In the Spotlight Hold That Date - Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Beth Beckmann photo by Stan Schnier; Green roof photo by Robin Ostenfeld
Field Notes
What’s going on at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School
In the Spotlight
Building Community at ECF
J u n e 2 0 0 8
by Beth P. Beckmann, Interim Head of School, ECF
My favorite day of the year at ECF has always
been Founder’s Day. This year, when the Class
of 2008 entered the auditorium, to a standing
ovation from the audience, they set a particularly wonderful
tone of respect, happiness, and joy. As the seniors
took their seats, they passed some of their old
lower school teachers, greeting them with hugs and
thanks. There were other signature moments, too — students
in grades six through 12 singing the Ethical Culture and Fieldston
Lower school songs, the incoming and outgoing PAC co-presidents giving
speeches and exchanging presents as they passed the baton to a new senior
class. Our speaker, NPR science journalist Jessica Goldstein ’88,
made us proud too, as she talked about her experiences at ECF and the
importance of listening. It was a true celebration of Felix Adler’s legacy,
made tangible by our seniors. The entire audience took pride in their
accomplishments, individually and as a class. The sense of community in
the auditorium was absolute.
As interim head of school this year, it has been my pleasure to
observe and encourage the spirit of community among our four divisions,
and among faculty, staff, parents, and students. Our faculty and staff
deserve special recognition. This was the first year that all four divisions
had different student configurations as we made a successful transition
to changes made possible by the campus expansion. Led by their principals,
they all coped beautifully with new spaces, new curriculums, new
schedules, and new opportunities. After years of planning, this was the
first year they could stop anticipating a transition and execute one
instead. Even better, the year allowed for discussion of what a progressive
education really is — a conversation that will benefit and enhance
both curriculum and community at our four divisions in years to come.
The P&T has done an outstanding job in promoting community this
year. We planned for this initiative with a retreat in August, which
began by talking about shared values and why parents had selected ECF
for their children. Each division came up with a plan of action to promote
community. Some exceptional new community-building events
emerged from that spirit: Fieldston Lower’s Fun Night, EC’s parent
service corps and green carnival, the middle school training with the Yes
Institute, among them. There were also events that brought us together
as a community — Homecoming; Viva Las Vegas; ECF’s mini-university
for parents, Spring Awakening; and Spring Fling.
For the students, it’s been a calm and productive year. They have
taken full advantage of all their new spaces, from the Fieldston Lower
library to the new music spaces at Fieldston to the new tech suite at EC to
the new green, middle school building. Our traditional events, like the 4th
grade play at EC, the harvest festival at FL, and the middle school and
upper school musicals, have been a joy. We have also benefited from new,
creative endeavors like Eagle TV, the student-run news show involving all
divisions, the seventh grade sports teams, and the Fieldston Film Festival.
(Continued on page 12)
Leafingthrough...
Earth Week at Fieldston Middle School: Sixth graders Lily Patricof (left)
and Juliet Lewis are shown planting the new herb garden on the green roof
of the middle school. For stories this month on other “green” initiatives,
please see pages 4, 6, 10, and 11.
Hold That Date
Earth Week at
Fieldston Middle
on Page 4
JUNE HIGHLIGHTS
Mon. 6/2 ECF Board of Trustees Dinner for Retiring Faculty & Staff, 5:30pm
Tue. 6/3 FL Second Grade Picnic, 5:30pm
F Senior Prom, 8:00pm
Wed. 6/4 F Study Days, Forms IV & V
FL Fifth Grade Medieval Feast, 6:30pm
Thu. 6/5 F History Final Exams, Forms IV & V, 9:30am
FL Fourth Grade and KLP Picnics, 5:30pm
Fri. 6/6 FL Faculty Appreciation Breakfast, 7:30am
F Eighth Grade Celebration Breakfast, 8:30am
Sat. 6/7 ECF Alumni Reunion Weekend
F SAT I & II, 8:00am
Sun. 6/8 ECF Alumni Reunion Weekend
Mon. 6/9 EC/FL After School Spring Trimester, Last Day
F Science Final Exams, Forms IV & V, 9:30am
Tue. 6/10 EC Last Day of School, Noon Dismissal
FL Last Day of School, Noon Dismissal
F Middle and Upper Book Buy-Back, 8:30am-12:30pm
F Math Final Exams, Forms IV & V, 9:30am
EC Closing Assembly, 10:30am
F Senior Dinner, 6:30pm
Wed. 6/11 F Last Day of School, Noon Dismissal
F Middle and Upper Book Buy-Back, 8:30am-12:30pm
FL Graduation, 1:00pm
EC Graduation, 4:00pm
FL Graduation Party, 6:00pm
Thu. 6/12 F Graduation, 10:00am
Sat. 6/14 F ACT Exams, 8:00am
Mon. 6/16 EC Summer Week of Discovery (through 6/27), 9:00am
ECF Media Arts Camp (through 7/3), 9:00am
SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Thu. 9/4 ECF Classes Begin - Noon Dismissal @ EC & FL
Fri. 9/5 EC/FL Noon Dismissal
E t h i c a l C u l t u r e • F i e l d s t o n • F i e l d s t o n L o w e r
1

Family Matters
The Way They Do the Things They Do:
Understanding the Teen Brain
Why do teens behave the way
they do? On May 14, Dr. Abigail
Baird, in a presentation
cosponsored by the Fieldston middle school
and the P&T, shed light on this interesting
question. Dr. Baird is professor and director
of the Laboratory for Developmental
Neuroscience at Vassar College. Her
research explores and validates many observations
that we know to be true in dealing
with teens. Neurobiological connections during
puberty focus on the social realm; in
other words, people matter and teens are
highly adept at perceiving emotions when it
is relevant to their lives and experiences.
During puberty the brain undergoes a
large growth spurt, and over time emotions
and cognitions become increasingly coordinated.
In one fascinating study, Dr. Baird
examined functional MRIs of both adults
and teens and found that, while both groups
Cloz.com and MBS Direct are our official partners for Fieldston
middle and upper school gym gear and textbooks for next school
year. Both companies have a proven track record for providing
students with fast, reliable service and a user-friendly ordering system.
Their websites are reachable through www.ecfs.org. Pull down
“Students” or “Parents” from the main menu and select “School Store.”
Cloz.com sells Fieldston-required gym gear and optional spiritwear
for the whole school. The ECF Cloz catalog will be mailed in
July and will feature required items as well as non-required, logo
items for the whole family.
MBS Direct offers time-saving, one-stop shopping for all middle
and upper school courses and the largest used textbook reserve in
the nation. They also have a terrific incentive program called
SmartRate, with shipping discounts offered to those who place book
orders early. The ECF Virtual Bookstore will be open on June 2 for
high school summer required reading and on July 14 for middle
and high school fall semester books.
As a reminder, the annual book buyback will take place on
Tuesday, June 10, and Wednesday, June 11, from 8:30am to
12:30pm in the gallery of the athletic center. The annual event will
feature our book vendor’s EZ Drop system whereby students come
prepared with a printed quote for quick service. Follow these simple
steps to obtain a buyback quote to bring to the event:
1. Go to the Virtual Bookstore by selecting “Students” on the
ECF main page, followed by “School Store.” Or, use:
http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/ecfs.htm
2. On the ECF virtual bookstore, click “Sell Your Books.”
3. Login with the email address and password you used when
you purchased books from MBS Direct.
