A Letter From Steven Hahn, Head of School

April 18, 2008

EARTH DAY!

Dear friends:

As we take advantage of spring weather for faculty and students to enjoy an afternoon on this extraordinarily beautiful campus, let’s be sure to reinforce the essential message of the day.   Despite the enormity of the challenge of climate change, each person, each family, each school can make a difference!   Earth Day promotes awareness and reinforces knowledge, but our everyday actions tell the real story.  I’m sure you can list many more examples, but it is within our power to conserve energy, make one less trip each day in the car, turn off lights, take a shorter shower, and recycle whenever possible.  Today’s Earth Day activities focus on healthy foods, responsible consumerism, sustainable design, cleaning up the campus, gardening, yoga, crafts, and enjoying the interaction among students and teachers of all ages.  Thanks to the faculty and student members of Portledge’s Green Team and to Alex Rudback’s leadership and Whole Foods’ sponsorship for a memorable day.  And thanks in advance to parents for reinforcing the message at home!

 

TRANSITIONS:

Lisa Cermak, director of the Lower School since 1988 and faculty member since 1973, has announced that she will be leaving Portledge at the end of December.  Fortunately, there will be ample opportunity to honor Lisa and chronicle her many contributions to Portledge life over the past thirty-five years, for Lisa has played a memorable and much appreciated role in the lives of so many Lower School students and families. While Lisa looks forward to the future, she will remain fully engaged right through the fourth grade play and holiday festivities over the first half of the next school year.  She will be on sabbatical through June 2009 and available to help as needed.

Other members of the faculty who will be recognized in June before they head off to new professional opportunities include Upper School English teacher and sustainability coordinator, Alex Rudback, who is moving to Colorado, and from the Lower School Erin Garvey, who is headed to graduate school full-time, Jena Swerdloff, who will be teaching third grade at the Brearley School in New York City, and Katie Henry, who will be teaching at P.S. 69 in the Bronx.  While it is never easy to say good-bye to teachers who have been so devoted to the school, I am pleased that each is pursuing his or her professional and personal dreams.

The other major transition, of course, is that of the Class of 2008!  The students have come through the process of college admission with outstanding choices.  I urge you to go to the website for a list of colleges that have accepted Portledge students – on our newly designed home page, simply click on the “quick links” box.   Working with these seniors has been one of the best parts of my work, and based on my interaction with and observation of them in the classroom, on stage, in athletics, and in informal conversation, I am pleased not only with their acceptances but with how well prepared they are to be leaders on their respective campuses and to take full advantage of the college experience.  Credit goes to the faculty, to parents, and, of course, to the students themselves.

 

SUPPORTING PORTLEDGE

I know I speak for students, faculty, and trustees in saying a public thank-you to the many volunteers who made last Saturday’s auction a success in every way.  Not only was it a wonderful party under beautifully decorated tents with dance music that kept us all on the dance floor, but, more importantly, it met the ambitious financial goals we had set despite the challenging economic conditions we all face today.  Marianna Kirikian, Kristin Bianco, and the many committee chairs and volunteers, all supported by Turk, Tara, and Peter, did the preparation and attended to the detail that created a wonderful atmosphere.  And where is there a more effective and entertaining auctioneer than Bernadette Castro, who informed, encouraged, and cajoled willing bidders to do their best for Portledge?  Thanks to all who were sponsors, supported the journal, were active as donors and bidders in the silent auction, bought raffle tickets, and made the live auction so successful!

The Annual Fund is also in its home stretch – please remember that participation by everyone in the Portledge community sends a strong message of support for our program and our people!  Thanks to everyone who has already participated, and I strongly urge others to join us – it is easy to give on line or by contacting Turk in the Advancement Office (750-3220).

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please continue to reference www.portledge.org for up-to-date news, photos, scores, and information!   Of special note in coming weeks, with details on the website, are the Science Fair (grades 3 - 8) in the evening on Thursday, April 24; Upper School Spring Concert and Art Show on Wednesday, April 30, the final performance for our seniors;  Lower School Grandparents Day in the morning of Friday, May 9, at which time we will formally dedicate the Grandparents Garden; the Joslin Cup Golf Tournament in the afternoon on May 9, which will raise funds for financial aid; an informal day of family baseball and softball, Home Run Derby on Saturday, May 10, and many great golf, tennis, lacrosse, softball, and baseball games at which parent attendance is always welcome and appreciated.

 

Enjoy Earth Day and a sunny spring weekend!

Best wishes,

Steven L. Hahn

Head of School