THE
SPRING 201
THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL OF WESTON MAGAZINE
A School Library for the 21st Century
From the Desk of Harry McCracken ’82 TIME magazine editor-at-large
Plans for New Health & Fitness Center
2013–2014 board of trustees
parents association
Ben Alimansky ’87
Deborah Kahn P ’16, President
Diana Baruni, Faculty Representative Christine Chamberlain ’63 Erika Christakis P ’11, P ’13, P ’16 Phil DeNormandie ’67 Rachael Dorr P ’07, Secretary Nina Fialkow P ’10 Anne-Marie Fitzgerald P ’16 Chris Gootkind P ’12 Shelley Hawks P ’12 Kaiko Marie Hayes ’81 Jennifer Jones-Clark P ’05 Deborah Kahn P ’16, Parent Representative Chloe Knopp ’14, Boarding Student Representative Rick McCready P ’13, Treasurer Bob Metcalf ’53 Jane Moulding, Head of School Christian Nolen P ’10, Chair of the Board Margie Perse P ’13 Deborah Pressman P ’10 Mort Rosenthal P ’08, P ’13 Mark Santa Maria, Faculty Representative Sarita Shah ’86 Peter Thorne P ’12, Assistant Secretary Eduardo Tugendhat ’72, P ’07 Susan Vogt P ’14, Assistant Treasurer Sheila Watson P ’12, P ’17, Vice Chair of the Board Jack Welch P ’15 Ella Williams ’14, Day Student Representative
Anne-Marie Fitzgerald P ’16, Vice President Alma Bair P ’13, P ’14, Secretary Barbara Jenny P ’16, Baking with Boarders Chair Victoria Rizzi P ’14, Birthday for Boarders Committee Chair Meg Lotz Bousvaros P ’15, Evening Programs Committee Chair Deborah Lapides P ’14, Faculty Appreciation Committee Chair Nancy Smalzel P ’15, Host Family Program Chair Patricia Waters P ’15, Parent Independent School Network Representative Chair Shelly Ziegelman P ’14, Parent Information Coffee Committee Chair Lise Gordon P ’14, P ’16, Welcome Committee Chair To contact the Parents Association, please email: pa@csw.org.
the gryphon, spring 2014 Jane Moulding, Head of School Eun Lee Koh, Director of Communications Rachel Stoff, Editor / Associate Director of Communications Rebecca Schultzberg, Director of Development Lelia Orrell Elliston ’80, Director of Alumni Relations
contributors Arlo Furst ’04, Communications Specialist Anne Mackin P ’12 Amy Meneely Jeremy Butman ’02 Annie Cook ’80 Harry McCracken ’82 Kandice Simmons ’12
Cover photo by Arlo Furst ’04 Sierra Moody ’15 focuses during a lab in Chemistry class.
design Stoltze Design • www.stoltze.com Brian Azer, Katherine Hughes, Mary Ross
The Cambridge School of Weston is a coeducational college preparatory school for grades 9–12 and post graduate study. Inquiries for academic year admission should be directed to Trish Saunders, Director of Admissions, at 781.642.8650. The Gryphon welcomes class notes and photographs by alumni, parents, and friends. Please email submissions to alum@csw.org; call 781.642.8619; visit www.csw.org; or send to: Alumni Relations The Cambridge School of Weston 45 Georgian Road Weston, MA 02493
contact To contact the editor, email: gryphon@csw.org Website: www.csw.org
Spring 2014 Departments Leading Thoughts by Jane Moulding
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News & Notes
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Noteworthy
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Creativity at Work
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Course Spotlight
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CSW by the Numbers
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My Five
THE
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Features 20
Faculty Feature: Anjali Tyagi
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From the Desk of… Harry McCracken ’82
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Learning & Teaching at CSW
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Q&A with Author and Educator Grant Wiggins
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A School Library for the 21st Century
Alumnae/i News
artist: Josh Glass ’15
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Alumni Profiles: Polly Howells ’62, Jamal Davis ’94, Olivia Fialkow ’10
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From the Archives: CSW Then & Now
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Announcements & Save the Date
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Class Notes
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In Memoriam
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The Gryphon Spring 2014
Leading Thoughts: The Revolution is Endless one premise of being a progressive school
is the unwavering belief in the importance of the democratic process and all that entails. We arm our students with voice, ignite their passions within, and encourage them to advocate for themselves and others—with the hope that they will affect change in science and discovery, in matters of peace and social justice, in education and leadership. The journey of finding voice, articulating opinions, and moving to action, happens all the time at The Cambridge School of Weston: the two clear student voices on the Board of Trustees, where these student members have thoughtfully weighed in on our campaign for the health and fitness center, the student-led iGEM team, working toward becoming the first CSW team to compete in the international synthetic biology festival at MIT. The team’s project to develop a type of plant antifreeze, which could prevent frost in fruits and vegetables during the end of the growing season, has potential to impact farming and agriculture in places like New England. I reflect on the warmth and fervor with which our student peer mentors organized a school-wide dodge ball tournament—a truly joyous week of spirited competition that brought our community together (coordinated uniforms and all)—and more recently led the whole school in conversations about what it means to be a CSW citizen. These are but a few examples. I also know there are quieter voices that meet weekly in clubs considering philosophy, feminism, sustainability, and diversity. In the pages that follow, we see voice and leadership in many forms: the careful and collaborative work of our learning and teaching committees; the creativity and imagination in our senior capstones and student dance choreography; the steady planning and preparation that have gone into the design of the health and fitness center in a key step toward building and expanding our school’s future.
To borrow a phrase from guest writer
Harry McCracken ’82 in this issue of
The Gryphon (p. 22): “The revolution is endless.” Harry, an editor-at-large at TIME, writes that keeping pace in this world is not easy. The minute you feel that you have made progress in one area, it is time to tackle something else. Leadership at CSW—or anywhere else for that matter— is not always easy. It requires persistence, dedication, the willingness to adapt, be open, and think creatively. There will always be progress and change at CSW, and with every step, it will require leadership in all the ways that we have always asked students to lead at CSW— with passion and clarity, collaboration and creativity. This spring and throughout the upcoming school year, we will continue to raise the funds necessary for the health and fitness center, we will expand our course offerings in mindfulness and social justice, and we will continue to work toward building a program that continues to challenge our students to think creatively and critically. Let us embrace the endless revolutions and continue to innovate. I hope you’ll join us as we lead the way. With all good wishes,
Jane Moulding, Head of School
correction: In the previous issue of The Gryphon, I wrote that the “Walrus” chats began with Headmaster Dolph Cheek. David T. Grose ’39 wrote to let us know that the gatherings had actually existed as early as the 1930s with former Headmaster John R. P. French. So noted. Thank you, David, for your lovely card and for sharing with us an important piece of CSW history.
NEWS & NOTES •
News & Notes
Dance Concert: “Shifting Sky” Another incredibly moving set of performances was presented at this year’s annual Dance Concert. Studentchoreographed pieces, guided by dance department chair Nailah Randall-Bellinger and faculty advisor Carey McKinley, featured a colorful variety of dance styles and genres, with a soundtrack that had the audience swaying and moving in their seats.
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News & Notes Continued
Karuna at CSW: Partnership Broadens Social Justice and Peace Studies at CSW
Students Participate in the Hour of Code CSW students took part in the “Hour of Code” in December during Computer Science Education Week. English teacher and Technology Committee member Jeannette Lee welcomed more than 20 students into the Youth Understanding Media (YUM) Lab, where they participated in an hour-long online introduction course to computer science. The “Hour of Code” is designed to demystify “coding” and show that anyone with an open mind and a drive to learn can pick-up the basics of computer programming.
The Cambridge School of Weston will partner with The Karuna School to bring an expanded social justice, peace, and mindfulness program to CSW. The partnership underscores CSW’s efforts to integrate health and wellness into the academic curriculum and will bring additional opportunities for students to participate in local to global service programs, gain leadership skills in mediation, non-violent communication, and restorative justice, as well as take courses that pertain to social justice and peace. “Karuna is a natural partner for our mission to graduate kids who can focus and be empowered and open-minded listeners,” said Jane Moulding , head of school. The Karuna School program is endorsed by the Dalai Lama and its co-founder and educator Lisa Prajna Hallstrom will be based at CSW to help develop curriculum and teach a course called .b (dot-be), an innovative course that teaches mindfulness as a life skill for students to use both in and out of the classroom. Research shows that practicing mindfulness can contribute to an increase in young adults’ self-esteem and focus. “Karuna” is the Sanskrit word for compassion.
CSW takes part in Brandeis University’s Social Justice Festival left to right: Jim & Shelley Hawks P ’12 and Eileen & Phil Adler P ’17
Parent Winter Gathering More than 50 CSW parents joined CSW trustee Shelley Hawks and her husband Jim, at their home for a parent winter gathering in Concord, MA. Parents dined on hors d’oeuvres and enjoyed a cooking demonstration by Saltbox Farm in Concord, while getting to know one another and celebrating the many achievements of CSW students.
CSW was honored to take part in ’DEIS Impact, Brandeis University’s annual weeklong festival of social justice, which included a keynote speech by Nelson Mandela’s grandsons of the Africa Rising Foundation. CSW students were part of a session titled “Are We Truly Postracial? Think Again,” created in the Alliance Building Across Cultural Divisions (ABCD) course taught by Johára Tucker, director of social justice and multicultural programing. Johára challenged her students to answer the question “Does race still matter?” and students produced a series of postcards addressing various issues such as affirmative action, adoption, typecasting in musical theatre, and segregation at the lunch table.
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The Walrus Series: CSW Launches Speaker Series Program
Evening of the Arts Creativity and imagination were on display in full force at this year’s Evening of the Arts. Students, faculty and staff, parents, and alumni who attended the event were greeted at the Garthwaite Center for Science and Art by characters from Big Love, CSW’s fall production. The evening’s program included a gallery display of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, and other visual arts work from recent classes, dance, theatre, and music performances. The fashion show by students from the Wearable Art class was tremendously impressive. Using non-traditional materials, students created art that could be worn on the body, including Olivia Keppler ’15’s top made of zip ties and Noa Machover ’15’s pullover made of dried onion skins. The evening capped off with a rousing performance by the Rock/Pop Ensemble, whose members performed songs with themes that centered on social justice, love, and acceptance.
The Cambridge School of Weston launched the Walrus Series with THE Yale sociologist and physician Walrus Nicholas Christakis P ’11, ’13, ’16. Series With host, Director of Library at CS W and Media Services Kemarah Sika , Dr. Christakis spoke about the “The Time Has Come to Talk of Many Things.” power of our social networks —Lewis Carroll and how they shape our lives. The Walrus Series is named after the chats hosted in the era of former Headmasters John R. P. French and Dolph Cheek , who hosted a series of informal talks with students in their homes, dubbed “The Walrus.” The name is from the Lewis Carroll poem, “The Walrus and the Carpenter,” in which the Walrus declares, “The time has come to talk of many things.” Dr. Christakis is currently the Sol Goldman Family Professor of Social and Natural Science at Yale University, the director of the Human Nature Lab, and the co-director of the Yale Institute for Network Science. Previously, he was a professor at Harvard University and attending physician at Mt. Auburn Hospital. Christakis is the co-author of Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives and other books.
