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CAMPUS Newly Renovated Lower School Playground Honors Beloved Westridge Educators
Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor to Retire June 2022 In November, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor announced that she will retire in June 2022 after 13 years at Westridge. Mrs. McGregor will be greatly missed, but her legacy will remain in the community she fostered and innovative programs that were inaugurated or expanded under her leadership, including the STEAMWork Design Studio, college counseling, theatre, speech and debate, Peer-toPeer, and work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We look forward to celebrating Mrs. McGregor and all she has contributed to our community over the next year and a half until her retirement in 2022.
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Thanks to donations from alumnae, trustees, current parents, and faculty and staff, the Lower School playground was renovated this fall and awaits the return of students to bring it to life! New features include a zip line, rock-climbing structure, expanded swing set, gaga ball pits, table tennis tables, and a deck and benches around Ranney Tree. The playground is dedicated to former Director of Lower and Middle School Mary Tuck, who retired in 2019 after 19 years at Westridge. The area surrounding Ranney Tree was constructed as a reading space in memory of Carol van Zalingen, the late dean of Lower and Middle School student support who passed away last year.
Congratulations to Upper School History Teacher Sandy de Grijs, who is celebrating 25 years at Westridge this year!
Global Initiative Program Awards First Distinctions to Seniors This fall, seniors Sosi D. and Leily R. became the first Westridge students to earn Global Initiative distinctions for their work taking on an interdisciplinary, independent study of a modern-day global issue. Sosi explored how vital early education is for child development and Leily explored how colonialism paved the way towards the current political landscape between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Global Initiative program allows students to pursue global interests by combining coursework, experiential learning, and volunteer work. Sosi and Leily completed the program by presenting and defending their final portfolios of work to a panel of Westridge faculty and staff, earning distinctions on their diplomas at Commencement.
