In the Spotlight Hold That Date - Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Photo of Mark J. Stanek by Stan Schnier and girls basketball photo by Diane Silverman
Field Notes
What’s going on at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School
In the Spotlight
Our Next Head of School,
Mark J. Stanek
M a r c h 2 0 0 8
In late January, the ECF board of trustees announced
with great pleasure the appointment of Mark J.
Stanek as the next head of the Ethical Culture
Fieldston School, effective July 1, 2008. This concludes a
search begun last spring that ultimately considered over
240 prospects for the position and involved over 1,000
members of the community who contributed their opinions
on the leadership qualities needed for the future.
Stanek is an outstanding educator with a passionate commitment
to progressive education, academic excellence, and ethical learning. He
comes to ECF from Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, one of
the leading independent schools in the country, where he has been middle
school principal since 2003.
Said Nina P. Freedman, co-chair of the ECF board of trustees and
head of the search committee, “When we began this search, we were
adamant about the need for a leader who believed organically in the
values and the mission of our school. With Mark, we have found a star
poised to lead ECF in this ever-challenging and most exciting 21st century.
He is an exceptional administrator, engaged and engaging, who
manages collaboratively and leads decisively, listens carefully, and
relates with ease to parents, faculty, staff, students, trustees, and alumni
alike. He has been actively involved with issues of social justice,
diversity, and equity at his previous schools and in his personal life. A
strong proponent of the arts as well as academics and athletics, Mark is
an avid reader, a virtuoso trumpeter, and a committed runner.”
Stanek said he has long been impressed by the school’s rich history
and traditions, by Felix Adler’s vision in creating a school that emphasized
academic excellence, ethics, diversity, and ‘learning by doing.’
“The teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and students whom I’ve
met are deeply committed to that vision. It’s exciting to see.”
In its own announcement, Milton Academy described Stanek as “an
outstanding administrator....He is intelligent, compassionate, collaborative,
personable, and courageous—unafraid of saying and doing the right
thing, always keeping the best interests of students uppermost in his
mind. We wish him well in his new role at Ethical Culture Fieldston.”
Stanek is no stranger to meeting challenges at complex institutions.
As middle school principal at Milton, he successfully created a separate
middle school division within a 7-12 upper school, incorporating the
sixth grade from the lower school, and implementing an age-appropriate
educational program with a dedicated faculty. He has managed faculty,
grade deans, athletics, academic and after-school programs as well
as daily operational systems from schedules and budgets to committees.
He also worked closely with Milton’s K-12 faculty to create a
strategic plan for hiring and retaining faculty of color, and a facultytraining
program to further encourage inclusiveness.
Although education was Stanek’s true calling, it wasn’t his first call. After
(Continued on page 10)
Hold That Date
Leafingthrough...
MARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Thu. 3/6 ECF P&T Leadership Meeting @ Fieldston, 7:00pm
Fri.-Sat. F Spring Musical Production, Into the Woods,
3/7-3/8 7:30pm
Thu.-Fri. EC Fourth Grade Play, You’re a Good Man, Charlie
3/13-3/14 Brown, 10:00am
Thu. 3/13 F Family/Advisor Conferences, 2:30-9:30pm
Fri. 3/14 F No Classes
Mon.-Fri. ECF Spring Recess
3/17-3/28
Mon. 3/31 ECF Classes Resume
APRIL HIGHLIGHTS
Thu.-Fri. F Middle School Musical, Once On This Island,
4/10-4/11 (Thu., 4:30pm; Fri., 7:30pm)
Thu. 4/10 F Upper Annual Arts Celebration, 6:30pm
Fri. 4/18 FL Hip Hop Night, 6:00-9:00pm
Mon. 4/21 ECF School Closed - Passover
Sat. 4/26 EC P&T Carnival, 10:00am-3:00pm
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
ECF’s Spring
Awakening
on Page 6
ECF Winterfest, February 8, 2008: Fieldston Form VI girls and boys basketball
players and their parents were honored during their respective games the night
of Winterfest, ECF’s celebration of sports and the arts. Pictured here, from left
to right, are seniors Melanie Hurst, Ntshadi Mofokeng, Sadie Nott, and
Raechel Shaw.
For a complete listing of ECF
events, please see March
Datebook enclosed.
1

Family Matters
Fieldston’s Green Dean
You may know all about the Fieldston Form deans, but you may
not know that the Fieldston campus has a dean, too.
Since 2003, Peter Mott, longtime Fieldston science
teacher, has been our green dean, contributing greatly to all aspects
of the campus expansion and sitting in on the weekly construction
meetings for the past three years. His interests and knowledge
extend to all aspects of the Fieldston environment, from our carbon
footprint to our 450 native shrubs, and the migration patterns of
George the catbird. His educational efforts have ranged from teaching
the ECF community about the features of our new green buildings
to pulling up weeds (invasive species only). He has done a fantastic
job.
“It was Peter’s intention always to turn over the position of
green dean once our campus expansion was complete,” explained
Beth P. Beckmann, interim head of school in a recent announcement
to faculty. “Accordingly, I am pleased to announce the appointment
of Howie Waldman as our next green dean, effective July 1. Most of
you know Howie from his work at Fieldston since 1998, when he
joined us as a science teacher. You know his work as class dean. You
may know his contributions to planting the green roof, alongside
Peter and Kinne Stires.” Prior to Waldman’s coming to Fieldston,
he worked for the Parks Department for over six years as a ranger
and supervisor of planting projects; he has a M.S. in ecology.”
