AOSR News February 2003

February Calendar A Gift to AOSR is Saturday, 1: *AOSR Fine Arts Ball, Borgo Bam- boccio, 7:30 pm a Gift to all Students *Basketball at Livorno By Dr. Larry Dougherty, Headmaster

*Med. Wrestling Champ., at In private schools in the United States, fundraising is taken for *MUN Trip, students return granted as part of the culture of the school. Gifts, grants, annual funds, Monday, 3: auctions, fairs, alumni reunions, and capital campaigns are critical to *Pre-K Parent Conferences, thru the survival, growth and continued improvement of independent Friday schools. Wednesday, 5: Many families at the American Overseas School of fre- *MS/HS 1st Semester Report Cards quently ask me why we appear to always be asking for money. These Distributed families often come from a tradition of outstanding public schools Thursday, 6: where all expenses, from teachers’ salaries to the costs of new build- *HS Faculty Meeting ings, are covered by local or state taxes. They assume that the money * Med. Basketball Champ at Avi- that is provided by their government agency, their company or out of ano, thru Sat. their own pocket covers all of the expenses of the school. Some inter- Saturday, 8: national parents assume that because we are an American school, we *ACT are like the local French or German schools, which receive large sub- Monday, 10: *PTO Meeting, 9:15 am Boutique (Continued on page 21) Wednesday, 12: *PPAC Meeting, 9:15 am Boutique * Thursday, 13: Is There a Michael Jordan *MS faculty meeting Friday, 14: In Your House, Parents? *Pre-K Concert, 9:30 am *Dismissal 3:20 pm By Joanne Reykdal, Principal *No after school activities The second half of our school year has just started. This is *Boarders leave residence often the time of year when students begin feeling less motivated to *European Wrestling Champ., thru engage themselves in the learning process. As parents you may see Sat. Sunday, 16: this in the behavior they exhibit when they are doing their homework, *MS Ski Trip begins particularly in subjects that are difficult for them. Monday, 17: You can help them avoid some of the lethargy by encouraging *No School, Winter Break them to continue working no matter how difficult the homework is Thursday, 20: for them. Your role is not unlike that of a coach who encourages each *European Basketball Champ, thru member on his team to never give up. In fact, you may even need to Sat. (Continued on page 2) Sunday, 23: Contents *Boarders arrive at residence 3 pm Monday, 24: From the Headmaster 1 MS News 6 Sports 15 *School Reconvenes Thursday, 27: Principal’s Office 1 PTO’s Corner 7 Counselor News 16 *ES Faculty Meeting Friday, 28: Latest News 3 ES, Pre-K News 9 Rome ‘n About 18 *Progress Reports Distributed Booster Bar News 4 PPAC 14 Good Eats and Caffe’ 20 *HS Winter Formal 7:30 pm

1 (Continued from page 1) Is There a Michael... encourage your son or daughter to go to the teacher to get extra help if you cannot provide it. However, the single most important thing that you can do during this period is to empha- size the importance of perseverance. I love the story of the high school bas- ketball coach who was attempting to motivate his players to persevere through a difficult - son. Halfway through the season he stood be- fore his team and said, “Did Michael Jordan ever quit?” The team responded, “No!” He yelled, “What about the Wright brothers? Did they every give up?” “No!” the team hollered. “Did Michelangelo ever quit?” The Falcon Flyer is a monthly Again the team yelled, “No!” publication of the American “Did Elmer McAllister ever quit?” Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) There was a long silence. Finally one player was bold enough to ask, “Who’s Elmer Via Cassia 811 McAllister? We never heard of him.” 00189 Rome The coach snapped back, “Of course you’ve never heard of him – he quit!” Telephone: 06-334-381 Remember, perseverance does not al- Fax: 06-3326-2608 ways mean sticking to the same thing forever. It Internet: www.aosr.org means giving full concentration and effort to whatever you are doing right now. And, right To make comments or suggestions, or to submit now our students need to be giving full concen- an article to the Falcon Flyer, call editor Cam tration and effort to their school work. Rossie at 06-3324-8295, or send an email to [email protected]. A Flyer submission box is also located in the Principal’s office.

DIRECTORY UPDATE For contributions to: Rome ‘n About, email Igor Yasno at Please make the following changes in [email protected].; your AOSR Directory. Corrections or Good Eats and Caffe’, email Sue Berton at changes to your phone numbers or [email protected] email addresses should be sent to

Joanne Hoberg in the main school of- fice. Next Deadline 2-24-03

KNEELAND, The deadline for submission of articles Douglas and Millie for the March Falcon Flyer is Monday, Feb. 24. This is a late deadline due to the White Jillian, 6th Grade Week break, so please have all articles in by Joshua, 9th Grade that date. We will be looking for news of re- cent activities and of upcoming events through New Phone Number: 06-3326-1369 the end of March.

2 It’s Finally Here! Fine Arts Benefit Ball Is Saturday, Feb. 1st P

Now that you’ve got your tickets for the Ball in hand — you do, right?? — it’s time to start loosening those hips. The AOSR social event of the season is Saturday night. a Maurizio Massimi and his 7-piece orchestra are al- ready warming up to keep you dancing to the music from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s into the early hours of the morning The event is at the Hotel & Resort Borgo Bamboc- cio, at Via della Giustiniana 990, just 500 meters from the g Via Cassia. Cocktails start at 7:30 pm and a delicious 5- course dinner will be served at 8:30 pm. There’s plenty of parking at Borgo Bamboccio and, yes, we will accept credit cards for the silent auction. See page 24 for a preliminary list of auction items. e

MS Ski Trip Begins Feb. 16

A total of 51 Middle School students and their teachers will depart in mid-month for this year’s Ski Trip to the . That’s one of the biggest groups to go on the Mr. Mancini- organized trip in quite awhile. Be ready students. Your bus leaves bright and early on Feb. 16, so you’ll need to be in the school parking lot by 6:45 IN THE MORNING!! This year’s trip promises to be an exciting time for all, with a variety of great activities T planned in addition to several days of skiing, ski lessons and snowboarding. Have fun everyone!

HS Winter Formal Valentine’s Day h Will Be Feb. 28 Concert The AOSR High School Winter Formal will be held on Friday, Feb. 28 at the Villa St. Planned in the Pre- r Dominique on via Cassia. (other nights known as the dorm) All high school students are invited to dress up for an elegant evening of dining and K dancing. Parents, don’t miss the Pre-K Details are still e being worked out by the Student Council, Parents and students, but it promises to be a It’s time once again magical evening for to sign up for after-school all. So watch for the e posters at school that activities. will announce the time See the article on Page 12 and the price of tickets. for more information.

3 Booster Bar Profits They’re Friday at Three, Wish They Were Free

Support Programs When we think of Friday afternoons at All Around AOSR AOSR we think of our very own delicious fresh food at the Booster Bar!!! Students, parents and Have you seen the new basketball uniforms teachers alike can’t forget the Friday Booster Bar the AOSR Falcons are sporting these days? Has your as the mouth-watering smell of the BBQ drifts photo been captured by the Year Book staff’s new through the quad. The Booster Bar is open for digital camera? Have you read about the wonderful business from 3:00 – 5:00 on most Fridays with experiences shared by our 6th, 7th and 8th grade stu- fresh grilled hamburgers and chicken/turkey hot- dents during the Middle School trips? dogs, sweets, chips and soft drinks on sale. These items and experiences have all been Some sponsors even sell fresh baked supported by the money raised at the AOSR Booster goods, that’s entirely up to you and your organi- Bars! From the beginning of this school year until zation. the end of December, €5,100 has been raised di- The Friday schedule and sponsors for rectly by organizations around the school to support February and March is as follows: their needs and activities. Feb 7th - AVAILABLE Does your organization need some cash for a Feb 14th - No after-school ac- worthwhile cause? Can you round up enough volun- tivities teers to provide about 5 workers per hour? They Feb 21st - No Booster Bar due augment the PTO volunteers who are responsible for to vacation shopping, inventories and storage. Together, it's a Feb 28th - Tennis winning combination for your team and March 7th - National Honor AOSR. Sign up in Mrs. Reykdal's office now! Society Don’t wait as soon there may not be any Mar 14th - 2nd Grade and in- spots left for the rest of the year. cludes a Bake Sale For more information about the Booster Bar Mar 21st - 3rd & 4th Grades contact Carol Atwood at 06-3088-9705 or Sabine Mar 28th -Student Council Neumann at 06-3326-6738.