Shanghai Theatre Academy to Share Lessons from CSW Shanghai Theatre Academy’s David Yongwen Peng, the vice director of the academy’s department of dramatic literature, visited The Cambridge School of Weston this winter to take a closer look at how the arts are taught and how creativity is integrated into the academics at CSW. Dr. Peng will share lessons from his visit with his colleagues at STA, who are working toward the development of a research center for education in Shanghai. CSW and STA have partnered to share opportunities for cultural exchange for students and professional development for teaching faculty. left to right: David Yongwen Peng, Jane Moulding, and Tom Evans
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News & Notes Continued
Sports Wrap Up The Winter Season was an exciting one for both boys and girls basketball teams. The Boys’ Varsity Basketball team recorded a 10–6 regular season record and qualified for the MBIL Playoffs. The Gryphons ended up falling to eventual champions The Waring School in the semifinals by one point. Nica Franklin ’14 and Evan Smith ’15 were named MBIL all-league players. The Girls’ Varsity Basketball team ended their regular season at 10–7 and qualified for the IGC Playoffs. The team defeated The Landmark School in the quarterfinals, but then lost to eventual champions The Montrose School in the semifinals. Chloe Knopp ’14 was named an IGC all-league player and was selected as a NEPSAC Class D/E All-Star. The Boys’ JV Basketball team completed their season on a high note, winning their final game of the year to cap off a 7–6 regular season record. The Girls’ JV Basketball team finished their season with a 3–3 record and enjoyed some breakout performances from several new players.
Progressive Education Lab (PEL) Fellows Advance The 2013–2015 Progressive Education Lab (PEL) fellows are preparing for their second year of the fellowship and their transition to full-time teaching interns at one of the four PEL schools this fall. CSW is excited to have PEL fellow Kevin Smith join the science department as a full-time teaching intern in September. Kevin earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Bowdoin College. The 2012–2014 cohort of PEL teaching fellows, Sam Egilman ’07, Aspen Golann ’05 , Dana Wolfson, and Hallie Herz , are currently completing their final year of the PEL program. They are preparing for full-time placements at progressive schools across the country next year. This past year, Sam has been working at the Unquowa School, Aspen at Putney, Dana at Calhoun, and Hallie has been teaching English at CSW.
NEWS & NOTES
Winter Exhibit honors late alumna Les Mastenbrook ’00
Summer Arts: Season Expands to Six Weeks, Registration Open
Winter Season closed with the “Multiple Angles at Once,” an exhibit to honor the late alumna Les Mastenbrook ’00, who died at age 24 in a car accident in 2006. Her passion for photography was ignited at CSW and after graduating cum laude from Maryland Institute College of Art, she pursued professional photography. At the opening reception, her mother and many family members and friends attended to celebrate her powerful photographs.
Summer Arts at CSW is a multi-arts program for students, ages 6 to 15, where they can nourish imaginations and explore their creativity. Students can participate in the full six weeks, or in one of the three-week sessions, and take classes in visual arts, dance, drama, filmmaking and animation, writing, music, photography, textiles, swimming, and sports. At Summer Arts at CSW, students will express their individuality, take artistic risks, and learn new skills every day. Interested families can register online at summerarts.csw.org.
Sustainable Business Network Supports CSW with Action Plan CSW has become the first school to participate in the Sustainable Community Leader Program (SCLP), a program that supports non-profit organizations, community groups, and houses of worship in their efforts to improve their environmental practices and reduce their carbon footprint. The partnership will continue for the next two academic years and SCLP will help CSW further incorporate sustainable practices into the curriculum, campus culture, and provide a platform for students to learn about sustainability.
left to right: Family of Les Mastenbrook ’00 attended the reception at the Thompson Gallery.
Spring Exhibit: Features Milton Rogovin’s Photography Milton Rogovin: Social Optometry March 31, 2014–June 15, 2014
Picturing the Invisible explores photography as a tool of scientific, personal, and social visualization. Social Optometry, the third and final exhibition in the series, examines the work of social documentary photographer Milton Rogovin, who unflinchingly used his photographs as a vehicle for creating social awareness of working class citizens.
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Noteworthy
Visual arts teacher Anne Rearick’s collection of Basque photographs at the Flatrocks Gallery in Gloucester was named one of “Boston’s Best 15” by WBUR’s art critics. In the piece, critics from WBUR, Boston’s NPR affiliate, noted: “Rearick is one of the few photographers still capable of classic, on-the-ground, in-the-moment pictures. What makes her really stand out is the empathy and warmth her images express toward her subjects.” English teacher Mark Santa Maria was among fishermen, professors, members of Congress, clergy, and other lovers of Moby-Dick who endured the 25-hour Moby-Dick Marathon in early January. The marathon is the world’s best-known non-stop reading of the book, and takes place at the historic whaling port of New Bedford described in the book. His passion for the novel kept him sustained and energized during the entire marathon. Mark also asked members of the CSW community to make a financial pledge for each hour he remained at the read-a-thon, and raised more than $1,450. Mark has taught Moby-Dick at CSW for 12 years.
Student harpist Deanna Cirelli ’17 was selected and named the winner of the Repertory Orchestra Competition by the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Deanna will play Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro in June at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts. Deanna has earned many accolades for her performance. She was also one of five soloists chosen from across the country to perform in front of a live radio audience at Boston’s Jordan Hall for the nationally syndicated radio show “From The Top.” Deanna’s rendition of Faure’s Impromptu aired in March.
Jane Bond ’55, James Bond ’63, and Julian Bond—children of the late African American scholar and civil rights advocate Horace Mann Bond—spoke at UMASS Amherst about the experiences of “Growing Up Bond.” At the event, which celebrated the digitization of the elder Bond’s academic papers, the children spoke of the famous African Americans, with whom they crossed paths, in their childhood—Miles Davis, Paul Robeson, Jackie Robinson, to name a few. Their father made sure his children knew of the struggle, the pain, and challenges that each faced, and they themselves would face as African Americans. Horace Bond was also the uncle of Max Bond ’51.
NOTEWORTHY
Kasem Kydd ’14 received an impressive National Gold Medal for his entire portfolio submitted to the 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, sponsored by the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (SMFA). His portfolio consisted of four drawings and four sculpture pieces. Nine CSW students were recipients of Gold Key awards, and six students received Silver Key awards out of thousands of individual pieces of art and portfolios submitted by students in Massachusetts schools. Drew Pappone ’02 , staff attorney with The Innocence Project, testified in support of a Vermont state bill that would mandate police departments to utilize best practices in eyewitness identification and interrogation procedures aimed at reducing wrongful convictions. The bill also gives criminal defendants a variety of remedies in court when the police fail to comply.
CSW student Hannah Klein ’16 performed with the chorus at the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Eastern District Festival, after a competitive audition process. The festival draws some of the best high school musicians across the state. She is also a member of the Young Women’s Chamber Choir with the Handel and Haydn Society and has performed at Boston Symphony Hall.
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The Boston Dance Alliance honored former dance department chair Martha Gray with the Dr. Michael Shannon Dance Champion award for her many years of service to the dance community. In addition to her 45 years as CSW faculty, she also started the Boston Dance Collective, a professional dance company that created and performed original works locally and abroad. She was instrumental in initiating the Summer Outreach Program, which provides performance experiences to underserved teens around the city, now housed at Boston University. Several CSW students have been participants.
English teacher Brian Walker’s first novel Black Boy, White School was named to the 2014–2015 Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award List. A committee of Indiana high school students, media specialists, and English teachers at the Indiana Library Federation chose his book from a long list of nominees. Established in 1995, past winners include recognized authors such as Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games) and Neal Shusterman (Unwind). He is currently working on his second novel for teens to be published by Random House. Brian has been working at CSW since 1992.
Snow covered the CSW campus throughout the winter (and early spring) season.
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Alumni Profiles: Written by Alumni for Alumni Interested in writing a profile? We welcome new alumni writers. Contact: gryphon@csw.org
A Look Into the Lives of CSW Alumni Polly Howells ’62 Jamal Davis ’94 Olivia Fialkow ’10
Polly Howells ’62 and husband Eric on the Pastaza River in Ecuador.
ALUMNI PROFILES
Polly Howells ’62: Empowering the Activist By Jeremy Butman ’02
Much of Polly’s life has involved supporting causes that are vital to her, for instance environmental, social justice, and women’s empowerment issues. After a successful career as a psychotherapist, Polly delved into work as a facilitator of the Pachamama Alliance’s “Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream” symposium and Joanna Macy’s “Work that Reconnects,” transformative workshops that help people address critical issues in their world. Polly is a board member of Bioneers, a national organization that pioneers breakthrough solutions for restoring people and the planet, and a member of the core group of Woodstock New York Transition. She resides in Glenford, NY, with her husband Eric Werthman. jeremy butman: In the ’60s and ’70s you were involved in the civil rights, anti-war, and women’s movements. How did you get involved in those movements? Do you still consider yourself an activist? polly howells: I do. I took some time off,
and now I’m back. I came from an activist family. I grew up in Weston and my father was the head of an organization called Liberal Citizens of Massachusetts in the McCarthy era and shortly thereafter. We were visited by the FBI. One of my earliest
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memories is my father and mother working for Henry Wallace, the Progressive Party presidential candidate in 1948, and hearing the mimeograph machine running in the basement. I would say it’s in my blood.
rainforest, talking with indigenous people about the environmental threats they faced. Suddenly my view of the world expanded, as well as my awareness of the urgency of the situation our earth is in.
jeremy: Do you feel as though your time at CSW influenced your activism? polly: Absolutely. It was the whole
jeremy: I’m interested to hear about your work with Woodstock Transition. What is it, and how does it connect to your broader interests? polly: The Transition Town Movement is
atmosphere of the Cambridge School. [Headmaster] Dolph Cheek was full of idealism. Two teachers influenced me more than anyone else: Hans Biermann, taught geopolitics in 9th grade, the most wide-ranging, interesting course for a 14 year old I can imagine. Jeanette Cheek for American history my senior year. CSW totally changed my life.
jeremy: You say you took some time off; I assume that’s when you became a psychotherapist? polly: When I became a psychotherapist—
and a mother! My husband Eric and I worked in a mental health clinic for kids abusing soft drugs in Brooklyn, and when we started a family we both took our patients from there into our private practices. I worked in my neighborhood; I walked to work. A very easy, pleasant way of living.
jeremy: How did you become involved in running women’s workshops, Reclaiming Our Lives, Reclaiming Our Earth, and with the Pachamama Alliance? polly: The women’s workshop came out
of my training with a Canadian Jungian analyst named Marion Woodman. She and her colleagues integrated the body, voice art, and dreams in seven-day intensives. I co-led similar workshops in 2004. In 2007, I was visiting San Francisco and met with Lynne Twist, co-founder of the Pachamama Alliance and author of The Soul of Money, about marketing our workshop. She mentioned that she would be leading a trip to the Ecuadorian Rainforest in August. We signed up. That was a transformative experience, being in the depths of the
a worldwide initiative in which town by town, people get together to deal with the threats of climate disruption, energy depletion, and economic destabilization. After I did a Transition training, a group of Woodstock residents presented a year of awareness-raising events in town. We now have nine working groups addressing various issues such as energy, local economy, and town-wide composting. It’s a “think globally, act locally” project, and it’s very satisfying.
jeremy: What are some of the wider ways that CSW empowered you to pursue your goals? Do you still, as I do, have some voice from the “Quad of the mind” guiding your principles? What is the spirit of CSW to you? polly: It’s a spirit of openness; it’s a spirit
of inquiry, a spirit of democracy, with a small “d.” I was really happy at CSW. I actually had a voice then. When I went to Harvard it was a very non-experiential, non-inclusive kind of teaching, and I just clammed up. The real mind-opening stuff in my life started at CSW. I recently had my 50th reunion. Although we had rarely spoken to each other over the years, we felt as though we still knew one another very well.
jeremy butman ’02 is a graduate student in philosophy at the New School for Social Research and adjunct professor of philosophy at Pace University. His reviews, interviews, and fiction have appeared in a variety of publications, including The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and The Brooklyn Rail. He lives in Brooklyn.
