Fall 2023 Newsletter

Fall Newsletter 2023/2024 issue #2

Fall fulcrum student feature Fulcrum taught me how to be a real leader and how to listen to others while combining their ideas with my own. I learned you can never have too many friends, and that it is essential to always be kind.

the deans’ den a message from the head of school As the first trimester of the school year comes to a close, we are well into our year of Celebration! From student performances in Community to the fellowship of the grade level potlucks, the connections and enthusiasm across the Wesley family are heartwarming.

In art, students explored their identities in unique ways to celebrate who they are and share what makes them unique. Feeling good about who we are and bringing our true self to school is important. It also allows for us to get to know new people in the community.

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in this Issue A Message from the Head of School

Page 2

Julie Galles, Head of School

The Deans’ Den

Page 3-10

Fall Fulcrum Student Feature

Page 11-12

Avery Cha, James Cripps, Avery Thompson, & Audrey Waldman Current Students, Grades 7 & 8

Board of Trustees News

Page 13-14

Dave Monahan, Wesley Board Chair Jenny Hollier, Wesley Board Vice Chair

DEIJ and CODI at Wesley

Page 15-16

Greg Armbrister, Assistant Head of School for Academics Melanie Elliott & Thordis Howard, CODI Co-Chairs

Coach's Corner

Page 17-18

Louie Rodriguez, Athletic Director

Development Office Update

Page 19

Kevin Elbo, Development Associate

Admissions News

Page 20

Verena Denove, Director of Admissions Lindsey Drasin, Associate Director of Admissions

Parents’ Association Update

Page 21-23

Marie Natividad & Angie Niemeyer, PA Co-Chairs

Campus Kudos

Page 24

A Message from the head of school Dear Wesley Community As the first trimester of the school year comes to a close, we are well into our year of Celebration! From student performances in Community to the fellowship of the grade level potlucks, the connections and enthusiasm across the Wesley family are heartwarming. There have already been some noteworthy moments of celebration, including our wonderful Fall Family Picnic, the annual Blessing of the Animals, the goal-busting 25 Days of Giving to The Wesley Fund (shout out to the Development Department and Committee!), and the Relay for Life, which once again enjoyed wild success by raising over $28,000 for the American Cancer Society. Way to go, Wesley Warriors!

Lots of learning is also happening every day. Our students dove right into their studies this fall and have been out and about. The 7th and 8th graders enjoyed their fall outdoor education experience in Ojai, and both 5th and 6th grades have spent time off campus learning and bonding. Parents joined in the learning by participating in Back to School Night (including a rousing reveal of our new mission statement!), presentations detailing our new curricula across multiple subjects, and a very informative Parent Forum on neurodiversity, sponsored by CODI. Finally, our faculty and staff enjoyed an inspiring day of connection and reflection with Monique Marshall, our DEIJ consultant, to open the school year. I am excited that parents will also benefit from Monique’s warmth and wisdom this year through parent education opportunities - don’t miss out!

In this newsletter, you will read exciting updates from various offices, the Board, the Deans, and the Parents’ Association. I hope you will savor, along with us, the celebrations of the unfolding year. The entire Wesley School team, from the youngest to the most seasoned, are approaching the year with enthusiasm and dedication. I am grateful to them all and looking forward to the second trimester.

Wishing you all a wonderful season of holidays, Julie Galles Head of School

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the deans’ den

Our fall Thanksgiving break, by definition, affords all of us many opportunities to be grateful. Moving past the layered permutations regarding the “why” of the Thanksgiving holiday and how it came about in the USA, at least to some degree there is usually an association including family and gratitude. That’s built into the name of the holiday itself, of course.

I ask you to think a bit past that, however. Not focusing on turkey and football, but actual gratitude.

More than that, being aware of your capacity to feel, appreciate, and express gratitude. In particular, have you ever considered the actual ratio of your gratitude to “complaint” tally? Dr. Sonja Benson, among others, posits the idea that we should actually stat our gratitude ratio, and it’s a fascinating idea. If I may share two very concise personal examples, as a Buddhist since my youth, I’ve long worked hard to appreciate and to incorporate gratitude in as many aspects of my life as possible. As a former volleyball coach, I was serious enough about this to actually have an assistant keep statistics on my feedback to players…For every direct instruction on why something could or should be done differently, I expected to have found an opportunity to offer at least three positive reflections or moments of encouragement. This level of objective accountability for me was eye-opening and, I hope, ultimately very effective.

Dr. Benson’s ratio is 5 - 1, and one doesn’t need to experience the magic of Mr. Baharvand’s classroom to have the capacity to grasp what that ratio means. Many of us endure lives in which a complaint, or a negative feeling, comes to mind far too frequently. These may be legitimate, and we’re all living in different circumstances - that’s not the point. How we receive and process events is within our control, and whether or not they happen is not. What if we were to intentionally identify and savor five moments of gratitude for every time that something negative crept in? This is possible, and the immediate impact is startling. The long-term benefits are also rather spectacular…One becomes more centered, more fulfilled, more generous, more resilient. You get the idea! There isn’t space in this short segment of our newsletter to go on in depth about this concept, but perhaps in this spot on the calendar that promotes reflection regarding family and giving thanks, we can incorporate a mindful practice that actually helps us to hold ourselves accountable for our gratitude and, consequently, happiness. Sound like a plan? Thanks for entertaining the idea!

