Wesley Summer 2021 Newsletter

Summer Newsletter 2021

Excerpts from...

Summer Highlights

New Wesley Fac/Staff!

Kinder Camp 2021 was a dream come true. I can’t fully explain how excited the teachers were to do camp in person this summer. From incredible pirate visits, koala observations, and unicorn books, to making dinosaur fossils and shark mosaics, we had a FANTASTIC time!

Evelyn believes in creating an environment that is compassionate and nurturing, yet builds resilience, independent thinking, and selfadvocacy. Evelyn is joining Wesley in the Fall of 2021 as our new 5th/6th Grade Math Teacher.

A Message from the Head of School As I considered a new theme for this year, I kept returning to the joy of learning, the delight in making new friends, and the satisfaction of completing tasks we had not been able to do before. Therefore, I have chosen this year’s theme of Discovery to highlight the excitement and wonder that education should embody.

IN THIS ISSUE

3 A Message from the Head of School Julie Galles

4 The Deans' Den (Band Level News)

11 Library Bulletin Clare O'Callaghan

12 Welcome New Faculty & Staff!

Michelle Allegra, Elizabeth Heneveld, LeLoni Bass & George Eleftheriades

6 CODI Corner

16 Development Office Update Tammy Rodriguez & Dyllan Fernandez

Traci Allen

7 Parents' Association Update

17 Admissions News Verena Denove & Lindsey Drasin

Marissa Seeman

8 Board of Trustees News David Monahan & Paolo Velasco

9 Summer PD Reflections Elizabeth Heneveld & George Eleftheriades

10 Coach's Corner JoAnn Neil

18 Summer Program Highlights

Joey Campanella, Kevin Greene & Rachel Mottaz

20 The Wesley App Wesley Communications

21 Campus Kudos

A Message from the Head of School

Dear Wesley Community As I begin my second school year with Wesley, I cannot help but look both backward and forward. We spent the last twelve months focusing on connection, even in the midst of the most disrupted year many of us have ever experienced. It is truly a testimony to the strength of the Wesley spirit that we have weathered this storm as well as we have.

Even though the storm is not over and we continue to have protective measures in place, we celebrate that children can return to campus full time this fall. As I considered a new theme for this year, I kept returning to the joy of learning, the delight in making new friends, and the satisfaction of completing tasks we had not been able to do before. Therefore, I have chosen this year’s theme of Discovery to highlight the excitement and wonder that education should embody.

Throughout this newsletter, you will find opportunities for discovery - from learning about our talented new faculty and staff members to a new section called "The Dean’s Den," which reflects our updated distributed leadership structure. You will also read of the fun and discovery that happened in our revamped summer programming, and be invited to discover the camaraderie and connection found through participating in parent opportunities such as our CODI group or our Parents’ Association.

We also embark on self-discovery this year as a school institution, as we complete the self-study required for our accreditation process through the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In learning more about ourselves, our mission, our areas of growth, and our aspirations, we become a stronger and more focused community. Additionally, our faculty and staff will continue to pursue professional development and we hope to offer educational opportunities to parents as well. In this way, Wesley will remain a learning community at all levels and we can enjoy the many journeys of discovery together.

Thank you for your involvement in our special school, and I look forward to connecting with and discovering more about each of you this year!

Julie Galles Interim Head of School

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The Deans' Den Band Level News

Welcome from your new Wesley Deans! We are excited to welcome you back on campus this fall and cannot wait to support you in our new "Dean" capacity! As you have no doubt heard, Wesley is moving away from the usual lower/middle school structure to a new banded grade level structure.

Starting in the fall, instead of Lower and Middle School Heads, there will be four "band-level" Deans, each of whom will support students, teachers, and families in two or three grade levels, under the supervision of Joey Campanella, whose title is now Associate Head of Program. As Deans, we will carry a combination of teaching and administrative duties, and will serve as the first administrative contact for parents in the grades that we guide. We look forward to working together as a team to promote constant and consistent communication across the entire school.

So without further ado, let us introduce ourselves to you!

Michelle Allegra Band One (Kindergarten - 2nd Grade) Dean Hello everyone! This is my 22nd year as a Wesley Kindergarten teacher, and I am so excited to expand my love of learning and professional growth on this new path of leadership as your K-2nd Grade Dean. I look forward to being a source of support for the K2nd faculty as well as the students and families. I will be sharing my lead teaching responsibilities with Traci Allen while assuming these new administrative ones.

