F N ield otes

Leafingthrough...
Fieldston Upper
Explores the
West Bronx
Page 5
Field Notes
What’s going on at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School
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In the Spotlight
School and the New Year: A Good Place in
Hard Times
by George Burns, Fieldston Lower Principal
have to admit that sometimes during the day, between
teaching, meetings with parents, classroom visits, meetings with teachers, working with children, writing and
responding to tons of email, and yet again more meetings,
I check the New York Times website to see what’s happening in the world. (I also check the Politico website because
my son writes for it, but I didn’t mention it because I
thought that might be a conflict of interest. Oh, goodness—I mentioned it!)
Inevitably, the news is mostly bad, and occasionally good, and often I turn
back to my work and feel guilty about my job. Why guilty? At the end of what
has been an extremely difficult year for so many people all around the world
and right here at home, I am able to throw myself back into one of the most
hope-filled and energizing environments I know. I can turn from the news and
find renewal in the life in our halls, classrooms, garden, and fields. Schools
can and should be that kind of environment, and our school certainly is one.
Where do the hope and the energy come from? Primarily, they come from
all our children—your children. Our school has a strong commitment to and is
designed to support each child’s growth and development. Every day we see students move forward in big steps, little steps, and backward steps followed by
leaps ahead. It’s a powerful experience, and it’s happening all the time. As students learn about the world we live in, they tell us things they have learned, and
we are amazed by them and by the world itself, as though we, too, were learning
about it for the first time. And they tell us things about ourselves—true things,
touching things, and, very often, funny things. (After a recent short haircut, a
six-year-old looked at me and said, “George, your head got so big!” And when I
asked, “But don’t I look beautiful?” he replied, “No, you look weird!”) Your children and what we share with them are why we come to work each day.
Of course, our amazing teachers, administrators, and staff bring an enormous and essential amount of energy, thought, and enthusiasm to our daily
enterprise, the enactment of our school’s mission. It is hard work, but it is
hardly a thankless task. All it takes is a moment, a look, or a comment from a
child who tells us she or he has taken that one step forward, has grown a little
bit—or maybe a lot—that day, and we are as thrilled as they are. It’s not only
deeply satisfying, it also rejuvenates us, and in so many ways keeps us young
despite our years (I’m turning 73 this year—just kidding).
While we spend most of our time with your children, our work with
you as parents completes the circle that defines and empowers our community. Despite the fact that some of you sometimes drive us a little crazy,
your passionate support for our school and your embrace of our joint project—the education of our beautiful kids and the shaping of a better world—
also keep us equally devoted and continually inspired. As Rick says to
Captain Renault in Casablanca, it’s a “beautiful friendship.”
So I do this work—no, we do this work—because we are filled with hope,
and this work fills us with hope in return. Not a bad gig. Guilty? No, I feel
fortunate. We are all very fortunate. May the New Year bring all of us
health, happiness, and, most of all, peace.6
Photo of George Burns by Stan Schnier; Fun Night photo by Julie Lam
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EC's annual Family Fun Night, held on December 4, boasted a tropical theme
this year and featured limbo-dancing, beach balls, hula hoops, face-painting,
and more.
Hold That Date
January Highlights
Mon. 1/4
ECF
EC, FL
FM
EC
Mon. 1/11
Tue. 1/12
Thu. 1/14
Fri. 1/15
Mon. 1/18
Wed. 1/20
Fri. 1/22
Sun. 1/24
Mon. 1/25
Tue. 1/26
Thu. 1/28
Fri.-Sat. 1/29-1/30
FM
FM
FM, F
ECF
F
F
ECF
EC
ECF
F
F
For a com
plete list
ECF even
ing of
January ts, please see
Dateboo
k online.
Classes Resume
After-School Winter Trimester, First Day
Band Concert, 7:30pm
Russian Winter Wonderland Celebration,
6:00pm
Arts Festival, 4:15pm
Chorus and Strings Concert, 7:30pm
No Classes
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—School Closed
Chamber Music Concert, 7:30pm
Jazz Improvisation Concert, 7:30pm
Summer Camp Fair @ EC, noon to 3:00pm
P&T New Book Fair (through 1/29)
P&T Presents “Inside the Classroom,” 6:00pm
Dance Repertory Concert, 7:30pm
Opera Concert, 7:30pm
February Highlights
Wed. 2/3
Thu. 2/4
Fri. 2/5
Sat. 2/6
Tue. 2/9
Thu. 2/11
Fri. 2/12
Mon.-Tue. 2/15-2/16
Wed. 2/17
Thu. 2/18
Fri. 2/19
Tue. 2/23
Fri. 2/26
F i e l d s t o n
FL
EC
ECF
F
F
FM, F
F
EC, FL
ECF
ECF
ECF
FL
EC
ECF
FL
M i d d l e
Ethics Curriculum Presentation, 7:00pm
Black History Month Film Screening, 6:00pm
Winterfest
Studio Theater Series #2, 4:00 and 7:30pm
Studio Theater Series #2, 7:30pm
Curriculum Night, Grade 8 to Form V, 7:30pm
Winter Dance Concert, 7:30pm
Parents Day—Noon Dismissal
Presidents’ Day Holiday—School Closed
Professional Day—No Classes
Classes Resume
FUN Night, 6:30pm
Mardi Gras Celebration, 6:00pm
2010-11 Enrollment Contracts Due
Used Book Fair (all day)