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became a police officer, I started out in college as an education major and that led me to doing a lot of social work with youth. I realized that I wanted to do become more involved in work where I could connect with youth and be of help to others. There are a lot of misconceptions about police officers, and I always hope that people do not let one or two bad experiences with police officers color their perception of what police officers do and their value to the community.
Jamal E. Davis ’94: Leading with a Strong Sense of Self By Kandice Simmons ’12
Whether it was in a sculpture class with Tom Evans or at a dorm meeting in White Farm, CSW always challenged Jamal E. Davis ’94 to step outside of his comfort zone. Now as a police officer with the Annapolis Police Department in Maryland, Jamal continues to rely on one important lesson: you should always embrace who you are and where you come from. Jamal is the winner of the 2012 Unsung Hero Award from the 100 Club of Anne Arundel County, which recognizes the men and women who serve in law enforcement, fire departments, and other public services. Jamal lives in Crofton, MD with his family. kandice simmons: What drew you to law enforcement? What is the toughest part of your job? jamal: As a law enforcement officer, I
get to be a teacher, psychologist, social worker, and use physical strength on a daily basis. The consequences of dying in this profession is higher than most. This is a job with little money and less reward, but I take a lot of pride in helping those in need and being there for those who call on us. Police officers do great work in helping and protecting others, and we are an integral part of the community. Before I
kandice: Can you share any milestones or rewarding experiences from your career? jamal: I found the work with the Lost
Boys of Sudan to be especially rewarding. They were some 20,000 boys from Sudan who were completely displaced during the Sudanese Civil War, then suddenly moved to different countries far from their original home. They had no parents when they landed. We worked with many of the boys to teach them life skills. They were able to get jobs and become self sufficient, and gain new life in the United States.
sure I would have ever considered white river rafting if I hadn’t gone to CSW. CSW is a place where I learned to be an individual. CSW is like a stew. It contains a lot of ingredients to make something beautiful, but each ingredient is really important. I remember the first time I saw the “We Are” sign and it’s had a real impact on me. It’s really sparked solidarity with everyone on campus, and it’s still a spark that exists today. kandice: Which faculty member influenced you the most during your time at CSW? jamal: Brian Walker (English teacher) was
one of the biggest influences of my life. Brian was able to keep the black community going. There were only five of us at the time, but Brian made sure that we remembered our history and where we came from. He was really invested in our lives. He was more than a teacher. He was a teacher who became my big brother.
kandice simmons ’12 is currently in her second year at American University studying Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a minor in Sociology and
kandice: Can you name a memorable experience from CSW? What important lessons did you learn while you were a student? jamal: I went on a white river rafting
Wilderness Trip on Mod Break. I’m not
African American and African Diaspora Studies. After college, she hopes to attend graduate school for social work or work for an organization whose mission is to empower and educate women of color.
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permission to experiment and play in a variety of media. I’m not married to one medium or to one form of expression. My thesis examines the relationship between poetic text and digital images and has itself developed into a fusion of writing, photography, and new media.
gets lost in the media’s translation: you’re in the middle of the desert, you’re off the power grid, and suddenly you’re thrust into an ephemeral society with a distinctly different cultural code from the default world. How do you adapt? How does the event change you and open your eyes?
annie: That’s intriguing. Can you elaborate on that theme of “technological meets poetic?” olivia: Right now, I’m really taken with
annie: How did your experiences at CSW prepare you for where you are now? olivia: It’s a funny thing… my time at
exploring the digital landscape in terms of self-identity—how technology mediates
Brown, with its open curriculum, has been highly stimulating from an intellectual
Olivia Fialkow ’10: Redefining the “Creative Type” By Annie Cook ’80
At CSW, freedom and discipline are not mutually exclusive: this is just one takeaway from a conversation with multimedia creative Olivia Fialkow ’10. While she was at CSW, she gained notice for her fashion blog Nature Graffiti, which was featured in both The Boston Globe and Boston magazine. Olivia is currently a senior at Brown University, who now publishes her photography, writings, and other creative endeavors at oliviafialkow.com. annie cook: What are some of your current projects? olivia: I’m wrapping up my senior year at
Brown University. In addition to completing my thesis, I’m designing iOS (Apple’s mobile application operating system) interfaces for a dating platform and a concert ticket sales application. Additionally, I’m working on several graphic design and photography projects.
annie: How would you define yourself as a creative thinker and doer? olivia: It may sound strange, given I am in
a creative concentration, Literary Arts, but I don’t think of myself as an “artist.” I harbor more of an outsider’s attraction to the arts, which in some ways grants me
Photo by Olivia Fialkow ’10
relationships and our sense of truth and falsehood. There is this grey area, a liminal [transitional] space, between our experiences and how the digital world functions as a locus for these connections. annie: “Burning Man” is one example of a fringe cultural event that has gone somewhat mainstream, with a costly admission fee and exploding attendance numbers. You document the festival with photographs on your website. What are your impressions of Burning Man as a participant and observer? olivia: Burning Man is a 28-year-old event
that only recently gained wider attention due to pop culture’s interest in cultural extremes and aberrations. A very small, but highly visible, percentage of “Burners” represent the Silicon Valley tech set, which I think is another factor to the attention the event has drawn. But, a lot
standpoint, but some of my most important life lessons are the result of time management skills I honed while at CSW. I’m becoming a professional juggler, in a sense! At CSW, I realized work could be enjoyable, that teachers were peers and peers teachers. It was perhaps the most important part of my “life education” to date. annie cook ’80 is a multimedia producer whose endeavors include writing/editing, e-learning design and development, radio and TV programming, music, theater, and art. She credits CSW English teacher Holly Hickler with fostering a combined sense of imagination and clarity in her writing. Annie’s latest accomplishments include a music album, produced in 2013, and project management training in her continuing effort to help make workplaces safe for creative thinkers everywhere.
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Living on Campus Nguyen Ta ’17, Jane Feng ’16, and Marin Ito ’17 cook with dorm parents in the Warren House kitchen.
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CREATIVITY@WORK CSW Robotics Team Competes in “Sports for the Mind”
Student Scientists Pursue “Plant Antifreeze”
CSW’s “Tech Challenge Robotics Team” class recently competed in the Robotics Competition’s high school game: “FIRST Aerial Assist.” Combining the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology, the students designed a robot that competed against other robots. The CSW team, led by science teacher Karen Bruker, divided itself into groups: programming, building, and entrepreneurial to complete their robot.
For the first time, CSW students will take part in iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine), a worldwide competition which encourages students to expand their understanding of synthetic biology, design their own organism, and create it in a lab. CSW’s student team, The CSW ProTeens, is pursuing “plant antifreeze,” a type of bacteria that prevents frost from forming on fruits near the end of the fall growing season. The students coined their project “plantifreeze” and have been documenting their experiments and thought processes in an iGEM blog. The iGEM Jamboree will take place on June 28 at MIT.
A sampling of current CSW Senior Capstone Projects The Capstone is a required final project that demonstrates interdisciplinary, critical, and creative thinking skills that students have learned throughout their time at CSW.
renee chaloff ’14 studied
subconscious behavior and how it governs our mental processes. “The subconscious is one of the most primitive parts of our brain and arguably the most crucial,” she said. Her presentation covered decisionmaking, hidden communication, visual processing, mate finding, language, voice and speech, social hierarchies, categorization, animals/ evolution, and where we fit into evolution.
tyler henderson-neal ’14 has
been playing traditional Japanese taiko drums for about five years, and decided to build his own drum for his Capstone. He also wrote several songs and performed for his peers with the new drum as part of the final presentation. “Taiko drumming is a huge part of my life,” shared Tyler, who has played with a Buddhist community for many years. Tyler wanted to explore the question of what taiko drumming means to him.
owen sanders ’14 taught a class
in Python coding, a simple scripting language with lots of deeper uses. Owen taught students without any coding background to create games, such as text adventures and visual novels. He has made interactive computer games for academic classes. Owen is excited about mobile development, sorting algorithms, and cryptography.
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Course Spotlight: Environmental Chemistry
The Environmental Chemistry course utilizes current environmental issues— such as global warming, air and water pollution, and the scarcity of resources— to illustrate the principles of chemistry. In this course, students study chemistry and environmental science, through a social and political lens. Students have the opportunity to research a specific issue of interest. Projects from the past included an in depth study of lead, indoor air pollution from pets, and the results of coal mining. What is especially compelling for the class is that they are able to apply what
they’re learning in chemistry to issues and areas in their own environment, and take a closer look at the science behind environmental concerns. Students spend much time doing lab work learning how to use indicators for measurement, and many even continue the work through independent research long after the course has ended. gary hawley, who has taught the course for three years, strives to give students the necessary science background to confidently understand complex environmental issues and make intelligent, informed decisions on future policy.
CSW BY THE NUMBERS •
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CSW BY THE NUMBERS
5000
Combined # years at CsW for three longest teaChing faCulty:
The # of individually glued toothpicks used for Abigail Austin ’14’s Wearable Art toothpick dress.
50
Rhona Carlton-Foss now serving year:
Joanie Bernhardt now serving year:
Marilyn Del Donno now serving year:
The number of years that the Marine Biology course has been taught at CSW. Former science teacher Nikki Crowell founded the program in 1964. Marilyn Del Donno has taught the class since 1985.
25
The number of consecutive hours that Mark Santa Maria, English teacher, spent awake for the Moby-Dick Marathon.
12
The number of hours he needed to sleep and recover from the event.
