MARJORIE MOCCO ‘00
an Investment Banker. They will honeymoon in June in Greece. KE NN ET H NY A M E K Y E ’ 06 graduated from the Newark Fire Academy in October 2017. He received the Director’s Academic Award which is given to the class valedictorian. Congratulations to Ken! LA UR EN T HEB A U L T ’ 06 married Keith Fell on February 10, 2018 in Palm Beach, FL.
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CHELSEA BLACKER ‘00
KO BBY A DU -DI A W U O ’ 09 is working at Citigroup and enjoying living in NYC. J O SH U A CL A X TO N ‘ 09 is in his final year at Middlebury (he took a gap year after his time at the Lawrenceville School). At Middlebury, he is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Arabic and looking to work in the not-for-profit sector before going on to law school. Although RA VEN Y O U NG ’ 09 graduated Magna Cum Laude with her BA in Political Science in May 2017, she didn’t have to say goodbye to Villanova as she is finishing her
S U S I E S W E E NE Y ’01
Master’s degree in Political Science this year.
2010s KI W I CO MI ZI O ’ 10 was featured in NCAA’s Top Ten Plays because the Yale senior lacrosse attacker scored the game-winning goal over Harvard in overtime. Go Kiwi, and Go Pride! MA RCU S J O NES ’ 10 has been busy with research for his senior capstone project in Environmental Science at Colby L A U RE N TH E BAULT F E LL ‘0 6
WILLIAM MCDONALD ’10
College. He is helping an alum of the school make a nutrient budget that will help them in their bid to become a certified organic farm and better use their resources. W I L L I A M MCDO NA L D ’ 10 is the founder of The Vested Investor, an organization focused on educating millennials about the next generation of investment opportunities around alternative investments. While a leader of Georgetown University’s entrepreneurship initiative, Startup Hoyas, Will also found time to study finance, making alternative investments the perfect passion. An active investor in a variety of alternative investment types, Will thinks “crowd-investing” will transform our economy from the ground up. Will continues to speak, write, and advise on the trends of millennial investing in these new asset classes and platforms. A NJ EL I CA CL A X TO N ‘ 11 is in her junior year at Brown University, and is majoring in Business Entrepreneurship and Organizational Management. After her graduation in 2018 she hopes to pursue her interest in management consulting.
F ron t , le f t & mi d d l e : MATT CAMP BE LL ’1 4 AN D C H E T C O MIZIO ’14 P h o to co u r te sy De l b ar ton
In addition to her studies at Rutgers University, JAS M IN GU ZMA N ’ 11 is also “riding with the South Orange Rescue Squad” emergency response team. P A TRI CI A MO REL ’ 11 is studying at Kean University and, she says, “taking incredible classes” to get a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. Peck News
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R I T A K EA Z ER ’12 interned for the LGBT Center on the Princeton University LGBTQIA Oral History Project in the summer of 2017. She is also still involved with TigerCall and has been promoted to Lead Caller, and her love for music continues as she is a singer with the a cappella group, the Princeton University Fire Hazards. AR I EL CL A X T O N ‘ 13 graduated from Lawrenceville in May 2017 and is in her freshman year at Yale. She is a member of the Woman’s Track & Field Program and loves her first year.
JORDAN MCGIN LEY ’14, CAROLIN E RAMSEY ’15, ALI
JA Y D EE FI GUERO A ’ 13 is studying Criminal Justice
WITH SU E SWEEN EY (MIDDLE)
MCCARTHY ’14, KEN DALL HAN LON ’15, KEELY C O M I Z I O ’ 1 7
at Rutgers University. She has also joined the Army ROTC program. “While being in ROTC I have learned time management, accountability and resilience,” she says. AL I M CCA R T HY ’ 14 and JO R D A N M C G IN L EY ’ 14, seniors at Oak Knoll School, signed letters of intent to play field hockey: Ali will be at Princeton and Jordan is headed to Villanova. MA T T CA M PB EL L ’ 14 and C H E T C O M IZIO ’ 14, both seniors at Delbarton, signed NCAA Letters of Intent to join
KEELY COMIZIO ’17, CAROLIN E RAMSEY ’15,
collegiate Division I lacrosse at Villanova.
