Winter 2024 Newsletter

Winter Newsletter Winter Newsletter

2023/2024 issue #3

a message from the head of school

From Kindergarteners learning about numbers and celebrating the 100th day of school, to the constant and wonderful flow of poetry coming out of 1st grade, to 4th graders presenting projects on Black inventors, to the 7th graders producing their play, there is a lot going on!

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION UPDATE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION UPDATE

One of our biggest goals has always been to foster a sense of belonging on campus. We not only try to make our events feel welcoming, we strive to make every child and family feel seen and represented. We’ve supported and partnered with families to celebrate and create displays for things like Hispanic Heritage Month, Filipino American History Month, Hanukkah, Black History Month, and Lunar New Year.

the deans’ den the deans’ den

Throughout the month of February, all grades are learning about Black Jazz musicians that have defined the Jazz Genre and listening to samplings of their music. We started 2024 with the question: Why is music a universal language?

in this Issue

A Message from the Head of School

Julie Galles, Head of School

The Deans’ Den

Winter Student Art Feature

Trisha Singletary, K-8 Art Teacher

Board of Trustees News

Dave Monahan, Wesley Board Chair

Jenny Hollier, Wesley Board Vice Chair

DEIJ at Wesley

Monique Marshall, DEIJ Consultant

Coach’s Corner

Louie Rodriguez, Athletic Director

Parents’ Association Update

Marie Natividad & Angie Niemeyer, PA Co-Chairs

Development Office Update

Tammy Rodriguez, Director of Development

Kevin Elbo, Development Associate

Admissions News

Verena Denove, Director of Admissions

Campus Kudos

Page 2

Page 3-12

Page 13-16

Page 17-18

Page 19-20

Page 21

Page 22-23

Page 24-25

Page 26 Page 27

A Message from the head of school 2

Dear Wesley Family and Friends,

The winter is truly an “in between” time in schools like Wesley, since on the surface there is a lot of waiting. We are waiting to learn who will join us next year as new students and families. We are waiting to hear about any faculty and staff positions we will need to fill. Our 8th graders are waiting impatiently to hear from high schools and also eagerly awaiting their trip to London next month Yet beneath that surface, there is also tremendous learning going on From Kindergarteners learning about numbers and celebrating the 100th Day of School, to the constant and wonderful flow of poetry coming out of 1st grade, to 4th graders presenting projects on Black inventors, to the 7th graders producing their play, there is a lot going on! In addition, there is a buzz of excitement following Greg Armbrister (“Mr. A” to the children) being named the Head-elect and the anticipation of our new Division Directors joining the team Leadership transitions are always accompanied by nervous-excited feelings at school and among families, so it’s nice to have some positions resolved.

We are just past half way through this Year of Celebration and we are looking forward to some really significant and meaningful celebratory moments in the coming months. We celebrated Wesley’s 25th Birthday during Community on Feb 26th, and we will again at our Wesley in Wonderland Gala Following that, don’t miss the Science Fair and the Book Fair, both coming up in March, as well as the newly redesigned Multicultural Festival in April, and the Art Show and Palooza in May. Sprinkled throughout are various party book and Wesley Connections events, so there is something for everyone. We’ll celebrate all the way to the end of the year!

Thank you for ensuring the Wesley community stays strong and continues to exemplify our mission of creating a community of belonging

Julie Galles Head of School

the deans’ den

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisibletothe eye.”

— AntoinedeSaint-Exupéry, TheLittlePrince

As this newsletter is shared with our community, we will already have been given the opportunity to marvel at the celebration of imagination and sense of wonder Ms. Lanctot’s 7th Grade thespians provided for us in their stage adaptation of the classic novella. The excellence onanartisticandtechnicallevelthatourperformers,director,andcrewsoproudlydisplayedin the Social Hall stands on its own merit. As we leave the story behind on our metaphorical journey to the next asteroid, however, perhaps it is now time to focus on one of the enduring ideas of the story: that children, open-minded, curious and adaptable, deserve to live in that state as long as possible. The cares and concerns of adulthood, always imminent, don’t really needtobeaccelerated,dothey?

Living this is becoming more and more complex in our modern world. With the deluge of evermore-intrusive information and opinion inundating all of our lives, maintaining a youthful spirit of optimism is increasingly challenging. What is invisible to the eye, emanating from the heart, can’t be taken for granted, and it deserves careful cultivation. As we nurture our learners it merits consideration that in order for them to become and remain joyful, compassionate, confident, and creative explorers in the world’s community, the necessity of guiding them towards an understanding that what stems from within is ultimately the only reliable means of maintainingtheabilitytoseefromtheheart.

