Fall 2012

Whats Next?
t any hour of the school day, it is common to see seniors A sign out at the front desk and leave the school. They are not leaving school simply for a free period or a long lunch, however. Rather they are taking the time to prepare themselves for a world beyond graduation. In their senior year, Country Day students are required to take at least two classes at York College of Pennsylvania. York College is a great resource that is right nearby, says college counselor Jake Doll. In fact, less than a mile down the road, students have access to a world of possibilities beyond the Upper School. This fall, students are enrolled in courses that span across all disciplines, including international studies, psychology, and economics. Some students use this opportunity to expand their knowledge by studying subjects that interest them, but are not available at Country Day. For example, three students have chosen to take Russian and one has enrolled in Italian 101. Another student, after taking all of the Spanish courses offered at Country Day, decided to continue her studies at the college level. Other students use this opportunity to accumulate college credit and eliminate introductory classes, allowing them to begin coursework for their majors as early as freshman year. Mr. Doll, who was the associate director of admissions at McDaniel College, points out that students can also use this coursework to their advantage on college applications. College admissions offices really like seeing college credit on a students transcript, he says. In many cases, according to Mr. Doll, college credit can outshine Collegeboard AP credits, as it demonstrates the students ability to succeed in the classroom, rather than on a single test. Not only will this experience help students get into college, it will also help them to excel once they get there. These students are going to be leaders on campus from the beginning of freshman year, says Mr. Doll. Moreover, students will adjust more easily to the college environment because they will have already made the transition to college classes, experiencing a college campus while still in high school. Country Day students are poised for success.

In this Issue:
In the Classrooms Saluting Fall 2012 Sports Alumni Notes Mystery Photos

In the Classrooms
Preschool
The arrival of apples and pumpkins at farmers markets and roadside stands are two traditional signs of autumn. They invoke the same images of leaves turning, cool evenings and the coming of winter. Our Penguin students take those observations to another level when, as part of their science curriculum, they create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting pumpkins and apples. They talk about color, texture, how they grow and what you can make with them. They cut them open and look at the seeds and the flesh of the fruit. They then plot the information to see where the circles are separate and where the two things overlap. Snack time that week features applesauce and roasted pumpkin seeds. A tasty study all around. will be presenting a virtue at the all-school morning meeting on the first Friday of the month. We began with the 5th grade creating and acting out skits about respect. The 1st grade then used the October meeting to present the concept of perseverance. Everyone walked through the halls humming the song Awake, Alert, Alive for the rest of the day.

Middle School
Spanish students in the middle school are beginning their unit on house vocabulary. One of the tools they will use this year is floorplan.com, a website that allows you to design floor plans and houses and furnish rooms. Students will build the floor plans, choose the furniture for the rooms and then present their completed houses to their classmates. Using their newest vocabulary, they will, in Spanish, describe the rooms, what is in them and where they are in the house. Seora Hess looks forward to seeing how creative they can be and helping them to improve their presentation skills. Mi casa es su casa.

Lower School
Our character education program is a big part of how we teach our Lower Schoolers to be good citizens and active members of the community. The virtues are: responsibility, perseverance, kindness and compassion, citizenship, respect, honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness. This year as part of our continuing work with responsive classrooms, each class

Cultivating The Writers Eye

ourth grade teacher Karin Krieger is devoted to scholarship. I think when I stop learning is when I will stop F living, she says. I try to see everyone I meet and every situation as a chance to learn new things. To recognize her scholastic devotion, the Parents Association awarded her the Teachers Professional Development Scholarship, which funds further training for one Country Day teacher every year. Ms. Krieger used the money to attend Columbia Universitys Summer Writing Institute, a program that gives teachers new resources for teaching writing to Lower School students. Ms. Krieger gained much from this experience, including a new appreciation for writings importance. It is a power subject, she says. The skills students learn during writing workshop affect how they experience life, not simply how they read and write. To reinforce this idea, Ms. Krieger refers to writing in all subjects by asking students to reflect on an authors purpose and style. I have begun to live my life as a writer, she says, and it is my goal that, by the end of the year, the fourth graders will also be living their lives as writers. Ms. Krieger graduated from Smith College with a BA in anthropology and history before earning her masters of arts and teaching in elementary education from Johns Hopkins University. Although this is Ms. Kriegers second year at Country Day, she taught for six years in Baltimore. No matter where she teaches, Karin Krieger and class she says, I try to ignite a passion for lifelong learning within my classroom. I make sure to show my students that Im always learning from them and that their learning doesnt end when they leave the classroom.

Upper School
A cemetery seems an odd destination for a biology field trip, but that was where our 9th graders headed one sunny morning in October. They went to collect data on local birth and death rates for males and females before and after 1950. They will factor in historical and cultural events and use the information to demonstrate survivorship curves and patterns in populations. They hope to use their data to predict future population trends.

