Alumni Bulletin - 1995-winter

16 Pages·1995·321.5 MB·English

by  North Shore Country Day School

T H E N O R T H S H O R E C O U N T R Y
• j T T "W" TT I l I I I "IDDeevveellooppmm ent Office -
D U L L C 1 H I
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Quarterly newsletter for the NSCDS Community Winter 1995
The Stories We Tell
By Julie Hall, Head of School
When my granddaughter rides her Schoolers had to appear on stage in the sixth grades, and 5:00 for seventh
hobby horse, I tell her the story of her musical at least once before graduation, through twelfth grades.
father once riding the same horse. When when the year began with a Freshmen /
she listens to Beatrix Potter'ss tory about Senior Dance, when the day ended at By sharing their stories of the past, al­
Squirrel Nutkin, I begin with, "This is a 11:30 for kindergarten, 4:00 for fifth and ums encourage us, parents and teach­
tale about a tail," and think of all the ers of the present, to think about what
other tales that are a part of our family. versions of those stories are told today
and what versions we want to tell in the
"The stories that best capture
"Communities consist of people who future. We remember that the first
tell the same stories," as an academic the essence of North Shore in its school bus was a station wagon and
said, and that quote is true whether the know that the newest school buses are
communities are family communities or last 75 years are those that cel­ two new mini vans that have just been
school communities. While new stories ordered. We remember the victory gar­
ebrate how attitudes were
are always being added, it is important dens during World War II and know
to keep telling the old ones to new mem­ that the most recent versions are Barb
changed and how outlooks were
bers of the community. Zeien's vegetable garden behind Le­
formed, so that students left the icester Hall and Sam Yusim's prairie
Telling stories has been part of each garden being created with seventh grad­
focus group that has met to look at The School feeling ready to take on ers alongside Middle School.
North Shore Country Day School's mis­
the world and make a difference
sion statement. Alums have reminded The stories that best capture the essence
us of the days when there was Morning of North Shore in its last 75 years are
in whatever way they could.
Ex five times a week, when Upper those that celebrate how attitudes were
changed and how outlooks were
I N T H I S I S S U E : formed, so that students left the School
feeling ready to take on the world and
•Close Encounters: Students Learn First Hand 2 make a difference in whatever way they
•From the Curriculum Catalogue: Senior Seminar 3 could.
•Division Messages from Lower, Middle and Upper Schools. . .4
•Drawing Through the Eyes of Children: Rick Mac Arthur, speaking at his 1974
graduation, said, "We are graduating
NSCDS Student Art on Exhibit 6
37 generalists, unburdened by extreme
•Did You Know? 8
specialization, or by repeated failure,
•NSCDS Calendar 9
or by peer pressure, who have done
•Parents' Association Message 10
some things here they couldn't possi­
•Update from the Board President 11
bly have done anywhere else."
•Fundamentals and Foundation: The Benefits of
the North Shore Education 12
And so we keep telling the old stories
•Master in Residence 1994-95: Dr. Barbara Wilmot 13
and adding new ones. Artists-in-Resi-
Editor: Cheryl Grauberger dence Julie Shannon and Rives Collins
Photographers: Mary Reyner; Lee Block; Paul Perkinson; Nat Durbin See Stories, page 11
printed on recycled paper
Close Encounters: Students Learn Firsthand
Eighth Grade Goes to the Market
othing generates excitement like a computers in their classroom via Sprint purchased Pepsi, Ford, Federal Express,
big win in the stock market. Of course E-mail at NIU. Each transaction carried and Toys R Us among others. They
nothing stings more than a big loss. with it the standard 2% fee, which cut placed 72nd out of the 269 teams.
Eighth graders in Lee Block's math class into the overall profits of certain, more
have had the opportunity to experience active, groups. The reward at the end of the game was
the ups and downs of the market first­ a trip to the Options Exchange, where
hand during their 10-week "Stock Mar­ Regardless of the approach, each team the group saw the real life energy and
ket Game." had a carefully planned strategy. Ac­ excitement of the investment world.
cording to student
A joint venture between the Chicago Tri­ Brett Ferguson, his
bune and Northern Illinois University team, "had a strat­
(NIU), teams of 3-4 students each re­ egy to buy small
ceived $100,000 of pretend money to stocks that move a
invest, and they then worked together lot so we can buy
to determine which stocks to buy for large amounts of
their portfolio. Armed with Standard them. As ex­
and Poor's Stock Market Encyclope­ pected, our stocks
dia, students were able to make well- went all over."
informed decisions.