Elizabeth Heneveld Band Two (3rd & 4th Grade) Dean Hello! This coming school year I will be the 3rd & 4th Grade Dean in addition to teaching 3rd Grade with my co-teacher, Katie Yoon. I am very excited to work with the families and teachers of both grades and to support our amazing students academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. I look forward to working with you this year!

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The Deans' Den Band Level News Deans FAQ

LeLoni Bass Band Three (5th & 6th Grade) Dean & Lead Dean Hello! I am thrilled to move into this new position as Wesley's new 5th & 6th Grade Dean. I am bringing prior administrative experience to support and lead my fellow Deans as well as their Lead Dean. I will also be serving in the new role of Coordinator of Inclusive Instruction, focusing on curriculum and teaching methodologies viewed through an anti-racist framework, and therefore extending and strengthening Wesley's commitment to this crucial work in the classroom.

George Eleftheriades Band Four (7th & 8th Grade) Dean Hello! This is my fourth year as a Wesley parent, ninth year as a Wesley teacher, and I am excited to be starting my first year as the Dean of 7th and 8th grades. While the position is new, and the times are uncertain, what is clear is that middle school educators are successful when we focus on creating strong connections with students and building school environments that support the social and emotional needs of every child.

Cultivating relationships and helping students navigate these challenging years have always been my goals as a classroom teacher, and I am grateful to be in a position from which I can assist my students beyond the confines of my classroom.

What does a Dean do?

Deans handle student issues, whether they are academic, behavioral, or socialemotional. They will work with the learning specialists and the new school counselors to support students and families. They will also be involved, along with the Associate Head of Program, in reviewing report cards, facilitating curriculum discussions, and encouraging collaboration across grade levels. Deans do not supervise or evaluate faculty members; that is the responsibility of the Associate Head of Program and the Interim Head of School.

How will this change the student experience at Wesley?

Students will be supported in their behavioral and social-emotional growth by the Deans instead of a Division Head. Since Deans have fewer students to support, they can work more closely with those students and the faculty within that Band.

How does this affect me as a parent? Who do I contact if I have a questions during the school year?

Parents' first point of contact will remain their child's classroom teacher. The Dean is available to parents for additional support or to handle larger issues, similarly to how Division Heads were available in the past.

Parents are always welcome to reach out to the appropriate Dean with concerns or questions. For larger or more complex issues, the Lead Dean, the Associate Head of Program, and the Interim Head of School are always available.

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CODI Corner We could never have predicted the last 18 months. Covid has changed the ways in which we connect with one another. The silver lining in all of this is that many of us have built deeper and stronger relationships with our families, friends, and colleagues. We value the importance of connection, collaboration, and community.

Despite the challenges of another pandemic year, the Wesley community continues to have a strong foundation built on support and encouragement. We have worked together to make an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. This of course, is an ongoing process. The work of DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, & Justice) is an institutional commitment that we are all responsible for upholding.

First, I would like to acknowledge that I am honored and overjoyed to accept my new role as Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusivity. I am eager to begin working on student programming, planning with CODI, leading the DEIJ committee, and collaborating with faculty, staff, and administration. I feel blessed to take over the position that was held by Trisha Singletary for much of Wesley’s history. All in the community are thankful for her leadership in guiding the direction of DEIJ at Wesley.

There are many opportunities for engagement in DEIJ endeavors that are open to faculty, staff, administration, and families, such as CODI. CODI is a Board committee that meets on one selected Tuesday of the month. Members of CODI engage in dialogues to further DEIJ in the community. The CODI cooking series was a big hit this year. We look forward to continuing the series. I’m excited for everyone to continue exploring the intersection between culture and food.

The new DEIJ faculty group is currently working on goals for the new year. Rachel Mottaz, Olivia Brown, Trisha Singletary, Barbara Goelman, and myself are members of this group. We will work together along with LeLoni Bass, Coordinator of Inclusive Instruction, to tackle DEIJ initiatives within the Wesley community.

As a community we have made great progress, but we must also acknowledge that there is continued need for growth. It is up to all members of the Wesley community - faculty, staff, administration, students, and families - to be committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. We must be focused on creating action and change for anti-racism at Wesley. I am hopeful and excited to witness this journey.