Look Around; Student Art Abounds at AOSR

Walking around campus it’s hard not to notice so many brightly colored images hanging in the win- dows and on the walls. But have you ever stopped long enough to seriously look at some of the student art that adorns AOSR? Some of it is simply magnificent. The current HS student art display outside the gym- nasium is just stunning. What great work our High School students are producing this year. What great guidance they are getting from art teacher Joyce Dunn. Also, in the hallway on the main floor of the High School is another constantly updated display of Middle School art. We just saw some wonderful collages there, done in Cottie Ceen’s MS art class. There is also some great work coming out of ES/MS art teacher Phebe Consentino’s classroom. She often puts a nice display of stu- dent art in the case just outside the cafeteria. That’s a good place to spot student work. Who knows? It could turn out to be your child’s. Thanks to all of our AOSR art teachers for your hard work with our students. That’s not all!. Walk along the porticos of the Elementary School and the Pre-K and it seems that the window of every single classroom holds some wonderful pro- ject completed by our young artists. Student art also livens up the walls of the main office. So take a mo- ment next time you’re on campus to stop and really appreciate what AOSR has to offer our students in art classes — and what the students have to offer all of us. Their work is just delightful!

4 A Valentine’s Day Tale of Rome: Wolves, Gods, Martyrs — and Lovers

By Cam Rossie Flyer Editor

When you’re stuck in traffic on your way bration of Lupercalia, a bacchanalia once held every to buy Valentine’s Day gifts later this month, per- February right near our very own Palantine Hill. Lu- haps you’d like to ponder just who it is we pay percus, you see, was the Roman god assigned to homage to each year on Feb. 14. But you already watch over shepards and their flocks. As Rome was know that, right? once surrounded by wilderness, and packs of wolves roamed freely, this wasn’t as easy a task as say, St. Valentine was . . . ? Sol’s, who got the cushy job of making sure the sun rose every day. A) A priest in Rome during the days of the Em- To honor Lupercus, the Romans threw a rau- pire who helped Christians escape torturous cous party on Feb. 15 of each year and called it Lu- prisons. Emperor Claudius II (268-270 AD), percalia. (In Latin, the word lupus means wolf). In- had him thrown in jail, where he later was be- cluded in the headed (or died of neglect) on Feb. 14. excitement of the day was B) A priest jailed for ignoring a ban on mar- the nude or riage who then cured his jailer’s daughter of semi- nude blindness -- and was beheaded anyway, on Feb. romp through 14. Rome by young nobles C) A Catholic bishop of Terni (just up the road wielding from here) who was beheaded on Feb. 14 by goatskin Claudius the Cruel’s henchmen. thongs. Young D) The first person ever to sign a letter, “From women Your Valentine.” would line the streets hoping to be whipped by these sacred E) A replacement for the pagan god Lupercus. thongs, or februa, believing it promoted fertility and eased childbirth. Another interesting custom was F) A kind and loving priest who is buried right the lottery, in which the names of Roman maidens here in Rome, in the Church of St. Praxedes were placed in a box and then drawn by the local (Santa Prassede). young men. The girl whose name each man drew became his lover for the year. Thus, the tradition of G) Just possibly all of the above. men seeking the affection of women on this day was born. If you guessed G, you win. (Buy yourself (Some say Lupercalia honored Juno, the god- something nice)! In fact, there’s about as much dess of women and marriage, others says it honored confusion over the origins of “Saint Valentine” as Faunus (Pan), god of flocks and herdsmen. But then there is over who gets the right of way in a Rome why would they have called it Lupercalia? Fact is, traffic circle. What we do know for sure -- almost, this question has been debated since before Christ kinda -- is that this holiday got started because the was born). ancient Romans needed help with some pesky Lupercalia, however, was indeed a major packs of wolves. holiday that lasted for nearly 800 years. Mark An- Yup. According to experts, we owe our tony chose the Lupercalia festival of 44 BC to offer observance of Valentine’s Day to the Roman cele- (Continued on page 6)

5 (Continued from Pg. 5) A Valentine’s... cured the jailer’s daughter of blindness, causing her to the crown to Julius Caesar. As the Roman em- fall head over heals in love with him. On the eve of his pire spread, so did the festival -- and its customs execution, Feb. 14, he managed to sneak a message to evolved. his beloved. It was signed, “From your Valentine.” Fast forward a few hundred years. Sud- Ahhhhh. denly, Catholics with clout are everywhere. Although the name of the festival was changed Their popes and to St. Valentine’s Day (some say around 493 AD un- priests, not der Pope Gelasius I), many of the traditions that had suprisingly, are grown up around Lupercalia remained, including the outraged by this drawing of names to pair up partners, or valentines. wanton crowd of During the days of chivalry, the names of English women- maidens and bachelors were put into a box and drawn whipping Luper- out in pairs. The girl became the man's valentine for cus worshippers. that year and it was his duty to protect her. In public After a few acknowledgement of his commitment, he wore her failed attempts name on his sleeve. Hence the term, “wear your heart to rain on the on your sleeve.” It wasn’t until well after the Renais- pagans’ parade, sance, by the way, that couples were free to choose the priests latch their own valentines. on to St. Valen- Also during the Middle Ages it was believed tine as a more that birds chose their partners in mid-February. Thus suitable patron the day was dedicated to love, and people observed it for the festival. by writing love letters and sending small gifts to their Here’s beloved. where you can In 1415, Charles, duke of Orleans, sent the first imagine a bevy real Valentine’s Day card to his wife -- while he was of priests in a imprisoned in the Tower of London. back room But that’s a love story for another day... somewhere down by St. Pe- ter’s hatching up a story -- or maybe just em- Middle School bellishing the facts a little -- to make Saint Val- entine sound quite appealing. News They had a lot to work with. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were three different Saint Valentines -- fodder for a good Candy Sale Coming number of legends. But this story deals with the two Italians -- a priest in Rome and a Bishop of The Middle School will have its annual Terni -- as the third lived in Africa and little is Valentine’s Day Candy known about him except that he, like the others, Sale starting Monday, Feb. was martyred on Feb. 14. 3 in the MS “All-Purpose” According to one legend, Valentine was Room. a priest in our fair city who was imprisoned and Students will be sentenced to death for ignoring a decree from able to purchase candy for Emperor Claudius II forbidding his soldiers to their friends during lunch- marry. Claudius apparently didn’t want his men time. worrying about the wives they left back home -- A personalized bag and going soft on him in battle. will be provided for each student for the candy Another story suggests that Valentine purchased. The bags will be distributed on Fri- may have been imprisoned for helping perse- day, Feb. 14, last period. cuted Christians. While behind bars, Valentine