Pria Sinha's team
. Along with 269 other teams nationwide, had a different
students made their transactions from philosophy. They
Eighth graders on the floor at the Options Exchange in Chicago.
Juniors Study Vietnam Up-Close and Personal
11 i story teacher Kevin Randolph served as a valuable resource to the a history teacher from Greenhills School
asked juniors in his U.S. history class to students. He not only helped to illumi­ in Ann Arbor, Michigan who spoke
determine what the Vietnam era meant nate his novel for the students; he helped about Vietnamese military history;
to their generation—a tough question to illuminate a dark period in American North Shore English teacher Michael
by any standards, but especially diffi­ history for students who wanted to un­
See Vietnam, page 15
cult for teenagers whose only knowl­ derstand what it had meant to
edge of the Vietnam War comes from Heinemann's generation as well as to
music, movies, television programs, and their own.
possibly relatives who were in the mili­
tary. In an effort to make this episode in In addition to Heinemann, students
history real, Randolph organized a day­ heard direct accounts of the Vietnam
long Vietnam Symposium to be held in experience from veteran Phil Washburn,
lieu of classes. father of Andrew '96, (who served a
tour of duty); Buutap Nguyenphuc of
English teacher Kathy McHugh joined the Illinois Department of Public Aid
forces with Randolph and assigned Refugee Resettlement Programs, and
Larry Heinemann's National Book himself a Vietnamese refugee; Savit
Award Winning Paco's Story. Khem, a Cambodian refugee and former
Heinemann agreed to spend the day at Voice of America reporter in Vietnam;
North Shore for the symposium and peace activist Bill Hogan; Bruce Zellers,
English teacher Kathy McHugh speaks
with author Larry Heinemann.
2
From the Curriculum Catalogue:
Senior Seminar
Imagine a history class in which you sources including the U. S. Constitution, To prepare for class, students must keep
study world events as they happen; the Federalist Papers, The New York abreast of world events. While focusing
imagine having a legal, international Times, legislative documents, speeches on international relations in the fall, stu­
and governmental framework to help and papers prepared by U.S. and for­ dents were required to read The New
you understand current events; imag­ eign leaders, and case law. They de­ York Times Monday through Friday. Each
ine having the opportunity to examine signed the class to be flexible, so that student covered a region of the world
State Department documents over the and reported to the class regularly on
Internet to aid in your latest research that region. Students then wrote papers
paper; or imagine writing a bill that you in which they analyzed various foreign
hope to pass in your own mock Con­ events and advised the State Depart­
gress. Students in the History ment on further policy.
department's Senior Seminar, co-taught
by history teacher Susan Theiss and Technology plays a significant role in
Upper School Head Paul Perkinson, are Senior Seminar. Students often use the
doing exactly that in the new interdisci­ Internet as a tool in their research. Cur­
plinary Senior Seminar. rently they are using Internet to create a
database on the Republican Contract
Senior Seminar focuses on three main with America. They are tracking the
subjects throughout the year: interna­ first 100 days of the 104th Congress as a
tional relations, government theory and way of learning about how the legisla­
practice, and law and justice in America. tive process works.
Though Theiss and Perkinson focus on
Seniors Molly Heekin and Drew Masur
one of the three areas each term, they The issues of term limits, welfare re­
listen to a discussion of the class's mock
constantly weave them all together in form, handgun bans, lobbying reforms,
Congress.
an effort to give students a bigger, real- and the death penalty will make their
life picture of the issues they discuss. way to the floor of a mock Congress for
Theiss, who holds a law degree from students can apply the theories they the class' most recent project. Each stu­
The University of Chicago Law School have learned to current world events. In dent has written his or her own bill and
and has six years' experience as a trial the fall term, during the U. S. invasion of will now attempt to have it passed into
attorney, and Perkinson, whose back­ Haiti, students studied the event not law. Students used the Internet to con­
ground includes 16 years as a history only from the perspective of interna­ duct research on their bills. Each stu­
teacher, serve as exceptional resources tional relations, but also from the angles dent has assumed the role of a U.S.
for students as they encounter the mate­ of government theory and constitutional Representative and is meeting in com­
rial directly for the first time. law. They grappled with important ques­ mittee to debate the bills using parlia­
tions such as whether the President had mentary procedure, and then debating
Theiss and Perkinson do not rely on a sole power to invade Haiti and what and voting on the House floor.
textbook, but instead they use primary Congress' role is in such operations.