Traci Allen Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusivity

Parents' Association Update

First, I want to welcome all the new Wesley families to our community. I had the privilege of meeting many of you at the new parent cocktail parties and was blown away by the new energy and excitement. Wesley’s kind, diverse and accepting families are what sets our community apart. We welcome you with open arms, and look forward to getting to know your families at the upcoming events.

Going into the 2021-22 school year we decided to change the structure of the PA leadership to allow more working parents to get deeply involved, cultivate more inclusivity, and have a diverse group of parents on hand to examine and improve our community events. The leadership team consists of five parents: Adam Gershon, Soyon Halpin, Lisa Lange, Daphne McVay and Linda Malamut. Together with the PA chair, they will work to further the School's commitment to family, inclusivity, and community. We will plan programs and activities that enhance the connection among all members of the Wesley community.

We know many new and returning families are eager to be together on and off campus to rekindle and grow our community connections. We hear you and promise our team is working hard alongside the administration to find ways to be “together” safely, starting with our first “Family Night Out” dinner of the year at Buca Out Back (B.O.B.) in Sherman Oaks. On September 9th, the Wesley PA invites Wesley families to join one another for dinner outside at their communal picnic tables. This is just a fun way to kick off the school year and connect in a safe way! Stop by at any time between 4pm-9pm or pick a meet-up time with some friends!

We have hope that many of our school traditions will happen this year, and we also plan to bring back a few favorites from last year (hint: something you can eat and drink).

Enjoy the last days of summer and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Best, Marissa Seeman Parents' Association Chair

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Board of Trustees News The Board of Trustees is excitedly looking forward to the start of the 2021-2022 school year! We are deeply appreciative for the hard work that Julie and many others at Wesley have dedicated this summer to prepare for the return of our students.

This year the Board is comprised of 17 trustees: 14 of the trustees have children currently attending Wesley (ranging from grades 1-8) and there are 4 trustees who have children that graduated from Wesley. We welcome you to meet the 2021-22 Board of Trustees by clicking here.

Much of the work done by the Board is accomplished through its standing and ad-hoc committees.

Examples of committees include: Committee on Trustees – The Committee on Trustees nominates candidates to the Board to join The Wesley School Board of Trustees. How do parents become Board members? Board members usually get their start enthusiastically working on a committee for more than a year: they have been present at meetings, volunteer where help is needed on that committee, and bring with them knowledge and expertise of the world outside our community. Interested in being on the Board? Join a committee today!

Community of Diversity and Inclusion (CODI) - The Board continues to be inspired by CODI’s dedication to equity and inclusion. As a member of the Wesley community, you are already a member of the Community of Diversity and Inclusivity! This community committee facilitates many events on campus: middle school panels, guest speakers, and Community celebrations. We hope that in the Spring of 2022, CODI can once again host an in-person Multi-Cultural Potluck that celebrates the dynamic diversity of The Wesley School.

Development - Tuition alone does not cover the cost of providing an independent school education.

The Development committee oversees the fundraising program and leads the Board in its effort to secure critical philanthropic support to carry out Wesley’s mission. Our tight-knit community depends on the generosity of our families to thrive and grow. The start of a new school year is a wonderful time to give to support Wesley’s program. Your donation has an immediate impact on Wesley and we hope you will give a gift that is meaningful to you and your family.

Finance – The Finance committee works closely with the senior administration and oversees the toplevel budget for the School. The committee reviews performance to projections and planning for the future such as through overseeing the investment of funds, including our Endowment Fund. With our budget set for the 2021-22 school year, the Finance committee is starting its assessments for next year’s budget process.

The Wesley School’s Board of Trustees wishes a warm, happy, and safe welcome back to all in the Wesley Community. We look forward to an amazing year!

Paolo Velasco, Vice Chair & David Monahan, Chair

Professional Development Reflections

George Eleftheriades Band Four (7th & 8th Grade) Dean & 7th/8th Grade English Teacher This summer I was fortunate enough to attend AMLE’s annual conference. While spending three days in Orlando in late July does not sound ideal, it was an eye-opening experience that will help mold and guide me in my new role as the 7th and 8th grade Dean. I spent three thought-provoking days there, surrounded by other educators that are equally as passionate about adolescent education. The conferences helped me better understand how to most effectively create a responsive, challenging, empowering, equitable, and engaging learning environment. I look forward to sharing the wealth of knowledge and resources I attained with my colleagues and students.