Greg Armbrister Assistant Head of School for Academics

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Band 1, Kindergarten - 2nd Grade The Kindergarten students dazzled us at the first Wesley Open House! Following the theme of the month they all “persevered” and shared all the things that they are now experts at as well as their own rendition of “I Will Survive!”

In Social Justice, students are learning the definition of radical self love - loving one’s self with compassion, acceptance, confidence, and kindness. They are writing and creating their own affirmation cards to remind them of their brilliance.

We also dove into our new Fundations curriculum this trimester. The kiddos are having so much fun learning letters and sounds with Baby Echo, leading the class in lessons, and becoming Phonics experts.

2,4,6,8 1st Grade is REALLY GREAT!! First grade loves to say..."We are green and growing and love showing what we're knowing!" This Fall, 1st graders got their green thumbs out and dug into composting, planting, and harvesting. They used the herbs they planted and cared for to flavor their famous "Friendship Soup.” Fall is filled with reading, writing, and reciting poetry from the classic, "Halloween Wind" to "Autumn Leaves.” This very caring crew loves noticing nature and using their science minds to learn about the world and creatures around them. There's so much more in store as they continue to explore life in 1st grade!

The 2nd graders have been busy learning all about the writing process and gearing up to begin their Opinion Piece. In small group reading time, the young authors are introduced to the importance of responding to text in written and oral form and will be used throughout the year. Our little mathematicians were introduced to the Standards for Mathematical Practice. The driving question was, “ What makes a great mathematician?” while building number sense and vocabulary. In our celebration of Hispanic, Latin X, Italian, Native American, and Filipino heritages, the students took virtual field trips to various countries to help build connection and understanding to people around the world.

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the deans’ den Band 2, 3rd & 4th Grades 3rd Grade is off to a great start! In honor of October’s theme of the month, perseverance, the 3rd graders read books about characters who have persevered.

With a partner from the other class, they wrote a paragraph about the story they read and how the main character overcame challenges. Then, the students thought about ways that they have persevered themselves and presented it to the school community!

In music class, 3rd graders learned the song, “Get Back Up Again” by Anna Kendrick from the movie, Trolls. As the school year continues, we will persevere through challenges and continue to have a positive attitude and a growth mindset!

4th grade is in the full swing of school and has solidified class routines. In reading, they have been reading the novel, Because of WInn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo. Students focused on character traits, identifying context clues, theme vs. main idea, and how to write a summary. In social studies, they learned about the four regions of California and the unique characteristics of each region. The regions are the coast, the central valley, the desert, and the mountains.

In writing, 4th graders finished their first multicultural project highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month and concluding with student presentations. Students researched important figures using books and web material, paraphrased their research into their own words, and followed the steps of the writing process to complete a four paragraph essay. Lastly, students prepared speeches to share with the community of what they learned. In math, 4th graders started diving into our multiplication unit, learning how to multiply by 1 digit and 2 digit numbers!

Band 3, 5th & 6th Grades In math class, students played math charades as an interactive review of math concepts and math vocabulary words. Teams of students were assigned a math term from the classroom word wall, in which they had to creatively act out the word without speaking, while their peers guessed the word. It was a lot of fun! Using different words that were relevant to their area of study, both 5th and 6th grade students enjoyed this activity.

Fifth grade humanities students worked collaboratively in order to create a spooky new experience for K-4 students this Halloween. After top secret student meetings and a whole grade vote, The 5th Grade CarnEvil was born. Mrs. Papa and Miss Natalie’s homeroom invited trick-ortreaters to follow glowing arrows through a series of “touch if you dare” boxes containing slimy spider eggs, brains, dead rats, monster snot, and more! Mr. Amir and Ms. Karissa’s homeroom guided curious carnival goers through a series of riddles with the reward of an interactive experience with dry ice and bubbles! Fifth graders continued the festival atmosphere outside of the classrooms with crafts, bedazzling, face gems, fortune tellers, and of course candy surprises! This was truly a student-led activity with the entire grade taking on dayof responsibilities; working in groups, painting props and banners, creating flyers, being incredible role models and mentors, taking charge of multi-step projects, and having a blast! A special thanks to Joel, Sarah, Chef Devin, Trisha, and any parents who donated items for this event. We are so incredibly proud of the 5th grade for a job well done!

