2021-2022 Annual Report and Fall Magazine

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2022 2021
THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL Annual Report & Fall Magazine
Welcome to the second edition of the TPS Magazine, including our 2021-2022 annual report. We hope you enjoy reading about the year that was and the exciting things to come in the future for TPS. A YEAR IN REVIEW 04 Our Mission Welcome Letter Faculty & Staff Board of Trustees Board Committees Financial Summary Academic Highlights OURS TO SHAPE UPDATE 14 PLANNED GIVING 18 Why I Give: Lynne and Peter Berman TPS FUND GIVING 20 Why I Give: Sandy Dean 50TH ANNIVERSARY 22 ALUMNI FEATURE 24 & NOTES ADVANCEMENT REVIEW 30 EITC/OSTC GIVING 35 Why I Give: The Jones Family TPSA 36 EATS 37 WHY I GIVE 38 LEARN HERE GO ANYWHERE

ABOUT TPS

The first day of school for TPS was 50 years ago. Today, we remain a leader and whole-hearted champion for the preschool through 8th grade progressive education on which we were founded. We know that when children and teachers are partners in their learning, it brings a deeper understanding and appreciation to their studies. It helps create confident, curious, and compassionate children who advocate for themselves and others. Together, each child progresses forward and finds their place as a learner and as an individual.

And this learning happens EVERYWHERE – in our city, in the country, and in the classroom. Connecting our lessons to the real world helps children connect the dots and understand how they fit into the big picture. It’s how lifelong learners are born. It all happens in a community built upon meaningful relationships that help us all listen, learn, and welcome diverse perspectives. We wonder together. We discover together. We laugh together. We make mistakes together. We learn together. TPS graduates emerge as confident leaders with a true sense of self and confidence to take on what’s next. We’ve always thought outside of the classroom. We’ll be doing the same for the next 50 years.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

The Philadelphia School’s progressive educational approach has deep thinking, innovation, and agency as its guiding principles. We encourage children to explore and push the boundaries of possibility to fulfill their academic, social, and civic potential. We approach learning through inquiry, projects, and community. Core values and new research inform the school’s program and pedagogical practices. Our interdisciplinary, theme-based approach provides the foundation for mastering academics and prepares students for the challenges they will face in the future.

As an urban, preschool–8th grade school, we address specifically how young students develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. Through our commitment to diversity, we seek to nurture each student’s moral compass, sense of personal integrity, and respect for individuality. Learning in the city, country, and classroom affirms our founders’ goal of educating children to become responsible and active stewards of the urban and natural environments.

OUR MISSION
The Philadelphia School educates children for a future that is impossible to know but not impossible to shape.
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The 2021-2022 school year was challenging, and yet, at every turn, our families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends rose to the occasion to ensure that our students would continue to receive a strong, in-person, holistic TPS education-an education that tended to students’ social and emotional well-being, while providing both rigorous and supportive academic programming. We offer our sincerest thanks to all who made this past year such a success amid so many challenges.

Though some of our traditions were absent, we found many ways to celebrate, from the return of our EATS fundraiser, to student council, middle school sports, the eighth grade class trip, Shakespeare, the talent show, and a memorable graduation and gift giving ceremony.

The Ours to Shape strategic plan has continued to move forward including the advancement of our STEAM program, which has included the hiring of a new faculty member and additional STEAM curricular programming. We are also gearing up for our planned renovations to our Lombard Building, which will completely transform the multi-purpose room and The Yard. You can read more about these exciting projects on pages 14-17.

Your continued commitment to our school’s mission to educate children for a future that is impossible to know but not impossible to shape is what propels us forward. You are true partners in this important mission. Thank you for all you do to help us bring our vision to life.

With appreciation,

Raised for the TPS Fund.

Raised for tuition assistance through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC).

Grossed through EATS in support of the school.

Lisa
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Zach Klehr
PRESIDENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
$620K+
We bring you our 2021-2022 annual report with hearts filled with gratitude for the countless ways The Philadelphia School community came through again with remarkable support for our students and our mission last year.
Your time and generous contributions helped us achieve the following funding milestones:
$880K
$110K
TPSCHOOL.ORG 3
Faculty & Staff 2021 -2022 Devin Adams Rachel Adams-Kaplan Kathy Becker Marisa Block Sarah Bloom Anna Bockrath Catherine Bogart-Rome Jamie Bogert Donna Bostock Shevaun Brannigan Diane Butler Rachel Butler Rachel Carnevale Kim Carter Maisie Chan Kaitlin Cino Delaina Cobbs Claudette Coverdale Nick Dekker Gerald Dessus Anna Donnelly Marybeth Fedirko Ben Felker-Quinn Thomas Flanagan Brittany Flippen Sara Forgione Forte Virginia Friedman Jill Garland Jennifer Giampetro
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We have an extraordinary team of educators and administrators who step up every day to elevate the wonder and joy of students.
Chris Gignac Jean Gizzi Heather Gold Jaclyn Grzyminski Olivia Hammond Miriam Harlan Sam Hartman Joshua Herren Lisa Hoke Pam Holland Rick Jacobsen Lauren James Molly Kane Lisa Ketcham Lauren Kibbe Allison Kirshner Ryan Kollar Teri Lawson Emma Luckman Daniel Lutes Terry Maguire Laura Matheny Liz McCannell Bernadette McCleary Kevin McClellan Karen Moore Jeffrey Mordan Rebecca Muntean Matthew Murray Kate Neff Meredith Pace Je Un Park Aaron Picht Mathew Plastino Christy Reardon Elizabeth Reid Simmons Kaitlyn Renna Alyssa Rickels Catalina Rios Giovana Robinson Rebecca Robinson Noel Roldan Nicole Seltzer Kelley Seravalli Tori Smalls Keisha Smith Emily Soffa Caitlin Stewart Anastasia Sumpaopol Lisa Sun Megan Townsend Marco Velis Chelsea Passmore-Weis Emily Weiss Jane White Elizabeth Zack TPSCHOOL.ORG 5 GO ANYWHERE

It takes a village.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2021-2022

Anita Andrews

Jenny Bogoni, Secretary and Governance Chair

Jeffrey Donnon, Treasurer and Finance Chair

Adam Douberly

Henry Fairfax

Chip Finney, Diversity Chair

Emily Foote

Latasha Harling

Mollie Henderson ‘97, Alumni Chair

John Jackson

Mike Kerlin

Zachary Klehr ‘92, President Marc Mannella Girna Mendez-Adkins

Drew Moyer

James Nam

Kate Riccardi

Rebecca Selvin

Becca Shapiro, Advancement Chair

JJ Shirley, Ph.D.

HONORARY TRUSTEES

Robert S. Adelson

Jack F. Adler, Jr. Robert Altman

Lynne M. Berman* Peter H. Berman*

Hope A. Comisky

Sandra Dean (Principal Emeritus)

Daniel Diadul

Christopher S. Donner*

Paul Dry

Marianne Ruby Emmett

Alan Fishman

Philip E. Franks

*deceased

T. Carter Fussell*

Frank Gould Derek Jokelson

Ellen Speiser Katz* Leonard M. Klehr

Philip B. Korb

Richard Laden*

Dale Penneys Levy

Jean F. Mason III

Gina Marie N. Moore

Jennifer Rice

Harry M. Roth

Caroline M. Simon

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standing committees.