$1,450 Total raised for CSW through pledges per hour of the marathon. (through April 11)
105 43 33 29
1170 number of hours of
community
service
ComPleted by students
through mod 5
16
Total number of different languages spoken by the Languages faculty, not including English:
31
Number of tons of CO2 saved due to energy generated from solar panels on Garthwaite Center rooftop (through April 9)
co2 offset = 801 trees
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FACULTY FEATURE
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Anjali Tyagi: Literature with a Dash of Masala By Anne Mackin P ’12
It was a splendid crossing of drama and literature, an integration of history and religion, food and culture for Anjali Tyaji’s students. This fall, inspired by the Ramayana text and in celebration of Diwali, one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, four students from her Ramayana literature class produced and directed a lavish musical adaptation of the Hindu epic.
FACULTY FEATURE: ANJALI TYAGI
“these students fell in love with the story, and more importantly, with the values and messages communicated by the story,” explains Anjali, an English teacher now in her 9th year at CSW. “They really wanted to spread the spirit of the Ramayana.” The 2,000-year-old text tells the epic story of Prince Ram, an incarnation of the God Vishnu. Ram’s example, in living his life virtuously, provides moral instruction that over a billion Hindus and many others hold sacred. Anjali, who grew up in England and India, is passionate about helping cultures meet, understand, and share with one another. In addition to teaching the works of great English authors such as Brontë, Austen, and Dickens, she has taught the ancient text of the Ramayana (pronounced Ra-MY-an) at CSW, every year that she has been here. Her students, who produced and directed the entire production, worked together to refine the script. They wanted it to be reverent, instructive, and also celebratory. They recruited a cast and crew of 25 for the performance, some from past Ramayana classes who had also been inspired by the sacred text. Anjali supported the students as they learned to manage and lead the project. She provided beautiful, traditional costumes from her own closet and the closets of friends and relatives. Under the direction of her students, Anjali also performed on-stage. In front of the full school audience at an early winter assembly, the colorful and spirited production won a standing ovation. Supporting her students to create something new and beautiful from what they had learned was especially rewarding for Anjali. What began as a literature course culminated as work of community art, a lesson on history and religion, and a celebration of Hindu culture. Anjali’s demeanor is both warm and relaxed, but also passionate and energetic. “I like to be an approachable teacher,” she says. CSW’s well-loved teacher of English literature and writing explains she feels
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grateful for the reviews from her students that praise her enthusiasm, her approach to the literature, and her sense of humor. Over the past two school years, she has shared more of her interests and culture with CSW students, teaching a class on Indian cuisine, a course she piloted last year that has now become a regular D Block staple. In the teaching kitchen at Warren House, she helped the students cook, sample, and create traditional Indian dishes.
“Working with students outside the classroom built a kind of trust among us that carried into the classroom and made learning more of a partnership.” Students shop with her at Indian markets on Moody Street in Waltham and, in doing so, also gain a snapshot into the lives of Indian immigrants in the Boston area. “After a day in the classroom, I saw the kids really relax when they cooked. They loved making food,” she says. “And, they were more impressed with my ability to make a chapati puff up than with anything I’ve said in my classes.” And through her literature and cooking classes, she had inspired her students to lead. Some of her cooking students, as well as her Ramayana class, had been moved by the school-wide summer reading assignment Behind the Beautiful Forevers. The book portrayed the grimness of life in a Mumbai slum. Her students wanted to help India’s poor, as did many of Anjali’s advisees who had read the book. And so, arose the idea of a charity event to celebrate with the entire CSW community to coincide with the Hindu holy days of Diwali, the festival of lights. Her students
in her cooking class, the Ramayana class, and her advisees joined to make and sell Indian food to help raise money for charity. Anjali and the students cooked furiously in the days before the End-ofMod Art Show last fall. They decorated the Garthwaite atrium with lights, Indian textiles, and figurines. They offered samosas, naan, chana masala, kheer, bhel puri, and a three-dollar mixed plate that sold heavily. People streamed from the art show to the food tables. After an hour, their coffers were overflowing. “We were all so excited,” recalls Anjali. “I really believe that food is love. The kids made food with a lot of love, gave a lot of love, and they got a lot of love back.” The students chose to invest their proceeds in a non-profit organization that provides jobs and skills training for India’s disenfranchised. Creativity, Anjali points out, is a great friend of philanthropy, which requires the kind of innovation that CSW students are allowed and encouraged to pursue. As Anjali’s cooking class prepared for Diwali, her Ramayana students planned the musical production as a way to honor the text and its moral instruction, and share it with the rest of the CSW community. (Enactments of the Ramayana—casual or professional—are also a traditional feature of the period of Diwali.) “Working with students outside the classroom built a kind of trust among us that carried into the classroom and made learning more of a partnership.”
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From the desk of... Each issue, we feature a guest writer from our community to share his or her story with us.
Harry McCracken ’82 It’s January, 1982. I’m standing in one of my favorite CSW haunts, the magazine nook in our school library. And, I’m perusing the new issue of TIME magazine, which has a cover story of deep interest to me: “Gronk! Flash! Zap! Why Video Games are Blitzing the World.” ok , fast forward to 2014. I make my living as editor-
at-large for TIME, where I write about an array of technologies—including, sometimes, video games— and how they’re blitzing the world. I wouldn’t have ever predicted that my path would lead here, but I’m glad it did. Moreover, even though I was already connecting to online services from the school’s computer lab in 1982, I anticipated little or none of the technological revolution which would change nearly everything about the media business, starting in earnest in the mid-1990s and continuing unabated ever since. Nothing embarrassing about that: The media business itself was caught unawares. Although I was interested in writing during high school—I worked on CSW’s Gryphon’s Eye newspaper and made my first freelance sale to a magazine shortly after I graduated—I didn’t get into the business on a full-time basis until 1991. In retrospect, that was the tail end of the old-media period. Shortly thereafter, the web started to change everything, from the way readers want to be informed to the tools we journalists have at our disposal to the business models that pay for our craft. Some of my colleagues find all that change depressing. It’s true that it has its downsides. (Just ask anyone who’s worked for a once-healthy publication that’s collapsed.) Being depressed, however, is unlikely to improve your career prospects. So I choose to be excited about the opportunities ahead,
and wouldn’t go back to the more predictable days even if that were an option. A few things I’ve discovered about my industry along the way: Journalists need to reconsider all their assumptions.
Half of what I learned about my craft back when my work appeared only on paper still applies in the digital age, and half is obsolete—and the trick is knowing, which is which. Meticulous, objective reporting, for instance, will always be in style. But the web is inherently a more loose, informal medium than print; the hyper-serious first-person-plural voice that magazine journalists once cherished just doesn’t work. Writers are in trouble. By which I mean that online journalists need to be competent in core skills beyond stringing together words into sentences and paragraphs. You need to be able to think about the role of photographs and video in your storytelling. Better still, if you’re competent at the technical issues involved in online publishing platforms, video-editing tools, and the like. Magazines still matter. The good ones do, anyhow. The world still cares about who TIME names as its Person of the Year; which 52 subjects we choose a year for our covers; how we grind what matters down into the engaging, highly portable device that is a copy of
FROM THE DESK OF...
TIME magazine. Yes, it’s easy to find folks who are reflexively snarky about what we do in print—always has been—but no media product is universally beloved. It’s when nobody has an opinion about you at all that you’re in trouble. My readers are smarter than I am. I stole that line from Dan Gillmor, a technology writer and columnist, who started saying it long before it was painfully obvious. What he meant: Even well informed journalists don’t know as much as their readers do in aggregate. I try to take advantage of that by thinking out the topics I write about in public. (Twitter is an amazing venue for finding people with intelligent things to say about virtually anything.) The Internet is an equal-opportunity newsstand.
Writing for TIME helps get your stories noticed. But on the web, far more than with dead-tree publications, the main thing that determines whether a journalist’s
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work gets attention is whether it merits attention. If it does, vast numbers of people will click the Facebook “Like” button, retweet on Twitter, blog, or otherwise tell the world about it. That means that even a one-person operation—such as Technologizer, the site I started before I joined TIME—can get an enormous audience, and that TIME therefore competes with everything rather than just one or two other news magazines. Good online stories come in all sizes. The longest one
I’ve written (so far) reached 14,000 words. (It was about Polaroid’s SX-70 camera and was among the most popular pieces I ever published on Technologizer.) But I also post items that are no more than a sentence or two, since the only thing I want to do is direct readers to something worth reading on another site. Print doesn’t have that flexibility; you often end up either filling space or cutting out valuable information. The revolution is endless. The transition to digital media may have had a beginning, but it’ll never end. Right now, everybody in the business needs to think about how to be relevant on smartphones and tablets. By the we’ve figured that out, it’ll be time to tackle smartwatches. After that will come devices, which haven’t been invented yet. And so on, forever. Here’s one more thing I know for sure about the present and future of journalism: There’s an awful lot that we just don’t know. If you aspire to be a lifelong learner, as I do, there’s no better profession to be in— and the fact that it’s likely to be a whole new business a few years from now is one of the things that makes it so endlessly fascinating.
About Harry Harry McCracken ’82 is an editor-at-large for TIME, where he writes about personal technology for both the magazine and its website. Prior to joining TIME in 2012, he founded Technologizer, a site that reached hundreds of thousands of readers each month and is now part of TIME.com. Before that, he was editor-in-chief of PC World, the world’s largest computer magazine. Harry has talked about tech on many news media outlets, including ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, NPR, and the History Channel. He also collaborated with Dateline NBC on an undercover investigation into the PC repair business and has received industry honors such as the Jesse H. Neal Award for business journalism. He lives in the San Francisco area with his wife Marie.
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Plans for the New Health and Fitness Center The Cambridge School of Weston is currently planning for and setting the stage for the construction of a new health and fitness center that will significantly strengthen and enhance health and athletics programs at CSW. The school plans to break ground and complete construction sometime within the next two years. Last November, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to begin raising the $12 million necessary for the construction of the new building. Since the fall, CSW has been working closely with Stanmar, a local design-build firm, to design and plan a new health and fitness center that would help transform and significantly improve the way that students experience health, wellness, and athletics at CSW. The new facility underscores CSW’s commitment to building a healthy community and is central to the school’s mission of fostering students to become thoughtful, creative, and socially responsible adults.
this spread:
inset:
The stand-alone building is sited
The plans for the interior call
in the lower part of campus, near
for state-of-the-art gymnasium
the athletic playing fields. The three-
and courts for our interscholastic
story building would be nestled
athletes, classrooms for exercise
partially into the woods, and its
and meditation, and spaces that
architectural elements would echo
foster community spirit.
the buildings around the Quad to give the health and fitness center a sense of familiarity and belonging.
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FEATURE
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Learning and Teaching at CSW: Looking Within As CSW strives to teach skills and provide an education that reflects dynamic needs for the 21st century, the faculty and staff have also been taking a look inward in a collective examination of the school’s programs and practices. oVer the past two Years , faculty and staff at The Cambridge School of Weston have been engaged in series of conversations, research, and evaluation about the many aspects of learning and teaching—from the way we integrate technology in our teaching to our interdisciplinary courses, the skills we teach and value in our classes, to the pace and schedule of our Mod System. Headed by a steering committee composed of elected and appointed faculty and administrators, the faculty and staff have delved into study in five areas of learning and teaching: schedules, learning styles, technology, integrated studies, and skills. Committee members hope that the results of this work can help the school better understand CSW’s strengths, inform us of areas where the school can improve, and help the school consider alternatives to its program and practices.
