Save The Date!September 2 All School Picnic and Building Dedication, 5:00–7:30p.m.

3 Make New Friends Day

4 School Begins, noondismissal

18 New Parents Meeting

22–23 State of the School Nights

where knowledge meets imagination

Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDMercury MailingSystems Inc.

PS#11454 Euclid StreetSanta Monica CA 90404

Déjà vu! In 1998, exactly one decade ago, we completed the construction of the first seven classrooms, bridge, and administration building. It is hard to believe how far our school has come in a short period of time. Thanks to everyone who makes it possible! Onward… and upward!

ThePS#1BoardofDirectorshasproud-lynamedJeffDinkinasthefirsteverChairmanEmeritus.JeffservedasBoardChairforfouryearsandhasheadedtheBuildingsandGroundsCommittee.Hewasinstrumentalinacquiring,design-ing,andoverseeingtheconstructionoftheFieldofDreamsandthe8thClass-roomandAftercareEnrichmentCenter.Mostrecently,Jeffpavedthewayto100%AnnualGiv-ingparticipationthroughhisout-standingleadership.ThanksJeff!

Jeff!

Thank you to the entire PS#1 community, including both current and incoming families, and to the PS#1 staff for your enthusiastic participation in donations, atten-dance and bidding. We had the largest attended auction in PS#1 history and raised $148,920.56!

Thank you!

Onward… and upward!

Summer 2008

MarciandJeffDinkinatanendoftheyearreception.

In This Issue:

1

Head's Column

AdefinitepatternhasemergedastowhattimeofyearwebestaddressagreatvarietyofissuesinordertoassurethegrowthandsmoothoperationofPS#1.Summertimeisatimetoreflect,tofleshoutpossiblechangesthatwerediscussedduringtheschoolyear,toplanandtoadddetailsothatwhenallofyoureturnintheFall,newsystemsasneededareinplace,newprogramsareiniti-ated,anddepthisaddedtoexistingprogramssothatourschoolcanalwaysimprove. Manyofourcurrentteachersaretakingprofessionaldevelop-mentcoursesthissummer,severalofthematColumbiaTeachersCollegeinNewYork.Inaddition,wewillbeintegratingfournewclassroomteachersandanewmusicteacherintoourprogramthisyear.ManyhoursgointothehiringofeachprofessionalatPS#1.Becausewehavetwoteachersineveryclassroom,nonewteach-ersareeverleftalonetolearnoursystem.Andyeteachonealsobringsnewideas,newmethodsandtraining,andnewpassionstoourschool.Eachofthemwillchangeourschoolas,inevitably,wewillchangethem.Andwewillallbebetterfortheexperience.Re-turningteachersareintenselyinvolvedinthehiringofnewteach-ers–theytakeseriouslytheburdenoffindingtheirnextpartnerortheteachertowhomtheywillbepassingontheirstudents.Weareproudofthepeoplethatwefindtoworkatourschool.Thisyearisnoexception. WeorganizeourworkaroundPS#1’sthreecorevaluesofcom-petence,confidence,andconnection.Honoringeachindividualstudent–alwaysonthealerttocatchthemdoingsomethingright–requiresconstantvigilanceandattention.YoucanobserveinPS#1classroomsanydayandseethecaring,thethought,thecollaborativeworkofteachingpartners,theunderstanding,thecompassion,thecasualintensity,andtherespectthatallgointotheworktodevelopachild’sresponsiblevoice. Oursystemsapproachallowsustoreflectuponthereasonsbehindwhywehavetwoleadteachersinaclassroom;themulti-age,twoyearagerangewithineveryclassroomsothatchildrencanperceivethemselvesdifferentlyfromoneyeartothenext;andtherefusaltodefinechildrenbygradesthateitherdemeanayoungchildfilledwithazestforlearningorcreateanxietyorafalsesenseofsuperiorityinthecrucialyearsofearlychildhoodeducation.Everychildisspecialandeachbringsauniquesetofskillsandyearningstotheirclassroomandtotheirschooleachyear.

Reflectionpushedustocompletetheclusterconcept.Formfollowsfunction.Withthecompletionofoureighthclassroom,wehavecompletedourfourthcluster.(PleasejoinusfortheDedica-tionofthenewclassroomandaftercare/enrichmentcentertobeheldconcurrentlywiththeall-schoolpicniconSeptember2ndat6:00pmontheFieldofDreams)InSeptember,wewillhavefoursame-sizedclusters-Youngers,Bridge,Middles,andOlders.Stu-dentsatPS#1seethemselvesaspartofaclassroomandalsopartofagroupoftwoclassrooms(acluster).Withtheclassmake-upchangingsomeeachyear,childrengetachancetobewithmanydifferentchildrenaspeersduringtheirsevenyearPS#1experi-ence.Theconcentriccirclesofcomforttheydevelopinthisway,withalargecross-sectionofyoungpeople,makesthatconnectionallthemorerelevantandimportantinbuildingtheirsenseofown-ershipandempowermentintheirlearningenvironment. SowhenIreflectontheyearpast,Iseearticulate,groundedgraduatessteppingforwardintothenextphaseoftheirlifeandeducation;Iseeourfamiliesvolunteeringtheirtimeandresourcestostrengthenourcommunity;andIseeourstudentsfullyengagedintheprocessofgrowing.Wearecomingfromsuchstrength.Thissummerthenewandreturningfacultyisengagedinconversationandstudypreparingtobethebestpossibleteacherinthefall.Thenewfamiliesarereadytojoinusandourbuildingprojectiscom-plete.Onward…andupward!Haveagreatsummer—wewillbereadyforyouinthefall.