6 THE PTO’s CORNER

We’ve rounded the corner on the first half them edit their own stories. Then the volunteers of the school year and are heading into the home type up the stories and make them into books. stretch. It hardly seems possible that it’s February We’re also hard at work on the Visitng Author already. Happy Valentine’s Day to you all. project. This year we’ll have popular Australian The AOSR Benefit Ball for our Theater, writer/storyteller Richard Tulloch on campus to Arts and Music departments is Feb. 1 so we’d like work with our Elementary and Middle School stu- to thank Board of Trustee member Jimmy McDi- dents. vitt for all his hard work in getting the event or- Thanks to Dr. Dougherty for his informa- ganized. A special thanks, also, to all the PTO tive visit at our January meeting. He updated us members who sold tickets and/or made theme on the unceasing efforts to ensure our campus is baskets for this important fundraiser. Those mem- secure for all. bers are Gloria Conteduca, Sharon Morad, Diane The Booster Bar, Boutique and the sale of Halloran, Hope Moore, Vangie Campos, Susan AOSR T-shirts and other logo items all resumed Haight, Laura in January following the holiday break and our Rumpf, Lori Tibbett, PTO coordinators for each report that all is going Jennifer Castelli and well. Cam Rossie. And The next PTO meeting is set for Mon- thanks to all of you day, Feb. 10 at 9:15 am in the Boutique. Why who donated items not stop in and see what our organization is all to the baskets or for about. the silent auction. We’re all looking forward to a wonder- Psssst! Smile. ful evening. At our Janu- ary meeting, believe Pass It On!!

it or not, the PTO Hey, it’s the month of friendship and already started pre- love!! That’s a good enough reason to start an liminary discussions epidemic -- of smiles, that is. Thanks to the about the next big community event on our calen- anonymous writer on the internet for remind- dar: Mayfair 2003. It’ll be held on May 10th this ing us as that we don’t have to take EVERY- year, so mark your calendars today. There will be THING so seriously. lots of volunteer opportunities for this one! We’ll tell you more about that in next month’s Flyer. Smiling is infectious, We also finished the process of updating You catch it like the flu. our own by-laws in January, with a unanimous When someone smiled at me today, vote of approval from those members present. I started smiling too. Thanks to By-Laws Committee members Hope Moore, Barbara Faidley, Susan Haight and Cam I passed around the corner, Rossie for bringing us into the 21st Century with and someone saw my grin. those important updates. When he smiled I realized, The Book Publishing Project for 3rd and I'd passed it on to him. 4th Graders is coming up this spring, so the PTO’s project coordinators Laura Rumpf and Sue I thought about that smile, Berton will be looking for volunteers for this very then I realized its worth. worthwhile event. Volunteers get to work directly A single smile just like mine, with the Elementary School students in helping could surely travel the earth.

7 The Teacher Interview With Heidi Meyer

Name: Mr. Kip Hendry and the mentors and friends who do the same are a Subject: MS Drama and English source of great enrichment to life.

Q: Do you know what the MS Shakespeare play will Q: What did you do before you came to AOSR? be in May? A: I moved to Italy on New Year’s Eve of 1998- A: Yes, I think I’ll be trying Romeo and Juliet with 1999 to be with my girlfriend and to work with a the Middle School this year. It’s a tough play, and I street-theater company. During the airplane ride, I have not tried to do a tragedy with Middle School made a three page account of places I have lived students before, but a couple of things have gotten and things I have done for work, as well as those I my engines revved for a challenge. One is that I have just done because I love them, and the list is have been getting interested in theater combat, in mighty long. In my thirty-one years, I have had 29 particular sword-fighting. I just came back from a homes and worked as a teacher, a mural painter, a week-long intensive workshop in which I studied photographer, an ice-cream maker to name a theatrical fencing and I am stirred up about putting it few. In my first year in Italy, I spent as much time to use. The other is that we have some incredible in a tour van as at home, traveling Europe as a actors and actresses in the Middle School and I want stilt-walker and lighting technician. We lived in a to give them a chal- beautiful house in Gubbio, lenge, sort of take and my memories of the them out of the easy place are magical. I would mode and see what like to find myself in the we can do when we country again, either here or all have to really in the states, in the not-too- WORK again. It’s a distant future. I could use a small cast (for few years with just my guitar Shakespeare) and I and a comfortable porch want to get some in- chair. tense people who can

bring on the juice. Q: Why do you have an in- terest in drama and English? Q: What qualities A: Throughout my adven- does it take to be a tures, I have been driven by really good actor? love and by the arts, and A: I think it takes a when I am really lucky, by freedom in one’s both. I recall doing puppet sense of being, a shows from behind the couch strong confidence in when I was a kid and that one’s self-identity just led me into doing school which will allow the and community thea- performer risk be- ter. When I was 21 I wrote coming another per- and directed my first musical son and know that the “self” is there to return to af- plays for children along with my brother, and the terwards. It is easy to become egotistical as an actor thrill was all-consuming. The same goes for writ- and you need the type of confidence which is as- ing. I can sit down and spend an hour (or two, or sured and yet not boastful. three) writing and feel an incredible sense of pleas- ure. Q: What is the secret to being a good English/Drama The process of creating moves me in the best way, (Continued on page 10)

8

Elementary Pre-K School News News

Miss Robertson’s class welcomed the Love is in the air this month as we get new year with many smiling faces. The chil- ready for our Valentine’s Day Family Concert for the Pre-K Parents on the morning of Febru- dren are learning how to dress appropriately th for the cold weather and have compared and ary 14 . We will be presenting a dress rehearsal to children in Kindergarten through Grade Two contrasted winter/summer clothing. Brrrrrr…. th We work very hard on learning the the morning of February 13 . The children are letters of the alphabet and the sounds they excited (and nervous) about their debut. To represent. Almost all students are able to read decorate for the concert, we are celebrating simple words and love “sounding out” big “Pink Day” that same week! words. We also enjoy creative writing in our The 3-year-olds are focusing on love, feelings journals. Each child has become an independ- and friendship in February. They will be talking ent thinker, author, and illustrator. about emotions and how to express their feelings Just recently we learned about the in a constructive way. The group will be talking short sound of letter “I” and we liked discov- a lot about friends using literature, flannel boards ering our initials. Now we are collecting big and puppets to show how to make friends, how boxes to construct a giant IGLOO in our to treat friends and how to keep friends. classroom. We hope to make it a reading cen- This month, the 4-year-olds are continu- ter. Please bring us any extra boxes!! ing their trip into the wonderful world of liter- acy. The Green Snakes are studying Dr. Seuss. They have read The Cat in the Hat and made their own hat, talked about rhyming words and played board games, among many other activi- ties. The Lions are learning about Nursery Rhymes. From predicting what would happen to Humpty Dumpty (a raw egg!) when he fell from We know a song for each number, the wall, to helping The Three Little Kittens find zero through nine. These songs help us form their mittens in the classroom. the numerals correctly. We have recently The Dinosaurs have read several versions learned to measure with rulers. We’ve meas- of The Gingerbread Man and are comparing and ured our noses, arms, feet, our tables, stuffed contrasting each version as well as writing their animals and more! We have used rulers, paper own version as they learn about The Gingerbread clips, markers, pencils, and more for measure- Man as well as many other fairy tales. ment units. One of our favorite math games is The 4-year-olds also began meeting with their called, “Race Against the Teacher.” It in- Reading Buddies this month. Each four year old volves counting to 100 with total concentra- has a special fourth grade friend that they meet tion. The students often win; the teacher often each week to share books and conversation. loses, but everyone has fun! In early February, parents of the Pre- We also have started the TENS Kindergarten will receive a mid-year progress CLUB and almost all students have joined. report about their child. Those reports will be Club members can count to 100 by tens! followed up by parent conferences on the week of February 6th. Some of the fun science experiments we have done include: observing ice crystal forms, pre- Upcoming Events: dicting solid/liquid outcomes, and full/empty Dress Rehearsal presented to K-2, Feb.13 at 9:30 comparisons and contrasts. We look forward am; Valentine’s Day Family Concert, Feb.14 at to much more fun in this new year. 9:30 a.m.