Sixth grade English classes have been hard at work reading and analyzing mystery and thriller genres. After reading a suspenseful or frightening literature selection of their choice, students began to analyze the elements of a mystery. Once students identified literary devices such as mood and tone, conflict, figurative language, and foreshadowing for the book they read, 6th graders then applied these concepts as they created graphic organizers in preparation to authoring their own mystery or thriller. We are excited to take our pieces through the writing process, and end with sharing our work with classmates at our publishing party. Our 6th grade map skills work followed the same terrorizing path as we tracked the migration patterns of the Zombie Apocalypse. In our gallery walk we identified characteristics of various types of maps, including GSI Information Graphics maps, satellite maps, topographical maps, and resource maps. Students then created miniposters of the different elements of these maps, such as scale, grid and index, compass rose, symbols, and legends. In conclusion, students role played the parts of four geographers who were interviewed by classmates.

The main goal was to answer the questions: “Which qualifications and experiences are most preferred to help escape from or track down the zombies?” and “Which geologist would you want on your team if you had to rebuild civilization?”

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A highlight of the 5th and 6th grade science program this trimester was last month's Compost Cake and Tea Party event. This was not, however, the average cake and tea party! When the bioreactor was cut open to reveal the finished compost, it was plain to see that the compost had, indeed, formed a cake-like shape. The culmination of a year's worth of Wesley food composting efforts was indeed an event to celebrate!

Both grade levels participated in the compost harvesting event, helping in a variety of tasks such as shoveling and hauling finished compost from the bioreactors to a small framed garden bed, then sorting through that bed to remove bones and larger pieces of bark. Other groups prepared bark buckets for further composting, and still others helped manage clean-up from the day.

Back in class, lessons focused on the science connections between the compost and our curriculum.

Sixth graders connected compost to the Periodic Table of Elements by learning about the specific elements that make up soil and compost, and how the soil then contains essential nutrients in the form of many of those same elements that humans and plants need to survive and grow. Fifth graders practiced skills of observation and inference by carefully comparing compost samples from two different locations in the bioreactor, documenting them in notebooks, and then making inferences about why they might be different.

Both classes learned more about how composting food waste helps protect the planet by cutting down on the greenhouse gas, methane.

Another compost harvest will be coming up soon, and we hope to have students using finished compost to help plant some small planters around campus. We will continue to revisit the school compost program and the many learning opportunities it represents as the year unfolds.

Art, Kindergarten - 6th Grade Students in Kindergarten through 6th grade began the year in Art looking at their identity. Each grade explored this subject in a different way. It is an opportunity to celebrate who they are and share what makes them unique. Feeling good about who we are and bringing our true self to school is important. It also allows for us to get to know new people in the community.

Kindergarten will draw a self-portrait each month using different materials each time. The finished works will be made into a book at the end of the school year. Drawing people can be one of the harder things to draw. In working on this skill once a month, students will get plenty of practice.

The 1st graders turned a self- portrait drawing into a colorful puzzle and then wrote words that reflect who they are in different puzzle shapes. Watercolor paints were used to add color.

Second graders made a full body self-portrait. The students used a diagram to help them draw the proportions of their body. Then they made a speech bubble and introduced themselves in Spanish.

The 3rd graders learned how to make a side profile drawing of themselves. Then they drew and wrote about themselves, thinking of different parts of their identity. To finish, students also wrote about themselves in the background of their drawing.

The 5th graders worked on an observational drawing of one half of their face, which involved lots of measuring to get the proportions and features as close to life as possible, and value drawing to show lights and darks.

Then they made a painting on a canvas board that reflected their “happy place.” To finish, students cut out their portrait, glued it to their “happy place,” and wrote why they chose the place on the back of their canvas.

Music, Kindergarten - 5th Grade Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade have been preparing for all things Holiday - Choreography, Props, Words, - getting ready for the big night! AND - of course they have been making their way from the Renaissance - Classical periods in music class and listening to selections from Orlando de Lassus, Vivaldi, and Mozart.

Sixth grade students had the opportunity to share different aspects of their identity by drawing on a puzzle piece. Students were asked to look at their heritage, important numbers, interests, favorite subjects in school, and much more. Later the puzzle pieces will be attached to show that while we are diverse and unique, we are also very much connected to one another.

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the deans’ den Band 4, 7th & 8th Grades We are off to a terrific start to the 7th and 8th grade school year! We spent three days together in Ojai on a beautiful retreat. Students were actively engaged in activities where they had to lead, problem solve, make decisions, and take risks, individually and collectively. They returned to campus transformed! They have new friendships, more confidence, and are filled with enthusiasm for the year ahead. They are also excited for their classes, where their incredible teachers are providing a space for them to learn, grow, and thrive.

In English, our students began the year with short story units. They explored the nature of human identity: how much of it is innate, how much of it do we owe to our family and friends, and how much of it is shaped by the inevitable ups and downs of our daily lives and society’s expectations. We analyzed a variety of texts this year including poetry, drama, fiction, and essays, both formal and informal. In conjunction with their journey into their personal identities, we honed in our literacy skills through regular and rigorous close reading, vocabulary assignments, and grammar exercises. They are on the path to read, understand, and write about different texts and the analytical ability to interrogate their world, their lives, and their future.