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Family Matters
Sunday Morning Hoops
by John Dwinell, Fieldston Lower PE Teacher,
and Jeff Nurenberg, Fieldston Middle and
Upper PE Teacher
he lights are dim. Exotic scents fill the air. You are surrounded
by friends, and everyone is celebrating. There is excitement
everywhere. Are you at the premiere of the latest Bollywood
extravaganza? Even better—you are at “Hooray for Bollywood,” the
2010 ECF annual fund benefit!
“Hooray for Bollywood” will take place on March 13 and will combine the fun of Bollywood with the timeless beauty of India. The benefit, to be held at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers, will feature Indian delicacies
as well as the delicious cuisine of Abigail Kirsch. ECF students will
help create the décor, and you’ll be able to dance the night away. There
will be many opportunities to win great prizes in the categories of food
and wine, sports, entertainment, health and beauty, and children’s
items, as well as a few once-in-a-lifetime trips, concerts, and experiences. There will also be a Giving Tree, which will allow you to fulfill
the specific needs of ECF teachers and staff, from crayons to
SmartBoards. Best of all, the net proceeds from the evening benefit
the ECF annual fund.
The annual fund helps make up the difference between the amount
we pay in tuition and the amount it actually costs to educate our children. The annual fund supplements faculty enrichment, helps maintain our campus, and provides financial aid for students in all four
divisions. In short, the annual fund helps to create the wonderfully
rich and diverse atmosphere in which our children are educated.
Ready to have fun and participate? Here is what you can do. First,
buy a ticket! After an extensive survey of the parent community last
spring, we have lowered the basic ticket price to $150. We want everyone
to participate in this community-building event, so, as always, reducedprice tickets are available by contacting Hannah Wasserman, assistant
director of annual giving, at (212) 712-6245 or hwasserman@ecfs.org.
Second, buy an ad in our new, eco-friendly digital journal. Our paperless
“e-journal” will play throughout the evening of the benefit and be available for the entire community to view on the ECF website. Check the
ECF website for more information about purchasing tickets and journal
ads. We hope to see you at the benefit!—Lisa Seidman and Mallory
Huberman, Benefit Co-Chairs 6
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he sound you
hear coming
from the
Fieldston Athletic
Center on Sunday
mornings is not our
varsity athletes practicing, it is an energetic group of our
youngest basketball
players being taught the fundamentals of the sport in a positive
and safe environment. These youngsters are learning to shoot,
dribble, pass, and play the game.
Sunday Morning Hoops, led by PE teachers Jeff Nurenberg
and John Dwinell, is a recreational program for young athletes
(kindergarten through grade 5) who want to learn basic basketball skills in a supportive environment.
The classes start with a group stretch and a fun-filled game
such as “crazy hoops,” where all the children interact with one
another. The athletes then move on to skill time, where they are
divided into different age groups and the coaches teach them
age-appropriate basketball fundamentals. Later, the young hoopsters play various games with an emphasis on teamwork and
sportsmanship.
We have had the privilege of having Fieldston Upper athletes volunteer their time with the kids. The participation of
Chelsea Dale, Matthew Dwinell, Jabari Hurdle-Price, and Will
Savage has helped make the Sunday Morning Hoops program a
success, not to mention a lot of fun for the kids.
The winter session of Sunday Morning Hoops begins on
January 10 and will meet six times. This program is open to all
children currently in kindergarten through fifth grade. Held at
the Fieldston Athletic Center, all six classes begin at 10:00 am.
We hope to see you there! For more information or to enroll
your child in the program, contact jdwinell@ecfs.org, jnurenberg@ecfs.org, or tshelton@ecfs.org. 6
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Junior basketball clinic photo by John Dwinell
A Flair for Fashion
ieldston Middle
students in the
“Fashion Runway”
after-school program recently visited designer Tommy
Hilfiger’s New York City
showroom, where the young
fashionistas participated in a
focus group. Pictured here
are the students with Mr.
Hilfiger. 6
Field Notes
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Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Editor: Maria Asteinza
Executive Editor: Ginger Curwen
Editorial Advisors: George Burns, Joyce Evans, John Love, Luis Ottley
Art Director: Joan Adelson
Printed on recycled paper.
© Copyright 2010 by the Ethical Culture Fieldston School
FieldNotes is published 8 times a year and invites contributions from
faculty, staff, parents, students, and other members of the community.
Email fieldnotes@ecfs.org with your ideas or send them by mail to FieldNotes,
ECF Office of Home and School, 33 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023.
For additional information, call (212) 712-6266. Visit www.ecfs.org and
click on “parents” to view the online version of FieldNotes.
