ssfs community news: spring 2012

S A N D Y S P R I N G F R I E N D S S C H O O L

Community News Spring 2012

The 2012 Community Play, The Mikado, celebrates the School's early tradition of producing a

Gilbert and Sullivan show each year.

SSFS 50th AnniversaryCome celebrate with us! June 1-2, 2012

Community News is a publication for the alumni, faculty, parents, students, and other friends past and present who make up the many communities of Sandy Spring Friends School.

Published twice a year by the Advancement Office:

Mary MazzucaDirector of Advancement

Judy AverbachDirector of the Annual Fund

Margaret RosserDirector of External Communications

Sarah MargolisMedia Relations

© 2012 Sandy Spring Friends School16923 Norwood RoadSandy Spring, Maryland 20860301.774.7455www.ssfs.org

Change of Address: Please send all changes to: Mary MazzucaSandy Spring Friends School16923 Norwood Rd.Sandy Spring, MD 20860or [email protected]

Cover: The cast of the 2012 Community Play, The Mikado, gathers onstage before a dress rehearsal. Read more about the play on pages 10-11. (Photo by Margaret Rosser)

Table of Contents

Get the Community News delivered electronically!

Message from Tom Gibian, Head of School 1

Alumni Weekend & 50th Anniversary Celebration, June 1-3 2

Alumni Dance Activities with Liz Lerman and Hannah Seith Kerr '95 7

The Community House/9th Grade Camping Trip by Kent Holland '82 8

2012 Community Play: The Mikado 10

Sustainability Update 12

2012 Strategic Plan by Karen Cumberbatch 14

50th Anniversary Events & Activities 17

Snapshots From Sandy Spring 18

SSFS Board of Trustees Update 20

Community News Query: "Why SSFS?" 22

SSFS Legacy Family: The Imlays 24

2012 Annual Fund Update 25

Honoring Gwen Hander's 35 Years at SSFS 26

Alumni Notes 27

Alumni Get-Togethers 32

From the Archives Inside back cover

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Message from the Head of School

Tom GibianHead of School

As our 50th anniversary year comes to a close, we have much to celebrate from our past, and even more to look forward to for our future. Building on our history of innovation, Quaker values, and love of learning, we continue to ensure the sustainability of SSFS – and the land we are on – for years to come. This spring, I am especially excited about:

• Watching our plans for a robust Community Farm come to fruition. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts and expertise of Josie Johnson ’01 and Shawn Connell ’01, the first plants are in, and many of our parents, students and friends have come together to help launch this project, which promises to be transformative – not only in our dining room, but in our academic curriculum and in our community.

• Planning for the installation of ground-mounted solar panels on the "Stone Property" of the School (the field in front of the Adventure Park). The panels should be generating 480 kWs of electricity for us by the start of the 2012-2013 school year.

• Launching a 1:1 iPad pilot project for grades 5, 6 and 9 to begin in the fall of 2012. A group of faculty has already begun to meet and share plans for the exciting and innovative applications that can be used to help expand and deepen our curriculum.

• Refinancing the School’s debt to a favorable interest rate. This has allowed the School to increase its funds available for making campus improvements by almost $1 million and, at the same time, has fixed the interest rate (no more "variable rate" risk) and lowered the annual payment.

• Beginning work on a natural outdoor play and learning area for the Lower School playground space. Using natural resources such as logs, boulders, plants, and water, this playground promises to be great for the environment and a ton of fun for the kids.

• Finalizing our Strategic Plan. I am delighted with the progress that has been made, and especially with all the discussions spawned within our community on a myriad of topics, including: professional development, preliminary designs for a new Upper School, diversity and multiculturalism, learning differences, Quakerism and our community, our residential program, athletics, technology, curriculum coordination, and more. The list really does go on and on.

I couldn’t be more proud of SSFS, and I know that each of us will continue to do our part to make SSFS the best school it can be.

2 SSFS Community News

Get Ready to Celebrate! It's been a busy year! Many celebrations and commemorations have been held throughout 2011-2012 in recog-nition of the School's 50th anniversary and all the wonderful individuals who have given their time, money, land, faith, intellect, and spirit to make SSFS the thriving PK-12 school that it is today. The celebrations will culminate on June 1-2, 2012, during Alumni Weekend, and we hope that you'll be able to join us for the activi-ties planned.

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The following pages highlight many of the fun events that will be going on during the weekend and describe some of the commemorations and celebrations that the School has held throughout the year.

For more information about the 50th anniversary events, please contact Johanna Cowie, clerk of the 50th Anni-versary Committee, or Mary Mazzuca, Director of Advancement. Photos from School events are also available online at www.ssfs.org/galleries.

Alumni Weekend &50th Anniversary Celebration:June 1-2, 2012


FRIDAY, JUNE 1• Community House Camping Trip at John Hartge’s FarmAll Community House alumni are encouraged to attend this overnight camping trip beginning at noon on Friday, June 1, and ending the follow-ing morning on Saturday, June 2. Activities planned include Frazleerham, Ultimate Frisbee, swimming in the river (if warm enough), and plenty of laughs. Please bring your 9th grade diaries and photos.

All are encouraged to bring their spouse/significant other and children. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUESTED. $10 per person, or $25 for a family of four. Find out more on pages 8-9!

Upper School Dance & Music Concert, Performing Arts Center, 7:15 pmCome see the Upper School students shine at the Spring Dance and Music Concert.

Night Climb and Alumni Party, Adventure Park at SSFS8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.Swing through the trees at night using wooden platforms connected by various configurations of cable, wood, rope and zip lines to form bridges. There are separate and distinct courses in the park with varying degrees of difficulty. Not up for travelling through the trees? Celebrate on land chat-ting with friends and family while you dine on a barbeque dinner and listen to the sounds of "Gallons to Ounces" (Zach Miller ’04, Tom Hatcher, and Matthew Cummings).

50th Anniversary Alumni Weekend: June 1-2, 2012

Need some more convincing to come to Alumni Weekend? Check out the video on the SSFS YouTube channel (sandyspringfriends) with appearances by Eduardo Polón, Rex Riley '80, Bob Hoch, David Kahn, Hannah Seith Kerr '95, Barry Merritt, Leah Niepold, and Josh Moffatt '02.

Scan the QR code above with your smartphone to register for Alumni Weekend online!

>> Swing through the trees at the new Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, take an alumni dance class, or see the Upper School dance and music concert.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 2• 5th Annual SSFS Wildebeest Stampede and 3rd Annual Mini Stampede8:00 a.m. Registration8:30 a.m. Mini Stampede Begins9:15 a.m. 5K Race StartsRegistration and race start located next to baseball fieldJoin fellow alumni, family and friends for the 5th Annual SSFS 5K Wilde-beest Stampede and the 3rd Annual Mini Stampede. The Mini Stampede is ½ mile and 1 mile race for children ages 4 -11. The 5K is a true cross country race course that will take you into the woods, up and down hills, onto the Rural Legacy Trail and past the SSFS pond. Due to the nature of the cross country terrain, no pets, bikes, or strollers will be allowed on the course. Post-race refreshments will be provided. An awards ceremony for the 5K will take place after the race with prizes for the top three overall male and female finishers. A commemorative race t-shirt is guaranteed to pre-registered runners.

• Meeting for Worship, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Meeting House at SSFS

• Dance Through the Decades: An Alumni Dance Forum10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Clifton Arts CenterCome share your Sandy Spring Friends School dance experiences, while learning more about the history of the dance program at SSFS from for-mer SSFS dance teacher Liz Lerman and Hannah Seith Kerr ’95. (See p. 7)

• Alumni Dance Class, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Clifton Arts CenterDrawing on reflections shared at the “Dance Through the Decades” forum, Liz and Hannah will choreograph a dance for any and all com-munity members interested in participating. The dance created will be performed at the evening Alumni Dance Concert.

A booklet with information about Alumni Weekend and registration forms was sent out to SSFS alumni and friends this spring. If you did not receive yours, please contact Mary Mazzuca at [email protected] or 301.774.7455 x107 to make sure that we have your correct mailing address on file.

< Participate in the 5th Annual Wildebeest Stampede 5K


SATURDAY, JUNE 2 (continued)• Alumni Strawberry Cowbake Honoring Gwen Handler’s 35 Years

at SSFS, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., SSFS PondRelive some of your favorite SSFS memories with an Alumni Strawberry Cowbake. Enjoy a menu of steak, chicken, veggie kabobs, and of course strawberry shortcake. Make sure to bring the kids, as there will be a pet-ting zoo, face painting, a moon bounce, and swimming in the pond for the family to enjoy! This year we will be honoring Gwen Handler’s 35th anniversary at the School.

• Wildebeest Street Bookstore Hours: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Lower Level, Moore HallVisit the Wildebeest Street Bookstore to see the latest in SSFS clothing and gifts. Alumni will receive a special one-day discount of 15% off all retail items.

• Alumni Lacrosse Game, 2:00 p.m., Preuss FieldBreak out your lacrosse equipment and get ready for fun! The game will match alum vs. alum, and teams will be organized that day. All players must provide their own equipment for playing in the game.