In math, our 7th graders have been working on order of operations, rules of exponents, scientific and standard notation, operations with fractions, percentages, one-step, two-step, & multi-step equations and inequalities, and word problems related. Our 8th graders are focused on multistep equations and inequalities, absolute value equations and inequalities, motion and mixture problems, rules of exponents, percent of change, and solving systems of equations by a variety of methods. As complex as it sounds, and it is, our students are thriving under the guidance of our great mathematician, Mr. Baharvand.

10 The 7th grade students were introduced to Google Sketchup, one of the apps available with the GSuite bundle. Sketchup is a 3D modeling software that’s easy to use and has an extensive database of user-created models available for download. Users can create sketches or import models to assist with all kinds of projects, including furniture building, video game creation, 3D printing, interior design, architecture, and whatever else they can think of. Being this was the first time most of these students had seen Sketchup, we started off with the basic functionality and tools. Students were introduced to the push/pull tool, the move tool, the line tool, the offset tool, and the painting tool, and saw how each functioned when used. Although there was a little difficulty for some students to get used to how to orbit and zoom in on their project, they started to get the feel of how the software interface worked when applying a specific task.

They created many things, including a turtle sandbox, a dog house, a tool caddy, a giant pencil, pirate ship playhouse, and a cabin. Great job, 7th graders!

In Science, 7th and 8th graders have been learning about the structure and function of muscle, bone, skin, blood, and nerves. They learned how to use microscopes by viewing blood and its components. Most recently students have learned that cells have organelles with specific functions, and they replicate and divide.

The 8th grade mock trial team recently competed in Rounds 1 and 2 of the Los Angeles County Mock Trial Competition. Both the Defense and the Prosecution sides of the team competed with the students displaying incredible skill in the courtroom and were formidable opponents. The students have learned trial procedure, complex legal concepts, and have analyzed facts and witness testimony in order to create a cohesive theory of the case from both sides. They have written direct and cross examinations, opening statements, closing arguments, and have mastered 17 rules of evidence, including how to object and argue objections in court.

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FALL FULCRUM STUDENT FEATURE

FULCRUM is a three day overnight nature trip for Wesley 7th and 8th grade students to Ojai, CA in the fall.

For many students, it is the first overnight trip away from their families. Technology and parents are left at home!

AVERY THOMPSON, GRADE 8 My favorite part of the fall Fulcrum trip were the evening activities on the first night. We were put in random groups and had twenty minutes to come up with a group dance.

Although I had such a blast dancing to Party in the USA, my favorite part of this activity was the sense of community I felt. As I hung out with new people and grew stronger relationships with my close friends, I grew more and more grateful that my last year at Wesley was with such amazing people. Fulcrum taught me how to be a real leader and how to listen to others while combining their ideas with my own.

I learned you can never have too many friends, and that it is essential to always be kind. Since this was my second time on this trip, I was not particularly nervous, but the nerves did kick in when I was put in a group with none of my close friends. My worries were quickly dismissed when I put my social skills to work and found my place within the new group. I believe that the purpose of Fulcrum is to create bonds with people you might not have without this experience. The leadership, social, and problem solving skills I learned on this trip will always be with me, and I am forever grateful for this adventure.

AUDREY WALDMAN, When we finished doing the ropes course, my new friends GRADE 7 and I spent time picking When I first heard about Fulcrum, I was nervous. I had never been on an overnight school trip before and I don’t like being away from home. But, this experience had an amazing impact on me. My favorite part of the trip was definitely making new friends. I never expected to become friends with 8th graders, but I did!

oranges in the grove of trees nearby and even made our own fresh orange juice. I learned on this trip that being away from home for a time can do you good and help you grow. Even though I was reluctant at first, I had a blast! I think this trip was meant to help us build stronger bonds with our fellow students and for us to try new things. It is so worth going to Fulcrum!

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AVERY CHA, GRADE 7 When our school first arrived at Fulcrum, I was worried about making new friends in my randomly assigned group. However, I quickly formed connections with people outside of my normal circle. Combining 7th and 8th grade students turned out to be one of the best aspects of the trip.

Stepping out of my comfort zone showed me what I was missing! In a small school like Wesley, I’ve become so comfortable with my classmates that I forgot to look beyond the classroom for connection. My favorite moments during this trip were made on the ropes course. Creating fresh orange juice, facing my fears, and having friends, old and new, to high five at the end of the challenges made Fulcrum unforgettable. I believe the school arranges this trip to prepare students for the London trip in 8th grade. Our teachers need to be able to trust us, and Fulcrum allows us to prove our behavior outside of school. But whatever the reason is for this trip, I had an incredible experience.

Fulcrum was one of my absolute favorite activities we did in the 7th grade, and my 8th grade Fulcrum trip was even better. My favorite moment from this trip was the boat race. When we arrive at our camp we get split into six different teams to do our activities for the trip. Each team rotates the activities, from the ropes course, to archery, and others. Every team builds their boats out of cardboard, tarp, and floaties. On the second day, we race our boats.