9 (Continued from page 8) Teacher Interview, Kip Hendry... plays/musicals? teacher? A: Wherever you live, I think. There is good A: I have two main mentors in my teaching, both theater everywhere if you are willing to do with- of which were teachers of mine. One was my out multi-million dollar sets and special ef- High School Drama teacher and the other a gradu- fects. New York is famous, but I lived there for ate student teacher of mine when I was studying two years and I can’t stand it, so I was never in Creative Writing at the University of Colo- the mood to see a play, particularly once I got to rado. Both were very strong and confident in their know the New Yorkers who were the actors, di- ideas about creativity, and simultaneously open to rectors and producers. Jerks. letting the students develop a voice and identity of The most beautiful show that I have ever seen their own. This is what I try to be. I want to that I was not involved in was at a children’s model taking creative risks, model treating my theater festival in . My brother works at work with both seriously and with joy, and then a Shakespearean theater in Topanga Canyon make a space for students to generate their own (California) which I love, and one of my favorite sense of invention, shows of recent was a production of some shorts not imitating my from All in the Timing which I saw at a cruddy voice, but following little black box here in Rome. However, I think my example of a the most satisfying ones are the ones I worked person who has a on. I am blown away watching the shows here at voice. school because I know what went into them, I saw the performers audition, work on their roles, Q: Who is the great- and finally get up and share it on stage. est writer who ever lived? (Excluding Q: If you were an AOSR student for a day what Shakespeare!) would you do? A: Why excluding Shakespeare? Shakespeare. It’s A: Everything. Sing, dance, play, love, hate. I the easy answer because there is no ONE, but if am a teacher every day and I do the same thing. you had to name ONE, you might not go wrong with him. Lately, when I am not reading for work, Q: What do you think is the biggest challenge to I have been reading Don DiLillo, Tom Robbins, teenagers? David Sederis, Dave Eggers, Nick Hornby. They A: Treating your life like it is real, it is your aren’t really high literature, but they are great sto- own, and you can do, make, and celebrate it in rytellers and have a fantastic sense of voice. I the most genuine sense. I have often said to my think that good storytellers keep modern writing students that the real world is not waiting for alive as entertainment and these guys definitely do you, the real world is now and you are participat- that. ing already, so do something wonderful. I know that teenagers are working on solidifying a sense Q: If you could be anything/anyone for a day - of self, and the challenge is risking new things, what/who would it be? putting yourself out there as a bold, brilliant, par- A: I think that each moment is the opportunity to ticipant in life. Seeing that that does not have to be whoever I want to be, and so the answer is mean you must kick over trash cans and spray ME. My not-snotty-self-contented response paint profane explicatives on public spaces is would be the actor who gets to play Obi Wan Ka- truly confusing at times, but not that confusing. nobi. Not necessarily Ewin, but just anyone, pref- Know that your thoughts are real, your loves, erably myself, getting to be Ben Kanobi. Does your fears, your hopes. Act on them, make mis- that mean my answer is actually Obi Wan Ka- takes, make masterpieces, make joy, and know nobi? Sure. Or Luke. Or myself as a Jedi. I am that they are real, that your age does not disqual- working on that now. ify you from greatness. Not coincidentally, this may also be the biggest Q: Which city in the world is the best place to see challenge to people who are not teenagers.

10 The Teacher Interview With Heidi Meyer

Name: Ms. Carlyn Zaniboni A: Cam Rossie had asked if I wanted to contribute Subject: MS/HS P.E. and Health something to the Falcon Flyer and I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to tell the community Q: What did you do before you came to AOSR- about our new Middle School Health program here at A: I was teaching and coaching in Brookline, Mas- AOSR. I wanted to let the parents and the commu- sachusetts. I have taught physical education/health nity know what we are doing in health class and to let K-12 for the last 10 years in both Boston and over- them know that we are establishing a referral pro- . Now I've had the joy of teaching and coach- gram to help kids with sensitive issues. It was a great ing in Australia, Greece and Italy. I've coached chance to share some of the feedback I have been by soccer, sailing, cross-country, track/field, basket- students about the class and our projects. ball and double dutch (rope jumping). Q: Describe your ideal teen- ager Sports/Health Program? Q: Were you good at PE/Sports A: A truly great program in High School? gives kids the opportunity to A: I enjoyed both PE and Sports explore a variety of sports to in High School. We had gen- see what they are good at and der-separated PE in high school what they enjoy. An impor- and I used to sneak over to the tant aspect of the health pro- boys side to play street hockey gram is to provide and estab- and flag football. Now, they are lish an environment that stu- integrated and boys/girls can dents feel safe in to discuss play in any unit they choose. I sensitive topics/issues and played a sport every season and make informed decisions. never got home before 6:00 pm, but I loved it. Q: What's your favorite band/ We had 2 1/2- to 3-hour prac- opera/piece of music? tices everyday. Sports was a A: I don't have a favorite very big part of our school and band or piece of music. I en- the community. My school had a lot of school joy music from all around the world. I loved listening spirit and being part of a sports team was really and dancing to Greek music and African music when admired. I think the best lesson I learned was time I lived in Athens and visited West Africa. I also en- management. Due to our demanding schedule joy both jazz and blues. (sometimes 3 games a week) we didn't have much time to procrastinate, which I think helped me in Q: Who is the greatest Sportswoman who ever lived? getting my school work done. A: That is a tough question because I admire so many The other wonderful thing about high school female athletes for their various accomplishments. I sports was the friendships I made. To this day I would have to say that Wilma Rudolph has always still see the other co-captain I played with through- been an athlete that I admired. She was born prema- out high-school. The friendships I made through turely and suffered from pneumonia, scarlet fever and sports have been some of the best friendships in polio as a child. She was in leg braces until 9 years my life. old when she worked extra hard to get well, and started her basketball career. During her basketball Q: Why did you decide to write an article on your years she was recognized by a track coach who saw health class? (Continued on page 12)

11 After-School Activities (Continued from page 11) Teacher Interview... her potential for speed and encouraged her to Starting Early February run. Later, she won 3 gold medals in the 1960 Rome Olympics. She was a mentor for athletes such as What do badminton, ceramics, swim- Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Griffith Joy- ming, board games and scrapbooks have in ner. She was one of the first high-profile African common? That’s easy. They’re all activities in- American female athletes and acted as an ambassa- cluded in the new program of AOSR After- dor for women's sports. School Activities. Yes, it’s time to sign up again for one -- or several -- fun activities that can be Q: If you could be anything/anyone what/who enjoyed right here on our own campus from would it be? 3:30 to 4:45 pm. A: I'd love to be an Olympic athlete. I can remem- The program booklet is divided into ber dreaming as a little girl about being in the Olym- three sections -- Elementary School, Middle pics someday. I wouldn't even have to be a medal- School and High School/Adult -- and offers ist. I'd be happy just to compete at that level. I think something for just about everyone. Elementary it would be amazing students have basketball, mini soccer, swim- ming, badminton, choir, guitar club, gymnas- Q: Where is your favorite place in Italy? tics, acting & mime workshop, Girl Scouts and A: I don't think I've found it yet, however, I do love Brownies, painting, games and much more!! the . I'm a water person. Get me near Middle schoolers can do 3-on-3 basketball, Girl the ocean and a and I am happy. Scout Cadettes, funky dance, music lessons, ceramics, board games and others. Q: If you were an AOSR student for a day what would you do? A: I'd love to take an art class with one of the art teachers and explore Italian history more in depth. I'd try to speak Italian as much as possible and probably ask Coach Phil to play basketball against me.

Q: What do you think is the biggest threat to the health of a teenager? A: I'd say the largest problem here in Rome is to- bacco use. The other biggest threat to the health of a teenager is uninformed decision making. Kids listen to each other about the effects of certain substances High School students and adults can and the consequences of certain activities. Unfortu- choose from several activities, including Yaw nately, the information is often erroneous and the Wan (the martial art of foot boxing), music les- teenager makes an uniformed decision. The best sons, English conversation, board games and advice I can give in terms of teenage health is to get designing scrapbooks. There’s just no end to the facts and to understand all the consequences be- fun you’ll have between now and the end of the fore making any health decisions. year. The program has already been sent home, so if you haven’t seen it, stop in the main office and pick one up. Then, sign up now! Ac- tivities begin the first week of February. Call Christine Hogan or Margaret Ciuf- freda in the After-School Activities office for more information. Hours are 3:30 pm to 5 pm. The phone number is 06-3343-8320.