With the exception of the Governance Committee, all committees include both board members and other interested members of the community.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

Supports the care of the school’s physical plant and growth initiatives.

Anita Andrews

Mayva Donnon, Chair

Adam Douberly

Doug Edwards

Henry Fairfax Paul Gabriel

Stephen Giorgio

Sean Kaplan

Jane Lawson-Bell

ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Drew Moyer

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Assists in the preparation of the annual operating budget and oversight of the school’s investments and audits.

Anita Andrews

Matt Canno Jeffery Donnon, Treasurer

Adam Douberly Karen Eifler Mollie Henderson

Supports initiatives that assist the school in meeting its fund-raising goals and that improve communication between the school and its constituencies and the broader community.

Michael Albenberg

Anita Andrews

Jenny Bogoni

Jeffery Donnon

Adam Douberly Henry Fairfax

Chip Finney

Emily Foote

Mollie Henderson

John Jackson Mike Kerlin Girna MendezAdkins James Nam

DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

Lauren Ravitz

Supports efforts to build and maintain a diverse and inclusive community.

Chip Finney, Chair James Nam

Mark Mannella Girna MendezAdkins

Latasha Harling John Jackson Rebecca Selvin

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Designs and implements the rules governing the Board of Trustees and nomination of trustees and officers.

Anita

James Nam Kate Riccardi Rebecca Shapiro Kate Riccardi Rebecca Shapiro, Chair JJ Shirley Rebecca Selvin Kevin Zimmer Tristan Jones Mike Kerlin Drew Moyer Andrews Jenny Bogoni, Secretary Emily Foote Latasha Harling John Jackson JJ Shirley
The Board of Trustees undertakes many efforts to sustain and improve our school and maintains
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By the numbers.

What an incredible year with so many accomplishments (both big and small).

From the amazing academic programming, to the student milestones to the contributions raised from our donors, we are so thankful for the incredible success that we had this past year.

407 INCREDIBLE STUDENTS 500 MLK LUNCHES DONATED 112 TALENT SHOW ACTS 35 8TH GRADE GRADS 33 TPSA EVENTS 30 PERFORMANCES 72 NEW STUDENTS
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2021-2022
300 TRIPS OUTDOORS 120 FACULTY AND STAFF 900 TEETH LOST 12 CLASSROOM PETS 570K LEARNING HOURS 200K BOOKS READ Gross Tuition Revenue 91% Contributions & Special Events 8% Auxiliary 1% EITC/OSTC 55% TPS Fund 38% EATS 7% Salary & Related 55% Tuition Assistance 18% Plant Operations 17% Instructional Supplies 4% General & Administrative 4% Board Reserves 2% REVENUE CONTRIBUTIONS EXPENSES 9 TPSCHOOL.ORG GO ANYWHERE
year in review. September First Day of School Tribute to Lynne Berman (Founder of TPS) November Thanksgiving Feast December TPS robotics teams win awards January MLK Day of Service When you love school as much as our students do, learning becomes fun, memorable and something to look forward to. 10 THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL LEARN HERE
Our
February Black Lives Matter Week Green and Healthy Hikes March Talent Show 8th Grade Trip Spring Learning Celebrations April Earth Day Grandfriend’s Day 7th Grade Rock Band 8th Grade Shakespeare May EATS Fundraiser Music Recitals Spirit Week & Spring Fling Kindergarten & 3rd Grade Plays June Graduation 11 TPSCHOOL.ORG GO ANYWHERE

Ours to Shape is taking shape.

The Ours to Shape strategic plan is coming to life and gaining momentum, and we are excited to share some of the strides we’ve made in the past year.

Our vision includes state-of-the-art spaces, resources, and programming informed by our mission, so that TPS will be well equipped to prepare our students for the evolving world of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. We wanted to share some of the advancements we’ve made this year in the STEAM program as well as exciting plans we have for the renovation of the Lombard Building.

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Full STEAM Ahead

This fall, the TPS STEAM Team grew to two with the addition of Teyanie Watson-Harris, who in September started teaching specialized classes and integrating with the homeroom curriculum as the full-time STEAM Integration Specialist. Teyanie’s passion for coding is only matched by her students’ collective enthusiasm – a spark she herself has lit in 4th and 5th graders during the robotics rotation of the Junior Unit’s two-year Full STEAM Ahead Program. Currently, students are engaged in Sphero EDU’s Computer Science Foundations coursework; each student has literally gotten things rolling as they program their individual spherical bot to double as an art-bot capable of creating automated art. In aligning each project to rigorous CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association) standards, JU students are well on their way to demonstrating a mastery of block programming by manipulating sensors, loops, conditionals, variables, and functions.

After two full years of coding and circuitry, 6th graders are fabricating something new at TPS – three-dimensional designs.

In their 3D class, students are tasked to tackle unique design challenges using cardboard, 3D pens, and computer-assisted design apps like Tinkercad. In acting as “farm hands” on TPS’s (mini) 3D printer farm, these newly minted middle schoolers are also learning the art of machine maintenance by caring for their class’s four Prusa Mini+ printers. Much of the students’ work in the coming months will be cross-curricular – connecting their newfound conceptual understanding of 3D design to hallmark curricular units within MS 6 such as their study of topography and biomes, “choconomics,” and the rites of passage.

Following an award-winning year in 2021, Lego Robotics is back for a second year as a special class taken by every 7th grader. TPS will field six teams during this year’s edition of the FIRST Lego League Challenge, an international robotics competition with the 2022 theme of “Superpowered.” Students are presently focused on training camp modules for programming and designing their base bot. Simultaneously, teams are wrestling with their innovation project which is centered on the energy journey – from generation to storage, distribution to usage. As they storm and norm, 7th graders are polishing problem statements and proposing solutions to real world issues affecting their communities. Soon they hope to reach out to experts in the energy industry to learn from their experiences and share their own ideas.

Last year’s MS 7 roboticists are getting a taste as eighth graders for maneuvering and coding something else entirely new at TPS – drones. Applying previously learned coding principles, 8th graders have the unique opportunity through a trimester intensive block to navigate their own drone during a junior Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification course called Droneology. The primary aim of this eight-week endeavor is to have each student successfully fly an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) through a variety of obstacles in a safe, precise, and targeted manner.

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Our Yard to shape.

When we were planning for the new yard, we spent time watching students and how they used the space, and we also envisioned new ways to foster imaginative play. Viridian Landscape Studio, the landscape architects, spoke to teachers about what some of their priorities were for the space. At the end of this research, we landed on a design that allows our students to run, balance, climb, relax, and connect. We wanted to elevate the experience in The Yard for our older students, but maintain some of the model of play that the children experience at The Schwartz-Siegel Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC). For example, we purposely chose to have a loose parts garden rather than a typical playground space.

Additionally, we’ve selected SMP Architects to help us design the planned Lombard Building renovations. SMP has extensive experience working with other educational institutions including a complete re-design of Fagin Hall, home of Penn Nursing, Germantown Friends School Science Center, and Westtown School Science Center, among others.