4. Enter the 10 or 13 digit ISBN # located on the back
cover of all the books you want to sell, then click “Price
2
My Book(s).”
by Sherri Kauderer, Psychologist, Fieldston Middle
could differentiate good ideas from bad
ones (e.g., eating salad vs. drinking Drano),
teens took much longer deciphering
whether something was a bad idea than
adults did. In addition, different parts of
the brain were activated. For teens, they
thought too much about these decisions and
did not connect their cognitions with their
visceral feelings. Their frontal cortex (the
part of the brain likened to an orchestral
conductor and responsible for higher level
thinking) was activated. This was in contrast
to adults who did not have to think
long about the bad ideas, relying on their
gut sense instead. The parts of the brain
responsible for surveillance and this gut
sense are the amygdala and insula. In
adults, our gut sense becomes automatic as
a result of experience. Since teens’ emotions
and cognitions are not yet coordinated,
it is important for teens to have experiences
where they feel and not just cogni-
tively understand, as this combination is a
necessary prerequisite for learning. Dr.
Baird spoke of the need to provide teens
with opportunities to take risks and make
mistakes and to learn from experiences that
have low-cost consequences.
She discussed the effect of the imaginary
audience, the feeling that everyone is watching
you all the time, which becomes most
salient during adolescence and explains why
our kids are embarrassed by us even if we
are alone with them. Her work also demonstrates
the tremendous effect that peers
have in determining how teens will respond
and how different parts of the brain become
activated when teens think their peers are
watching them. Since peers can influence
each other both positively as well as negatively,
it is important for us to find ways to
harness positive peer learning as all adolescents
are engaged in the difficult task of
social learning. 6
Fieldston Gym Clothes and Textbooks — Who, What, Where,
When, How?
5. The next screen will list those books MBS Direct will buy
back and their value.
6. Click “Continue” and enter your mailing address information.
7. Print out two copies of your quote and bring both to the buyback
with your books.
8. One copy will be packed with your books and shipped to the
vendor at no charge.
9. One copy will be signed and returned to you as your official
receipt.
10. You will receive a check approximately one month after the
buyback.
AVOID LONG LINES! Don’t forget to bring two copies of your
buy-back quote. 6
Field Notes
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Editor: Anita Haber
Editorial Advisors: George Burns, John Love, Luis Ottley, Ann Vershbow
Editorial Board: Beth Beckmann, Jessica Stedman Guff, Charles Melcher ’83,
Art Director: Joan Adelson
Executive Editor: Ginger Curwen
© Copyright 2008 by the Ethical Culture Fieldston School
FieldNotes is published 10 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 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.
E t h i c a l L e a r n i n g • A c a d e m i c E x c e l l e n c e • P r o g r e s s i v e E d u c a t i o n

Class Life
Inside the Classroom at
Ethical Culture, Fieldston,
and Fieldston Lower
Fieldston Lower’s International
Children’s Day
On May 1, the grounds outside
Fieldston Lower were filled with
the vibrant colors, delicious
foods, and cultural presentations of
International Children’s Day. This day
began several years ago as a celebration
of Cinco de Mayo, but with so many
school families wanting to share their
own diverse cultural traditions, the day
evolved into a celebration of many different
cultures.
This year was richer than ever! The
students learned Chinese calligraphy,
Mexican crafts, double-Dutch jump rope
from Harlem, and how to create African
masks. They also experienced the
sounds of African drumming, played a
Japanese balloon game and a Norwegian
stone game. They made origami, and
learned about dances from India, Latin
America, and the Philippines. There
were traditional foods and children’s
sports games from many countries.
The cultural groups represented at the FL
International Children's Day reflected the students'
diverse backgrounds. In the top photo,
parents demonstrated Chinese calligraphy and in
the bottom photo, music teacher Blake Rowe sings
while students try to hit the piñata.
In February, Ethical Culture second graders
traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa via
the internet to chat with the children of
Nkosi’s Haven. The children of Nkosi’s Haven
are members of “Infinite Family” — an
American charity (www.infinitefamily.org) that
connects mentors with South African orphans
to help them develop academic, technological,
and life skills. EC parent and founder of
Infinite Family, Amy Conrad Stokes, orchestrated
this coming together of Ethical Culture
second graders and the South African children
with the help of Ethical Culture’s technology
integrator, Andrea Marks.
As an extension of the second grade curriculum
focused on the study of community, sec-
The Fifth Grade Trip to the Hindu Temple
What was especially nice about the day
was that it was all “in-house”; it truly
was a reflection of the school community.
Thanks to all of the parents for their
enthusiasm, care, and generosity, and to
Spanish teacher Monica Mella, and
music teachers Julius Petty and Blake
Rowe for organizing a wonderful day.6
by Nell Conover and Vedika Gopal, Fifth Grade Students,
Fieldston Lower
Video Pals in South Africa
EC Second Graders Have a Virtual Adventure with New Friends
by Andrea Marks, Technology Integrator, Ethical Culture
ond grade teachers Tracy Gray Hair and Andy
Wilson seized the opportunity to bring awareness
to their students of communities both local
and global and to find points of connection
between the two seemingly disparate groups.
To prepare for the video chat, both
groups of children collected images of themselves
playing, using the computers, eating,
and engaging in school activities. Students
also generated questions to ask one another
before the actual face-to-face. Through these
experiences, both sets of children began a
discussion with their teachers and mentors
about the importance of respecting our cultural
differences.
To facilitate the video chat, Amy Stokes
In the past few weeks, the Fieldston Lower
fifth grade has been studying world religions.
They visited a cathedral, a synagogue,
a mosque, and this past week they visited
a Hindu temple. Fieldston Lower parent
and kindergarten assistant teacher Jyoti
Gopal came and talked to us about Hinduism,
and then came with us on the trip.
When we first arrived at the Hindu temple, we all
took off our shoes. We then walked into the main
room, which was filled with statues and pictures of
different gods related to the Hindu religion. The main
god we saw in the middle of the room was Ganesha,
the destroyer of obstacles. Mr. Padmanabhan, one of
the temple’s main leaders, showed us around the temple,
and answered all of our questions.
In the temple, we saw all of the planet gods. Each
god represented a different planet, and they all had a
special day of the week in honor of them. In the basement,
Mr. Padmanbhan showed us a room used for
celebrations, and community events. He talked about
many beliefs in Hinduism, such as 108 and 54 being
lucky numbers. He also told us that Hindus believe
that there are 3.3 million gods, which all represent
one cosmic energy.
The last thing we did at the temple was eat
Indian food for lunch. The main dish was masala
dosa, a lentil pancake served with potatoes.
Everyone thought it was very spicy, but good. For
dessert, we all tasted an Indian sweet called ladoo.
It came in a yellow ball with a walnut and ginger
taste.
When we got back, we talked about the new and
interesting stuff we had learned, and concluded it was
a very successful trip. For most people, our favorite
part was the lunch. We would like to give special
thanks to Jyoti for her kindness in taking time to teach
us about her religion and showing us her temple.6
was in South Africa with the children from
Nkosi’s Haven. During the video chat, the
children asked one another questions and
discovered what they had in common, as well
as what makes each group special and
unique. Despite a few technical difficulties,
the children were eager to connect and share
and feel part of a global community. Both the
American and South African children then
requested one more video chat which took
place late last month.