12 UNESCO World Heritage List Offers Starting Point For Touring in Italy

Did you know that Italy has more sites listed voy (Turin and Piedmont Region) on the World Heritage List than any other country 1997 Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico), Padua but , with which it ties? 1997 Portovenere, , and the The United Nations Education, Scientific and (, and ) Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage 1997 Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, List is an excellent place to start when you’re look- 1997 Archaeological Areas of Pompei, ing for an interesting experience or place to visit in , and Italy. The list includes the standard everybody- 1997 Amalfi Coast knows-about-them places as well as some totally 1997 Archaeological Area of () offbeat spots. 1997 ( - It’s a wonderful list, which includes the year Sicily) the site was added, and it offers a great way to be- 1997 di Barumini () come introduced to Italy. Don’t miss out on the 1998 and National Park with UNESCO website either, as you will be able to the Archeological sites of and , and click on each of the sites listed and get a few more the details, and why they were chosen as places that 1998 Historic Center of stand out as important for our world heritage. The 1998 Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Ba- website is: http://whc.unesco.org/heritage.htm silica of 1999 Villa Adriana (Tivoli) ITALY: 2000 Isole Eolie () 1979 Rock Drawings in Valcamonica (The Alps) 2000 , the of Saint Francis and Other 1980 Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Franciscan Sites Maria delle Grazie with "The Last Supper" by Leo- 2000 City of nardo da Vinci 2001 Villa d'Este (Tivoli) 1982 Historic Center of Florence 2002 Late Baroque Towns of the Val di 1987 and its Lagoon (Southeastern Sicily) 1987 Piazza del Duomo, Pisa 1990 Historic Center of ITALY/: 1993 I Sassi di -- (Southern Basilicata) 1980, 1990 Historic Center of Rome, the Properties 1994 City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterrito- Veneto rial Rights, and San Paolo Fuori le Mura 1995 Historic Center of 1995 Historic Center of 1995 Crespi d'Adda (Capriate San Gervasio in Lombardy) 1995 , City of the Renaissance and its Po Delta 1996 Castel del Monte (Near Bari, Puglia) 1996 The Trulli of (Southern Puglia) 1996 Early Christian Monuments of 1996 Historic Center of the City of 1997 18th-Century Royal Palace at with the Park, the and the Complex 1997 Residences of the Royal House of Sa-

13 The Latest from the PPAC

The PPAC met on 15 January in the Bou- E-mail: [email protected] tique. Several parents expressed concerns about Languages: Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese the quality of food in the cafeteria. They suggested Cinzia Palana: ES / MS that someone from the school be given responsibil- Phone: 06-558-3316 or 329-300-4340 ity for monitoring the food quality on a regular ba- E-mail: [email protected] sis. Perhaps having a suggestion box for parents to Languages spoken: Italian, Spanish, French use would be helpful. Additionally, parents would like the school Principal Joanne Reykdal: ES / MS/ HS to review the kind of food that is sold at the coffee Phone: 06-334-38326 bar during the school day. The questions raised by E-mail: [email protected] members of the PPAC involved when and if we should be selling candy bars and sodas at the cof- fee bar. Parents complimented the administration Boutique Sales Get on improving the lighting system in the front park- ing lot. They also extended kudos to the MS fac- Bigger and Better ulty for the wonderful Middle School Brunch that The Boutique will mark all yellow-tagged was served to MS students before the Winter Holi- items half-price on Tuesday, Feb. 11. They will day Break. join all the white-tagged items already on The next meeting of the PPAC will take sale. Vendors are reminded that if they wish to place on Feb. 12 at 9:15 am in the Boutique. If retrieve any of their items entered in November you have items that you would like to put on the (yellow tags), they must do this before February agenda, please contact one of the following PPAC 11 or they will become Boutique property. members listed below. Are you ready for the February ski

trip? New winter items continue to arrive each PPAC Members 2002 - 2003 Tuesday. Presently there is a good selection of Grazie Deulus: MS / HS children/teens ski suits and winter boots. Come Phone: 06-3630-4287 (Italian / USA) down and have a look. E-mail: [email protected] The Boutique desperately needs paper or Languages: Italian, French, Greek, Turkish plastic shopping bags! Please bring us some of

Carolyn Grosso: MS / HS your stash when you come on Tuesday! Many Phone: 06-3036-1525 or 328-726-4500 thanks. E-mail: [email protected]

Susan Haight: MS / HS AOSR LOGO T-SHIRTS, Phone: 06-3031-0876 BOOKS AND MUCH MORE E-mail: [email protected]

Francesca Kelly: ES / HS School Spirit T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote Phone: 06-329-0280 bags and caps are doing a brisk business and are E-mail: [email protected] available every Tuesday or by direct order with Dyan Goldhammer at 06-3088-8245. Millie Kneeland: MS The Boutique has a large selection of pa- Phone: 06-3326-1369 perback books for sale at just €.50 per book or Bonnie Nault: HS and Gaeta Parents you can bring us your books and trade for new Phone: 07-7146-0560 or 340-669-1663 ones. So stop in soon and check out our collec- E-mail: [email protected] tions. You can’t beat our prices. Claudia Ottolenghi (Elkin): MS / HS Happy Valentine’s Day to our volunteers, Phone: 06-8535-7780 or 328-865-8040 to our vendors and customers. See you Tuesday!

14 Sports Briefs With Doug Kneeland

Basketball – Off and On upset of the top team in the league. The Falcons played without Marco Asnaghi who was on The biggest disappointment of the basket- crutches with a sprained ankle. Now that Teddy ball season so far this year is not the team or the understands what it takes to reach his potential, players or even the referees. It is the fact that 4 of Phil is licking his chops at the prospect of Teddy the first 6 games were cancelled. and Marco playing on the same front line at the First, the Marymount games were cancelled league tournament in Aviano. in December because of a budget problem in the

Department of Defense schools. Supposedly the

DOD schools were not supposed to travel in order to save money, and the non-DOD schools were told Falcon Wrestlers Tune Up not to play. Go figure. Chalk up two hypothetical for Championships wins. Come on, Marymount, can’t you at least come over for a practice game on a Tuesday night If you wondered what all the buses were and take your licks? doing in the parking lot on the last Saturday before Then when the Falcon athletes returned the winter break, AOSR was hosting the five ASIL from winter vacation, Vicenza didn’t show up be- schools that have wrestling teams. The Italian cause of snow. Snow? The north-south highways wrestling championships will be held at Naples were open that week. Make that two more hypo- this year. The Falcons will be led into the tourna- thetical wins that will not show up in the record ment by senior Howard Stugard IV and juniors books. Derek Nehls and Marco Sperti, all of whom have And now some of the Falcon seniors will the potential to go all the way to the European fi- miss the last couple of league games in order to at- nals. tend the Model UN. This will be a short basketball season for some of the seniors. But all is well that ends well. This columnist predicts that some of the AC Congratulates DOD schools will be caught napping by the Falcons 50/50 Raffle Winners at the Italian championships in February. AOSR’s new Athletic Council would like to congratulate the following winners of our 50/50 raffle. Tickets are sold at home athletic Teddy’s Party events to support various initiatives sponsored by the Athletic Council. The big guns came to town on Jan. 17 & 18 Thank you to everyone who bought tickets for the last home basketball games of the year. The and a special thanks to the winners that "re- Sigonella Jaguars from Sicily arrived with their donated" their prize back to the Athletic Council. full-court press and a bunch of guys who hang on Winners of our raffle are: the rims for fun. They sure acted like these games Dr. Dougherty (headmaster), Mr. Ullman would be walkovers. Wrong! (science teacher), Julie Deptula (Teddy and Friday night was a good warm-up. The boys Tuck's mum) and Mr. Uyenoyama (Elementary and girls both gave the Jaguars a run for their computers and "Coach U”). money. Then on Saturday, the Falcon girls pulled Go Falcons!! within 3 points in the last minute before falling by five. This was a great game by a rapidly improving team. GOOD LUCK IN THE In the Saturday boys game, Teddy Burnley blew by the Jaguars all day long to score a career CHAMPIONSHIPS, high 36 big points to lead the Falcon boys to a near- FALCONS!