PAgE 1

Head'sColumn—JoelPelcyger

PAgES 2–3

NewFacesMysteryPhotoBagsForSaleGrandparentsMemoirClub

PAgES 4–5

SummerVacations

PAgES 6–7

GradWords

PAgES 8–9AlumniCorner

PAgE 10AuctionResultsJeffDinkin!InterestingFactoidAboutPS#1SavetheDate

The PeriscopeVolume 18, Number 4

Editors: Deirdre GainorDoug O’Brien

Design:David Mellen Design

Photography: Doug O'BrienBriana RothLuminary Photography

PS#11454 Euclid StreetSanta Monica, CA 90404310 394 1313 Tel310 395 1093 Fax www.psone.org

Printed on recycled paper

2008-2009 Board of Directors

AviBrosh

JeffDinkin

BrianEstwick

ChrisFillo,Board Vice Chair

LaurenFite

NathanGoldberg

HughHarrison

AndiHoltzman

SharonMorrill

JoelPelcyger

AbbiePerttula

MaggieRosenfeld

RonSegall

BruceTobey

JoanneVanEmburgh,Board Chair

AndrewWatts

KedrenWerner

With the completion of our eighth classroom, we have completed the cluster concept for how we group children. This coming year we will have four same-sized clusters— Youngers, Bridge, Middles, and Olders.

On the cover: 2007-08 PS#1 graduates and the completed eighth classroom and after care/enrichment center.

DougO’Brien,Technology Coordinator

PedroOrtega,PE Teacher

JoelPelcyger,School Head

AbbiePerttula,Teacher

KirstinaRasmussenCollins,Music Teacher

JonathanRodgers,Technology Consultant

JennineRodriguez,Teacher

MaggieRosenfeld,Director of Finance and Operations

AndreaRoth,Admissions Director

BrianaRoth,Development Coordinator

TraciSaruwatari,Teacher

BradShimada,PE Teacher/Facilities

HollySproule,Teacher

MindyStaley,Office Manager

HollySwope,Teacher

EvaTovar,AfterCare Director

JohnWaldman,Teacher

2008-2009 Teachers and Administrative Staff

LuciaAlcantara,Teacher

EvelynCazun, Administrative Assistant

KarissaMarieConefry,Teacher

NicoleDresch,Teacher

KitDreyfuss,Health Advisor

JenniferDu,Aftercare

PatrickDurkin,Maintenance

LouiseEverett,Teacher

DeirdreGainor,Outreach Coordinator

ChristinaGarcia, Librarian

BradGilbert,Teacher

LiAnneHall,Teacher

WendellHamick,Facilities Manager

BillyHuynh,Teacher

HalaInnab,Teacher

NicolinaKarlsson-Horelick,Art Teacher

BonnieKoo,Teacher

ChrisKuzina,Teacher

The Best of (Summer)Times

PleasejoinusfortheDedicationofthenewclassroomandaftercare/enrichmentcentertobeheldconcurrentlywiththeall-schoolpicniconSeptember2ndat6:00pmontheFieldofDreams

32

Bags for SaleDo not miss out on your chance to “go green” with these beautiful blue PS#1 reusable shopping bags! Do your part for the environment by eliminating plastic grocery bags. Look for them on sale at the All-School Picnic and Building Dedication which will be held on September 2 from 5:00-7:30 PM on the Field of Dreams. Hope to see you there!

grandparent Memoir Club The PS#1 grandparent Memoir Club met three times this spring. It was wonder-ful to hear the stories emerge from the writing. But before we went any further, we wanted to make sure everyone knew they were welcome to join us. Our goals among many are to write our memoirs, to share our stories, and to enjoy each other as we write these stories for our grandchildren. We are planning to meet twice a month starting in September and hope you can join us. Please email memoirclubinfo@psone.org for more details.

Holly SprouleWhereareyoufrom? Vancouver,BC,CanadaWhydidyouchooseeducationasyourprofession? TeachingisadynamiccareerandIhavealways lookedforwardtoSeptember—Ienjoytheongoing opportunitiestomeetpeople,developrelation- ships,learnaboutsomethingIaminterestedinor beintroducedtosomethingIwasn’texpecting.

