NO
RTH
Ret
urn
TH ERN
LIG
HT
EB SCH
OO
EA CO N L
Lett er Issu Qu e1 amp from t arte he F us • • Spr oun rly STE NLS i der n New A g MC Fam 2 • In 0 slet 21 ilies ter v l ter : Me assroo i e ww m et t ith R he M & La b• o ood Dev y Dan ies • ovit elo Alu mni pment ch, Hea S do Upd f ate potligh t: A School •U n pco min n Maie r g Ev N O RT H E R N L I G H T S C H O O L ents Giving Tre 3 7 1 0 D O R I S A A V E N U E • O A K L A N D, C A 9 4 6 0 5
to C
W W W. N O R T H E R N L I G H T S C H O O L . C O M • 5 1 0 . 9 5 7 . 0 5 7 0 DEVELOPMENT@NORTHERNLIGHTSCHOOL.COM
e
Issue 1 • Feature Stories • Spring 2021 Interview with Roy Danovitch, Head of School Dr. Roy Danovitch began his tenure as Northern Light School’s third Head of School in October 2019. Since then, his focus has been on connecting with as many community members as possible, even in the midst of a global pandemic. In this Q&A for our inaugural issue of The Beacon, Dr. Roy shares insights from his first year at NLS, how the school reopened, and a little of his own story as well.
Fast Facts: Return to Campus
Full STEAM Ahead! Thanks to the generosity of donors, students in grades 2-8 have begun their STEAM studies in the brand-new Classroom Lab this spring!
As the global community navigates the current health crisis and its related financial impact, Northern Light School is dedicated to making the best decisions about providing safe, in-person instruction for the community.
Development Spotlight: The Ann Maier Giving Tree The first annual Ann Maier Giving Tree was a beautiful evening of magic and holiday celebration!
NLS Families Meet The Moodies Jennifer Eastgate Moodie and Damond Moodie and their three children—Talei, ‘18, Tiko ‘20, and Venina, ‘23—share a little about why they chose Northern Light School and what they love most about the community.
Alumni Update Bakari Ziegler, ‘10 Bakari Ziegler, ‘10, shares about his path to a career in law, and what he learned at NLS that keeps him motivated to this day!
From the Founder Dearest Friends, I am so thrilled to share with you the first issue of our new Quarterly Newsletter, an opportunity to highlight some of the moments of magic that take place at Northern Light School. The past two years proved to be exceptionally challenging, not just for our school community, but for everyone.The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it, especially for children all over the world. Months ago, as our global society began to look ahead to the future with anticipation and hope for better days and a transition to a different way of life, Northern Light School faculty and staff, and administration began to look forward to reopening our campus to students and families. Our focus has been on safety, community, and sustainability for our educational programming and the truly transformative experience we have offered the Bay Area’s children for over three decades. As we once again open the doors at 3710 Dorisa
In the Interest of the Children,
Avenue to yearning hearts and minds, we continue to prove that Impossible is Nothing! In this issue, you will “meet” Dr. Roy and hear about how we reopened; learn the fast facts of our return to campus; take a peek inside our new STEAM Laboratory and classroom; read about one of the development highlights of 2020, the Ann Maier Giving Tree; learn about a truly special Northern Light School family, the Moodies; and hear from one of our outstanding alumni, Bakari Ziegler, Class of ‘10. Be sure to check out our upcoming events and important dates! You don’t want to miss our 26th Annual Eighth Grade Graduation, a live-streamed celebration, as well as the Vida Blue Celebrity Golf Invitational at the Sequoyah Country Club. Thank you for your continued support of the children, and for always, always helping them to reach their stars!