If you have any questions about this virtual
adventure, feel free to call Amy Stokes
at (917) 757-5524 or contact Ethical
Culture’s technology integrator Andrea
Marks at amarks@ecfs.org. 6 3
E t h i c a l C u l t u r e • F i e l d s t o n • F i e l d s t o n L o w e r
International festival photos by Lore Eiwen

(Continued from page 3)
Middle School has gone green!
Have you?” This is the message of
“Fieldston
eighth grader Julia Gray, who won this
year’s Sustainable Fieldston T-shirt Design
Contest, one of the many events hosted by the
middle school to celebrate our earth. The middle
school’s earth week was a huge success, where
students exercised their passion and enthusiasm
for protecting and preserving our planet.
Amelia Nierenberg, a sixth grade student,
kicked off the week by presenting an innovative
opportunity for students to offset the carbon
released by the manufacture of their cell phones.
Students purchased stickers for $2.50 each to
affix on their phones to show that their phones
were made carbon neutral. All of the money that
was collected will then be donated to farmers
who then offset carbon emissions by preventing
Earth Week photo by Robin Ostenfeld; Fiesta Week photo by Cristina Ross Class Life
Let’s Go Green!
Earth Week at Fieldston Middle
Fiesta Week
A Celebration of Hispanic Culture
methane, another greenhouse
gas, from being released. The
methane is usually released
into the atmosphere by cow
manure, but instead farmers
are now converting it to energy.
(See Amelia Nierenberg’s
article on page 11.)
The students’ Waste Management Club was
also very involved in the planning of the week’s
activities. The club co-sponsored an electronics
recycling drive with middle school science teachers.
The goal of the drive was to recycle the plastic
items and dispose harmful substances such as
lead and mercury in an environmentally friendly
manner. The club also arranged two guest
appearances by the Fieldston’s own green dean,
Peter Mott, who helped the students to plant a
by Joan Singer, Upper Grades Spanish Teacher; Cristina
Ross, Lower Grades Spanish Teacher, Ethical Culture
Dancing, singing, playing, and
learning. Ethical Culture students
were recently treated to all of
those activities during a weeklong celebration
of Hispanic history and culture. The
kick-off event was a salsa concert by Jose
Obando and his talented troupe. Student
volunteers demonstrated various rhythm
instruments on stage, as the origin of
salsa was explained. It took no coaxing to
convince the audience to get up and dance. Soon the auditorium aisles were
filled with smiling, dancing students, teachers, and administrators.
Each day of the following week a different part of the Spanish-speaking
world was featured: Spain, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean,
and South America. A slide show of these countries’ landmarks greeted
students in the school lobby. The cafeteria offered a taste of each region —
paella, tacos, arroz, and sopas — which were sampled and enjoyed.
Teachers shared fact sheets on each highlighted country and played music
to showcase the unique musical universe of these places. In Spanish class,
students listened to music of each region, sang folk songs, and (once
again) danced in the aisles.
A Mexican festival was hosted by the second grade in the school’s
social hall. There were booths for quesadillas, lemonade, Mexican arts and
crafts, and Mexican toys and games. Each class also had their very own
piñata! In addition, our second graders experienced Mexican culture as
they learned facts and figures about Mexico and its people. During class
time the students listened to special guests who did presentations about
Hispanic culture. First grade hosted a Magical Fruit Market on May 20 as
an extension of our Hispanic Week.
A fabulous fiesta, organized by the P&T multicultural committee,
continued the week’s activities into the evening. A mariachi band, Ballet
Hispanico dancers, student salsa lessons, and amazing food delighted
over 200 students, parents, teachers, and administrators who attended.
All of us in the Ethical Culture community are very excited about
the multicultural activities the students took part in and look forward
to enjoying the celebration of Hispanic culture again next
4 year. 6
by Robin Ostenfeld, Science Teacher, Fieldston Middle
small herb garden on the green roof of
the school. (See photo on page one.) The
rosemary, basil, and parsley are doing
quite nicely and are being tended by the
students who anxiously jump at the
opportunity to water the plants with the
roof’s recycled water. The herbs will be
harvested and given to the cafeteria staff who will
then use them in one of the lunch dishes. The
club also hosted “Green Roof Conversations,”
where students and teachers were invited to mingle,
view the plants’ new growth, and talk about
how the roof works and how it helps the earth.
Overall, Fieldston middle school community
is definitely beginning to embrace the
importance of recognizing, appreciating, and
protecting the planet on not just Earth Day,
but every day! 6
A Tea Party in PreK
by George Burns, Principal, Fieldston Lower
The PreK in Cathy Burns-McDonald’s and Zora
Fellerman’s class recently hosted a very lively, delicious
and well-attended tea party in their classroom. When I
spoke to the children in the class about how the tea party came
about, here’s what they told me:
Onnie: We read a story about ugly vegetable soup and most
of the kids wanted to make the soup. [In the story] it smelled
so good and it tasted so good that everyone wanted to taste it.
The neighbors wanted to taste it. The mom made it and they
were so proud of the mom.
Olivia: The book was The Ugly Vegetable by Grace Lin.
Joshua T: We planned it from the book because the book had
vegetables that you could buy at the store.
Sadie: There was a recipe for the soup in the book.
Eva: Everyone wanted to bring something to the class.
Rachel: The tea party was for anybody who wanted to come.
Joshua S: Teddy was going to buy the vegetables from
Chinatown. The recipe didn’t taste good, but Teddy’s mom had
her own recipe — “Spanish Soup.”
Teddy: It was my idea to get the soup.
Samia: It was my idea to get the cake from the bakery.
So the children decided to have a tea party, and their teachers
happily agreed. The children made invitations in their own words
and invited lots of people. Everyone wanted to invite someone. There
were 75 adults and children who attended the party!
When I asked the children of PreK what they liked best
about the tea party, they replied:
Teddy: I liked eating and picking out the food.
Ryuichi: The sushi.
Joshua S: The cookies.
Noah and Ella: Oreos.
Camille and Stewart: Butter cookies.
Austin, Aidan, Joshua T., and Rachel: The cupcakes.
Holly: The banana bread.
Eva: Mocha ice cream.
Nina added: We saved the cake for snack.
Samia: I liked having my auntie there.
When I asked Cathy Burns-McDonald and Zora Fellerman
what they liked best about the party, Cathy answered: We liked that
everyone helped to clean up at the end.6
E t h i c a l L e a r n i n g • A c a d e m i c E x c e l l e n c e • 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
Ethics in Action: SHAPEfund
Living Up to Our Mission
by Clark Haber, Nuni Montaigne, Isobel Rosenthal, Sonya Sackner-Bernstein, Form VI Students, Fieldston
The SHAPEfund (Students Helping to
Actively Promote Ethics) is an entirely
student-led grant-making organization
which awards funding to exceptional
non-profit organizations whose focus is New
York City youth. SHAPEfund serves as an
innovative tool to educate the next generation
of students about these organizations
and to ensure a place for young people in
the world of philanthropy. Below are reflections
from the SHAPEfund’s outgoing senior
members, detailing their most powerful
moments during their tenure in SHAPE as
they visited organizations and met with
wonderful people who support youth development
across New York City.
