onwa s h i n G toncircle montessori school newsletter · fa l l 2 0 1 1 · vol. 27, no. 2 class of 2010 Back: Harper Pratt, cam Gardner, Emma Fischer, ava Mennin, Hannah Liebman, Sophie Randall, Jessica Lewis and katie Young. MiddLE: Zach Pereira, conor Ryan, Gabe Mennesson, Emma Nance, Stephanie Schor, Julia cooper, Phoebe Paron, kaley McNeill and Eun Bin Lee. FRoNt: colin Hay and Preetam Beram. Photo by cherry thurlow Graduation 2011 class of 2011 hi G h school choices: A sense of optimism and enthusiasm for the future was the vPreetam Beram Hannah Liebman Harper Pratt kent School canterbury School the Marvelwood predominant theme throughout the ceremony where the 19 members of School the Class of 2011 said their farewells to Washington Montessori School. Julia Cooper Kaley McNeill Westover School the taft School Sophie Randall Whether they had attended WMS since YCC or enrolled in 6th Grade, kent School the graduates agreed the time spent at WMS was unforgettable. Several Emma Fischer Gabe Mennesson graduates thanked individual teachers who influenced them. Many thanked kent School the taft School Conor Ryan Berkshire School their parents for sending them to Washington Montessori. Cam Gardner Ava Mennin In her welcoming address, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Denise South kent School the taft School Stephanie Schor kent School Trevenen, quoted from essays that each of the graduates had written. Colin Hay Emma Nance Based on the international project entitled “This I Believe,” students kent School Miss Porter’s School Katie Young were required to write essays evaluating their own core values. Many of the out-of-door Eun Bin Lee Phoebe Paron academy the essays reflect lessons taught at WMS. canterbury School Westover School Preetam Beram believes “perseverance will be a part of the rest of my Jessica Lewis Zach Pereira life. It changed my life and can change the lives of others, too.” Ava crosby acE New Milford High Mennin believes “winning is just what a scoreboard or a piece of paper Program School continued on page 2 G raduation 2011 · continued from cover says. Doing your best is concrete and “positive and inclusive.” memorable.” Harper Pratt believes “that my “Your parents and teachers all want to course in life isn’t set for me. I’m the one who preserve your natural optimism and support will choose it.” Cam Gardner believes “success your view of the future as one with all kinds is when you work hard to achieve a goal.” of possibilities, so that you’ll see opportu- In her remarks, Head of School, Pat nities and challenge yourself,” Pat said. “We Werner, noted the Class of 2011’s in- send you off today with confidence that you fluence on the whole school had been are well prepared for what lies ahead.” Gabbi Quaranta with grandmother arlene Quaranta news from the recorder club by Sarah Jane Chelminski This Spring the WMS Recorder Club Recorder Club 2010-2011 began last played with Wykeham Consort, an ensem- September, and any interested 4th and ble of recorders, voices, viola da gamba, 5th year students were invited to join. We tate dunbar with grandmother Janet dunbar guitar and percussion. The concert, “Birds of met after school on Tuesdays from 3:15- a Renaissance May” took place at The First 4pm. The Club is meant to offer a fun and Church of Bethlehem and was sponsored by relaxed atmosphere for making music as the Woodbury-Bethlehem Community Music an ensemble, improvising and sharing our Foundation. Inc. music with others. Members of the WMS Recorder Club are We played at the nursing home, Rose Annika Chiang-Boeckmann, Julius Chiang- Haven, in Litchfield last fall. We also played Boeckmann, Brady Grustas, Ally Merritt, Christmas carols and seasonal music for Eli Taylor, Amber Willen and Ben Willis. our WMS Winter Solstice Celebration, They opened the concert processing in 2 accompanied by Erica Warnock on bass viola groups into the sanctuary, while playing the da gamba and Wendy Rhodes on piano.” traditional English May tune “One Bright and Sunny Morning” with the sound of Sheila Largay with grandson owen Farrar Cuckoos playing so sweetly on the recorders. aBoVE: Members of the WMS Recorder club: Julius They played a Baroque piece “Fanfare” in two chiang-Boeckmann, Brady Grustas, Eli taylor, amber Willen, ally Merritt, annika chiang-Boeckmann, parts with ornaments. The students joined and Ben Willis. WMS Recorder club and Wykeham Wykeham Consort to play two English consort. BELoW: Maypole dancing. Photos courtesy country dances, arranged as trios. of Matilda Giampietro The concert was followed by Maypole dancing on the lawn of the church. Matilda taught dancing and intricate weaving of the Maypole. The recorder club spent many weeks pre- paring for this May concert, which was a wonderful opportunity for the students; and they all played beautifully, the audience was Hugo delves-Broughton with grandmother Lucinda Frame very pleased