Interview with Roy Danovitch, Head of School Dr. Roy Danovitch began his tenure as Northern Light’s third Head of School in October 2019. Since then, his focus has been on connecting with as many community members as possible, even in the midst of a global pandemic. In this Q&A for our first issue of The Beacon, Dr. Roy shares insights from his first year at NLS, how the school reopened, and a little of his own story, as well. What brought you to the Northern Light School family? Before coming to Northern Light, I was living in New York and completing my doctorate in education. All the while, I knew I wanted to return to a school with a progressive, student-centered mission – one that provided children an excellent and empowering education, supported by caring and engaged teachers and staff. So I was so excited when the opportunity came up at Northern Light! Share a little about your educational philosophy. I was far from a traditional student growing up, and my favorite part of school was running to the basketball court as soon as the bell rang for recess! But I was lucky to have a number of inspiring teachers who helped me develop a passion for learning, and who connected with me as an individual. My interest in education has everything to do with making sure each child has the same kind of experience. How has Northern Light School navigated the difficulties of a global pandemic? The magic of NLS lies in the interpersonal encounters with students, teachers and families. And so not being around the kids – and being separated from people – that’s been challenging. Another major challenge has been the major impact COVID has had on all children and families, and in particular, communities of color. Which is why we’re so lucky to have supporters, friends, and volunteers who have reached out to help ensure we have the resources to help our children thrive – no matter the circumstances. Looking ahead, what are you most excited about at Northern Light School? That’s an easy one – having the kids back! Our faculty and administrative teams have worked so hard to bring our village to life. Our Director of Business Operations, Ms. Genevieve Jackson, has also played an instrumental role in making sure all the right resources are available for our community – outdoor classrooms, touchless sinks, technology for remote learners, financial aid for families in need, and more. We also have exciting plans to provide summer programming with academic courses, elective opportunities, and even a class on entrepreneurial education led by innovator Eugene Mizusawa, formerly of The Athenian School.
You’re in a unique position to see both sides of private school education: administrative responsibilities, and the on-the-ground work of educators and teachers. What are some of the joys—and the challenges—of your role? One of the main joys of being Head is seeing the deep impact NLS continues to make on the students and families. Just take a look at our alumni! The challenge, especially now, is working to overcome the impacts of COVID-19 so that our entire community feels safe, healthy, and whole again. With our current programming and re-opening plans, this process is already happening in big, exciting ways. What are your impressions from the classrooms you’ve visited? Every time I visit a class, I’m struck by how welcoming and inclusive the environment is, and how well teachers know the students – not simply as learners, but as unique individuals. And regardless of whether the setting is virtual or in-person, the level of engagement and quality of education is incredibly high. I always leave these settings both impressed and inspired. Is there a favorite or special anecdote you can share about from your interactions with NLS students? I remember my first day on campus as Head. I was greeted by a group of 1st graders who wanted me to jump rope and play hop-scotch with them on the yard. So before I even got to my office, I was smiling and laughing like a child. I knew right then that I’d love this community. Describe a perfect day at NLS. That would definitely involve coffee, a morning circle, visiting classes, a conversation with student council, and ending the day with a game of hoops with the kiddos – provided I don’t pull any muscles! Who is your real-life hero (or shero), and why? My partner Erica and my daughter Noa, for sure. They fill me with inspiration and positivity each and every day. But beyond that, my hero now is exactly who my hero was growing up: Magic Johnson. It wasn’t just the way he played basketball, but it was the way he led teams on the court and off. Always smiling, always sharing, never afraid of the big moment, and deeply committed to serving the community. Roy Danovitch is a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Organizational Leadership, a graduate of Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Roy also holds an M.Ed. in school leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, as well as a graduate degree in literature from the University of California, Irvine. Originally from Israel, Roy grew up in Los Angeles, California and now makes his home with his family in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Head of School Highlight: The Future Voter Project Dedicated to continuing the over 30-year Northern Light School mission of supporting students and giving them a voice and a platform, Dr. Roy encouraged student engagement in the democratic process with the Future Voter Project.
As anyone who works with kids knows, they have issues, concerns, and dreams that animate their attention.Young people are also deeply sensitive to issues of justice and fairness, and very much eager to learn about real world issues around caring adults. So the Future Voter Project was a community-wide effort to highlight the value of citizenship and help young people know that their voices matter. The resulting event filled all of us with so much pride. The future is in good hands!