It is notable that during the recently concluded school leadership searches, all candidates, including myself, discussed the indefinable but clearly well-established and authentic feeling of community and belonging that is omnipresent at Wesley. It can be reflected in action, but it isn’t truly seen - it is felt. A commitment to preserving and encouraging that state begins with carefully ensuring that our children are able to remain children, even as they progress through their appropriate developmental journey towards adolescence. This is in no way to suggest that our students should be sheltered or that they should not be allowed to experience the ups and downs of the journey - instead, it is simply to propose that they are always given the opportunity to remember that many of the most incredible things in life are meant to be felt, rather than seen. Even as we become more established and often constrained versions of ourselvesinadulthood,wouldn’titbewonderfultomaintainaccesstothatconcept?

GregArmbrister AssistantHeadofSchoolforAcademics

Band

What a blast the kindergartners have had this Winter! Our bookstore celebration to end our “Show and Tell” unit in Writing was a huge success. Our 1st grade friends and teachers, as well as faculty and staff, came to buy books, relax at the cafe, and had their books signed at an author signing station. All of the kindergartners felt a strong sense of pride upon completing their books! A fun time was had by all! Mrs. Mottaz and Miss Anderson’s class performed exceptionally in the December Open House. The kiddos shared the importance of loving ourselves as well as other people by stating their own affirmations. Our kindergartners landed on “Respect River” during Social Justice time. They gained an understanding of respect and acquired the skills to demonstrate it towards both themselves and others. For their final project, they were tasked with crafting a Respect Paper Doll representing someone they hold dearandadmire.Weallcelebratedour100thDayofSchooltogetherandarelookingforwardto ourSpringFieldTrips!

This trimester in 1st grade has been filled with energy and excitement as the crew sets off on their MARP (My Animal Research Project) adventures! Our 1st grade animal lovers and researchers are roaring and ready to use their MARP binders, books, and technology to gather their animal facts! Both 1st grade classes confidently and creatively led Community celebrating acceptance,poetry,friendshipandthe100thDayofSchool!

Our 2nd grade students have been working diligently and productively in all areas of study. In Writing, they have been learning to craft compelling arguments and critiques in their opinion pieces, showcasing their ability to express their thoughts effectively. In Math, students have learned how to tell time with both analog and digital clocks. They have developed their skills by using different strategies in adding and comparing 3-4 digit numbers and can skillfully utilize place value and base 10 blocks to demonstrate their problem solving strategies. Social Studies has been a journey of cultural exploration and appreciation for our students. They have delved into the histories of various cultures and celebrated the contributions of heroes committed to social justice and equality. This month, the focus shifted to Black History Month, where students immersed themselves in the stories of brave activists who led boycotts and fought against unjust laws and policies, fostering a deep understanding of the importance of equality. They have delved into the histories of various cultures and celebrated the contributions of heroes committed to social justice and equality. Additionally, the students celebrated the achievements of great artists, inventors, and patriots, recognizing their indelible impactonsociety.

the deans’ den

Band 1, continued

Our lower school science program has been very busy this winter! In kindergarten, students have been exploring all about weather. They have been investigating precipitation, different types of clouds, and even became meteorologists by tracking the weather and making predictions about future forecasts. They also learned about extreme weather events and practiced how to prepare and respond to weather related emergencies.

In 1st grade, students have been exploring plant relationships and traits. They began investigating the life cycle of plants, plant parts and functions, how parent plants and their offspring have similar traits passed down, and how plants can grow in different conditions Students even got the opportunity to grow lima bean seeds without soil!

In 2nd grade, students have been investigating how water shapes the Earth's surface They constructed and used models of mountains to demonstrate that water flows downhill, and in the process, transforms huge rocks into the tiny grains of sand we find at the beach. Students also built model hills to determine the causes of erosion, and have begun designing solutions to problems caused by erosion. They had extra fun exploring a treacherous area in Texas known as Flash Flood Alley and explored the conditions needed for flash floods to occur. They are currently learning about the amazing way water shaped one of the seven natural wonders of the world, The Grand Canyon.

Band 2, 3rd & 4th Grades

In honor of Black History Month, 3rd grade students have been engaged in different activities relating to Black History in the classroom Each student read a biography and researched how their contributions impact us today This project helped facilitate important conversations about the struggles African Americans faced and still face today, as well as highlighted important figures and their accomplishments In addition, Ms Yoon led a Lunar New Year activity with both 3rd grade classes to celebrate the Year of the Dragon! Students made Korean drums, learned how different cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year, and learned about their zodiac signs.