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P r o g r e s s i v e
E d u c a t i o n
Student Central
Featuring writing, artwork, and poetry by students
EC Students Reflect on the Mini-Marathon
compiled by the Ethical Culture Physical Education Department
· Running made me feel good about myself,
and exhausted in a satisfied way.
· It made me feel good, as the wind blew at
my face, and I loved the feeling of crossing
the finish line.
· It made me feel good because everyone
was cheering you on.
· It made me feel like I was achieving something.
Did you learn anything about
yourself during this ECS-athon?
n November 2, students in the second through fifth grades at Ethical
Culture participated in the annual
ECS-athon. Part of the physical education
curriculum, it consists of running a one-mile
loop in Central Park. Our students took to
the pavement on a clear, crisp fall day as
their counterparts in the younger grades
and many parents cheered them on from the
sidelines. Several days later, we asked our
runners to spend 10 minutes reflecting on
their experience with the mini-marathon—
good, bad, or indifferent. We received some
wonderful feedback from the students and
share some of it with you here.
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ECS-athon photo by Julie Lam; photo of musical by Diane Silverman
How did running make you feel?
• Determined to push on and keep running.
· Accomplished. I was so proud that I could
do it without problems or stopping a lot.
· That I can accomplish anything as long as
I try hard.
· I learned to believe in myself more.
· I learned that if I try, I can do a lot of things
I didn’t think I could do.
· I learned I could show my feelings.
· I didn’t think I could run a mile, but I did it.
· I’m like a cheetah. I can run fast but for
short distances.
· That I can control my asthma without an
inhaler.
· That I need to be more confident.
What were some of the things
that helped you complete this
goal/challenge?
· Think to yourself that you can do anything.
· The encouragement.
· It felt good.
· It was fun.
· My friends, family, and teachers.
· Believing in myself.
· Thinking good thoughts.
Did you have a strategy for the
ECS-athon?
· I pictured my favorite objects floating
backwards, and I have to chase them to
get them.
· I decided to run when I could and, when I
started hurting, I turned that run into a jog.
· Start slow and finish strong.
· Just push yourself to do your best.
· Breathe in through your nose out through
your mouth.
· I just ran it and did my best.
How do you feel about the ECSathon? Did you like it? Why or
why not?
· I really felt happy, because I actually did
it. I felt really proud.
· I liked the marathon because I got more
energy into me, and I was awake when I
was in my classroom doing stuff.
· I think it is a good example for kids
because it shows that you can accomplish
anything if you try.
· It helped me realize that even though I
didn’t finish first, I finished.
· I liked the marathon because it set a goal
for me.
· I feel that the marathon is a great way to
feel good about yourself.
· I loved it because it tested my physical
ability.
· I loved the marathon because it made me
feel like I was much more than just a little
girl.
· I loved it because I finished it. 6
Sixth Graders Perform
Really Rosie
by Stephanie Stone,
Fieldston Performing Arts Teacher
n November 20, 37 energetic and enthusiastic sixth graders
performed the musical Really Rosie in front of a packed
house. The show, with book and lyrics by Maurice Sendak
and music by Carole King, is based on the Nutshell Library books,
also by Sendak. The cast was vibrant as they sang songs with a ’70s
feel. This was the second annual sixth grade musical at Fieldston
Middle, and it continues to be a highlight of the year for students.
The show was directed by Stephanie Stone, with musical direction
provided by William Norman and set design by Larson Rose. Alison
Flom, a Form V student, was the indispensable assistant director. 6
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Class Life
Inside the Classroom
at Ethical Culture,
Fieldston Lower, Fieldston
Middle, and Fieldston Upper
IXL Math as a Learning
Tool
by Julie Ahring,
Fieldston Middle Math Teacher
XL is a product of the Quia Corporation, which was
founded in 1998 with the goal of revolutionizing education through web technology. IXL’s fundamental mission
is to improve and invigorate the learning experience for
students, parents, and teachers. At first glance, IXL Math
is a simple web-based tool that makes math study fun. But
at its heart, IXL Math provides a one-of-a-kind, individualized learning experience that satisfies the needs of everyone involved in a child’s education.
Solid math skills are a prerequisite to achievement
later in life. IXL tracks student’s progress and keeps parents and teachers informed every step of the way. IXL’s
goal is to encourage kids to have genuine confidence in
their abilities.
For students, IXL Math provides:
• an engaging environment to strengthen their math skills;
• an opportunity to learn at their own pace;
• math problems that are targeted to match their personal
skill level; and
• question-specific explanations that enhance understanding.
Art photos by Miki Iwamura; bridge photo by Andy Wilson
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For teachers and parents, IXL Math provides tools for:
• identifying a student’s trouble spots;
• measuring a student’s level of improvement for each skill
over time; and
• recording the amount of time a student spends practicing.