Welcome, Howie! Thank you, Peter!6
March Sightings @ ecfs.org
Fieldston Enrichment Program
http://www.ecfs.org/about/relatedprograms/fep.aspx
Thirty-six years of making a difference to seventh and eighth
grade public school students! Listen to FEP Director, Alfredo C.
Thomas, present an overview of the program and the many positive
ways in which it helps its young scholars.
Eagle TV
http://www.ecfs.org/about/multimedia/eagletv.aspx
This new monthly, student-run news show focuses on events,
achievements, and daily life at ECF. Check out Show #2 posted in
December ’07, featuring arts, trips, and the ever-popular student
question. Be on the lookout for Show #3.
Young Dancemakers Company
http://www.ecfs.org/about/relatedprograms/ydm.aspx
This section about YCD, a free summer dance ensemble composed
of New York City public high school students, has been updated
for the coming season. Don’t miss the new multimedia gallery.
Fieldston Outdoors
http://www.ecfs.org/about/relatedprograms/fieldstonoutdoors.aspx
Now in its 17th season, this popular summer camp is returning
to the Fieldston campus this year with new activities, special projects,
and its perennial focus on nature. 6
2
March Vacation Camps at ECF
If your child is looking for fun and adventure, ECF is offering two
great camps during the March break: March Week of Discovery,
to be held at EC for children grades, PreK through 3, and
Introduction to Video Camp, to be held at Fieldston Middle for students
currently in 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The dates for both
camps are March 17-20, 2008.
Week of Discovery
Led by EC kindergarten teacher, Ginny Katz, the March Week of
Discovery is filled with age-appropriate activities for younger children,
complete with exciting projects, daily videos, and a talent show on the
final day. The program takes full advantage of the gymnasium and
rooftop playground as well as the school’s proximity to Central Park.
The day begins with music and dancing, followed by a brief meeting.
Twice a day, children choose their activity from sports and games, arts
and crafts, cooking, science projects and playing outdoors. Each day
ends with a snack, movie video, and a closing meeting where children
share highlights of their day with the group. Applications for March
are still being accepted. To download an application, go to
https://www.ecfs.org/about/relatedprograms/wod.aspx or for more information,
contact Ginny Katz at gkatz@ecfs.org or (212) 712-6220
ext.3111.
Introduction to Video Camp
Introduction to Video Camp is an exciting, four-day program
introducing creative young learners to filmmaking and broadcast
journalism. It is being offered for the first time this spring. Adam
Watstein, Fieldston filmmaking and broadcast journalism teacher,
will direct the program, along with Drea Marks, technology integrator,
and Jay Trevorrow, director of technology for ECF. The
first two days will be dedicated to learning the basic principles of
filmmaking — from camera work and scriptwriting to directing,
acting, and editing. The second two days will be dedicated to the
basic principles of broadcast journalism — shooting and performing
stand-ups and interviews, writing scripts, performing
voiceovers and editing. Students will work in teams with their age
groups. Applications for March are still being accepted. For more
information, contact Adam Watstein at awatstein@ecfs.org or call
(718) 329-7540.6
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
See the world through different eyes!
That was the theme of the second
annual Foreign Language Week which
took place at Fieldston the week of
February 4-8. It was a fun-filled week of
exciting new sights, sounds, and flavors for
the entire community to experience.
The students were involved in many activities
all week long, both in and out of their foreign
language classes. The week began with
an assembly in the upper school on Monday
morning where a group of Chinese students
sang a song, followed by a group of French
students accompanied by foreign language
teacher Vincent Lebrun who also sang. The
assembly ended with a demonstration of
Spanish Flamenco dancing and singing. After
the assembly, students enthusiastically attended
a Flamenco workshop where they learned
basic steps and movements.
The students in the middle school had an
extended assembly period on Tuesday morning
where Latin and Chinese students performed,
singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star in
Chinese and Latin as well as other songs they
had learned in their classes. That was followed
by a lively Argentinean tango demonstration.
The middle school students were
then able to attend a workshop to learn the
basic steps of the tango from the professional
dancers who had performed at the assembly.
Tuesday morning, my Spanish VI class
met downtown to see a production of
García Lorca’s play La Casa de Bernarda
Alba at the Repertorio Español Theater.
Afterwards they went out for a Mexican
lunch. Back at Fieldston, students were
treated to an Andean music workshop during
activities period, where they learned
about the instruments and sounds of the
Andean region of South America.
Throughout the week there were foreign
language films shown during activities
period and in various classes. Spanish
teachers David Little and Maura Furfey’s
classes viewed the Uruguayan/Argentinean
film, El Ultimo Tren, over two days of class
and participated in blogs and class discussions
about the movie. The French film, Ma
Vie en Rose, and El Ultimo Tren were also
shown during activities period. Even students
who do not study the languages spoken
in these two films attended the screenings.
In addition, on Tuesday there were
short foreign language films shown continuously
in the Student Commons.
See the World through
Different Eyes
Foreign Language Week at Fieldston
Middle and Upper
by Esperanza Caño, Foreign Language Teacher, Fieldston
Upper school students enjoyed making tortillas
after a demonstration by Spanish
teacher Esperanza Cano.
Chinese students took their turns at speed
dating.
