The Windowpane Capitol Hill Day School Newsletter Volume 6 Number 1 Fall/Winter 2005

Our Growing School: Branching to the Future Message from the Head of School Concentric circles! Our first graders identify them as patterns in nature, observable in the rings of tree trunks and watery swells from pebbles dropped in ponds. In 2005, we’d find 37 rings in the trunk of a Capitol Hill Day School tree. “This has been the best week ever! It’s a tree that has grown tall and strong, its branches spreading in every Yesterday we won the soccer semi-finals direction. Over the years, the sturdy trunk has been its mission and its unfolding and today we met the Royals!!” These branches, the ever-growing School. were the words of an elated eighth But this analogy has limits. Unlike the tree that grows through nature’s grader on the bus returning from the processes, the School is an institution, dependent for its growth upon human Folger Shakespeare Theater. direction and design. Education, we will argue in this Always challenging to a school are the tasks of envisioning its future, of edition of The Windowpane, is rooted incorporating new directions while holding fast to those aspects of its heritage in mission. A program that ties together that distinguish its character. It falls upon the Board of Trustees and the School across the grades and builds on common administration to tend to its growth. commitments is the strength of this School. The result is a deeply thoughtful curriculum, planned with care. But we know it is the spontaneous moments In art class, first graders that give life to learning, and we rejoice create images of patterns in the natural world, like when they occur. the branching of trees. Meeting the Royals, as exciting as Here, Katherine Crater it was, was not entirely a chance arranges a design of event. For fifteen years, the School has concentric shapes similar to those she would find had an upper grade drama program that in the tree trunks’ rings. introduces children to acting and Shakespeare. In the eighth grade, students from Capitol Hill Day School and from a District of Columbia public school (this year, the Key Academy Charter School) attend workshops together under the auspices of the Folger Shakespeare Library. continued on page 5 A preliminary architects’ model shows a middle building addition connecting the Dent building and the 214 So. Carolina Avenue town- house.