WhydidyouchoosePS#1? PS#1waswarm,welcomingandcaringfromthe momentIsteppedonitsgrounds.Ihadthefeeling thatthecommunityhadgreattalentstoshareand that,whileIhaveagreatopportunitytolearnfrom thiscommunity,IalsofeelthattheexperiencesI havetocontributewillbevalued.

Whatisyourfavoritebook? AnybookbyRoaldDahlorDeborahEllis,If the World Were a VillagebyDavidSmith,The Power of One byBryceCourtneyWhoisthepersonyouadmiremost? Iadmirepeoplewhoknowwhattheyvalueand taketheactionsneededtoachievetheirgoals.Whatinspiresyou? Iaminspiredinquietmomentsthatallowme toreflect.Whatisthemostimportantthinginyourlife? Familyandfriends.Whatisyourfavoritefood? Summerfruits/berriesandhomemadecupcakes.

Whatdoyoulovetodoinyoursparetime? Ienjoytimewithmyfamilyandfriends,travel (IhaveexploredsomeofNorth,CentralandSouth America,Europe,AustraliaandtheSouthPacific), outdoorsportsandactivities(snowboarding,run- ning,soccer,ultimatefrisbee,biking,beaching), photography,yoga,andlearningnewthings (languages,science,technology,etc.).

Lucia Alcantara Whereareyoufrom? Princeton,NewJersey.

Whydidyouchooseeducationasyourprofession? Iloveteachingandlearning!

WhydidyouchoosePS#1? IchosePS#1becausetheyacceptstudentsthe waytheyareandhelpthemtofindwaysthatthey learnbest.

Whatisyourfavoritebook? The Celestine Prophecy.

Whoisthepersonyouadmiremost? Iadmiremymombecauseshetaughtmehowto loveeverybody.

Whatinspiresyou? Peoplewhocareaboutwhattheyaredoing inspireme.

Whatisthemostimportantthinginyourlife? Caringformyself,myfamilyandothersaroundme isthemostimportantthinginmylife.

Whatisyourfavoritefood? Avocado.

Whatdoyoulovetodoinyoursparetime? Beoutside!

Kirstina Rasmussen CollinsWhereareyoufrom? IlivehereinLA,butamoriginallyfrom WashingtonState.Whydidyouchooseeducationasyourprofession? Ilovebringingpeopletogetherintheenjoymentof music,andsharingmyloveandrespectformusic, soitcanenrichstudents’livesasithasmine.WhydidyouchoosePS#1? Isawthattheteachersandadministratorshave passionforwhattheyaredoing,andthefreedom theyhavetobecreativeandinnovative.Whatisyourfavoritebook? My Antonia,byWillaCather.Whoisthepersonyouadmiremost?Whatinspiresyou? Peoplethatarechoosingtofollowtheirdreams withjoyandwithoutfear.(answertobothques- tions).Whatisthemostimportantthinginyourlife? Myfamilyandmyfaith.Whatisyourfavoritefood? Riceandveggies.Whatdoyoulovetodoinyoursparetime? Getoutsideandenjoynature.

Karissa Marie ConefryWhereareyoufrom? NewYork.

Whydidyouchooseeducationasyourprofession? EducationallowsmetodoeverythingIampassion ateabout.Iconsiderteachingaconstant evolutionwhereIamalwaysthinking,creat- ing,learning,growingandsearchingfornewideas andchallenges.Ibelievethatbeingateacher involvesconsistentexamining,discussing, andimprovementonbothapersonalandprofes sionallevel.Iampassionateaboutchalleng- ingmyselftogroweachyearbymeansofreflection, astrongdesiretolearn,keepinganopenmindto newideasandthroughcollaborationwithcolleagues.

WhydidyouchoosePS#1? IfirstheardaboutPS#1fromateacheratyour school,mygoodfriendJaimePatane.Overthe pastfewyears,JaimeandIhadmanygreatconver- sationsaboutPS#1andsheravedaboutherexperi- enceshere.Basedonthesediscussionsandmy visits,Ifeelthatitissuchagreatfitandawonderful placeformetoliveoutmypassionsforthis profession.

Whatisyourfavoritebook? IwouldhavetosaythatA Tree Grows in Brooklyn ismyfavoritebook.Ithaspersonalmeaningand sentimentalvalueforme.Ididsomuchrealgrowing asapersonwhileIlivedinBrooklyn.Whoisthepersonyouadmiremost? Thisisadifficultquestion.Therearesomany peoplethatIadmireandforsomanydifferent reasons.Iadmirepeoplewho:followtheirhearts; aretruthfultothemselvesandothers;maketimefor others;giveofthemselves;takerisks;andwelcome life’schallenges.Whatinspiresyou? Children,people,change,ideasandchallengesall inspireme.Theyallgivemeopportunitiesforlearn ing,growthandsharing.