Sonya Sackner-Bernstein: Last week, I
sat across the room from a young man who
told me his story of being unlawfully
searched by his neighborhood police—he
was cursed at, forced to remove his shoes,
and get on his knees on the sidewalk
cement. The 10 other youths who sat beside
us nodded along and shared similar stories
of having their behinds swiped for drugs
and being followed home. I was shocked.
On 117th Street and Second Avenue is
one of the two community centers of the
Andrew Glover Youth Program, an organization
that provides an alternative to incarceration
for youthful offenders by providing
them with educational and crime prevention
programs. After meeting with Nelson
Valentine, a senior court advocate for the
organization, I sat in on a session of young
adults meeting with two charismatic
lawyers and learning about their rights
when dealing with the police.
The fact is that out of the 1,000,000 people
in jail or awaiting trial in the United
States, 80 percent end up right back in
prison. Programs like Andrew Glover, with a
success rate of 70 percent, are making a difference
in our city. And while it may seem
like these social problems are so far removed
from the world of Fieldston, it’s clear they
might only be 10 or 15 blocks away.
For me, SHAPEfund has bridged the
divide of these 10 blocks. It has empowered
me as a young adult in a society that doesn’t
take young adults seriously enough, and
allowed me to connect with a diverse group
of youths from across New York City.
Clark Haber: When I first visited the
Bronx Lab School, I was instantly amazed
by their work. It seemed incredible that this
tiny, unknown school had a graduation rate
of 86 percent in its first year, a number far
above the city average. I knew that great
work was being done and that students
were being nurtured through experiential
learning. I spoke with Sarah, one of the
school’s leaders, and she told me that a big
part of helping the students gain new experiences
and learn about themselves was
through various trips that the school organizes
during the summer. She talked to me
about how the school was looking to nurture
student leaders and that the trips allowed
the students to flex their minds, gain perspective,
and learn about history.
I spoke to one student and he told me
that he went on a trip to South America last
year, similar in nature to the trip we were
considering for funding. This student told
me that the trip changed how he thought
about the world and made him passionate
about his school work, helping him to
achieve his goal of attending college. When
I heard that the Bronx Lab School needed
funding for a summer bike trip along the
Underground Railroad in Ohio, I instantly
knew that our funding would make an
impact on their lives. Out of all my experiences
in SHAPE, this was the most profound
and touching because I had no doubt
that our funding would help these students
grow. It affirmed my belief that our funding
can make a huge impact on the lives of
countless youth in New York City.
Nuni Montaigne: I will never forget the
first site visit I ever did as a member of the
SHAPEfund. It was to a non-profit organization
based in Harlem called Groove With
Me, which provides girls from the ages of
four to 18 with free dance classes and
opportunities to perform. The organization
immediately struck a cord with me because
its focus was not on getting the best SAT
scores and preparing for college. Groove
With Me provides a creative outlet for girls
to release themselves from the pressures in
their lives. It is a place where girls can
dance and not worry about their moves
being sexualized or made fun of by their fellow
classmates and friends.
Groove with Me, however, is not just
about learning how to dance. I was surprised
when I saw a girl sitting in the executive
director’s office, just there to do her
homework because her parents weren’t
home yet, and she didn’t want to be alone.
The director told me that the same girl
comes in every day after school, every
week. This was what the core of the organization
was about: giving girls of all ages a
comfortable environment where they feel
safe and can find a healthy outlet from the
social and academic pressures surrounding
them.
Isobel Rosenthal: Fieldston is a school
where students are constantly challenged
to look at issues from different perspectives
and roles. The SHAPEfund has really
added to my experience as a Fieldston student.
I have always been interested in community
service, and the SHAPEfund has
allowed me to get to know and understand
the art of philanthropy. The organizations
that we have visited as potential grant
recipients have really made a lasting
impression on me. However, for me the
most memorable visit was to an organization
called the DOME Project, a non-profit
organization that serves poor young offenders
and at-risk youth through a juvenile justice
program. DOME has received a grant
from the SHAPEfund for the last three
years, and last October, I went back to
DOME with two other members of SHAPE
to help lead a workshop on stress for high
school students. The conversation began
with DOME participants voicing their worries:
teen pregnancy, death, jail time, and
gang violence. As a privileged teenager and
grant-maker for the SHAPEfund, I immediately
felt embarrassed about what I consider
stress in my life. At the end of the conversation,
however, we all realized that our
stressors were equally challenging for us. I
left the DOME Project having participated
in a discussion that had broken down barriers.
By the end of the hour, the conversation
had delved into race, class, and how it
creates different types of stress. DOME is
just one of the incredible organizations that
receives grants from the SHAPEfund.
For more information email
SHAPEfund at shapefund@gmail.com.6 5
E t h i c a l C u l t u r e • F i e l d s t o n • F i e l d s t o n L o w e r

Photo by Ariel Kochi
P&T Corner
The EC P&T Carnival Goes Green
More than 250 kids and parents turned out to enjoy Ethical
Culture’s newly free and newly “green” carnival on
Saturday, April 27. At the suggestion of the P&T, this
year’s event was a family fun activity, so there was no entry fee and
no charge for most games and activities. The carnival committee
and representatives from the environmental initiative worked
together to make classic carnival games and food more ecologically
conscious, and more than 50 parent volunteers labored to ensure
the day was a success.
Families appeared to appreciate the environmental message
of the event. Kids spinning the endangered animal wheel learned
about polar bears, one-horned rhinos, and other threatened animals,
while Ross Ber, a bee educator, shared information about
bees and honey, a low-carbon-footprint sweetener. “People were
raving about everything but they especially liked the endangered
animal spin. And everyone loved the bee harvester,” says Stacey
Halper, carnival committee chair. Decorating canvas bags and
making candles were also popular. Each reusable shopping bag
made at the carnival has the potential to eliminate hundreds, if not
thousands, of plastic bags over its lifetime. Other small changes
did not go unnoticed by children and parents: The candle-making
booth used beeswax this year rather than paraffin, a petroleum
byproduct. “The fact that the carnival was green made people
aware of the simple changes they can make in their own homes,”
says Halper. Adds Susan Perl, head of the EC environmental initiative,
“It was a welcome change. We introduced environmental
consciousness without diminishing the fun.”
Among the biggest challenges was making the food service and
prizes more ecoconscious. This year’s food featured hormone- and
antibiotic-free milk, as well as organic lettuce, strawberries, cookies,
and popcorn. Organic chips were offered as an alternative to French
fries, and filtered water was served from dispensers, so no plastic bottles
were needed. Among the green prizes were water bottles made
by Dana Points, Parent, Ethical Culture
This year's new “green” carnival, sponsored by the Ethical Culture P&T, was
a major success largely due to the creativity of these four parent carnival
co-chairs, (from left to right) Stacey Halper, Stephanie Vallillo, Heather
Zuckerman, and Susan Perl.
from recycled materials and natural geodes containing crystals. The
committee sought out prizes that contained no virgin (nonrecycled)
plastic. Even the raffle, which raised more than $900 for green
endeavors at EC, was green-themed, with prizes that included clothing
made from sustainable fabric and wine made from organically
grown grapes. Look for next year’s carnival to go one step further,
involving more nonprofits that are helping to green New York City.