In math, 3rd graders wrapped up a unit on graphing in which they learned how to organize information to create a scaled picture graph and bar graph. Students also practiced more complex two step word problems including information from graphs. Next up is geometry and the students are super excited to work with shapes finding the area of various regions! In writing, 3rd graders recently “upgraded” their opinion writing skills to create a more complex opinion piece. We’re so proud of all the 3rd graders! Looking forward to the second half of the school year!

In Math, 4th grade started their measurement unit Students measured classroom items and converted measurements The students also did a “Measuring the School” project in teams to measure different parts of the school and calculated area and perimeter In reading, 4th graders started their historical fiction book clubs. The four books the students are reading are Quake, Island of the Blue Dolphins, If the Fire Comes, and By the Great Horned Spoon. Students learned the symbols of California in social studies. This included the state flag, state song and even state dinosaur! In writing, 4th graders are continuing to practice paragraph writing skills by writing nonfiction paragraphs connected to Social Studies. Students began their writing with an outline, then wrote a rough draft and finally typed their published piece.

Third grade students have been comparing and contrasting the life cycles of both animals and plants. Students created models to build an understanding that all organisms share certain stages in their life cycles, enjoyed visiting the fictional town of Pondville to come up with solutions to their pesky mosquito problem, and enjoyed making model flowers and bees to learn about the importance of pollination While investigating plant reproduction, 3rd graders became "science fruit experts" by dissecting different fruits and vegetables to see how some seeds grow

In 4th grade, students kicked off our Birth of Rocks unit by exploring the rapid process of volcanic eruptions and mapping several of the world's volcanoes located on The Ring of Fire! They embarked on their first science research project by investigating a specific volcano, learning how to classify it, looking into its eruption history, and making predictions about future eruptions.

In contrast, students have also begun exploring some of Earth's gradual processes known as weathering and erosion. A fun lab students recently explored was testing their "shaking skills" on sugar cubes to model why rocks at the tops of mountains are jagged and those at the bottom are rounded

Music K - 5th Grades,

Well, HELLO Music 2024! THE Holiday show was a tremendous success and came off without a hitch!

Thank you to EVERYONE who made the students look and sound so great! Now, students can actually take a moment to enjoy their success and prepare for larger class projects, communities and school assemblies.

Students are thoughtfully singing songs that reflect:

K - Earth and Aliens

1st - Acceptance

1st - 100th Day of School

2nd - Lunar New Year

3rd - Composting

4th - Black Excellence

5th - Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival field trip

Throughout the month of February, all grades are learning about Black Jazz musicians that have defined the Jazz Genre and listening to samplings of their music We started 2024 with the question: Why is music a universal language? Students have been talking about this in all classes and determining if it relates to the Nationalistic and Romantic periods in music Students have also discovered DYNAMICS and how it can help reflect emotions The Music room is always rocking at Wesley and we look forward to seeing you in Community or on campus as the students strut their stuff! Stop in anytime!

Band 3, 5th & 6th Grades

In Introduction to Acting, 5th graders have been reviewing the tools in their actor toolbox: Ensemble, Voice, Movement, and Brain. Using improvisation, Viola Spolin theater games, Viewpoints, and other tried and true theater techniques, students are discovering how to work in a cohesive group and feel confident taking the stage. Soon, students will dive into rehearsals for a couple of short plays: their opportunity to implement everything they have learned thus far

Sixth graders have discovered the unique possibilities of what the performing arts can be They first learned the fundamentals of acting, such as objective, tactics, given circumstances, voice, and improvisation. They then dived into a brief unit on World Theater, studying traditions from Kabuki in Japan to Chicano Theater right here at home in Los Angeles. Recently, students finished writing their own original monologues from the perspective of their own original characters and will be performing them for one another in class. Students will wrap up the trimester by studying Shakespeare and learning how to "speak the speech" of Shakespeare's language.

During Humanities, 6th graders have been busy traveling to Ancient Mesopotamia, as well as honing their writing skills. After reading The Epic of Gilgamesh for Teen Readers, students wrote a five paragraph essay responding to a self-selected topic It was fun reading the various hooks 6th grade writers used to draw the reader into their essays! In addition to the essay, students selected a final assessment, of their choice, from a list of possibilities Dioramas such as Gilgamesh and Enkidu fighting the Hambawa and the serpent stealing the forbidden fruit, creatively produced iMovies, board games, beautiful artwork, and an original seventh chapter script adorn our classroom. Some students even chose to take a traditional test! Mesopotamia Madness also hit our studies as students worked through brackets towards a final debate aiming to choose the most important Mesopotamian invention. Public speaking and logic skills converged to create many passionate debate rounds! It was fun to wrap up our unit by students creating cuneiform tablets of their names. Next stop…Ancient Egypt! For DEIJ work around Lunar New Year, 6th graders researched and discovered Ancient China, then read and analyzed Chinese fairy tales to identify cultural references in the text. This was followed by students writing their own fairy tales which reflected the elements of a fairy tale and references to Ancient China The class loved sharing and enjoying each other’s work