• Alumni Beestball Challenge, 3:30 p.m., Baseball FieldGet ready for an exciting game of Beestball. The game will match alums against the current varsity baseball team.

• Alumni Dance Concert, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Performing Arts CenterCome watch fellow alumni and current students perform in a concert tailor-made for Alumni Weekend. The dance created at the morning Alumni Dance Class will be performed, and alumni and current SSFS students will also perform a selection of alumni dances.

• All Class Reunion Party, 6:30 p.m. Dave’s American Bistro, 5500 Olney-Laytonsville Rd. 20832Celebrate with all reunion classes at Dave’s American Bistro! Catch up with old friends and enjoy complimentary appetizers. Cash bar.

SUNDAY, JUNE 3• Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting, 9:00 am. 17715 Meeting House Rd, Sandy Spring, MDSandy Spring Monthly Meeting would like to extend a warm welcome to SSFS alumni to come to Meeting for Worship at 9:00 am, with a continen-tal breakfast to be served afterwards in the Community House.

50th Anniversary Weekend: June 1-2, 2012

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Calling All Dancers!

Among many of the festivities happening on Saturday, June 2nd, there will be a dance opportunity for everyone. The day begins with "Dance through the Decades: An Alumni Dance Forum," which will take place in Clifton Arts Center from 10:00 am-10:30 am. Former SSFS dance teacher Liz Lerman and I will discuss the evolution of the SSFS dance program and the influences it has had on us. Attendees are also welcome to share their reflections, experiences and influ-ences.

Immediately following the forum, we transition into the Alumni Dance Class in Clifton Arts Center from 10:30 am-12:00 pm. Drawing on the many reflections shared at the “Dance Through the Decades” forum, Liz and I will choreograph an impromptu dance for any and all community members interested in participating. This dance will be performed in the evening.

The culminating dance event of the day will be the Alumni Dance Concert in the Performing Arts Center at 5:00 pm. This is a “for you, by you" show! We hope to host several alumni works. We are looking for pieces of any kind: improvisation-based, old works, new works... All levels are welcome and encouraged. If you are interested in pre-senting work, please contact me at [email protected]. In addition, the alumni dance created in the Alumni Dance Class will be per-formed, and current SSFS students will present a selection of dances from past dance concerts.

Just as most of us began our dancing career at SSFS, many of us ended our dancing career when we graduated. Wouldn’t it be fun to relive some of those glory days? This will be an Alumni Day to go down in history! See you there!

Photo courtesy of Liz Lerman

Liz Lerman worked at SSFS in the early-to-mid 1970s, where she pioneered an innovative dance program focused on original choreography and the mixing of art mediums. She helped produce spectacular performances at the School that have informed the SSFS dance program ever since.

In 1976, she created the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, which has become a world-renowned center for contemporary dance. In 2011, she handed the artistic leadership of the company over to the next generation of Dance Exchange artists. She recently spent a semester at Harvard University as an artist-in-residence and visiting lecturer, and is now pursuing new projects with fresh partnerships.

Liz has been the recipient of numerous honors, including a 2002 MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship and a 2011 United States Artists Ford Fellowship. Her work has been commissioned by the Lincoln Center, American Dance Festival, Harvard Law School, and the Kennedy Center, among many others. Her newest performance, The Matter of Origins, examined the question of beginnings through dance, media and innovative formats for conversation.

Find out more on her website, www.lizlerman.com

by Hannah Seith Kerr '95, US Dance Teacher

Sam Chih '15, performs “Crispy Bacon” by Gabe Prescott ‘98, originally performed in Spring 1998.


Later that afternoon I saw a large chute and the V (which we were supposed to be aiming for), that my canoe mate didn’t tell me about. It was too late, we went down kitty-cornered and broad-sided a rock. “Get out!” I screamed at my canoe mate but she ignored me and stuck out her leg and started to rock the canoe off the boulder. “Get out” I screamed again and as I was getting out, the canoe came free with a jerk which threw me clear off the canoe and head over heels in the water.

Day 2I started off with my new canoe partner David Muelken. As the day went on we found how to successfully handle the rapids. The canoeing was fairly uneventful but camp certainly made up in excitement. After dinner we played Ultimate Frisbee. Mike, Rob, Neils, Dave and I against Johno, Lance, Sean and Charley and Phillip. It was the first time I had ever played, and I enjoyed it immensely. Ultimate needs quickness, skill and good defense and offers the fun of a fast contact sport, without body contact. Our team won 10-7. Later that evening Linda had an asthma attack and John had to give her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Day 3We canoed steadily until we reached the dam. The dam was huge, and Johno and Rob helped the canoes down a wooden slide, which was very fright-ening as there were two tons of water thundering from a hundred foot drop. After we got down the slide Dave and I had to steer around a thousand rocky islands. Suddenly I heard David G. shout, “I’ve sprained my ankle!” I leaped out of the canoe and to help David G., telling him to hold up.

Later that day, Dave started having trouble when he had to rescue John F.’s paddle which had fallen out of his capsized canoe. Dave began floating

downstream, toward some turbu-lent rapids. “Help!” he screamed. I hesitated. Soon I saw Dave was in real trouble, so I plunged into the water. “Hang on Dave!” I yelled across the foamy brine. Unfortunately, I was hav-ing trouble staying alive myself. Both Dave and I grabbed the sandpaper surface of a rock and we threw the gear floating in the water to the top. Dave could barely talk, using all his energy to cling limpet-like to the side of the boulder. We climbed to the top of the rock and Dave said “I can’t believe I almost killed myself for this paddle!”

Finally, we reached camp, where Phil-lip and I set up our tent and I quickly changed into clean clothes and went down to the fire for dinner. After dinner, Dave, Neils, Carolyn and I sat around the fire while we roasted our underwear to get it dry. It was a good roast.

Day 4Dave and I agreed later in the day that the Staircase Rapids were the most enjoyable of all the rapids. There were hairpin turns, exciting chutes, precari-ous ledges and foaming water. Dinner was fairly boring, except for a UFO sighting and a sudden manic depres-sion by C.

Day 5I awake with a cold, and at 20 minutes until nine I felt weak. I had been blow-ing my nose all night. The “Mad Awak-ener” – Barry Morley – told us the night before we would be going back to Harper’s Ferry and I was excited. But the combination of the cold and my not being able to go to the bathroom in the woods made me miserable, and I was seriously considering going home.

Day 6The morning was warm and I was feel-ing great! I packed my backpack which was very heavy and started off. Several hours later I was not feeling so cheery.

Remember When: The Community Houseby Kent Holland, graduate of the 9th grade class of 1978-79 and a member of the SSFS graduating class of 1982

The 50th anniversary of Sandy Spring Friends School is a time of rejoicing, celebration, and reflection as graduates of Sandy Spring consider how we have made our lives speak since we left campus. I’m sure all of our graduates have memories of what made the school special for them.

For some of us, Sandy Spring Friends School was actually two different schools: the 10th-12th program, and the Commu-nity House 9th Grade Program created by Barry and Ann Morley that began in 1974 which taught 15 to 25 students on a separate campus. We cherished our independence from the “big school,” or main campus, which at that time consisted of approximately 160 boarding and day school 10th-12th graders. I’m not sure if Barry and Ann invented the “experiential learning” trips that are now ubiquitous in high schools and colleges, but they were certainly early pioneers of integrating the outdoors with the classroom to create a sim-ply unforgettable educational experience.

The love of nature that I’ve passed down to my boys, my interest in the outdoors that hibernated all of those years I lived in New York City and has reawakened since my move back Maryland, the way I look at the combination of learning while doing with my kids: for that I thank Barry and Ann Morley, Mike DeHart, John Hartge, and Don and Sue Cassidy.

In that spirit, here are some excerpts from my 9th grade journal of the annual fall camping trip where we canoed to Harpers Ferry and then hiked the Appalachian trail. I hope it jogs the memories of my class-mates and reminds the other Community House 9th “graduates” of their own trips. Pardon the melodrama of a 13-year old’s observations, where apparently every situa-tion was life or death. ~ Kent

Day 1As we pushed off Morgan’s Ford I was unsure of myself. The first time canoeing, and 14 miles to go. I got wet quickly, having gotten snagged the first one hundred yards.

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As I gasped and puffed up Weaverton Cliffs, cursing every step, I wondered if I was going to survive. After lunch, I decided I would. Sure there was ten miles to go, but I would make it. Besides aching muscles and bones, I reflected later, that I had gained some-thing – there is nothing like hiking to build up friendship. I felt I was really good friends with Dave, Neils and Paul at the end of the day.

Day 8All during the night it rained, and when I woke up it was still drizzling. We hiked two miles to Annapolis Rock, where Kevin, a professional rock-climber, put up the climbing ropes. I was sixth in line and scared. Kevin tied the rope around me and I started up the face of the mountain. The going was fine until I was three-fourths of the way up. Then it began to get hairy. I was too busy trying to get a handhold, then a foothold, to get frightened. At several places I had to use pure bicep power to pull myself up. Before I knew it I had pulled and grunted my way to the top! But this was just the start as I was about to take the harder climb to my left.