Elizabeth Heneveld Band Two (3rd & 4th Grade) Dean & 3rd Grade Teacher This summer, I had the pleasure to participate in the California Teacher Development Collaborative (CATDC) workshop called “The Art of Leading Educators.” During this 2-day workshop, we discussed the application of different leadership styles and explored how to facilitate positive cultures of feedback and open dialogue in an organization. We also learned how to recognize indicators of individual and organizational resilience, and reflect on strategies for navigating during these difficult times. The workshop was attended by independent school educators across the state, along with Wesley’s Deans. It was an amazing experience, and I look forward to applying these new skills this school year!

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Coach's Corner

Parents, athletes, sports fans - forgive me if I get straight to the point. I hate Covid. We were hoping for a completely “normal” season in the fall and now, adjustments must be made. That’s not to say we’re not wholly committed to providing fun competition to our student-athletes in 4th through 8th grade; it’s just that there will be some limitations, some mask wearing, some eleventh-hour changes.

We are still offering 4th through 8th grade girls’ basketball and co-ed flag football, and 6th-8th grade co-ed swim and cross country. We are still going to compete against other schools. The biggest change is that we have to test within 72 hours of a game. With our school-wide testing on Tuesday, we will therefore only have games on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and yes, Fridays.

Each team will practice twice a week at the start of September, and then will likely have one practice a week and a game (games any day from Wednesday through Friday), for no more than a two-afternoon-perweek commitment.

The most important thing to know is that we’re playing sports! There will be no buses this season so I will be discussing parents driving our student-athletes to the games. My main expectation and goal for the season is that the students enjoy themselves, learn a thing or two about the sport and sportsmanship, and spend time outside of the classroom with their teammates. Possible? Of course!

Sign-ups for the fall season wrapped up yesterday, but please reach out to me if you are still interested in getting your child signed up. The benefits of exercise and athletic competition are myriad - too many to list here. You won’t regret the decision.

Going forward, let’s continue to do our best to tame the Covid-19 beast for the sake of us all, but particularly our children.

Hope the summer was a good one.

Please email me with questions and concerns.

JoAnn Egan Neil Director of Athletics

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Library Bulletin Clare O'Callaghan, Librarian Welcome back to the Library! A Kids Book About... is a publisher of books for kids aged 5-9 about difficult and important topics. Racism, depression, creativity, body image, failure, belonging, anxiety, optimism, you get the idea!

We have a copy of most of the books in the library and you are welcome to borrow those and other books anytime.

Every student has a library account that will be activated after school starts. To login, access the The Library Catalog HERE. Click on the login button in the upper left corner. Student usernames are their first initial and last name, and their passwords are their last name, all lower case.

Click HER E for a preview of exciting b ooks you can ch eck out from our li brary!

Parents, you too can get a library account and check out books! Just let Clare O'Callaghan know, and she will create one for you!

Birthday Books: Join this special Wesley tradition by bringing a new book to donate to the library on your birthday! After announcing your birthday in Community, you can present your Birthday Book by reading the title aloud and giving it to Ms. O. Ms. O adds a nameplate to each Birthday Book to acknowledge the students who donated. It's fun when students find a book with one of the birthday nameplates inside and are able to see who gave it and how long ago!

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New Faculty & Staff!

Welcome!

Kristen Inovejas Kindergarten Assistant Teacher & Assistant LEAP Associate Kristen is joining Wesley as a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant and LEAP Associate. She has been working with children for over 10 years in various capacities including after school programs, camps, as a registered behavior technician, and as a preschool teacher. Kristen grew up in San Luis Obispo and later moved to Los Angeles to earn her BA in Psychology from CSUN. She is drawn to teaching because she loves to see the small steps made everyday towards understanding something new. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys reading and listening to books, going to the beach, and spending time with her husband, Julian, and border collie, Buster.

Keisha Gorecho 2nd Grade Teaching Associate Keisha is excited to join the Wesley family as a 2nd Grade Associate Teacher. Keisha got her start working with children in 2013 as an elementary school tutor. She earned her BA in Liberal Studies Teacher Preparation from San Jose State University and completed the Multiple Subject Credential Program at CSUN. Before coming to Wesley, Keisha was part of a nonprofit literacy program that offers individualized reading support for under-resourced schools and worked as an associate teacher for an LA independent school for 3 years. In her free time, Keisha enjoys cooking with her husband, taking care of her plants, spending time by the beach, and loves all things art.