Tom Evans, one of the steering committee members, said it was valuable for him to see so many teachers come together to do this work. Initial discoveries show that there are many things about CSW that are working well—students, parents, teachers alike value CSW and its current programs and many are proud of the school’s current efforts. “I’m very much looking forward to seeing how this work evolves, what we will learn as a result of this process, and how things could change due to all of this collective work,” he said. “My biggest hope that is any changes can be created with wide faculty and community voice and buy-in.” The following is just a snapshot of the committee work: their focus, what was accomplished, any conclusions and recommendations, and what lies ahead in these areas for The Cambridge School of Weston.
LEARNING & TEACHING AT CSW •
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Schedule Committee The Schedule committee was charged with assessing our current schedule, examining the history of the Mod System at CSW, to assess class hours, strengths, and weaknesses of the current pace and schedule. →
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Interesting findings Our Mod System remains an exciting way to deliver education, and there is none like it at many other schools. It is a model cited by educational consultants for schools examining schedule change. Our schedule is generally consistent with current research on learning and adolescent well-being. While the longer class hours meant more in-depth learning and focus on certain topics, the nature of the Mod System meant it was difficult for students to maintain continuity of learning from year to year, in multi-mod classes such as the languages or math. Faculty, staff, and students are generally happy with the existing schedule. If changes are made to the schedule, there are attributes of the Mod System that should be preserved. What lies ahead Refine or modify the schedule so that it responds to the concerns of our constituent groups (students, faculty, parents, administration, trustees, and staff ). Address the challenges of the Mod System so that it may yield optimal time for teaching and community building, and considers external factors that impact all schedules.
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Learning Styles Committee The Learning Styles committee examined the diversity of learning styles within student body and evaluated the use of offered supports, including Skills courses and Labs, so that CSW can continue to teach students in the way they learn best. →
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Interesting findings CSW offers individualized teaching to a diverse learning population that we need to embrace and better understand. Every teacher handles learning styles in their own, customized way. What lies ahead Look to enable more faculty training and integration between Skills department and general faculty. Ongoing professional development for faculty. A recommendation for the Skills staff to observe classes and hold regular meetings with teachers to discuss observations.
Technology Committee The Technology committee examined educational technology at CSW, gathered data about current use of educational technology from faculty, students, parents, and other schools in the area. →
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Process After identifying constituencies, group developed surveys and questions for data collection. Evaluation of current applications, tools, and methods using technology. Interesting findings There is a lot of space for growth institutionally. Generational divide around educational technology does not exist. There are some implicit expectations around technology that need to be made explicit. What lies ahead Ongoing brainstorming and discussion on how to incorporate educational technology in a simple, user-friendly way. Continue to identify the best tools for CSW classrooms and operational efficiency.
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Integrated Studies Committee The Integrated Studies committee examined the value and educational strengths of the current integrated studies program, which provides courses taught from the perspective of different disciplines, such as science and art, and explored options to enhance the program at CSW. →
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Interesting findings The Integrated Studies Program teaches essential skills valued in 21st century education. Students report that integrated studies courses provide valuable educational experience. Teachers also gained important skills by team-teaching with teachers from other disciplines. Courses provide unique professional development opportunity for faculty and set CSW apart from many other secondary schools. Most integrated programs and research are taught at college level. What lies ahead Finding a way to encourage more faculty and students to develop and teach integrated courses. Continue to investigate options for partnerships with outside experts and pursue additional funding for programs. Develop a vision for additional integrated 9th and 12th grade courses.
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Skills Committee The Skills committee identified skills taught in our curriculum and worked toward defi ning a set of essential skills that we could teach in addition to subject-area knowledge. →
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Process Departmental surveying to collect initial list of skills taught in addition to subject content. Pared down and organized a lengthy list to six main “CSW Essential Skills.” Looked for skills that resonate with all departments. The process was inclusive and in keeping with CSW’s mission, group received both positive and critical feedback from the community. Interesting findings Collective leaning toward six “essential skills at CSW”: Question, Create, Critique, Connect, Communicate, Know Thyself. Every department is working hard to impart as many skills as possible to students. What lies ahead Clarify how each department teaches skills in different courses. Draft “Guide to Using Skills List” to clarify intent of skills list.
Q&A WITH AUTHOR AND EDUCATOR GRANT WIGGINS
designing activities so that both hands and minds are engaged? It always goes back to the goal. The project, in and of itself, may be truly engaging and interesting, but it may not always be an indicator of great learning if students are unclear about what it is that they need to gain from the experience. You have to make sure that the doing leads to greater understanding. Many projects and other types of experiential situations don’t always yield lasting and transferable learning because too little attention is given to the meta-cognitive work that turns experience into insight and later application. Learning taking deliberate processing. It’s very useful to have prompts. What are we hoping to see? What did you learn? How can we test that you did learn? If I were going to school for carpentry, simply making a chair can’t be the outcome. It’s about learning how to make that chair, not just the chair itself. And even more than that, it’s about giving students core, vital transformational skills that they can use to build other furniture. I can give you a great example of a great project where learning goals were not quite met. In an advanced physics class at a high school in Colorado, students were asked to build a Rube Goldberg model that illustrates the core principles of physics. When the day came to present their models, it was apparent the students had put a lot of work into their models and had a lot of fun, but many of them couldn’t answer basic questions about the principles of physics that their models illustrated. That’s what you have to be careful about.
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educators, there are goals that we can commit to and hold ourselves accountable for. They might not be the same goals for all schools, and the way we teach our students may not be
“When you do a good job of making the work meaningful for the kids, the better the outcome.”
Author and Educator Grant Wiggins, on “Authentic Education and Assessment” At CSW, teachers have great freedom to individualize instruction, teach from a variety of sources through project-based, experiential learning. What would authentic assessment look like at a place like CSW? Whenever you are dealing with complex performance, what matters is not the complexity, but what you are trying to assess. What are our goals? What do we hope that our students gain? What are we looking for and how are we going to find it? If we’re looking for evidence of learning, what will that evidence be? If we want students to show evidence of critical thinking, we have to agree on what that looks like. If we want students to become independent problem solvers, we have to be clear about what that means. Instruction can be individualized and teachers should be creative and thoughtful in how they deliver education to their students, but in many cases, the expected outcomes also have to be clear. What we look for is growth in a certain set of ability and that is something that can be agreed upon, assessed and measured, no matter what the subject is or how it is taught. In a recent blog, you wrote that “hands on” does not necessarily mean “minds on.” What should teachers be thinking about when
You’ve worked with many schools—public, private, parochial, military, schools here and abroad, and with colleges and universities. Through your work, what are some commonalities across various schools and institutions? One of the universal weaknesses in many education systems is to treat learning as a series of input, without a clear understanding of desired outcomes for our students. This is a universal weakness across the world. For
the same, but each school still has to have a clear set of desired outcomes. Another is the importance of consistent feedback. Anyone who has ever done sports knows the value of the immediate feedback loop. Simply playing soccer over and over again doesn’t necessarily make a better player. A great coach has to give guidance and feedback, and players themselves have to assess what they’ve learned, what they would have done differently given another chance. That same type of immediate, consistent feedback should also be present in the classroom. The feedback is just as important as the teaching. Students only learn with lots of feedback—and with lots of opportunities to practice and use that feedback. That seems to be common across all education systems, no matter the type of school or institution. Finally, when you do a good job of making the work meaningful for the kids, the better the outcome. Students won’t transfer their learning unless they see the connection between the old task and the new task. Even when students are tested purely on content, they may not be able to understand the question unless you frame it correctly and provide prompts to show the connection. grant wiggins is the co-author of Understanding by Design and the author of Educative Assessment and numerous articles on education. He is the President of Authentic Education in Hopewell, NJ, and has worked with numerous public, private, and higher education institutions in the United States and abroad. You can read his blog “Granted… and Other Thoughts” at grantwiggins.wordpress.com.
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A School Library for the 21st Century By Amy Meneely
Current students at CSW have never flipped through a card catalog or scanned bound volumes of The Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature. They have never read from microfilm or microfiche. Some might wonder, in an age when a simple Internet search can produce thousands of articles on a topic from the comfort of your own home, what becomes of the school library?