After a workshop in the basics, middle school
students tried dancing the tango.
On Wednesday, in celebration of the
Chinese New Year students were treated to a
pot sticker cooking demonstration as well as
an all day demonstration of Chinese calligraphy
where they learned to write happy new
year greetings in Chinese. In the afternoon
there was a workshop of Dominican folkloric
music. David Little’s Spanish IV class
attended the workshop on Afro-Dominican
music on Wednesday and then explored in
more depth this musical and cultural movement
which strives to promote the country’s
African heritage. Later that afternoon foreign
language teacher Melanie. Cooper-
Leary’s Form III French class performed
Moliere’s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme.
The middle school held foreign language
cartoon day on Wednesday. Students were
also treated to a cooking demonstration of a
Gallette de Rois (Three Kings Cake) by foreign
language teacher Angele Branca, and a
Mexican cooking demonstration by foreign
language teacher Alice Montera. On Friday
the upper school was treated to a cooking
demonstration of quesadillas by foreign language
department chair Christine Pérez. In
addition to the cooking demonstrations,
Bolivian folkloric dance troupe,
Caporales San Simon, gave a
demonstration of the Caporales
dance.
Middle school students sang a selection of
French songs accompanied by French teacher
Vincent Lebrun.
everyone was treated to delicious multinational
foods all week long in the Fieldston
dining room, where each day was dedicated
to a different country’s cuisine.
On Thursday, the Bolivian folkloric
dance group Caporales San Simón
(http://www.caporalessansimonny.com/) performed
a small demonstration. After the
performance, several students learned some
steps and danced to a couple of songs. They
learned that the Caporales dance originated
in the 1960s, but that it reaches back to the
colonial Afro-American heritage of Yungas,
an area north of the capital city of La Paz.
The French students (Forms I-VI) participated
in a concert of old and new French
and Belgian songs on Thursday with Vincent
Lebrun and percussion teacher Scott Latzky
accompanying the singers on piano, drums,
and trombone. The students, who had
learned these songs in their classes, were all
able to share their talents.
It was an exciting and eventful week for
students and faculty. Through song, dance,
film, and food, the entire Fieldston community
was able to “see the world through
different eyes.” 6
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
3
Photos by Christine Perez

EC fifth grade photos by Lan Heng; FL photo by Jen Scarlott; EC first grade photo by Hettie Jordan Vilanova
Class Life
(Continued from page 3)
Collaboration and
Commitment
EC Fifth Grade Invent Simple Machines
by Jen Erdman, Fifth Grade Science Teacher; Lan
Heng, Computer Teacher; Hettie Jordan-Vilanova,
Social Studies Workshop Teacher, Ethical Culture
Rube Goldberg - n. A comically involved, complicated invention, laboriously
contrived to perform a simple operation.
Fifth graders at Ethical are
immersed in a science/shop/technology-integrated
project to build
Rube Goldberg-like machines. After creating
and gaining an understanding of
simple machines in their science class,
they are developing complex machines
with Lego Mindstorm robotics and
materials found in social studies workshop
and science class. While their
inventions will perform simple tasks,
the process of building these machines
requires focus and hard work.
To kick off the project, the students
met with their science teacher Jen
Erdman, social studies workshop
teacher Hettie Jordan-Vilanova, and
computer teacher Lan Heng during integrated time. They viewed examples
of Rube Goldberg inventions, and in small groups, facilitated by
their teachers, the students brainstormed ideas for group projects. One
group created a machine called Gumball Boy. The purpose of this
machine is to give a gumball to a boy made of Legos. To do this, the
group plans to have a robotic arm release a gumball that rolls down a
spiral tube. From the spiral tube, the gumball drops onto a conveyor
belt, which brings it to an inclined plane and then through a closed
tube. It then triggers a touch sensor on the boy who then says, “No
gum in school!”
A multidisciplinary open-ended project of this nature demands creative
scheduling of time for design, construction, programming, and
test runs. To provide for longer blocks of time the teachers involved
have combined their classes. As a result, the students have been working
in whole class two-hour blocks of time twice a week in February
and March.
This fifth grade project is a creative endeavor that requires team
work, collaborative effort, and commitment. Successful process and
product demands application of science, technology, creative thinking,
and problem solving. Upon completion, the students will exhibit and
share their projects with the school community. 6
Ask the Experts: What is a Good Playground?
EC First Graders Research, Observe, and Create
by Hettie Jordan-Vilanova, Social Studies Workshop Teacher, Ethical Culture
Natural Wonders Outside Our
Classroom Windows
New Nature Curriculum for Fieldston
Lower’s PreK and K
by Jennifer Scarlott, Kindergarten Assistant
Teacher, Fieldston Lower
From explorations
with
wood and avocado
seeds in PreK, to
composting and the
three R’s (reduce, reuse,
recycle!) in Lillian
Polite’s kindergarten,
to woodland animals
and an adopted tree in
Laura Feinberg-
Smith’s kindergarten,
the youngest children at Fieldston Lower have plunged into a new
“nature curriculum” designed to reinforce children’s innate sense
of wonder at the natural world. Under the aegis of an ECF venture
grant, Cathy Burns-McDonald in PreK, kindergarten teachers
Lillian Polite, Laura Feinberg-Smith, and their respective assistant
teachers Jyoti Gopal and Jen Scarlott are working with Fieldston
colleagues Peter Mott, Howie Waldman, and Kinne Stires, and faculty
at Ethical Culture, to introduce our youngest students to their
“nature neighbors.”