It was so fun rooting for my team and watching everyone splash into the water. And it was a close race!

I was very nervous about the high ropes course. I didn’t complete it in 7th grade and didn’t initially want to this year. However, I went up with some friends and it was not as hard as I thought! I had loads of fun and the zipline at the end was amazing. On this trip I learned that sometimes it is important to step away from a busy environment. On our last day we hiked up a hill and had 10 minutes to sit or walk around quietly and take in the view. I never even realized the incredible view from our location until that moment. Now, I will take a few minutes more often to just relax, look around, and take in where I am.

JAMES CRIPPS, GRADE 8 I think the purpose of these overnight trips is to meet and talk with new people who you wouldn’t usually talk to and to create amazing memories with your close friends. Overall, I had a wonderful time on this trip and only wish I could go back again next year. It was also nice to have a few days without any electronics and away from our parents!

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Board of trustees news Dear Wesley Community, The 2023-2024 school year is in full swing and it has been a joy and a gift to experience all the things that make Wesley ‘Wesley’. Whether it’s greeting fellow parents at Coffee on the Commons, gathering in our various Wesley Connections groups to support one another through difficult events, or watching students belt out Taylor Swift songs during Community, these moments of connection are reminders of why we choose and love this community so much.

The Board has jumped in with a full agenda of action items that we will complete during the school year including: working on advancing board culture and norms, overseeing our head of school search, and completing long range strategic planning. In July, the Board kicked things off by welcoming new trustees Michelle Albert, Amy DiBianca, Samantha Hampar, Conrad Sison, and Hilary Turner. We look forward to their thoughtful input and expertise as we chart Wesley’s promising future.

In September, we bid farewell to Brendon Blincoe and Paolo Velasco, two trustees who have spent the last 6+ years donating enormous amounts of time steering Wesley through challenging waters. We appreciate all their years of service and thank them for leaving our school better and stronger.

As announced this summer, the ‘23-’24 academic year will be Julie Galles’ last year as our Head of School. We are grateful for her service to our school and it’s important to note that Julie, the Board of Trustees, and the Senior Administrative team are committed to a smooth transition this year for the benefit of our entire community, most importantly, our students. With Julie’s departure on the horizon, the Board of Trustees has partnered with the search firm Carney Sandoe & Associates to guide us in finding Wesley’s next leader. Earlier this fall, the board empowered a search committee composed of trustees, parents, faculty, and staff to manage that process. We want to extend a huge thank you to the members of the committee that have already donated so much of their time to ensure we find a new head who can lead Wesley into this promising future!

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Beginning in early 2024, the Board will embark on long range strategic planning. It is best practice to craft a new strategic plan every five to seven years. Wesley’s new plan, which we hope to complete by the summer of 2024, will be a comprehensive blueprint for our school’s future and act as a detailed road map for the continued success and growth of our community.

Despite the heavy workload, Trustees have also carved out some time to invest in one another more informally as a way to build a cohesive team. In early November, the Board of Trustees gathered for an evening of ax throwing at LA AX in Van Nuys. Everyone had a great time and congratulations to board Secretary, Marissa Seeman, on winning the competition!

And finally, we are proud to announce that we will be hosting Breakfast with the Board on December 13th after morning drop off.

This will be a great opportunity to get to know your trustees, ask board related questions, and gain a better understanding of what we do. Please keep an eye out in the Wesley Weekly for more details on this event.

As always please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Board of Trustees with any questions via email at boardoftrustees@wesleyschool.org and we wish you all a wonderful and safe holiday season.

Warmly, The Wesley Board of Trustees

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DEIJ AND CODI at wesley Last year CODI underwent a name change, subtle, but important to our ongoing DEIJ efforts. While we may have shifted the “C” from Community to Committee in order to elevate DEIJ at the Board level, we have not lost our sense of community. By establishing an eleven person committee of parents and trustees representing 1st through 8th grades, as well as faculty and senior admin, CODI is in fact, embedded within the community.

Whether through our monthly educational parent forums like “Understanding Neurodiversity” on October 17th with Dr. Mark Stein and his associates, or at our annual CODI Retreat which just took place on November 11th on our lovely Wesley campus, CODI brings the community together to create opportunities for growth, connection and acceptance.

This year’s CODI Retreat, “Social Justice at Wesley: What It Is and What It Looks Like” was facilitated by our DEIJ Consultant, Monique Marshall, and our very own Olivia Brown, 3rd through 8th grade Social Justice Teacher. We gathered together with open hearts and minds to gain insight into the social justice curriculum our children are learning at Wesley, and to identify ways to support our children’s growth around anti-bias education through leading by example.

The retreat was the epitome of our “community of belonging” as expressed in the opening line of our new mission statement. It was a day about connection, and an opportunity to reassess our identities without labels. Monique and Olivia reminded us that our children are still embracing their external identities and discovering their internal identities and created a “Brave Space” for us to do the same. We were thrilled to see a 40% increase in attendance over 2022, with members from the entire Wesley community from parents to alumni, to faculty and senior admin. We were also pleased that the inclusion of childcare allowed entire families to attend.