In 6th grade math, students are learning about unit rates and percentages Recently, they did a math lab with windup toy cars - where students measured and calculated the speed (unit rate) of a toy car on different surfaces, such as carpet, concrete, and plastic picnic tables. In teams, students used iPads to time the distance the car travels in one meter. Students applied the scientific method while making connections between the science and math concepts they are learning. It was a fun day!

the deans’ den

Band 4, 7th & 8th Grades

Seventh and 8th graders are continuing to impress us! They are comfortable with their teachers, and their growth is remarkable They had a blast at the Winter Formal, and the chaperones could not have been more proud It was a pleasure to watch them dance, eat, laugh, and have an incredible evening Our 8th graders are all done with their high school applications and are anxiously awaiting their London trip

With the start of the new year in 7th grade history, we wrapped up our unit on the medieval Muslim world culminating with the Crusades and the cultural diffusion that subsequently took place and changed the course of history especially for Europe. Since then we’ve traveled a bit east to India where we explored the Gupta Empire and the many cultural advances that occurred during its “golden age” Now we have moved on and have traveled to West Africa where we are exploring the geography of this amazing place and correlating how the geography has affected the culture there From there we will look into the Empire of Mali, Ghana, and Songhai that dominated the region during the Middle Ages

In English, our 7th graders completed a study of the novel The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. After reading the book, students became more aware of their own identity, the reliability of a narrator, and were able to make text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-toworld connections. We questioned the significance of individuality, social acceptance, nature, nurture, peer influence, and the costs and benefits of conformity We also analyzed the poetry of Robert Frost and Bob Dylan in order to better understand Hinton's authorial intent

Our 8th graders are currently taking a London preparation course with Mr Campy and Mr Eleftheriades so that they have historical context and a better understanding of the sites and shows they are experiencing. We are very excited to chaperone them across the pond.

In 8th grade technology class, students were introduced to Adobe Firefly, a standalone generative AI web application which offers new ways to analyze, create, and communicate while significantly improving creative workflows The creators of Firefly believe that people should be empowered to bring their ideas into the world precisely as they imagine them Using text prompts in a responsible manner, 8th graders were able to add or remove content from any image, click and drag beyond the image border to seamlessly fill the expanded canvas with matching content, and create design variations quickly and efficiently. Students learned about the pros and cons of AI and how Firefly was created in accordance with Adobe’s AI ethics principles of accountability, responsibility, and transparency. Needless to say, students have been creating some imaginative and fun images using this future of technology.

In 8th grade history we wrapped up the American Revolution upon returning from winter break Now that the United States had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and become independent, it had to figure out how things would work The US 10 under the Articles of Confederation apparently wasn’t working out so they went ahead and loaded 20 with the Constitution From there we explored the inner workings of our government as well as the rights and freedoms outlined in this important document. Now we are exploring, well, the exploration of the North American continent as the US expanded further and further west after the Louisiana Purchase. The journey of the Corps of Discovery led by Lewis and Clark was a unique one rife with trials and tribulations as well as heroics from unexpected sources (see Sacagawea).

Eighth graders are currently studying Shakespeare’s Macbeth After reading the play, the students will have a strong understanding of archaic words and early modern English, be able to interpret the denotative and connotative meaning of a single word throughout the play, memorize a soliloquy, and, most significantly, discover the ways in which Macbeth is still relevant in understanding human interactions today. Our class discussion questions will revolve around the major themes of the play: How does power corrupt people? How does blind ambition impact political behavior?

How does superstition affect human behavior? What function do witches and supernatural creatures serve in literature? How can appearances differ from reality? What factors influence our perceptions? HowareShakespeare'splaysstillrelevant?Theplaywillbeperformedinclass,initsentirety.

InTheaterProduction,7thgradersworkedtirelesslytopreparefortheirperformanceofTheLittlePrince They not only acted in the show, but also served on the production end of the process, managing costumes,props,stagemanagement,marketing,etc Ourfocussincedayonehasbeenlearningtowork together as an ensemble Students supported one another on and offstage by learning their lines, remindingeachotherofentrancesandexits,remainingquietbackstagewhenwearerunningthrough theshow,andcheeringforoneanother’striumphs Theyeachfocusedoncharacterdevelopment,using movement and voice to create someone entirely different from themselves And finally, students built theirstamina,astheyremainfocusedfortheentire70minutesoftheplay.Wehavenodoubtthatyou enjoyedwatchingtheproduction!