ALI MCCARTHY ’14, KEN DALL HAN LON ’15, JOR D AN
CAROLINE LUBOW ’15 AND NATALIE GILFILLAN ’15
MCGIN LEY ’14
were recently featured in a video on the Kent Place website, talking about what life is like as a three-sport student athlete. Each one plays field hockey in the fall, ice hockey in the winter, and lacrosse in the spring—all while managing their schoolwork. After the Oak Knoll vs. Pingry field hockey game on Saturday, November 4, five Peck alumni (who are starting players for Oak Knoll) shared a moment with their first field hockey coach, Peck’s very own Coach Sue Sweeney! They are: JO R D A N M CGI N L E Y ’ 14, C A R O L IN E R A M SEY ’ 15, AL I M CCA R T HY ’ 14, K E N D A L L H A N L O N ’ 15, and KE EL Y COM I Z I O ’ 17. Each also played a starting position for Oak Knoll in the State Championship Field Hockey tournament later in November. Coach Sue Sweeney said, “I love how these girls and their parents reach out to show us that our Peck Pride remains with them. We gave them their roots!”
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SAM KIRBY, TOMMY MACCOWATT, HU N TER MA C Y, N ICHOLAS RAMSEY, CHET COMIZIO, MARK FOR B E S , AN DREW N ESTLE, AN D MATT CAMPBELL
A few Peck lacrosse alumni received cheers and
alumni ambassador at the launch party for the school’s
congratulations from a former Peck coach, Bobby
capital campaign, The Peck Promise for Excellence Elevated.
Malone! The Class of 2014’s S A M K IR B Y, TO MMY M A CCO W A TT, H U N TE R M A C Y , N IC H O L A S
PATRICK UKET ’16 is keeping busy at St. Paul’s where he is involved with cross country, and several organizations such as
R A M SEY , C H E T C O M IZIO , M A R K F O RBES, A N D R EW N E S TL E , and M A TT C A M PBEL L took a quick photo with Coach Malone after a Delbarton lacrosse game against Seton Hall in April. (Tommy, Nicholas, Chet, Andrew, and Matt all play for Delbarton’s Varsity team.) L I ND SEY YU ’ 14 is currently working on expanding her two startup companies, plantSTEM and Botelle. (Read more in our Young Alumni Spotlight on pg. 50). She is currently at the Pingry School, and will be attending the University of Pennsylvania’s Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology next year.
Saturday Night Live, Social Justice, and Model United Nations. Last summer he was able to travel to New Zealand to do social work at a summer camp and he volunteered at the local YMCA and, in his free time, he explored the Kiwi culture. KA T A NDERSEN ’ 17, a freshman at Newark Academy, “stepped up” in the state playoffs and delivered three assists for Newark Academy for a 9-0 win over Benedictine in the North, non-Public B playoffs. ELLA HUANG ’17 writes: “Hotchkiss has been absolutely wonderful, and I feel that I have been very well-prepared
R UQ A I Y Y A H L U C A S - C A L D W E L L ’ 16, a student at
for not only boarding school but another rigorous
Newark Academy, recently returned to Peck to be a young
academic setting.”
Timeless Traditions Meet Timely Transformation In January we launched The Peck Promise: The Campaign for Excellence Elevated to ensure that today’s and tomorrow’s graduates can confidently take their places in a globally-oriented and rapidly-changing world. This $12M initiative funds our 2016 Master Plan, and empowers Peck to build on the strong foundation of our campus and our traditions; to create space for innovation, inspiration, and ingenuity; and to elevate the enduring excellence of The Peck School. Would you like to learn more about how we’re keeping the Peck Promise? Our Campaign Leadership team is looking forward to talking with you! Please contact Lauren Spirig, Peck’s Campaign Director, at (973) 539-8660 x 135 to find out more! www.peckpromise.org
Peck Promise CAMPAIGN THE
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IN MEMORIAM Peck extends its sympathies to the families and friends of the following members of our community: D A V I D HOL D SW O R TH , January 28, 2017; father of Kate Holdsworth Hammond ’84 and husband of Elizabeth “Betsy” Holdsworth. S T UA R T P . GI L L E S P IE ’ 27, March 2017; brother of David ’39, and the late S. Hazard ’25, the late Paul ’32, and the late Margaret Gillespie Vogt, a student at Miss Sutphen’s School in the early teens. BR UCE A . K I R K L A N D ’ 48, October 26, 2017; father of Honey Pollock Hutchinson ’75. NO R M A N B. T O M L IN S O N JR . ’ 40, December 7, 2017; father of Kate Tomlinson ’69 and husband of Barbara Dydek Tomlinson. Mr. Tomlinson served on the Board of Trustees from 1991-1997. TI M OT HY O ’D O N N E L L , December 2017; former Peck Latin teacher and coach from 1962 to 1966. LOUIS P. THEBAULT, January 16, 2018; grandfather of Louis L. “Beau” Thebault ’85, Robin Thebault ’91, Cameron O’Mara ’94, Christian O’Mara ’97, Philip Thebault ’01, Christie Thebault Maguire ’03, Lauren Thebault Fell ’06, and Alexandra Thebault ’10. JEA N M . Z I