Whatisthemostimportantthinginyourlife? Myrelationshipswiththepeopleinmylifematter mosttome.Iholdmostdearmyfamily,friendsand thepeoplethathavemadeimpressionsonme throughoutmylife.Whatisyourfavoritefood? Ilovethevariedethnicdiversityofsomanyfoods. IlikeJapanese,Italian,Indian,Chinese,Jamaican, MexicanandAmericanfood.Whatdoyoulovetodoinyoursparetime? Iliketospendtimewithfriendsandfamily,camp, hike,read,relaxonthebeachandtravel.

Bonnie KooWhereareyoufrom? Vancouver,Canada.Whydidyouchooseeducationasyourprofession? Ilovechildrenandit’simportanttomethatIdo somethingwithmylifethatismeaningfultome. Empoweringstudentswithknowledgeisavery meaningfulthing.WhydidyouchoosePS#1? FromtheveryfirstdayIvisitedtheschool,Iknew thatPS#1wasaschoolthatIcouldseemyself teachingat.Thestaffandstudentswereallso warmandwelcoming.Whatisyourfavoritebook? Angela’s Ashes.Whoisthepersonyouadmiremost? Myparents.Whatinspiresyou? I’minspiredbythelittlethingsthathappenin everydaylife.Whatisthemostimportantthinginyourlife? Friendsandfamily.Whatisyourfavoritefood? Sushi.Whatdoyoulovetodoinyoursparetime? Readagoodbook,coffeewithfriends,eatgood food.Mycreativeoutletisdesigningandmaking jewelry.

This is truly a year of new beginnings at PS#1! We warmly welcome 27 new families and 37 students along with some new faculty. It gives us great pleasure to introduce the enthusiastic talent joining the PS#1 community:

Congratulations to Jodie Evans! She was the first to identify her son, Matthew Palevsky, in our mystery photo. We had a lot of people recognize Matthew and had a wonderful opportunity to catch up on his reporting for The Real News Network.

Mystery Photo

DoyouholdthekeytoidentifyingthesePS#1Alumni?PleaseemailDeirdreat deirdre@psone.org

New Faces

Lina will be working with Brad, Patrick, Wendell, Deirdre and Maggie redesigning the school art space in order to create three different work spaces. Quite a work of art!

54

What they did on their summer vacations…

Abbie will spend two weeks at the Readers/ Writers’ workshop and enjoying her grandchildren when she’s back in L.A.

Hala is traveling with her family to Amman, Jordan and Sharm Al Sheikh, Egypt. As if that weren’t enough…she’s also attending the Reading/Writing workshop in NYC.

Chris will be attending his brother-from-Syra-cuse, NY’s wedding in Napa and then heading out to a blues festival in Mam-moth.

Pedro plans to spend lots of time with his daughter, Isabel whisking her around to area theme parks with his various season passes. Whew, Pedro, hang onto your hat!

Nicole got married right under the 100-year-old oak tree on our Field of Dreams. Congrat-ulations, Nicole!

Brad S. Said he’s not doing anything EXCEPT remodeling his house!!!

Jennine is attending the Reading/Writing Insti-tute at Teachers’ College, which is part of Columbia University in New York City.

John hopes to spend lots of time writing poetry, working on his “poetry/envelope project” and spending fun times with Louis, Melina and Liz.

Louise is planning three camping trips to Kern, Catalina and El Capitan. She’ll also be spending a week at June Lake with family.

LiAnne will be traveling to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and to St. Louis for a family reunion. Any “down” time she has will be spent doing lots of reading and relaxing, and spending time with her family.

Evawill be taking her kids to many area mu-seums, parks, and hikes in the hills. They will also embark on an Amtrak adventure to Santa Barbara. “All aboard!”

Billy will attend a reading conference in New York and then “chill out” on a houseboat on Lake Powell! He’ll also be attendingAngels Camp in Mammoth where he hopes to do some hiking, and panning for gold!

Christina will be reading, reading and reading—and relaxing, relaxing, relaxing.

Holly Swope is looking forward to relaxing in her family’s cottage in Northern Michigan.

Brad g.once again, will be offering his writing/grammar summer class on campus. He’ll also be hosting his 11-year-old nephew this summer and showing him the sights of L.A.

Traci is looking forward to spending lots of quality time with her children/family and visiting Monterey, CA.

Our adventurous and industrious faculty and staff have not been idyll during the summer break. Following is a sampling of what our teachers have been doing with their anything but—lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer:

Archer Brosh,Beginning at Windward School…AllofmyyearsatPS#1havefinallypaidoff…PS#1hasmademeabetterpersonandevenabetterfriend.ThebestlessonthatPS#1hastaughtmewasthatIdon’thavetobeafraidtobemyself.PS#1encouragesimaginationandcrazythoughtsandfun.Ithasnourishedmycreativity.