and so was I. 2 · Washington Montessori School On Circle, Fall 2011 2011 Grandparents & special friends d ay Photos by John Veleas Paula and Leon Root with grandson Beau Root Grandparents & Special Friends day begins with breakfast in the library Lynn Veleas with grandson cedar Veleas Music teacher Matilda Giampietro leads a Lower School performance for grandparents and special friends Frank Mooney with granddaughter olivia Mooney Helen Brown with daughter amber Willen Marydale deBor with special friend truman Reid Jessica travelstead with her grandmother Louisa oneglia and her daughter Eliza travelstead Washington Montessori School On Circle, Fall 2011 · 3 lower school play day Mia Farrow and Milos Forman at the screen- ing and discussion of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Photo by Ed Martinez and deb chabrian c u c k o o f o r m i l o s This past April WMS was honored to “Never,” she said. “No,” he agreed. “It doesn’t welcome back to its stage Academy-award winning happen. It doesn’t exist.” director Milos Forman and actress/humanitarian “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was Mia Farrow for a special screening and discussion of based on Ken Kesey’s 1963 novel of the same one of the most iconic films of all time. name. It follows the story of inmate Randle Forman’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) who finds himself Nest” is one of only three films in history to in a mental asylum after pretending to be sweep the major categories at the Academy insane. His stay there is punctuated by power Awards winning best picture, best director, struggles between himself and Nurse Ratched best actor, best actress and best screenplay at (Louise Fletcher.) the 1975 Academy Awards. The film is #20 on The film was shot on location at the Oregon the American Film Institute’s 100 Years...100 State Hospital where Milos actually lived Movies list and was added to the Library of during production. The real superintendent Congress National Film Registry in 1993. of the hospital, Dean R. Brooks, surprisingly “This is one of the greatest films ever was cast to play the head of the hospital in the made,” said Mia upon welcoming Milos to the film. He appears in one of the first scenes of the spotlight. “I’ve seen it maybe 10 times and it’s film—a scene that was completely improvised an honor to be in your presence, never mind according to Milos. asking questions.” “Improvised in the way that I had (Randle Although Mia and Milos have never worked McMurphy’s) dossier and gave it to the doctor on a film together, they have joined forces for and told him ‘just do your job as a doctor.’ And the benefit of WMS. Last year Milos inter- that’s what he did,” said Milos. “He talked viewed Mia for a discussion on Mia’s career as to Jack like he was one of his patients about an actress and specifically her role in Woody whom he learned from the dossier. Jack was just Allen’s film “Purple Rose of Cairo.” They shared brilliant in reacting to and answering him.” a warm rapport during that interview. Without “What was it like working with him (Jack)?” hesitation, they both said yes when asked if they asked Mia. would consider working together in the future. “I love that man,” said Milos. “From the Mia suggested she interview Milos next time. moment he comes on set until the moment he Mia came ready to ask Milos several questions leaves set, he is the most responsible, prepared, about the film that put him high on the A-list of professional, generous actor,” Milos said. He directors. “For us, you have made a perfect film,” then joked, “before and after he comes on set… said Mia. “Did you have a sense then that you to this day, I don’t know if he’s crazy or not.” were making one of the great films of all time?” After the question and answer session Mia “Did you ever have the sense that you were and Milos joined guests in the library for a making great movies?” he asked. reception of wine and hors d’oeuvres. 4 · Washington Montessori School On Circle, Fall 2011 highlights from 2010-2011 f i e l d d ay LEFt, Lower School Play Day: toP left, Field Day: Front: alden toP Right, Field Day: Emily Garfinkel, ana karpas, Sophia oldakowski, Pink Hannah travelstead and Piper Skilton, Grayson-Funk, Zach Pereira, andrew alex Hubbell, Justin Blake and James Brown Wright, Jemima Paolucci, Joshua Mar- Edward deVos, Graham ince, John Siemon, Winston Salk, colin Hay and Sam Center: Lower School students lowe, Graham ince and Edward deVos Paul Szewczuk and Joshua Marlowe Willis Back: Liam Lawlor, Nick Valletta, watched older siblings compete in Field BELoW: Mimi Gillen leads the school in Brett Matthews and Eli italiaander day: andreas von Strasser, Lucy Sanchez, the Boot Scootin’ Boogey Washington Montessori School On Circle, Fall 2011 · 5 highlights from 2010-2011 WMS IS PLEASED upper elementary shakespeare TO ANNOUNCE THE COLLEGe CHOICES OF OUR CLASS of 2007.