Some of our sixth graders have been participating in
IXL Math since the beginning of the year. The skills they
have practiced include equivalent fractions review, fractions and mixed number review, and adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. This tool is great
for teachers because they can assign work regarding a specific skill and see exactly how their students do on the specific skill. It also provides reports that show trouble spots
for individual students and whole classes. This is also a
great alternative to worksheets as well as paper and pencil
drills. Students seem more engaged when completing
exercises in IXL Math and, hopefully, they have a little
more fun with it also!
To learn more about IXL Math, please visit
www.ixl.com. 6
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Building Bridges
s part of their New York City unit, Andy Wilson’s second-grade
class at Ethical Culture recently studied the history and design of
the Brooklyn Bridge. After examining the turbulent struggle of
the Roebling family to finish the bridge, the dangerous work of building
the towers up from the depths of the East River, and the unique cablework that lends the bridge both strength and beauty, the students created
their own suspension bridges in the spirit of the Brooklyn Bridge. Using
only two chairs, two rolls of tape, and a ball of yarn, small groups each
constructed bridges that held up a surprisingly impressive amount of
weight. As a final celebration, the class rode the subway to Brooklyn and
walked over the Brooklyn Bridge back into Manhattan.—A.W.6
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Learning About Design Through
Aboriginal Art
by Kate Eady and Miki Iwamura,
Ethical Culture Visual Arts Teachers
he fifth graders at EC recently completed an art unit in which they
learned about design and pattern
through a study of art made by indigenous
Australians, both past and present. We
looked at many examples of different styles
of paintings, some based on animals or
plants and others created from abstract
designs. The students looked closely at both
the way a design—or combination of
designs—is arranged and repeats to create a
pattern and at the use of bold color combinations, as illustrated in the examples
shown here. Each student sketched his or
her own pattern idea and then enlarged
and expanded it into a final painting.
Aboriginal artists often use sticks
and other objects from their environment to create their pictures.
Our fifth graders used marker
caps, tooth picks, corks, cardboard scraps, and sponges—as
well as paint brushes—for their
works of art. 6
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Class Life Investigating Our Own Backyard
Eight Fieldston Upper Teachers and 19 Students Explore the
West Bronx
n exciting collaborative experiment
in interdisciplinary teaching and
learning is underway at Fieldston
Upper this semester, with eight teachers
and 19 students conducting a wide-ranging
investigation of, essentially, their own backyard. In this new elective, “Settlement: The
West Bronx Story,” they explore the community, culture, ecology, social geography,
and history of several landmarks and
neighborhoods in the borough, working
towards an understanding, as the course
description has it, of “how these phenomena converge to form and transform human
communities and the natural environment.” The course places high emphasis on
“place-based” education, a form of experiential learning that immerses students in
local heritage, cultures, and landscapes,
and involves extensive community service.
The course comes out of a venture grant
that dean of student affairs Lorenzo
Krakowsky assembled two years ago. The
desire among faculty and students to
reignite the spirit of interdisciplinary education was strong, and the notion of staying
local—one of the foundations of place-based
education—generated enthusiasm from
teachers from many departments. The team
of eight, in addition to Krakowsky, consists
of history department chair Nancy Banks
(the lead teacher of the course), Spanish
teacher Maura Furfey, history teacher and
college counselor Andrew Meyers, performing arts department chair Clare Mottola,
performing arts teacher Hannah Shafran,
English teacher Shelby Stokes, and science
teacher/green dean Howie Waldman. All
bring their unique perspectives and skills to
the table. Typically there are four teachers
in the classroom, usually two taking the
Photo of Lodge Kerrigan by Adam Watstein; West Bronx photos by Andrew Meyers
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lead. For example, Meyers and Waldman
taught the Bronx River unit together,
Waldman covering the area’s geology and
ecology of 350 million years ago and Meyers
starting 300 years ago, with the human
communities that evolved in response to the
geography. “The real pedagogical goal,” says
Meyers, “is getting students to construct a
narrative that connects the natural geography and ecology to human settlement.”
The organizing theme of the course, settlement, has involved plenty of field work.
One highlight was a canoe trip down the
Bronx River, an ideal place to study the intersection of science and the humanities.
Students assessed the water quality and plant
life by analyzing invertebrates collected in
their leaf packs, interviewed residents, spotted
santería offerings, and created a small-scale
replica of the river in the Fieldston art gallery,
demonstrating how its route has changed over
time. Other excursions included a field trip to
the Grand Concourse (having learned the sonnet form from Shelby Stokes, students wrote
sonnets about that major thoroughfare), as
well as Mott Haven, a majority Latino community that was the setting for Jonathan Kozol’s
landmark excavation of American poverty,
Amazing Grace. In December, the class conducted a “trial” of the South Bronx
Expressway, which was accused of killing the
South Bronx, and had to bring historical,
mathematical, and sociological support for
their arguments. For their final project, students will research and design a one-day service learning project at a community-based
non-profit in the Bronx and write reflections
on the experience, contextualizing it in their
overall community service work at Fieldston.