Legal issues abound in Senior Seminar.
Their Congressional studies raised a
perennial question of constitutional
Paul Perkinson
law—how much power belongs to the
explains
states, and how much belongs to the
parliamentary
federal government? In coming weeks,
procedure to the
Senior Seminar students will master first
class. Pictured are
amendment law and study the criminal
Brian Denesha,
justice system. A field trip will take stu­
Henley Shotwell
dents to observe a trial in a local court,
(background), and
following which they will conduct one
Christian Soto.
of their own.
3
i ,
Division Messages
A Super Bowl Fantasy
By Todd R. Nelson, Middle School Head
11 is the afternoon of the first of what language is foreign until Bo shows five
David Mamet calls 'America's national and six year olds how to turn letters into
'High Holy Days': The super bowl. Our words and make words miraculously
other High Holy day is The Academy correspond to real things, like the but­
Awards. Another story. Newt Gingrich tons on the juice machine and the right
and Chris Whittle have joined entrepre­ subway stop on the way home. To say
neurial forces to revamp the Zeitgeist: nothing of irregular verbs in French.
At half time their advertisement on be­ Remember all that power you felt when
half of American school teachers will you read your name for the first time?
air. They have spent millions of dollars
on the most expensive advertising to be 'Bo'knows math. He has my six year old
had anywhere. They seek to elevate the counting change, paying for his own
teaching profession to the level of remu­ gum and wondering 'how many pen­
neration and respect reserved only for flashy footwear makers. They picture nies are there in 65 dollars?' He is also
professional athletes and film stars. 30 second action-packed infotainment calculating the number of seconds in
spots during halftime at the minutes, minutes in hours, hours in days;
Gingrich and Whittle have tired of ath­ Superbowl— complete with a rock and inches in feet, feet in miles, miles from
letes being the spokespeople for Ameri­ roll sound track—to make their point. here to France. And the number of stars
can values: 'Just do it'! indeed. The con­ in our galaxy. To say nothing of long
tract with America and the third wave The voice is James Earl Jones. 'My friend division or algebra.
needs teachers who stand alone, with­ is a teacher whom we'll call, 'Bo'....
out peer, as far as dexterity, poise, ver­ 'Bo' knows geography. He taught 7th
satility and even power lifting. Teach­ 'Bo' knows foreign language. For in­ graders to draw a map of the world from
ers, they feel, need sponsorship from stance, the written word in our own See Super Bowl, page 14
In an Age of Disruption
By Paul B. Perkinson, Upper School Head
In an interview just before her death, exercises. Instead, given the vast array
Barbara Tuchman was asked by a Chris­ of compelling and vexing problems,
tian Science Monitor reporter, "How will from environmental disasters in Ukraine
historians in the 21st century name the to genocide in former Yugoslavia to the
age we live in?" Tuchman, one of the spread of gang warfare in Chicago to
most articulate and insightful histori­ increasing teenage substance abuse
ans of the last fifty years, responded, "I across the nation, morality is now a matter
would call it the Age of Disruption." of survival.
While her concerns were many, she was
most concerned by what she saw as a Kidder seems to call upon parents and •What is right and what is wrong?
"real disruption in public morality." educators to revisit and share with our •How can we learn to choose to do the
kids some of the oldest questions we right always and be willing to live with
Rushworth Kidder, in his book How have asked ourselves. the consequences of that choice?
