|
Dear Parents:
Welcome to the Winter 2012 issue of the “Portledge Pride” Parent E-Newsletter. As you know, there are so many wonderful things that go on before, during and after school, and we feature many in this quarterly e-newsletter. Please share this with family and friends as we are certainly proud of what Portledge offers and feel it is important to let everyone know! You can always find a copy of all issues on the Portledge website under the Parents section.
As always, if you have any story ideas that you would like us to cover, please contact me at savidon@portledge.org or 750-3222.
Happy reading!
Stephanie Avidon
Editor |
|
Michael Coope, Director of Admissions
The Admissions Office has been a hub of activity throughout the 2011-2012 school year, and we are pleased to report to our current parents that the outlook for next fall is extremely positive.
The office staff consists of Michael Coope, Leigh Farrell and Kari Weis, each of whom brings a level of professionalism and knowledge of independent schools (and specifically Portledge) that is resonating with visiting families. The group works hard to greet each family with the warmth that reflects the community spirit for which we are known in this area. The tours are led in the Lower School by members of the Admissions Office, while our Student Ambassadors conduct the Middle and Upper School tours and consistently receive rave reviews! Our goal is to provide each visiting family with a window on Portledge, so that they may see firsthand the academic, extracurricular and social life that make our school the special place we all know.
|
|
Spencer Schneider '13, Club President
The Portledge Business and Finance Club is off to an excellent start in its first year. We have given students the opportunity to learn all about business and finance, in America and globally, through many activities, including guest speakers, field trips, and interactive games.
Our first field trip was extremely successful. A group of students went to the floor of the NYSE during a live trading day and received a full tour. We also had a tour of the whole Wall Street and World Finance Center area from my father, Steven Schneider. On Friday, March 9th the group traveled to the American Museum of Finance in NYC, where students toured the museum and attended classes.
Our first speaker was also a great success. Ex-comptroller of Bank of New York Mellon, Thom Mastro, spoke to the club for about one hour and forty-five minutes. He gave an excellent overview of the entire banking system in America and on a global scale as well as a very productive Q & A at the end. The students really enjoyed learning from Mr. Mastro's experience. Our second speaker was my father, Steven Schneider who talked about micro and macroeconomics. Portledge parent and trustee, Mark Kravietz, was our third speaker, and he spoke about "The Decade Ahead" and the trends that will impact investments over the next ten years. We are looking forward to additional speakers in the future.  |
|
|
|
Steve Hahn
Two snapshots, sixteen years apart:
First day of pre-nursery – Betsy is clinging to mommy’s leg. That she is so excited about “school” and still won’t let go makes perfect sense. Dad’s taking that first-day photo, and mom’s struggling with her own feelings on another level – she wants to let go and hang on simultaneously.
Graduation day – Elizabeth stands in line following the ceremony, diploma in hand, as faculty members file by with heartfelt hugs of congratulations. Mom and dad watch with pride and take photos as they wait, fighting back tears, to embrace their daughter, who allows herself a few tears as well.
By the next week of pre-nursery the clinging is not so extreme. Mom has actually stayed in the classroom and is on a first-name basis with Betsy’s teacher, each having shared her goals for the next few weeks. Betsy spends time playing on her own but is beginning to connect with her classmates.
Prior to graduation Elizabeth and her parents had a mild disagreement about the after-prom party, but on a ride to a college orientation weekend they shared stories about Elizabeth’s achievements at Portledge and her thoughts about the upcoming freshman year. On one level Elizabeth wants to cling to school, especially her friends, but she is ready for the next step. Mom and dad admired how their daughter balanced an authentic sense of academic purpose with adolescent (and that’s a positive adjective) idealism and excitement about the independence of college life.
To continue, click the icon below. |
|
 Home. There is no place like it!
The Portledge community has created an amazing school. Over the years, the results have been striking. Time after time I hear and read of the real difference that Portledge students make in the world: accomplishments in the area of academic excellence, community service, public speaking, leadership, creativity in the arts and athletics... the list goes on and on. Our graduates go on to achieve great success in many fields, including business, medicine, education, law and government. Very impressive!
As parents you have made the right choice in Portledge.
Recent economic hardships have washed over us all yet you have continued to invest in your child by sending them to this fine school. For this you should be warmly commended. Portledge needs your continued support to position it as the premier independent school on Long Island. This is a bold statement but we all know when a community pulls together, amazing things can happen.