One of the joys of interdisciplinary
learning is that the form inevitably incites
discovery and surprise midway. As Banks
points out, “The unplanned part, which is
student-driven, is great. One student got
jazzed up about Hunts Point and the
Fulton Fish Market, so Howie [Waldman],
Andy [Meyers], and I took about five students there at 5 am. We got a tour of the
meat and fish market. That was an amazing experience for all of us.” Reflects
Waldman, “This is the very spirit of progressive education—students and teachers
teaming up to look at an idea, a place, in
an interdisciplinary way and to construct
knowledge in a collaborative way.”
To see selected photos, videos, and an
overview of this course, go to www.ecfs.org. 6
Fieldston Upper Students Focus on Filmmaking
by Adam Watstein, Fieldston Film Production Teacher
n November 9, the students in
Fieldston’s film program
focused on the craft of filmmaking with three accomplished and
dynamic filmmakers—all parents in the
ECF community: Adam Brooks, Lodge
Kerrigan, and Tony Gilroy.
Students gathered in the Stu-Fac at
8:30 am to hear Adam Brooks,
writer/director of Definitely, Maybe. For an hour-and-a-half, Brooks fielded questions regarding his approach to writing and directing, the way
Hollywood works, how budgets are created for projects based on star
power, how Hollywood markets films, and the general preparedness
filmmakers need to have when they work in the Hollywood system.
At 10 am, Lodge Kerrigan (pictured above), writer/director of
Keane and the 1993 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner Clean, Shaven, sat down with the students. Kerrigan discussed
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his unique and intense filmmaking style, and urged the students to
believe in and stay true to their own voice.
Tony Gilroy rounded out the day. Gilroy, writer/director of
Michael Clayton and Duplicity, as well as the writer of the first three
“Bourne” films, talked candidly about his experiences in grade
school and his atypical approach to writing and directing. He
stressed the importance of sitting down and doing the work, and
reworking things, until a story finds itself.
It was a memorable experience for our young filmmakers, who
had the opportunity to ask questions in an intimate setting. They
walked away from the day knowing that they have a great support
system here at ECF, both inside and outside the classroom.
Plans are in place for another in-house field trip next semester,
and I’m excited to put together another great panel of film professionals drawn from our community. Many thanks to Adam Brooks,
Lodge Kerrigan, and Tony Gilroy—your visit will resonate with
the students as they continue making their own short films,
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and afterwards in their chosen field. 6
F i e l d s t o n
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P&T Corner
Parent Meeting
Helps Ease the
Transition to
Middle School
by Leslie Fine, Roberta Hirsch, and
Donna Pressman, Co-Chairs, Fieldston
Middle Learning Styles Committee
n October 7, Fieldston Middle’s learning styles
committee held its first meeting of the school
year. Focusing on transition and organizational skills, the purpose was to show parents ways to
help their children adjust to middle school, where the
expectations, workload, and demands of school life
steadily increase.
Speaking to parents were Fieldston Middle principal Dr. Luis Ottley, assistant principals Jon Richer
and Melanie Greenup, and Learning Center specialists Abby Diamond and Jessica Romano. Dr. Sherri
Kauderer, our school psychologist, spoke as well.
A number of topics were discussed, including the
best way to communicate with teachers, a studyskills curriculum, group learning, and promoting
self-advocacy. It was an exciting event, one that
opened a dialogue about some of the specific goals of
Fieldston Middle.
The learning styles committee acts as a liaison
between the parent body and school administration
and addresses questions and ideas raised by parents
to help facilitate success for all students. If you have
questions or comments, please email Leslie Fine
(LFine110@aol.com), Roberta Hirsch (rzh3@aol.com),
or Donna Pressman (donnap8@gmail.com). 6
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Food, Inc. Screenings Held at
Ethical Culture
by Sophie Sacca and Lorna Flynn, Co-Chairs, Ethical
Culture P&T Food Committee
arents, students, and faculty filled room
507A at Ethical Culture to capacity on
November 12 for two separate screenings
of Food, Inc., an exposé of our nation’s food
industry. The documentary film revealed many
disturbing facts, including:
• how far removed from nature our current food
system is, with its factory-like production methods and synthetic ingredients;
• the ease with which E. coli can spread, due to
the way large meat producers raise, feed, and
slaughter animals;
• how many ingredients in our packaged foods
are actually lab-based rearrangements of
corn, much of which has been genetically
engineered;
• the devastating effects our food system has
on the environment, on our health, and on the rest of the world; and
• how much control the few companies that dominate the food industry have over
the regulatory agencies that are supposed to protect consumers but instead are
exposing the American public to frightening health risks.
The film stressed the importance of finding out the origin and contents of
our food, and ended with the encouraging message that individual consumers
do have the power to effect change—we vote every time we purchase a food
item. All it takes is for the marketplace to demand good wholesome foods, and
growers and cultivators will provide them. “We’ll deliver,” as one farmer in the
film promised.