As is the Ethical tradition, the graduating fifth graders created
two carnival booths that involved a nominal charge, designed to raise
money for their legacy gift. The digital photo booth featured a nature
scene backdrop painted by the class, and the always popular piethrowing
booth was decorated to raise awareness of poaching in an
effort to save endangered species. For the first time the fifth graders
also served as staff for the event, helping out younger carnival goers
and assisting visitors throughout what proved to be a day of fun. 6
Fieldston Upper and Middle Get New P&T Co-Chairs
by Judy Mills-Johnson, Chair, ECF P&T
New division co-chairs in the middle and upper schools will begin work this summer as their new two-year terms begin July 1. As we welcome
Meg Kaplan, Robin Kamen, Connie Wilkin, and Anne Ackerley to the Fieldston Upper P&T, we thank outgoing co-chairs Rosalind
Clay Carter, Patti Gilroy, Herminio Martinez, and Larry Orfaly. Under their leadership and the dedication of Form VI parents, Cathy
Yesenofsky, Andrea Joyce, Mike Martell, and Rick Cohen, the Arts and Sports committees flourished. Less glamorous were the hours put in analyzing
the nuts and bolts of our finances and working toward a new model which ensures equitable funding across the divisions.
In the middle school, we welcome Terry Ali, Alexa Ragsdale, Marcy Siskind, and Marcia Cohen. For the past two years, Shari Levine,
Sue Orchant, Laddie De Paur, and Anne Ackerley have worked tirelessly to create a structure which fills the needs of a new division. They
have done a remarkable job of setting the course for the future — teacher appreciation lunches, cocktail parties and dinners, a parent
newsletter, arts celebrations, and the YES institute workshops all contributed to a welcoming environment of which we can all be proud.
Parents Melanie Wymore and Larry Orfaly have accepted the positions of P&T officers representing middle and upper respectively. Our
thanks go to Sheri Serphos and Brenda Jackson Butcher for the hard work they have done as middle and upper officers who oversaw welcoming,
finances, and nominating.
Our successes this year have been many. We continue to work on issues of diversity, “greening Fieldston,” welcoming new families, and
creating programs and events that educate us as parents and strengthen our vibrant community. Soon the division co-chairs will be sending
out their letters asking parents to volunteer for committees and grade chairs. I hope that something will be of interest to you. We are an
organization that benefits greatly from an infusion of new ideas — so if you have never been involved before, we hope to see you in
September! 6
6
E t h i c a l L e a r n i n g • A c a d e m i c E x c e l l e n c e • P r o g r e s s i v e E d u c a t i o n

The ECF Difference
Snapshots
Profiles of ECF Administrative, Teaching, and Support Staff
Joan Singer
Spanish, Ethical Culture
6th year
Joan’s interest in Spanish came from living with a family in Spain through The
Experiment in International Living when she was 18. “It changed me forever,” she
says. Before coming to EC, Joan taught Spanish and art to high school students in
Long Island, but teaching younger students — grades 3, 4, 5 — is much more fun. “I
adore the kids. The major difference is that the kids are so joyous. They are just beginning
their learning curve. They can’t wait to do the new thing.” Joan loves to travel,
especially to Spanish-speaking countries (there’s a trip to Spain coming up in August),
but during the year, she spends weekends in Connecticut, enjoying the fresh air. 6
Randy Slaughter
Diversity Coordinator, Coach, Fieldston Upper
5th year
Randy, who received his B.A. from Wesleyan, and his M.A. from
Columbia Teachers, has been coaching football and basketball for his
entire professional career. “I moved to girls basketball when I came to
Fieldston, and I have enjoyed the transition.” Both teams were very
successful this year, with football winning its first conference championship
and the basketball team winning the class B Independent School
championship. Last month at Fieldston, Randy hosted the annual conference
for Diversity Awareness Initiative for Students, which was a
great success. Students at NYC independent schools discussed the
issues that they face in their daily lives and participated in a talent
show, dinner, and dance. During the summer you can find Randy conducting
off-season workouts or substitute teaching at Prep for Prep.6
Laura Clark
College Counseling, Fieldston
11th year
There is nothing
more deceptive than
an obvious fact.
— Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Quote of the Month
Teacher, painter, and yoga instructor, Laura Clark brings many talents to her role at Fieldston,
where she is director of college counseling. She also co-created and teaches a few electives —
“Orientalism-East Meets West” and “Images and Words”— and started the yoga program. Before
coming to Fieldston, Laura worked at Riverdale for 10 years as a college counselor and humanities/English
teacher and worked at Princeton for four years in admissions and the English department
where she taught freshman writing. She holds bachelor’s degrees in English and studio art
as well as a master’s in English, all from Stanford. She shares her office with Cypress, a
young whippet, and is married to Lorenzo Krakowsky, Fieldston dean of students.6 7
E t h i c a l C u l t u r e • F i e l d s t o n • F i e l d s t o n L o w e r
Photos by Stan Schnier

Photos by Diane Silverman
8
Spreading Our Wings
The Arts Spring Forth at Fieldston
Spring at Ethical Culture Fieldston is a busy time for everyone — students, faculty,
staff, and parents. There is a wealth of end-of-the-year projects, picnics, and performances.
At Fieldston middle and upper schools during April and May, there
are close to a dozen arts productions and performances. Pictured on this page are students
who performed in three different events. The photos above show Fieldston’s talented
student singers the night of the upper school chorus concert directed by music
teacher Kathleen Hayes in early May. To the right are pictures of April’s middle school
musical, Once On This Island, directed by drama teacher and performing arts co-chair
Clare Mottola. And, the photos below are of student musicians performing in the
upper school orchestra concert on May 1. Playing that evening were the orchestra
directed by Mark Attebery and Nina Simon; the wind ensemble directed by Mark
Attebery; and the percussion ensemble directed by Scott Latzky. During the rest of
May, there were dance concerts, plays, the middle school concert; and Feast and Frolic,
an evening of eating, performances, and celebrating unity. 6
E t h i c a l L e a r n i n g • A c a d e m i c E x c e l l e n c e • P r o g r e s s i v e E d u c a t i o n

Seven
Students to:
Brown University
Six Students to:
University of
Pennsylvania
Five Students to:
Carleton College
University of
Michigan
Oberlin College
Wesleyan University
Four Students to:
Connecticut College
George Washington
University
Johns Hopkins
University
ECF Sports, Performances, Clubs, and More
Project Runway
Fieldston Fashion Show, May 2008
The sixth annual Fieldston fashion show went off without a hitch on
May 15. In the school’s old gym before the entire upper school,
approximately 45 middle and upper students modeled their original
clothing designs created from everyday objects such as cupcake holders, tictacs,
and balsa wood. This year, fashions were also designed for and modeled
by two Fieldston Lower students. Kudos to Fieldston art teacher Nancy Fried
for inspiring so much creative and spirited expression in our students. 6
College Destinations for the
Class of 2008, as of May 19, 2008
The 136 students of the ECF Class of 2008 are going to the following
colleges and universities.