The Lombard renovations will be in three phases, with the first phase focused on enhancing our community spaces which includes the Lombard Yard and the Multi-Purpose Room. As we come out of a time where gathering and community had to take a back seat to health and safety, we realized how important connections and community spaces are to our mission. Therefore, we are prioritizing the creation of spaces that allow us to collaborate, innovate, and grow strong together.

“ We chose SMP because of their deep experience working with schools and a demonstrated ability to design spaces that align with the mission and ethos of a school. Their work is focused on helping people better interact with each other and with their surroundings. With place-based learning central to our pedagogy, we are excited about the ways in which these new learning spaces will transform teaching and learning.”

As a leader in play-based education, we know that active outdoor play, especially unstructured play, supports independence, self-regulation, and allows children to explore their world and make decisions.
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The Yard looking into The Commons The Treehouse

THE WELCOME

The Welcome includes the main entrance to the building and a place where students can read and write or teachers can gather to collaborate on curricular planning.

THE TREEHOUSE

The Treehouse structure is built using natural materials that allows our students to climb and explore, just like they do when they visit our outdoor sites. Rather than having a prescribed way of playing with a swing or slide, the students can create their own ideas about how materials can be used in various ways.

THE ARCADE

Four Square is a TPS favorite activity and one that we knew we needed to create space for. The design includes two courts to play and also a space for others to watch and wait for their turn. This space also encourages children to use and move different parts of their bodies. The adjacent steps can serve as an amphitheater for outdoor musicals or theater performances.

THE WORKSHOP

We are incorporating loose parts into the design of The Workshop section to allow students to develop their own ideas, imagination, and goals for play. We chose the bulk of those loose parts to be natural materials to encourage a completely different type of play and challenge children to stretch themselves imaginatively.

THE COMMONS

The new multi-purpose room has an open design that allows for doors to open for continuous movement between The Yard and previously named Multi-Purpose Room. We expect this will have a large benefit to our After School Programming, allowing for more cross-grade collaboration and free form play.

TEACHING KITCHEN

An important part of TPS’ history and traditions includes cooking. Cooking builds connections across grades, involves chemistry, careful measuring, and following directions to achieve a desired result. These real-world experiences help our students to learn to be independent, work collaboratively, and learn how to create something from start to finish. We are excited to have a centrally located Teaching Kitchen within the building so that we can cook, learn, and grow together.

While all of these designs are a part of the Ours to Shape Strategic Plan, they cannot come to life without the support from our TPS Community to help advance the school’s mission. We are currently fundraising for Phase 1 of our Lombard renovations and hope to break ground in the very near future. If you are interested in helping us reach our goal, please contact our Advancement Office, advancement@tpschool.org or 215-545-5323.

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The Workshop The Commons

Planning for our future.

Berman, Co-Founder of The Philadelphia School and Husband Peter, Leave $1 Million Bequest to Advance TPS’ Strategic Plan

Devoted to an urban life after growing up in the suburbs, Lynne Berman (who passed away in September 2021) and her long-time friend Caroline (Cal) Simon wanted to find a way to keep families of school-age children in the city. As Lynne’s oldest children, John and Liz and Cal’s oldest child, Tony reached school age in the early 1970s, Lynne and Cal sought a place where their children and others could learn about the history, culture, and natural beauty of Philadelphia as well as the traditional subjects taught in elementary and middle schools.

Lynne Berman who passed away in September 2021, and her husband Peter, (deceased 2016) referred to The Philadelphia School as their “fourth child.” They were so committed to the success of TPS that they have made a legacy gift that will help to transform the school for future generations. The gift to TPS is unrestricted, which means that Lynne wanted the school to decide how to best allocate the funds to advance our mission.

generations. The gift to TPS is unrestricted, which means that Lynne wanted the school to decide how to best allocate the funds to advance our mission.

“When Lynne and I first spoke about her vision of how she would like to give back to TPS, I was truly humbled,” said Lisa Sun, Head of School. “Lynne’s love and commitment to TPS was truly exceptional. She understood the incredible impact that an unrestricted gift would have in ensuring TPS’ future.”

“When Lynne and I first spoke about her vision of how she would like to give back to TPS, I was truly humbled,” said Lisa Sun, Head of School. “Lynne’s love and commitment to TPS was truly exceptional. She understood the incredible impact that an unrestricted gift would have in ensuring TPS’ future.”

Both were interested in the possibilities of alternative, nonsectarian educational settings for both elementary and high school students. After many meetings with like minded parents and educators, the idea of founding an innovative, academically challenging school whose diverse student body would use the city’s cultural and educational resources as well as nearby outdoor facilities, as extensions of the classroom, was born. In 1972, they opened the doors to 14 students (including John, Liz and Tony) in kindergarten and first grade, two teachers, and a head of school in a rented space at Rodeph Shalom Congregation on North Broad Street.

Devoted to an urban life after growing up in the suburbs, Lynne and her long-time friend Caroline (Cal) Simon wanted to find a way to keep families of school-age children in the city. As Lynne’s oldest children, John and Liz and Cal’s oldest child, Tony reached school age in the early 1970s, Lynne and Cal sought a place where their children and others could learn about the history, culture, and natural beauty of Philadelphia as well as the traditional subjects taught in elementary and middle schools.

Lynne and her husband Peter (deceased 2016) referred to The Philadelphia School as their “fourth child” and were so committed to the success of TPS that they have made a legacy gift that will help to transform the school for future

Lynne and Peter, and their three children John ‘80, Liz ‘81, and Michael ‘84 have remained active at TPS throughout the school’s fifty year history. All served on the TPS board at one time or another, helping to nurture this very special school with their leadership and their love. Lynne herself continued to serve as an Honorary Trustee after her board tenure ended. We are lucky to have two of Lynne’s grandchildren also attend TPS, Charlotte (‘21) and Edward (‘24).

The family is thrilled to be able to help continue to advance the school. “We are so grateful that mom had the idea to create TPS,” said son, Michael. “We are proud to keep her legacy alive and are excited to see some of the transformative projects take shape through the Ours to Shape strategic plan.”

Lynne
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future.

I wanted a local place where the curiosity children are born with was nurtured, where they could develop at their own speed, where they could become responsible and caring lifelong learners.”
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Why I give.

Since retirement, Sandy keeps her passion for education alive through sharing her time and talents with a host of academic organizations. She served as interim director of the lower school of Friends Select School from 2014 to 2015, and she advises the Park City Educational Foundation on teacher funding allocation. Not only that, she works with preschools in the Park City, Utah area (where she and her husband Mike have spent half their year, enamored with the beautiful landscape and natural elements) and is involved with the Smith Nature Urban Preschool as an advisor.

Even when in Utah, TPS is never far from Sandy’s thoughts. Whether working on her book (releasing in Spring ‘23) about the school from 1982-2006, or talking to her many TPS friends, teachers, and administrators (like current Head of School Lisa Sun), Sandy Dean remains a true TPS tiger at heart.

Sandy’s devotion to the school also extends to her support of The TPS Fund. We asked her why she continues to give to The TPS Fund even after her retirement, and Sandy was quick to speak about the value of the TPS community. “The intellectual and caring environment supported by faculty and staff,

The Philadelphia School’s Head of School and administrator for twenty four years, Sandy Dean was, and is, a teacher of teachers.
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families, and students made each day one that I looked forward to…I am also grateful for my ongoing connections to the past and present and know that the original mission is still alive and well.”