6th grade speech and performance has been very productive this trimester! They have written and presentedseveralformalspeechesonavarietyoftopicsaswellasimpromptuspeeches Currentlythey are busy performing demonstration speeches for their classmates with a google slide show that accompaniestheirspeech Thishelpsthemtolearnhowtousegesturesandmovementwhileteaching theirclassmates Ourfinalspeechpresentationwillbeteamdebatesfeaturingavarietyoftopicalissues SeventhgradestudentsareworkingonaprojectinSpanishthatengagesstudentsinlearningimportant factsandgeographyoftheSpanishspeakingworld Studentswill"travel"from"country"to"country"(in their classroom) filling out their passport along the way First, students create a slide or poster of one Spanishspeakingcountry Second,studentswill"travel"fromcountrytocountyfillingouttheirpassports Then, they fill in the blank map in order to visualize their journey Finally, they write a postcard to someoneintheirfamilydescribingtheirfavoritecountryandwhattheylovedandlearnedaboutit

Winter student art feature

Black history month

This trimester in art, Wesley students worked on an art project in celebration of Black History Month. Kindergarteners created mudcloths emulating those found in Mali, Africa. 1st graders discussed symbolism and recreated their favorite African symbols 2nd graders made their own djembe drums and came together in a drum circle at the end of their project. 3rd graders studied the textile artist Yinka Shonibare and designed masks out of fabric that reflect their own identities

Trisha Singletary, K - 8 Art Teacher

Winter student art feature

4th graders worked together on a group flag story quilt, inspired by mixed media artist Faith Ringgold. 5th graders chose Black artists to learn from by recreating one of their works of art 8th graders made a piece based on the renowned street artist Jean Michel Basquiat. Click HERE to view the full Slideshow!

Winter student art feature

Lunar

2024 is the Year of the Dragon! The dragon symbolizes abundance and good fortune. Here is a sampling of the Lunar New Year Projects that Lower School students worked on in art class Kindergarteners made lucky goldfish with pease Chinese characters. The 1st grade made their annual Chinese lanterns. 2nd graders created New Year Wreaths inspired by the wreaths made in Vietnam

New Year

Winter student art feature

4th grade designed their own kimonos to emulate the fashions of Japan 5th graders were asked what holds them up and what their goals are for the new year. They then made Lunar New Year Trees inspired by the art of Gustav Klimt. Click HERE to view the full Slideshow!

bOARD OF TRUSTEES NEWS

DearWesleyCommunity,

Tobestcelebratethe25thAnniversaryofWesley’sfounding,theBoardofTrusteesbegantheacademic yearwithafulllistofgoalstoensurethecontinuedsuccessandgrowthofWesleyforyearstocome.In the fall, we eagerly embarked on a two-pronged platform to chart a strong future for the school by searching for a new Head of School and laid the groundwork for Long Range Strategic Planning. Both theseendeavorswillsetthestageforWesley’snextchapter.

TheBoard'sfirsttaskwastofindtheschool’snewleader.TheExecutiveCommitteeinterviewedmultiple search firms and the board unanimously voted to hire Carney Sandoe & Associates which has over 45 yearsofexperienceinrecruitingandhiringeducationalleaders Inaddition,asearchcommittee,made upofparents,faculty,administrators,andtrusteeswasestablishedtomanagetheprocess We’dliketo thankthefollowingindividualswhoputincountlesshourstoensureWesleyfoundthebestcandidates

MikeNatividad(Trustee,BoardTreasurer,4thgradeparent,SearchCommitteeCo-Chair)

MarissaSeeman(Trustee,BoardSecretary,1stand6thgradeparent,SearchCommitteeCo-Chair)

MarlaSimon(6thGradeHumanitiesTeacher,5th/6thGradeDean)

MelindaVazquez(1stGradeLeadTeacher,DeanofFaculty,7thgradeparent)

LindseyDrasin(Dir ofCommunication/Assoc Dir ofAdmissions,2ndgradeparent)

ToiBridges(PrivateSchoolVillageParentAmbassador,3thand4thgradeparent)

LaurenBrandenstein(MulticulturalPotluckChair,2nd,4th,5thgradeparent)

DavidMonahan(Trustee,BoardChair,5thgradeparent)

JasonFriedman(Trustee,AuditCommitteeChair,2ndgradeparent)

AmyDiBianca(Trustee,CODIConnectionsCoordinator,8thgradeparent)

Collectively our consultants and the search committee vetted over 40 candidates. Through a thorough and strategic process, four finalists were presented to the community at the beginning of 2024. Each finalisthadanopportunitytomeetwithparents,trustees,facultyandstaffduringtheirtwo-daycampus visits and the search committee gathered feedback from all constituents. After an exhaustive process, wewerethrilledtoappointoneofourown,GregArmbrister,asournewHeadofSchool.Gregwillstart inJuly2024!