G G as coordinators of a program to support meetings, in hallway conversations. It takes time to get a Field education teachers new to the School. remains a central To codify the curriculum and to ensure full sense of the culture component of the Here is the mandate for teachers, collaboration, Linda is guiding the of the School.” Capitol Hill Day as described in the School’s philosophy: teachers as they “map” their programs Amy Sellers, now in School education. using a web-based program designed her second year as a physi- At the Walters The School believes that students are Art Gallery in for this purpose, Atlas Rubicon. In the cal education teacher, adds: G engaged by the teachers’ own enthusiasm Baltimore, Emma long run, the mapping will help us “I think the continued for learning. Thus, within broad parame- single, urgent issue currently confronts Herman (fore- examine core themes throughout the interaction between senior faculty and ground) and ters, teachers are expected to invent, inter- the School, questions raised by the curriculum and assist new teachers in new faculty is vital. New teachers bring Elsa Cristofaro pret, and shape curriculum, responding Board’s assessment of the School as part sketch Egyptian their first years at the School. in a fresh perspective, but the new sensitively to children’s needs, interests, of the strategic planning process and artifacts. Imagine coming as a new teacher must be mixed with the old. There and backgrounds. Teachers work together the School’s recent accreditation self- to Capitol Hill Day School! All of is a fluid environment that is created to integrate the curriculum, relating study coalesced around one theme: a sudden, you find you are not only here. It allows for things to evolve themes and concepts between subjects and How can the School grow and improve responsible for the grade and subjects while maintaining the fundamental while holding true to its Mission G over the years. Respect is given for varying We were reminded of this responsi- Added were guideposts that make you teach. You also hear about the principles of the School.” styles of teaching and learning, and dif- Statement and values?” bility when, in the spring of 2004, more explicit the aspects of the School emphasis on patterns, the School’s At the same time that the adminis- ferent groupings occur within classrooms In the spring of 2004, current the Accreditation Visiting Committee that define its character. The integra- early reliance upon the work of Jerome tration has been tending to issues as appropriate to pedagogical goals. Board Chair Chuck Schwartz and commented: “Leadership’s ability in tion of curriculum, the spiraling of Bruner to guide its curriculum, the pertaining to the School’s unfolding Cemmy hosted sessions to explain to the coming years to strike a wise bal- themes, the field education program, This text is deceptively simple. themes that serve as lenses for teachers branches, so has the Board of Trustees. parents initiatives contained within the ance between the need for greater insti- and the School’s roots in community While it describes what teachers do, to develop curriculum, the five courte- The Board passed an updated Strategic Plan: funding to support summer cur- tutionalization without sacrificing the are examples. it gives no hint of the work required sies, Shared Stories, Common Threads, Plan in May of 2003. riculum development efforts, sustaining School’s essential character will be a key It became the task of the School in creating curriculum, coordinating the sexuality education program… The Plan began with this introduc- the School’s commitment to financial to its future.” administration to consider how to it across the grades, analyzing how a the list goes on. tion: “A remarkably consistent and aid, and the possibility of expanding The committee recognized, as did assure the continuity of its approach to change in one grade affects changes The New Teachers Seminars, as vibrant picture of the School emerged the facility. we all, that the School would be education. We recognized that new staff in others, keeping abreast of research prepared by Luis, Laura, and Jason, from our strategic planning sessions, Over the summer, the architectural addressing a time in its history when was needed to assist Cemmy Peterson, about how children learn—and, of touch upon these topics and other and it was gratifying that our commu- firm of Cox, Graae and Spack devel- long-tenured teachers and staff were the Head of School. course, preparing daily lessons. more practical ones. Luis explains their nal reflection reconfirmed our commit- oped preliminary drawings to help the retiring, and the School would be While the staff infrastructure is still In describing her responsibilities purpose: “The assistance given to new ment to the School’s core values…. School determine the feasibility of cre- well served by conscious self-reflection. evolving, it was off to a grand start as Curriculum Coordinator, Linda teachers has become more formalized “We are also a mature institution, ating a “Middle Building” to connect Preserving, sustaining, planning, when Jason Gray agreed to return after DeGraf states: “Capitol Hill Day because it is our goal to pass on the val- confident in our mission, and mindful the Dent Building with its annex at dreaming—these thoughts and earning a graduate degree at Teachers School teachers are called upon to ues of the School to a new generation. of how important it is to extend that 214 South Carolina Avenue. Still in others—moved us from utterances College, Columbia University, to serve invent and shape curriculum. But it is mission into the future. While no the planning stage, the building would G to action. as Assistant Head of School in the fall also a spiral curriculum where students address many School needs: a secure The School began with a redrafting of 2004. Jason taught for four years at revisit concepts with increasing sophis- Shared Stories give entryway, a large multipurpose space of its mission statement at the start of the School before his graduate work, tication over their years in the School. students throughout for School community gatherings, the accreditation process. Kept in place, thus knew well the ways of the School, There is no stated text that mandates the School a common performances and indoor play, addi- for the most part, was the philosophy and had the respect of everyone who framework to dis- specific curricula or establishes parame- cuss notions of cour- tional classrooms and offices, and, itself which broadly defines our had worked with him. ters. So it is critical for us to dialogue tesy and kindness. partially, handicapped accessibility. approach to education and states our Then, this year, Linda DeGraf about curriculum, to establish continu- Maya Waehrer, intention to serve children from along with Ann Lawrence assumed ity and to know, when our students Lauren Harris, and prekindergarten through grade eight responsibilities, part-time, as William Delano read graduate, we have provided a rich and “Chrysanthemum”, by creating “a community of students Curriculum Coordinator. And Luis connected educational program.” about the impor- from varying backgrounds in which Correa-Power (teacher of Spanish and When does this dialogue occur?— tance of treating others with respect. individual differences are respected French) and Laura Nakatani (kinder- In summer curriculum development and valued.” garten teacher) have worked with Jason work, in faculty and committee