Building on the long-standing seed and monarch butterfly studies,
such local denizens as the raccoon and skunk, garden spider and
millipede, maple and oak, are helping the children to expand their
horizons beyond home and school, to the garden and woods of our
campus and beyond. Our hands-on approach to nature means much
time outdoors, from impromptu visits to the garden to meet an opossum
found by the maintenance staff, to open-ended play in the
woods of Wave Hill and Van Cortlandt Park, and more structured
visits to the Wolf Center of Salem, NY, and Greenwich Audubon.
The children and teachers are discovering that studying nature
reveals and fosters a deep sense of community among us, and
between us and our natural neighbors. We are also finding that
tapping our ECF colleagues’ knowledge, resources, and creative
ideas about the local environment is as natural as “falling off a
log.” Our focus is not on “saving the world,” but rather on fostering
a love and excitement for what is right outside our windows. For
the longer term, we hope to lay a foundation of sensitivity and
awareness that will lead to life-long exploration of science and
nature, and an eventual commitment to joining in efforts to preserve
the environment.6
During integrated time (the opportunity in the school schedule for teachers to collaborate) Barbara
Lancaster’s and Carline Blanc’s first grade students have explored what makes a good playground.
They have visited several playgrounds in New York’s Central Park and Battery Park City
and compared the safety and fun of each. They have collected information to design their own playgrounds,
and now in social studies workshop each class is building their own playground with materials
found in the shop — clay, papier mache, pipe cleaners, wood, and recycled paper rolls and containers.
Elements that kids think are important include some of the regular features of traditional playgrounds, but they have also added some
new ones: a grassy hill to roll down, a snake climber, rocks to climb, a bouncing swing, a high tower, the sound of water, and building
materials. The final playground model will live in each classroom so that it can be “renovated” as new ideas occur to the students. 6
4
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
The Middle School Literary Magazine
by Allison Flom, Eighth Grade, Fieldston Middle
One of the many clubs that takes place in the middle school is Anonymous,
the new literary magazine. Working on it requires students to do many
jobs such as write, edit, and organize the submissions. Anonymous
boxes have been around the school and many students have submitted creative
work such as poetry, art, and short stories. The magazine is helping students
show their work to the rest of the school, either by submitting anonymously or
proudly putting their name on it.
The club is organized by English teacher Laurie Hornik and history teacher
Victoria Pasquantonio, both in the middle school. A collaboration of sixth, seventh,
and eighth graders are working with them to put together everyone’s
pieces in a way that will make people want to read the magazine. All of the
issues are going to have something special, which is another great thing about
both working on it and getting to read it. Since many students have probably
never submitted anything to either a newspaper or a magazine, this is a phenomenal
opportunity to do so. Students put lots of thought into their submissions,
which makes the magazine all that much better. Overall, the Fieldston
Middle School community will, without a doubt, benefit from this magazine.6
Sixth Grade Free Painting
Our second assignment during the fall term was a “free painting.” A “free”
assignment is one in which the student can choose the subject of their
composition. Throughout the course of the project, a variety of painting
techniques and concepts (paint mixing, brushstroke, texture, perspective, etc.)
were demonstrated. In addition, a number of guidelines were introduced to further
challenge the kids and encourage them to develop a more complete composition.
— Eric Botnick, Visual Arts Teacher, Fieldston Middle School 6
Presidential Election
2008
FL Fifth Graders Are Excited
by Vedika Gopal, Henry Miller, Khamen
Bynoe, and Sarah Jacobs; Fifth Grade
Students, Fieldston Lower
Vedika: The fifth graders had an assignment to
make a poster about the candidates running for president.
The assignment was to write a little bit about
each candidate. In our paragraph about the candidate
we had to include two issues that each candidate
supported. We also had to include one issue that
they did not support. Next to each paragraph we had
to put a picture of the candidate.
Henry: While going through the process of making
the poster, I learned about many issues in the presidential
election. Though I already knew something
about the candidates from listening to conversations
at home, it was good to learn their thoughts on all
the different issues that matter in this year’s election.
Khamen: I had a lot of fun doing the presidential
project poster. It was interesting looking at all of the
candidates and learning about what they support and
what they don’t support. I also liked looking at everyone
else’s posters and seeing how much time and
effort they put into their projects. I put a lot of effort
into mine. I like to make it colorful because it
attracts people to it.
Sarah: In doing this project I learned all about the
issues like stem-cells and abortion, which before the
project I didn’t know existed. I learned more about
the two parties, such as what they supported and
what they didn’t. This project has helped me so much
with learning about the primaries, now when I watch
presidential primaries and such on the news I understand
and I can discuss it with family and friends.
Vedika: This assignment really helped me understand
what my parents would talk about when they
discussed the elections. After the project I started to
actually want to watch the debates and I also started
keeping up with which candidate won each primary.
Henry: Honestly, I used to be very bored listening
to news reports or conversations about politics.
Though, at times, I can still feel the same way, most
of the time, now, I can understand what is going on
in these conversations. I can add my own thoughts
and questions. Knowing about the candidates and
their positions helps to make politics interesting.