The TPS Fund helps support tuition assistance for nearly a third of our learners, ensures our signature experiential learning style, and provides professional development for faculty and staff, among other facets of the TPS experience. While the projects funded may have changed slightly from when Sandy was Head of School, the TPS spirit runs continuously throughout what donors to the TPS Fund make possible. As Sandy says, “Without these funds we could not have performed The Great Experiment, 1787, an all-school performance at The Port of History Museum in May of 1987 depicting the writing of the United States constitution, or provided material for Lego Logo, and Logo Technic, our Junior Unit physical science and robotics program.”

Though COVID has impacted our theatrical ambitions, anyone who saw the eighth grade Shakespeare plays performed in Lombard yard witnessed the TPS Fund at work!

And our strong science program, which began under Sandy’s leadership, has flourished and grown into an award-winning STEAM program and staple of the TPS program.

Sandy encourages others to give to The TPS Fund as well, saying, “Your contribution to the TPS Fund will make equally exciting and essential educational experiences possible, as well as providing for economic diversity. Please give what you can.”

A quote from another leader comes to mind when thinking of Sandy. “A teacher affects eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops,” wrote President John Adams. Sandy has influenced the lives of everyone who has walked through the doors of TPS. To our long list of gratitude the school community shares for Sandy, we add our appreciation for the generous gift of her time in this interview, as well as her contributions to the TPS Fund.

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Sandy with Alumni Children L. Fiebach, H. Mozes, and L. Greenberg in The TPS Garden.
From Roots to Branches. OUR PAST THEMES 21-22 Community Strong 20-21 Innovation/Flexibility/ Resilience 19-20 Empathy 18-19 H2O 17-18 Myths and Fables 16-17 From Surviving to Thriving in the City, Country, and Classroom 15-16 Mysteries 14-15 Cosmos 13-14 Mad Science 12-13 Fairy Tales: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly 11-12 Building and Structure 10-11 Community 09-10 Rhythm and Rhyme 08-09 The Games We Play 07-08 Earth Day, Every Day 06-07 “Talking” Walls: Physical and Metaphoric 05-06 Benjamin Franklin: One Person Can Make a Difference 04-05 Empathy: Walking in Each Other’s Shoes 03-04 Poetry: Painting With Words 02-03 Building Philadelphia 01-02 The Odyssey 00-01 Olympics 2000 and Australia 99-00 Time 98-99 The Forest 97-98 1972 96-97 Child Times 95-96 The Underground 94-95 Tolerance 93-94 The Wind in the Willows 92-93 Circa 1492 91-92 Mathematics Fair 90-91 Inventions 89-90 City Hall 88-89 The Forest 87-88 The Constitution 86-87 Fantasy 85-86 Ethnic Philadelphia Celebrating 50 Years of Lifelong Learning through our All-School Theme 20 THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL LEARN HERE

The Philadelphia School uses a thematic approach to learning, enabling students to experience the interrelatedness of disciplines and to see how they apply to their world. A theme is a concept or topic around which learning and teaching are structured during a period of time ranging from several weeks to a year. It is the “glue” that holds the discourse of learning together. The use of themes to provide the focus of learning gives further purpose and meaning to the educational experience. An effort is made to connect children’s concerns and experiences to broader issues and concepts. We seek a balance between receptive experiences (trips, reading, lectures, films) and expression of understanding (writing, speaking, art, drama, and music).

The all-school theme is a common unit of study that unites the whole school as a community of learners. It is an organic, ever-changing part of the curriculum. We appreciate the opportunity to try out new ideas. Over the years, we have chosen many different kinds of themes, including topics related to science, history, literature, and current events. We have experimented with a variety of structures regarding use of time and types of groups. In recent years, family group circles and Encuentro gatherings have been used to explore aspects of the all-school theme.

From Roots to Branches, the all-school theme for this 50th anniversary, is particularly meaningful in a year where we will be thinking about and celebrating the school’s beginnings,

present achievements, and future endeavors. The process of selecting an all-school theme usually begins in the spring of the previous school year. A working group of classroom teachers, specialists, and administrators met in the spring of 2022 to consider a number of topics that would both relate to the school’s anniversary celebration as well as refocus the school as a community after the restrictions to gatherings COVID required.

A key requirement for an all-school theme is that there be opportunities for cross-grade and interdisciplinary sharing. Before we broke for summer vacation, the faculty as a whole reviewed and approved the theme, From Roots to Branches, seeing that this topic both honored the history of the school and also provided an opportunity to recommit to sustainable environmental stewardship. Over the summer, a small group of teachers and administrators fleshed out the curriculum and schedule, including programming for Encuentros and family circle meetings. The focus in the fall will be on our urban forest, learning more about the trees in our neighborhood and city. In the winter we will turn to learning about the history of the school, engage with our alumni storytellers, and think about the school’s next fifty years. In the spring we will devote time to environmental stewardship and how we as a school can recommit to practices like recycling and composting.

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A second generation.

“It was my hope for my children that they would have a learning experience rich with hands-on learning opportunities and inquiry-based exploration.”

“I want my sons to experience at TPS what I experienced there: a loving, creative environment that makes learning fun, and friendships that will last a lifetime.”

“My husband and I knew we wanted to educate our children in a school that takes cues from the children to guide their learning. Our older child loves taking deep dives into different topics, and we wanted a school that would not only allow him to do that but actively encourage him to pursue those interests throughout his time there.”

“We were looking for an educational environment where Henry (and his younger brother Max, soon enough) would be able to shape his own education from an early stage. I’m not sure I recognized it then, but I think students are given a lot of agency in their education at a young age – that’s something I am not sure I recognized at the time, but it helped make me a lifelong learner, self-motivated student and independent person.”

“We were confident that Billy (who is much smarter than his TPS alumnus father) would do well academically wherever he went. When we thought about what we hoped for in Billy’s formative years it was that he would be kind, develop analytical thinking, and be excited to learn.”

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WHAT DREW YOU TO TPS AS YOU WERE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT WHERE TO EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN?
Daniel and H. Mozes

generation.

FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TPS EXPERIENCE?

“So many! Magic spots at Shelly Ridge, middle school teachers and my advisor whom I really felt a connection with; biking in the Wissahickon during mini-courses.”

‘94

“The 8th grade class used to offer hot dog sales for lunch every Friday. We would get the groceries ourselves at the supermarket, cook the food, and handle the accounting. This was a great way to teach responsibility and offer a limited glimpse into running a business.”

‘86

“The rock project in science class in middle school! I can still tell the difference between mica schist and pyrite!”

“I feel an important part of TPS that has stayed the same is the school’s commitment to a social justice education. Additionally, I appreciate that TPS has maintained the vertical stacking structure for certain grades, amplifying opportunities for students to have the learner/leader experience. One major difference is that students no longer go to Shelly Ridge and instead visit various locations for their outdoor days!”

“When I was a student, TPS was a little pre-k student and now it’s a mature institution. The kids love school and they learn to love learning. But, now there are a lot more systems and structure behind the scenes that keeps the kids feeling like it’s a free-wheeling experience they can direct any way they want.”