Nathan Hiscoxs Miracle Tie

In the summer of 2011, Nathan Hiscox 24 was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma and started treatment at Johns Hopkins. In October, he entered a drawing in the Miracle Ties contest, alongside many of the hospitals other pediatric oncology patients. Each year, patients in Johns Hopkins Childrens Center are asked to draw their favorite thing. Of these pictures, several are selected by Jos. A. Bank to be printed on a tie and sold during the holiday season to fund pediatric cancer research and care. Upper and Middle School math teacher Michelle Hiscox, mother of Nathan, recalls how surprised she was when she found out that he had been selected. My son, on the other hand, she says, was beaming with pride. Nathan chose to draw Beyblades, his favorite toy at the time. Along with the other winners, Nathans tie went on sale at the end of October. The back of each tie has a tag with the childs name, age, and diagnosis. The tie also comes with a card telling the buyer about the child and the picture they drew. Nathan is in remission, but still receives chemotherapy. Despite Nathan Hiscox his prize-winning picture, art is not among his hobbies. Nathan likes playing sports and video games, says Mrs. Hiscox. He is a typical boy.

Through a Different Lens

like capturing a moment, I says Upper School teacher Eric Fleming, who has dabbled in photography and songwriting since an early age. A native of Emmaus, Pa., he has been on the faculty at Country Day for four years, teaching Spanish and magnet programs in photography and songwriting. Mr. Fleming began playing the guitar and writing songs at 13, when he formed a punk band with Eric Fleming a group of friends. Later on, with Max Hoffacker 13 he traded in his electric guitar for an acoustic one and turned to a more relaxed genre he calls acoustic rock. Currently, Mr. Fleming pours most of his creative energy into his photography. I am always looking through a photographers eye, he says, with a heightened sense for a striking scene. At first, Mr. Fleming focused on nature after a 20-day road trip through the countrys national parks inspired him to buy a professional camera. Now, he photographs everything from sporting events and pets, to weddings. Last February, two of his photographs were featured in Country Days Faculty Art Show, and for the past few years he has done professional photography throughout the Red Lion area. Beyond his personal enjoyment of photography, Mr. Fleming also enjoys sharing his knowledge with students. I like showing them all the different settings on a camera, he says. Its cool to see them realize what their camera is truly capable of. He thinks art is valuable for communicating. It helps you to process things, he says, and to express things when words fall short.

Everyone Can Play

ountry Days Athletic Director Jim C Mustard shares his love of sports with more than just the Upper School students in his physical education classes. He has also spent the past eight years teaching Special Olympics athletes. Eight years ago, a parent invited him to do some guest coaching with her sons Special Olympics soccer league in Maryland. For the past two winters, he has also worked at the Winter Olympics of Central Pennsylvania, coaching Olympians for skiing events. He recalls the appreciative smile and hug he received during his first year with the organization when one of his athletes scored his first goal. It is so fun to be with those kids, he says, who are so eager to learn and willing to do their best. That is why I find this work so invigorating and refreshing. Beyond the personal rewards of volunteering, Mr. Mustard also believes that it is an important part of citizenship. I never forgot whos helped me along the way, he says, and in order to complete the circle, giving back is a necessity. To students, he says, Be involved! Find something youre passionate about and use it to help others.

Saluting the Start of Another Great Year

Development Update
Girls sports met some fierce competition this fall at Country Day. Under the leadership of coach Jim Mustard, the soccer team ended the season 4-8. We worked hard, grew the program, and bested a few rivals, shared Mr. Mustard. In girls field hockey, coached by Allison Roush, the group worked to build the team and won several games. Emma Harrelson 14 had a great cross-country season, qualifying for the district finals. Way to go, Emma! Middle Schoolers were off to the races! In its second season, co-ed cross-country performed well, with many fifth grade students joining the expanding team. The boys Middle School soccer team had a great season, as well, finishing the year with seven wins.

Scholarship Partners
Last summer, the Commonwealth announced a new program to help students in Pennsylvanias lowest performing school districts. The Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program provides scholarships for these students to attend a participating public or private school of their choice. The scholarship funds come from business donations, which entitle the business to a tax credit. York Country Day was one of the first schools in the state to apply to be an OSTC approved school, said Nat Coffman, Head of School. We are excited to participate in this program and to fully fund our talented students from the York City School District. Last month, we accepted our first OSTC donation from PNC Bank. Thank you, PNC, for helping us launch our Opportunity Scholarship program! Many businesses continue to support scholarships through Pennsylvanias Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which offers tax credits to companies who donate to approved scholarship organizations. Rutters, Ski Liberty, Kinsley Companies, M&T Bank, Frontier Communications, and LSC Design all donated $10,000 or more this fall to support scholarships at Country Day. Thank you, Scholarship Partners!