On January 6th, the Board began their second big task with a kickoff retreat to create a new Long Range Plan. At regular intervals, it is vital for Wesley to craft a strategic road map and set the school’s directionforthecomingyears.Thisworkstartedlastyearwhenweembarkedonareviewandrevision ofourMissionStatement Acommitteeoftrustees,faculty,andstaff,workedwithourconsultantsAnnMarie Balzano and Barbra Rosston from Mission & Data to deliver an inspiring, new guiding statement for our school That work deepens with the Strategic Planning Task Force (SPTF) made up of the communitymembersbelow:

LisaLange(Trustee,DevelopmentCommittee,Kinderand3rdgradeparent,SPTFChair)

DavidMonahan(Trustee,BoardChair,5thgradeparent)

MichelleAlbert(Trustee,FinanceCommittee,3rdand4thgradeparent)

ThordisHoward(Trustee,CODI,ECmember,3rdgradeparent)

EddieO’Flaherty(Trustee,FinanceCommittee,CODI,7thgradeandalumniparent)

AlanWaldman(Trustee,FinanceCommittee,5thand7thgradeparent)\

JulieGalles(HeadofSchool)

GregAmbrister(AssociateHeadofSchool)

KevinGreene(3rdGradeLeadTeacher)

Strategic planning will continue through the rest of the year and the new plan will be rolled out in the fall to ensure we are delivering on the promise of our mission at all levels of our institution. It’s an excitingtimeforWesleyasweroundthecornerintoournext25years.TogetherweareWesleyStrong!

Warmly,

TheWesleyBoardofTrustees

deij at wesley

Developing & Sustaining a Culture of Belonging

It has been such a pleasure to get to know the Wesley community this school year!

Connecting with parenting adults through the in-person CODI retreat in November was inspiring and full of positive energy! The retreat theme, Social Justice at Wesley: What It Is and What It Looks Like, (which I had the pleasure of co-facilitating with the fabulous Olivia Brown) gave Wesley parents and caregivers an opportunity to talk about the powerful social justice work happening in classrooms across the grades, and offered tools and encouragement to proactively bring these conversations home. This experience created a strong launching point for the three virtual CODI workshops that followed.

In our first of three CODI Zoom workshops, participants were introduced to developmentally appropriate ways to affirm identity, and develop accurate language for differences. Wesley parents and caregivers met in breakout spaces to discuss ways to help children understand unfairness and learn to advocate for justice for all.

In our second Zoom workshop we explored what it means to be responsive as parents and caregivers. How do we respond when our children notice differences aloud? Do we shush them? Do we worry that we don’t have all the answers and so avoid their questions? This workshop reminded us that as people raising the next generation, we have a responsibility to help “normalize” the noticing of differences and that we have an opportunity to teach our children new vocabulary and respectful language to name the differences they notice in the diverse communities we are raising them in.

In our last CODI Zoom workshop: Mommy, Is that a Boy or a Girl? From Gender Binary to Gender Spectrum - parenting for all of our children’s current and future health and wellness, we were joined by award winning filmmaker Sally Rubin who screened her wonderful 10 minute documentary (Mama Has a Mustache)! Sally and I co-facilitated a discussion around the film and invited dialogue around themes of gender identity through the eyes and voices of the young children Sally interviewed for her animated documentary. In this playful and joy-filled film about loving yourself and your family, participants could feel the importance of opening conversations with our children where we ask them about the ways they see and understand the world around them. Sally modeled the value of deep listening to children and offered vocabulary, tools, and ways to practice talking about the ever evolving language of gender in non-threatening, respectful, and playful ways!

Over the course of the school year I have had the deep pleasure and privilege of getting to know the wonderful, committed Wesley faculty! We began the year at the August off campus retreat day connecting, learning, and exploring differences as a faculty and staff. We used bean bags in small mixed group circles to experience well working teams, tight communication, laughter, and joy! We used collage to explore identity and made connections with colleagues as we told our stories and discussed how knowing who we are impacts the work we do at Wesley.