Good People Make Tough Choices,
recounts this interview with Tuchman •How do we want to live our lives? These are questions we can ask and we
to preface his argument that ethics and •What should be some of the moral should ask our students and our chil­
morality can no longer be esoteric, in­ guidelines that we can call upon in a dren. Helping them finds answers to
tellectual, and essentially ineffectual moral crisis large or small? these and other questions is equally
See Disruption, page 15
4
Learning to Learn
By Pam Whalley, Lower School Head
On e does not have to be an avid reader Learning how to learn requires reflec­
of the inside pages of The Wall Street tion along with "educational risk-tak-
Journal to know that drastic changes ing." We encourage this in our class­
have been happening to the workplace rooms as we ask students to rate their
in recent years. The days of lifelong own performance and growth in certain
employment in a single company or academic areas, to create goals for them­
even the same occupation are rapidly selves, to keep journals of their work,
disappearing. Our children can no and to select pieces for their portfolios.
longer think simply of investing in a (Yes, there is, of course, teacher input
body of knowledge that will stand them into this also.) We find that by 4th and
in good shape in the workplace; instead 5th grade, students' sense of their own
they will face a work environment where accomplishments and goals match
a premium will be placed on adaptabil­ closely the goals that their teachers have
ity, on acquiring new skills, new infor­ a multitude of opportunities. In learn­ written for them. Frequently students
mation, new knowledge, on being, in ing one solution through patterning, a write their own goals and how they will
the current phrase, lifelong learners. In child learns more about shape tessella­ achieve them. They reflect on the pro­
one sense, of course, this is not really tion. She may not call it that, she may call cess and plan how to go forward. They
new. All of us have had to keep up with it "playing with shapes," but we know learn that when they try something new
the latest technology, the latest knowl­ that in the process of investigating one and it doesn't work out, they have
edge breakthroughs in our respective idea she has broadened her own learn­ learned something. Perhaps not what
fields, but the rate of adaptation facing ing by incorporating another. they thought they would, but isn't this
our children is new. Now, more than the way so many new inventions and
ever, the education a child receives at Learning something new is most often discoveries are made? Instead of feel­
school is only the beginning. School built on some kind of framework of ing devastated that her science hypoth­
must be a place where children develop previous knowledge which may not esis did not pan out, the student realizes
not only the skills and cultural knowl­ consist of a bundle of facts but an under­ that in the process she has learned some­
edge necessary to be fully-rounded citi­ standing of a set of relationships. Jane thing quite new. That may be her "hook"
zens, but the habits of mind that allow Healy in her book Your Child's Growing to a new idea or solution. Teachers in
them to be lifelong learners. It must be Mind, talks of the importance of stu­ Lower School help children to "see" the
a place where they learn to learn. dents seeing and understanding rela­ possibilities in what they have created
tionships and patterns. "Patterning in­ without taking over the mind of the
What do we mean when we say that a formation really means organizing and child. (Stop by the Art Room and listen
child is learning to learn? It means that associating new information with pre­ to the dialogue between Mary Wagner
we pay attention not just to the child's viously developed hooks." Our job as and her students .) This gives students
accumulation of a body of facts or to a parents and teachers is to provide as the chance to learn how to learn and also
set of skills, but to the process by which many hooks as possible so that when gives intellectual respect for their work
they are acquired. Every classroom is children learn one piece of information and ideas.
set up in such a way as to maximize the they can more effectively link that up
students' opportunity to learn strate­ with something else that they remem­ Learning how to learn involves the abil­
gies that lead to further learning The ber—an experience, a discussion, a trip ity to listen to others, students and peers,
questions that teachers ask of the stu­ or a story. In such a way they broaden to be able to use that feedback effec­
dents become a basis for similar ques­ their own learning. This is as true for tively. It is expressing your ideas about
tions that the students ask of themselves JKers as it is for 5th graders or beyond. the politics of Ancient Greece. It is cop­
or each other. (Stop by the math lab on The young child's questioning "why" is ing with the give and take of group
a day when a student has prepared a lab his attempt to understand the connect­ work. It is becoming more independent
for her peers, or listen to a book discus­ edness of one thing with another. He is in the completion of your own work
sion.) The classroom materials, espe­ learning how to learn.
See Learning, page 14
cially the math manipulatives, provide
5
Drawing Through the Eyes of Children:
For 75 years, The North Shore Country Day School has believed that art, balanced by athletics and academics, is an integral
part of the college preparatory education we provide. As one of this year's 75th Anniversary special events, we celebrate the
artistic expression of our students in grades JK-12. These works are part of an art show entitled, "Drawing Through the Eyes
of Children," on exhibit in the John Almquist Gallergy through April 14. We invite and encourage you to visit the gallery.
Geoffrey Zureikat, junior kindergarten. Teacher: Linda Semel. Medium: marker.