Now I am really interested in how it all turns out
in November. 6
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
5
Sixth grade paintings, top left, Tamar Gordis; top right, Ryder Kimball; bottom left, Layla Sharifi; bottom right, Katie Smilow

Photos by Victoria Jackson
P&T Corner
ECF’s Spring Awakening
Circle April 12, 2008 on your calendars! That Saturday afternoon,
the ECF P&T will be hosting a mini-university for
parents. Your children will no longer be the only ones who
benefit from an ECF education.
We have reached out to our very talented pool of parents and
faculty and come up with four terrific panels covering a wide range
of topics. As FieldNotes goes to press, we are still finalizing the
program, so here is just a preview: We have invited parents
Meredith Vieira and Harry Smith to discuss the upcoming election
Viva Las Vegas
February 9 may have been a cold, dreary Saturday night in
New York, but if you were in the Puck building in lower
Manhattan, you would have never known it. Through the
doors of that majestic building was a world of high rollers, endless
buffets, and great music. Tired ECF parents and weary teachers
were transformed into an elegant crowd who filled the room with
animated conversation, dined on fabulous food, and danced all
night.
Ah, the magic of Vegas!!!!!
Benefit co-chairs Lisa Kadin and Lara Holtz not only put on a
fabulous party, but over 700 people came out to support Ethical
Culture Fieldston in its mission to provide an exceptional education
for our children. Your generosity purchased more than 100 items
for the Giving Tree, ranging from garden tools to a pitching
machine to SmartBoards. Overall, Viva Las Vegas grossed
over $500.000!
6
by Judy Mills Johnson, Chair, ECF P&T
with Fieldston history teacher and author Jim Cullen. Fieldston
film teacher Adam Watstein will moderate a panel of filmmakers:
Tony Gilroy, Adam Brooks, and David Koepp. Writers Ted
Conover, Richard Cohen, and Ben Ratliff will discuss their recent
books with Fieldston English teacher and author Michael Morse.
We will also have a conversation about finance and economics witn
Stephen Dubner. Come for one hour, or stay all afternoon.
Childcare will be available for children up to grade six. Watch for
more information in the next few weeks!6
Viva Las Vegas, the ECF benefit for the annual
fund, was a great party attended by more than
700 parents, faculty, administrators, and staff.
Pictured here from top left to right are: the parent
volunteers who staged the wonderful event; two of
the many parents who danced to the night’s great
music; faculty and parents who dined together. In
the photo at the bottom left are, from left, interim
head of school Beth Beckmann, ECF P&T chair
Judy Mills-Johnson, and chair of the ECF board
of trustees, Nina Freedman; bottom right, Judy
Mills-Johnson, far left, and trustee Laura
Blankfein, far right, who presented thank you gifts
to Viva co-chairs, Lara Holtz and Lisa Kadin.
The evening’s success also belongs to the scores of volunteers
from all four divisions who did everything from designing the journal
(Meghan Mackay), to selling ads (Lisa Liman, Pam Wakoff),
designing the invitations and logo (John DiRe), soliciting raffle
prizes and the delectables on the Gourmet Wheel (Laura Zemmel,
Melissa Gerstein, Lisa Seidman, Maria Dinella), transforming the
Puck Building (Jen Stone, Pam Newman, Mallory Huberman , Suzi
Stadler), arranging entertainment (Paula Block, Tom Casciato,
Natalia Antrobus), publicity (Sarah Horowitz, Liz Holub), editing
(Marla Franzese, Ellen Levi-Minzi), coordinating logistics and volunteers
(Michael Nott, Peter Mayer), and creating our great party
favor (Lori Friedman).
All of which made Viva Las Vegas a night to remember!
If you would like to be involved in planning next year’s event
contact Lisa Kadin at lkadin@earthlink.net or Lara Holtz at laraholtz@gmail.com.
6 — Judy Mills-Johnson
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

Spreading Our Wings
ECF Sports, Performances, Clubs, and More
Students Reach for the Stars
In several events at Fieldston held during the first week of February,
upper school students demonstrated their skills, their creativity, and how
learning goes beyond the classroom. The Fieldston Dance Company studied
this year the choreography of Twyla Tharp and performed an excerpt of
her piece, Eight Jelly Rolls on February 1. The Fieldston Opera Company
sang Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury in two performances that week.
And, on February 8, an evening celebration of arts and sports, Winterfest,
took place featuring the Fieldston Form III dance students who performed
for parents and friends in the school’s Dance Theater Lab while the junior
varsity and varsity girls and
boys basketball teams competed
against Trinity on our
home courts.6
Fieldston’s Musical Journey
Into The Woods, March 7 and 8
This year I am thrilled to be directing the Fieldston upper school
musical, Into The Woods, one of my all-time favorite musicals.
With a complex and beautiful score by Stephen Sondheim, and
cleverly written book by James Lapine, the show provides the student
actor with complex and well-developed characters to portray.
Although the music is challenging, the cast has risen to the occasion.
Into The Woods brings together assorted characters from wellknown
fairy tales who must journey “into the woods” to fulfill their
dreams. The show poses the question, “Is there such a thing as happily
ever after?” It warns the audience to be careful what you wish
for. The show also makes the audience reflect on each individual’s
life journey and the choices and mistakes we make along the way.
by Stephanie Stone, Performing Arts Teacher, Fieldston
We chose the show not only for its outstanding score, but also
for the large number of substantial roles in the cast. The story is
moving, entertaining, and at times dark. We suggest that children
under nine years not attend the show.