For anyone who missed the screenings, Food, Inc. is available on DVD. The
food committee plans to hold a follow-up event in February that will offer practical advice on how each of us can make sure we know what we're really buying.6
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FL Parents Enjoy a “Time-Out”
by Lara Holtz and Katie Michel, Co-Chairs, Fieldston Lower Time-Out Committee
ieldston Lower’s new time-out committee hosted a highly successful
inaugural event on November 9. Created to provide more opportunities for parents to socialize outside of school and away from the little
ones, the committee held its debut event at the beautiful new Bryce
Wolkowitz Gallery in Manhattan. Wolkowitz, a Fieldston alumnus, and his
wife Carolina—both Fieldston Lower parents—hosted an elegant evening celebrating the work of famed photographer Bruce Davidson. Davidson
charmed the crowd with stories about his 50-year career, describing his craft
as documenting the “art of history.” The time-out committee held a follow-up
event, a morning walk and coffee at Wave Hill, on December 1, immediately
after drop-off. For more information about the committee and its upcoming
events, please contact Lara Holtz at laraholtz@gmail.com or Katie Michel at
puddlejumpernyc@aol.com. 6
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Renowned photographer Bruce Davidson (left) and Fieldston parent Bryce
Wolkowitz ’91 pose in front of Davidson’s photograph “Circus” (1958).
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P&T Corner
School Community Enjoys Dinner and a Movie
CF parents, alumni, and their guests
braved the rain, wind, and heavierthan-usual rush hour traffic to attend
the second annual P&T Night at the
Movies, on Friday, November 13.
After a buffet supper in the Fieldston
dining room, moviegoers made their way
to the auditorium for a screening of No
Impact Man. Produced by Fieldston alumna Eden Wurmfeld ’87 and co-directed by
her husband, Justin Schein, this provocative and highly entertaining new documentary looks at one New Yorker’s commitment to changing his environmental practices for a year and dragging his family
along for the ride.
The screening was followed by a talkback moderated by Fieldston green dean
Howie Waldman that featured Wurmfeld,
Schein, and Miles O’Brien, an ECF parent
and broadcast news veteran widely recognized for reporting on science, technology,
aviation, and the environment. Also taking
part in the talkback were Fieldston Lower
music teacher Blake Rowe and his wife
Sharon, who have made environmental
sustainability a family cause. The Rowes
shared with an engaged and receptive
audience some of their green practices
E
Left to right: Talkback participants Justin Schein, Eden Wurmfeld, and Miles O’Brien, with moderator
Howie Waldman.
and philosophy.
No Impact Man seems to have had an
impact on viewers. “I heard from a number
of parents,” said Judy Mills-Johnson, head
of the ECF P&T community programming
committee, which sponsored the movie
night, “that the film had stuck with them
and that they were thinking about how to
incorporate environmentally friendly choices into their daily routine.” 6
Middle School
Arts Festival
Thursday, January 14, 2010
lease join us for this annual showcase of the work of
some of our student artists and musicians!
Movie night photo by Maria Asteinza
P
4:15pm
4:45pm
5:15pm
5:45pm
6:00pm
6:15pm
7:30pm
PROJECT ARTS/Performance Space (3rd Floor)
Reception and Chamber Music Ensemble/Art Gallery
Drama/Alex Cohen Theater
Dance/Dance Theater Lab
Electronic Music Concert/Electronic Music Studio
Dinner/Fieldston Dining Hall
Chorus and Strings Concert/Auditorium 6
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Cornerstones
Special Events and Projects That Reflect Our Values
The Power of Community:
An ECF Story
A Timely Donation, New Hope for the Future
n Saturday, December 5, two ECF
couples, the Mattinglys and the
Smelins, enjoyed a celebratory dinner. This was the first time that David
Smelin, Fieldston Lower teacher and director of Fieldston Outdoors, and his wife,
Susan, spent time socially with Louise
Mattingly, Ethical Culture third grade
teacher, and her husband, Sandy.
They had ample reason to celebrate.
Only three months earlier, on
September 4, Susan had successful kidney
transplant surgery at Columbia
Presbyterian Hospital, receiving a kidney
from Sandy. She had just returned to her
job as director for the Riverdale Nursery
School and Family Center. Seven months
ago Susan and Sandy were strangers.
Susan Smelin was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at the age of 12. She
said she “never thought it was going to
catch up with her,” but last spring, her
nephrologist said that her kidneys were
reaching a critical stage, requiring surgery
as preparation for beginning dialysis.
Dialysis, at best, is complicated and inconvenient; at worst, “it breaks the body down,”
said Susan. It would be far better, she was
advised, if she could get a kidney transplant.
Easier said than done: To go on the national
list for kidney transplants would involve an
estimated wait of seven to nine years for the
New York catchment area. This was time
Susan did not have.
So, as strange as it sounds, it would be
better if she could bring her own kidney.
“The first step is finding an organ, and
that’s pretty scary,” Susan said in an interview in The Riverdale Press. That meant
finding an altruistic donor.
“My sister, Jan, is very proactive,” said
Susan. “She decided to start a mass campaign, beginning with friends and family.