Subject: "My Family."
Tammy Dornstader, grade 11. Class: Art I.
Teacher: John Almquist. Medium: ink and
wash.
v
Tom Keating, grade 8. Teacher: Jackie Melissas. Medium:
ink. Subject: Jackie Melissas.
Nell Maltman, grade 2. Teacher: Mary Wagner. Medium: crayon.
Subject: "The dragon, the Giant, the Castle, the Prince, the Princess,
and the Forest."
6
NSCDS Student Artwork On Exhibit
By Stuart Jernigan, grade 8.
Teacher: Jackie Melissas.
Medium: ink. Subject: The
Diller Street Theater and art
center cupola.
Stephanie Gilmore, grade 4. Teacher: Mary
Wagner. Medium: marker and contact
paper. Subject: "Music Man."
t
&
I.
Rachel Riske, senior kindergarten. Teacher: Linda Semel. Medium: marker.
Subject: "The Mayflower." Cassandra Lopez, grade 10. Teacher: John
Almquist. Medium: ink and wash.
7
Did You Know?
•The fifth grade class sponsored a •The junior and senior kindergarten Choral Music Director, Michael
school-wide effort in December to col­ students have launched an investiga­ Querio, and USM choir director, Pe­
lect books, toys, clothes, and toiletries tion of the solar system. JK is concentrat­ ter Leschke, spoke to Butler Univer­
for Chicago's Englewood community. ing on the sun, moon, and earth, while sity students in a Secondary Meth­
NSCDS donated three carloads of items. SK's investigation includes the study of ods of Music Education class. The
planets, constellations, and other solar class was comprised of junior music
•The eighth graders have established systems. The interdisciplinary unit in­ education majors entering their last
a year-long buddy relationship with the cludes study of math, science, reading, class before student teaching.
eighth graders at Providence St. Mel and art. Both the JK and SK classrooms
School in Chicago. Each group has vis­ boast spaceships in addition to art •The Diller Street Journal, an Up­
ited the other's campus, and NSCDS projects including planet landscapes, per School student publication, has
students hosted PSM students at the moonscapes, space vehicles, moon catch­ been resurrected under the guidance
Field Museum for their proeject presen­ ing nets, and glitter constellations. of English teacher Michael Conroy.
tations following their unit on Africa. Editor-in-chief Tim Berger, along
•The Upper School Chorus joined the with staff members Nat Durbin,
• Math department chair Shirley choir of the University School of Mil­ Dana Brown, Caitlin Kaplan, Jeff
Smith, history department chair Kevin waukee (USM) at Butler University in Rothbart, Melissa Schmidt, Henley
Randolph, and fine arts department Indianapolis in January for a two-day Shotwell, Peter Smey, Anne
chair John Almquist were nominated exchange of singing, learning, and fun. Stebbins, Jacqui Wilson, and Lee
this year for the prestigious Golden The students had a two-hour clinic with Wood published their first edition in
Apple Award for Excellence in Teach­ Butler University's Henry Leek, a re­ February.
ing. Students, parents, and alumni may nowned choral music director and
nominate teachers for this annual award. Founder and Conductor of the India­ •T echnology Coordinator Vinnie
napolis Childrens' Choir. The students Vrotny has been selected to make a
•The Upper School was cited as the also had the opportunity to observe and presentation at the National Educa­
model in two of the 10 Keys toC reating perform with the Butler University Cho­ tional Computing Conference 1995
Top High Schools for its technology and rale. to be held in Baltimore in June. He
mathematics education in the February will speak on "Virtual Reality Im­
issue of Chicago magazine. For the past mersion: A First Experience." Vinnie
75 years, NSCDS has practiced all 10 of also made a presentation at the
the suggested keys to creating an excel­ Northern Illinois Computing Edu­
lent program school wide. cators Annual Mini-Conference in
January on the topic "So You Really
•The library has added a new wireless Want to Bring Your School On-Line?"
microphone system. The day it arrived, in which he discussed issues related
eighth grade teacher, Mary Roden, had to adding Internet connectivity that
laryngitis, but once she clipped the tiny are often overlooked. He advised the
microphone onto her lapel, she as­ other educators on issues including
tounded the eighth graders with her management time, research time,
new-found volume! identification of project, planning and
implementing.