‘99

We are fortunate to have among our alumni sixteen who have chosen to send their children to The Philadelphia School. We asked these folks to reflect on what drew them to TPS as they were making decisions about where to educate their offspring and what was special about their experience here as well as that of their children.
Mike and L. Fiebach
WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE SAME AND WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT TPS THEN AND NOW?
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The Morlok family

WHAT HAS BEEN GREAT ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S/CHILDREN’S EXPERIENCE SO FAR?

“I think the thing that is still unique to TPS is that both of my kids are comfortable speaking their minds and interacting with adults. I think TPS has given them both the confidence to succeed outside of the school both socially and academically.”

“It is very special to see him grow to be close friends with other second generation TPS families like Levi Fiebach, as well as making new friends (how does that song go?). I will say that Henry loves the garden – it is a great imaginative place for him and his friends, and there’s also something very TPS about the fact that the Pre-K and Kindergarten have that space to themselves, where even the Kindergartners get to be the big kids sometimes.”

“His excitement about going to school and learning. Last weekend we were passing a cut out layered rock formation on the highway. As I attempted to explain what we were looking at, I was informed that he was learning about the underground and was provided a lesson on the different horizons underground.”

“Sloane’s experience has been great so far! One thing that stands out to me is how even when it came to “soft skills” like making new friends, Sloane’s teachers were there to scaffold the experience and support her in the process!”

‘04

“Our kindergartener settled right into TPS this fall and clearly felt comfortable right away thanks to the efforts of the amazing teachers and staff. She’s also coming home with tons of new knowledge, ideas, and songs, some of which I remember from my TPS time!”

Alumni notice that education of the character and intellect go hand in hand.
24 THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL LEARN HERE
The Berman Family Erika Korb and L. Gerace Cara Smith and D. Smith-O’Neill

Unearthing a Slice of History: 2004 graduate, Alex Zimmerman kept and recently opened a time-capsule he made in his Primary classroom in 1997.

As part of the celebration of The Philadelphia School’s twenty-fifth anniversary in 1997, the students in Maureen Glaccum’s and Elizabeth Zack’s primary unit classroom (PU-C) created time capsules to be opened in 2022, an impossibly distant time in the future for those six and seven year olds.

The contents of these boxes (carefully labeled “Do Not Open Until 2022”) included two full-sized tracings of their bodies (one reflecting their 1997 self and the other what they’d look like in 2022), pieces of writing and drawings they did about themselves in 1997 and their hopes and plans for the future, images from magazines about their interests, and a letter from their teachers reminding them about what was happening in their classroom, the larger school community, and the world around them.

Alex Zimmerman (class of 2004) and his parents were most responsible for keeping his box safe over the ensuing twentyfive years, and over the Labor Day weekend in 2021, they opened his capsule together. Each of the artifacts was carefully documented, and the photographs were sent to both Maureen and Elizabeth. Maureen said recently, “When I saw what Alex shared, it certainly seemed like something Elizabeth and I would create: age appropriate, good writing prompts, opportunity for drawing, collage, and imaginative thinking. I LOVED that Alex remembered it and shared it with us-wearing his TPS shirt to boot!”

In 1997 Alex wrote that in 2022 he would be rock climbing on Mars, married with children, and living in Virginia. Alas, those

plans did not materialize. He is living in New York City with a partner who is a playwright (no children) and working as a reporter for Chalkbeat, a non-profit news organization which focuses attention on inequality in public education. Over the past few years he has covered how the pandemic upended teaching and learning, exacerbated existing inequities, and how city officials are spending billions of dollars in federal relief funding earmarked for public schools.

Some “favorite things” identified in 1997 have endured while many have not. Reading is still something Alex enjoys; he has moved on from The Trumpet of the Swan, however. His passion for Game Boy, Nintendo, and Playstation has, thankfully, abated in favor of hiking and riding his bike.

Several friendships that were cemented in the primary unit continued through high school and college! Alex remembers shooting hoops with Sam Morris long after his TPS days, and these occasions often included both their dads until it became apparent that the young men could destroy their elders. Another TPS friend, Jake Robbins, went to the same high school, college, and shared an apartment with Alex afterwards.

While Alex doesn’t really remember much about the actual process of creating the time capsule, he did look for it from time to time, vaguely remembering that it should be opened about when he turned 30. Recently his parents moved to a new house and in the clearing out of the basement came upon the time capsule and artifacts from throughout Alex’s educational journey.

ALUMNI
25 TPSCHOOL.ORG GO ANYWHERE
PROFILE Alex Zimmerman

Alumni Notes

Daniel Spielman ‘84

Spielman has won the Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics for “multiple discoveries in theoretical computer science and mathematics.” Spielman, the Sterling Professor of Computer Science, Statistics and Data Science and Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, has taught at Yale since 2006. In addition to solving long-standing mathematical mysteries, his work has led to significant and very practical benefits in the fields of computing, signal processing, and engineering.

Katie Dry ‘90

Katie is a program evaluator for the state of New Mexico’s Legislative Finance Committee. She and her husband have been living in Santa Fe for the last 14 years, raising their two boys, Gabriel (age 13) and Mateo (age 10). Katie recently sent news that Max Cooper and Sarah Campbell Cooper (both class of 1993) had moved to Santa Fe, and their children are attending the same school (Gabriel has since moved on to middle school).

Carolyn Braff ‘99

Carolyn is the head of brand strategy at Gatorade. An avid runner and cyclist in Chicago, she is the mom of two young kids who love the out-of-doors as much as she does. In addition Carolyn sits on the regional board of the Anti-Defamation League, is an alumni interviewer for Columbia University, and active with the Chicago Booth marketing group (serving as a mentor and speaker on panels).

Becca Fisher ‘00

Becca is busy with a career in real estate, mothering her young daughter, and serving as chair of the Thanksgiving Alumni Reunion as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of TPS.

Pablo McConnie-Saad ‘00

Pablo received his Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Delaware on Saturday, May 28th, 2022. President Joe Biden was on hand to do the honors!

Laura & Veronica Schad ‘06

Laura is a social studies teacher at the Academy at Palumbo, her alma mater. Her twin sister Veronica works as an attorney at Devlin Law Firm. Both were married in 2021 and their story of how they arrived at choosing their mates was chronicled in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Andrew Chalfen ‘09

Andrew is a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in management. He is currently a product manager for Healthmap Solutions.

LEARN HERE 26 THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL
Daniel Spielman ‘84 Becca Fisher ‘00 Pablo McConnie-Saad ‘00 Claire Saint-Amour ‘13

Claire Saint-Amour ‘13

Claire, now a graduate of Yale University, was awarded a Paul Mellon Fellowship for study at Clare College, Cambridge, for the academic year 2022-2023. Claire will pursue an MPhil in Classics, attend seminars on research skills and special topics, and work one-on-one with a faculty advisor who will guide her in developing and writing an MPhil thesis. The project that Claire plans to pursue is tentatively titled “Buried Texts: Autochthony and Authority in Greece, Rome, and Mesopotamia.” An outstanding achievement, and well deserved!