As I gasped and shook for breath as I went up the climb to my left, I noticed

sweat had broken out all over my body. I looked up to see a seemingly insur-mountable ledge. Albeit the last leg of my climb, it was the most difficult. I took a deep breath, shoved my hand as far as it would go, and heaved. My biceps strained and tingled, and my legs swung free. I gasped, seeing a seventy-foot drop below me. I grunted and swung my right leg over, hooking it on the ledge! I grunted and groaned and pulled and my body up and over the ledge!

After dinner, Dave, Neils and I built a fire on Annapolis Rock, which we sat around for a few hours. As I went to bed, I reflected that today was one of the most exciting days I had ever experienced.

Day 10I woke up jubilant. The last day! I could almost taste pizza on my lips! As I stumbled along the trial towards Pen Mar, I had visions of Big Macs and French fries dancing in my head. At Pen Mar we played a game of Ultimate Frisbee then Ann arrived with the bus. I got on, I was happy and sad. Happy that I was getting back to a shower and food; sad because the trip was over, along with the fun and excitement I had over the past ten days.

9th Grade Camping Trip

Nostalgic Yet?? Come back for a Community House 9th Grade Camping Trip reunion!My own 9th grade experience is a significant factor in the person I am today. In that spirit, I am work-ing with SSFS Alumni Relations to create a 9th Grade Reunion Camp-ing Trip on Friday, June 1, 2012, on John Hartge’s farm in Montgomery County, MD. Many of the 9th grade classes began their orientation at the Hartge farm, and it seems perfect for a reunion. This would be an overnight camping trip, rain or shine, beginning at noon on Friday, June 1, and ending the following morning on Saturday, June 2, in enough time to get to the SSFS campus for the 50th Anniversary festivities. All are encouraged to bring their spouse/significant other and children (I plan on bringing my two sons). SSFS will provide basic camp fare for dinner, non-alcoholic bever-ages and all the gorp you can eat.

Come play Frazleerham and Ultimate Frisbee, swim in the river, and laugh and share stories with classmates and former faculty. Please bring your 9th grade diaries and photos!

Cost is $10 per person, or $25 for a family of four. Contact me (Kent Holland) or Mary Mazzuca for more details.


The 2012 Community Play:

With larger-than-life charisma, a pas-sion for good music, and a chorus of up to 60 students and faculty at his disposal, SSFS Choral Director Barry Morley established a tradition dur-ing the School's early years of putting on an annual Gilbert and Sullivan show. So when Bruce Evans, direc-tor of the annual Community Play at SSFS, began thinking of ideas for a production that would be appropri-ate for the celebration of the School's 50th anniversary, Gilbert and Sul-livan's The Mikado, which the School had produced in 1974, 1986, and 1995, immediate rose to the top of the list of possibilities.

The play offers several lead roles, as well as opportunities to have a large cast of all ages - both important criteria for Bruce, who began directing the SSFS Community Play in 1996 as a way to bring together all members of the diverse community: students, faculty, staff, parents, board members, and local actors and musicians.

Bruce did have a few concerns, however. Would the production of this comic opera, set in the fictitious Japanese town of Titipu, be offensive to our Asian community? After being reassured on this point by many com-munity members and then doing his own historical research about the ori-gins of the production, Bruce conclud-ed that The Mikado was in fact jabbing fun at the English and Victorian-era standards and laws. Actors used Brit-ish accents to highlight that intent.

Bruce had been in Gilbert and Sul-livan productions before and was a fan of the duo's work, but this was his first time directing a Gilbert and Sul-livan show. Although not an easy to show to direct, Bruce said that at the very start of the show, he told the cast that, above all, he "wanted everyone to have FUN!"

The fun the cast had was appar-ent in the productions, March 1-4, which drew a packed house almost every night, and broke a record for attendance on the Saturday evening performance.

One of the loudest laugh-lines of the night came from an original modern-ization of a song, entitled,"As Some Day It Would Happen," written and sung by Ted McAdams ("Ko-Ko") and his wife Susan (lyrics below).

John Hartge – an SSFS alumni (class of 1972), parent of alums, former trustee, and former teacher – was one of the fans of the production. John wrote to Bruce after the show that it was, "ter-rific on all levels! Singing was lovely, casting was spot on, acting was hilari-ous, blocking just flowed so smoothly in all scenes, the set and costumes were grand, lighting and sound let me see and hear everyone and every line, and the orchestra was a delight! A true G&S production infused with the SSFS spirit with wonderful, whimsical,

As some day it may happen that a victim must be found,I've got a little list — I've got a little listOf society offenders who might well be underground,And who never would be missed — who never would be missed!There's Team Jacob and Team Edward and the wizards who cast spells — And Britney, Gaga, Bieber and the latest one – Adele — All children who are up on facts, and floor you with 'em flat — All persons who in shaking hands, shake hands with you like that (fist bump) - And all the students who forgetting homework will feel dissed — They'd none of 'em be missed — they'd none of 'em be missed! (Chorus) There’s Goldman Sachs and Morgan and the other one percent -And the piano-organist — I've got her on the list!And the children with their chewing gum who fill the room with scent -They never would be missed — they never would be missed!Then the idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone,All centuries but this, and every country but his own;And the Friends at popcorn Meetings who speak on and on and onOf the pleasures of simplicity and quote Khalil GibranAnd that singular anomaly, the Quaker humorist — I don't think she'd be missed — I'm sure she'd not be missed! (Chorus) There’s the self-important bloggers, who just now are rather rife,who skewer politics — I've got them on the list!All funny fellows, comic men, and clowns of private life — They'd none of 'em be missed — they'd none of 'em be missed.And the current crop of candidates who poison their own kind -Such as Newt and Mitt and Rick and Rick and also (wink like Sarah Palin) never-mind,And the superPACs who shroud their donors just complete the zoo — The task of filling up the blanks I'd rather leave to you.But it really doesn’t matter whom you put upon the listFor they'd none of 'em be missed — they'd none of 'em be missed! (Chorus)

"As some day it may happen," re-written by Ted and Susan McAdams

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Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Mikado"

ridiculous bits woven in by the leads and the cast - so many that they would be longer than Ko-Ko's list!"

Congratulations to the cast, crew, mu-sicians, and all those who lent a help-ing hand with costumes, set-building, the concession stand, and much more to make this a truly successful com-munity production.

(Above) Cast members included SSFS parent Becky Rizvi, Assistant Head of School for Academic Innovation David Hickson, 9th grader Lily McAdams, parent John Byhouwer, and MS teacher Ted McAdams, along with a chorus of many other community members.

(Below) Cast of the 1974 production of The Mikado, and from the 2012 production.

< 9th Grader Jake Gearon and Junior Sara Dean played the roles of Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum.

More photos from the production can been seen on the SSFS online photo gallery, www.ssfs.org/galleries/.

Lily, Sara, and Avery sing the popular "Three little maids from school are we."


Sustainability Update: SSFS Community Farm, Solar Panels, and a Natural Playground

As a Friends school that emphasizes the traditional Quaker values of ser-vice, the peaceful resolution of con-flict, integrity, simplicity, equality, and stewardship of the environment, SSFS has long demonstrated its commitment to sustainability in many areas of its operation, from education and curricu-lum planning to land use, recyling, and composting programs. When it comes to environmental sustainability, SSFS's longstanding commitment shines par-ticularly bright.

Every April around Earth Day, Sandy Spring Friends School holds its annual Earth Stewardship Day, promoting environmental awareness through three practices: service, education, and reflection. Community spirit is created as all community members participate together working on projects such as cleaning up the campus gardens, mulching, amd planting trees. This year, KidsPost (the kid's section of the

Washington Post) came to campus to write about the day.

Earth Stewardship Day is a wonderful example of one aspect of the school’s support for sustainability. However, sustainable practices are in place year- round, everywhere on campus, sup-porting the mission of our school. Just a few examples include:

• Composting Program: Students in all grades separate their food scraps after lunch for composting. The resulting compost is used for the SSFS Community Farm.

• Campus Gardens: PK and Kinder-garten students grow food in their raised beds, and last year's Middle School Gardening Committee designed and built 10 raised gar-den beds used for an educational garden.

• Water Studies: 4th and 6th graders learn about pond and stream eco-systems by investigating the water sources on our campus.

• US Wildflower Project: All SSFS Biology students participate in this longstanding science class tradi-tion, in which they collect and identify Maryland wildflowers.

• US Select Seminar on Peace and Justice: Students in this intensive two-year course of study engage in academic research and hands-on projects relating to issues of global sustainability.

In addition, campus recycling and the use of local building materials, energy-efficient heating/cooling systems, and biodegradable cleaning supplies are core components of SSFS’s sustainable practices.

These initiatives are not new to the School. In 2008, in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the inter-national Earth Day Network selected 40 schools throughout the world that have demonstrated their commitment to environmental initiatives. Sandy Spring Friends School was chosen for the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. and recognized, in particular, in the "Educa-tion and Stewardship" category.