•T he NSCDS International Circle
sponsored a winter get together in Feb­ •The Lower School participated in
ruary to discuss "The European Union: a community-wide, week-long TV
Keeping Up With the Changes." Their Tune Out from February 2-8. Teach­
Senior Mark Meiners participating in the
guest speakers included The Honorable ers discussed with their students the
joint NSCDS —USM choir at Butler
Bent Kiilerich, Consul General of Den­ effects of television watching in an
University.
mark, and The Honorable Emile Massa, effort to raise childrens' awareness
Consul General of Belgium. of how they can be manipulated by
visuals and to help them become
8
more selective televison viewers. On culminated in a special Afternoon Ex.
C a 1 e n d a r U p d a t e
February 3rd, the Chicago Tribune inter­ on Friday, February 3rd.
viewed several fourth and fifth graders MARCH
who shared their thoughts about televi­ •On Friday, January 13, sixth grader 10 Art Gallery Reception,
sion., which included the observation Sarah George and Middle School Head Lower School students and
that on television even good guys use Todd Nelson switched roles. As Middle parents; 2:00-2:40 p.m.
violence as a means of solving prob­ School Head, Sarah held salary talks 16-18 All-School Musical,
lems, which makes them bad role mod­ with teachers; had individual meetings Working; 7:30 p.m.
els for children. with Lower School Head Pam Whalley, 27 Spring Break Begins
Upper School Head Paul Perkinson, and
• Alumna Kelli Stebel '93 visited Head of School Julie Hall; handled a APRIL
NSCDS during her winter break from discipline problem with 6th graders; 11 Classes Resume
Kenyon College 14 Good Friday - NO SCHOOL
inGambier, Ohio. 21 Gallery Opening: Alumni
She spent time in Art; 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Amy Peters' Recital, Michael Querio,
sophomore En­ Director of Choral Music;
glish class to lec­ 7:00 p.m.
ture about Will­ 27 Seventh Grade PDS 2000
iam Wordsworth Exhibition Night; 7:00 p.m.,
and Romantic lit­ 28 Upper School Monte Carlo
erature. Night; 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• jane Moore, MAY
fifth grade 6 Junior/Senior Prom
teacher, will Middle School Head for a day, Sarah George, meets with Upper 7 Upper School Voice Recital;
present "The Fab­ School Head, Paul Perkinson, and "sixth grader," Todd Nelson. 2:00 p.m.
ric of Change: 12 Middle School Show;
Thematic Teaching with Quilts" at the gave out candy to Middle School classes; 7:30 p.m.
1995 National Association of Indepen­ ate lunch in Todd Nelson's office with 18 Gilbert and Sullivan Spring
dent Schools (NAIS) conference in Bos­ three friends; used school stationery to Choral Concert; 7:30 p.m.
ton on March 3, 1995. This is Jane's write a letter to a friend; and sent a 19 Grandparents' Day;
second consecutive presentation at the memo to teachers. Sarah won the posi­ 12:00-3:00 p.m.
NAIS annual conference. tion of Middle School Head for a Day as May Pole Dance; 2:30 p.m.
a prize for bringing in the most canned Vin Allison's Sing-a-long;
• Lower School Students were fortu­ goods to the Middle School social in 6:00-9:00 p.m.
nate enough to spend two weeks from December. The canned food drive is an 20 Country Day Fair
January 23-February 3 with Artists-in- on-going Middle School effort and ben­ 29 Memorial Day -
Residence Rives Collins, professor and efits the Chicago Food Depository. NOSCHOOL
Director of the Children's Drama Pro­
gram at Northwestern University, and •Two alumni have made bequests to­
flexibility to change with the techno­
his colleague, Julie Shannon, free-lance taling $1 million to establish a chair for
logical advances of the 21st Century.
composer and lyricist. Rives and Julie technology and innovative learning. The
assisted with the fine arts curriculum income from the endowed chair will
•English teacher Kathy McHugh is in­
by working with the students through support updating software and hard­
volved in a SEEDS (Seeking Educational
music, dramatic storytelling, creative ware, networking the campus and fur­
Equality and Diversity) workshop spon­
movement, and sign language on their thering connections to remote data bases,
sored by the Wellesley Center for Re­
theme, "Around the World," an explo­ funding for faculty training, and devel­
search on Women. The group sponsors
ration of the cultures of Africa and Ja­ oping innovative curricular programs.
readings and discussions about
pan among others. The two-week visit This bequest will give North Shore the
multicultural and gender issues in edu­
cation.
