Cultivating Community Connections
The 2020–2021 school year was a year unlike any other—but masks, social distancing, and an inordinate amount of hand sanitizer didn’t thwart Ellis’ commitment to building community on campus and off. In the face of new challenges, community members reimagined and reinvented the ways they learned, worked, socialized, and gathered. In place of the annual Lower School Halloween parade, the Ellis Parent Association organized a virtual Spooky Storytelling event (complete with costumes) for students and parents. Family-focused community conversations and events took place via Zoom, and the School reached current and prospective families via two new webinar series, Pandemic Parenting and Girl Talk.
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
Instead of meeting administrators and faculty for early morning coffee in the Benjamin R. Fisher Gallery or evening sessions in Alumnae Hall, parents gathered virtually for an array of educational programs this school year. These informative and helpful sessions served as opportunities for parents to learn from teachers, administrators, and experts about Ellis programming, as well as learn strategies for raising confident, happy kids.
Math Learning in the Lower School
Ann Martino, Head of Lower School, Patrick Fagersten, Grade 4 Teacher, and Jen Lakin, Grade 3 Teacher, shared how Ellis students employ a growth mindset and build their conceptual knowledge of math through a framework that progresses from using concrete models, to pictorial, to abstract.
Helping Young Learners Navigate the Return to School
Karen Boyer, School Counselor, Ann Martino, Head of Lower School, Macon Finley, Head of School, and Lynette MacLeod, School Nurse, shared strategies and suggestions for supporting students as they transitioned back to in-person school after remote learning.
Discussing The Social Dilemma
Michelle Rust, Head of Middle School, Ashley Dotson, Interim Head of Upper School, and Karen Boyer, School Counselor, led a community conversation on the documentary The Social Dilemma. Parents and faculty discussed social media’s impact on health and wellness and how girls can make empowered, responsible decisions online.
Conversations with Kids: Facilitating Discussion About the Election
Macon Finley, Head of School, Denise LaRosa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Karen Boyer, School Counselor, discussed how parents could engage their children in constructive dialogue about the election. They shared practical tools and strategies for discussing at home and in the community.
The Power of Showing Up Book Discussion
Karen Boyer, School Counselor, and Ann Martino, Head of Lower School, moderated a virtual book discussion on The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. Participants discussed actionable tips and steps parents can take to foster connection with their children.
Under Pressure Book Discussion
Michelle Rust, Head of Middle School, Ashley Dotson, Interim Head of Upper School, and Karen Boyer, School Counselor, led a book discussion on Lisa D’Amour’s best-selling book, Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls. The conversation focused on the ways Ellis’ advisory program and wellness curriculum address stress and anxiety.
Girls Do Math! The Middle School Mathematics Curriculum
Ellis families learned more about Ellis’ mathematics curriculum and how math faculty support girls to be independent thinkers, collaborative problem-solvers, and confident mathematicians.
ELLIS PARENT ASSOCIATION EVENTS
Despite the move to a virtual venue, the Ellis Parent Association (EPA) welcomed new families into the fold and strengthened existing relationships by offering a dynamic lineup of events this year. Led by President Collyn Evans, the EPA transformed beloved annual events, like turning the Fall Fun Fest into a Virtual Scavenger Hunt, to ensure that families continued to feel a sense of belonging at Ellis.
Coffee Talk and Books
Led by Ellis parents and EPA members, Coffee Talk and Books provided families with an opportunity to connect book club-style in 2021. The group read and discussed: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis, You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy, and Wild by Cheryl Strayed.
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Students and families from all three divisions were invited to experience "The Hunt” with the EPA. Complete with prizes and wacky tasks, the Virtual Scavenger Hunt was a unique way for new and returning families to bond and build relationships to begin the school year.
A Night of Spooky Storytelling with Alison Babusci
Ellis families joined storyteller Alison Babusci for A Night of Spooky Storytelling prior to Halloween. An entertaining and engaging night, Alison shared spine-tingling tales and haunting ghost stories in full costume for families.