Gianna Pilato 1st Grade Lead Teacher Gianna is thrilled to begin her time at Wesley and cannot wait to start forming connections with her 1st grade students. Gianna is a SoCal native (from Pasadena) and quickly moved back to the sunshine after three years in Colorado, where she earned her MA in Education and Human Development. Gianna loves sharing her passion for literacy instruction and reading with first graders. She incorporates her theatrical background in the classroom to emphasize empathy and make learning dynamic and fun. When not in the classroom, you can find Gianna hanging out with her fiancé and corgi, Beans, working out, and reading. This will be Gianna’s last year with the last name Pilato, as she is getting married in July of 2022!

Katie Yoon 3rd Grade Co-Teacher Katie is excited to be teaching 3rd grade her first year at Wesley. She graduated from Boston College with BA’s in Elementary Education and Applied Psychology & Human Development, and went on to earn her MEd in Curriculum and Instruction. She has taught students ranging from second grade to fifth grade in public schools, charter schools, independent schools, and international schools in Boston, New York, Paris, South Korea, and California. Katie was initially drawn to Wesley's strong sense of community. In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, and listening to NPR and crime podcasts.

New Faculty & Staff!

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Bienvenue!

Daisha Johnson 4th Grade Lead Teacher Daisha has known she wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps to become a teacher for as long as she can remember. Daisha spent much of her childhood in the classroom volunteering, tutoring, and learning the ins and outs of the classroom from elementary to high school. After earning her BA from Loyola Marymount University with an emphasis in special education, she joined a 4th grade teaching team alongside her mother. She cannot wait to enter her fourth year of teaching at Wesley in another 4th grade classroom! She is passionate about math and loves to help students discover new tips and tricks. Daisha is excited to join the Wesley family and foster the growth of her students.

Susan Salazar Kindergarten-4th Grade Science Teacher Susan is a native of Southern California and has lived most of her life in the San Gabriel Valley. She earned her BA in Psychology from USC and went on to earn her MA in Education along with her preliminary multiple subject credential from Pacific Oaks College. Before joining the Wesley family, she taught middle school science and social studies in a small public charter school near her home. She is delighted to be teaching science at Wesley. Susan has two daughters, two cats, and a tortoise. In her spare time, she loves watching her daughters play soccer, daydreaming about visiting her mom and sister in Mexico, and making soap for friends and family.

Diana Tutundzhyan 4th Grade Teaching Associate Diana is joining The Wesley School as a 4th Grade Associate Teacher. She graduated from CSUN in December 2020 with a BA in Liberal Studies and a Credential in Teaching. She has always had a strong passion for teaching and always knew she wanted to pursue a career in education. Diana is so excited to be joining the Wesley team and cannot wait to leave a lifelong impact on her students. In her spare time, she loves to hike, shop, spend time with her family, and drink Starbucks!

AnaSofia Nallar Kindergarten - 5th Grade Spanish Teacher AnaSofia was born in La Paz, Bolivia, South America and moved to the United States as a teenager. She later moved back to Bolivia to study Spanish at the Universidad Mayor de San Andres. After getting married, AnaSofia returned to the U.S. and earned her BS in Psychology and Computer Science at the University of Phoenix. She has worked in independent schools for 16 years, and the last 8 years as a Spanish teacher at the elementary and middle school levels. She believes that all students are gifted and unique, and cannot wait to create a safe and challenging environment which allows each student to learn their full potential. In her spare time, AnaSofia enjoys listening to music, dancing, and spending time with her family.

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New Faculty & Staff!

Bienvenida!

Samantha Schuermann 5th Grade Humanities Teacher Samantha is joining The Wesley School as our 5th Grade Humanities Teacher. She has been an educator for the past 6 years, having had the privilege to teach internationally in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Samantha earned her BA in Political Science at Syracuse University in New York, and her MA in Political, Legal, and Economic Philosophy at the University of Bern in Switzerland. She is originally from Cleveland, Ohio but has lived abroad for the past decade. Samantha has two children, the oldest of whom will be joining the Wesley family as a Kindergartener this year. In her spare time, Samantha loves to photograph the special moments with her husband and kids, bake chocolate chip cookies, and take naps.