G G G 2 3 G

The fall brought meetings of group with whom the School consults continued from front page 1 Facility Chair Winfield Sealander, about technology, we launched our new along with Chuck, Cemmy, and Jim site in September. Time and again peo- His Royal Woolwine (the School’s Business ple tell us how attractive it is, how easy Highness Prince Charles chatted Manager) together with neighbors and it is to navigate, and how usefully with Capitol G others to learn of their questions and information is presented. Please visit at Hill Day School Again, while the event was concerns. Now come new tasks: refin- www.chds.org. students and joyous and spontaneous for the chil- ing the architectural plans, determining While we cannot see the School’s students from dren, it was rooted in the School’s Key Academy, approach to education. Blended were the School’s ability to finance the branches unfolding to the future, it’s our partners in building, and then working through happening just as surely as those that the Shakespeare the children’s and teachers’ curiosities the processes of approvals and permits. are growing on the Little Leaf Linden drama program. about the study. Patterns in nature Fully in gear, the Board is busy and the Swamp White Oak, favorite were found through observation and at every level. The Development trees of our fourth graders in Garfield represented in art. A reading of Committee in particular, under its Park. As members of the School com- Charlotte’s Web connected themes of chair Elizabeth Lewis, is helping the munity, we are reminded of how literature with science. The concept Development Office redefine its dependent we are on those who have of the cycle of life gained depth and responsibilities in light of the possibil- gone before and those who are with us meaning as children contrasted this G pattern in various species. ity of a major capital campaign. Board now for the strength of their vision and When the Folger learned that the study itself that is rooted in the First graders studying the life member (and former School parent) leadership.• Prince Charles and Lady Camilla School’s mission—our commitments cycles of insects, eighth graders Connie Tipton is heading a Planning wished to visit, they knew just who to integrate the arts in the curricu- studying a Shakespeare play—these Committee to determine the feasibility to call: Annie Houston, our resident lum, to take advantage of the and every other aspect of the pro- of a campaign. actress, prekindergarten, and upper- resources of the Washington com- gram reflect the School’s statement Within the Development Office, grade drama teacher. Annie had the munity, to acknowledge the impor- On a field trip to the of mission and guideposts: the teach- Director Annmarie Wilmeth and vision to establish the partnership tance of teachers’ passions in the National Arboretum, ing of powerful ideas, the integrating members of the staff are learning the Gretchen Ingram (left) program and has directed it from creation of the curriculum. of curriculum, the emphasis on ins and outs of a new software system and Meheret Morrison the start. This on-going program The same morning that the experiential learning, the importance to help us keep track of our families identify leaves by their would illustrate the Folger’s outreach eighth graders met the Royals, the defining characteristics. and friends. Last year, the School pub- to schools to teach young people first graders invited their parents continued on page 6 lished its first Directory of Alums and about Shakespeare. to an event equally momentous for is now developing plans for a more And so eighth graders Noah them…the opening of their thoughtful program for our alums and Nichols and Zoë Tron welcomed Insect Museum. Our first grade First grader Nick Forward alum families. Prince Charles and Lady Camilla, graduates from years gone by will observes and holds a grasshopper with care. Fourth graders study trees and leaf presented a bouquet, and escorted remember bringing little bugs and identification: Perhaps you saw their the royal guests into the theater. beetles to School and learning books in the display case this fall— The Folger staff presented the work- about the process of the life cycle rubbings of leaves and bark of a shop where groups of students acted through its many manifestations. favorite tree they had chosen as their out the same scene from Much Ado Side by side with their sculp- own in Garfield Park. About Nothing in different settings— tured renditions of insects from lady- To end our analogy of the Capitol from a locker room to a restaurant. bugs to monarch butterflies, were Hill Day School tree, imagine a rub- While our present eighth books from which the children had bing of the School transformed into graders will always have this special accomplished their research. To par- a website. How might it look? visit with the Royals to associate ents and visitors, the young natural- Thanks to the work of Caroline with their Shakespeare study, it is ists described the structure of their Knickerbocker, our Publications insects’ bodies, and the particularities Director, the design firms of Lisa Carey of the species’ life cycles. Design, LLC that designs our publica- tions, Baker & Hill, and CITI, the G G