15

News from the Counselor Donna Ross

The National Survey of Student Engage- SAT PREP: Students who are interested in ment Institute in conjunction with the Pew Forum taking the SAT Prep class should have contacted on Undergraduate Learning and the Carnegie me (direct number is 06-3343-8327) by Friday, Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching re- January 31st. This class will be reviewing for the cently released some interesting findings regard- May 3rd SAT. ing student engagement in U.S. colleges/ TESTING: During second semester, jun- universities. They state that students who iors will be taking several tests, if you are applying “experience diversity” report higher levels of en- to US, UK or Canadian universities. I recommend gagement; they are more involved in active learn- the SAT 1 in May and the SAT 11(if appropriate) ing and personal growth. “International students in June. ACT can be taken in February or June. are more engaged overall than American stu- dents.” This survey also pointed out that students SAT who investigated colleges and “matched” their TEST DATE REGISTRATION interests to an institution were more satisfied with DEADLINE their college experience. May 3 March 28 STUDENTS: It is important that you June 7 May 2 develop decision-making skills, assess your pri- orities, set realistic goals, explore options and gather information so that you are knowledgeable Registration for SAT is at www.collegeboard.com. about college require- Registration and practice booklets for the tests are ments and the selection also available in my office. process. Some tenth graders should take the SAT 11 in PLANNING AHEAD June. I will meet with you in March to discuss CAN REAP GREAT this. BENEFITS. ACT PSAT RESULTS: TEST DATE REGISTRATION PSAT test booklets and DEADLINE Score Reports were dis- tributed to tenth and Feb. 8 Register with Mrs. eleventh graders the th Ross (Jan 24) week of January 13 . It is extremely important June 14 Register with Mrs. for students to review Ross (May 23) the Score Report which shows the correct answer and the student’s answers to the questions. Re- Be sure to register for the ACT with Mrs. Ross; do viewing the material will enable students to better not send registrations to the USA. Space is limited understand the test – verbal, math problem- so register early. solving and writing skills. Remember standard- ized testing is only one part of the college admis- PARENTS OF JUNIORS: During second sion process. The student’s daily academic semester I will have an evening presentation to achievement in the classroom is the most impor- discuss the college admission process. Then I tant. However, if both testing and academic would like to meet with you and your son/daughter achievement are strong, students have more op- individually to discuss specific plans. tions; therefore AOSR will again be offering a SAT prep program for second semester.

16 The Teacher Interview With Heidi Meyer

Editor’s Note: Our apologies to Mr. Zim- Q: What's your favorite band/opera/piece of merman for the error in last month’s issue. music? Mr. Zimmerman, as we all know very well, A: Band: Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Inven- is the HS MUSIC teacher. We’ll try this tion; Opera: Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro; Piece: again. Karlheinz Stockhausen's Gruppen Q: Who is the greatest composer who ever lived? A: Johann Name: Mr. Roy Zimmerman Sebastian Bach

Subject: High School Music Q: What do you like best about AOSR? A: The students, in all their wonderful diversity. Q. How long have you been at AOSR? A: Since Jan.10th, 1973, (30 years!!!) when I Q: Where is your favorite nightspot in Rome? arrived as a student teacher from Michigan A: My nightclub days are pretty much over, but State. I was hired in Sept. '73, and have been the Big Mama in Trastevere is a great here ever since. place. They have great bluesmen, fresh in from Chicago or Memphis, and for me, their music is Q: Why did you choose to teach Music? the only thing that really makes me nostalgic for A: When I insisted upon becoming a music Detroit, my home town. composition major, my father refused to pay my tuition. He said if I wanted to go into mu- Q: If you were an AOSR student for a day what sic, I had to get an education degree, so he would you do? wouldn't have to pay for me forever. I had no A: I'd probably bring a note from my mom, say- intention of actually becoming a teacher, until ing that I had a dentist's appointment: a day isn't my great student teaching experience at enough to appreciate the depth and the spirit of AOSR. Since then, I've loved it more every AOSR. year. It is wonderful to teach music, because it isn't a big academic subject, with all its 'do-or- Q: What's your favorite movie/book? die' implications for students. Instead, I can A: Movie: Casablanca; Book: Richard Powers, devote my work to creating a positive experi- The Goldbug Variations ence for them, at all costs. If I fail a student, I feel a terrible sense of failure myself.

Q: What’s your biggest challenge teaching music? A: Keeping up with the kids' enthusiasm. It's overwhelming!

Q: If you could stage a musical presentation at AOSR what would it be? A: I've never been interested in big pro- jects. There is too much music that should be experienced by students, to spend half a year on "Kiss Me, Kate," "Grease" or Gilbert & Sul- livan. I believe in giving students the widest possible experience with all kinds of music.

17

Rome ‘n About With Igor Yasno

Have you ever been to an ice-hockey game Angeles Staples Center. Another helping of the soft in Italy? I'm talking about the hard-hitting, board- Christmas cake, however, helped me forget these checking, glove-dropping, end-to-end action that American culinary nightmares. packs huge sports arenas in North America and So, was it love for the 'fastest game on Earth' Eastern Europe. Unfortunately, you are as likely to that brought us to Val Gardena - the wonderful val- trip over a hockey stick anywhere south of Milan as ley on the western edge of the Dolomites? Not quite. you are to find a safe park- Our visit had everything ing spot in downtown to do with skiing and a Naples. We were able warm invitation by our to catch a very exciting friend, Susie, who owns game over the holidays in and operates the four-star the tiny Dolomite village of Aaritz Hotel in Selva Selva Gardena. The local Gardena. boys were playing against We were not dis- their rivals from across the appointed! Our accom- valley and an elderly modations at Aaritz were woman sitting next to us most comfortable and was doing the play-by-play every evening we looked commentary. She knew forward to the amazing everything about the Selva seven-course banquet players, their stats, personal that awaited us in the ho- lives and she wasn't shy tel's dining room. But a about sharing this informa- Christmas party prepared tion with anyone willing to by Susie and her staff in listen to her. As the nail- front of a huge fireplace biting action was unfolding outdid even the daily just a few meters away, we feast! learned a great deal about The consumed the players' daytime jobs calories went to a good and families. Most impor- use on the ski slopes sur- tantly, our neighbor was rounding Val Gardena. concerned with the guys' eating habits since that, in The hotel is located right across the street from the her professional opinion, had everything to do with main gondola, which takes the skiers and snow- the players' performance that night. Indeed, half of boarders up to the Ciampinoi summit. the home team must have been dieting recently, be- The total downhill ski area around the valley cause they managed to squander a three-goal lead consists of 175 km and another 100 km can be used and were lucky to tie the game. But no one was dis- for cross-country skiing. The snow is abundant and appointed - the local and visiting supporters were more than 60% of the slopes are just right for inter- waving their team banners, beating the drums and mediate skiers. lighting smoke bombs - all in the best traditions of We also discovered many other pleasures of calcio ultras, the hardcore soccer fans. staying in Selva Gardena, such as ice-skating at the Two relaxed carabinieri were keeping one sports arena and taking walks to the neighboring vil- eye on this commotion and another on a vending lages of Santa Cristina and Ortisei. The 9 km pedes- table full of panettone and glasses of red wine, trian path took us between the snow-covered peaks, which were offered to the fans. And where are the medieval churches, waterfalls, a castle, and tall frozen hot dogs and buckets of Miller Light? I wooden statues. Wood carving is the traditional art thought, remembering our NHL outings at the Los of Val Gardena and all three villages proudly display