Not content to rest on its laurels, however, SSFS continues to strive to increase environmental awareness and initiatives in the community. This year, SSFS has plans for three ambitious projects which will continue to enhance the school’s sustainable practices: the Community Farm, a new Lower School natural playground, and installation of solar panels.

The US "From the Field to You" intersession group worked with Community Farmer Josie Johnson '01 to help build caterpillar tunnels for use on the SSFS Community Farm. Read the latest news from the farm on the blog: www.ssfsfarm.com

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Sustainability Update: SSFS Community Farm, Solar Panels, and a Natural Playground

The SSFS Community Farm is a community-run educa-tional and working farm that will supply the School's food services with fresh, organically-grown seasonal produce. It provides members of the SSFS community with opportuni-ties for hands-on experience in sustainable food production.

SSFS is excited to welcome Josie Johnson and Shawn Connell, both SSFS graduates from the Class of 2001, back to campus in their new roles as Community Farmer (Josie) and Community Sustainability Coordinator (Shawn). Josie and Shawn believe that grow-ing food in a school setting can do much more than just feed hungry students, faculty, and staff. In addition to producing food for our community, the Community Farm is a place where participants can develop a healthier relationship with each other, their food supply, and the land from which it grows. To this end, the farm doubles as an outdoor classroom where participants can explore the concepts of environmental stewardship, sustain-able agriculture, and the importance of community. Josie and Shawn shared, “We see the community farm as a place where powerful ideas can be put into practical action!”

Not too far from the Community Farm, on the "Stone Property" of the campus, SSFS will be installing a 4.73 mega-watt PV (photo-voltaic) solar field on almost 4 acres of land. This solar field will provide enough electricity to offset up to 70% of the electricity used by

the Middle School and Athletic Center buildings (about 55,000 square feet, combined). The project, which prom-ises to be the largest PV solar field for any school in Maryland, is expected to be operational by August 2012.

SSFS is also in the process of creating a “Natural Playground”on the campus – a playground created from natural resources such as logs, boulders, plants, and water. In creating and building a natural playground, the School will be able to develop a play area that is three times the size of a standard playground populated with synthetic facilities for the same amount of financial resources.

Lower School students will gain an in-creased awareness of and appreciation for the natural world.

The Friends Council of Education states, “Friends schools have a special obligation to include environmental education in their programs in order to promote a sustainable future for all life. Our students should learn how they can best understand, preserve, and restore the natural processes, resources, and beauty so vital to the earth and to humankind's physical and spiritual health.” Sandy Spring Friends School strives to be a leader in this endeavor.

One of the proposed plans for a Natural Outdoor Play and Learning Area calls for the development and installation of play areas created from natural resources, such as a labyrinth created from vegetation; a stream that feeds into a rain garden; repurposed timber used for seating, climbing, and tree forts; and agricultural gardens maintained by LS students.


2012 Strategic Plan

This year SSFS has been busily en-gaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process. In the winter of 2011, the Board of Trustees, in conjunction with the Head of School, decided the time was right to thoughtfully pause and reflect on the School’s endur-ing qualities developed over the last 50 years and discern what steps the School should take to ensure its future and move the institution forward.

Independent schools routinely engage in strategic planning initiatives every three to five years to develop a shared vision of what the institution must accomplish in order to thrive. Taking into account external and internal op-portunities and challenges, strategic plans provide a mechanism by which schools can facilitate advancements in their programs and policies, plan for contingencies, maximize resources, and foster a unified sense of direction for future growth and development.

Best practices in strategic planning note that the more representative and inclusive the process, the better. Toward that end, the Board commis-sioned the formation of the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, com-posed of 28 talented and dedicated Trustees, parents, alumni, members of the Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting, faculty, and administrators, to devise a plan for soliciting information and input from the community. The goals were to identify SSFS’s core, enduring strengths, as well as its current and future needs. Last June, that group divided into seven subcommittees to develop strategies for data gathering from our essential stakeholders in four critical areas of the School – education-al program, Quaker character, teachers and professional development, and business model.

To ensure a focus on strategic issues, the Board of Trustees and the school

administration developed a set of guiding questions based on the four areas of inquiry. When evaluating the educational program, the primary focus was on assessing the skills and knowledge that we believe will be vital for Sandy Spring graduates in the 21st century and the ways in which we can ensure that our students obtain those skills. Understanding the importance of the School’s Quaker foundation, these core questions sought to identify how we define, prioritize, educate about, and incorpo-rate Quaker values in our policies and practices. The questions in the faculty section centered on exploring how we can best support teachers to be both master educators and continual learn-

ers. Finally, the queries on the busi-ness model asked the community to consider how we could best ensure the School’s long term health and stabil-ity, while continuing to enhance our programmatic offerings, all the while remaining mindful of our goals for financial, environmental, global, spiri-tual, programmatic, and demographic sustainability.

Throughout the fall and early winter, the subcommittees canvassed the community using a variety of venues and methods to find answers to the 22 guiding questions. Approximately 100 parents from the three divisions par-ticipated in four discussion opportuni-ties, and over 300 participated in the

by Karen Cumberbatch, US Head and Clerk of the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee

a Goal: Provide SSFS students with the skills needed to suc-ceed in the 21st century.

Goal: Strengthen the Quaker character of the School to foster a broader community understanding of Quaker testimonies and process, and a clearer sense of how our Quaker values are made manifest within the School.

Goal: Ensure that all teachers are highly and consistently skilled in their craft; able to facilitate learning in each of our students through the use of diverse approaches in the classroom; proficient in the use of recognized best practices; and trained in new technologies. Ensure that administrators are capable of supporting, extending, and enhancing the work of faculty and staff.

Goal: Continue to enhance the School’s financial base and its facilities to ensure that the School is well-equipped to meet the challenges of maintaining a vibrant, intellectual-ly-stimulating learning environment for a diverse student population.

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2012 Strategic Plan Goals

15Spring 2012

online survey. Students in every grade, over 550 in total, answered a series of age-appropriate questions about their experiences at the school. The School’s faculty and staff from all areas of the school discussed each of the four in-quiry areas in small group gatherings and gave input via an online survey. Data was similarly gathered from SSFS alumni, current and former Board of Trustee members, Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting members, and rep-resentatives from the broader Sandy Spring/Olney community. Over 1000 respondents contributed their insights and opinions in total.

The volume and quality of the data was both daunting and extraordinarily useful. After examining and digest-ing the data, the Committee utilized the information to identify strategic themes and initiatives that were ap-propriate for the Plan. Although not every concern or recommendation from the input-gathering phase was incorporated into the document, all of the comments and suggestions were shared with the Division Heads and senior administrators so that they could be captured and addressed through other means. Some items were immediately addressed by the School, not needing the formality of the Plan to begin positive change.

The findings confirmed much of what the Committee and the School antici-pated. Overall, the various constitu-encies noted their satisfaction with SSFS and appreciation for the ways in which we serve our students. Many conveyed the sense that SSFS is a special place that both validates and enriches its students. They noted that the School’s articulation of its Quaker values provided a strong foundation for productive teacher-student inter-actions, engaging intellectual pur-

Judy Averbach Director of the Annual FundScott Baytosh LS TechnologyRick Beagle Chief Financial OfficerJ. Cole Assistant Head of U.S. for College CounselingTrish Cope MS ScienceJen Cort Head of Middle SchoolBrenda Crawley Head of Lower SchoolKaren Cumberbatch Head of Upper SchoolLinda Delaney Trustee and ParentCarylton Ganong ComptrollerChris Gearon ParentTom Gibian Head of SchoolDavid Hickson Assistant Head of School for Academic InnovationSteve Margolis ParentMary Mazzuca Director of AdvancementTed McAdams MS EnglishYasmin McGinnis Director of Enrollment ManagementCynthia McKee Trustee Deepika Mehta Trustee and ParentAaron Meisner AlumnusSandra Michaels TrusteeBob Mikkelson ParentLaura Miyoshi Director of OperationsCurt Moffatt Clerk, Board of TrusteesLeah Niepold US Global Languages TeacherSteve Powers Athletic DirectorJennie Rountree LS 4th Grade TeacherSarita Winter Parent

Strategic Planning Advisory CommitteeThank you to the following members of the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee for their time and efforts in helping to craft the 2012 Strategic Plan.

Continued on next page...


suits, and strong character education. Students graduate having obtained enduring academic skills, an under-standing of the world, compassion for others, a sense of their talents and unique ability to lead and contribute, and a desire to “let their lives speak.” Given these core strengths, most felt that although there was room for con-tinued improvement and growth, the School is a transformational place for students, parents, faculty, and staff.

The 2012 Strategic Plan intentionally validates the School’s foundational first 50 years as it embraces the bright future of the institution. The goals and action points of the new Strategic Plan focus on maintaining our core values and historical success, while enacting changes that will ensure that our students are best prepared for the needs of the 21st century. In each area of inquiry, the plan identifies a single, paramount goal with five to eight es-sential action points.

Recommendations for the educational program highlight:• the value and importance of regu-

lar curricular review;• multicultural education and cul-

tural competence;• increased proficiency in subject

areas like STEM (science, tech-nology, engineering, and math), global languages, and the arts;

• critical thinking, reading and writ-ing in all disciplines; and

• the lifelong benefits of athletic pursuit and physical activity.