Robbie Massey, blindfolded at the Audubon Naturalist Society, “studies” a tree’s bark and later identifies the same tree by sight. G 4 5 continued from front page 1 A Warm Welcome to New Faculty and Staff

G of children learning to be thoughtful, Jackie Popovich teaches French. and of the University of New contributing members of their com- She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree Hampshire where she received munities. in Linguistics from the Université a Masters of Science for Teachers in Those of us who teach and work d’Artois in Arras, France. Jackie taught mathematics. A teacher for ten years, at the School are drawn together English as a Second Language at an Yvette taught in Fairfax , at by these tenets. They are the heritage elementary school in North Carolina. in Washington, D.C., we share and cherish, guiding us as we and in Las Vegas. Now she teaches bring life to each teaching encounter. Toria Simpson teaches in the math in the upper grades. And when special moments occur, PreKindergarten/Kindergarten combi- of which meeting the Royals was one, nation classroom. She is a graduate Kathy Doerr teaches both French let there be no doubt that we are as of Howard University with degrees and Spanish throughout the School. Jackie Popovich gives a French Toria Simpson reads a book with Yvette Yamagata helps James Butler jubilant as our students. Another hap- in biology and psychology. She taught She is a graduate of George Mason vocabulary lesson on the human body. Vivian Gillman. work on a math problem. pened just a few days later—when, at the Smithsonian Early Childhood University and most recently taught with great teamwork complementing Enrichment Center, and was an associ- at St. Francis Episcopal School. individual skill, our soccer team won ate in Beauvoir School’s teacher its league championship! internship program. Liaa Walter joins Suzanne Weidie in the art department. Liaa graduated Sincerely, Pam Tuchscherer teaches third grade. from Towson University with a degree Pam graduated from Oregon State in art education. She has taught in University with a major in Elementary Montgomery County public schools Education. Pam has twenty years’ and summer programs at the Rockville experience teaching in almost all Arts Place in Gaithersburg, MD. Catherine Peterson, of the elementary grades. She has a Head of School particular love for the sciences. Adam Levowitz teaches music to all grades in the School. With an under- Hope Wedderburn is Pam graduate degree in music theory from Tuchscherer’s co-teacher in the third the University of North Texas, and a Pam Tuchscherer reviews Cassie Kathy Doerr converses with Adam Levowitz plays his guitar Tangherlini’s graph. Madeleine Choné in Spanish. in music classes and at school grade. Hope is a graduate of Guilford Masters of music theory and composi- gatherings. College where she majored in history. tion from the University of Louisville, She is completing her graduate studies Adam has taught music in elementary for a Masters in elementary education and high schools in New York City from Trinity University. She taught and in Texas, and is an experienced fourth grade for two years and choral director, composer, and creator most recently taught young children of musical productions. at Georgetown Montessori School. Hope’s work at Capitol Hill Day Nancy Talbott works as both an early School includes assisting with class- childhood teacher/intern and an After room newsletters and school School Program counselor. A graduate The victorious upper grade publications. of Drew University where she majored soccer team celebrates its ABC League championship title. in art history, Nancy worked with Yvette Yamagata is a graduate of children in the children’s programs at Brigham Young University with a the Denver Art Museum. She is work- degree in mathematics education, ing toward a Masters in Education at Liaa Walter offers suggestions to Nancy Talbott holds Colby Mayer on Hope Wedderburn chats with Trinity University. Miles French, who is painting a her lap during story time. students during lunch. • Chinese landscape. G