Heritage Day
The EPA adopted the spirit of the Heritage Day tradition into a digital format with a virtual celebration this year. Families were invited to download a cookbook complete with delicious dishes from the Ellis community and take a virtual tour of the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning, while students celebrated with takehome activities and treats courtesy of the EPA.
March Music Bingo
The EPA offered two virtual Bingo events, one music-themed and one Disney-themed, for families. The music theme pitted girls vs. their parents as they went head-to-head in “who knows it better” style, and the Disney Bingo game encouraged costumes and creativity.
PANDEMIC PARENTING: NAVIGATING YOUR NEW NORMAL
Being a parent under normal circumstances can be difficult, so when a global pandemic was thrown into the mix—well, things got much harder. To help parents find coping mechanisms and community with one another in COVID times, Ellis introduced the free webinar series, Pandemic Parenting: Navigating Your New Normal, which included six sessions that could be watched live or on-demand.
Little Kids & Big Questions: Introducing Intentional Art Activities at Home
Sarah Ceurvorst, Lower School Art Teacher, presented a webinar designed to teach parents how they can use the creative process to intentionally address big questions with kids. Attendees learned how kids can use art to grapple with abstract ideas and express themselves creatively.
Starting the Conversation: How to Discuss Race with Your Children
Denise LaRosa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, spoke to how parents can discuss race with their young children at home. She shared how parents can lead with compassion and develop a sense of empathy in their kids as they discuss important issues around identity, race, and equity.
Summer Storytelling: Inspiring Creativity Through Writing & Reading
Natalie Dixon Bell, Middle School History and English Teacher, discussed how parents can foster exploration, inquiry, and curiosity in their children through language arts. From unique writing prompts to online story programs, she shared how parents can use digital resources and their own bookshelves to inspire creativity in their teens and tweens.
Ready for the New Normal: How to Prepare for the Coming School Year
Macon Finley, Head of School, brought her unique viewpoint and 20 years of educational experience to this session with parents about preparing for an unpredictable school year. She spoke to the decision-making processes of school administrators and took parent questions.
Keeping Your Cool: Family Health and Wellness During an Unusual Summer
Jamie Rivers, Professional Counselor, shared how parents can employ wellness and mindfulness strategies at home. An Ellis parent, Jamie offered information about how parents can get into a healthy headspace and prevent burnout while keeping their families safe.
Sync Up: Cultivating a Continued Sense of Belonging for All Children
Denise LaRosa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, shared how parents can foster a sense of belonging in their children, even during times of social distancing.
GIRL TALK: CONVERSATIONS FOR PARENTS
From responsible social media use to community engagement, no topic was too big or small for Girl Talk: Conversations for Parents. This virtual series acted as a digital meeting space for parents to hear from educators and experts with experience in supporting girls to become bold, authentic, and intellectually vibrant changemakers.
Change Starts Where You Are: Engaging in Your Community
Panelists reflected on the ways girls can take an active role in their community to influence positive change. Rebecca SUFRIN ’10, Digital Marketing Specialist at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, Ja'Sonta Roberts, Off-Site Programs Manager and Teacher at Assemble, Jackie Prepelka, Middle School Spanish Teacher, Rick Malmstrom, Upper School History Teacher, and Sofia Mancing, Class of 2023, shared their experiences, spoke to how community engagement empowers girls, and offered ideas on how parents can support their daughter’s participation at any age.
Wintertime Wonder: Finding Creativity and Joy in the Everyday
and teachers from Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, the Campus Laboratory School at Carlow University, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and Ellis shared ways parents can use art to inspire imagination and curiosity. Linda Tonetti Dugan, Visual Arts Department Chair, Ash Andrews, Executive Director of Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, Leigh Roche, Art Teacher at the Campus Laboratory School, and Sarah Zeffiro, Multi-disciplinary Artist and Educator, discussed the role creativity plays in all stages of child development.
Close Connection in Distant Times: Fostering Strong Relationships
Resident experts from local organizations The Salon, Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh, and Ellis spoke to why relationships are integral to success. Shayla Scott, Director of Athletics, Abi Zimmerman, Class of 2021, Kimmi Baston, Managing Director at Strong Women Strong Girls Pittsburgh, Alicia BROWN Angemeer ’88, Program Manager at Strong Women Strong Girls Pittsburgh, and Cathy LEWIS Long ’87, Co-Founder of The Salon, reflected on how girls can develop uniquely strong bonds that provide mentorship and support that last a lifetime.