To maintain and strengthen the Quak-er identity and values of the School, the Plan outlines action points that:• will deepen relationships with the

Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting and other Quaker organizations;

• better educate the community about Quakerism;

2012 Strategic Plan (continued from page 15)

by Karen Cumberbatch, US Head and Clerk of the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee

• increase the number of practicing Quakers on campus; and

• enrich the interactions within our community.

To promote and support excellent teaching, the plan focuses on methods to:• increase and improve the effi-

cacy of professional development initiatives;

• improve faculty evaluation; and • retain teachers of the highest

caliber.

And finally, the plan addresses the long term sustainability of the School by calling for:• a capital campaign to increase the

endowment; • improvement of the academic

program through construction of a new Upper School building;

• the strengthening of connections with alumni, alumni parents, and grandparents; and

• a determination of the optimal size of the school.

At the date of this printing, the 2012 Strategic Plan is in its final editing stage with the goals of approval by the Board and publication of the document by the end of the school year. This Plan represents the community’s best think-ing about the School and its future.These initiatives and action points will provide a blueprint for Sandy Spring to enhance its educational outcomes and continue its leadership among indepen-dent schools. As the document writing stage ends, the School is already turn-ing to the development of implementa-tion plans and specific timetables to achieve the strategic goals. These will be shared with the community as they are completed.

With the adoption of the 2012 Strate-gic Plan, the School enters a new and exciting phase of its existence. The Strategic Planning Advisory Commit-tee and the Board thank the com-munity for its generosity of time and input. Without the collective effort of the community, this phenomenal en-deavor would not have been possible. Together as a community, we will use this plan to embrace our bright future.

17Spring 2012

50th Anniversary Events & Activities

SSFS students, faculty and staff have enjoyed being involved in the School's 50th anniversary celebrations this year. Among the events and commemorations in in the fall and winter of 2011-2012:

1. Founder's Day: Members of the first classes at SSFS spoke about their memories of the School's first days.

2. Scott House Re-Dedication: The entire school gathered to re-dedicate the newly-renovated Scott House (the first building built on campus) to Esther Scott, recognizing her generosity in giving us this beautiful campus.

3. Commendation by Montgomery Council Council: Students, faculty and staff accepted a proclamation given to Sandy Spring Friends School celebrating and recognizing the School's 50th anni-versary and commending the School on its mission, and for being a "positive force in Montgomery County, upholding high educational standards and maintaining a strong community that is innovative, diverse, welcoming and rooted in the Quaker heritage."

4. MS 50th Anniversary Committee: This active committee of Mid-dle School students has designed t-shirts, decorated carts, represent-ed the School at off-campus anniversary events, and come up with fun anniversary-related activities, such as the MS "decades week."

5. All-School Assemblies: The annual Holiday Assembly commem-orated the 50th anniversary with a slideshow of "Grinches of Year's Past." In April, the School celebrated Women's History Month with a slideshow and retrospective of several women whose strength, spirit and commitment shaped the history of SSFS.

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Snapshots from Sandy Spring

Grandfriends Day

Winterfest

Upper School Winter Dance Concert

All-School Holiday Assembly

<< Young Alumni Luncheon (See more photos on page 32. )

See more photos online: www.ssfs.org/galleries.

19Spring 2012

US Music Assembly

LS Climbing Wall/Traversing Unit

US International Assembly

Empty Bowl NightCelebration of Science


SSFS Board Of Trustees Update

By Curt Moffatt, this year's Clerk of the Board of Trustees

In the Fall 2011 issue of the SSFS Com-

munity News, the Board outlined some of its goals for the 2011-2012 academic year, including:• to help craft a Strategic Plan to

carry the school forward for the next three to five years;

• to maintain and develop the School’s financial sustainability through non-tuition revenue and creation of a culture of philan-thropy;

• to approve a protocol for board decision-making that implements a holistic sustainability analysis reflecting the guidelines under development by the Sustainability Committee;

• to investigate and strengthen the School’s ties to Quaker meetings; and

• to increase the Board’s visibility among the SSFS community.

The Board has been very busy in their support of each of these initiatives. A Strategic Plan was recently approved (see pages 14 –16); the School has refinanced loans, and seen an increase in non-tuition revenue as well as in philanthropic giving (our participation and average gift levels are substantial-ly up from previous years); the Board has developed a comprehensive Sus-tainability Framework; outreach and connections with the Baltimore Yearly Meeting and Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting have led to fruitful discus-sion and strengthened relationships between the Meetings and the School; and the Board continues its conversa-tion with the community in print (here in the Community News, and in let-ters), online (on its website and on the Board Blog), and informally in person (at School events and activities).

Each of these initiatives represents a way to uphold the primary mission of the Board: to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the School.

As noted in the Board Blog post, "Sustainability in the 21st Century," the word sustainability is a relatively new term, especially when applied to schools. Inspired by Ken Smith and later championed by Tom Gibian and former Board member Chuck Harker, the Board of Trustees convened the Sustainability Committee in 2009 to explore what sustainability means to SSFS. The committee has been delib-erating and researching ways to that “sustainability” - or the long-term maintenance of well-being - might be defined and achieved at SSFS since.

The National Association of Indepen-dent Schools asserts that in order to survive and thrive in the 21st Century, schools must address sustainability on five dimensions: financial, environ-mental, global, programmatic, and de-mographic. After careful consideration and further research, the committee adopted these five dimensions and added a sixth - spiritual sustainability - in keeping with the Quaker mission of the school.

In the fall of 2011, the Board published a Sustainability Framework to address each of these areas of sustainability, including a set of queries that would guide all discussion and decision-making by the Board. This framework and the queries within have been instrumental already, especially in helping the Board as they have evalu-ated projects such as the renovation of Scott House, upgrades to Westview, the installation of solar panels on our campus, and the construction of a new Lower School playground. Think-ing ahead, the Board also hopes to allow for a longer lead time for any future building projects, so that there is adequate time to consider the best way to move forward using sustain-able models. The Board feels that this framework will "inculcate sustainabil-ity in the very fabric of the work of the Board."

Please visit the Board Blog (http://wordpress.ssfs.org) for more informa-tion about the Sustainability Frame-work, and to read it in its entirety.

21Spring 2012

SSFS Board Of Trustees Update

The Board at a Glance:

• The Board of Trustees is the governing body of Sandy Spring Friends School

• The Board is comprised of be-tween 20 and 30 members.

• The By-Laws require that a major-ity of the Board be members of the Religious Society of Friends.

• Eight members of the Board are appointed by the Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting of the Reli-gious Society of Friends and four members are appointed by the Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.

• The remaining members of the Board are appointed by the Board of Trustees.

• Members are appointed for terms of four years and may be reap-pointed for one additional term.

• The Board is organized with several officers including a Clerk, Assistant Clerk, Recording Clerk, and Treasurer.

• The Board also has several com-mittees who assist the Board in conducting its work.

Board members for 2011-2012:

• Elisabeth Benson "Ben" Booz• Amy Christianson '81 • Michael DeHart '71• Lin Delaney• Mochiko DeSilva• Steve Eller '87• Alan Fetter '80• Scott Henry• Anne Hirshfield

• Diane Hoffman• Rick Honn• Charles Horning '88• Terri Carmichael Jackson• Alkia Jones• Jim MacPherson• Tom McCabe

• Cynthia McKee• Deepika Mehta• Sandra Michaels• Curt Moffatt (Clerk)• Laurita Portee• Ellen Campbell Pskowski '71• Cynthia Terrell

B.O.T. Profile: Laurita PorteeLaurita Portee is serving her fourth year on the Sandy Spring Friends School Board of Trustees. She is currently co-clerk of the Di-versity, Community, Spiritual Life (DCSL) Committee and serves on the Sustainability Committee. She's also served on the Advance-ment Committee and the Head Search Committee.

Laurita and her husband Ralph Portee (both owners of Allstate In-surance Agencies in Silver Spring, MD) have been members of the

Sandy Spring Friends School community since the 2000-2001 school year, when their daughter Lauren ('13) started in kindergarten. Son Theo ('16) started in 2009. Active in the Parents Association (PA), Laurita has served as Grade Representative, Middle School Division Representative, PA Executive Committee member, Winterfest Co-Clerk, and continues to volunteer for many school activities including participating in the com-munity plays. She is also an Assistant Coach for the Upper School Track and Field team, and a member of the All School Diversity Committee.

Born in Richmond, Virginia, Laurita graduated from the University of Virginia in 1981 with a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning. She attended Virginia on a full track scholarship and was an All-American athlete in high school and college. As a student athlete herself, Laurita has been in-strumental in helping the board think about the importance of the athletic program at SSFS. "I know from my personal experience as an athlete and from my experience as a coach how important athletics can be to a student's development. Sports and physical activity can teach invaluable lessons about how to strive for a personal best and how to work together as a team."