9
Parents' Association Message
By Claudia Lockhart, Parents' As 3ciation President
Our School's founder, Perry Dunlap the kindergarteners dictate their stories and M.S. children, and posted in the
Smith, wrote to parents in a 1941 news­ and provide them with a copy via the U.S. Copies are also available in each
letter (21 years after the school was computer. division's office.
founded):
•Twenty-one parents volunteer each •Laura Butler, mom of Jason (12th), Sean
Every year at this time I am moved to week in the School's beautiful Hall Li­ (11th), Michelle (9th), and Kristen (6th)
feelings of profound gratitude and ad­ brary processing new books, entering has just planned an annual Auction
miration as I watch the various mem­ them into our computer and reshelving donation: hosting a party of eight stu­
bers of the parent body who have ac­ them. Did you know that parents as dents (any grade!) to a Saturday North­
cepted posts of responsibility on the well as kids may check out books? Did western basketball game, followed by a
several committees of the Parents' As­ you know that our library has an exten­ whole lot of pizza!
sociation swing into action...It is not a sive International Children's collection,
sense of obligation or duty which seems with some volumes in English but also •Marcia Bearman, mother of Katie (5th)
to motivate this. It is certainly not a many others in native languages!? and Robbie (7th), has run our School's
sense of conscious virtue or good works. Easelwork's program for the past sev­
Rather it is a conviction that parents •Joan Abrams, a new school parent and eral years. This program uses parent
and their homes are necessary in the mother of Adrienne (JK), started a "Book volunteers to assist in. bringing fine art
lives of growing children and are just as Club" for moms & junior into the classroom and to stimulate dif­
vital a part of their education as are kindergarteners after taking a work­ ferent ways of looking at art. Volun­
schools and teachers. shop on that subject. Joan and Adrienne teers may attend bi-annual seminars
started their club with neighborhood offered by the Art Institute of Chicago
I, too, feel awed by the contributions of friends and then expanded to include to hone their skills. (Voluteers do NOT
many of our school family members. As the junior kindergarten girls. The group have to be art historians or experts them­
you probably know by now (and we meets once a month, and Joan says that selves!)
really mean it), all NSCDS parents are the girls "always have something to say
members of our Parents' Association! about the books they read!" Our contributions to the school are lim­
Their contributions make our school— ited only by our time constraints and
and our children's lives—richer in many •Sarah Curry, mother of Louise (7th), is our imagination. If you have an idea,
ways. In addition to the women who coordinating the drive to sell advertis­ see an opportunity, have a vision... check
this year have successfully steered our ing for our spring musical, "Working" it out! Let it fly!
Gift Wrap Sale, Book Fair, Lunchline by Studs Terkel (March 16th, 17th and
Volunteers, Rummage Sale, etc., there 18th). Call Sarah! Buy an ad! Come to My thanks to those of you who took the
are many "low profile" parent volun­ the play! time to call or write, to provide feedback
teers whose creativity and efforts sup­ on P.A . meetings and to volunteer with
port Perry Dunlap Smith's philosophy. •Nancy Dickie, mother of Megan (7th), our Fair (May 20th).
Let me share some of what's going on heads a team of volunteers who collate,
behind the scenes. fold, staple, mail (and never mutilate) We plan to revamp our parent volun­
the school's newsletters and special teer form, which accompanies the school
•John Andersen, father of Quinn (3rd) mailings. contracts mailed in March, to provide a
and Kelsey (1st), started a NSCDS chap­ clearer picture of some of the standard
ter this year of "Indian Princesses" (a •Diane Jessen, NSCDS alum and mother ways to volunteer at NSCDS. We also
father/daughter group including 1st, of Brian (5th) and Christopher (7th) saw hope to develop a questionnaire to help
2nd and 3rd Grade girls) which camps, the need for better communications us utilize and integrate your business,
skis and hikes together. within the school and between the three travel or personel experiences which
divisions and thus developed her weekly could be shared with our students. How
•Sara Newman, mother of Sam (SK), newsletter, "The Family Link," which better to give than of yourself?
visits his classroom each week to hear you should be receiving via your L.S.
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