When Kemarah Sika came on board as the new director of library and media services at CSW this past fall, she was happy to find that the library was already on a path toward the integration of new technologies and academics. Her first goal was to make library services more accessible to the community. “Having a vibrant library website is as important as having a vibrant physical library space.” Her priority was to make things easier for students and teachers, and arm them with tools for research, learning, and teaching. Students still come to the library to borrow books, but they also can check out iPads, MacBooks, and Google Chromebooks. Through the library website, students and teachers can access an extensive list of databases, request digital loans through the interlibrary loan, or get research support using EasyBib, an online citation tool for research papers. They also have access to an online reference tool, Literati by Credo, to guide research, and where students can text librarians for questions and requests—making the library accessible through technologies with which students are already very comfortable. According to Kemarah, one great advantage to the rapid growth of digital resources is that students now have much greater access to experts and their current research. In the past 10 years, attitudes have changed dramatically, where academics and researchers are much more open and willing to share their work online. This is a wonderful resource for students. This is where “digital literacy” becomes a critical part of a student’s education. The flip side to the
exponential growth of information is also the growth of poor quality material online. This becomes increasingly tricky as the search engines algorithms produce search results that reinforce the student’s own biases based on their previous online use. “Digital literacy” skills and critical thinking can help students learn to identify high quality sources of information and also how to identify bias. What do the suffixes .com, .edu, .gov tell you? Why are certain advertisers choosing to buy space on this website? What cookies and algorithms will influence future searches? How can you find alternative viewpoints? How is crowd-sourced information, such as Wikipedia, created? According to NAIS’s Independent School magazine: “Students who don’t understand strong search methods will be at an increasing disadvantage as they advance in school. They need to know how to dig deeper for the varied and more interesting results that will build an academic project to excellence.” When asked if she sees herself as a curator of digital resources, Kemarah replied, “I try to not do the curating. My role is actually to teach people. Ultimately, when students graduate from CSW, the hope is that they can to curate their own resources.” To reach all CSW students, the library strives to have as many access points as possible to deliver research skills and digital literacy. Kemarah works closely with faculty to prepare students for a research project, either in the library or in the classroom. The library is also working toward creating learning
above: Kemarah Sika, director of library and media services
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modules through Literati, where short videos offer students instruction on good research practices. Kemarah also views faculty education as another great avenue to disseminate information, working closely with teachers to teach them about current resources and how to best guide students in their research. She led a presentation on copyright law in front of the full faculty and staff at a recent meeting. Of course, students and faculty still go to the library seeking individual help, and the librarians are there for them. CSW’s Health Educator Devon Voake uses the library to find resources to support her class lessons. Devon, who is also the 9th grade counselor, says the “real treasure” in the library is the people and their “incredible breadth of knowledge” of available resources. “Often times, I come in and say to Kemarah, ‘This is what I’m going to teach, what suggestions do you have?’” Devon said. “She helps me to find the concrete resources I need, but also to even help shift the way that I’m thinking about a lesson.” English teacher Jeannette Lee welcomes Kemarah’s enthusiasm for working with faculty to further integrate technology into the curriculum. Next year, Jeannette and Kemarah will teach a digital storytelling class together. The bricks and mortar facility is also getting a facelift. The entrance has been opened up to feel more welcoming to visitors. The tall stacks are getting a thorough weeding of out-of-date, seldom-used books. The top and bottom shelves will be eliminated, letting in more light and placing the books at an easy arm’s length. The center of the library has tables for collaborative work—what schools are calling “learning commons.” This summer, a plan is in place to transform the current library research center into a dynamic teaching space—tentatively named the “collaborative learning center.” Laptop carts will replace desktop
computers. Two of the walls will be painted in whiteboard paint, ideal for group work and video projection. Flexible modular furniture can be easily reconfigured for group or individual work. Is the library quiet? “No,” says Kemarah. “It can’t be. In the past, the library was where you went to be within yourself. More and more, our world is far more collaborative. It is through the conversations that you are actually doing the learning. Before, the library was where you went to get the information to learn, but now the library is also the place for learning. A part of that is that you do need to talk.” According to Independent School magazine, “contemporary school libraries are more than centers of information access. They are centers for learning that extend and support the work that goes on in the classroom. They are focal points of collaboration and entry points to global connection.” While not silent, the library at CSW is still one of the quieter places on campus, and many students take advantage of the study carrels and noise-cancelling headphones for quiet contemplation and study. When the collaborative learning center is completed, it will also serve as a designated quiet space when it is not being used for teaching or group projects. Many students also work for the library, through both Mod-length student service assignments and before- or after-school jobs that last all year. In addition to helping with the day-to-day operations of shelving books or processing new acquisitions, students are welcome to bring their own interests into their work. A recent student-initiated project is to consider having rotating student artwork to hang in the library. “Students are our ‘ear in the masses,’” said Eileen Juncewicz , assistant librarian. “They are the link to what other students are thinking about. They talk to us about what books they are reading or how they like to do things.” The adoption of new technology in schools almost always begins in the library. “Kemarah and I are really excited about our resources,” said Eileen. “We really have a passion for what we do.” A library’s greatest resource is usually its people. Kemarah feels that if you want to see the direction an institution is going, start by looking at the library. At the CSW library, where students are learning to ask questions, think critically, work collaboratively, and take control of their own education as they navigate the digital world—this certainly holds true.
MY FIVE
Chris Green ’16
1 2 3 4 5
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Chenchen Lisa Oslowski Carl LaCombe to the Math Teacher “Jane” Feng ’16 Assistant Deans’ Office
Do you have a favorite CSW moment or a fond CSW memory?
Two students accidentally ripped their pants while playing basketball.
Sitting and eating snacks with my field hockey teammates at the end-of-season sports banquet.
I have so many fond memories of CSW that it is very difficult to choose just one. I will say that the Illuminariums are CSW at its best—students, faculty, alumni, families, all coming together to celebrate spring through art, music, and dance.
There are so many. One of my favorites is the dance choreographed by Joy Powers featuring boys doing water ballet to Daft Punk’s “Around the World.” It was wonderful and very funny.
How do you stay active?
I play basketball during the fall and winter, baseball during the spring. Walking from the George building to the Language building is also a bit of a workout.
Gym, field hockey, and lacrosse
I enjoy being outdoors, snowmobiling, motorcycle riding, and dancing.
I love to bicycle and walk along nature trails. And this winter, there has been enough snow for snowshoeing.
If you could travel anywhere in the universe, where would you go?
I would travel to Pluto, the Moon, and Mars.
Great Britain
The universe? Well, that is a lot farther than I want to travel. I would settle for a road trip across my beautiful country. So much I have yet to see.
Where to start? The universe is so vast! I would love to fly through the rings of Saturn. On this planet, the next place I’d like to go is Venice.
What is one song on your current playlist?
Who is your hero?
“What?” by A Tribe Called Quest
Either my dad or my mom
“The A Team” by Ed Sheeran
My family
“Sirens” by Pearl Jam
My mother. Strong, hard working, humble and devoted to her family.
“Strange Overtones” by David Byrne and Brian Eno
My father, one of the most patient teachers I have known. You have to be, in order to teach elementary school students to play musical instruments, especially violin.
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The Gryphon Spring 2014
Then
FROM THE ARCHIVES
& Now
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The Gryphon Spring 2014
Announcements & Save the Date For more information on alumni events, Reunion, or to reconnect with classmates, please contact: Lelia Elliston ’80, Director of Alumni Relations alum@csw.org | 781.642.8619
REUNION 2014 June 13–June 15
Weekend
Register
Alumni Open Mic
Saturday, June 14
Three Ways to Register for Reunion
CSW’s Got Talent! What’s Yours?
The Alumni Art Show
1. Online: www.csw.org/reunion2014 2. Email: alum@csw.org 3. Call: 781.642.8619
Call for Performers, Authors, Poets, Jugglers, Actors, Singers, Artists, Comedians, Writers, and...
We are celebrating milestones for class years ending in 4 and 9, and especially 1964’s 50th and 1989’s 25th.
If you miss the freedom and excitement of quad and assembly performances at CSW, then show off your stuff at the open mic in the Robin Wood Theatre. The spotlight will be on you for three to five minutes while you share a poem, sing a song, put on a skit, dance your heart out, or even contort through a tube! Feel free to collaborate, or revive an act you did during your time at CSW. You can also simply sit, watch, laugh, cry, and applaud. The open mic will have current students, a special performance by the Class of 1964, a reading by recent authors, and more!
As always, alumni from all years are welcome! Bring your friends and family.
Is your talent better suited for the wall rather than the stage?
If you are a visual artist, there’s space for your artwork in the Garthwaite Community Gallery for display on Saturday, June 14. The Alumni Art Show will also have pieces from the Zach Feuer ’96 Art Loan Program. To submit a piece of art OR reserve a spot (on stage or on the wall): contact the alumni office at alum@csw.org or 781.642.8619. You may also do so during the Reunion registration process online. Wall space and open mic spots will fill up quickly, so don’t miss out!
leaving a legacy:
a view from the inside
“As I’ve gotten older, I realize just how much CSW molded me. Certainly, there are the friends I made here, but I learned important things at CSW. I learned to think for myself, to question, and to think critically. Bob Metcalf
Class of 1953 and CSW Trustee
As an alumnus, it is a pleasure for me to know that my bequest to CSW will provide long-term support for this unique learning community.
The school needs this kind of thoughtful support now more than ever.”
Join Bob and many others. Learn more about how to leave your legacy at CSW. The Patience Lauriat Society is an honorary association of individuals who have made planned gifts or provisions in their bequests to The Cambridge School of Weston. The society is named after Patience Lauriat ’46, who left a portion of her estate to CSW. Her gift to the school was her way of acknowledging what the school had taught her and had helped her accomplish, and she was the first to honor the school in this way. To learn more about becoming a member and to find out how planned giving can benefit you and The Cambridge School of Weston, please contact: Thaddeus Thompson Director of Leadership Giving Programs tthompson@csw.org | 781.398.8346 www.csw.org/giving
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The Gryphon Spring 2014
Class Notes We Want to hear from you! This issue includes notes submitted from December 1, 2013 to April 4, 2014. Everyone is invited to submit news to the alumni office. Please send your news (including photos) via email to: alum@csw.org.
1930s
1950s
1940s
Ellen Ziskind ’57 reports that she has co-edited a book, Internal Family Systems Therapy: New Dimensions, published by Routledge, which is due out in March. She is still working full-time in her private practice in Brookline.
David Grose ’39, brother of Eleanor “Toni” Grose Locke ’34, and Larry Grose (d) ’37, wrote to correct a statement in last month’s Gryphon. It turns out that “The Walrus Club” was instituted in the reign of J. R. P. French. David Grose attended CSW in 1938 and 1939 and is 92 years old, living in Dennis with his wife Margit.
David Sanderson ’45 is “finally retiring after 60 years practicing law. I still enjoy hiking and climbing, as well as time with family.” Julia Merrill Tams ’46 wrote in to let us know: “I’m still on my feet and having fun! Celebrating the birth of our 16th great grandchild in January 2014. Ron and I still travel—most recently to Canada—and find much to be thankful for. Best to all!” Edie Cook Smith ’49 writes, “Last year, I got the award ‘Democrat of the Year’ for Sonoma County. One grandson is backpacking around the world, now in Africa. The other got married here August 31.”
Kathy Logan Tugendhat ’51 writes: “I am so very fortunate to have my lovely lively 2 1/2 year old granddaughter live near by.”
Arthur Krim ’61 writes: “In touch with classmates Janet Whelan, Mark Haefele, and Jeff Fine in California. My book Route 66: Iconography of the American Highway will be part of a major exhibition on Route 66 at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, planned for June 2014.”
half of every year, and returns to Greece, her home for most of her life, in spring time. Music, grandchildren, volunteer work, writing, and civil action continue to fill her days. Her website, www.beckysakellariou.com, gives a fuller picture of her life and writing.
Marc Haefele ’61 writes: “On July 14, my 71st birthday, I married Vivian Rothstein, my beloved partner of the past 24 years, in Morro Bay, CA. A year ago, I retired from what could be my last fulltime job in journalism, as an editor at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Daily News Enterprise. I continue as a cultural commentator on KPCC FM, a local NPR station. I still recall warmly my CSW 50th reunion and look forward to visiting the campus again this spring.”
Joe Schaaf celebrates his 88th birthday. Class of 1964 will honor him at Reunion. Joe writes: “I am kept in mind by the places that matter to me. CSW certainly is high on that list for me, the school and the people come to mind so often. I have heard from Sarah Jane Chelminski and will follow up to arrange a conversation about ’64s 50th. To see these people, many of whom I knew pretty well from living together in a dorm, now in the fullness of adult life is always an amazing event and much clearer measure of time than my own years which creep by one by one. All good wishes, Joe.”
Tom Benjamin ’57 has “just re-retired from teaching at The Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University. Would love to hear from Cambridge School friends.” Gay (Donham) Quereau ’58 writes, “Excited to be going to Mary Awell Doll ’58’s wedding in NYC after Christmas.”
1960s
Loris Bickum ’60, and her husband, Gil, phoned to let us know they are off to Paris in July to sing in the anniversary of the D Day landings’ celebration.