CODI keeps the community connected year-round through numerous Wesley Connections meetings and gatherings and Private School Village events such as the Sneaker Soiree on November 4th where our kindergarten teacher, Traci Allen was honored as Teacher of the Year for her social justice program!

CODI events like the CODI Cooking Series, which will kick off on December 6th with tamales, a Wesley holiday tradition since 2020, and our upcoming three-part Workshop Series with Monique Marshall beginning on December 14th, offer our community of parents additional opportunities to lean in, learn, and connect around Wesley’s anti-bias and social justice curriculum. Our annual Multicultural Potluck will take on a new look and feel this year on April 19th - you won’t want to miss it! CODI has a few more surprises up its sleeve, including a 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop Party Book so stay tuned for more information. We can’t stop, won’t stop!

Special thanks to CODI Leadership, the CODI Committee, Wesley Connections Leads, Private School Village Ambassadors, and every parent volunteer who leans in!

Happy Holidays from CODI! You Belong Here!

Thordis Howard & Melanie Elliott CODI Co-Chairs

16 Fresh from the inspiring experience of our CODI retreat in early November, and courtesy of the leadership we’ve enjoyed from Monique Marshall and the exceptional efforts of our social justice teachers in K - 2 and the guidance of Ms. Brown in grades 3 - 8, it’s a privilege to share an update with our community regarding our ongoing, ever-improving (but always important) anti-bias work at Wesley!

Our work is predicated on the Social Justice Standards, which feature four anchor standards/domains: Identity; Diversity; Justice; and Action. Each of these include smaller units of focus, articulated as short statements. For example: “Students will express pride, confidence, and healthy self-esteem without denying the value and dignity of other people” (Identity). “Students will respond to diversity by building empathy, respect, understanding, and connection” (Diversity). “Students will recognize stereotypes and relate to people as individuals rather than representatives of groups” (Justice). “Students will speak up with courage and respect when they or someone else has been hurt or wronged by bias” (Action).

What does this look like “live,” in our classrooms and activities? Here are a few samples from our first three months thus far…Identity, radical self-love, and affirmations in Kindergarten.

PRIDE (People Respecting Identity, Diversity, and Equity) and creating self-portraits in grade 1.

Virtual field trips to various cultures and countries in grade 2 (Latinx, Italian, Indigenous, Filipino). A historical survey of the Wampanoag tribe in North America prior to Western colonization in grade 3. Hispanic Heritage Month presentations in grade 4. Making Native American dolls in grade 5. Examining how race, ethnicity, and nationality frame historical implications in today’s world in grade 6. Heritage puzzle piece art projects in grade 7. Identity wheels in social justice class and identity, family, and society analysis in 8th grade English.

This is only the briefest of snapshots regarding this robust, progressively more embedded aspect of our curriculum. Please look forward to our parent education sessions with Monique Marshall over the coming months and our home-grown, administrative-led social justice night presentation in December for more details and information.

Greg Armbrister Assistant Head of School for Academics

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coach’s corner

Hello Sports Fans!

We had an exciting season to start the year off! The athletes improved at each practice and every game.

We fielded 11 teams this season in three sports. 99 athletes competed in basketball, football, and cross country.

Both 4th grade teams played hard from the jump.

The basketball team led by Coach Q played fierce defense and gave other teams fits. The football team led by Coach Drew figured out how to play as a team right away, with each athlete knowing exactly what their teammates were doing and what they needed.

In 5th grade, our two basketball teams started their practices together and then separated into their individual groups. After much hard work all around, both teams led by Coaches Matt and Campy were ready for the season and played in many close games.

The 5th grade football team led by Coaches Alan and Matt was serious about their game and showed their dedication in each practice and game. The team improved from last year and won more games.

The 6th grade basketball team directed by Coach Matt were eager to play this year. Athletes worked hard during practices in order to be ready for the challenging season they faced. They brought their all to the court and several of their games were real nail biters. The football team took their game seriously under Coach Q. After adding several new members to the team, they practiced hard and became a cohesive team. Games were close, and fun was had throughout the season.

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New faces were also found on the 7th grade football team. The team was a bit anxious about winning games this year, but they persevered and ended up above 500! Coach Drew had them flying around the field and gave each member on the team a role that worked towards their individual strengths.

8th grade football brought a seasoned team back together. With a couple of new members, Coach Stuart expanded his playbook and the result was an exciting season of football! The team started the year with a 1 point loss to Buckley, but continued with some impressive wins. The varsity team succeeded in becoming a playoff team this fall. Led

by Coach Matt, the team ended with a 4-2 record.

We are offering quite a few teams for the winter season. Winter sports will include field teams of girls’ soccer and boys’ basketball in grades 4-8 and boys’ soccer in grades 7 and 8. Sign ups have officially closed for winter sports, but if your student is still interested in joining a team please reach out to Coach Louie.