Fast Facts: Return-to-Campus Priorities Health and Safety With safety as our highest priority, NLS has invested in enhanced COVID-19 health and safety measures, some of which include: • Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and additional medical supplies • Air purifiers in all classrooms and administrative offices • Hand sanitizer stations throughout the building • Hand washing stations • Enhanced and expanded cleaning practices • Wayfinding signage to reinforce physical distancing • Health screening for faculty, staff, and families • Revised and expanded emergency and safety protocols, including campusspecific protection plan • Additional staffing to support multiple cleanings and disinfecting throughout the day
Community Northern Light School is a community, and we are dedicated to keeping our community whole, as students return to the physical campus and choose to remain online. To accommodate the various needs of our families, we have implemented the following programmatic elements: • Weekly, socially-distanced and Zoom Morning Circles for both elementary students (K-5 grades) and middle school students (6-8 grades) • Socially-distanced, on-campus Spirit Week, May 10–14, 2021 for middle school students, hosted by the Eighth Grade Class of 2021 • Virtual Celebration for kindergarten students, as well as in-person “Graduation Days” for individual eighth grade students, their immediate families, and middle school faculty, as well as a live-streamed Commencement of the 26th Annual Eighth Grade Graduation
Academic Programming and Learning Recovery Our teaching faculty is not only dedicated to supporting students in their academic growth, but also to guiding them in the recovery of learning loss due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, and encouraging accelerated learners to strive for greater excellence. In addition to comprehensive academics, teachers have implemented various intervention strategies, such as: • Small group study sessions and small group tutoring in grades K-8 • Intervention cohorts, including in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics in the middle school (6-8 grades) • Weekly verbal, language and reading comprehension assessments in grades 6-7 • Accelerated learning and advanced independent study opportunities for students in grades 6-7 in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and STEAM
Full
STEAM
Ahead!
Since Fall 2019, the Northern Light School Science Department headed by Middle School Science Instructor Jeri Johnstone and with lower school Science teacher Lindsey Fromstein has been preparing for an exciting transition to a fully outfitted STEAM Program and Classroom Lab for students in grades 2-8. Thanks to the generosity of donors, students will begin their STEAM studies in the lab this spring! After more than a year in the works, families to enjoy the space and learn the new STEAM classroom opened how to use the 3D printers and the its doors to students of all ages at small laser engraver & CNC cutter. Northern Light School this spring! The newest addition in the STEAM The newly outfitted Classroom Lab Classroom Lab is a beautifully restored will be shared between students in antique Dolland & Son (London grades 2–8. Middle School Science 1910) 3 1/2” refractor telescope on instructor Jeri Johnstone shares, “Ms. a German equatorial tripod mount. Lindsey and I have been wanting to This lunar and planetary scope was collaborate, to have middle schoolers donated to the school by the relative make things and teach to lower of an NLS alum, and lovingly restored school, and now we are in a position by amateur astronomer, Andrew to do just that.” For the first time, Johnstone. lower school students will learn to use microscopes while the middle The remainder of the school year school students work toward earning will focus on science and engineering, while students utilize the outdoor their “microscope driver’s license”. classroom and begin to reimagine Both teachers hope to encourage the school grounds with flowers and students to think critically and work vegetables. They will work towards creatively by offering designated growing an edible schoolyard and Maker Space times and activities, as beautifying the campus for the full well as weekend opportunities for return in fall 2021!
Teacher Feature: Ms. Jeri Johnstone
Ms. Jeri joined the Northern Light School family in 2018, making the transition from working in OUSD Public Schools. Ms. Jeri holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University of Portland, as well as a Bachelor of Science, specializing in Entomology. Ms. Jeri serves on the Core Leadership Team of NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) Early Implementers.
Development Spotlight: The Ann Maier Giving Tree
The first annual Ann Maier Giving Tree was a beautiful evening of magic and holiday celebration honoring Cornell Maier’s mother, Ann, and benefitting academic, artistic, and athletic programming for the children of Northern Light School. On December 21, 2020, Northern Light School kicked off the holiday season with the lighting of the Ann Maier Giving Tree! A family-oriented, virtual celebration of music, storytelling, and a little holiday magic, the Giving Tree Lighting Ceremony doubled as a fundraiser that brought in over $140,000 in community donations for programming, becoming one of Northern Light School’s most successful campaigns to date! This year’s tree was a beautiful, 19.5-foot, 400-pound Pacific Northwest Evergreen Balsam Fir that had been grown sustainably in the Pacific Northwest along the Siuslaw River near Walton, Oregon. Planted over 20 years ago, this year’s tree was lovingly cared for and tended to by 32-year veteran and arborist Tom Dean and his family owned and operated company, Santa’s Surplus Trees. Aaron Lawson, a fellow arborist for Santa’s Surplus delivered the tree to the Northern Light School on December 7, 2020. On December 18, 2020, members of the Northern Light School community, including faculty and staff, former parents and alumni, helped to trim the Ann Maier Giving Tree in over 2,100 twinkling lights that were sponsored by donors and supporters, families, and faculty members. The beautiful European Moravian Star that adorned the top of the tree is a gift from Kurt Hauser in memory of his wife, Julie Hauser. The unique design of the Moravian Star is symbolic of the light of hope entering into the darkness. Unlike a 5-pointed star, the Moravian Star has points of light ranging from 26 points to well over 100, and is representative of the light of hope shining into all directions of the world, uniting everyone, everywhere.