Music direction is by William Norman, set design by Hannah
Shafran ‘02, and lighting design is by Larson Rose. The show will
include six student musicians in the orchestra. The set is built and
operated by student technicians.
Tickets are available at the door and are $3 for students and $5
for adults.
Performances will be held March 7 and 8 at 7:30pm in the 7
Fieldston auditorium. 6
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 Diane Silverman

Photos by Stan Schnier
The ECF Difference
Snapshots
Profiles of ECF Administrative, Teaching, and Support Staff
8
Stephanie Stone
Drama Teacher, Fieldston Middle and Upper
12th year
Regina Belen
Fourth Grade Teacher, Fieldston Lower
3rd year
Regina started at FL as a leave replacement for Karen
Merille, then last year took some leave herself, with the birth
of her first child, a baby girl. She has a teaching degree from
Boston University, a master’s in education from Harvard, and
an M.S. from University of Pennsylvania in counseling. Before
coming to FL, Regina taught in the Boston public schools and
was also a teacher trainer in Mozambique with the Peace
Corps. Regina and her husband love to travel, but not this
year. These days on weekends you’ll find them hanging out,
“either visiting my parents or his, with the baby.” 6
If it’s March, it’s showtime! Stephanie is directing the high school musical
(Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, March 7 and 8) this year, and it’s going to be
terrific. A Fieldston graduate, Stephanie went on to NYU, performed for a year in
Pittsburgh, and taught theater for three years at Sacred Heart before coming
home. Of course her interests include going to the theater and reading
new plays, but she also enjoys working out, spending time with her
husband and two young children, Charlie and Margot, and collecting
antiques, an interest cultivated by her parents. (That interest
has come in handy when furnishing the family’s new home.)6
Rose Ann Kimmel
28th year
Learning Specialist, EC
Personality can
open doors, but only
character can
keep them open..
— Elmer G. Letterman
Quote of the Month
In her years at ECF, Rose Ann has worked at both lower schools, but this is her seventh
year back at EC. A learning specialist in fourth and fifth grades, Rose Ann is passionate
about the school and its mission. “I have always loved this school’s commitment to social
justice,” she says, “because that is our family commitment too.” On the weekends, she and
her husband spend time photographing around New York and are active in the Westchester
Photographic Society. You can see their fine arts photographs in several current exhibits: at
Northern Westchester Hospital and at the JCC of mid-Westchester (both through mid-
April) and at the Larchmont Public Library until the end of March.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

An Appreciative Eye on the ECF Community
Cornerstones
Special Events and Projects That Reflect Our Values
Fieldston Student Is Semifinalist in Intel Science Talent Search
In January, Fieldston senior Ben Loffredo was honored as a semifinalist
in the Intel Science Talent Search. Loffredo’s project was one
of 300 projects so recognized from among the 1,602 entries nationwide.
As a semifinalist, Loffredo received a $1,000 award, with an
additional $1,000 awarded to Fieldston.
Loffredo ’s experiment consisted of surveys administered at The
Mountain School and Fieldston during the 2006-2007 school year. His
research paper is titled “From Offense to Defense: Direct and Carry-
Over Justification of Global and Local Systems in Response to System
Threats.” Loffredo explains his research as follows: “The theory of system
justification posits that individuals have a psychological need to
justify social systems of which they are apart. This defensive reaction is
exacerbated by system-level threats. Through surveys of students, two
experiments show that a threat to a large system (American economy)
produces a carry-over reaction, bolstering defense of a local system
(private schooling); sometimes a threat to the local system likewise produces
a carry-overreaction. These findings are important because they
The Multicultural Theater Collective
by Clare Mottola, Co-Chair, Performing Arts Department,
Fieldston
Each week in the balcony of the dining hall, the Fieldston Multicultural
Theatre Collective is charting a new course as it embarks on its maiden
voyage. Over lunch, an ambitious group of Fieldston students (Forms IV-
VI) are breaking new ground on the challenges of creating and producing an
original piece of theatre. Their concerns are more far-reaching than the concrete,
logistical issues that face any performance company. This team is interested in
creating theater that examines, studies, and celebrates a diverse range of voices
and themes. By examining scripted and non-scripted material (works by August
Wilson and Anna Deavere Smith among them) and working with guest artists
(David Gonzalez, Jack Viertel, Misa Dayson, and Alice Jankell, to name a few),
the members of the collective are able to experience the wide range of voices in
today’s world of performing arts.
The collective is a student-based effort under the supervision of Fieldston
faculty and staff. The core students leading this project include: Michaela
Swee, Sophie Blumberg, Joel Fernandez, Lizzie Roberts, and Kaycee Bauer.
Additional participants working as writer/researchers include: Leya
Petrovani, BeckyLee Dell, Cathy Cao, Tim Hamlin, Brandi Locke, Lio
Sigerson, Amanda Lerner, and Samantha Sterman. These students will work
closely with Fieldston faculty and staff: Kate Fox-Reynolds, Hugo Mahabir,
Shelby Stokes, Maura Furfey, Michael Morse, Nathan Williams, and William
Norman. The team is currently in the field, interviewing subjects and beginning
to shape material around a chosen theme. The process culminates in a
performance of this interview-based text created by the collective and performed
by faculty, staff, students, alumni, family, and friends. We are inviting
all members of the community to join us — both on and off-stage! Please contact
Clare Mottola, cmottola@ecfs.org. We look forward to hearing from you.6
enhance understanding of the psychological motivation for status quo
bias, and of why individuals ‘close their minds to social change.”