She held a meeting and announced to the
group, ‘Our mission is to find Susan a kidney.’”In May, thousands of emails went out
to friends, family, local synagogues, institutions in Riverdale, Fieldston Lower parents,
and the faculty and staff of ECF. Interested
donors were directed to respond to a special
email account.
The email responses streamed in.
After screening, Susan said there
8 were 23 “sincere and sane” volun-
Photo by David Smelin
O
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teers. One of the first ones was
Sandy Mattingly, husband of EC
third grade teacher Louise
Mattingly; Louise had forwarded
the email to him. Sandy recalled,
“The email was brilliant. It closed
with, ‘I would give your sister a
kidney if I could. Will you make
the same commitment to mine?
Her name is Susan. To learn how
you can help, please contact us at:
Kidneydonorforsusan@gmail.com.’
So I answered the email, contacted
Susan Smelin and Sandy Mattingly
Columbia Presbyterian, and read
more about it on the web.”
Talk with Sandy and you quickly
the Mattinglys’ family and friends; about 50
realize this is a man who does not think
people turned out for the event at a
what he did was out of the ordinary. He is a
Brooklyn bar.
blood donor, a platelet donor, even is on the
On Friday, September 4, Sandy and
bone marrow registry. He certainly had a
Susan were prepped side by side, and then
sense of identification with the community,
the surgeries proceeded in adjoining operatnot just through his wife but also as a foring rooms. The two families, including daughmer ECF parent, father of Sarah ’01 and
ter Sara Smelin, waited together. By the folstepfather of Samantha ’03. He had been
lowing Thursday, Sandy, a real estate broker,
head of the P&T and a trustee from 1999 to
was back at work, showing apartments to
2002. He was one of the founders of
clients and even riding the subway. Susan’s
Partnership for Smart Choices, but had
recovery, still in process, involved a much
never met Susan. He took the email as a
longer hospital stay, then frequent returns to
“personal invitation,” and once committed,
the hospital to monitor her progress and
never looked back.
responses to the anti-rejection drugs.
Sandy and Susan first met in the wait“I want people to know how amazing
ing room of the transplant center just before
Sandy is, how appreciative I am of the ECF
Memorial Day, when they were each giving
community, and I want people to know that
blood, checking on compatibility. Susan
they save lives when they do this. I was
recalls that Sandy made the encounter as
easy as possible. She opened with, “What do dying. I now consider myself among the living,” said Susan. She added special thanks
I say to you?” Sandy replied, “You need a
to Mark Stanek, George Burns, and Tracy
kidney and I have one. That’s all there is to
Chutorian-Semler for their support.
it.” They chatted for 10 minutes or so. Over
“I consider it a privilege to have done
the next few months, the hospital brought
something so dramatic for someone because
them in separately for different tests and
the change is entirely meaningful for her and
evaluations to ensure a successful outcome.
her family,” said Sandy. “While I appreciate
“It didn’t race along,” said Sandy.
people saying that I’m a good guy, the truth
“Each step required time to get scheduled.
is that there are so many people—especially
Then I spoke to the donor coordinator, the
in the ECF community—who make the world
social worker, and then had a stress test,
a better place, and we need more of them.
CAT scan, chest x-ray, psychiatric evalua“The one website I wish people would
tion.” Susan went through a parallel
look at is DonateLifeNY.org, where people
process. “At each point, I had the opportunican get a form to donate organs when they
ty to back out, but I knew from the begindie,” he continued. “The kidney (and other
ning I would go through with it. I thought
organ) transplant waiting lists would be
Susan must be feeling anxious about it, so I
much, much, much shorter if a majority of
sent her reassuring emails.”
people signed up to give them away when
The week before the surgery, Louise
they no longer need them.”—G.C. 6
threw a “kiss-the-kidney-goodbye party” for
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Bulletin
Board
Oppo
and Wrtunities Of
the ECanted With fered
F Comm in
unity
We welcome announcements from the
ECF community. If you would like to
place an item in our next issue, please
submit it to fieldnotes@ecfs.org
by January 8. (Note: Neither
FieldNotes nor ECF can review or be
responsible for its content.)
Any Story Ideas for FieldNotes?
We're eager to hear your thoughts and ideas
for future issues. Email us at fieldnotes@ecfs.org
and share your ideas or photos.
Opportunities Offered
Summer Jazz Workshop in Sicily
Tom Christensen, chair of the Fieldston music department, and
Scott Latzky, director of the Fieldston percussion ensemble, both of
whom are also working jazz musicians, announce openings for their
2010 summer jazz workshop in Sicily. Guitarists, drummers,
bassists, and woodwind players of varying levels, ages 16 and up
(also open to a limited number of adults), will have the opportunity
to study jazz intensively, culminating in a public concert at the end
of the eight-day workshop. Students will live and take classes in a
renovated 19th-century country house on a working farm. Meals are
prepared fresh daily from locally grown and farm-raised ingredients.
In their free time, students can relax by the pool overlooking the
beautiful Madonie mountain range, and trips will be organized to
explore the surrounding towns, historic sites, and beaches. For more
information, contact summerjazzsicily@gmail.com.