I’m looking forward to another fun and exciting season of sports at Wesley! As always - Go Lions!

Louie Rodriguez Athletic Director

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development office update Happy Fall Wesley Family!

It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I extend my warmest greetings to each of you. As the new Development Associate at The Wesley School, I am honored to become a part of this vibrant community and to contribute to the growth and success of our institution. It’s hard to believe how fast this year has taken flight. Nevertheless, I am delighted to say that I am settling comfortably into the rhythm of the new school year and hope you and your family are as well.

I previously worked at a nearby school in Studio City, and one of my responsibilities was to assist parents in finding schools that would best fit their child as they search for Kindergartens in and around the LA area. The question that parents would always ask was “Which school would you pick for your son?” In an effort to not sound biased, my normal, more appropriate response was to encourage families to go on tours, keep their options open and explore until they found a place that felt right not only for their child but also for their family. However, what I always wanted to say was that Wesley is, without a doubt, my top choice. It’s the warm, inclusive, intimate environment that makes our school stand out among the rest. I can attest to that now with my experience so far as an employee and as a hopeful future Wesley parent for my prospective Kindergartner come next school year.

As you all know, Wesley is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year and we just wrapped up our 25 Days of Giving Campaign, which ran from October 1st to the 25th. I am proud to report that we achieved 95% participation from current families! On behalf of the entire Wesley Community, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation for your generous contributions and commitment to the success of our students. Your philanthropic support allows both current and future generations of Lions to continue to roar with confidence and experience the magic of Wesley for years to come.

In the coming months, we have several exciting plans and initiatives in the pipeline, including our Teacher Outings Auction beginning November 29th, 2023 and our 25th Anniversary GALA on March 2nd, 2024. Stay tuned for updates on these events, fundraisers, and other opportunities that will contribute to the holistic growth of The Wesley School. Together, we have the power to shape the future of our school. Your support, ideas, and contributions are pivotal in propelling our initiatives forward. I am eager to collaborate with each one of you as we strive towards our collective goals for our children.

Before I let you go, I would like to express my gratitude to the Wesley Leadership Team, the entire faculty and staff, and all the Wesley families for the warm welcome I have received. Your dedication to the Wesley community is inspiring, and I am truly excited to embark on this journey alongside all of you.

All the best, Kevin Elbo Development Associate Parent to Gavin, Age 4

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admissions update Dear Parents, As human beings, we so often remark about how quickly time keeps marching on, so why is it that we say things like, “I can’t believe it’s the middle of November already?” Maybe it’s just that we find ourselves with so little time to just sit in the moment, any moment, because the pace of our lives is, quite honestly, ridiculous.

One of the things that we love to sit with, is the reflections we often receive from prospective families after they have visited our campus during the admissions season. It constantly reminds us of why we originally fell in love with this school whenever that was for each of us.

“On our first tour of the school, we had a response that was almost visceral -- all the facts we were hearing about Wesley were impressive (and the tour guides were, of course, ludicrously adorable and impressive), but beyond that, we just resonated with the feeling of the place.”

“We particularly appreciated your blend of progressive ideals and common sense grounding. A school community that's aspiring to do the necessary work to achieve genuine belonging for all its members is something that matters to us.”

“We have heard about The Wesley School often over the years and yet stepping onto campus today, seeing it for ourselves, and interacting with some of the people on campus, it was immediately obvious why Wesley is such a special place. Simply put, we were blown away.”

“You communicated what we are looking for in a school, one where students have close relationships with the adults around them and feel like valued members of their community.”

“Wesley is just so genuine. It is evident from your student ambassadors just how comfortable they feel in their school and in themselves, and how much they genuinely enjoy their experiences. We didn't think it was possible for middle schoolers to love math, but apparently Mr. Baharvand has cracked the code.”

So over the break, when maybe you have a moment or two to just sit, take a walk down memory lane and try to remember what it was that brought you to Wesley. It was then and continues to be today, a very special place.

Verena Denove & Lindsey Drasin Your Admissions Team

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pa update

Welcome to fall! We’re elated with how the school’s 25th Anniversary year has been going so far. Milestones like this provide us with the opportunity to reflect, to plan, and to grow. Since the start of the school year, we’ve embraced those opportunities and forged ahead!

To set a fun and nostalgic tone to the year, we gave PA branding a refresh. We also revamped the PA landing page of the Wesley website to include more relevant and useful information. A new volunteer sign-up system was implemented and has been showing success. We’d like to think the sassy new PA t-shirt we gifted to our parent volunteers may be helping a bit!?

To generate excitement, we kicked things off with a Back-To-School Spirit celebration out on the field (décor, photo opps for the kids, inspiration bracelets and motivational stickers for all). Plus, a special appearance from Leo the Lion courtesy of ‘23 Wesley Alum, Juni Matzdorff. An ‘ode to the year ahead made complete with early a.m. dance vibes presented by none other than DJ AG. Adam Gershon (Owen 6th and Luke 8th) we are continuously blessed by your talent and generosity. Thank you!