Evelyn Betancourth 5th & 6th Grade Math Teacher Evelyn has been an elementary and middle school teacher at independent schools for 25 years. She earned her BA in Sociology from UC Irvine and has extensive professional development in multi-modality learning, differentiated instruction and teaching success attributes. She believes in creating an environment that is compassionate and nurturing, yet builds resilience, independent thinking, and self-advocacy. Evelyn is joining Wesley in the Fall of 2021 as our new 5th/6th Grade Math Teacher. She brings with her 16 years of experience teaching Spanish and math to middle school students! In her spare time, Evelyn enjoys hiking, road tripping, and walking on the beach with her daughter.

Jennifer Allen 7th & 8th Grade Science Teacher Jenn Allen was born and raised in Seattle, WA. She earned her BA in Elementary Education from Arizona State University in 2014 and taught 5th grade science in Phoenix for three years. In 2017, she started a unique graduate program through the University of Washington. She spent the first year teaching, learning, and living at IslandWood, an environmental education school on Bainbridge Island, WA. She wrapped up her MA in Science Education with a quarter studying the feeding habits of Kelp Crab at Friday Harbor Labs and a quarter on UW's Seattle campus. Upon graduating, Jenn returned to teach at IslandWood. In October of 2019, she embarked on a life-changing backpacking journey through Latin America, which was cut short due to the pandemic. Upon her return to Seattle, she stepped in as the 9th grade science teacher at the same high school she attended as a teen. Jenn is excited to join the Wesley team as our 7th/8th grade science teacher. In her free time, Jenn likes to bike, do yoga, go to the beach, camp, and spend time with her quarantine kittens.

New Faculty & Staff!

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Willk ommen !

Emily Martino 6th-8th Grade Learning Specialist Emily is from the beautiful Bay Area of Northern California. She attended Loyola Marymount University, where she earned her BA in Political Science with minors in Italian and Art History. Upon graduation, she worked for Teach for America and began her teaching career in a 7th grade classroom. She spent three years teaching in Rome and has pursued her education further to obtain MA’s in Special Education and Literacy from LMU and CalState Fullerton respectively. She loves teaching and has a passion for helping all students feel successful and achieve their goals. She is thrilled to join the Wesley community as a 6th8th grade learning specialist!

Polly Grant School Counselor Polly has been working in education since 2008, first as a primary (elementary) school teacher in London, and then as an educational and child psychologist. A dedicated academic, she earned her BA in Psychology from Manchester University, her MA in International Studies & Diplomacy from the University of London, and her Doctorate in Educational & Child Psychology from University College London. Since moving to Los Angeles, Polly has worked as a school psychologist and learning specialist. Outside of work she enjoys biking, yoga, swimming, and camping trips to Joshua Tree. She also enjoys doing nothing at all!

Fredrick Williams School Counselor Fredrick has been a member of the Wesley community since January 2017, and he is returning to campus this year as a School Counselor. Prior to joining the counseling team, he began his time at Wesley as a long-term substitute teacher and drumming enrichment instructor. Fredrick initially earned his BA in Acting & Music with a minor in Psychology at Boston University, where he cultivated his passion for teaching and the arts. In the fall of 2020, Fredrick graduated with his MA in Psychology from Antioch University with a Specialization in Trauma and Child Studies. For his Master’s Thesis at Antioch, Fredrick piloted a middle school mental health curriculum for parents and adolescents. In his spare time he loves hiking, playing with his 90 lb pit bull, King, drumming, and spending time with his wife, Wesley 4th Grade Teacher Hanna Williams!

Fredrick looks forward to serving the Wesley community, and is honored to return to The Wesley School in a new capacity.

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Development Office News Tammy Rodriguez, Director of Development & Dyllan Fernandez, Development Associate

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make last year as successful as possible! We all went into last school year uncertain of where it would lead us and how we could succeed. The way the Wesley community came together in support of one-another was truly heartwarming.

Our Annual Fund raised over $317,000 thanks to the philanthropic support from members of the Wesley community like yourself. Your generous gifts allowed us the flexibility to adapt to an uncertain and unpredictable year.