Sam Clement,Begin-ning at Harvard-Westlake School…For7years,Ihavegladlywalkedthroughthefamousbluegate…For7years,Ihavebeenentertained,challenged,supportedandtaughtbyagroupoftalented,interesting,andquirkyteachers…Forthetheselast7years,Ihavemadespecialfriendships,someofwhichIwillkeepforever…ThankyouPS#1foramagnificent7yearsofadventure!!!!!

Oliver Curry,Beginning at Windward School…I’vegonethroughmanyinterestingmindbog-glingexperiencesfromalittlefieldtriptothepark,andplayingtag,tothegraduates'tripontheswingingandhangingropescourse.Fromtherocking,classical,oldschoolHouseofBluestothequietroomsoftheGettyVilla...Theseexperi-enceshavebeenthemostawesomeandfun.

Tristan DeVito,Beginning at Windward School…DuringmytimehereatPS#1,Ihavelearnedmanyvaluablethings-whatitmeanstobeagoodfriend,teamwork,andindependence…IhavelearnedtobemoreconfidentinmyworkandhavecometounderstandthatIcanbebothaca-demicandcreativeatthesametime…Ihaveallmynecessarytoolstomoveontothenextstageofmylife.Armedwithgoodcommonsense,integrity,andtheknowledgeofthewaysoftheworld,Icanstepthroughthatbluegateonelasttime,feelingaccomplished,knowingthatthisistheendofonlythebeginningofmyeducation.

Zak Fenster,Beginning at Crossroads School…Iamgladtobegraduat-ing,butsadtoleavethiswonderfulschool.Ihavehadmanygreatexperi-encesfrommeetingmyfirstfriendstothegrad’stripatElCapitan…IwouldliketothankeveryonewhohelpedmethroughalloftheseyearshereatPS#1andallofthegraduates.OvertheseyearsIhavebecomemoreindependentandI’dliketothankJoelformakingthisschoolpos-sible.I’msadthatIhavetoleavePS#1,butIamgladtomoveontoaschoollikeCrossroads.

Jake Fenster,Beginning at Crossroads School…OnSeptember6,2001,mymomtookmetomynewschoolcalledPS#1…SixyearslaterandIhavedonethingsthatneverseemedpossibletomeasalittlesix-year-oldboy.Inowknowthatnothingisimpossibleifyouputyourmindtoit…Joel,thankyouforfoundingthisopenandcreativeschool,andforinvitingmetocomeherebecauseIthinknoschoolcouldhavemademereadyformiddleschoolbetterthanPS#1.

Ari golin,Beginning at Windward School…MytimehereatPS#1hasbeenlikeamovie,fromthefirstsceneinLouiseandTamasine’sclasstothebigendinghereonthepodium.Allthescenesinbetweenhavebeenfilledwithaction,adventure,laughter,andsadness…IlovethisschoolsomuchandIhavesomanygoodmemorieshere.

Leilani Houston,Begin-ning at Archer School…FouryearsagoIcameintoPS#1asashylittlegirl…Iwentfromashylittlegirltoablossomingflower…NowafterallthoseyearsofcampingtripsandplayingontheFieldofDreams,itisunfortunatelytheend.Still,thousandsofmemoriesinundatemymindfromPS#1,especiallythegrads’trip.Illneverforgetallthosefantasticmemories…Thankyoutoanybodythathashelpedmethroughthiswonder-ful,exhilaratingrideatPS#1.

On Thursday, June 12th, sixteen competent, confident, and connected young adults participated in one of PS#1’s most emotional and celebrated traditions—graduation! It was a ceremony marked by humor and fond memories as each of the graduates and their families joined Joel on stage in order to verbalize their path of personal growth and give thanks to all those who helped along the way. They capped off the celebration by singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” accompanied

Quincy Hunter-Daniel,Be-ginning at Wildwood School…Iremember…whenAbbietaughtmehowtotiemyshoes,thetimeImadeaLegoofeachpersoninmyclass,all26ofthem,howtolightnutsonfireandburncaloriesanddoingjumping-jackstolearnhowfastourheartrateincreases,writingmyfirstcompareandcontrastessayaboutthePlebeiansinancientRomeandtheChil-dren’sMarchinBirmingham,lookingforartifactsinthesandattheSkirball,becom-ingHowieNewsomin“OurTown”…Irememberalot.