(Continued on page 24)

18 AT THE MOVIES with Fr. Greg Apparcel

“Harry Potter and the and Maggie Smith have little to do. Robbie Col- trane is fine once again as Hagrid. Jason Isaacs as Chamber of Secrets” Lucius Malfoy has some good moments too, but Director: Chris Columbus surprisingly, it’s Kenneth Branagh who steals the Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma show in a humorous turn as Gilderoy Lockhart, Watson, Kenneth Branagh, Maggie Smith, Richard charming author of the hit autobiography, “Magical Harris, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Jason Me.” His acting really enlivens every scene that Isaacs, Julie Walters he’s in. Daniel Radcliffe is back as Harry Potter and When Dobby the House Elf warns Harry he’s a tad better this time around. There’s more of a Potter not to come back to Hogwarts Academy be- maturity to his acting, and he’s far less passive than cause there’s a plot to make terrible things happen, he was in the first film. He’s growing into more of a we’re set up to expect the worst. After an escape in a flying car, and being thrown out of an angry tree, Harry Potter begins his second acadmic year of wizardry. Soon though the blood writing is on the wall: “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened! Enemies of the Heir, beware!” Suddenly Muggles and Mudbloods are being petrified, and racism has once again reared its ugly head. Nasty Draco Mal- foy and his rich father Lucius think they’re better than anyone else because they’re pure-blood wiz- ards, and the person who suffers most from their bigotry is Harry’s good friend Hermione Granger. Dobby’s mischief causes trouble for Harry and his red-headed friend Ron Weasley and they’re hero. Emma Watson, as Hermione Granger, unfor- in trouble from the very beginning. At school Pro- tunately is petrified for part of the film and so does- fessors Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall and n’t have as much to do as she did in the first, which the loyal Hagrid are all on the watch, but the new is too bad. Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley is down- Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, right annoying. He needs lessons on how to make Gilderoy Lockhart is no help at all. more than one mugging facial expression. In fact, it In some ways the second Harry Potter must be infectious, as Alan Rickman seems to have movie is better than the first, but in most ways it’s caught the same disease. pretty much the same thing, and that’s not so good. Once again, Steve Kloves wrote a very There are delightful scenes re-potting crying Man- faithful screenplay, and Chris Columbus directs drakes and trying to catch hyperactive Cornish Pix- adequately. Still, I’d like to see this story at the ies, and there’s a swell Quidditch scene with a hands of a more imaginative director that could rogue Budger. move the characters and plot to a higher level. One Like the first film based on J.K. Rowling’s whole sequence seems lifted right out of “Alien” incredibly successful children’s novels, The Cham- complete with a drooling monster face to face with ber of Secrets has stellar production values, all the lead character. Dumbledore tells Harry that “It filmed in the most beautiful, clear colors. But is not our abilities that show us who we are, it’s our there’s something missing – a spark that never quite choices.” ignites. Future Harry Potter filmmakers need to The late Richard Harris, in his final film make more courageous choices if the series will role, is touching as Dumbledore, but Alan Rickman ever reach the status of a classic.

19 Good Eats and Caffe' with Heidi Meyer

My good friend Diane Mooney lived Place the cream cheese on two separate in Naples for five years and she made the dishes. Mix the last three ingredients thoroughly most delicious food. and then pour equally over the slabs of cream Many of her recipes were American cheese. Serve with hard crackers. but I have looked around and it is possible to find the ingredients here in Italy. I recom- Editor’s Note: mend trying the International Food Store in This is Heidi’s last Good Eats column as Trastevere where you can buy absolutely eve- she and her family are leaving Rome this month. rything from just about every country. This We wish you all the best, Heidi, and thanks for all month I selected two of her easy-to-make-but- great recipes. absolutely-delicious dishes. Next month we’ll tell you about Sue Ber- ton, the Flyer’s new recipe columnist. Meanwhile, Diane Mooney’s Broccoli, if you have any recipes you’d like to share with Raisin and Cheese Salad Sue -- and the rest of us, send them to theber- Serves 12 [email protected] or call her at 06-331-2719.

8 oz yellow cheese 4 Broccoli heads 4 oz raisins Hey Everybody! 2 cups mayonnaise 1 cup white sugar It’s Time to Buy 1/4 cup apple vinegar Girl Scout Cookies Grate the cheese. Cut the broccoli into small AOSR’s Girl Scout and Brownie troops pieces preferably leav- are outside the gym after school on Mondays and ing out the stalk. Mix Fridays until Feb. the mayo, sugar, apple 14 ready to sell vinegar to make the you some of those salad dressing. Com- fabulous Girl bine the cheese, broccoli Scout Cookies and raisins in a large we’ve all come to bowl. Mix. Add the salad dressing and toss love over the thoroughly. years. They’re Diane Mooney’s Famous €3.50 per box, and the girls can even Cream Cheese Dip take orders — if you need lots and 2 Packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese lots of cookies. 1 jar of apple jelly So, hurry 1 jar of horseradish on over to AOSR before Valentine’s Day and get 1 small tin of Coleman’s mustard powder or some of your favorite cookies. When they’re equivalent gone — they’re gone! (But you can always put some in the freezer).

20 (Continued from page 1) A Gift to AOSR... the art. Clearly the world of the future is going to sidies and tremendous financial support from require our children to not only be computer liter- their governments. ate, it is going to require them to be prepared for a AOSR is a completely independent, technological world that constantly changes and autonomous school, like independent schools in evolves. This gift allowed us to take a giant leap the U.S. We receive a small grant from the U.S. forward in our educational programs for your government—approximately equal to the tuition children. of two high school students—to purchase texts Gifts from alumni towards our theater and computers, and to support faculty profes- have permitted us to upgrade our lighting and sional development. electrical systems on our stage, provide a new When the school was founded, OSR as the electrical source for the outdoor amphitheater and school was known then, received tremendous fi- add to our drama program. nancial assistance from the US government. The For many years the AOSR Theater Benefit elementary classrooms, the high school and the was led by Christine Hogan, fifth grade gym were all paid for by money given to the teacher. She and her colleagues orchestrated a school by the US beautiful evening government. At to raise funds for that time, the theater programs school was close to at AOSR. The one hundred per- money raised at cent US citizens, these gala events too. has been used to Today the support the thea- U.S. government ter productions no longer supplies across the school funds to existing with costume US international rental, script pur- schools for capital chases, set design projects, such as and construction, new buildings, stage lighting, and roofs, computers to purchase musi- or fences, nor for annual personnel costs. Every cal instruments and scores. This evening Bene- year we must raise these funds through tuition, fit would not have been possible without Chris- capital assessments and fund raising to balance tine's energy, leadership and hard work for many our budget, pay our teachers and maintain and years. As a teacher -- and a parent -- Christine upgrade the campus. made an invaluable contribution to AOSR for Like independent schools in the US, fund- many years. raising allows us to make tremendous progress in A former Trustee, Elisabetta Angelini, has areas that are beyond the scope of our budget and always been one of the most gener- would be impossible to implement without these ous contributors to this benefit, from her pur- funds. chases of art work, to donating plants from her gardens for decorations to buying the beautiful GIFTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE profiterole cake that was an annual tradition of the Theater Benefit. All of your children benefit from an in- Several of our classrooms have received credibly generous gift we received from the Mi- computers donated by parents. Some students cron Corporation two years ago—they gave us all have received financial support to attend AOSR the computers that are now used in the elementary as a result of anonymous gifts for financial aid computer laboratory. Moreover, they allowed us that have exceeded $50,000 over the past four to purchase another 45 computers at about 40% of years. All of your children are the beneficiaries of their already discounted educational price, which the contributions made by prior parents, Trustees, brought our computer laboratories to the state of (Continued on page 22)