NLS Families Jennifer Eastgate and Damond Moodie share a little about why they chose Northern Light School for their three children, and what they love most about the community. After our oldest daughter Talei had a difficult experience in her public middle school, we looked for a fresh start for both her and our son, Tiko, who would be entering the sixth grade. When we visited Northern Light for the first time, we were greeted with such warmth and openness that we knew she would be able to rebuild her confidence, reenergize her academic pursuits, and bond with the small class to form new, important friendships. After a year, we were able to move our youngest daughter,Venina into the fourth grade. Now a part of the middle school, she continues to enjoy NLS. We love the way that Northern Light families are so proud of the school and always show up to support at events and fundraisers. It takes a lot of hands to get things done, and the enthusiasm in the community is contagious! Talei, now a junior at Saint Mary’s College High School, is a recent Division I commit to the University of San Diego for Soccer where she hopes to study art and graphic design. Tiko
started as a freshman at the HeadRoyce School amidst a pandemic, and he feels that his NLS teachers prepared him well for the intense rigors and workload at HeadRoyce. Like his sister Talei, Tiko is an avid soccer player and joined a new club team in the South Bay called FC Bay Area. He hopes to play for Head-Royce, as well. Northern Light School is different from other schools because they make kids believe in themselves. Their mantra, Impossible is Nothing, truly runs through the veins of the building, from the faculty to the students, there is a “can-do” attitude. We wanted to send our kids to a school where they were surrounded by people who looked like them, with an emphasis in their curriculum that celebrated them; and you just don’t find schools like that everywhere. Even though Northern Light has grown in size over the years, it still is able to maintain the small, familylike atmosphere that it started with. To us, Northern Light is Love!
Meet the
Moodies
Alumni Update: Bakari Ziegler, ‘10 Bakari Ziegler, ‘10, shares about his path to a career in Law, and what he learned at NLS that keeps him motivated to this day! I am and have always been a very confident individual who knows that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to as long as I am willing to work hard and persevere through any challenges that may arise. I attended UC Santa Barbara for undergrad, where I graduated with honors, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. I am currently in my third and final year at UC Berkeley Law School. Upon graduation, I plan to go to work at Morgan Lewis where I will be doing general business litigation for one of the nation’s premier law firms. I am also looking forward to getting to work on many of the firms’ pro bono projects. One of the biggest lessons I learned at Northern Light was that Impossible is Nothing. This message has been so important because it taught me not to limit myself and to set high goals for myself because there is no reason why I can’t reach those goals. Whenever I feel discouraged or that I cannot do something, I remember that Impossible is Nothing and use that as motivation to push through!
Upcoming
Events
26th Annual Eighth Grade Graduation Commencement Livestream Celebrating the Class of 2021
Friday, June 11 • 6:00 pm Links to Follow! Check your email and the school website, www.northernlightschool.com
Eighth Annual Vida Blue Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament Sequoyah Country Club, Oakland, California
Monday, October 4, 2021 Links and Registration Info to Follow! Check your email and the school website, www.northernlightschool.com
N O RT H E R N L I G H T S C H O O L 3 7 1 0 D O R I S A A V E N U E • O A K L A N D, C A 9 4 6 0 5 W W W. N O R T H E R N L I G H T S C H O O L . C O M • 5 1 0 . 9 5 7 . 0 5 7 0 DEVELOPMENT@NORTHERNLIGHTSCHOOL.COM