The Wesley Commons (formerly the Sport Court and field) was completed this summer and we cannot wait for you to see it—and for the kids to start playing on it! They will enjoy new flooring, redone handball and rock walls, a new hopscotch zone, and so much more. All of this was made possible through generous donations made at our online Game On Gala in the spring.

Coming off of the excitement of the summer, we are looking forward to starting the school year and can’t wait to kick off the 2021-22 Annual Fund with a 100 Days of Giving campaign on October 13th. The Annual Fund is our most important fundraiser of the year and we can't wait to hit our goal of 100% participation in 100 days! If you would like to get a head start, you can make a donation or pledge at wesleyschool.org/give.

Finally, keep an eye out for a “Guide to Giving at Wesley” this fall. It will explain the ins and outs of the school’s fundraising efforts, tell you about the fun fundraising events we have coming up, and break down the difference between Development Office fundraisers and those that benefit the Parents’ Association or other aspects of Wesley life.

Thank you so much for your support. We can’t wait to see you all soon!

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

Summer is almost over and we are SO ready for this school year to begin. Just a few months ago, we were hopeful that we were moving into a much changed landscape when it came to the pandemic, anticipating the removal of many protocols for the fall. And while we are having to readjust that thinking in light of the Delta variant and the uptick in infections and hospitalizations, we remain incredibly grateful that we are starting off this school year with all students on campus and in a very different environment than last fall.

Together we have navigated an incredibly challenging 18 months. This time taught us much about our community; how to be resilient in the face of often overwhelming situations, how to support one another even when we didn’t always agree with one another, how to pivot and adjust time and time again as we learned more about this virus and how it behaved, how to teach, connect, and be present even when we couldn’t actually be in each other’s company. And, during all this, we have continued to add even more enhancements to our campus and our program that I know have led to The Wesley School finding itself in increasing demand on the admissions front.

At the start of last year, our enrollment had definitely suffered in light of the pandemic and families facing difficult decisions. In only one year, we find ourselves at our highest enrollment ever and have simultaneously met our goal of continuing to build the diversity of both our student body and our faculty. We are welcoming over 70 new students this year, 45 to 50 in a typical year! Our student body this year is represented by 45% students of color and of our full time faculty, 32% are people of color. By comparison, these numbers among NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) are 31% students of color and 19% faculty of color for the 2020-21 school year. While the mission to have a multicultural community is arguably a goal of most independent schools, the reality of creating an environment where DEIJ (diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice) work and the teaching and modeling of these goals exists, is massively facilitated when the community itself provides a rich and diverse experience for all its members.

We all share a responsibility in helping grow young people who have the skills to be sensitive, kind, articulate, and knowledgeable communicators who can be the global citizens of our future. Thank you to each and every one of you who continue to share and build awareness about the community that is Wesley!

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Summer Program Highlights

It was a very active summer on the Wesley campus, and it was truly a treat to have many of our amazing students and teachers engaging in a range of activities and classes. Starting on June 21 with our 6th through 8th grade summer classes and extending through the end of July, with our Kindergarten and 1st through 5th grade programs, students of all grade levels brought their wonderful energy and enthusiasm to classes that focused on academic preparation, fun activities like Pokémon and Circus Arts, and athletic sessions. It was an opportunity for students and teachers to connect, have fun, and gain some valuable preparation in starting the school year.

Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades engaged in summer classes for English, math, Spanish, and study skills in a more “laid back” environment with their Wesley teachers. They learned academic content, developed valuable skills, and enjoyed connecting with each other in and outside of the classrooms. After the first week of summer classes, an enthusiastic 6th grade student eagerly commented to me, “Summer school is so much better than I thought it would be! It’s actually fun!” I believe that this sentiment, while maybe not quite unanimous, was shared by most students.

Below are some reflections from our 6th-8th grade summer school teachers.

Mr. Baharvand, our Math teacher, commented: “I thought the summer program went extremely well.

Students were engaged, enthusiastic, and highly motivated each day. Also, students benefited greatly from the summer session in filling some possible academic gaps and preparing them to start the school year strong. Summer classes helped them to build a solid foundation in their understanding and definitely increased their confidence. I thought it was great!”

From Mr. Campy, who taught Spanish and Study Skills: “For the students, summer school is a very strange but good mix of ‘Why am I in school during summer?’ and ‘Whoa! This is actually pretty loose, fun, and helpful!’ For me it's a wonderful preview of students to come as well as a time to maintain the relationships built in the year before. It was really a positive experience for students and teachers alike.”