New York University Georgetown Colgate University
Vanderbilt University
University
Dartmouth College
Washington
Harvard University
Davidson College
University
Kenyon College
Guilford College
Three Students to:
Allegheny College
Emory University
Northwestern
University
Smith College
Stanford University
Hamilton College
Hampshire College
University of Hartford
(music)
Haverford College Williams College
Indiana University
Pitzer College
Ithaca College
Pomona College One Student to: John Jay College
Skidmore College
Yale University
Two Students to:
Boston College
University of Chicago
Cornell University
Bard College
Bates College
Bennington College
Bowdoin College
Brandeis University
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
Chapman University
Marquette University
Middlebury College
Princeton University
Purchase College
Reed College
Rhode Island School
of Design
University of
Rochester
Sarah Lawrence
Scripps College
St. Andrews
University
Swarthmore College
Syracuse University
Temple University
Tufts University
Union College
University of
Southern California
Vassar College
University of Vermont
College of Wooster
Two students have
not yet decided.
Lights! Camera! Action!
Fieldston’s First Student Film Festival
by Adam Watstein, Film Teacher,
Fieldston Middle and Upper
On May 15, Ethical Culture Fieldston held its first
ever student film festival. Each film was created
by an individual student over the course of a single
semester. He/she was responsible for writing the
film’s screenplay, as well as shooting, directing, and editing
it using Final Cut Pro. With the program in its first
year, students were unfamiliar with the grueling filmmaking
process. These young filmmakers scrambled the final
week before the festival, shooting their final scenes and
editing into the wee hours of the night in the film center
with the hope of bringing their vision to completion. Form
VI students, Dashiell Finley, Kate Cohen, and Dan
Brumer, along with Form V students Samantha Sterman,
Amy Ribakove, and Form IV student Janey Feingold
proudly introduced their films to the inspired audience in
the auditorium.
The following students won awards for producing
exceptional work in a variety of categories. In the area of
directing Dashiell Finley won for School’s Out. In the writing
category, Janey Feingold won for The Painter. For cinematography,
Kate Cohen won for Fieldston Murder Story,
and for best film, Samantha Sterman won for Real, which
reflected excellence in all areas of the filmmaking process.
The quality of all the films was excellent, and with a
large crop of returning students and new students for
next year, we are very excited about the future of the program.
Students will be shooting a new film next semester,
so look out for our next film festival with a fresh
batch of unique visions in December. See you at the
movies! 6
9
E t h i c a l C u l t u r e • F i e l d s t o n • F i e l d s t o n L o w e r
Fashion and film festival photos by Stan Schnier

Cornerstones
Special Events and Projects That Reflect Our Values
ECF Founder’s Day 2008
To throngs of loud applause,
the members of the Fieldston
class of 2008 marched into
the Ethical Culture auditorium on
May 2, and thus the annual celebration
of Felix Adler, the founder of
Ethical Culture Fieldston School,
commenced. It was a fantastic
morning. The senior leader of the
Ethical Culture Society, Tony
Hileman, welcomed the audience of
middle and upper school students,
faculty, and staff, along with invited
guests. Both lower school songs
were sung by students who had
attended each, followed by a greeting
by interim head of school Beth
Beckmann. Jessica Goldstein, class
of 1988, delivered the keynote
address, “Stop and Hear the Roses,”
which was about the importance of
listening and its value in her work,
reporting on climate change. Music
was a part of the morning program
as well — performances by the upper
school orchestra, middle and upper school chorus, as well as the vocal
jazz ensemble contributed greatly to the beautiful and excited mood
of the day. To conclude the ceremony, the current student body presidents,
Form VI students Robert Hart and Raechel Shaw, turned the
baton over to next year’s presidents, Form V students Sean Albin and
Sarah Cobbinah. In their speeches, the current and future presidents
expressed their heartfelt emotions for their school, their friends, faculty,
and staff, as well as the enduring vision of Ethical Culture
founder Felix Adler. 6
ALP: The Epitome of Experiential Learning
by Lorenzo Krakowsky, Dean of Students, Fieldston Upper
On Monday and Tuesday, April 14 and 15, upper school students and faculty participated in Alternative
Learning Period, or ALP, a two-day experiential learning program that takes place once every two
years in April at Fieldston. ALP consists of workshops, classes, trips, and projects run by students,
faculty, parents, alumni, and outside leaders. ALP workshops take place at Fieldston and off campus.
The primary goal of ALP is to provide experiences that differ from the everyday curriculum at the
school and its usual manner of presentation. Many ALP courses are hands-on and experiential, which is
consistent with Fieldston’s progressive mission. ALP courses are often interdisciplinary, and they frequently
allow students to relate what they are learning to the real world.
This year’s ALP courses were especially dynamic and well planned. There were a number of artsrelated
workshops, including “Project Runway,” in which students designed and constructed original outfits,
and “Flamenco,” which was an introduction to flamenco dancing and culture. There were also many
film workshops, a jewelry-making class, and visits to local museums.
A group of ALP classes also focused on the physical arts, including two self-defense workshops and
the ever popular “Cricket, Lovely Cricket,” which was an introduction to this globally popular sport.
Students also had the opportunity to learn basic circus skills and try the flying trapeze, and there was a
tap dancing course called “Tap, Tap, Tap.”
10
Little Tree, Grow, Grow
PreK and
Kindergarten would
like to let the community
know that last
week, with the help of
Peter Mott, Howie
Waldman, Gene Kivlan,
and the maintenance staff,
they planted an eight-yearold
silver maple tree near
the middle school fence to
the right of the sandbox,
just over the rocky hill.
This project is part of our
nature curriculum, and a
small contribution to
greening our school.
This tree has a special
story — in the spring of
by PreKindergarten and Kindergarten,
Fieldston Lower
Fieldston seventh grader Julia Worcester, the
tallest student in the photo, is the one who
planted the seed she found in the FL sandbox
and cared for “Little Tree, Grow, Grow” at
home over the last eight years. Fieldston Lower
PreKindergarten and Kindergarten students
recently assisted ECF Green Dean Peter Mott
with planting the silver maple tree between the
middle school and Fieldston Lower.
2000, a little girl in PreK discovered a seedling in the sandbox, and
with Cathy’s [PreK teacher Cathy Burns-McDonald] encouragement,
took it home and planted it on her terrace. She named it “Little Tree,
Grow, Grow.” Now the tree has come home to FL. We hope it will grow
into a beautiful shade tree near its mother, the giant silver maple at
the edge of the middle school that we all like to tap for maple sap.
Please come welcome the new arrival, and wish her long life. The tree
will have a fence around it for a while until it has settled in. 6
* This article originally appeared in the May 7, 2008 issue of the
Fieldston Lower News.
Here is one of several Fieldston
students who chose to attend
trapeze school and learn the
“ropes” during the upper
school’s two-day Alternative
Learning Period.
Other highlights included a trip to historic Philadelphia, a course that focused on Tibetan Buddhism, and a variety of cooking courses.