Laurita's parents were both educators, and she now follows in her father's footsteps by serving on a school board. Laurita is proud to contribute to Sandy Spring Friends School as a Trustee.


Community News Query: "Why SSFS?"

I knew something about Sandy Spring Friends School before I came to work here – I lived in the neighborhood and came to dance concerts, operettas and mayfairs, and I always liked the look of the place and the kids. I had friends who were teachers here, and they loved their jobs. It seemed a creative and open environment, and a place that allowed people to be comfortable in their skins. So, when I finished my library degree at Catholic University, I applied for the job of SSFS librarian. They hired the headmaster’s wife. When I did fi-nally get hired (after two more tries) I had no notion that a couple of decades later I would still be here, and love it more deeply than ever and be constantly challenged to keep learning and growing.

Sandy Spring Friends School has been not just a job, but a home and a community, and a central part of our family life. My two daughters flourished here – academically, athletically, and artistically. It was a place that gave them room to grow, explore, and think. Their time here prepared them very well for a similar love of learning during their Dartmouth years. I see that they carry SSFS (and the BYM camping program) with them in their lives now as they “walk cheerfully over the world” and strive to make the world a better place, while having a tremendous amount of fun. Being part of this com-munity has routinely made me very proud and grateful – we are a caring and supportive group of people through good times and bad. As we face all the normal challenges of parenting, caring for our elderly parents, dealing with illness and difficulties, we are never alone.

When I first worked here, I was sometimes troubled by the mismatch between our lofty goals and our just regular human abilities. The longer I am part of it, however, the more I appreciate the spirit that asks so much of us.

This series was begun in the Fall 2011 issue of Community News. In it, Johanna Cowie, clerk of the 50th Anniversary Committee, wrote:

"Each of us in our community is a thread in a 50-year history of parents and students, faculty and staff, board members and other volunteers who have chosen to spend their time, energy, and money at Sandy Spring.

So, why Sandy Spring Friends School? What is it about this community that makes

Elizabeth Thornton SSFS Head Librarian, Parent of Alumnae Hannah '03 and Marika '05 Austin

it so special to so many different people?"

In the last issue, three community members - Lisa Penkowsky '83 (alumna and current MS teacher at SSFS), Grace Hanson '12 (a senior who lives with her family on campus), and Kip Kelley '02 (alumnus, former teacher and coach) - all wrote eloquently about what made SSFS special to them.

In this issue, longtime staff member and parent of two alumnae Elizabeth

Thornton writes about the qualities of SSFS that she feels are unique to this school. We also hear from two students, Sheriffa Fofanah '13 and Chungdhak Sherpa '12, who bring their perspectives as international students to the conversation.

We open the query to others in the community; please contact Margaret Rosser - [email protected] - with your response.

Sandy Spring Friends School has been not just a job, but a home and a community, and a central part of our family life."

"

23Spring 2012

"Why SSFS?" I think about that question as I sit in Kexin’s Chi-nese Class, or Laurel’s Advanced Bio class. There are so many rea-sons why SSFS was the school I ended up coming to. One obvious reason could be that my brother had come here and so my family knew their way around. I personally chose the school because of the wonderful things I had heard from my brother’s stories, and all his adventures and experiences, and I wanted nothing more but to do the same. I had to make a home away from home for the first time in my life in a school where I knew no one, but the SSFS community made me realize that I didn’t have to worry. The relaxed Quaker atmosphere (which I found weird at first!) is something I have come to love and appreciate to an extent that I find unbelievable. Now that I’m here and loving it, the question I would ask is in fact not “Why SSFS?” but “Why not SSFS?”

When I think about Sandy Spring Friends School, there is no single word that can describe how great it is. It is beyond fantastic and marvelous. I have only been here a short amount of time; however, the community has really supported me. They always treat everyone equally no mat-ter where you come from and what your background is. Students are so supportive of each other, and their actions bring to life Sandy Spring Friend School’s motto, “Let Your Life Speak.” In this unique community, every person really gives to each other and everyone has a chance to speak, learn, and be valued.

Sheriffa Fofanah '13

Chungdhak Sherpa '12In this unique community every person really gives to each other and everyone has a chance to speak, learn, and be valued.

I had to make a home away from home for the first time in my life in a school where I knew no one, but the SSFS community made me re-alize that I didn’t have to worry.

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SSFS boarding student (from Sierra Leone) since 2011

SSFS international student (from Tibet) since 2010


SSFS Legacy Family: Why The Imlays Support SSFS

“Immediately comfortable.” That’s how Kip Imlay ’71 describes his feelings about starting his Sandy Spring Friends School education in the fall of 1968. Motivated by his mother, a Swarthmore graduate and strong be-liever in Quaker education, Kip made the move to SSFS after feeling uninspired in Junior High School in Mont-gomery County, MD. His brother Lincoln ’74 followed.

“I felt challenged at Sandy Spring Friends School by faculty like Barry Morley, Phil Howard, and Peter Kline. You couldn’t get away with ‘not thinking’ at Sandy Spring,” Kip said. He also spoke of the impor-tance that was placed on being involved with the com-munity. “You were able to find your own niche here, but everyone participated in something, and we were encouraged to pursue that which we became passion-ate about. The whole school was one big team and we encouraged each other.”

There was never any doubt that when he had kids, Kip wanted them to have the same educational experience. Daughter Bonnie ’03 and son, Ashton ’08 followed in their father’s footsteps and went on to have their own formative SSFS experi-ences.

“Both of them found willing mentors, like Eduardo Polón and Ari Preuss, just as I had in my time. The faculty members bring the students into what they are doing. They know the disciplines in which the students will thrive, because they know the students personally... and they make it fun.”

When the last capital campaign, Kindle the Spirit, was kicked-off, Kip felt compelled to get involved. “I supported Kindle the Spirit because I knew that as the result of it, more young people could reap the benefits that my family had experi-enced without compromising any of the things that make SSFS so special. I wanted others to have the same things I got to have.” Today, 5 years after the successful completion of Kindle the Spirit, Kip feels just as strongly that SSFS’s educational and Quaker values continue to inspire students, just as it did when he graduated in 1971.”Nothing has been lost at all,” he said. “It is the same special place.”

Bonnie and Ashton have the same level of commitment. Both have assured their dad that his future grandchildren’s education will be at Sandy Spring Friends School. Kip mentioned to Ashton recently that of all of the Imlay family, Ashton was at Sandy Spring the longest, starting in the middle school. Ashton replied “It still wasn’t long enough.”

Kip Imply '71 (far right) with fellow SSFS graduates Steve Mayer and Brian Greenberg. The three were known as the "Day Student Gang."

Bonnie '03 with US Spanish teacher Leah Niepold Ashton'08 gives Ari a hug at graduation

Ashton and Bonnie with

other SSFS sibling grads.

25Spring 2012

Please use the enclosed giving envelope to make your fully tax-deductible donation to the Annual Fund. To make gifts on-line through our secure system, please scan the QR code at the left with your smartphone or visit our Web site:www.ssfs.org or http://alumni.ssfs.org/donations.

The Annual Fund at Sandy Spring Friends School

A Strong Tradition of PhilanthropyFifty years of philanthropy—that is Sandy Spring Friends School. From the original gifts of $100 and a few acres of land that got the School started, to more recent leadership gifts in recognition of our 50th anniversary, there is a strong tradition of giving for the good of our School. This year’s Annual Fund is on pace to have the greatest number of donors giving the largest amount of gifts, supporting our efforts to strive for 100% participation among our community and to further grow the Annual Fund. To date, we

have raised over $500,000 toward our goal of $550,000 from donors near and far. For those who have already made your gift or pledge, thank you!

Early this winter, the Board of Trustees issued a 50th Anniversary Fundraising Challenge to our entire constituency with the purpose of increasing both participation and dollars raised. The strong response of parents, alumni, parents of alumni, and so many other friends of the school helped to make the Challenge a great success.

The Annual Fund supports everything from day-to-day operations to providing funding for advanced training for teachers. It helps to cover the costs associated with our athletics and arts programs, as well as providing essential funds to maintain our incredible 140-acre campus. Gifts of all sizes make an impact! Whether you are celebrating a milestone reunion, admiring a thriving child or grandchild who is a current or former student, or simply enjoying the beauty of our campus, now is a great time to support the 2011-12 Annual Fund. We don’t have far to go to reach our goal – please help us get there.


Help us celebrate Gwen Handler’s 35 years with Sandy Spring Friends School at Alumni Weekend 2012. The School will honor Gwen at this year’s Alumni Strawberry Cowbake on Saturday, June 2nd. An art show, showcasing Gw-en’s work throughout the years, will be on display in Scott House throughout the weekend.

If Gwen had an impact on your life, we’d like to hear about it. Whether it be as a ce-ramics, printing, weaving, or photography teacher, artist, Sheep and Wool master-mind, advisor, friendly ear, port in a storm, or networker extraordinaire; we would like to know how her 35 years here made a lasting impression on you, her students.