4 7 6 5 Alumni News

G G Much to our pleasure, college, career, Russell Agle (’86) married his business Allison Fletcher (’89) is happily mar- Helen Cymrot (’91) and her husband and family news continues to arrive school classmate Cathy Chiang last ried and living in DC, working for Jobs Todd are the proud parents of Sarah. from Capitol Hill Day School alumni September. Younger brother Sam Agle with Justice, a workers’ rights organiza- We apologize for being a “little” late Alumni: What’s and alumnae. Faculty and staff look (’90) and his wife Susy are busy with tion. Atlanta, Georgia is now home to with this wonderful news. (Sarah was New with YOU? forward to hearing from many of you their two sons, Russell (3 years) and Rebecca Lewis (’89). Rebecca earned born in November 2004.) Claire at the School’s December 15th Alumni Andre (2 years). Tony Pecore (’86) and her BFA in interior design from the Pederson (’91) lives in New York and Open House. his wife Rebecca are the proud parents American Intercontinental University, works for “60 Minutes.” Kristen Capitol Hill Day School of Caroline Britton Pecore, born in and now works for Forsyth Fabrics, Sullivan (’93) was recently accepted Jonathan Rafuse (’78) now lives in March of this year in San Francisco. specializing in fabrics for the home. into graduate school at Stanford loves to hear from San Pedro, California, having gradu- She was also involved in the production University. alumni/ae and alum par- ated from UCLA with undergraduate 2004 was an action-packed year for Parents of the Class of 2001 of the HGTV series “Designer Finals.” ents. Please update us on and Masters degrees in psychology. Andrew Broadstone (’88) and his wife gathered to celebrate their chil- Last spring, John dren’s send-off to various colleges what you are doing and He and his wife Leti Palos Rafuse work Meghan, now of Watertown, and universities (see page 13). We heard from Clare Merrill (’90), Bacino (’96) gradu- with Autism Partnership, through Massachusetts. Both finished up gradu- Pictured here are Leslie Allen, now the Assistant Director, Center for ated from Grinnell where you are living. which they have consulted in the U.S., ate degrees—Andrew with an MBA Jennifer Newton, and Andi Mathis. Muslim-Christian Understanding, College with honors Photos—either current Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Meghan her Ph.D. in developmen- Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign in anthropology. or from your Capitol Hill Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, tal psychology. And in the midst of all Service at . Now he is working England, and Scotland. All this, and of this higher education, Meghan gave Clare lives in Alexandria, . as a policy aide in Day School days—are Jonathan reports that he is still birth to Henry Byrne in November She graduated from Sidwell Friends, the office of especially welcome! playing soccer and manages to surf 2004! Congratulations! and then earned a BA in Foreign Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. almost daily. Affairs from the University of Virginia Notwithstanding the fact that John has and an MA in Security Studies from lived in Montana and Iowa for the past Alumni Parents: Does your Jonathan’s sister Heather Rafuse Georgetown University. Her hobby? several years, he still sees former Capitol Hill Day School graduate still receive mail at your address, Higgins (’82) graduated from the More Class of 2001 moms make a happy (and proud!) group: Studying Persian! Duke Fox (’90) got Capitol Hill Day School classmates even if he or she moved out University of Colorado, also majoring Robin Bell, Betty Clary, Nancy Lazear, and Iris Barnett. married this summer. when he is in town—most recently in long ago? Please send us a new in psychology. Heather lives in January 2005 when he got together address for your graduate. Chatham, Massachusetts with her hus- with fellow-96ers Corey O’Brien, band Peter John Higgins and their two Paige Fegan, Kathy Keep, and Leslie Please e-mail your news and children, 4-year-old Abigail Frances and Shages. Through the Maret School current address information almost 2-year-old Samuel John. Prior alumni newsletter, we caught up with to: [email protected] to her marriage, Heather worked with Alia Antonucci-Alter (’96), who is liv- autistic children. She and her husband ing in Charlotte, North Carolina work- Or, mail your address and info to: owned a coffee shop; then owned and ing as a rehab tech at a medical center Development Office ran two restaurants. Heather coaches in Pineville, as well as a personal trainer Capitol Hill Day School and plays soccer, is active in a book at Bally Total Fitness. In preparation 210 South Carolina Avenue, S.E. club, and still finds time to root for for graduate studies in physical rehabil- Washington, DC 20003. the Boston Red Sox and the New itation, Alia is taking physics classes; England Patriots. she plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill Physical Therapy School in the fall of 2006. Alia coaches a U-12 girls soccer team, and plays Flag Football.