Angela Knight,Beginning at Harvard-Westlake School…StarDate5.21:TodayisthedayIleaveStarfleetElemen-tary.ForalongtimeIhavewaitedforthis,butforalongtimeIhavefearedthisday…Onthefirstdayofelemen-tary,Iwasjoiningthemiddleclass…Iwalkedrightin,unafraidofanything…Ifoundthatyearfun.Mystrongestmemorywasreceivingthosecoloringbooks…Iwoulddrawtricksandmonstersinthem…Thelastyear,Ifounditquiteenjoyable,alongwiththegraduate’scampingtriptothelegendary“BeachPlanet”,orElCapitan.Iamlookingforwardtobecomingcaptainofmyownship,likeIdreamedtodo.HeadingouttoStarfleetAcademywillbeagrandsteptowardsthatdream.Untilthen,LiveLongAndProsper.

Louly Maya,Beginning at Harvard-Westlake School…Iwasthechildwhowouldn’tgointotheclassroom…ButthatwaswhoIwassevenyearsagoandthankstoPS#1,Iamnotthatchildanymore.I’vematuredandwhenIlookbackatmyself,Ilaugh.ThisyearIhavemademanynewfriendsandbecomecloserwithpeopleIhavenotbeeninaclasswithbefore…ThankyouPS#1formymemorableyears.CongratulationstoallofthePS#1graduatesof2008,youalldeserveit.Peace.

Colette McDermott,Begin-ning at Archer School…We’vecontinuouslycounteddownseeminglyendlessmonths,weeks,anddays…LeavingPS#1meansleavinginvigoratingandliberatingteachersandfriends.Everyteacheratthiswhimsi-calschoolhasguidedmethroughtheyearsatPS#1asifIweretheirownchild.Thankyoutoallthedevotedteachersandstaffhere…IamproudtocallPS#1myelementaryschool.

Liam Stevens,Beginning at Harvard-Westlake School…Threesummersago,afterIhadjustfinishedthethirdgradeatBerkeleyHall,myMomtoldmethatIwastoleavemyschoolthatIlovedsomuchandwouldbeginataschoolcalledPS#1.Atthetime,Iwasdevastated,butifIhadknownthisschoolbetter,Iwouldhavebeenthrilled…Iwillneverforgethowmuch(myteachers)havetaughtme,notjustaboutmath,scienceorsocialstudies,butaboutbeingabetterpersonandtoalwaysreachmyfullpotential.Iwillneverforgetallofmyonce-in-a-lifetimeexperi-enceshereatPS#1asIventureofftoHarvard-Westlake.AsGreenDaysang,Itrulyhad“thetimeofmylife”.

Hero Stevenson, Beginning at Archer School…Asoftoday,Ihavebeenalivefor12tremendousyears,or4380dayswithacoupleofleapyearshereandthere.ForfiveofthoseyearsIhavehadtheprivilegeofattendingthiswonderfulandincrediblelittleschool…AsIgetreadytoleave,Icarrywithmemymemories,myskills,myknowledge,andtheconfidencethateveryoneherehasgivenmethathasmademeintoatremendouslyconfidentgirl.ThankyouJoel,teachersandstaff,parents,friendsandeveryoneelsewhohavemademytimehereatPS#1soamazing!

Caroline Watts,Beginning at Harvard-Westlake School…Community(noun)–sharing,participation,andfellowship.PS#1(noun)–Awonderfulschoolwherelifelongfriendsaremade,abilitiesarediscov-eredanddoorsareopened.AtPS#1everybodyisafriendtoeverybody,nomatterwhathisorherage.Youfeellikeyouareathomeduringschool.Learningisfunandyouremem-berthingsthattheyteachyou.Theyprepareyoufortheroadaheadandteachyoulifeles-sonsthatcannotbeforgotten.PS#1willalwaysbetheplacewhereIlearnednottogiveupandtokeeponfighting.

Alexa Wilson,Beginning at Berkeley Hall School…SevenyearsagoIenteredalittlebluegatenotknowingtheexperienceIwasinfor.Betweenthefieldtripsandart,music,math,P.E.andlibrary,PS#1hasbeentheperfectfitforme.Frommyfirstcampingtriptothelast,IhavehadthebestmemoriesatPS#1.PS#1hastaughtmenotonlytobeaneducatedpersonbutalsotofol-lowwhatIbelieveinandmakeadifference…IwillcarryPS#1withmefortherestofmylife.

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by Sam Clement on the electric ukulele. A fitting song choice as this year’s graduation theme was inspired by the imaginative book and movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. PS#1 wishes the 2008 graduating class luck and happiness on their quest for success, and look forward to staying connect-ed with them so that we may celebrate many more successes together in the future. We hope you enjoy reading the following abbreviated versions of the graduates’ speeches.

6

GRADW RDS

9

Alumni Corner

The PS#1 Alumni Association

8

WetrytoincludeasmanyAlumniupdatesasspaceallows.Ifyouwerenotincludedinthiscolumn,andyousentusanupdate,pleaselookforyourfeatureinanupcomingissue.Welovehearingyournews! Check out the website this spring . We are creatingCheckoutthewebsitethisspring.Wearecreatingaportalwhereallthealumniupdateswillbeavailable.