Eliza Cucchiara ‘21, Adrie Young ‘20, & Mira Young ‘18

Eliza and Adrie are both current students at Science Leadership Academy (SLA), recently organized a rally to give voice to issues they believe in. Students from Franklin Learning Center, Masterman, Friends Select, University of the Arts, and SLA were among those at the rally. Mira, sister of Adrie, was also present. Eliza, Adrie, and Mira give credit to TPS for giving them the confidence and skills to speak in front of audiences and provide them with the courage to showcase active and engaged citizenship. We are proud of our TPS alums for gathering and protesting in a nonviolent way and beginning real conversations about issues important to them. The event was covered by local television station 6abc.

Alison Campbell ‘06,

Alison has been involved in orienteering on a national and international level for many years. Members of the 2021 US National Team voted to elect her to a seat on the US National Team Executive Steering Committee (ESC). Alison has been a member of the US Team for over 10 years competing as part of the Development, Performance and Elite squads during her tenure on the team. She currently lives and competes in Glasgow, Scotland.

Devin Gibson ‘20, Lida Goloveyko ‘21, Paige Murray ‘21, Reed McKnight ‘19, & Tony Regli ‘18

The FIRST Robotics team at Springside Chestnut Hill, Team 1218, boasted of five TPS alums, lead by Tony Regli. They competed in the FIRST Mid-Atlantic District Championship in Bethlehem, PA. They made it all the way to the quarterfinals where they lost to the 2nd ranked alliance. Their performance during the 2022 season, including being District Finalist and winning the Autonomous Award at a regional competition, has qualified them to be one of the 18 out of 60 Mid-Atlantic regional teams to advance to the World Championship in Houston, TX. They will compete as defending World

Champions

(2019).

GO ANYWHERE 27 TPSCHOOL.ORG

Honor Roll

ORGANIZATIONS

AmazonSmile Foundation

Arden Theatre Company

Blueyes Foundation

Bright Funds

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation

Campbell Soup Company

Dry Family Foundation

Fidelity Charitable

Frontstream

Goldman Sachs

IBM

Independence Blue Cross Larimar Therapeutics

Marrazzo Family Foundation

McKinsey & Company

New York Life Insurance Company

PAISBOA

Philanthropi Charitable

Priscilla Foley Educational Fund

Random House

Sather Family Trust

Schafer Family Philanthropic Fund

Schwab Charitable

SRS Sunshine Fund

Susquehanna International Group, LLP

The Blackbaud Giving Fund

The Forman Family Foundation

The Glenmede Trust Company

The Kushner Charitable Trust

The Peter and Nancy Thauer Family Charitable Foundation

Underground Swag Committee

Vanguard Charitable

Vanguard Charitable/Kessler Fund

EXCEPTIONAL GIFTS

Deborah and Zachary Klehr Stephen Leitzell

$25,000 - $49,999

Anonymous Barbara and Chuck Widger

$10,000 -$24,999

Peter and Francesca Ammon Anonymous (3)

Matthew and Gabrielle Canno*

Jacob K. Cooper and Natalie Aronson*

Jeffrey and Mayva Donnon

Paul and Cecie Dry Robert Foley

Alexis and Tristan Jones* Michael and Meeta Kerlin*

Leonard and Susan Klehr* Eugene and Deborah Lefevre James Nam and Sun Park* Michael and Kate Riccardi Jennifer Rice and Michael Forman Rebecca and Daniel Shapiro*

The Townsend Family

$5,000-$9,999

Anonymous

Sandra and Michael Dean

Adam and Stacy Douberly*

Mark and Jennifer Freeman

Lisa Heller and Harry Roth

Drew Moyer and Jude Tuma*

Melanie and Jared Pontz* Lauren and Scott Ravitz*

*denotes donors who also supported EITC/OSTC

Ellen Schwartz and Jeremy Siegel*

JJ Shirley and Raphael Cunniff Barbara and John Stanley Lisa and Peter Sun Megan and Andrew Townsend

$2,500-$4,999

Jane Ahn and Carl Park

Michael and Lindsey Albenberg Anonymous

Carolyn Cannuscio and Daniel Rader

Derek and Jill Jokelson

Jane Lawson-Bell and Edward Bell Alfonse Mandese

Ronald Ravitz

Christine Reardon and Michael Davidson

Alan Sandals and Alisa Field

Janet Weinstein

$1,000 - $2,499

Janice and Pete Albert Anonymous (3) Michael and Mona Berman* Mercedes Blackstone and Matthew Schaenen

Jenny and Luca Bogoni

Carolyn Coleburn and Harry Philbrick David and Nancy Colman

Ashley Feuer-Edwards and Douglas Edwards

Evan Fieldston and Gabriela Marein-Efron

Emily Foote and David Williams

Harvey and Sandy Freeman

Katy and Jason Friedland

Jennifer Goldberg and Robert Ferrante*

LEARN HERE
28 THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL

Gary and Nancy Gordon

Richard Heiberger and Barbara Bloomfield

Mollie and Amos Henderson

Carolyn and John Hewson

John Jackson and Deborah Thomas*

Mary Ann Kerlin

Eli Klehr

Samuel Klehr

Leo Korein and Ann Ritter

David and Davida Krupnick

Tom Lefevre

Jared Lieberman and Ilene KalterLieberman

Ann and Ted McKenzie

Sam Meek

Katie and Philip Neff

William and Jennifer Peranteau

Nina Rivera and Peter Hardy

Patty and Stephen Segal

Emily and Ryan Soloby

Brian and Cheryl Stoyer

Jami and Ken Young*

Elizabeth and Richard Zack

Michael Zimmer and Maureen MirroZimmer

$500-$999

Jeur and Annelies Abeln Erika Adkins

Jack Adler, Jr.

Anita and Erwin Andrews

Carolyn and Arthur Asbury

Roy and Ruth Brader

Mathilda Edmunds and Stephen Groundwater

Karen and Alexander Eifler

Nicholas Evageliou and Jodi Chen

Henry Fairfax

Charles Finney and Stacey Trooskin

Janine and Scott Heery

Glenn Holsten and Peter Dobrin

Carolynne and Joshua Kayser Allison Kirshner Oz and Sahar Oz

Jennifer Lee and Brian Rider

Bruce and Diane Luckman

Marc Mannella and Mamie Doyle Mannella

Robert Manning and Andrea Missias

Katharine and William McLaughlin

Julie and Daniel Mozes

Ralph and Rose Mundy

Lindsay Neil and Kayla Tibbals

Ana and Rodolfo Perini

Jane Rath and John Chase

Karl Rickels

Nathan Sandals and Michelle Liszt

Leah Sandals

Adina and Brian Shapiro

Anne Treadway and Dennis Arouca Romuald Wawszczyk and Nicole Black Stephanie and Joshua Wolson