My heart is full when I think of my time with the wonderful Wesley teachers. I have loved my classroom visits. I look forward to every workshop, special time with a teaching team, or individual discussion I have had with the caring community of educators at Wesley. In our past two full faculty meetings we have focused on the themes: Why We Teach & The Educators We Want to Be; The importance of “Brave Space” Guidelines; Understanding Identity, Intersectionality, and Positionality; and Teaching Frameworks for Diversity/Equity/Social Justice Work in Classrooms, Antibias Education Goals & Social Justice Standards.

Wesley teachers are curious, open, vulnerable, honest, and hardworking. Wesley teachers are looking to do right by children, to ask themselves challenging questions about their own practice, they are ready to roll up their sleeves and do the heavy lifting necessary to make sure Wesley students feel a sense of belonging in their classrooms and in the broader school community. I continue to enjoy the time I get to spend at Wesley and I feel deep gratitude for the faculty, staff, and administrators who always welcome me in with open arms!

Monique Marshall, DEIJ Consultant

coach’s corner

Hello Sports Fans!

We had a great but wild winter season of sports. We witnessed only the second Super Bowl in history to go into overtime Not to mention the whole thing was Taylor-filled. Usher and friends performed an awesome halftime show. Closer to home, we had two teams go to the playoffs and had one team go undefeated. Most of our other teams also finished their seasons winning more games than they lost

Every team made great strides this season. They all, with the help of their great coaches, worked hard and improved their skills. By the end of the season, the athletes were working cooperatively with great teamwork

The 4th grade basketball team didn’t win a game but lost several by only 1 or 2 points; look out for them next year. Our two 5th grade teams only lost one game each and found some great success Both teams did not win a game last year; they certainly found their mojo this year. The 4th grade soccer team came alive in the final two games and tied one. They throughout and scored two goal minutes of the game to pull ou their last game

The Middle School had its successes The 6th grade blue and the JV basketball teams ended with three wins and just missed the playoffs Unfortunately, the 6th grade green team ran into some tough competition and didn’t fare as well The varsity boys’ soccer team played hard in every game and was close at the very end of each Their last match ended in a tie in an exciting game that went into penalty kicks.

Finally, our 5th grade girls' soccer team finished an undefeated season for the last two years. Our JV boys’ soccer team ended as the number one seed, and the Varsity Girls’ soccer team ended as the number two seed as they entered the playoffs. Despite two terrific games in the championships, that went back and forth, both teams ended the season as runner up champions

Spring season is beginning with girls’ volleyball and boys' soccer in the lower school and 6th grade Also offered is volleyball for both boys' and girls' teams for 7th and 8th grade In addition, the 6th grade can also participate in track & field and the 7th and 8th grade can do golf. Looking forward to another strong spring season.

As always, GO Lions!!!

Louie Rodriguez Athletic Director

After a great start to the new school year, we continued all the fun into November with our annual Gobblers’ Feast Gio Corvino (2nd) and Mike Natividad (4th) successfully took over as the new CoChairs of this well-loved tradition We had over 100 participants help prep, cook, and serve our kids and our wonderful faculty and staff! Upon our return from Thanksgiving Break, Brooke Burns (1st), Lauren Stempel (1st), and a team of volunteers kicked off the holiday season by transforming our campus into a truly stunning and magical winter holiday wonderland!

In December, we put the PA community into overdrive! We had two party books: Challah for Hanukkah (hosted by the Baum, Blakeley, Krassenbaum, & Leavitt families) and a Gingerbread Party (hosted by the Booker, Davey, Dluzniewski, & Rojas families.) With their keen shopping skills, Ali Chalfin (3rd), Linda Kolin (K & 3rd), Amy Ostiguy (3rd & 6th) & Jamie Tourouk ( 3rd) chaired and curated all the wonderful goods for our Holiday Boutique again. The kids love being able to shop on their own and we love watching them put so much thought into buying gifts for their loved ones. We’d like to give a special shout out to Jeanne-Marie Lindsay (3rd & 5th) and Maryn Russell (8th) who stayed all week to help manage our gift wrapper and shopping helper volunteers. The following week, the PA once again sponsored and set up the beautiful backdrop for our K-5 Winter Concert; and that evening, Jermaine Turner (1st & 4th) and Jeff Cardoni (2nd & 4th) led our Singing Santas into a new medley of holiday songs We closed out that week by treating our faculty and staff to a coffee cart to show them how much we love and appreciate them!

January was a welcome respite from all the holiday events We eased into the new year with a much needed Uniform Recycle Sale, spearheaded by our Co-Chairs, Tina Chang Dickinson (6th) and Natalia Ewalt (6th). Then, we closed out the month with Wesley’s Annual Blood Drive, which Rebeccah Bush (8th) organizes with the Red Cross every year! After nearly a decade, Rebeccah is ready to pass the torch.Wethankherforalltheseyearsofserviceanddedicationtoourcommunity.