Expectations Exceeded
Last spring, Country Day parents broke all records for parent participation in the Annual Fund. Prompted by the Get it Done in 31! e-mail, phone and mail campaign, current parent giving reached 76 percent, a new record. Thank you, parents!

Senior Citizens
ountry Day students have many opportunities each year C to demonstrate citizenship helping those in need in both the York and global communities. Most students participate in canned food drives and collections for overseas disasters. Some students take their citizenship to the next level, however, like seniors Jake Danner and Bobby Kinsley. Jake Danner is a hardworking citizen in his hometown of Stewartstown. For two years, he has volunteered with Eureka Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company, responding to medical emergencies and fighting fires in the greater Stewartstown area. He enjoys the work and says the job is important to him because, Its a small town. Without us, it would be a lot harder for people to get the help that they need. Bobby Kinsley is another citizen and upcoming leader of the York community. Last year, he was asked to participate in Future Leaders of York, a program that teaches high school students about community leadership through mentorship and service projects. Kinsleys group volunteered with the Salvation Armys Angel Tree program, where they matched donated gifts to the requests of needy children. From the experience, Bobby Kinsley says, I learned how easy it is to make a difference and met others who wanted to help our community.
Bobby Kinsley 13 (left) and Jake Danner 13 work on a Habitat for Humanity home in York.

Carolyn Steinhauser 57
ew people speak as passionately about their lifes work as Carolyn Steinhauser. I like to build things and make things happen, she says. Much of Ms. Steinhausers work has been dedicated to improving educational opportunities for young people. She began this endeavor when her children were young, working with their schools and later with organizations such as the York County Community Foundation, the Womens Giving Circle, and York Country Day. She is particularly proud of Focus on Our Future, a community initiative focusing on early childhood education, and Dollars for Scholars, which supports post-secondary education for York County students. Ms. Steinhauser says she is interested in strategic philanthropy, rather than simply giving money to a good cause. Ms. Steinhauser, a member of Country Days first graduating class, recalls the culture shock she experienced entering ninth grade. She says there was a leap from reading Nancy Drew mysteries to Winston Churchills Triumph and Tragedy. She soon became appreciative of the high expectations of headmaster and English teacher Kenneth Snyder and his wife Elizabeth, who taught History and Latin. She says that together her class rose to the challenge. When asked about future plans, Ms. Steinhauser points out that citizens must care for their community. If not us, who will? she asks. To current students she urges, Pursue what is stimulating and satisfying, something that presents new challenges for personal growth.

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A lumni Notes
Travis Woolley and Gary Stewart, who attended Country Day, are serving on the York Country Day School Board. Both have children who are students at the school.

Virginia Thornton Craley writes, I see Suzi Anstine Norbeck regularly in Florida. We play well together! My grandsons, Tom and Jake Wymard, like being at Country Day in the middle school.

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60s

The classes of 1961, 1962, and 1963 celebrated their 50th reunion on September 29, 2012. Under the enthusiastic leadership of Reunion Chair Bill Frey 62, committee members Anne Whiteley Lowe 62, Mike Sterner 63, and Fred Wilton 61 recruited about 40 alumni and their spouses to return to campus.

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Megan Donley keeps busy as owner of Lotus Moon Yoga and Massage in York, and playing with her band, Megan and the Wheelmen. At a First Friday Open House last spring, Megan displayed the art of her classmate Emily Hake.

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Ethan Benedict graduated from the mechanical engineering program at York College. Sung Cheol Kim was just entering his senior year at Radford University when he was called back to Korea to serve two years in the Korean Army. He was trained in Special

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Ross Edgar is working as senior geographic information system analyst for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in Washington, D.C.

Reunion photo of the classes of 1961, 1962, and 1963 courtesy of Julie Stauffer 63

Jesse Eiben 97
or Jesse Eiben, scholarship and entomology fit together seamlessly. I was F always interested in insects, he says, and early on, I realized that teaching and researching were extremely rewarding. After graduating from Albright College and teaching in the biology labs for a year, Dr. Eiben entered the entomology masters program at the University of Oklahoma. Jesse and brother Gabel Eiben 99 in Hawaii Then, in 2005, Dr. Eiben began his Ph.D. at the University of Hawaii Manoa, finishing his dissertation in February 2012. Dr. Eiben thoroughly enjoyed his high school years at Country Day. He stays in touch with many students and teachers, which has connected me to such a broad professional sphere. Currently, Dr. Eiben lives in Hilo, Hawaii, with his wife, and has begun work on some post-doctoral research as one of the universitys junior researchers. Much of his work requires hiking through farms, tropical forests, grasslands and alpine mountains with a net and a jar, he says, but for me, its a very rewarding field. Dr. Eiben plans to continue working in entomology, hopefully as a professor. For current students he offers this advice: No matter what your chosen career path is, enjoy and learn from everything else. And be prepared for opportunities because you never know where they will take you.