Tech for Good: Encouraging Responsible Use in the Digital Age
In Tech for Good, parents learned ways they can help their daughters become effective digital communicators as they navigate their online footprint. Michele Lombardi, Middle and Upper School Computer Science Teacher, and Kristin Morgan, Digital Learning Lead Librarian at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, offered insight into the concerns, challenges, and impact of social media, screen time, and media literacy in today’s world.
Back
Instead of meeting administrators and faculty for early morning coffee in the Benjamin R. Fisher Gallery or evening sessions in Alumnae Hall, parents gathered virtually for an array of educational programs this school year. These informative and helpful sessions served as opportunities for parents to learn from teachers, administrators, and experts about Ellis programming, as well as learn strategies for raising confident, happy kids.
Math Learning in the Lower School
Ann Martino, Head of Lower School, Patrick Fagersten, Grade 4 Teacher, and Jen Lakin, Grade 3 Teacher, shared how Ellis students employ a growth mindset and build their conceptual knowledge of math through a framework that progresses from using concrete models, to pictorial, to abstract.
Helping Young Learners Navigate the Return to School
Karen Boyer, School Counselor, Ann Martino, Head of Lower School, Macon Finley, Head of School, and Lynette MacLeod, School Nurse, shared strategies and suggestions for supporting students as they transitioned back to in-person school after remote learning.
Discussing The Social Dilemma
Michelle Rust, Head of Middle School, Ashley Dotson, Interim Head of Upper School, and Karen Boyer, School Counselor, led a community conversation on the documentary The Social Dilemma. Parents and faculty discussed social media’s impact on health and wellness and how girls can make empowered, responsible decisions online.
Conversations with Kids: Facilitating Discussion About the Election
Macon Finley, Head of School, Denise LaRosa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Karen Boyer, School Counselor, discussed how parents could engage their children in constructive dialogue about the election. They shared practical tools and strategies for discussing at home and in the community.
The Power of Showing Up Book Discussion
Karen Boyer, School Counselor, and Ann Martino, Head of Lower School, moderated a virtual book discussion on The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. Participants discussed actionable tips and steps parents can take to foster connection with their children.
Under Pressure Book Discussion
Michelle Rust, Head of Middle School, Ashley Dotson, Interim Head of Upper School, and Karen Boyer, School Counselor, led a book discussion on Lisa D’Amour’s best-selling book, Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls. The conversation focused on the ways Ellis’ advisory program and wellness curriculum address stress and anxiety.
Girls Do Math! The Middle School Mathematics Curriculum
Ellis families learned more about Ellis’ mathematics curriculum and how math faculty support girls to be independent thinkers, collaborative problem-solvers, and confident mathematicians.
ELLIS PARENT ASSOCIATION EVENTS
Despite the move to a virtual venue, the Ellis Parent Association (EPA) welcomed new families into the fold and strengthened existing relationships by offering a dynamic lineup of events this year. Led by President Collyn Evans, the EPA transformed beloved annual events, like turning the Fall Fun Fest into a Virtual Scavenger Hunt, to ensure that families continued to feel a sense of belonging at Ellis.
Coffee Talk and Books
Led by Ellis parents and EPA members, Coffee Talk and Books provided families with an opportunity to connect book club-style in 2021. The group read and discussed: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis, You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy, and Wild by Cheryl Strayed.
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Students and families from all three divisions were invited to experience "The Hunt” with the EPA. Complete with prizes and wacky tasks, the Virtual Scavenger Hunt was a unique way for new and returning families to bond and build relationships to begin the school year.
A Night of Spooky Storytelling with Alison Babusci
Ellis families joined storyteller Alison Babusci for A Night of Spooky Storytelling prior to Halloween. An entertaining and engaging night, Alison shared spine-tingling tales and haunting ghost stories in full costume for families.
