Hill Happenings Spring 2017 The Chestnut Hill School Magazine Dr. Steven B. Tobolsky Head of School, 2007-2017 Dr. Steven B. Tobolsky Letter from the Head of School y any measure, the children of The Chestnut Hill School are quite B remarkable young people. Inquisitive, enthusiastic, perceptive, and affable, they represent the best of our educational ideals and inspire us to provide the best possible programs and services. As individuals our students are self-motivated, self-aware, and eager to take advantage of a challenging and dynamic curriculum; as classmates and Mission Statement friends they are supportive of each other’s Hill Highlights At The Chestnut Hill School, our mission to educate accomplishments, mindful of the ways in children is deeply rooted in a commitment to academic which their collective diversity is a great excellence, diversity, and community. strength, and proud to think of 1 Letter from the Head of School themselves as members of a vibrant and Through a thoughtfully balanced program that nurtures inclusive community. 2 Reflecting upon Dr. Steven Tobolsky's the whole child, we engage, challenge, and support Let’s imagine for a moment that this Impact - A Parent's Perspective children as they develop the skills and confidence to preview is both a description of real “To care about a child’s growth is achieve educational success. As we intentionally build a students and a prescription for how these not only to be invested in his or 4 Class of 2016 diverse school community, we value, respect, and students can become their best possible educate ourselves about its resulting gifts and selves. On the one hand, we need to her total experience, but also to believe that formal schooling can bring 8 Wool and Wires complexities. We foster the growth of our students as responsible, contributing community members who about meaningful and concrete outcomes understand the myriad ways in that would otherwise not be possible: stand up for their beliefs, express their thoughts, and 10 Rules, Rap, and Cat Secrets literacy, numeracy, informed creativity, which the various elements of care about the rights and feelings of others. civic awareness, social and cultural curriculum are all interconnected.” 12 Professional Development, competence, etc. On the other hand, we need also to believe that the children with Professional Growth mathematicians nor in more successful Hill Happenings - Spring 2017 whom we work are already capable of people. Conflict-resolution skills are great outcomes. 14 2015-2016 Highlights Editors Head of School important but do not in themselves help Carlisa Brown Steven B. Tobolsky, Ph.D. Every skilled teacher faces this duality children to form secure notions of identity. Angie Chatman on a daily basis. If we didn’t believe And as much as homework can be a 16 In Honor of Dr. Steven B. Tobolsky: Maureen LaCerda Assistant Head of School/ unconditionally in the natural goodness positive extension of learning, it is clear Best Possible Legacy Academic Dean Debra M. Sullivan of our students, we wouldn’t believe in that self-initiated play is sometimes an Debra M. Sullivan their ability to reach for high standards of Design and Layout equally powerful catalyst for growth. 18 Diversity and Pluralism performance. However, if we didn’t believe Greenwood Associates Director of Advancement I use these examples merely to highlight that we could make a difference in our Carlisa Brown the complexity of elementary education Photography teaching, then we wouldn’t work so hard 20 Newly Appointed Head of School and the kind of issues that are so Gretchen Ertl to create connections and coordinate with Tamara Schurdak Assistant Director of important respectively to parents and to Margaret Lampert teaching colleagues. Advancement for Major teachers. Whether through the lens of Rose Lincoln Gifts & Communications 22 New Faculty, Staff, and Administrators I am humbled in the realization that great math achievement, secure identity Angie Chatman Contributors teachers are knowledgeable about each formation, or self-initiated play, it has been of these important aspects of human my privilege for the last ten years to work Mark Boylan Advancement Coordinator 24 Young Alumni Spotlight - Lola Fearon, ’14 development. To care about a child’s with children who are indeed so Carlisa Brown Maureen LaCerda Carlos Hoyt, Ph.D. growth is not only to be invested in his or remarkable. As I say goodbye to a 26 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient - Brenda Kostyk her total experience, but also to wonderful community comprised of John Lowell Thorndike, ’36 Kate Martens understand the myriad ways in which the teachers and families working together Erin Piper various elements of curriculum are all toward the formation of best possible interconnected. More difficult math young people selves, I am heartened by 27 Class Notes Debra M. Sullivan Steven B. Tobolsky, Ph.D. problems result neither in