The supervising scientist for Loffredo’s project was John Jost,
Associate Professor of Psychology at New York University. Ben spent
many hours in the Jost Lab at N.Y.U. designing his experiment and
analyzing and interpreting the results.
Loffredo’s project was facilitated by his participation in
Fieldston’s multi-year science research course and the support of
three teachers in Fieldston’s science department. Paul Church
encouraged him to enroll in the course. Howie Waldman taught the
first-year science research class and worked with Ben as he started
his research project. Benjamin Wearn was Loffredo’s project advisor
during his second and third years of participation.
For more information, please go to
http://www.societyforscience.org/sts/press/20080116.asp. If you
have questions about the project contact Loffredo directly at bloffredo@gmail.com
6
Fieldston Lower Celebrates
Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Laura Stewart, Diversity Coordinator,
Fieldston Lower
This year’s Martin Luther King assemblies were a
change from years past as we decided to have two
assemblies, one for PreK through second grade and a
second for the older students, third through fifth grades.
For our youngest students, music teachers Blake Rowe
and Julius Petty put together a wonderful collection of songs
using the theme of peace and justice. Children sang together
and performed for one another such classics as This Little
Light of Mine and We’re All a Family.
The older students were treated to a presentation by
parent Lauren Cross about her experience as a child growing
up with the children of Dr. King. Some of the students
looked at me in astonishment, “You mean she really knew
Martin Luther King?!” In addition to the singing of freedom
songs, again led by Rowe and Petty, the fifth grade presented
a play telling the story of children’s involvement in the
desegregation of Birmingham, Alabama. The play involved
35 fine actors, a props department that helped to dress up
the play and keep transitions running smoothly, and a tech
crew who put together a slide show and playlist to round out
the experience. At the end of the assembly, the third grade
led us all out of the gym to the joyful sound of Mavis Staples
singing Eyes on the Prize.6
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
9

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
March 7th. (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 Wanted
Nutrition Counselor
Jennifer Newman, daughter of EC faculty member Arlene Newman, has an MS degree in clinical
nutrition from NYU. She will develop an individualized nutrition plan for people of all ages, help you
lose weight, and incorporate a healthy diet into your lifestyle; treat or reduce your risk of disease.
Contact Jennifer Newman, (646) 338-2105, or jenlnewman@gmail.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 Ted at
(212) 966-3289 or email ted@tedglass.com.
Piano Teacher
Fieldston parent Vicki Dine is a piano teacher who is available for private lessons in your home. Has
been teaching the Fieldston community for over seven years. References available. She holds a masters
degree from Juilliard. If interested, please call Dine at (914) 649-4552.
Two-Bedroom Apartment Wanted
EC physical education teacher Jeff Ginsberg’s cousin would like to rent a two- bedroom apartment
in Manhattan or Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, or Boerum Hill in Brooklyn. Is willing to pay
$2,500-$3,000 rent. Needs 800-1000 square feet. Preferably near park for toddler. If you
know of any available apartments, please contact simon@horwith.com.
High-Chair Needed
Fieldston middle parent is in need of a high-chair for his new six-month daughter. If you have
one that is no longer being used and would like to donate it, please call Edgar at (212) 362-
2879 or email nurainrunner@yahoo.com.
V
Opportunities Offered
East Williamsburg, Brooklyn Loft for Sale
Loft for sale in East Williamsburg, 1400 square feet; $520,000. Great space for creative people!
Nice building, three blocks from the J, M, Z trains between Myrtle and Flushing stops.
Building has a beautiful roof deck with Manhattan views. Three bedrooms are built, but can
be removed easily for custom design. Building is just going condo and this loft is being sold at
an insider’s price. Great home or investment property! Contact Jeremy from the ECF office
of institutional advancement and alumni at jeremy@greenpeacenyc.org or (917) 991-5450.
Columbia County House for Rent
For rent by Fieldston family for spring and/or summer — three-bedroom, fully furnished
house on five plus acres. Located just off Taconic Parkway in E. Taghkanic (approximately
two hours north of Manhattan). Use of heated pool. For more information, please contact
Faye at (917) 209-8869.
Vacation Rental, Antique Cape, Breathtaking View on 50 Acres
Relax on the stone terrace of this lovely 1761 central chimney cape and see Maine’s Sheepscot
River Valley as it has been for over 200 years. With its rolling, forested hills and a tidal river,
the historic valley has provided jobs for past generations of industrious people. There is an
uncommon peace in this unspoiled place, nestled between whispering pines and a gently sloping
field, where deer, hawks, and turkeys can be seen. Four bedrooms and two-and-a-half
baths in the main house with an extra bedroom in the guest house. Available July 13 to July
30. $1,500 per week. Call Fieldston science teacher Kinne Stires at (718) 601-0350 or see the
rest of this ad, with pictures, on http://www.VRBO.com/45053.
In the Spotlight
(Continued from page 1)
graduating from Hamilton College with a degree
in math, he worked briefly in business.