Please consider contributing a piece of your art (or a photograph of the art-work) to be displayed alongside work by Gwen and other students or send us your Gwen-inspired thoughts and memories to included in a memory book. Please e-mail us with details of your submission at [email protected]

If you would like to personally recognize Gwen, please con-sider contributing to the Gwen Handler Visiting Artist Fund. Started in October of 2007, this fund helps enrich the art cur-riculum at Sandy Spring Friends School with special classes taught by visiting artists. You can make your gift by check or online with a note that it be directed to the Gwen Handler Vis-iting Artist Fund. For more information, please contact Mary Mazzuca at [email protected] or 301-774-7455, ext. 107.

The Alumni Council has had a busy year, focusing on participation in the Strategic Planning process, the addition of new mem-bers to the Council, and plans for Alumni Weekend 2012.

This year, Kip Imlay ’71 will be stepping down as Clerk of the Council. Kip, the Alumni Council’s first clerk since its formation three years ago, will remain on the Council to help continue its growth. The Office of Advancement is deeply grateful for his tireless work to help create the structure of the Alumni Association and the Alumni Council.

Tom Bernard ’66 and Liza Jane Bernard ’68 will be taking over the role as co-clerks next fall. They are excited about the new po-sition and will be looking at opportunities to increase the number of ways alumni can get involved in the life of Sandy Spring Friends School.

If you would like more information about the Alumni Council, please contact Mary Mazzuca, Director of Advancement, at [email protected] or 301-774-7455, ext. 107.

Alumni Council News

Honoring Gwen Handler's 35 Years

27Spring 2012

Alumni Notes

Alumni Notes are just a snapshot of what’s happening with your fellow alums!

For more updates from alumni written in their own words, log in to our Web site:http://alumni.ssfs.org.

If you have a milestone in your life, please send in photos! We want to share special moments.

1964Barbara Cheeseman Bason was thrilled to be a part of Founder's Day ceremo-nies September 2011. She writes, “the pride and love I have for SSFS grew as I absorbed the past and the present of the vital force of SSFS over those two days. I feel as Brook Moore did - the energy of the land is special and palpable. This celebration of the year of SSFS's founding will, for me, culminate in the alumni reunion weekend. I hope more of my classmates of '63 and '64 will be there." Barbara continues with an update: "Our one acre where we have lived for 42 years is continually renewed, as we are. Our garden plot has been plowed and is expectantly waiting to nurture this year's seeds and plants. I continue to work three days a week as a practitioner of homeopathic medicine and Bowen therapy. I love my work, and my life is enriched so much by the people I serve, in addition to the occasional pet. Clem and I enjoy traveling. This year we will explore the towns and cities from Budapest to the Black Sea via river boat in September, and join our two sons and families at Mt. Shasta, CA, earlier in the summer. Our eldest son, CEO of Hotwire, was recently promoted to Expedia Inter-national, and our youngest son was recently named executive director for Delaware Center for The Inland Bays.”

Martha Sharpe Menestrina wants to be counted in for Sandy Spring Friends School Centennial celebration! She was deeply honored to be includ-ed in the 50-year celebration for SSFS and was delighted to see that SSFS has stood the test of time by offering a strong academic curriculum with a continued emphasis on traditional Quaker values.

Andrea S. Taylor very much enjoyed being a part of Founder’s Day at SSFS. She notes that “It was fun to catch up and incredible to take in the fact that 50 years had elapsed.” She continues to work at Temple University and also has her own consulting business. She is looking forward to her “encore” career as a life coach.

1965Tom Miller spends much of his time as a guide for educational groups to Cuba on behalf of National Geo-graphic Expeditions, giving talks at universities about the island, and, once a year, he leads his own “Liter-ary Havana” trip. Miller is the author of Trading With the Enemy: A Yankee Travels Through Castro’s Cuba.) He lives in Arizona.

alumni notes...

Alumni notes are compiled by Mary Mazzuca, Director of Advancement

Sandy Spring Friends School reserves the right to edit Alumni Note submissions. Editors strive to ensure that the content of the edited submission retains the key points of the original message. Alumni Notes are submitted to Sandy Spring Friends School from various sources. While Sandy Spring Friends School strives to ensure the accuracy of Alumni Notes, the School is not liable for false or incorrect submissions.


Alumni Notes

1969Bill Alterman writes, "My son Hershel will be graduating from Sandy Spring this June, and Sue and I will become empty nesters!"

Deborah Jackson is planning to attend Alumni Weekend 2012 to celebrate the 50th in June. She has been living and working on the North Shore of Boston for the past 38 years, and she is still running, biking, and swimming in tri-athlons with her husband. Her children are grown and living on their own.

1971Sally Goldstein writes, “For all the students who have the 1971 Mnemion MCMLXXI - our yearbook: A classmate of mine wrote something that was not only misquoted, but totally inap-propriate. I actually said, "Don't touch me!," not what what was written in the yearbook. I would appreciate it if you would replace with the correct word in your yearbook.”

Ellen Prentiss Campbell Pskowski has had several more of her stories published. Read an interview with her at http://www.cheekteethblog.com/2012/04/short-and-sweet-with-ellen-prentiss.html.

1972Musical entertainer Michael Garin performed with internationally re-nowned musicians Samir Shukry and Nick Mandoukos at AZA, a live music venue in NYC. It was a swinging night of World Music!

1973Having spent 2011 recovering from injuries acquired when a drunk driver hit her car, Valerie Tate is grateful for the many angels who have helped her come back to a happy life. (She is blogging her recovery journey at www.acupofkindness.com) Valerie notes that Gregory Arms, her partner of over 15 years, found the perfect moment to propose. They will be married at Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting House on May 19.

1976Laurie Freibaum Canaan Corbin is married and living in Nashville, Tennessee. She writes, ”I'm enjoying (and trying to keep up with) my kids Benjamin, 10 and Sara Ling, 6. Had the wonderful experience of appearing on Broadway several years ago in "Ring of Fire." Still playing music and acting...Check out "Cold Country" and "500 Miles" with Royal Wade Kimes on You Tube. I get to travel and play with my husband, Doug again! He's on bass...

I love hearing about what my former classmates are up to!”

James Scheuer Jr. reports that all is well with his wife, Lorna, and their sons, David and James. Working as a job developer at Lifespire, Inc., James works with adults who are devel-opmentally disabled. He is looking forward to seeing everyone at Alumni Weekend!

1977Ted Morgan writes, “I'm still in theatre and still half-gypsy. I had a script broad-cast on public TV, I toured India acting in a play sponsored by State Depart-ment and I'm currently directing and teaching in Costa Rica. Also I finally got a website up, at: http://edward-morgan.com/. I'd dearly love to be at the re-union, but I have a gig in Utah and can't escape. I'll be there in spirit.”

1980Kari Engen continues to run Mi Refugio, a ministry in Guatemala that began as a mission to feed, clothe, and educate the poor children of the Guatemala City garbage dump. All cor-respondence and gifts for Mi Refugio should be sent to 4908 Jasmine Drive, Rockville, MD 20853. These gifts are used for the operating expenses for the school of 250 students.

Valerie Tate '73 will be married May 19. Laurie Freibaum Canaan Corbin '76 with her family.

Jill Blackburn Brooks '84 and Alan Piazzi '81

29Spring 2012

1982Award-winning Veteran journalists Joe Fox and James Nubile have spent the last decade producing documen-tary short films for many non-profit organizations. Question One, which recently premiered in Sacramento, CA, is a documentary film on the battle for same-sex marriage in America: www.q1-themovie.com.

1983Shane Smith writes that after 10 years of living in New Hampshire, he has moved back to Darnestown, MD, with his wife of 10 years, Allison, and their daughters, Elise and Adelle. Shane works as Strategic Director of Ricoh Americas, and Allison has relocated her business, Luna Organics, to this area.

1984Jill Blackburn Brooks writes, "After many years of trying we FINALLY made it to Anguilla to visit Alan Piazzi '81 and his wonderful family at their amazing restaurant. We figured it had been almost 30 years since we had seen each other... Our kids are now about the ages we were then!! I brought him the 50th anniversary SSFS mug, which he carried around the whole day! Can't wait to go back... it is truly paradise."

Neal Joseph Loevinger shares that he and his wife welcomed son, Ari Lev Goldschmidt. Neal and his family still live in Poughkeepsie, NY, where Neal is the rabbi at Beth-El, as well as the chaplain of Vassar Bros. Medical Center. Check out his website at www.rabbineal.net

Severin Olson and his wife, Ashley, welcomed a baby boy, Gavin, to their family. Gavin arrived 3 months early during a New Year’s trip to Texas. They plan to make Texas their permanent home.

1987Sam Balsam writes, “Last October I suffered a major stroke - should have killed me but luckily I was getting off work and was at the fire station. Many thanks to Liz Dyer Doyle, Jon Ham-burg, Lawrence and Glenn Fernandez, Jack Morley, Burt Holland, and so many other Springers who kept me in their thoughts and prayers - it made a huge difference to me and my fam-ily! Crazy road but it’s my path!”

1992Eriach Learsi Afterman (Eric Ivan Scheib), is living in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 4 blocks from the ocean. He is working toward a career in Health Information Management and is ac-tively pursuing a position in any one of the several major hospitals in Broward County and in Boca Raton.