stronger the evidence of such success. Hill Happenings Spring 2017 1 current and historical leaders from diverse chess table, and a photo of himself as a perspectives, has strengthened their youngster, his office is inviting, warm and character. For them, leadership knows no inspiring. It radiates his energy, hope and bounds, transcends traditional definitions, positivity, his spirit of joy and creativity, and inspires them to bring forth their own and most important his relentless focus intrinsic leadership qualities. on our children. As we savor Claire’s last months at CHS, When Dan and I have joined Steve in his and as Catherine prepares to enter third office, we feel his full attention and grade, it has been fun to look back at all unwavering partnership. In the past two the changes in our family. Such years, we have had many conversations recollections make me realize how much about secondary school options for Claire. Steve’s impact has extended well beyond Not only does he understand the our daughters, to Dan and me as parents landscape of secondary schools, it is clear and individuals. Each year has been unique; that he really knows Claire, and cares a as our children’s needs have changed, our great deal for her and our family. We are priorities as parents have followed. How indebted to Steve’s guidance, patience, fortunate to have had the strength of the and expertise as we navigate this CHS community behind us. With Steve at unfamiliar territory, manage the the helm, our family and school have uncertainties of this exhausting process, navigated through smooth, sunny and endeavor to make the right decision stretches of calm waters, and through for Claire. Through it all, Dr. T has been a turbulent, sometimes painful storms, never mentor, an ally, a guide, and our friend. losing sight of where we’re all headed — Reflecting upon Dr. Steven Tobolsky’s Steve’s steadiness, deep respect for educating tomorrow’s leaders. Impact – A Parent’s Perspective individuals and families, and laser focus on In my efforts to capture the daily our children are, to us, the pillars of his By Brenda Kostyk, P ’21, ’17 presence and life-long impact Steve has leadership – pillars we have stood beside had upon us, words are insufficient. There proud and strong. And when larger issues ine years ago, our oldest daughter, Since that time, it has been my privilege are all the little things that add up to so hit close to home – from the shootings in Claire, and I opened our acceptance to contribute each year to Hill Happenings much – each of us being known by name, Newtown, Connecticut, to the Boston Nletter from The Chestnut Hill to write about the role that CHS has the smile that greets Claire and Catherine Marathon bombings, to the issues of the School, complete with congratulatory played in our journey as parents to Claire every morning, his palpable joy in being past election cycle -- we have leaned on decals spilling onto the floor. While we and Catherine. I have been delighted to among children – leading a pack of the pillars of Dr. T’s leadership to explore jumped for joy, Baby Catherine reveled in touch upon some of the innovative cyclists on “Bike to School” day, or and make sense of the complexities of our excitement and made every effort to developments at CHS over the years, dressing from head to toe in the “Color of today’s world. His dedication to educating secure a sparkly decal for her own. including strengthening the curriculum, the Day” as our youngest students learn tomorrow’s leaders lifts my spirit, and Immediately, we called my husband, Dan, to programming, and teaching – all of which about color. It’s hard to remember a time spurs me to look more deeply into the eyes share the happy news. We couldn’t have have enriched our girls’ education. None when Steve was not applauding our kids of my girls and reaffirm my belief in the been more delighted, recognizing that CHS of these enhancements would have been at the end of a performance, cheering promise of tomorrow. was the right place for our family. Little did possible without Steve’s creative, them on in athletics, joining pep rallies we know how transformative our time at collaborative, and supportive leadership. with Hercules the Hawk, and delivering Dr. T, we are proud of and grateful for CHS would prove to be. hand-written birthday notes to each child. Claire and her classmates now head you. We will continue to work hard to Shortly thereafter, we attended CHS’ toward graduation. We are struck by their Steve’s leadership is open and inclusive; build upon your tremendous legacy. You reception for admitted families, and were confidence, maturity, and preparedness. he knows we’re as strong as the embraced by the same warm community Steve’s role as an educator and leader has partnerships we create with one another – are forever a part of CHS’ soul; our we had experienced throughout the made a profound impact on these soon- adults and children alike.