We kicked off February with our very popular Poker Fiesta Party Book (hosted by the Thompson, Niemeyer, Pollard, and Roddenberry families.) Then, Tina Hookom (8th), Maryn Russell (8th), and Yoli Poropat (7th) had our kids celebrating – Grammy style! – at their Winter Formal Dance We turned our attention to Valentine’s Day and decided to expand it into a week-long celebration of spreading kindness Last year, we gave the kids flowers and stickers with words of affirmation This year, we asked them to “Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today,” and leave notes of positive affirmations all around campus on the heart shaped post-it notes we provided. On Love Day itself, we thanked our parentcommunityforalloftheirsupportbysponsoringacoffeecartoutontheCommons.Weplanto close out the month by helping the kids celebrate our school’s 25th Anniversary with a sweet treat duringsnacktime!

Oneofourbiggestgoalshasalwaysbeentofosterasenseofbelongingoncampus Wenotonlytryto make our events feel welcoming, we strive to make every child and family feel seen and represented One of the things we’ve truly enjoyed this year is developing an even closer relationship with CODI We’ve supported and partnered with families to celebrate and create displays for things like Hispanic Heritage Month, Filipino American History Month, Hanukkah, Black History Month, and Lunar New Year.

As we look ahead to the home stretch of the school year, we look forward to continuing to bring our entirecommunityeventsfullofjoyandcelebration!

MarieNatividad&AngieNiemeyer

YourPACo-Chairs

Development office update

Dear Wesley Families,

We hope you all are having a wonderful start to 2024 so far!

We are thrilled to share that our annual Teacher Outings fundraiser was a big hit yet again, raising almost $30,000 for our school thanks to your support! These Wesley outings were full of fun, one-of-akind opportunities for our students to connect with their teachers outside of the classroom by participating in amazing activities such as movie nights, bowling, sports games, and even a party with bunnies! Thank you again to our amazing Faculty and Staff members for giving their time and energy by participating in these events The kids love it and look forward to it every year!

Your generosity makes a significant impact on our community, and we sincerely appreciate your dedication to our shared mission

Additionally, we want to remind you about our ongoing Wesley Brick Campaign. By participating, you have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy at the Wesley School. Your personalized brick/s will become a permanent part of our campus, symbolizing your commitment to the school’s future. Leave your legacy today by clicking here!

Our biennial Gala is tomorrow at Castaway in Burbank. We can’t wait to share some highlights from Wesley in Wonderland - 25th Anniversary Gala and Fundraiser in our next newsletter. We look forward to commemorating this special milestone and creating everlasting memories together.

With love and appreciation,

The Wesley Development Team

Tammy Rodriguez

Kevin Elbo

Director of Development Development Associate

Parent to Penny (6th grade)

Admissions update

As I sit down to write anything this year, it is often with a level of nostalgia as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary. My first “season” in admissions was the summer of ‘99, when we had just come to an agreement with the generous church community to provide us space to move our school which was looking for a new campus I was asked to help “show” the school in order to attract new families to our community The challenge was there was no school to show them yet There were a lot of empty rooms that needed to be reimagined as classrooms, which were in need of a lot of TLC. And yet, these visitors to our campus could already feel the magic, the commitment to children, the sense of community, and the sheer enthusiasm we all had for what was to come. Over 25 new families joined us with the sheer faith that we could deliver on our goals. And with their help we did. The first year we opened our doors with 128 students. In a few cases we had mixed grade levels, no teaching assistants due to such small class sizes, and some pretty bare bones facilities But year over year we have improved, added, grown, and built a strong reputation among the independent schools in Los Angeles Today, with a solid 300 students, a beautiful campus, and the support of committed teachers, staff, and administrators, there is no looking back but only forward to what the next 25 years will bring. We will be sending admission offers very soon and are excited to welcome the next cohort of Wesley families who will join us and become part of the fabric of our community.

Verena Denove Director of Admissions

campus kudos

A very special thank you to our Winter Sports Season Coaches: Campy, Drew, Matt, Mike, Q, Shayla and Todd!! Your dedication, inspiration, and motivation to and for our students is admirable and so appreciated!

- Coach Louie & All of Us at Wesley

Miss JoAnna from 3rd Grade went to New Orleans with her family for her 50th birthday. Lots of good food, beautiful architecture, rich culture, wonderful people and fabulous memories If you ever get the chance to go, do it!! You won’t regret it…..it’s totally a vibe!!