And Mr. Eleftheriades observed about his English classes: “What a joy it was to be back in the classroom after teaching summer school online last year! The kids showed up bright and early on hot summer days, with smiles under their masks, like only Wesley kids can. We read stories in the library, wrote about them in the classroom, and shared them in gallery walks. The kids learned while enjoying the company of their peers.

Summer Program Highlights

In the Kindergarten-4th Grade program, our youngest students had the chance to get to know each other, their Kindergarten teachers, and the campus in our Kinder camp. Rachel Mottaz, one of our fabulous lead Kindergarten teachers, had this to say about her experience: “Kinder Camp 2021 was a dream come true. I can’t fully explain how excited the teachers were to do camp in person this summer. From incredible pirate visits, koala observations, and unicorn books to making dinosaur fossils and shark mosaics, we had a FANTASTIC time! Masking and COVID restrictions didn’t stop us from making new friends, learning about our numbers and letter sounds or rescuing pirate treasures from ice sculptures. The kids were ready and willing to try everything, work hard, and make better mistakes tomorrow. The other teachers and I are excited to welcome this amazing new batch of Kindergarteners to The Wesley School!”

And Kevin Greene, a lead 3rd grade teacher and resident Pokémon expert, had a blast in his Pokémon class this summer: “The Pokémon summer class at Wesley rocked! The 1st through 5th grade students immersed themselves in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Together, they discovered a whole new card game with over 2,000 cards available to play. The students learned about the characters on the cards and their strengths, strategies of play, fairness in trading, and how to build decks and compete. Most importantly, they found a new hobby they could all enjoy together! It was so much fun that it will most definitely be coming back in the 2021-2022 Enrichment Program.”

With an active and stimulating summer program behind us, we are excited to welcome our students back to campus on September 8!

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SCAN ME!

A Special Kudos to Joel & Nacho!!

A special shout out to our AMAZING facilities team, Joel and Nacho!! They have worked incredibly hard to get our campus beautiful, clean and bright for our return to school this fall.

From fixing the climbing wall and office renovations to moving furniture/filing cabinets/bulletin boards and power washing everything, they have been on a mission to prepare everything for us. Thank you both for all your dedication and hard work!!!!

Campus Kudos From Ms. Hannah Rodner: Ms. Hannah Rodner and her husband welcomed their first baby! Their little girl, Poppy, was born on July 1st and is an absolute ray of sunshine! Everyone is healthy and very, very happy.

From Mrs. Carlye De Haven Kesner: Mr. and Mrs. Kesner are so excited to announce they are expecting their first child, a baby girl, due on Thanksgiving!

Big fur brother Copper is THRILLED to have a new playmate join the family.

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Campus Kudos Cont.

From Mrs. Verena Denove: Mrs. Verena Denove is thrilled to announce the birth of her first grandchild, Lia Elise Denove, on June 28th! Parents Tony and Gina are settling into their roles, and grandma has added babysitting to her list of new responsibilities!

From Mrs. Tammy Rodriguez: Mrs. Tammy Rodriguez dropped her oldest son, Andrew, off at college for the first time to start his sophomore year at San Jose State University!

Many tears were shed, but she is so proud and excited for him to start this new chapter of his life. Go Spartans!

From Ms. Sarah Francis: Ms. Sarah Francis was accepted into the MFA in Creative Writing program at MSMU and will begin her degree pursuit this fall. Her thesis will focus on creative nonfiction and she is very excited to get started!

Campus Kudos Cont.

From Ms. Julie Galles: Ms. Julie Galles earned her 2nd Degree Black Belt in the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do! She is proud of this latest accomplishment and to continue to share her passion for this art form with those who wish to explore it.

From Mrs. Rachel Mottaz: Mrs. Mottaz's husband, Phillip, has self-published a mystery novel! Titled The Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air, it is the first in his Psychic Barber Mystery series and is available everywhere except Amazon. Click here for more details or just ask Mrs. Mottaz so she can gush about it with you!

From Miss Michelle Allegra: There's no better way to travel than with your best friends! Mrs. Melinda Vazquez, Miss Michelle Allegra and Mrs. Alice Kappy had a great time traveling to Cabo for their birthdays! They had a blast!

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Summer Newsletter 2021

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