Becky Dennison Sakellariou ’62 has her third book of poetry out, “What Shall I Cry?” by Finishing Line Press. These poems reflect her themes of the natural worlds of Greece and New England and how they pull us in, hold us up, and give us hope. She has been doing readings around the New England region this winter. She now lives in New Hampshire for
Joseph Magnet ’64 was voted among the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada in a nationwide poll conducted by Canadian Lawyer magazine. Of the thousands of votes he received, many noted his deep commitment to the cause of human rights, and his achievements for Canadian and African indigenous peoples that he represents. Magnet was also named an “Honorary Afar Citizen” by the Afar Nation for his work in bringing the Afar plight to the attention of the United Nations. The award of citizenship recognizes his unique and important work and dedication to the Afar people.
CLASS NOTES
Deborah Goldman ’65 writes: “I completed a three-person show at the Lucky Street Gallery in Key West and another show at the Deering Estate.” Sandra Ropper ’68 wrote that she is “still working as an archivist on the Harvard-Sussex Program on Chemical/Biological Weapons Arms Control for almost 22 years. Allan and I celebrated our 40th anniversary with the birth of our first grandchild, Theo. Life is good!” Tom Graham ’69 writes that he retired from the practice of medicine and psychiatry, and reports it is the best thing he has done since he started work! He is keeping busy gardening, making tin can collages, and napping whenever he wants.
1970s Catherine Clark ’70
Catherine Clark ’70 became Mrs. Julian C. Demetriadi at a service on February 7, 2014 at a ceremony in Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire, England. Their wedding ceremony included music from Purcell’s “Sound of the Trumpet” and “Peace I leave with you” by Amy Beach. David Halls, the cathedral’s director of music, was the organist, and Andrew Reid, the director of the Royal School of Church Music, was the choir conductor. “Julian is an Englishman of Venetian and Greek extraction whose PhD from Lancaster University is in English seaside towns. He is the director of a marketing and communications
firm, CommunicationsPoint and founder of the Salisbury Fringe which had its first wildly successful season in the autumn of 2013.” Max MacKenzie ’70 offering a nine-day master photographer course at the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival, July 5–14, 2014. This is a very special opportunity to study photography with Max in a small group in a glorious setting. The course may interest CSW alumni. Sign up for the course or register as a guest. Read all about it: www.musicalstudies.com. Doug Stone ’72 was recently featured in a Yale YouTube interview discussing the release of his new book, Einstein and the Quantum: The Quest of the Valiant Swabian. Stone is a Physics professor at Yale University. According to Princeton University Press, Stone’s new book is “a book unlike any other. Einstein and the Quantum offers a completely new perspective on the scientific achievements of the greatest intellect of the 20th century, showing how Einstein’s contributions to the development of quantum theory are more significant, perhaps, than even his legendary work on relativity.” Joshua Rosenbloom ’76 wrote: “This past year we have been through some big shifts as a family. In the fall my youngest son and my step-daughter both started college. My older two sons are now in their junior year, so we have four in college at once. At the same time that we finally had all the kids out of the house, I took a temporary position as a program officer at the National Science Foundation, in Washington DC, where I administer a program that
supports research on science and innovation policy. My wife (Leslie) remains for the moment in Lawrence, where she continues to teach at the University of Kansas.” Sarah Underwood ’77 reports: “I have been recording 2013 in photographs—upon, in, and around City View Boulevard in Westfield, MA. My first exhibit was at the Southwick Library in January 2014! Surprise grandson born August 7, 2012 to my oldest son, James: Bayard Joseph Landry Hard. No surprise: daughter Shannon Hard graduated from UNE with an M.S. in Nurse Anesthesia on November 10. Awaiting: return of youngest son, Amos, from Air Force assignment in Qatar.” Cathy (Cook) Breau ’77 writes, “Have you noticed how little we hear from anyone that graduated in the mid-70s? If you survived that era, you would probably understand. I own a set of camps in central Maine. I have two sons attending college on Oahu. They chose to shovel sand instead of snow. One is a junior, the other post grad. Happily divorced... twice.” Cora Wen ’78: “The time at CSW helped develop and direct the sensibility and worldviews of my life. Glad to see you are continuing to produce good humans into the world.” Cassia Wyner ’79 let us know she has “a thriving kitchen and bath design business, a happy marriage, and two great sons in high school. Life is good!”
1980s
Chris Freeman ’80 writes: “In 2012 I moved myself and my family to
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Winston-Salem, NC. It was a long struggle with much soul searching that facilitated my motivation with my wife Karen to make the big move south after living for over 30 years in the New York City area. While I still pursue my art and teaching art, I have started a new business venture with my father-in-law. We are an advertising specialty marketing firm (www.pentomarketing.com). Through a national network we can produce any item to put your company name and/or logo on. Along with being in the business that came to a screeching halt due to LED lighting I have found it a very real necessity to reinvent myself.” Linda Pompa ’81 wrote in to let us know she is “still working for a non-profit in New Orleans doing redevelopment. And loving the 75 degree days in winter!” Sarah Jane Horton ’81 shared: “My mom and I attended the retrospective of Christopher Huggins ’80 choreography performed by ‘Philadanco’ in early December—it was a truly inspiring display of humor, drama, athleticism, and technique. Bravo Christopher! My daughter, Rosalie (15 years), is a sophomore at a brand new progressive high school in Manhattan, Grace Church School. My son Peter (13 years), has spent the fall navigating through the high school admissions process and is now waiting to find out what the future will hold for him! When I’m not shuttling my kids around to practice and games and performances, I volunteer at a 160-year-old non-profit gift store, ‘The Brooklyn Women’s Exchange’ in Brooklyn Heights. Any CSW crafters or artisans out there who
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The Gryphon Spring 2014
Class Notes Continued
different schools. Most recently I formed a jazzy funk band (Hop Sauce) with CSW alumnus Chris Gamper ’88. Last summer we released our first album (‘Le Tasty’). Also, making a guest appearance on the album is Dave Walcott ’87 (formerly Arnoldy). Having maintained these friendships and partnerships for over 25 years has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful parts of my musical career. I invite all our old classmates to check out our music!”
1990s
Jen Malnick ’92 writes: “Our baby Adam came three months early, in August 2013. He finally came home in November and joined his big brother David. I am surrounded by men and life is good!”
Michael Clawson ’85
would be interested in selling things in our shop can contact through our website!” David Kluchman ’82 finished in the top one percent of the 2012 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He says, “Applying math and people reading skills has helped me become a better poker player.” Michael Clawson ’85 writes: “Dear Class of 1985 and CSW, I’ve been living in Hastings, Nebraska for the last 12 years working as a molecular biologist for the USDA at a nearby research facility. I’ve been very fortunate in the opportunities out here and have focused on the genetics of host-pathogen interactions in livestock. To counterbalance the stressors of
work, I took up martial arts some time ago and hold black belts in Gumdo, Taekwondo, and Hapkido. The next physical goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2014 and run it in 2015. That would make it 30 years since my last official running of the Boston Marathon as a senior at CSW. I am forever grateful to CSW for providing such a great environment for students to push themselves individually and as a community.” Jono Kornfeld ’88 writes: “Dear 1988 Classmates—After a few months of new parent isolation I and my wife Miranda are proud to announce the birth of our first child, Jacob, who arrived on September 12 of last year. In other news, I am still residing in San Francisco where I teach music at
CSW Alumnus Jonas Wood ’95 was featured in the Arts & Culture section of the Huffington Post website in September 2013. Wood, who is based out of Los Angeles, CA, had an open house in September featuring
his new artwork, which the Huff Post positively reviewed. According to the Huff Post article, “Both steeped in tradition yet completely fresh, Wood captures the impossible sharpness of modernity with the familiar feelings of home.”
2000s
Andy Richter ’00 and his wife, Jenn, are expecting a child in December. Congratulations! Ariel Hall ’00 writes: “Dear CSW Class of 2000, I completed an MA in Performance Studies at NYU last year which led to a consulting gig at the Museum of Modern Art. I am hoping to bring these skills into use in mid-coast Maine, where I grew up and recently returned to live. In the meantime I am working on my own art and food projects and enjoying the natural beauty, small community, and proximity to family. I’ve never felt happier!” Anna Jones ’01 visited with the Alumni Office. After 10 years of living in Los Angeles, the past five
Jono Kornfeld ’88
CLASS NOTES
more examples of my work, visit www.AylaRose.com. For my day job, I work as the Executive Director of the International Screenwriters’ Association, a resource website for screenwriters. Great to see alumni in LA again! Hi to Rachel Hirsch, Marilyn Del Donno, Tom Evans, Todd Bartel (my advisor), Liz Nee, Lisa Hirsch, Gustavo Brasil, J.Mo... Much love.”