Alumni PerspectivesScott Samuel,1973-1978 ScottandGinaSamuel’sson,Frankie,isenrolledforthefallof2008,thefirstoffspringofaPS#1graduatetoenroll.AfterteachingforseveralyearsatthehighschoollevelinLosAngeles,ScottistakingsometimeofffromteachingtoworkonaMaster’sdegree.Ayearagohewrotethisforus: IwenttoSonomaStateandSanFran-ciscoStateformyBAinHistoryandTeach-ingCredential.IhaveaMAinEducationManagement. ItisdifficulttodescribetheinfluencethatPS#1hashadonmylife.Ithadaprofoundeffectonmyviewsoftheworldandmyroleinit.Ihavebeenteachinghighschoolforfifteenyears.MyteachinghasbeenanattempttopassontheattitudestowardslifeandlearningthatIlearnedatPS#1.Igainedaloveoflearning,andafrustrationwithotherformsofeducation,thathascarriedonthroughoutmylife.Iseetheschoolsthatare,andIknowthattheycanbesomuchbetter.Iseeinmystudentsthefrustrationthattraditionaleducationhascreated.PS#1helpedustolearn,tothinkaboutproblemsandconsideravarietyofsolutions.Mostschoolsteachstudentstojustfindthe‘right’answer. MylifemostlyrevolvesaroundmysonFrankie.Heisfinishingkindergartensoon.AfewweeksagoIwenttoPS#1lookingtofindaschoolforhim.Theschoolisdif-ferentinsomanyways.Itisnotthelittle18-studenthousewithducksintheback.Itisbiggerbrighterandmuchfancier,butitstillfeelslikehome.

Milo Frank,1996-2001 “OnJune6th,Isuccessfullycompleted4yearsatNewRoadsHighSchool.Allfouryears,Ihavecontinuedtoplaybasketballendlesslyeveryday.In10thgrade,IwontheRookieoftheYearawardontheVarsityteam.In12thgrade,IwontheMVPaward.IhavehadthegreatfortunetotrainwithsuchplayersasTheLosAngelesLakers’JordanFarmer,UCLA’sJoshShippandChaseStanbackandFormerGeorgetownplayersBrandonBowmanandAshantiCook.Nextyear,Iwillbegoingtoaprepschoolforapost-graduateyearatHebronAcademyinMaine.Iamexcitedfortheop-portunitythattheyhavegivenmetobuildmystrengthsasabasketballplayerandstudent.”

Nora Frankel,1994-1998 “AftergraduatinginMaywithaBAinArtHistoryfromSmithCollege,IreturnedtoLAforthesummer.Whilethefirstpartofthesummerhasbeenlazy,Iplantoeventu-allygotogradschoolinthefieldofartconservation.AtSmith,IinitiallystudiedbiologyandspentasemesterinAustraliaresearchingrainforestecology.However,uponmyreturnIbeganworkattheSmithMuseumofArt,conservingandrecreatingperiodgiltframesforthecollection.Ifellinlovewithartconservation.ThisAugust,I’llfindmyselfinCody,Wyoming,conserv-ingfirearmsattheBuffaloBillHistoricalCenter,whichshouldprovetobeinterest-ing,tosaytheleast.Howcanitnotbe,withatownmottolike“Codyisrodeo?”Afterwards,IplantospendaboutamonthinThailand,Cambodia,andVietnamformylastboutofpre-careerwanderingbeforeIwillonceagainreturntoLA,searchforlongterminternships,andbegintoapplytograduateprograms.”

Celeste Marvin-Strong,1999-2007 “IfinishedseventhgradeatArcherandsomehighlightswere:havingastorypub-lishedintheLiteraryMagazineformiddleschool;receivingathirdplacemedalforthelongjumpinthePacificBasinLeague,andhavingoneofmypoemschosenforthirdplaceduringpoetrymonth.IamnowinasummermusicalproductionoftheplayWicked. Ihopetoseeeveryonenextschoolyear!”

Alumni Corner In the early years of PS#1 there were a few families who believed in the vision we had of a school. They gave us every-thing they had, their children, the tuition, their homes, their energies, imagina-tions and skills. One such family was the Hopelains. Recently we caught up with them again when Peter (1980-1987), the third Hopelain offspring who attended PS#1, joined us for the 35th Anniversary of the School. We’ve tracked them all down in different parts of the country and are happy to report their most re-cent activities:

Patricia and David Hopelain,alumniparents “Wearelivinginthemountainsabout50milessouthofYosemite.WegetourmailatasmalltowncalledNorthFork.Wearehometo2dogs,4Arabianhorses,4cats,13chickensand2guineahens,andweownatractor.PatriciahasdevelopedaprogramcalledTheCraneValleyEquineProject,designedtoteachchildrenself-awarenessthroughinteractionwithhorses.Acommentthatcapturestheprogram’ses-senceis,‘ifyoucanmanagea1000poundanimalwithamindofitsown,youcantakecareofyourselfunderalmostanycircum-

stance.’Asforme,(David)I’mimmersedtomyneckinCalifornia’s(andparticularlyCentralCalifornia’s)waterproblems.OfallthethingsI’vedone,thisisthemostcom-plexproblemI’veworkedon;andthestakesareveryhigh.”