8 G G 9 G Leslie Shages (’96) is selling copies of December, she hopes to finish her Libby Bicknell (’03) is a tenth grader her photographs from her travels scuba diving master training and at The University Liggett School in around the world. Enlargements are become a licensed instructor. Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She is doing available at Alvear Studios on Barracks very well academically and is on the Margaret Mook, Holly Hexter, Barbara Dyer, and Dick Bell, parents of members of the Class of 2001, Row (8th Street, SE). Her photographs Sara Stephens (’98) is now a fourth Student Council and a member of a enjoyed catching up with one another at their empty also grace the cover of note cards for year student at University of Virginia, sorority. Congratulations to Galen nest party. sale at the Trover Shop on Capitol Hill. double majoring in French and Jones (’03) who was named 2004 Leslie is currently working for Spanish, with a minor in English litera- Rookie of the Year in varsity football Pathfinder International in Boston as ture. Sara was a student teacher last at Sidwell Friends, and to Janie a Program Assistant for a program in summer at her alma mater Northfield Abernethy (’04) and Nora Barnett Nigeria. She lives in Somerville, Mount Hermon School in the English (’05), who are 2005 co-captains of Massachusetts, where Mollie Soloway as a Second Language program; she the Maret junior varsity soccer team. (’96) also has an apartment. Mollie is also coordinated the NMH community a Youth Recruiter for the Big Brother service program. organization. Mollie’s sister Anna Soloway (’99) is a junior at the John Sullivan (’99) completed his University of Vermont, majoring in second year at Humboldt State and social work. Anna is looking forward is working on a business degree. to studying in Paris during the second semester of this year. Claudia Schwartz (’01) recently took Smiles abound for the Gitenstein part in a candlelight vigil at Brown family, as Becky (’88—center), Patrick Rees (’97) has an internship University, where she is a first year attended by her brother, Ben (’91), Rosey Karr (right), Class of 1997, came back to and her sister, Sarah (’97), wed with the Washington Wizards and is student. The student group STAND speak with Capitol Hill Day School students about Bruce Bierlink on June 25th at the coaching intermediate boys’ basketball (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) the City Year program, and was greeted with a hug by Pearl Bailes. Gitenstein home in Rehoboth, at Edmund Burke School. organized the vigil and an international Delaware. Becky teaches world history at the Athenian School out- solidarity fast to raise awareness of the side Berkeley, CA, where she lives Monica Cavanaugh (’98) attends humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Victoria with Bruce. Sarah graduated St. Mary’s College of , and is Lambert (’01) is a student at Spelman cum laude from Kenyon this past May. She is now in Chicago pursu- spending the first semester of her senior College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she ing her acting career. Ben married year studying at St. Peter’s College at was recently selected to be First Lady in Emily Cherkin in Seattle in August Oxford in England. According to her Waiting to the Morehouse College and 2004. Ben works for an affordable housing group in Seattle. mother Stephanie Cavanaugh, Spelman College Homecoming Royal Monica’s decision to major in English Court! She hopes to be able to attend is due largely to the influence of upper the Capitol Hill Day School December grade English teacher Della Spradlin. Alum Family Open House this year. When Monica returns to DC in mid-

Jason Isaacson, Phil Rhoads, Kim Jones, and Doug Ruby—all parents of members of the Class of 2000— attended the party to mark the milestone of their 10 G children’s going off to college. 11 The Class of 2001— Where Are They Now?