EBA R TH , January 16, 2018; mother of Jody Ziebarth ’64, Michael Ziebarth ’67, Susan Ziebarth Delaporte ’71, and Amy Ziebarth ’76, and grandmother of Lee “Gus” Delaporte ’01, Jack Delaporte ’03, Katie Delaporte (a member of the Class of ’06), and Elizabeth Ziebarth ’06. LE NN O M BA GA , January 31, 2018; former Peck woodshop teacher from 1984 to 1991. JA M ES L . B EL L IS , February 11, 2018; father of James Bellis Jr. ’67, Blair Bellis Judson ’68, and Martha Bellis Gregg ’73, and grandparent of James Bellis III ’03, Eliza Bellis ’05, and Blair Bellis ’08. His wife of 66 years, Blair Butler Bellis, survives him. JO SEP H F. M A N S F IE L D , February 16, 2018; father of Robin Mansfield O’Connell ’73, Kristin Mansfield Dunn ’75, Joseph (a member of the Class of ‘77), Megan Mansfield ’78, and Kelly Mansfield Brown ’83. W Y N A N T D . V A N D E R P O E L ’ 53, February 2018; brother of Madeleine Vanderpool Findlay ’63, and son of Madeleine McAlpin Vanderpool ’27 who was the great niece of Mrs. Caroline Johnson Cauldwell. It was Mrs. Cauldwell’s idea that began the journey of Miss Sutphen’s School which became our school today. FR A N K L I N T . F L A H E R TY, March 3, 2018; husband of Sarah Flaherty, Peck’s librarian from 1972 to 2001. MA R SHA L L M . JE A N E S , February 12, 2018; husband of Pamela Vandeveer Jeanes ’54.
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NO R M A N TO M L IN S O N ‘ 40 Former Trustee (1991-1997) Norman Tomlinson Jr. ’40, a member of our Peck community for almost eighty years, passed away on December 7, 2017. Mr. Tomlinson was not only an enthusiastic and generous supporter of Peck during his time as a parent and as a trustee, but his belief and faith in Peck continued until the end of his life. He leaves an inspirational legacy for all in the Peck community with the Caspersen-Tomlinson building, the Barbara and Norman Tomlinson Jr. Multi-Media Room, and The Norman B. Tomlinson Endowed Fund for Faculty Excellence. Mr. Tomlinson’s stewardship of Peck’s capital and annual fundraising initiatives over so many decades is significant. As a trustee, he contributed his expertise on the Finance, Long Range Planning, and Head’s Evaluation committees. A sincere believer in the immeasurable benefits of quality elementary education, he said in Peck’s 11-12 Annual Report that “beginning schools are the beginnings of knowledge,” and, in the fall of 2008 at the dedication of the multi-media room, he offered that, “at Peck, I was taught academic discipline and the tools I would eventually use to succeed in every future endeavor.” M R . N O R MAN TOMLINSON JR. ‘4 0
In 1995, Mr. Tomlinson was Peck’s Commencement speaker where he said to the graduates and guests: “Two Latin phrases sum up the content of the Peck
educational experience: finis origene pendet, ‘The end depends on the beginning.’ Rudiments of reading, writing, mathematics, foreign languages, history, computer literacy begin at Peck and follow us thoughout our life. Non sibi, ‘not for self alone.’ Consideration of others and service to the community are important Peck lessons. I believe that the Peck experience is vital to coping with tomorrow’s challenges.” His passion for the arts, military history (most especially the Civil War), and the power of the media and a good news story, was legendary. Norman is survived by his wife, Barbara Dydek Tomlinson; their daughter, Kate S. Tomlinson, Class of ‘69, publisher and editorin-chief of New Jersey Monthly, her husband, Roger, and their son, Daniel.
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TIM O’D O NN EL L Latin Teacher (1962-1966) Tributes to Tim O’Donnell, Peck Latin teacher from 1962-1966, came pouring into Peck from his former students when they heard about his passing on December 30, 2017. Below are a few selections from our alumni, as they share their wonderful memories of Mr. O’Donnell: FROM MEREDITH TILP ’64: There are some great men in the world. Tim O’Donnell
was one of them, and one of my favorite teachers. He will be known for his great sense of humor and the way he taught Latin, his faithful service to the children at
MR. TIM O’DON N ELL
Cedar Hill Community Development Center (an after-school program for children of low income families), and his fantastic skiing ability. When I moved to Santa Fe and told Tim that I had become a high school teacher, he had a good laugh (always!), and I think inside he was very proud. For me, it all began and continued with Tim. He was the one who showed me the way…very subtly. “Unconditional love forever.” - sine condicione amore in aeternum. Tim, you have been a loyal and faithful human being to your fellows—a real prince of a man! You will be greatly missed. FROM ROBIN TILP MCMANUS ’66: Tim once
went skiing with the Tilp family to Klosters,
TIM O’DON N ELL, ON A SKI TRIP WITH MEREDITH ‘64 AN D R O B I N ‘ 6 6 TILP, AN D MIKE ZIEBARTH ‘67.