$250-$499

Valerie and Everett Abitbol

Jonathan Adler

Julia Alexander and Andy Housiaux

Mitchell Bach and Elayne Hankin Bloom

Ira Brind

Tanisha and Jermaine Brockington

Jeffrey and Diane Chalal

Tina Skov Cowan and Brian P Daly Mary Crawford and Brett Skolnick

Anna Donnelly and Jason Rothman

Linda Donnon

Marianne Ruby Emmett and Gary Emmett

Barbara and Nicholas Esposito

Jim Fernberger

John and Nancy Fischer Fritzi and Philip Franks

Marjorie Gapp and Gregory Tobias

John and Arlene Garvey

Dennis and Stephany Goloveyko

Campbell and Ann Grey Witold and Marcia Henisz

Farzana and Mohammad Hossain

Kenneth and Barbara Kalter

Ronnie Kaplan

Susan Katsekas

Jim and Hannah Leckman

Carol and Rafael Lissack

Rosanne Loesch and Yves Quintin

Rebecca Mazar and Ryan McCormick

Girna Mendez-Adkins and Timothy Adkins

Bridget Morris

Ian Nance

Maya Pindyck and Tyler Sargent

Emma Powers

Madhukar and Mamta Prasad

Edward Resovsky

David and Diana Ross

Rachel and Michael Schade

Rebecca and David Selvin

J Kearney and Karen Flynn Shanahan

Colleen Shanahan and Michael Fischer

James and Nancy Steele Lindsey and Derek Zinck

GO ANYWHERE
29 TPSCHOOL.ORG

UP TO $249

Joshua Abbell and Amy White

Rachel Adams-Kaplan and Sean Kaplan

Harold and Karen Albenberg

Emily Altman

Robert and Patricia Altman

Anonymous (3)

Kate Barrett and Christopher D’Amore

Kathy Becker

Maria and Jim Bell

Carole and Matzi Ben-Maimon

Mildred Berg

Marisa Block

Michael Block

Jessica Bloomfield

Catherine Bogart-Rome and Stuart Rome

Jamie Bogert

Jennifer and Jon Borish

Donna Bostock

Derek and Hilary Brader

Shevaun Brannigan

Mariette Buchman and David Altenhofen

Diane and Martin Butler

Frances and Peter Buttenheim

Andy Candor

Amanda Casper and John Orr

Veronica Chapman-Smith and Jason Horst

Delaina Cobbs and Jihad Seifullah

Phyllis Cochran

Eric Cohen and Debbie Zak Cohen

Steven Cohen

Anne Cook and Russell Troyer

Claudette and Miles Coverdale

Allegra Esposito

Cheryl Fedyna

Debra Fickler and Steve Russell

Maxine Field

Patrick and Marja Fitzgerald

Deborah Fleisher

Sara Forgione and Terry Maguire

Forte

Marian Fox

Jane and Matthew Frankel

Alison Fritz and Daniel Pohlig Erik and Carol Fromm

Noah and Francesca Gans-Pfister

Jill Garland and John Frisbee

Jennifer and Anthony Giampetro

Christine and Mark Gignac

Lorraine Gimblett and Michael Boghosian

Jean and Mario Gizzi

Maureen Glaccum and David Speers

Danielle and Mark Goodheart Barbara and Herbert Gorenstein

Harriet Gottesman

Maggie and Steve Greif

Miriam and Jeffrey Harlan Sam and Sean Hartman Joshua Herren

Lisa and David Hoke

Pamela Holland Elizabeth Horvath Rick Jacobsen Bartley Jeannoute Madhurika Jeremiah and George Pesiridis

Jonathan and Sharon Katzenbach

Lauren and Brian Kelley

Barbara Koppel Kiernan and Brian Kiernan

Mickey Kronley

Laura Kushner

Katherine Latta

Carol Lerner

Helen Levin and Daniel Stevenson

Abigail Levner

Richard and Dale Levy Jayne Lisbeth and Tim Gibbons

Devorah Lissek and Joshua Barash

Emma Luckman

Daniel Lutes

Keith Lynch

Karen and Barrie Maguire Vivian Man and Kelvin Luk Jaclyn Marcel and Christopher Cole

Lori Markusfeld and Jeffrey Cole

Mac Marston

Lawrence Mass

Laura Matheny and Daniel Macool

Catherine and George Mattingly Bernadette McCleary Kevin McClellan Jr.

Mary Beth McNeish Fedirko and Rob Fedirko

Richard and Elizabeth Mentzinger Mary Mertz

Karen and Mark Methlie

Diane Miller

Gillian Emmett Moldowan

Karen and Lawrence Moon

Karen and Michael Moore

Mehron and Heather Moqtaderi Reza and Susan Moqtaderi

Jeffrey and Stephanie Mordan

Rebecca Muntean

Matthew and Gidget Murray Darlene and Tom Paolo

Eldra and Franklin Perry Aaron and Elina Picht

Caroline and Peter Piven

Trevor and Lorella Prichett Mary and Patrick Richardson-Graham Catalina Rios

Giovana and Joshua Robinson

Rebecca and Aidan Robinson

Karla and Michael Rubinger Barbara Salkin and Robert Bronstein

LEARN HERE 30 THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL

Nancie Samet Lundy

Joyce Sapin-Schulman and Seth Schulman

Kat Schoemaker and Paxton Reese

Kelley Seravalli

Barton and Sandra Silverman

Robert Smith and V. Chapman-Smith

Emily Soffa

Anastasia and Tharadon Sumpaopol

Molly Swartz and Daniel Rosenthal Helen and Andy Tedeschi

Joseph Teel and Marni Fogelson

Chanan Tigay and Molly Antopol

Jerry Tilzer

Marco Velis and Mili Fischer

Shing-Yi Wang and Santosh Anagol

Emily Weiss and Christopher Jones Bayla White

Jane White and Dawn Knipmeyer

Peggy Worthington and Sheldon Berman Noel Yee

Hanna Zafar and Greg Hudson

Philip and Phyllis Ziring Judith Zohn

IN HONOR OF

Rachel Adams-Kaplan

Marisa Block

Sarah Bloom

Ted Bogert

Shevaun Brannigan

Rachel Daulerio

Gerald Dessus

Brittany Flippen

Moira F. Fischer

Sara Forgione

Virginia Friedman

Vijaya Gorthi

Miriam Harlan

Lisa Hoke

Pamela Holland

Yves Kabore

Deborah and Zachary Klehr

Carol Lerner

Emma Luckman

Terry Maguire

Bernadette F. McCleary

Mary Beth McNeish Fedirko

Meredith Pace

Je Un Park

Matthew Plastino

Rebecca Robinson

Claire M. Saint-Amour

Julia K. Saint-Amour

Caroline “Cal” Simon

Anastasia Sumpaopol

Lisa Sun

Amma M. Thomas

Elizabeth Zack

IN MEMORY OF

Lynne Berman

Peter Berman

Lauren Kent

IN

KIND

Marvin Greenbaum

Lauren Harel Glenn Holsten

J2

Kate Riccardi Stephen Starr

GO ANYWHERE
31 TPSCHOOL.ORG

EITC Donors

COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Anonymous

BB&T now Truist

BLOCS

Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund

Comcast Corporation

Elliott-Lewis Corporation

INDIVIDUALS

Marta and Robert Adelson

Anonymous

Brad and Mia Aronson

Michael and Mona Berman

Matthew and Gabrielle Canno

Jacob K. Cooper and Natalie Aronson

Adam and Stacy Douberly

Igor and Julia Frayman

Jennifer Goldberg and Robert Ferrante

Michele and Bill Gorski

Iddo and Lauren Harel

John Jackson and Deborah Thomas

Meridian Bank

PA Partners for Education, LLC

Rassler Financial, LLC

Republic Bank

Sussman Automotive

The Friends Collaborative (Friends Council on Education)

