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 FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Vacations are wonderful. They give us the chance to celebrate with family and friends, travel to a favorite or new destination, or stay home, sleep late, and read a good book. We then return to school with a fresh perspective, one that pushes the minutiae into the background and focuses on the big picture. The seminal moment of my vacation was a cross-country ski adventure on a snowy New Year's Day in New Hampshire when I found myself in deep powder (as you can see from my photo), peering through wet glasses at a pristine Trout Pond. The wilderness was silent and stunning in the muted browns and greens of unusually deep winter. We were two hours from home and knew that it gets dark early, but we stopped to appreciate the moment.
Back at Portledge School, the setting is beautiful in another way, the vision is clearer, and there is certainly more company; however, I can retrofit the metaphor and take a moment to see the big picture. So I get out of the office, push aside all those saved emails, and walk across the fields to the Lower School, taking in the extraordinary setting of our campus. And, as always, students and adults greet me wanting to share their work, whether it is a nursery boy building with legos, a fourth grade group of students puzzling out a math project together, or a teacher excited about bringing global perspective to her classroom. Then I walk down toward Middle School at lunchtime flanked by twenty-five middle school boys playing their own spirited version of touch football and a circle of girls independently and intensely rehearsing an intricate routine for the talent show. On to the Upper School where senior hallway chatter has moved from the omnipresent college scene to the experience of the NAIS student diversity leadership conference that is described in this newsletter.
At the height of the admissions season as we communicate the essence of Portledge to prospective families, what stands out is the combination of active inquiry and the joy of learning and growing, individual achievement and collective commitment, intimate personal and professional relationships and a connection with today's world beyond our campus. The Lower School production of "Cinderella" along with showcase concerts and art exhibits by our older students generated tremendous internal pride before the holidays, and the winter athletic teams are reinforcing it every week. With the adoption of the Strategic Plan, the enhanced website, the athletics blog, Parent Association activities such as the program on nutrition on February 4th , and the February 10th Admissions Open House, we are working hard to spread the word among both current and prospective families, and I encourage you to do so among your friends.
On the trustee level, implementation of the Strategic Plan continues with focus on our facilities and our teachers. We are retaining The S/L/A/M Collaborative to do a physical masterplan of our campus, which will give us guidelines for renovation and construction to meet our programmatic needs, for traffic flow, and for ensuring the long-term beauty and integrity of the campus. Next year's budget will also be geared to reinforcing faculty, with attention to enhanced retirement benefits and continued strong support of professional development. Almost all trustees and our entire faculty will attend the conference of the National Association of Independent Schools in late February (please note that there is no school on February 29) as we ensure that Portledge is a presence on the national scene and up-to-date on major educational initiatives. It is not coincidental that our mission statement and our program address the academic, moral, and global challenges that are seen by the independent school community as most critical for 21st century citizenship.
I feel myself already becoming immersed in admissions, marketing, annual fund (always keep in mind the impact of universal parent participation), budgeting, staffing, teaching the senior LEAPS course, and sharing the everyday challenges of individual students, but I am pretty sure we will get more snow on Long Island (remember to check our website www.portledge.org, the message on our phone 516-750-3100, or Channel 12's website for school closing information), and that should keep the big picture in focus!
Kind regards,
Steve Hahn |
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PAT GLOVER AND STUDENTS RETURN FROM PEOPLE OF COLOR CONFERENCE INSPIRED 
In early December, Pat Glover, Middle and Upper School computer teacher and Student Council Advisor, attended the NAIS People of Color Conference in Boston and summed up her experience as eye-opening. The conference brought together nearly 3,400 professionals and students from independent schools all over the country. It was designed to celebrate the ties that exist among affinity groups ranging from Native Americans and African Americans to Asians and Indians. It was also intended to help participants explore the successes and challenges of being part of an independent school community that strives to attract a diverse student population.
Pat admits that she expected considerable sharing of war stories among participants. However, what she found instead were positive discussions that focused on seizing opportunities to make things better. She realized how comfortable she had become at Portledge where diversity is one of our strengths, but now sees that we can be doing so much more. Perhaps the greatest reward was the opportunity to watch the three Portledge students who joined her truly embrace the mission of the conference as their own. Jessica Sarrantonio '08, Ashley Gilchrist '08, and Sonali Marfatia '08 (pictured above with Pat from right to left) have already taken a leadership role in bringing the substance and the spirit of the conference to the Portledge community.