Forces and served in Seoul, then was sent to the Lebanon/Syria border as a medic in the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. He returned to Seoul in September to complete his service. In January, he will return to the U.S. to complete his college education.

received a Helen Hayes recommendation and stellar reviews.

Erica Fensterbush 05
rica Fensterbush has a definite passion E for athletics. I love everything about playing sports, she says. She played on numerous teams at Country Day, including field hockey and basketball, and continues to play these sports. After high school, she went on to earn a BS in sports management from Ithaca College and worked for sports programs at Cornell, Dickinson, and Penn State Harrisburg. At Country Day, I had experiences that I wouldnt change for the world, says Ms. Fensterbush. Her favorite memories? Making districts with womens basketball and senior prank day. In 2010, she returned to Country Day as the field hockey coach. I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to coach other talented athletes, she says. Her favorite coaching moment was the teams first win. It took a lot of hard work, she says, and my girls knew they had accomplished a lot. In January 2011, Ms. Fensterbush began working for York Revolution. This year, she stumbled on the Everett AquaSox, a minor league affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. In January, she moved to Washington state to become their account executive for sports sales and marketing. To students pursuing a career in athletics, she says, It is about setting yourself apart from the pack. You need to make your uniqueness shine through. To all students, she says, Work hard at everything and pursue the path that makes you happy.

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Beezawit Wossene taught high school English in China for two years. She taught SAT prep as well as literature and culture of America to students with English as their second language. This fall, she began studying for her masters degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Alexandra London-Gross completed a masters degree in public health from George Washington University and moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, to take a job as project director for the Commissions on Children and Families. She also writes a blog on healthy living. Jenny Donovan was cast as kidnap victim Jessica in Rorschach Theatres production of A Maze in Washington, D.C. The play has

Samantha Cherry-Garcia writes, I was married to Michael in March 2010 and recently moved to Corvallis, Oregon. I am a nursing student at Linn Benton Community College and work as a nursing assistant and medication aide at an assisted-living facility. Shavonia Corbin-Johnson, a junior at Georgetown University, is interning for Senator Bob Casey.

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Molly Kinsley is studying in Florence for her junior year. Stephanie Mitschele matriculated at The Berklee College of Music in August. She had a multi-generational audience during her last concert at Country Day.

Shown here are (l-r) grandmother Joan Hassel, Stephanie holding her niece Bella Diaz, mom Donna Brown and sister Tricia Mitschele.

Do you have news to share? Send it to Kelly Arcieri at karcieri@ycds.org, or call it in to 717-815-6713.

Al Sgro 97
or Al Sgro, life is not just a stage, but a recording studio as well. He has been heavily involved in F performing arts and music since high school, majoring in theater at Towson University, helping to organize a nonprofit acting ensemble in California, and touring all over the world with singer/songwriter Gary Jules. To date, Mr. Sgro says touring has been the highlight of his career. We played four dates supporting Bob Dylan. Hard to beat that, he says. In 2004, Mr. Sgro and friend Wilson Golden opened their own recording studio in Hollywood and began working with independent artists and doing soundtracks for television shows, such as ABCs Cougartown. Of his job, Sgro says, Knowing that my parents get to hear my work is pretty cool. Mr. Sgro has fond memories of Country Day, where he participated in numerous theatrical productions and made many lifelong friends. I always felt like I was held to a higher standard [at Country Day], he says. Being given a great education helped my confidence when I ventured across the country. What will Mr. Sgro do next? I just finished a new record with my talented wife, Holly Conlan, he says, and I hope to be on the road [performing] with her. His advice to students pursuing a career in music or film? Its certainly a tough road with no guarantees, says Mr. Sgro. Youve got to get where the action is, find people who are doing things you respect, and start cultivating relationships.

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Visit the York Country Day School website on your smartphone instantly! It is so easy. Just download the free app at www.scanlife.com, then scan your phone over the code at left.

Join us for these upcoming events!

Holiday Bazaar ...........December 7 Tree of Lights .............December 9 Middle/Upper School Holiday Concert ....December 19 Lower School Holiday Concert ....December 20 Pack the Stands............January 11 Martin Luther King Day of Service...........January 31

Mystery Photos

Can you identify the three photos at left either the people or the stories behind them? Please e-mail your response to karcieri@ycds.org. Thank you to everyone who responded and shared memories regarding the photos printed in the last issue of The Post.

The three young students looking at the globe are (left to right): Meredith Eisenhart, Michael Debakey, and Alex Corcoran. The four Beatles (left to right) are Anne McCormack, Susan Glatfelter, Cathy Frey, and Sandy Harvey, performing during a talent show in the mid-1960s.