To strengthen connection, we hosted a Kinder through 8th Grade Room Parent mixer the second week of school.

We took time to reflect on where we’ve been and to discuss how we’d like to show up for one another as we move through this school year together. Our Room Parent Liaison, Jocelyn Baker (Keir 6th) focused on streamlining communication from the school and PA, to/from our Room Parents. This incredible group of women work tirelessly to make all our lives easier. A smile, a wave, a fist bump, or a hug… Kindness accepted!

To build community, we support one another, and we work together. There has been no shortage of volunteer opportunities and you parents have been stepping up! Here’s the roundup of our first few months of volunteer support both on/off campus:

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SEPTEMBER Organization, necessity, and community outreach. Tina Dickinson (Julian 6th) and Natalia Ewalt (Sofia 6th) put together another successful Uniform Recycle Sale, where parents got to drop off their gently used uniforms, as well as pick some up for the new school year. To support our Student Leadership Team, Christine O’Flaherty (Keira 7th) and Jessica Stewart (Sylvester 7th) have been organizing our food donation drivers. Louise Norman (Kai 7th) has been organizing our hot lunch volunteer servers. Under the direction of Jeanine Detz (Calvin 7th and Marlow 4th) we had an awesome group of dads help with the annual book swap, allowing our kids to pick up a few books reigniting their love of reading. Luz Herrera-Olaya (Mark 4th) organized our first Beach Cleanup of the year with Heal the Bay, and we had over 20 families participate. We miss you, Luz! Please note, as Ms. O moves into a part-time role we’ve added new volunteer opps this year: librarian helpers and the composting crew!

OCTOBER On/off campus FUN! We started off the month with the Wesley Family Picnic at Camp Keystone! Chris and Jeanne-Marie Lindsay (Violet 3rd and Gracie 5th) and their team did a wonderful job making sure the day ran smoothly and that we had plenty of things to keep the kids entertained. Not only did they surprise middle school students with a chill lounge, but they also organized a volleyball tournament for parents and kids under the guidance of Rachel Crane (Harlow 3rd).

As we crept into the Halloween season Jess Elliot (Rocco 3rd and Gemma 5th), Alexis Morton (Stella 5th and Maya 5th) and their team transformed our campus into a Halloween wonderland! Then, talk about a ‘save the last dance’ moment… Hands up to Jennifer James (Char 8th and Roman 6th) and Ilana Krechmer (Margo 4th and Ridley 8th) for stepping it up BIG TIME and saving the Halloween dance with just a few weeks to spare. It was epic! While the 7th & 8th graders were “Scream(ing) at the Stars”, the 6th graders had a backyard movie night at the Meyers’ (Nathan 7th & Emma 6th) home.

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pa update

OCTOBER Continued...

We’re convinced our Party Book co-chairs, Lauren Brandenstein (Cole 2nd, Jack 4th, and August 5th) and Mariah Leavitt (Declan 1st and Kinsley 4th) do not sleep. These ladies organized our first two party books of the year. “Spooktacular Movie Night with Mr. Greene” is and always will be, a fan favorite. “Halloween Party” was a NEW on campus pumpkin decorating event (courtyard games, arts & crafts, snacks, and bingo) followed by an organized group visit to a local area haunted house for kids. Both were a huge success!

The PA chose to reimagine Halloween this year with an event specifically for the kids. We organized a trick-ortreat celebration to end a fun-filled Halloween day on campus. Parent volunteers brought the kids to each classroom to trick-or-treat from the teachers. Thanks to all of you AND to all the parents who answered the call for donations from our Amazon Wishlist. We had so many goodies for the teachers to give away! Teachers and students raved about the event and are hoping it returns next year. It was the perfect way to end the month.

It’s been so much fun seeing new and familiar faces bringing so much energy to our events. We have a very busy November and December in store and look forward to all the excitement those events bring to our Wesley community. But first (and in case you missed our PA meeting this past week), please take a moment to enjoy a 2023 Halloween Slideshow by Sarah Francis, Communications & Social Media Associate at The Wesley School. _______________ “Don’t wait until the fourth Thursday in November, to sit with family and friends to give thanks.

Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!”

- Charmaine J. Forde _______________ With Gratitude, Marie Natividad & Angie Niemeyer Your PA Co-Chairs

campus kudos Traci Allen was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” award by Private School Village (PSV) for her work with Wesley’s social justice program. This program has helped our lower school students feel valued, seen, and heard, and Traci was announced as the winner at PSV’s Annual Sneaker Soirée.

Congratulations Traci!

Michelle Allegra had a blast this summer! She spent a couple of weeks at Kinder Camp with her new kiddos and it was so much fun. She did some traveling to June Lake, Las Vegas and Cabo, which was amazing! By the end of the summer she was ready to get back to all the smiling faces at Wesley!

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Summer Newsletter 2023/2024 4832 TUJUNGA AVE NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91601 818.508.4542 communications@wesleyschool.org