Abbey Agresta Nzinga Kelliebrew G G Swarthmore College Buffalo State University News of Current Faculty series of dramatized readings of works June 30. Maggie joins big brothers by new playwrights. “Aphrodite” Charlie and Timothy in the Robby Barnett Anna Liebowitz Princeton University Princeton University Upper grade science teacher Liza Esser was chosen and read last spring at Moody/Gray household. participated in the Japan Fulbright the Human Rights Campaign Cleo Bell Magenta Livengood Memorial Fund Teacher Program this Headquarters in DC, as part of a series McGill University Maryland Institute College of Art past June. As part of this program, she called “Mondays in May.” Imaginando News of Former Faculty Aaron Berger Melinda Mathis published another original short story traveled to Tokyo, where she attended Cornell University Cornell University seminars, met with experts in educa- by Sr. Correa entitled “Sebastian,” as Elisa Pereira, upper grade math tion, government, and business, and part of the summer issue dedicated to teacher from 2000–2001, writes from Megan Coyne Breese McIlvaine Tufts University visited historic landmarks. Then, she the 500th anniversary of the birthday Brazil to say, “Pedro is 2 and a half now University of Virginia traveled to Murayama in the Yamagata of Cervantes. Sr. Correa is translating and keeps amazing me everyday. Galen DeGraf Thomas Meagher Prefecture (northern Japan), where and adapting that story for the stage. He started attending school last August Wesleyan University Columbia College Chicago she visited local schools and universi- and is developing all sorts of skills! (deferred for a year) ties, interacted with Japanese teachers, Prekindergarten and drama teacher Can you believe he actually argues back Ethan Dyer Columbia University Matthieu Monteil-Williams students, and parents, and stayed Annie Houston is performing in to win an argument? He knows all the Johnson State University overnight with a Japanese family. This a Theatre Alliance production of colors (in Portuguese) and has learned Nina Fainberg experience will be integrated into the Canadian playwright Daniel McIvor’s some of them in English at school, Stanford University Christine Nelson Lawrence University 7th grade science curriculum unit on play, “You Are Here”. The play has such as blue, red, yellow, and black. David Fegan garnered kudos in As for me, I have decided to work part world population, which compares The Washington James Madison University Gabriel Pinkney environmental issues in the developed Post for its strong direction and acting. time this year, so I can have more time Towson State University She will also perform in two Lillian for Pedro. He is at one of the best ages Ethan Foote and the developing world. Following his graduation from Stanford Oberlin College (deferred for a year) Celia Rhoads Hellmann plays in the spring. and I don’t want to miss it.” in 2003, Denali DeGraf (Class of 1995) University of Michigan French and Spanish teacher Luis moved to El Bolson, Argentina (in Patagonia), where he now lives and Aaron Gans Upper grade history teacher Carl Alex Ruby Correa-Power was awarded a fellow- works. He is splitting his time among Brown University Brown University ship by the French government and Engelhardt found time between many interests, but music and natural participated in a summer course at the history camp sessions last summer building take most of the hours in Nathaniel Goodman-Johnson Washington University St. Louis Claudia Schwartz International Center for Modern to marry Karen Schmidt, who lives a given day. Currently he is making handcrafted wooden flutes and building Brown University Languages in Brittany, France. There in Manhattan where she writes and a house from scratch. Recently, he Kouy Grey he learned about the linguistic, illustrates children’s books. He is also helped to build a small school made Howard University (starting Jan. 06) Marina Spencer University of Massachusetts pedagogical, and cultural aspects to the proud grandfather of beautiful from all natural materials (see picture at bottom). Elena Hoyler baby Annabelle who was born on May consider when teaching French as a Lynn University, Boca Raton M.J. Watkins second language, and also picked up 17. Angela Engelhardt Borgo, Carl’s University of Maryland a little “Breton” – the local language in daughter and Annabelle’s mother, was Sarah Isaacson Megan Wheeler Brittany. Sr. Correa is also a published a summer camp counselor for several Vassar College Boston College author. The Spanish magazine years and now lives with her husband, Gareth Jones Imaginando published one of his short Doug Borgo, and Annabelle in University of Wisconsin stories last December. Sr. Correa then Brownsville, TX. adapted the story for theater as “Aphrodite and her Son” and submitted Jason Gray, Assistant Head of School, Capitol Hill Day School staff attempted to contact all of the students who were Elisa Pereira and her son, Pedro, part of this class at one time or another during their years in the School. If your it to the Actor’s Theater of Washington and his wife, Krista, happily announce sent love and greetings from their name is not listed and you have news you would like to share, please contact the the birth of Margaret Elizabeth on home in Brazil. for consideration as part of the ATW School and we will include your update in a future issue of The Windowpane.