Switzerland. He was a magnet for the ladies and ignored that—but we could get him to blush! He was always a gentleman and a fantastic skier, and kept up with us and the guide through many snow-covered mountains. [Editor’s note: also on this trip was Mike Ziebarth ’67 who also knew Mr. O’Donnell as a Peck coach.] FROM KATINA MILLS FAY ’64: Tim found Meredith (Tilp) and three boys giggling in one of the closets in Lindenwold. That was
the year before we started a casino in the bathroom. We used to kid Tim: ‘semper ubi sub ubi’, a Latin phrase I made up, ‘always where under where’ (…or, when spoken, ‘always wear underwear!’). FROM ROBIN MCGRAW ’66: He was a natty dresser. I liked his thin black tie and tabbed collar. I tried to copy that. He and Mike
DeCamp, Peck science teacher from 1959 to 1975, were the cool guys. They were active and participated in the sports I liked and wanted to do. [Another memory of Robin’s was the day that Tim O’Donnell sent him to the Headmaster’s Office but Robin was told to go back to his classroom because it was the day President Kennedy was killed and all students were sent home. A sad day indeed.] FROM SUSAN NICHOLS FERRIERE ’65: He was so good to all of us, so lucky to have had him not only as a teacher but as a true
friend. His coming to our Reunion made everyone so happy—as multiple toasts attested! We will all really miss him and look back on wonderful memories. FROM CINDY COGGESHALL TRASK ’65: He was indeed one of the great ones…he was there for his students inside the classroom
and out…how fortunate for us that he came back to our reunion and we could all reconnect after so many years. FROM JOCK DE CAMP ’65: My mother called him “Mr. Chips!”
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L EN NO M B A G A Woodshop Teacher (1984-1991) Peck’s beloved former woodshop teacher from 1984 to 1991, Lenno Mbaga, passed away from a heart attack this past January. When the Peck woodshop moved from the Lindenwold basement to “The Bridge” in 1984, Mr. Lenno Mbaga was the master craftsman who led the students in the art of woodworking. Many Peck households still have the treasured items that their students made in woodshop. MR. LEN N O MBAGA VISITED PECK
Although Mr. Mbaga was born in a small
WITH HIS FAMILY IN 2009.
Kenyan village, he never knew the exact date of his birth. So, the story goes that he picked his own birth date and celebrated his birthday each year—his students thought this was very cool! In the seven years that he taught at Peck he also conducted much soughtafter classes for parents who were interested in learning how to transform wood. It is interesting to note that Mr. Mbaga was the first tenant in one of the apartments on the third floor of Lindenwold. The Gillis family lived across the hall when he moved in. Although Mr. Mbaga left Peck because he had received a fellowship from Penn State for a doctorate in wood technology, he remained in contact with several members of the Peck family. In attendance at his wedding to his wife Cecelia in Mombasa in the mid-1990s were Mr. and Mrs. Peter Deeks, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Marsh, Mr. and Mrs. John Wilkerson, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Wilkerson, Mrs. Harriot Hogan (Spaven), and
MR. LEN N O MB AG A
alumni Whitney Wilkerson ’91, Carter Marsh Abbott ’89 (who was a bridesmaid), and Chris Wilkerson ’87. John Wilkerson was his best man. Mr. Mbaga and his family (his wife Cecelia, four children, and his mother-in-law) visited Peck in 2009. He was amazed at the wood shop in the Eckert-Huff building, and the changes that had taken place around the school since he left! Lenno Mbaga is survived by his wife Cecilia Mbaga, and his four children; John Fraru Mbaga, Matthew Mwambura Mbaga, Grace Pahe Mbaga, and Safina Mnyazi Mbaga.
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25
YEAR S
Calling the Class of 1993! Celebrate your 25th Reunion at Peck SAVE THE DATE Friday, September 28, 2018
Tara Dean Brown has taken the lead in contacting her classmates to celebrate their 25th Reunion on the evening of September 28th right here on the Peck campus!
The Alumni Office is looking forward to seeing the Class of 1993 reunite once again. More information will follow in the months ahead.
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