Since 2003, Rebecca Scotti, her husband, Zachary, and two boys have been living in Mexico operating the travel company they founded together. Journey Mexico (www.journeymexico.com)

runs high-end adventures through the Republic and specializes in the culture and natural wonders of Mexico that she and Zach fell in love with early on as travelers in this beautiful country. She has spent the last 10 years help-ing people explore Mayan ruins, learn the inner workings of a functioning hacienda, visit islands in Baja’s Sea of Cortes, search for handicrafts in markets, or adventure in the Copper Canyon. Keep in touch with her on Facebook or through the SSFS Alumni Association!

1993Jenka Soderberg is back in Portland, OR, at KBOO community radio after a year-long journalism fellowship at Stanford University. She and her husband Saed Bannoura recently welcomed new baby Guevara, born March 14th. Her brother Keir '96 is returning to the U.S. this July after 2 years in Nanyuki, Kenya, with his wife Natasha and 2 year old daughter Emma.

Jenka Soderberg '93 and family welcomed new baby Guevara, born March 14th.

Neal Joseph Loevinger welomes son Ari Lev Goldschmidt.

Alumni News


Alumni News

1996Christopher Buckstein, his wife Marie, and daughter Ella welcomed Lacey Alison to the family on October 2011.

1997Alina Zhukovskaya is a Nutrition Designer and a Raw Vegan Food Chef. She teaches her clients how healthy foods can be the most fashionable and exciting accessories that are always in style. She helps her clients supplement their diets with juice detox programs in addition to personal chef services and cooking classes. She is a AADP certified Holistic Health coach and also holds a Certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, a Certification from Sprout Raw Food, a Bachelor's Degree in Design Marketing from Par-sons School of Design and a Master's Degree in Public Communication from American University. Her website is LetYourselfBlossom.com.

1998Amelie Davis finishing up the first year of a two-year post doctorate program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is investigating the provi-sion of ecosystem services in the City of Chicago and ways to modify urban landscapes so that they are more en-vironmentally sustainable. She writes, “I am also searching for a tenure track assistant professor job in sustainability

science (or environmental science) so if anyone has a lead please let me know. If anyone's visiting Chicago feel free to contact me!”

2000Eric Porter and his wife Michelle welcomed their daughter Caryo Eliza-beth into the world on September 7, 2011, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD.

2001Oxon Hill High School History teacher Nathan Harrington invited SSFS Up-per School teacher Eduardo Polón into his classroom to address his freshman classes on the topic of The Place of Sports in American Culture: Ethics in Athletics.

2002Awaiting a beach wedding in Re-hoboth, DE, with her fiancé Scott Bush from Ottawa, Canada, Lina Khouri currently works in Communications and Membership for a non-profit as-sociation in NJ.

Congratulations to Kimberly Knudson who married Patrick Wetheville in July 2010.

Jon Mort will be exhibiting “History and Other Dreams” with his dad, artist Greg Mort, until Friday, April 6 at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Silver

Spring, MD. Jon’s graphite renderings embrace the narrative potential of por-traiture, mythological inspirations and still life compositions. All are welcome to see this SSFS father-and-son’s beauti-ful work. Find Jon online at www.jonmort.com.

2003While always a Marylander at heart, Gavin Maguire has finished his Mili-tary Police Captains’ Career Course and has settled in Ft. Hood, TX. As this was his 12th move in 4 years, Gavin is happy to be assigned to Ft. Hood for about 3 years.

Congratulations to Emma Spitzer on her engagement to Andrew Klein, whom she met at Columbia University while they were earning their Master’s Degrees in Occupational Therapy. A July wedding is planned in Northamp-ton, MA.

2006Ellie Merritt is in the MBA program at Wesley College in Dover, DE. She is the assistant women’s lacrosse coach.

2007Meghan Hiscock graduated from Kalamazoo College in June 2007. She had a summer internship with the Smithsonian Annual Folk Life Festival. Her mother, Linda Hiscock, reports

Christopher Buckstein and family welcome daughter Lacy.

Alina Zhukovskaya '97, Nutrition Designer and a Raw Vegan Food Chef

Kimberly Knudson '02 married Patrick Wetheville July 2010.

31Spring 2012

Alumni News

In Memoriam It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of the following SSFS commu-nity members. Please hold their families in the Light during this difficult time.

LaRue Palmer Sr. (’80), died sud-denly January 3, 2011, in his home in Somerset, WI. An ardent outdoors-man, LaRue enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, boating and his good friends. He worked as a skilled commercial painter, was a member of the dart tournament league, a volunteer for the Somerset Football program, and was an accomplished chef, an in-demand karaoke singer, as well as a competi-tive fisherman.

Former Board of Trustees member Merida S. Harrington passed away on March 16, 2012. She is survived by her husband, Louis D. Harrington, and her children; Julia Harrington Reddy, Linton Harrington, Clayton Harrington ’93. and Nathan Har-rington ’01; her four grandchildren; and her sister, Anadel Lynton Snyder. Merida served on the Sandy Spring Friends School Board of Trustees in the mid 1980s and then again from 1994 to 2002. She was active in the Quaker community and attended Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting. She held a Bachelor’s degree from Earlham Col-lege in Indiana and a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Columbia University.

Jennifer Wolfe (’63), a loving, pas-sionate spirit, passed away February 23, 2012. Jennifer wove an extensive colorful tapestry among her beloved family, dear friends and respected colleagues. She will be remembered as a skilled educator and thoughtful mentor to students and friends of all ages. She lived by her values, modeled commitment to social justice in her daily life, and consistently stood up for her beliefs.

The Office of Alumni Relations is sad to report that Dexter K. Read (’73), passed away on March 15, 2012 after a series of health issues. Dexter lived in Reno, NV.

that the family is well and that she is still co-owner of ALPS Lighting, which provides lights for clients in the Boston Arts such as the Boston Ballet, the Bos-ton Lyric Opera and the New England Conservatory.

2008After graduating last summer with a degree in Criticism, Communication and Curation (but with a focus on food!), Rachel Karasik is still living in London. For nearly a year and count-ing, she's been working as a communi-ty manager for a social innovation and tech consultancy, developing a local food project that gets neighbours cook-ing for one another. She still manages to Irish dance, performing with a local band in pubs around the city.

Currently living in Los Angeles, SSFS alum Jennifer Malsch received her golden ticket on Season 11 of Ameri-can Idol. After making it through the group round while singing with other contestants as The Bettys, Jennifer unfortunately didn’t make it through to

be one of the 13 finalists. Find Jenni-fer’s American idol interview at www.americanidol.com/videos/season_11/road_road_to_hollywood/jennifer_malsch/

Will Merritt is a senior Biology major at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.

2009Ben Hollander, now a junior at Gouch-er College, spent the fall semester in the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS) Program. His travels took him to Prague, Istanbul and Hamburg among other European cities.

2011Tammy Bah has been an Advisory Board Member for LearnServe Interna-tional since 2011. She was a LearnServe Fellow (2011), and based on her interest in international health and develop-ment joined the 2011 LearnServe Zam-bia trip. Upon returning to the states, Tammy collected clothes and materials for the children she met in Zambia.

Tammy now attends St. Mary’s Col-lege, the public honors college in the Maryland state system, as a member of the Class of 2015. Her academic in-terests include economics and interna-tional health.

Former Faculty and StaffRecently, The Washington Post featured a story about Larry Kilmer, his wife Jen, and their 11 children who range from ages 1-12. They also appeared on Good Morning America and will be fea-tured in an upcoming documentary on Thanksgiving with National Geographic. Larry says that none of this would have happened if he had not coached and taught at Sandy Spring. He adds that he’ll never forget the great memo-ries and people that he met and knew at SSFS.

Howard and Rosalind Zuses are off once again to be “resident Friends” at the Friends Centre in Auckland, Aote-aroa, New Zealand. They invite every-one to come by from April 2012- March 2013 and use one of the guest rooms.


Alumni Get-TogethersAlumni have gathered near and far to celebrate the 50th anniversary and reminisce about their days at SSFS. From participating in the Alumni Soccer Game and the Young Alumni Luncheon here on campus to an alumni-student dinner in Boulder, Colorado, alumni from around the country (and the world!) have connected with the School to wish SSFS a fantastic 50th!

Alumni News

Mark Eller '85, Maura Barnes '92, and Chris Tirpak '85, in Boulder, CO.

The Alumni Soccer Game saw beautiful weather and a great turnout, with more than 100 alumni, alumni parents, and current families attending the game, which takes place every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Alumni from the classes of 2007-2011 enjoyed lunch and a visit with friends and former teachers at the Young Alumni Lunch on Jan. 4th. We had record turnout this year! More photos are available on the online photo gallery, www.ssfs.org/galleries

From the Archives

Former faculty and staff: come back for the 50th Anniversary celebrations! We'd love to see you - and so would your former students!

... your SSFS dancing days!

... your lacrosse days!

... your performance-art-by-the-pond days!

... your 9th grade camping trip days!

Come back to Alumni Weekend at SSFS to enjoy and re-live...

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