12 G G Given

Axiomatic:

the spiraling curriculum of the seasons Through conversation a small girl Alums (and their parents) who were One of the new prekindergartners replicating patterns of the universe— carrying a large book, in the combination classroom during this year is Charlotte Kho. Charlotte’s star swirl, sea shell, armstretched twirl. a woman bringing a message, the years 1986–2004 may remember mother, Jocelyn Kho, taught first a man planning a meeting, Sound-Off, the hand puppet who grade at the School from September Axiomatic: spiraling, vortical, exuberant. taught the children the sounds made 1998 through June 2001. by various letters or sound pictures. small footsteps up the broad steps, The flowers of a May morning give their colors Kathryn O’Donnell reports that Visiting from La Jolla, California, came in and out over the sill all day. to the busy green and golden day, Sound-Off is doing well and now Ann Craig, who taught French as well Busy murmurs, upwellings of laughter, teaches in Arlington. Kathryn relays as seventh and eighth grade home- “ihola!,” “enchanté,” buzz among the blossoms. from beyond a closed door pattering applause the story as follows: “Recently I was rooms from 1980 through 2000. It was going to visit a friend who is teaching delightful to see Madame Craig again or a bouncy band of kitchen instruments. Let X = what is given. Kindergarten for the first time. and to meet her grandson Ethan, who I was going to try and give her some accompanied her. Ethan was so Let X = To all who give themselves guidance from my 18+years of teaching. entranced with materials in the kinder- —taking a part in the daily labor— A good friend suggested that I take garten classroom that he and Madame 20 years of days, each much, much is given in return. Sound-Off along. I did—I introduced Craig spent most of their visit there, in the pallor of its early quiet him and taught a little lesson with him where Head of School Cemmy an unknown, resolving, issuing into Think of the way the sun comes up and again the children loved him. So Peterson had a chance to meet him. a new vector, its own light and sound. over the bay, touching all with light, giving the good news is that Sound-Off lives sparkle to the slapping splash, and a host on, now teaching in Arlington. The Days of velvet. Days of iron. school is bilingual and so Sound-Off of small birds freely, freely singing. Windy dark days of high piled cloud. is even learning some Spanish now!” Days of strolling in an orchard sampling the fruit of every tree, Elaine Sherman (center), the School librarian from 1989 to 2002, and Assistant to the Head of School Ann Craig, the School’s French teacher from tart, tangy, bitter, mildly faint, from 2002–2004, returned from Philadelphia for a 1980–2000, came to visit and brought her grandson, or sweet with the wonder of new light. visit in the fall. Pearl Bailes and Jason Gray received Ethan, who enjoyed sorting through miniature sea her enthusiastically. animals with Cemmy Peterson. Days of patient observation finding in the moss underfoot flowers like little stars fallen, flowers like little moons opening, Written by Capitol Hill Day School’s Poet what might be tiny footprints in Residence, David Kresh, in honor of and a very interesting bug. Cemmy Peterson’s twenty years at Capitol Compiling a guidebook, Hill Day School, September 2005. David then having a snack. recently received an Artist Fellowship from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Through conversation leaps Humanities. an impetuous boy, excuse me, seized and admonished in midair.

14 Check out the School’s new website! www.chds.org

In September the School launched its new website. Here you will find information about the School, events, admissions, and more. The web- site will continue to grow and evolve, so bookmark the site and check back often!

The Windowpane is published by Artwork: Capitol Hill Day School Students Capitol Hill Day School Design: Lisa Carey Design LLC Head of School: Catherine Peterson alexandria, va

Editor: Caroline Knickerbocker Printing: HBP Charter

Photography: Lisa Sommers, Nancy Lazear, Hope Wedderburn, Caroline Knickerbocker, Mary Beth Moore, Njonjo Smith, Suzanne Weidie

G G

Capitol Hill Day School Non-Profit Organization 210 South Carolina Avenue, S.E. U.S. Postage Washington, D.C. 20003 paid www.chds.org Washington, DC 202.547.2244 Permit No. 1435