Portledge is poised for a new chapter of growth. Together we will build on the tremendous progress already made by Mr. Gregory and Mr. Hahn. |
|
 Upper School Mathematics Teacher and Mathematics Department Chair
|
|
Stephanie Avidon, Communications Manager, with the help of Elizabeth Boylan and Connor Ryall, Molloy College students and Portledge interns
Public speaking is always on the global fears top ten list. Even as many adults know, the fear of public speaking only increases if it is not addressed. Thus, at Portledge we encourage every student to embrace public speaking by making it a routine experience from an early age.
 Reggio Emilia in our early childhood classrooms focuses on children's curiosity and requires constant discussion among students. The lower school drama program sees each class recite poetry or perform in a play at an assembly in front of students, teachers, and parents. All students learn to project their voice, make eye contact, and freely express themselves, and by the time they are in fourth grade they are eager to perform in a major musical in front of standing room only audiences. Even students who are naturally shy and reserved perform with confidence.
Oral reports, celebrations at which children read their original writing, regular interaction with students in older and younger grades, especially contact with upper school T.A.I.L.S. (teaching assistants) students, and the friendly and supportive atmosphere of the Lower School reinforce confidence. Mr. Hahn has frequently spoken about preparation, purpose, and passion as central ingredients for effective publics peaking; they lead to the confidence that begins to develop in the Lower School.
Students gradually assume more responsibility as they move into Middle and Upper School. Advisor groups of six to ten students, student government (requiring campaign speeches), plays, musical performances, and extracurricular clubs are all forums at which speaking is central. The annual Science Fair is a prime opportunity for students to shine and explain their experiments to classmates, faculty and parents. While the athletic program does not address public speaking directly, there is no question that the confidence that comes from being an active – and sometimes vocal - team member translates well into the classroom and other speaking opportunities.
|
|
|
|
Portledge offers many supplemental programs for children of all ages throughout the entire year. Summer Adventures is the most well-known and longest standing program, featuring a wide range of opportunities for children ages 2-15 years. The core of Summer Adventures is a seven-week Early Childhood program for the youngest students, and it expands with stimulating offerings from arts, drama and creative writing to sports, such as baseball, softball, soccer, and lacrosse, to the ever popular science programs. 
At Portledge Summer Adventures, children may explore their passions or try a new activity that might spark interest, whether it is a new sport, a study in science, dabbling in an art or cake decorating class, writing with an author, or drawing with a fashion designer. For more information, click here, or contact Melissa Worth at 750-3104 or mworth@portledge.org. |
|
Turk Lewis ’87, Director of Advancement 
Philanthropy: Essential for schools to thrive
Independent schools today face an increasingly formidable challenge: viability. In the wake of a national recession, schools are witnessing cost increases across the board, many of which, such as energy costs and insurance premiums, are beyond their control. Teachers will always be a school’s greatest asset, and in order to attract and retain the best faculty, schools will continue to need to offer competitive salary and benefits packages. At the same time, more families are seeking financial aid, and others expect modest tuition increases. So how does a school like Portledge balance the books while also maintaining and updating its facilities? Thoughtful spending controls and faculty and staff who are willing to go the extra mile make up an important part of the answer, but it is voluntary support from past and current loyal Portledge families who will make it possible for us not only to survive but to thrive. We have to build and nurture a culture of philanthropy.
Some associate philanthropy with wealth, and there is no question that we rely on and are most grateful to a relatively small sector of our community that provides leadership gifts. However, a “culture” of philanthropy must include everyone – it is defined by commitment to mission and the spirit of giving at a level appropriate for the donor. |
|
A new section has been added to our website entitled, "Alumni in the News." Check it out by clicking here now. This section features a wide variety of successful alums who have been in the local or national news recently with links to articles and broadcasts. We hope you enjoy perusing this section. We will continue to add new listings as we get more information. |
|
Phil Hills, Director of Athletics 
It was the winter of the hardwood as the Portledge Varsity Basketball teams dominated the winter athletic scene. Varsity Girls Basketball led the way by winning a third consecutive IPPSAL Championship, reaching the semi-finals of the prestigious NYSAISAA Class C Girls Basketball Tournament and establishing an overall record of 26-2. This record and the .930 winning percentage that goes along with it are among the finest overall marks in school history. Congratulations to seniors Lisa Dourmashkin’12 and Alexa Lodenquai ’12 who will graduate with three consecutive IPPSAL Championships, Coaches Skip Amadio, JohnGreene and Francesca Maiello, and the rest of the Lady Panthers squad. Watchout for this team next winter as sophomore sensation Tamara Simpson ‘14, who is arguably one of the top ten players in the state, returns, along with dominating defensive center Ceci Mulry ‘13 and lightning quick guard Kristie Kelly ’13. |
|
|