Jennifer Hopelain,1971-1974 JenniferislivinginKansasCitywithher8yearolddaughter,Lauren,andisveryinvolvedinLauren’sschooling.ShehasbeenworkinginbusinessdevelopmentintheCommercialRealEstateindustryforthepast51/2years.

Allison Hopelain,1972-1974 AllisonHopelainandherchefhusband,RussellMoore,formerlyofChezPanisse,haveopenedtheirownrestaurantinOak-landcalledCamino.AllisonistheGeneralManager.TheSan Francisco Chroniclereported,“Wood-firedcuisinewithaseasonal,sustainablefocusisthedrawatthisrestaurant…inanelegantlyremod-eledformerfurniturestoreontheOak-land-Piedmontborder.Sophisticatedwithrusticedges.Anexposedbrickwallrunsthelengthoftheroom,whichisanchoredbytheopenkitchen’sdramaticfireplace,wheremeatroastsonaspitandcazuelassimmeronthecoals.Redwoodtables,includingtwo30-foot-longslabsfromatreethatblewdowninMendocino,aresetoffbyapolishedconcretefloor.Ironchandeliershangfromapressed-tileceiling.”Anyoneheadingupthatwayshouldcheckouttheirwebsitewww.caminorestaurant.comandseeifyoucangetareservation.

Peter Hopelain,1980-1987 “Autoracinghasbecomemylifefrominstructingschoolstobuildingtosittingondesignteamsfor700hphybridstreetcars.JustrecentlyImovedtotheAutoGalleryinWoodlandHillsasaservicedirectorwith

Ferrari/Maserati.ImustsayIlovethecom-panyandtheproductisok. Ico-foundedaraceseriesinthebegin-ningof2006andwithfieldsizesinthe20+,Ihavedecidedtomoveonfromtheseriesafterbeingofferedsupportfor2009-2010togograndamracing.Thatisveryexcitingforme. InthebeginningofthisyearIstartedanInternetmulti-medianetworkdedicatedtoamaturemotorsportsandthatcompanyisforecastinggoingfulltimewithfundingattheendofthisyear.Somewhereinthemiddleofworkingthreefull-timejobsIfindthetimetosleep.(morelikenapsreally)”

Emma Andersson,1989-1994 EmmahasgraduatedfromYaleLawSchoolandisstudyingfortheCaliforniaBarExam.ThissummershehasanACLUfellowshiptoworkinSantaCruzontheACLUDrugLawReformProject,which“…combin(es)litigation,education,andcommunityempowermenttoachieveahumaneandsensibledrugpolicythatrespectsbasichumanrights.”

Nico Zimmerman,1988-90 Nico,agraduateofUCLALawSchool,workedfortwoyearsinAustraliawiththeInternationalLawFirmofSullivan&Cromwell.Hecontinuestoworkforthemincommerciallaw,nowinLosAngeles.Hehashispilot’slicenseandfliesoftenwithhisdad,Bill.

CelesteMarvin-Strong(ltor)ScottSamuel,AbbiePertulla,JoshandAnnaPertulla,PeterHopelain,ElliePelcyger.

Our 2002 graduates have completed their secondary education and are off to...William Baskin-gerwitz, Universityof PennsylvaniaSpencer Blattel, CaliforniaInstitute oftheArtsPeter Cron-Barshov, Ifyouknow whatPeterhasbeenuptopleaseemail Deirdre@psone.org.Nick Cron-DeVico, USCJake Colman, startingahandmade gelatocompanyJessica Ekstein, SyracuseMilo Frank, HebronAcademyAlex Hirsch, YaleHelen Keyes, UniversityofSanFranciscoJak Koning, BrownUniversityHayley Lloyd, SyracuseNick Maya, BardCollegeAlexandra McCown, LivinginLondonAsha McNab, BrownUniversityRoxy Rockenwagner, USCBridget Rodman, SanFranciscoStateSheena Sada-ghiani, EugeneLanguage CollegeattheNewSchoolforLiberalArtsDelaney Simon, BardCollegeLaura Simon, BostonUniversityZachary Statler, NYUBradley Thompson, SantaMonicaCollege shorttermthentoUCSantaCruz Alexander Walters, UCDavisMolly Wertheimer, NYU

RogerandGailSamuel,aretheparentsofMarla’74andScott’78,andGrandpar-entsofFrankie’15.TheyarethefirsteverAlumniParentstobecomeCurrentPS#1Grandparents.Congratulations!

MiloFrank