Drum Lessons
Fieldston alumnus Etienne Bowler ’05, a professional drum teacher
and musician (he has performed at Bonnaroo, a music and arts festival in Tennessee), is available to teach all age groups and skill levels—from beginner to advanced. Bowler, who has been playing
drums for 12 years and teaching for five, has a home studio in
Riverdale or can travel to you. References available, rates negotiable. Contact Ebowler@gm.slc.edu or (646) 339-6045 if interested.
Mother’s Helper
Fieldston Middle sixth-grade boy is available on weekends and/or
holidays to be a mother’s helper. He can play with your kid(s) while
you take a break. Has experience working with preschoolers in a
school setting, and children love him. If interested, call his mom,
Tracey Altman, at (917) 364-6880.
BSC Handyman
Looking to catch up on home improvements? Have a laundry list of
repairs that are long overdue? BSC Handyman can assist you, offering reasonable rates for jobs large and small as well as friendly, reliable staff who are meticulous when it comes to caring for your
home. Contact Brian Cowen, husband of Fieldston Lower teacher
Jaimee Cowen, at (917) 406-5245 or bschandyman@hotmail.com for
an estimate. References furnished upon request.
EC After-School Announces HUB Program
In this new program, launched in the fall of 2009, adult supervision
is provided while students do their homework or read books. When
homework or required reading has been completed, students choose
from computer, art, games, or gym. Students are also offered snacks
and time for outdoor play on our roof playground. Eric Royo is the
lead teacher in the HUB program. A multi-talented guy, he has a
great deal of experience with children. Royo has been a camp counselor, a Mohr's Explorers leader, and a JCC swim teacher. In addition, he is a member of a hip-hop group that performs in New York
City and abroad. To sign up your child for the HUB program, contact EC after-school director Judy Deppe at jdeppe@ecfs.org. The cost
is $10 per hour.
Accomplishments and Accolades
Book Offers Inside-Look at the Restaurant Business
Kenneth Suna, the son of Lila Suna (EC admissions office), has
published his first book, It’s a Miracle They Ain’t Dead Yet. This nonfiction work chronicles the years Suna spent working at two wellknown restaurants in Washington, D.C., and provides a unique
glimpse into the industry from the perspective of a young man at
the beginning of his career. Suna’s humorous accounts feature
manic managers, quirky customers, and eclectic co-workers. Copies
of the book can be purchased from iUniverse.com or Amazon.com;
a percentage of the proceeds will go to the Capitol Area Food Bank.
Fieldston Upper Students Perform at Dance Theater
Workshop
Members of the Fieldston Dance Company performed as guest
artists with David Parker’s professional dance company, The Bang
Group, appearing with them on December 13 at Dance Theater
Workshop in Parker’s hilarious “Nut/Cracked,” a whimsical mix
of tap, ballet, contemporary, disco, and toe tap.
Bike Racks for Sale
Photo of Fieldston Dance Company by Alice Teirstein
Two rooftop “ankle-grabber” Yakima racks (never used, $50 each)
and one four-bike trailer hitch rack ($50). Contact Fieldston parent
Priscilla Ware at (914) 213-3991.
Ski Near the Berkshires
Property in Stephentown, New York, with beautiful views on 80+
acres is available for rent. Three houses: 1930s farmhouse (sleeps six);
1960s modern ranch with huge deck (sleeps six); and original loggers’
cabin for guests (sleeps four). Heated swimming pool, cleared field for
soccer or other sports, ping-pong table, fire pit and barbecue areas,
nice furnishings. Enjoy the arts (close to Williamstown, Lenox, and
Pittsfield) and the outdoors (skiing and hiking trails nearby). Available
through March. Contact Fieldston parent Andrea Miller at (212) 5806065 or andrea.miller@saltmill.com.
Jeff Kazin (second from left), of the dance company The Bang Group,
rehearsing with Fieldston students.
House for Rent in Maine
Teirstein To Perform at the Y
1761 home with gorgeous views of the Sheepscot River valley sits on nearly 50 acres and has a six-acre field as well as a boathouse with canoe.
Weekly rentals from May to October. See ad at www.VRBO.com/45053 or
contact Fieldston Upper science teacher Kinne Stires at (718) 601-0350.
Fieldston dance teacher Alice Teirstein will be performing at the
92nd Street Y (1395 Lexington Avenue) the weekend of February
26 to 28. For more information or to purchase tickets, call
(212) 415-5500 or visit www.92y.org.
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Ethical Culture Fieldston School
33 Central Park West
New York, NY 10023-6001
Our new self-mailer format allows us to save postage and trees.
5
5
FIRST CLASS
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 8048
NEW YORK, N.Y.
Summer 2010 at ECF
Online registration is now open for the following
programs—for students in kindergarten to grade 12—
to be held at ECF this summer:
Fieldston Outdoors
Fieldston Sports
Fieldston Sports Clinic
Weeks of Discovery
Weeks of Adventure
French Program
Visit www.ecfs.org/summer.aspx for more information.