Ben Barkan ’08
of which she spent working at the LA Weekly, Anna has moved back to New England and is now helping to start resquoo, Inc., a new data transfer and recovery business based in Peabody. Find them on Facebook and be sure to “like” them! “We transfer, restore, and recover lost and deleted data from broken smartphones, laptops, and tablets, remove viruses, and do computer upgrades. Never worry about losing important files again! Thank you so much!” Mary Bickerton, mother of Annie and Lucy Bickerton ’04 sent us this update about her daughters: “Lucy Bickerton ’04 is taking postbac pre-med courses at Hunter College. If you Google her name, you will see that she was the lead plaintiff in a class action suit against Charlie Rose for unpaid internships. Annie Bickerton ’04 is working on a project using food trucks serving locally sourced food to provide economic opportunity to young people in NYC. Google ‘Drive Change’ + Food Truck to find out more.” Annie Bickerton ’04 writes: “Hello fellow 2004 CSW grads! It’s officially 2014, which means it’s officially been 10 years since we
graduated from high school! I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel ever so slightly old. It would be amazing to see all of you the weekend of June 14–15 for our first double-digits reunion, so please save the date! If you’re no longer in the Boston area, you’ve got plenty of time to book your tickets, so please do come! Last reunion we had over half the class there. P.S. To get you in the reunion spirit, I’ve included an awkward high school photo.” Ayla Barreau ’05 writes: “I played ‘Brad’s Girlfriend’ in a National Bank of America commercial last year called ‘Portraits,’ which aired over 1,000 times. Along with commercials, I’m also auditioning for film and TV having just signed with a new theatrical agent. For
Annie Bickerton ’04
Amanda Hittson ’05: “I recently started work as a Site Reliability Engineer at Google in Mountain View, California.” Emily Sylak-Glassman ’05 writes: “I’m finishing my PhD in physical chemistry this May from UC Berkeley. My research is in the field of photosynthesis. In June, I’ll be starting work in the field of science policy in Washington DC. My husband and I are looking forward to the move back East!” Eric Ginsburg ’06 shares: “My colleagues and I are creating a new newspaper called Triad City Beat, that we will have much more control over and will allow us to experiment and be near the cutting edge of journalism. I couldn’t be more excited. I am the associate editor of the publication.” Eric is also at Duke’s Center for Documentary Studies and will receive a certificate in documentary arts upon completion. Ben Barkan ’08 writes: “Hey CSW! Since graduation, I have worked on over 30 farms in Massachusetts, Oregon, California, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. Shortly after graduating from CSW and inspired by my travels, I started a landscaping business called HomeHarvest. We design, build, and maintain organic edible
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gardens in the Greater Boston area. www.homeharvest.biz. I remember taking Todd Bartel’s class as a senior and wondering how I could ever apply what I was learning to meaningful and profitable work. I loved making art, however the thought of being an artist for a career seemed daunting and impractical. Now, every day I work on growing the company I feel like an artist. Instead of a blank canvas and paint, I’m working with compost, mulch, and plants. I’m so excited about where the company is headed and I feel really lucky to have found a profitable and meaningful outlet for my artistic intuition. Check out the website and I’d love to hear from you!” Ben Lieberson ’07, Sofia Theodore-Pierce ’08, and Anneke Reich ’09: A trio of CSW alumni collaborated on Artists’ Theater of Boston’s production of Charles Mee’s “Trojan Women: A Love Story.” The theater company, co-founded by Anneke Reich ’09, is dedicated to artistic collaboration in the production of low-cost, accessible theater that critically deconstructs and recreates influential work. Reich reached out to Ben Lieberson ’07 for his expertise in lighting and set design and to Sofia TheodorePierce ’08 for video art and projection design. Lieberson also designed the set for the theater company’s debut performance of “Much Ado About Nothing,” staged last fall for free, outdoor performances at Carson Beach in South Boston. That production also included Max Kennedy ’07, who composed the score, and Serena Putterman ’07, who joined Kennedy in live musical performance. Reich graduated
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Class Notes Continued
from Brandeis University last May, where she majored in American Studies and Theater. She and Kennedy are the musical duo, Big Fuzzy, a national touring acoustic band. Catherine Wright ’09 stopped in at CSW to visit faculty and the alumni office with her latest news: “I am a teacher at Dever-McCormack K–8 School in Dorchester, teaching 6th grade students in special education. I work for Citizen Schools to extend the learning day for public middle schools. My passion is to work toward closing the opportunity gap.” Catherine is also this year’s Reunion Organizer for the Class of 2009. Sarah “Sayre” Scrimshaw-Hall ’09 writes: “Dear 2009! After graduating from Vassar College with a major in Anthropology, I moved to Madrid, Spain. I have been working as a language assistant at a bilingual school this year and it has been a wonderful experience! Meeting new people, practicing Spanish, and traveling around Spain and Europe makes for an exciting life here. This year is my five-year reunion, but unfortunately I won’t be able to make it. Sending love to my classmates though and I hope to catch up with some of you soon!” Keisuke Kuwabara ’09 writes about his work and life: “I am in the second year grad school, completing March 2014. I was in fashion institute for three years majoring in knit designing before I entered. I use Facebook as my portfolio and also my tumblr (FYI, I have two: kublicious.tumblr.com and quatrospoiler.tumblr.com). I haven’t been back in US after I graduated so it’s pretty hard to
keep track with everybody. I’ve talked with Ella Holman ’09 last Thanksgiving. She and I were pretty close during CSW years. She was the first day student who let me stay at her house for Thanksgiving and she took me around all the time!!! I will be working in Japan as an assistant for stage director at Shiki Theatre Company which I believe, is Japanese version of Broadway. I’m not doing anything relating to fashion but I’m really interested in directing and stage management.” Leah Shorser-Gentile ’10 completed an internship at the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital. She will be working in an Obsessive-Compulsive and related disorders program at Massachusetts General Hospital doing research on P.A.N.D.A.S.
(Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections), as well as directly working with children with OCD. Anya Peck ’11 wrote us: “I am enjoying an active life at Colby College, concentrating in neurobiology and gender studies. Last summer, I was a research associate in molecular biology at the University of Helsinki. My work involved fascinating studies on dogs with overly sensitive hearing and compulsive reactions to sound stimuli, which served as a genetic model for panic disorders in humans. Next summer I hope to continue this project. Meanwhile, I am finding time to assist in bio-research at Colby, and to continue playing violin and harp.” Keisuke Kuwabara ’09
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In Memoriam We are saddened to learn of the passing of Nancy Isaacs ’46. Our condolences to the family and friends of Nancy. CSW sends its condolences to the family and friends on the passing of alumna Brita Skelding ’49. Brita passed away in August 2013. We send our condolences to the Orrell and Elliston family on the death of Stanley Orrell. Stanley was the husband of Penny Elliston ’54, and the father of Lelia Orrell Elliston ’80. A memorial service had been planned this spring. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the New Mexico branch of the ACLU (P.O. Box 566, Albuquerque, NM 87103). Kathy Notkin ’55 passed away on September 20, 2013. Treasured wife of Ronald Notkin for 50 years. Dearest mother of Lenore Notkin (Anthony Panagakos) and Alison Notkin (Solon McDade). Dear sister of Robert Cohen, and sister-in-law of the late Carl Notkin. Cherished Granny of Noah Panagakos; Isla, and Hazel McDade. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Jewish General Hospital Foundation.
CSW mourns the loss of Dr. Ophelia Smith ’64. Smith, who had served as Vice President at Women In Need, passed away on November 14 after a brief illness. Ophelia led WIN’s program services, for over 17 years she worked to help women and their families achieve independence and more fulfilling lives. “Dr. Smith has also touched each of us at WIN through innovative programming such as HIV Education and Screening; The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Clinic; Education and Employment Readiness; Domestic Violence Screening and Services; Supportive Housing; STEPS; Kid Sista; and the opening of seven WIN Family shelters and one Women’s shelter,” said WIN CEO Bonnie Stone. “She has helped well over 100,000 clients during her tenure at WIN. Dr. Ophelia Smith was a tireless advocate on behalf of our clients and our staff. We will miss
Ophelia dearly—although her legacy at WIN will live on.” Condolences may be sent to her family c/o WIN, 115 W. 31st Street, New York, NY 10001. Margo Clark Potheau ’66 of Sherborn died among friends and family on October 31, 2013, of metastatic melanoma. She is survived by her son, Charlie Potheau, of Homer, Alaska, and daughter, Danielle Potheau, of San Diego, CA. Margo was a talented horsewoman in her youth in El Paso, Texas, winning numerous blue ribbons for dressage and jumping. She attended Reed College, and graduated from Boston University. She was an avid sports fan who relished every Patriots win, and loved seeing the Red Sox win the World Series once again. Margo will forever be remembered as a strong woman with a gentle spirit, who loved to laugh. A short version of Margo’s obituary already appeared in The Boston Globe. Donations in her memory may be made to Melanoma Foundation of New England, 111 Old Road to 9 Acre Corner, Concord, MA 01742.
CSW sends its deepest condolences to the family of Judith Feldman ’71, who died of injuries sustained in a car accident in December 2013. She was a writer and investigative journalist, who had written for CBS MoneyWatch, Consumer Reports, Money Magazine, iScienceTimes.com, TheStreet.com, ESPN, and many other publications and media outlets. Judith lived in New York City with her husband William Polyn. The Feldman family has been an integral supporter of CSW for the past four decades. Judith is the sister of the late Michael H. Feldman ’67, in whose memory CSW hosts its annual Social Justice Day to celebrate and raise awareness for social justice issues. The Feldman family has endowed the annual Michael H. Feldman Social Justice Day at CSW for the past 38 years.
Our condolences to the family and friends of Charles Alberts ’73, who died March 28 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Barbara, his sons Victor and Nick, his mother Beverly and sisters Lynn and Laurie, and other family. Charles attended Hampshire College after graduating from CSW and had a long career as a software engineer. Charlie’s passions included flying planes, skiing, boating, and music. Charlie will be most remembered for his gentle and caring soul and the great love he had for his family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Charles Alberts to the UMass Medicine Development Office – Neurology Department (333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545) or the Rose Monahan Hospice Home (10 Judith Road, Worcester, MA 01602). CSW learned of the unexpected death of Sarah Pelletier ’03, who died just days before her 29th birthday. She leaves behind two young children. We send our deepest condolences to Sarah’s family. Her father writes: “She was so animated about planning her 29th birthday, so that her two children Alessandro (5) and Esme (3) could understand that mommies had birthdays too. I invite all of you to mail a simple birthday card to her home at: Sarah Pelletier, 12 Crombie Street, Salem, MA 01970. They will be collected and saved for her children, so that when they are a little older they can read them. Birthdays are important events to children. I hope we can all make Sarah’s birthday one they will always remember in a positive way, despite the circumstances. Thank you, David Pelletier.” CSW extends sincere condolences to Shari Quashie ’12 on the loss of her grandmother Margaret Stiell, who passed away June 28, 2013 at the age of 96 years.
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The Gryphon Spring 2014
Photos from Alumni Gatherings Held from Coast to Coast! In January, CSW hosted two alumni events in New York City. Artist Eleanora Kupencow hosted a gathering in her beautiful Brooklyn apartment with Head of School Jane Moulding and visual arts teacher Anne Rearick. Young alumni also gathered at CULTUREfix. Alumni gatherings were also hosted in Los Angeles and Berkeley.
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1. Alexandra Pirozzi ’01 and Amy Chasan ’01 2. Sofia Theodore-Pierce ’08 at CULTUREfix 3. Anne Rearick, art teacher, speaks to the crowd during the event. Also present (seated) was Lelia Elliston ’80, director of alumni relations. 4. Head of School Jane Moulding shares current CSW news with the group. 5. Alex Zandi ’09 6. Andrew Graham ’99
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7. brooklyn gathering group: Aashish Jethra ’00, Annie Wegenroth ’01, Lelia Elliston ’80, Annie Bickerton ’04, Lily Taylor-Mead ’01, Alexandra Pirozzi ’01, Betsy Cohen ’04, Krishna Chavda ’04, David Eli Golann ’01, Rachel Horowitz ’01, Peter Rosa ’99, David R. King ’07, Andrew Graham ’99, Sofia Theodore-Pierce ’08, Alex Zandi ’09, Annie Ford ’05, and Anne Rearick
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The Cambridge School of Weston •
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Sky Murray ’13 snorkeled, swam with, and photographed wild Spinner dolphins in the open ocean off the coast of Kona, Hawaii last summer, as part of a trip with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The trip was arranged by oceanographer Gregory S. Stone ’75, the executive vice president at Conservation International, whose longtime friend and colleague Brian Skerry, a renowned oceanographic photographer, hosted Sky’s trip. Sky is currently in her first year at the University of Vermont, pursuing marine biology.
CSW Annual Fund
“Woooo Kill’em” Dance Concert 2014 Choreography: Jen Tzu-Yun Lu ’14, Andre Gibson ’14, Alysa Thomas ’15
“are you in?”
Go all in.
When you make a gift to the CSW Annual Fund, you join the thousands of parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have invested in the heart and soul of The Cambridge School of Weston. Your generosity makes an impact — and it shows.
Thank you for giving back to CSW.
For more information or to make your Annual Fund gift, please contact: Hannah Taytslin Director of the Annual Fund htaytslin@csw.org 781.642.8647 www.csw.org/giving
artist: Melanie Li ’16
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digital photo: Ben Blaustein ’17