“Although I initially thought working in the business
world would be fulfilling, I quickly realized
after a few months that I needed to seek a different
path,” he recalled. “Spending a summer
working with young adolescents with emotional
and behavioral challenges solidified my interest
in working with kids. Soon after, I accepted an
internship at an independent school and realized
quickly that teaching through relationships is
one of the most important and fulfilling
aspects of successful education. Ever
10 since then, I have sought out communities
that value these critical relationships,
appreciate differences, and have a commitment
to progressive education.”
Stanek holds a master’s degree in educational
administration with a concentration in
private school leadership from Teachers
College, Columbia University, where he was the
recipient of both a Klingenstein and a Rose
Fellowship. He received an N.A.I.S. (National
Association of Independent Schools) fellowship
for aspiring heads and is currently co-authoring
a second edition of The Middle School
Handbook for that organization. He is a board
member of Citizens’ Schools in Boston. He
graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton,
New York, with a B. A. in mathematics and
attended the University of Cincinnati
Conservatory of Music. In his 16-year career in
Community-Supported Agriculture Needs You!
Join other families in the Norwood (Bronx) Food Coop and receive fresh, organic produce
from June to November from small upstate organic farms, meet your neighbors, and build
community! Registration for the 2008 summer season has begun — choose shares of organic
vegetables, fruits, milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, beef, and chicken for less than green market
prices and in exchange for a few hours work with other coop members during the season. Go
to www.norwoodfoodcoop.org or contact FL parent Tanya Greene at (718) 432-2567 or for
more information and to register.
Yoga
This season give your system a boost — strengthen and rejuvenate your whole being with
blissful Hatha Yoga.
* Tuesdays, mixed levels - 9:30-11:00am
* Wednesdays (please inquire) - 5:30-7:00pm
* Wednesdays, mixed levels - 7:30-9:00pm
* Thursdays, gentle - 4:00-5:15pm
For more information, or to register, call Neem, wife of Fieldston dean of faculty, Hugo
Mahabir, at (718) 432-8575 or email yogaforbliss@yahoo.com.
Why? Because kids in under-resourced
New York City Schools need books in their
classrooms
When? Monday, March 3 through
Thursday, March 6
Where? In the designated Project
Cicero boxes on each floor of Fieldston
Middle School. Collection boxes will also
be available in the upper school.
What kinds of books? New and gently used
hardcover and paperback books for children
and young adults, including picture books,
early readers, fiction, non- fiction, biographies,
and reference books. (No textbooks,
library discards, or reference books more than
five years old, please.)
How can kids get involved? Volunteers
are needed in school to monitor and refresh
the boxes and help with the box pick-up on
March 6-7. Volunteers are especially needed
for the book sorting and distribution at the
Hotel Pennsylvania in midtown March 7-9.
Friday, March 7 (4:00-10:00pm), Book
Sorting: help unpack, sort and display the
thousands of books received from schools
across the city.
The Lively Arts
Fieldston Dance Teacher Performs in Play
See the premiere of Echo Lake, a new play with movement, co-written and performed by Rob
O’Neill, Fieldston dance teacher, at the Arclight Theatre, March 6-16. Go to
www.EMBODIMENTworkshops.org/echolake for tickets and details.
Fieldston Lower Parents’ Band Performs
In late February, Fieldston Lower parents Beth and Mark Miller and Sarah Banks performed
with their band Spuyten Duyvil at the BronxParkSpeakUpXIV, an informational gathering for
local environmental organizations and people interested in Bronx parks. The band played traditional
and original American roots music.
EC Art Teacher In Show
EC art teacher Molly Stinchfield had a piece in the Generations 6 show at the A.I.R. Gallery at
511 West 25th Street in Chelsea in February. She also recently received a grant from the
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council for a photography and sound project she is working on
with urban studies professor and artist Arianna Martinez called Latina Enough: An
Exploration of Latina Identities in a Post-modern City.
Middle School’s Project Cicero
Donate Your New and Gently Used Books to Project Cicero
Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9
(9:00am - 6:00pm), Book Distribution
and Continued Sorting: Help invited
teachers and librarians select books for their
schools and classroom; volunteers also continue
sorting and restocking books, and
assisting teachers.
Volunteers can sign up for specific shifts
during the weekend, give as much time as
you can from a few hours to the whole
weekend. Parents are invited to participate
with their kids as well.
Please contact Fieldston middle school P&T
community service committee —Jamie
Emhoff Gottesfeld at jmeeg@aol.com or
Carol Terilli at iriept@aol.com with any questions
or if you would like to get involved.
Project Cicero is a not-for-profit partnership
of more than 90 New York City independent,
parochial, and public Schools, The New
York Society Library, Children for Children
Foundation, Vornado Realty Trust, The NY
Post, in association with the New York City
Teaching Fellows and Teach for America
New York. Go to www.projectcicero.org.
Build Classroom Libraries!
Share a Love of Reading!
Help Conserve the Environment by
Reusing and Sharing Books!
education, Mark has won many awards for
excellence in teaching and coaching.
Before accepting his current position at
Milton, Mark worked at the Athenian School
in Danville, California, a progressive school
where he was dean of students for the middle
school, a mathematics teacher, and coach of
the school’s track and field team. In addition
to his work at the Athenian School, Mark’s
independent school experience includes faculty
positions at Culver Academies (Culver,
Indiana) and Kentucky Country Day School
(Louisville, Kentucky) as well as dean of faculty
at Summerbridge (Louisville, Kentucky).
We look forward to welcoming Mark and
his partner, David Clarke, to the ECF community.
— Ginger Curwen 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