There was also a walking tour of Brighton Beach and a “Beatnik Walking Tour,” which focused on the Lower East Side and Greenwich
Village. All of the ALPs were highly creative and interesting, and they represent an important part of Fieldston’s culture and traditions.6
E t h i c a l L e a r n i n g • A c a d e m i c E x c e l l e n c e • P r o g r e s s i v e E d u c a t i o n
Founder’s Day photos by Stan Schnier; FL Little Tree photo by Lore Eiwen; ALP photo by Larson Rose

Earth Day Project
Carbon-Neutral Cell Phones
by Amelia Nierenberg, Sixth Grade, Fieldston Middle
Two words that are the most foreboding
in the world today are global
warming. Human beings are the
biggest contributors to this problem. They
pollute the air with carbon dioxide which
thickens the ozone layer and traps the
sun’s heat inside the earth’s atmosphere.
Carbon emissions from mainly electronic
devices, power plants, and transportation
vehicles are heating up the earth. And, who would have thought
that our cell phones are also contributing to this problem?
However, there is hope. Scientists have discovered that there are
many ways to conserve and reduce energy and carbon emissions.
You can reduce your own emissions by using public transportation,
turning off lights, reusing, recycling, and so forth.
For Earth Day, I had an idea for the Fieldston middle school,
and assistant principal Jon Richer encouraged me to present it
at the school’s town meeting. What if we, the middle school,
made all of our cell phones carbon neutral? Could we make a difference?
This would mean that we could reduce the equivalent
amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, equal to the
amount that cell phones emit during their life cycle. Each cell
phone pollutes about 245 pounds of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
These 245 pounds are generated from the manufacture of
the phones, the electricity needed to charge the phones, and the
power needed to connect them to the wireless networks.
Well, if there are 350 of us in the middle school, and we all
made our cell phones carbon neutral, it would take about 86,000
pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere permanently.
This amount of carbon reduced from the atmosphere by offsetting
our 350 cell phones would be equivalent to taking 1,400 taxi cabs
off the road for three hours during a rush hour period, or planting
40 trees in Central Park to reduce emissions naturally, or turning
off the lights in the Empire State Building for a whole day!
It is possible to generate eco-friendly energy from projects
that reduce their own carbon emissions. A handful of people
associated with Fieldston have discovered a company that generates
eco-friendly energy. The Gallo Dairy farm in California
takes the carbon dioxide emitted from manure piles, and uses
it to generate power (electricity) for their farm. When the
manure gas is captured and reused, the farm also gets something
called a carbon credit because they have permanently
reduced their emissions. By selling the carbon credit, the
manure emissions are permanently extinguished.
To make our cell phones carbon neutral, we arranged to buy carbon
credits from the Gallo Farm project, and we were able to purchase
them for only $2.50 per phone. Some of my friends and I sold
the carbon credits during lunch throughout Earth Week. Each buyer
of the carbon credits received a sticker to put on the back of their
phones, showing that they personally reduced carbon emissions, and
helped to slow down global warming. We have sold all 350 stickers
and effectively planted 40 trees worth of carbon dioxide reduction.
Next year, we may try to make this an all school program and maybe
to other independent schools in the metropolitan area.6
Project Pink
FL Fourth Graders Think About
Gender Stereotypes
by Laura Stewart, Ethics Teacher, Fieldston Lower
Gender was a topic
of discussion
recently in
Fieldston Lower’s fourth
grade ethics classes.
Included in the conversations
were discussions of
stereotypes about boys
and girls and how kids
learn about them.
Students made lists of
stereotypes that are
associated with boys
and girls, and then
boys and girls had
an opportunity to
talk about how those
stereotypes relate to
their own experience.
Students generally
agreed that
stereotypes were
unfair.
One of the
things that came out
of these discussions
was the idea that pink is the color many boys choose not to wear because it
is considered a “girl” color, though many boys like it. An idea came up that
everyone wear a pink t-shirt to make a statement that anyone can wear
pink. The broader implication is that kids should be able to express themselves
without worrying about being teased or bullied.
Collecting phrases from the kids, we designed and purchased tshirts
for every fourth grader who wanted one, as well as for the
teachers who work with the grade. The front of the hot pink shirt said,
“Yeah, I’m wearing PINK,” and the back stated, “Anybody can wear
PINK!” A few kids, who wanted to show their support but did not want
to wear pink, had gray “Pink Ally” shirts to wear. Other classes were
let in on the project and invited to wear pink to show their support,
and signs around the school proclaimed, “Monday is PINK day...if you
got it, wear it!” and “Think PINK!”
Lots of kids chose to wear pink on that Monday, and several
classes had terrific conversations about the idea. A second grade class
spent time writing about it in their journals. Excited about sharing
what they thought, about 10 of them came to my office to share
what they had written! Some of their thoughts? “Pink makes
your life brighter in every way,” “I love pink, it makes me feel good
inside,” “Pink is everybody’s color,” and “Be brave and wear pink!”
Fourth graders were excited about the day and expressed their
interest in wearing the shirts again next year, hoping of course
that the current third graders would repeat the project. It seemed
to me, from discussions with third graders, that the project has
caught on. 6
11
E t h i c a l C u l t u r e • F i e l d s t o n • F i e l d s t o n L o w e r

Bulletin Board
Opportunities Offered
and Wanted Within
the ECF Community
We welcome announcements
from the ECF community.
If you would like to place an item
for our next issue, please submit
it to fieldnotes@ecfs.org by July 20.
(Note: Neither FieldNotes nor
ECF can review or be responsible
for their 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
New Upper West Side Mother’s Group
Sally Ekaireb, HC, DSH, and ECF mom has formed the Holistic Mom’s Circle. As moderator of the
group Ekaireb offers over 10 years training in homeopathy and other natural therapies. As a certified
counselor, she integrates active listening techniques and spiritual guidance to move people through
mental and emotional blockages with grace and ease. For dates, location, and further information, call
(212) 501-8418 or email Sally@HolisticFamilyCircle.com.
Upright Piano Can Be Yours
Ethical Culture assistant principal Ellen Freeman would like to find a home for her upright piano. Just pick
it up and it is yours! Email Ellen Freeman at Efreeman38@hotmail.com.
Washer/Dryer for Sale
Kenmore Elite top loading washing machine model 22052 and Frigidaire front loading gas dryer
model GLE0212ES0. $500/pair, excellent condition. Call Fieldston middle school psychologist Sherri
Kauderer at (201) 408-4640.
Manhattan Condo for Sale
Two-bedroom, one and one-half bathroom, 14th floor sunny apartment with skyline and Central Park
views. In Towers on the Park, a full service three-building 599-condo complex with 24-hour
doorman/concierge, garage, community, storage, bike rooms, and laundry facilities. Conveniently
located next to Central Park, 110 Street subway stations (B and C lines), MTA bus stops (M3, M4, M7
and M10), close to Morningside Park, Columbia University, and Cathedral of St. John. Apartment has
been recently renovated with new kitchen appliances and hardwood flooring. If interested, please
email lanh@mac.com or call EC computer teacher Lan Heng (212) 316-2629.
Victorian House in NJ For Sale
Three-story, 100-year old, Victorian house on tree-lined main street of Summit, NJ is for sale. Walking
distance of NJ transit, downtown shops, elementary and high schools. Bus to and from NYC stops at front
door. New roof and boiler. Kitchen and baths may need updating. Basement with separate entrance. Much
original woodworking; decorative and working fireplaces. A house with lots of character and room.
Currently listed at $820,000. Contact Ethical Culture language and learning specialist at aefry@aol.com.