The three seniors quickly identified the need to help fellow students broaden their definition of diversity. They had learned first-hand that it is not uncommon for people to view diversity in very narrow terms (typically race, religion or gender) when in fact diversity is so much more. It actually encompasses the many differences by which individuals may identify themselves, such as sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, family makeup, or ethnicity. The greater the understanding of what diversity is, the greater the levels of acceptance and sensitivity. Jessica, Sarah and Sonali first led a discussion and interactive exercise with the senior class members and then shared their experience at the first Town Hall meeting after Winter Break, at which Taylor Studley '09 was also able to promote PSU (Portledge School United). The combination of adult and student leadership will keep the understanding of the many levels of diversity high on our agenda.
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HEAD OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Patricia Baehr has been an instrumental music teacher at Portledge for eight years and has six years of teaching experience in the Freeport public schools. She discovered a passion for music early on, as a preschooler watching a pianist on television. "I had this visceral reaction to the piece being performed and remember thinking that an ability to play the piano was the most exciting thing in the world." She did not, however, have a family oriented toward music and had to search out her own connections to the classical music world. "When my younger sister was given a toy piano I convinced my parents to let me sign up for an inexpensive summer group lesson series given at the local high school. Although I was the youngest by far in the class I definitely made the most progress. No one knew I was going home to practice on a toy piano!"
At some point in Baehr's elementary school years, an insightful aunt presented her with Leonard Bernstein's book about his Young People's Concerts. "I played the five records that were included with the book over and over again-Bach, Haydn, Prokofiev, Debussy, Copland. Fourth grade was a longed for year because it meant I was finally old enough to play an instrument in school. And something else wonderful happened that year too. My school went to Carnegie Hall to see Leonard Bernstein conduct the New York Philharmonic. I can still remember how I felt, sitting high up in that vast hall to hear the musicians. It was pure magic."
Her own experiences have convinced Baehr of the important role schools play in bringing music into the lives of children. "Happily, all Portledge students do have the chance to play or sing in a performing group. But Portledge students also need the opportunity to hear great musicians and be exposed to important music. While the Lower School does plan an annual trip to Lincoln Center, it's difficult to take both Middle and Upper School students away from an entire day's worth of classes. Last year was my first as music department head, and bringing in the Calder Quartet for a Middle and Upper School Town Meeting was a truly satisfying accomplishment for me. The string quartet is incredibly talented and I love that our students were so receptive to them--and to composers like Ravel and Shostakovich!"
Hoping to establish a tradition of chamber concerts here at Portledge, Baehr has arranged for the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds to perform in Portledge's Bahnik Hall at the end of this month. "I'm hoping it will be another musically memorable day for Middle and Upper School students!" |
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PORTLEDGE CHESS TEAM BREAKS AWAY FROM PACK
IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
Chess coach and Upper School science and computer teacher, Roger LaFlair, started off the season hoping that his chess team would "squeeze" into the playoffs. Not to say that his team doesn't have talent, it is more to do with the fact that his team is not your typical chess team. You see, at Portledge, chess has earned the status of "cool," attracting a diverse group of students who have had the opportunity to learn the game in Lower School through the After School program, during the summer through Portledge Summer Adventures, and as Middle School students through Interschool Exchange tournaments.
Beyond breaking the chess team mold, this year's team also personifies the meaning of diversity and inclusiveness at Portledge. On one hand, you have nationally ranked Danny Minkin '08 whose mathematics achievement and ability are unprecedented at Portledge. On another hand, you have Boys Varsity Ice Hockey player, Alfred Vitsentzos '08, who decided to apply his competitive athletic instincts to a game he has come to enjoy over the years and admits that the highlight of his participation on the team is the opportunity to meet students whom he might not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet. Add to the mix the fact that Coach LaFlair has been a nationally ranked player and is renowned among students for his knowledge of everything computer-related, his tips on how to master the latest computer game, and his love of sports!
This has turned out to be a winning formula as the team not only squeezed into the playoffs, but has gone on to earn a seat in the Nassau County Finals beating out the likes of Chaminade, Schreiber (Port Washington), and Great Neck. They will go head-to-head against Syosset later this month for the championship.
Congratulations to the entire team including Danny Minkin '08, Alfred Vitsentzos '08, Christian Works '08, Paul Wirkowski '08, Reid Erickson '08, Jesse and Ryan Axelowitz '09, Cassidy Robertson '11, and Miles Works '10. |
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MIDDLE SCHOOL INTERSESSION PROMISES TO BE A ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS |
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It is an exciting time at the Middle School as teachers, students and parents eagerly await Intersession, which takes place January 24-29. Since determining the need for only one set of cumulative exams and the opportunity to shift to a trimester schedule, teachers have embraced the chance to give middle schoolers experiences not possible during the regular school routine.