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(Continued from page 21) A Gift to AOSR... OUR MOST GENEROUS alumni, parents and teachers. CONTRIBUTORS

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS THE PTO The AOSR PTO has been the most consistent As most of you know, the AOSR Ball will be contributor to the school’s finances for many years. held on Feb 1. The funds raised at this wonderful Their outstanding leadership of the Mayfair, Booster event, organized this year by Trustee Jim McDivitt, Bars and the Boutique have supported numerous im- will go to further support the fine arts—music, dance, provements in the school, including the elementary drama—and other important causes identified by the library, the new playground structure next to the Board of Trustees and the Parent Teacher Organiza- parking lot, upgrading the soc- tion. cer fields, tennis courts and bas- On the second Saturday in ketball courts. May, we will hold our annual In addition, Booster Bars Mayfair, which brings the entire contribute to a wide variety of community together for a fun- classroom programs, sports and filled day of fund raising. The student trips, such as the Model funds from Mayfair support the United Nations trip in the High individual classroom teachers, as School and the third grade trip well as broad goals identified by to Paestum. Virtually every the PTO and the Board of Trus- class in the school benefits from tees. Last year money was used to the tremendous efforts of the help upgrade our playing fields, PTO. sports programs and athletics. Moreover, these activi- We have also recently sent ties contribute a great deal more out requests for support through than money--they help make our annual fund drive, “The Year AOSR a special community. of the Teacher.” We are asking Mayfair has become one of the parents, alumni and trustees to most popular activities for our contribute to the annual campaign families and for the Rome com- in support of the outstanding munity. For the last several years, over 1,200 people teachers at AOSR. have participated in this wonderful day. Our stu- Moreover, a gift to AOSR is also a gift to dents, parents and faculty love the Booster Bars and children—your own and all the others at our school. they are disappointed when a Friday afternoon does Many parents I have talked to throughout the years not have the smell of hamburgers wafting through give generously to a variety of important causes— the school. museums, theater groups, their church, campaigns against a variety of diseases, such as cancer and THE ALUMNI AIDS. Our most generous contributions over the A gift to your child’s school, in contrast, is a last five years have come from alumni of the school. gift to your children as well as to future generations Topping the list is a graduate of AOSR who believes of children. How often does a family go to a mu- that the education he received here almost 40 years seum? A theater or concert? Children come to our ago was instrumental in shaping his life and career. school every day; many parents and even some He has given us almost €50,000 over the last 5 years. grandparents come to school almost every day as Additionally, 50 other alumni have contributed a well. By contributing to AOSR, you can enhance the total of nearly $50,000, just since the beginning of learning environment for your children and the com- this century. After our graduates have been away munity. from AOSR for a few years, they recognize what a For US citizens, your gift is tax deductible on special school they attended and how much it con- your US tax return as AOSR is a registered 501C(3) Corporation in the United States. (Continued on page 23)

22 (Continued from page 22)A Gift to AOSR... Following is a list of names of parents, tributed to their lives. trustees, alumni and former parents who have already contributed more than $25,000 to our BOARD OF TRUSTEES Annual Fund since the beginning of this school We have also received excellent, continu- year. ous support from our Board of Trustees. Among Every single gift, no matter what amount, the many generous gifts was a large, anonymous is vitally important to AOSR — and very much contribution from a former parent and Trustee to appreciated. Sometimes just a small gift, or an support financial aid to encourage diversity in the “in-kind” gift of a product or service can make a school. huge difference. We have also had wonderful support from When we go out “shopping” for funds the corporations in which our Trustees have from major foundations, we often are asked not worked. For example, Chrysler Corporation do- how MUCH money AOSR has raised, but how nated the use of a Chrysler van to AOSR at May- MANY members of our own community have fair four years ago, thanks to Tony Tullio, a Trus- already contributed. In other words, these foun- tee at the time. Many companies have doubled the dations want to know what percentage of our contributions of our Trustees, including Lucent families are actively involved in supporting the Technologies, which matched the gifts of Kelly school. and Carol Kimmitt for several years, and Colgate There is a pledge card on the last page of Palmolive, which has matched the gifts from this newsletter so that any of you who choose to Todd and Carol Atwood. Mr. Richard Zacaroli, do so may add your names to the list of AOSR President of the Board, has given more than contributors. $15,000 to AOSR over the last five years. You, too, can make a difference to AOSR.

CONTRIBUTOR FROM AOSR AFFILIATION

Theda White USA Alumnus

SIRS Mandarin- Matthias Truper USA Corporation

Mary Ann Desmond USA Alumnus

Susan Wheeler-Rappe USA Past Parent

Campbell Scientific- Art and Mary Heers USA Alumnus

Domenico Falcone ITALY Trustee

Anonymous Alumnus

Sharon Kristjanson USA Alumnus

Denise Stone USA Alumnus

Stephen Simon USA Past Parent

Richard Zacaroli USA Trustee

Anonymous Parent

Ian Kelly USA Trustee

23 Silent Auction List (Continued from page 18) Rome n About... the works of local wood craftsmen in the store Keeps Growing windows and museums. You can even view their work on some of the towns’ carved balco- Here’s just a preliminary list of the nies. items guests at the AOSR Fine Arts Ball We also enjoyed the 'international' feel- will be able to bid on. But by Saturday ing one gets while visiting the Dolomites - the night there should be even more wonderful local people freely converse in many different items. So, don’t forget your checkbooks languages, while considering Ladin (closely related to the Romansch language of the everyone. Swiss) to be their native tongue. See you there. By the way, this region of Alps owes its name to the French no- · Italian Basket bleman-turned-geologist · Israeli Basket Déodat de Dolomieu (1750 - 1801) · Bestseller Book Baskets who had discovered the · Valentine's Day Basket chemical composition that · American Basket renders the local rock so · Mexican Basket different from all the rest. · Wine Basket You can view the Aaritz Hotel information at · Economy Book & Video the following web site: Club Gift Certificate http://www.val- · English Yellow Pages - gardena.com/hotel/ Full page ad for 2004 edition · English Yellow Pages - One year EYP homepage banner ad IL FORO · Framed painting by Joyce Dunn · Case of Wine (2) · Lunch or Dinner for 2 at the Hotel Vic- Car Wash Promotion toria Just for AOSR · Oriental Dinner for 4 at Jim McDivitt's

home You can clean your car for only €2 · Painting by Phebe Cosentino or €3 at the new self service coin · Framed photograph of Trevi Fountain operated carwash near Gulliver by Francoise Mouton (shops & cinema) at Via Casal del · Painting donated by the AOSR security Marmo 209. company Just say the password OVERSEAS to the Service Attendant and he will · Lunch or dinner for two at the Hard give the driver of the car two free Rock Café coins. · And more to come…. Saturdays and Sundays only until the end of February from 8 am to 7 pm.

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AOSR PLEDGE CARD ϥ

I (We) enclose a check for $______made payable to "AOSR". I (We) would like to have our gift of $______to be charged to our Credit Card: American Express VISA MasterCard Name on Card:______Card Number:______Expiry Date:______Signature:______

I (We) pledge a total of $______which we will pay in installments as follows: 1st installment: Date:______Amount: $______2nd installment: Date:______Amount: $______3rd installment: Date:______Amount: $______Method of Payment: Cash Check Credit Card (use my info above) I (We) would be interested in making a Gift-in-Kind. Please contact me so as to work out the details. I (We) would be interested in giving a substantial gift. Please contact me in person: Home Telephone:______Office Telephone:______I work for a corporation that will match my gift. Please submit a receipt to: ______so that AOSR can receive a gift from my Company.

AOSR is a registered 501-C(3) Corporation so all Contributions are Tax Deductible to U.S. Citizens.

Name:______AOSR Class of:______

Address:______

Telephone:______Date:______

Signature:______

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Street Address: Via Cassia 811, Rome, Italy 00189 APO: AOSR, PSC 59 Box 68, APO AE 09624