Red Hook (Brooklyn) Apartment For Rent
Fieldston teacher looking to sublet apartment in Red Hook, Brooklyn: sunny two-bedroom, recently renovated,
mere blocks away from Fairway and dazzling views of New York Harbor; available for sublet from
October 1, 2008, through the summer of 2009. If interested, please contact michaelmorse66@gmail.com.
East Hampton Weekend Rental in August
Two-bedroom house with deck and outdoor shower. Walking distance to the bay and 10 minutes to the
ocean. Very private with beautiful flower gardens. Washer/dryer, dishwasher. Call Fieldston teacher
Nancy Fried, (631) 329-7637.
Manhattan Apartment Available This Summer
Manhattan apartment available for summer rental from mid-June to August. One-bedroom available
in a two-bedroom apartment in a very convenient Hell’s Kitchen location. Please contact Fieldston
teacher Janet Goldschmidt at jgoldschmidt@gmail.com.
Small Business Coaching
Warren Kimmel, son of EC learning specialist Rose Ann Kimmel, is a consulting associate at Lead
Smarter Associates and is offering a package of eight group coaching sessions to small business owners
interested in developing or revising their short-term and long-term strategies, and/or developing
management skills. Program cost is $400 for eight sessions. For more information email Kimmel at
leadsmarter@gmail.com, or contact him at (646) 387-0542.
Swimming Lessons This Summer
Fieldston teacher offering swimming lessons for the summer. Krysta Johnson will be teaching at pools
located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan (NYSC and the 92ndY), but will travel to private residences.
If interested please contact Krysta Johnson at KJ2881@aim.com or (917) 208-3501.
Yankee Ticket for Sale
Fieldston Lower family has Yankee tickets for sale to the home game on Saturday, June 7, vs. Kansas
City, 1:05pm. Selling for discounted price of $60 per ticket. If interested, please contact Adrienne at
(212) 350-3664, or email at adrienne.cohen@acedsl.com.
Spring/Summer Yoga!
Tuesday, 9:30-11:00am; Wednesday, 7:30-9:00pm — Society for Ethical Culture, 4450 Fieldston Road
(opposite Fieldston),mixed ability classes Thursday, 4:30-5:45pm - Riverdale Center — gentle class.
Please ask for more information. To register, please call 718 432 8575 or email yogaforbliss@yahoo.com.
In the Spotlight
(Continued from page 1)
12
Reflecting on the events of the year reinforces
for me the conviction that ECF
has a unique quality that can’t be
found elsewhere. I’ve been part of
this community for 10 years now. While I
am looking forward to new challenges, I will
cherish the relationships I’ve developed over
the years and will always appreciate the sup-
Opportunities Wanted
Private Dog Training and Behavior Modification Services
Dot’s Dog Training & Pet Services serves all breeds, sizes, and ages. Dorotea Rivera, relative of ECF
Development assistant Jessica Torres-Rosa, is a certified dog trainer/ behavior consultant, and a professional
member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Pet CPR and first aid certified. Call (646)
270-5766 or email dot@dotsdogtraining.com. Website: www.dotsdogtraining.com.
Real Estate Agent in Westchester
Looking to buy or list a home in Westchester County? Contact former Fieldston Lower assistant
teacher Nancy Dwinell who is now a fully licensed real estate agent for Houlihan Lawrence. Her telephone
number is (914) 962-4900, ext. 113. Email address is ndwinell@houlihanlawrence.com. She can
help with all real estate needs.
Special Occasion Photographer
Ethical’s assistant librarian and event photographer, Andrea Dolloff, is available for taking family
portraits, documenting bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings, and birthday parties. Please contact her at
AKDblue@aol.com, or (212) 787-9456. Please go to her website www.andreadolloff.com.
Help With Travel Plans
Helene Levine, wife of Fieldston teacher George Levine, has been in the travel business for over 20
years. Knowledgeable and well traveled. Let her help you start planning your next trip or your dream
vacation. She can be reached at (914) 941-2636 or via email at hflevine2004@yahoo.com.
Website Design and Development
The husband of fourth grade EC teacher is a website designer who designed new pages for the EC
library/students section http://www.ecfs.org/projects/eclibrary/. He is looking for more work with
interesting people and organizations, and would be happy to consult with you on websites, large or
small. To see more work, go to his site http://www.tedglass.com. Call Glass at (212) 966-3289 or email
ted@tedglass.com.
Apartment in Brooklyn Wanted
Young professional son of Fieldston teacher looking for apartment convenient to Brooklyn courthouse
(near Borough Hall) beginning in August or September. Open to studio/one bedroom or roommate situations.
Please contact Dave Cooper at DaveCoop@UMich.edu or (202) 746-8216.
One-Bedroom Apartment Needed
Ethical Culture teacher seeks one-bedroom apartment on the Upper East Side. Flexible move-in dates
(June-September). Rent $1500 or anything close to that. Contact clarekfagan@gmail.com or call (914)
557-7656.
Riverdale or Manhattan Apartment Wanted
Fieldston Lower third grade assistant, Amanda Johnson, is searching for an apartment with a movein
date around July 15 or August 1. Looking for a studio, one- or two-bedroom, maximum $1800 a
month. Manhattan or near Fieldston are preferred. Johnson can be reached at
amanda.diane14@gmail.com.
High School or College Student Needed to Walk FL Children
To and From School
Do you have a middle or high schooler who walks to Fieldston from Broadway (maybe from the number
one train) or from further east? Fieldston Lower family is looking for an older child to walk their
children from Broadway, or nearby, to school starting in September. Please contact Tanya at (718)
432-2567. Also looking to hire a high school (or college student) to the two children home from FL
starting in September. We live a mile away from the school and person would be needed to stay with
the children until 5:00-6:00pm a few days a week. Please contact Tanya at (718) 432-2567.
Accolades and Accomplishments
Fieldston English Teacher Receives Fellowship
Fieldston English teacher Michael Morse, on leave next year, received a writing fellowship from the
Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he will be in residence from October
08 through May 09.
Ethical Culture Art Teacher Has Website
Ethical Culture art teacher and artist Molly Stinchfield announces her website! Please visit www.mollystinchfield.com
to see her photographs, prints, and drawings. Comments and questions are welcome!
EC Music Teacher Is Special Conductor
Gary Miller will serve as guest conductor for the international Gay and Lesbian Association of
Choruses (GALA Choruses) convention in Miami July 12-19. He will conduct a select chorus of 100
men from around the world in a concert at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Gary was one
of the founders of GALA Choruses which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary
Fieldston History Teacher’s Book Issued in Paperback
Jim Cullen’s Imperfect Presidents: Tales of Misadventure and Triumph, which was published by Palgrave-
Macmillan last year, will be issued in a paperback edition in June. Cullen also has a piece on civics education
in the current issue of Common-Place (www.common-place.org); he’s currently working on a piece
comparing the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 to the current presidential election, in which he analyzes
the way Stephen Douglas used Fredrick Douglass to portray Abraham Lincoln as an extremist.
port I’ve received from this community. I am
confident that you will extend to Mark
Stanek, our new head of school, that same
support as he leads ECF into the future.6
E t h i c a l L e a r n i n g • A c a d e m i c E x c e l l e n c e • P r o g r e s s i v e E d u c a t i o n