For example, students will attend workshops given by parents and faculty, ranging from international cooking lessons and a primer on the primaries and election process, to an introduction to judo class. Each grade will spend some time off campus, exploring the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary, performing for residents in a nursing home, or visiting the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium. Students will watch a variety of video presentations, with discussions or content based games as a follow up. In the spirit of community service, all students are encouraged to participate in a Bowlathon after school on Friday with proceeds going to the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club and "Save the Children" by vote of the Middle School Student Council. In addition, a guest speaker from LICADD (The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) has been scheduled.
Throughout Intersession, students in each grade will socialize together during grade level gatherings in the morning, discussion groups and lunch periods. Each grade will also enjoy a special luncheon that the students have planned together. Finally, Intersession will end with a Middle School talent show.
Special thanks to the parents who are donating their time and resources. We are all very, very excited about this learning opportunity!
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YOU GIVE US REASON TO BE PROUD! |
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CONTRATULATIONS to our student musicians who were selected to perform this past weekend at the All-County Festival.
Eward Huai '11 (Orchestra)
Steven Dourmashkin '11 (Band)
Chelsea Estevez '10 (Chorus)
Douglas Powers '12(Orchestra)
Isabella Muratore '12 (Band)
Elizabeth Gurdus '13 (Chorus)
Anna Ticker '13 (Chorus)
Lauren Dorsey '14 (Orchestra)
Priyanka Ninan '14 (Band)
Katherine Mooney '14 (Chorus)
Sam Lobley '15, Elle Chan "15, and Zachary Sideris '15 are slated to participate in the Division I Festival.
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HATS OFF to our Girls Varsity Ice Hockey team for setting high standards for girls ice hockey on Long Island. They are currently enjoying a seven game winning streak and as the only high school on Long Island to field a team, our girls are playing against some of the best prep schools in the tri-state area.
Way to go team -- Jessica Sarantonio '08, Kelly Alefeld '08 (Co-Captain), Liz Lanza '08, Siena Falino '09 (Co-Captain), Chelsea Caracciolo '10, Addie Reilly '10, Emily Prey '10, Ashley Wade '11, Alyssa Parke '11, Hope Mulry '11, Maria Robbins '11, Catherine Ardito '11. Head Coach, Zoe Schwam
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Next time you are looking for a dose of pride, go to the new Arts section of our website at www.portledge.org and click on Visual Arts for a look at the amazing work of our students. This new section will soon include highlights from our Theatre and Music Departments.
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BRAVO, BRAVO
Our Lower School students wowed the audience with their performance of Cinderella. Once again the Holiday Play proved to be a wonderful way to kick off Winter Break!
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| DON'T FORGET |
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ANNUAL FUND -- Please make a gift or pledge today to the Portledge Annual Fund! Even if you're not sure how much you can contribute, make a pledge now and help us toward our goal of 80% participation. A successful Parent Fund is critical to the success of every independent school.
VOLUNTEERS WELCOME --We are looking for volunteers to help out with this year's Annual Auction Gala. There are plenty of opportunities to take on big or small roles depending on your individual schedules. We hope to see new and familiar faces at our Auction Information meeting on February 11th at 8:45 in Bahnik Hall.
TRAFFIC SAFETY NOTE --Those leaving campus between 3:15 and 4:00 pm from the Middle and Upper School should use the one-way access road. It essential to ensure safety and to alleviate congestion at the Lower School.
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| MARK YOUR CALENDAR |
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Monday, January 21st
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
School Closed
Friday, January 25th - Wednesday, January 30th
Upper School Exams
Wednesday, January 30th
Middle School Professional Day
Middle School Closed
Saturday, February 2nd
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Dartmouth College Presents "Is This Any Way to Pick a President?"
Seminar is open to the public; fee is $35
Monday, February 4th
8:45 AM
Bahnik Hall
A Parent Program on Nutrition All parents are welcome
Monday, February 11th
8:45 AM
Bahnik Hall
35th Annual Auction Gala Information Meeting
Wednesday, February 13th
Lower School Conference Day
Lower School Closed
Friday-Monday, February 15th-18th Mid-Winter Break
School Closed
Tuesday, February 19th
School Resumes
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