Alexis and Tristan Jones

Michael and Meeta Kerlin

Leonard and Susan Klehr

Joshua Lehrer and Laura Gessman

Drew Moyer and Jude Tuma

James Nam and Sun Park

Roy and Rosalind Neff

Andrea Toy Ohta and Brian Ohta

Jared and Melanie Pontz

Scott and Lauren Ravitz

Michael and Alyssa Rickels

Ann Rosewater and Robert Kronley

The Michael G. Rubin 2011 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, LLC

TPS Learn Here Go Anywhere, LLC

TPS Scholarship #3, LLC

UGI Storage Company Waste Management

Jane Scaccetti

Rebecca and Daniel Shapiro

JJ Shirley and Raphael Cunniff

Alex and Lauri Siegel

Ellen Schwartz and Jeremy Siegel

Alex and Hilary Verbuch

John Wojcik and Jennifer Pogoriler

Mu Yang and Kai Chen

Jami and Ken Young Mitchell Young and Anna Forrester

LEARN HERE 32 THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL

WHY I GIVE The Jones Family

For most families who have chosen The Philadelphia School as the learning community to which they entrust their children, finding just the right words to describe why TPS is a good fit is often difficult. Not so for Tristan and Alexis Jones!

When asked what was meaningful for them and their daughter Cora (class of 2029), they replied, ”The sense of community that is apparent in all manner of moments throughout the day and across the year. From Cora’s excitement to getting to talk to her teacher at the bike parking at the end of the day, to engaging with classmates in ASEP as we pass back by the school after time at Markward playground, to screaming hellos and goodbyes halfway down the block when seeing a fellow student or faculty member on the street, it is extremely clear what a tight and caring bond the students, teachers, and administrators have amongst each other. This extends to the parents, as well!”

Alexis, originally from the Midwest, attended a progressive school herself from preschool to fifth grade before transitioning to a traditional public school setting. When considering a school for Cora, Alexis was looking to match her own early education. Tristan, who grew up in Australia, was equally strong in his belief that school should foster a sense of curiosity, self-exploration, and provide the tools to ensure a student becomes the best version of herself. “We believe that this knowledge of self is balanced with TPS’s emphasis on each student and family’s role as part of our broader society. To a person, every member of the staff and faculty is truly committed to the TPS model, to the students, to fun and joy in learning and exploration.”

When asked why they give charitably to TPS in addition to tuition, Tristan and Alexis enumerated several reasons, including the ongoing development of the school both

physically and academically, the need to support diversity in all its forms, and the assurance that TPS will continue to provide an exceptional learning environment for students and teachers. “Those who experience TPS will carry those experiences with them for the rest of their lives and continue to come back to foster and support our community, creating a positive cycle where TPS reflects our broader city and is a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds.”

Some of the ways Alexis and Tristan have participated in philanthropic work include participation in EITC, pushing their companies to match their donations, and transferring stocks. “Being able to support tuition assistance through the EITC program is very important to us as we believe it ties in directly to TPS’ vision of having a diverse and inclusive student body regardless of economic situation.” Being able to double the impact of their contributions with company matching gifts has been of benefit not only to the school but in building a culture of philanthropy at work. The process of transferring stocks was a straightforward experience for the Joneses, facilitated by the team at TPS.

The Philadelphia School is delighted to have the support of Tristan and Alexis, and, of course, Cora.

GO ANYWHERE
33 TPSCHOOL.ORG
LEARN HERE
Rebecca Selvin VICE PRESIDENT OF SCHOOL SUPPORT Melanie Pontz SECRETARY Kevin Zimmer
Sun Park VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMITTEES Michael Albenberg ADMISSIONS AMBASSADOR Melanie Pontz ALLERGY SUPPORT GROUP Ilene Leiberman BOOK FAIR Marni Fogelson & Carolynne Kayser COMMUNITY OUTREACH Jen Peranteau & Gerri Trooskin EVENTS & HOSPITALITY January Bartle FAMILY DIVERSITY Erica Cochran Zimmer, Meeta Prasad Kerlin, & Marni Fogelson GREEN & HEALTHY Sun Park & Virginia Friedman PARENT EDUCATION Gayle Chesley PHOTO BOOK Lauren Harel THANKSGIVING FEAST Tricia Bruning BIRTHDAY TABLE Stephanie Orphanides TPS SWAG Lauren Harel, Julia Frayman, & Hilary Verbuch 34 THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL
TPSA PRESIDENT
TREASURER

EATS Donors

ORGANIZATIONS

AFE Strategies

Bridget Foy’s / Cry Baby

Comengo Law Group

Dr. Amy James - Art of Smile

Duffy Realty

Edu-Tech Academic Solutions

Elliott-Lewis Corporation

Garces Group

Glenmede Trust Co.

Home Appetite

INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES

Matthew and Gabrielle Canno

The Dolson Family

The Klehr Family

Ilene & Jared Lieberman

Jeff Block Realty

Lammey + Giorgio Architects

Oyster House

Patrick Campell Realty

Republic Bank

Starr Restaurants

Stateside Vodka

Total Construction Yards Brewery

The Moyer-Tuma Family

The Mozes Family

Ilene and Jared Lieberman

The Shapiro Family

GO ANYWHERE
35 TPSCHOOL.ORG
“I support TPS in honor of the amazing colleagues with whom I work and from whom I have learned so much. They care deeply about the children they teach and I feel privileged to teach and learn along with them.”
TEACHER OF 21 YEARS (AND COUNTING!)
PARENTS ‘25 AND
“ TPS is a haven in the world for my kids - a place they can find their best selves along with learning how to be part of a community!!”
CURRENT
‘28
‘04
“Of all of the wonderful schools I attended in my life, TPS stands out as the most impactful and positive one.”
ALUMNUS
“I give because TPS taught me to love learning!”
LEARN HERE 36 THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL

TPS provides an enriching and joyful learning experience not only for the students but for their families as well. As grandparents our lives are enriched by hearing about our granddaughter’s learning adventures. And we experience the joy in having a happy learner.” CURRENT

“ We give because TPS helped develop our children’s curiosity, empathy, and agency which has already prepared them well for high school and will serve them as great people and citizens in the years to come.” ALUMNI
PARENTS ‘19
GRANDPARENTS ‘25
“ TPS offers a responsive, progressive, and relevant education to prepare young minds for the 21st century.”
CURRENT PARENT ‘26 AND ‘29
GO ANYWHERE 37 TPSCHOOL.ORG
“We give because TPS has given our kids the world!”
ALUMNI PARENT ‘21

2501 Lombard Street Philadelphia, PA 19146

SAVE THE DATE

50th Anniversary Spring Celebration

DATE May 5th, 2023

LOCATION Vie at Cescaphe, 600 N. Broad St.

DRESS CODE - EVENT IS 21+ Cocktail/Semi-Formal

LEARN MORE AT

TPSCHOOL.ORG/ABOUT/50TH-ANNIVERSARY

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