Heritage Day
The EPA adopted the spirit of the Heritage Day tradition into a digital format with a virtual celebration this year. Families were invited to download a cookbook complete with delicious dishes from the Ellis community and take a virtual tour of the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning, while students celebrated with takehome activities and treats courtesy of the EPA.
March Music Bingo
The EPA offered two virtual Bingo events, one music-themed and one Disney-themed, for families. The music theme pitted girls vs. their parents as they went head-to-head in “who knows it better” style, and the Disney Bingo game encouraged costumes and creativity.
PANDEMIC PARENTING: NAVIGATING YOUR NEW NORMAL
Being a parent under normal circumstances can be difficult, so when a global pandemic was thrown into the mix—well, things got much harder. To help parents find coping mechanisms and community with one another in COVID times, Ellis introduced the free webinar series, Pandemic Parenting: Navigating Your New Normal, which included six sessions that could be watched live or on-demand.
Little Kids & Big Questions: Introducing Intentional Art Activities at Home
Sarah Ceurvorst, Lower School Art Teacher, presented a webinar designed to teach parents how they can use the creative process to intentionally address big questions with kids. Attendees learned how kids can use art to grapple with abstract ideas and express themselves creatively.
Starting the Conversation: How to Discuss Race with Your Children
Denise LaRosa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, spoke to how parents can discuss race with their young children at home. She shared how parents can lead with compassion and develop a sense of empathy in their kids as they discuss important issues around identity, race, and equity.
Summer Storytelling: Inspiring Creativity Through Writing & Reading
Natalie Dixon Bell, Middle School History and English Teacher, discussed how parents can foster exploration, inquiry, and curiosity in their children through language arts. From unique writing prompts to online story programs, she shared how parents can use digital resources and their own bookshelves to inspire creativity in their teens and tweens.
Ready for the New Normal: How to Prepare for the Coming School Year
Macon Finley, Head of School, brought her unique viewpoint and 20 years of educational experience to this session with parents about preparing for an unpredictable school year. She spoke to the decision-making processes of school administrators and took parent questions.
Keeping Your Cool: Family Health and Wellness During an Unusual Summer
Jamie Rivers, Professional Counselor, shared how parents can employ wellness and mindfulness strategies at home. An Ellis parent, Jamie offered information about how parents can get into a healthy headspace and prevent burnout while keeping their families safe.
Sync Up: Cultivating a Continued Sense of Belonging for All Children
Denise LaRosa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, shared how parents can foster a sense of belonging in their children, even during times of social distancing.
GIRL TALK: CONVERSATIONS FOR PARENTS
From responsible social media use to community engagement, no topic was too big or small for Girl Talk: Conversations for Parents. This virtual series acted as a digital meeting space for parents to hear from educators and experts with experience in supporting girls to become bold, authentic, and intellectually vibrant changemakers.
Change Starts Where You Are: Engaging in Your Community
Panelists reflected on the ways girls can take an active role in their community to influence positive change. Rebecca SUFRIN ’10, Digital Marketing Specialist at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, Ja'Sonta Roberts, Off-Site Programs Manager and Teacher at Assemble, Jackie Prepelka, Middle School Spanish Teacher, Rick Malmstrom, Upper School History Teacher, and Sofia Mancing, Class of 2023, shared their experiences, spoke to how community engagement empowers girls, and offered ideas on how parents can support their daughter’s participation at any age.
Wintertime Wonder: Finding Creativity and Joy in the Everyday
and teachers from Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, the Campus Laboratory School at Carlow University, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and Ellis shared ways parents can use art to inspire imagination and curiosity. Linda Tonetti Dugan, Visual Arts Department Chair, Ash Andrews, Executive Director of Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, Leigh Roche, Art Teacher at the Campus Laboratory School, and Sarah Zeffiro, Multi-disciplinary Artist and Educator, discussed the role creativity plays in all stages of child development.
Close Connection in Distant Times: Fostering Strong Relationships
Resident experts from local organizations The Salon, Strong Women, Strong Girls Pittsburgh, and Ellis spoke to why relationships are integral to success. Shayla Scott, Director of Athletics, Abi Zimmerman, Class of 2021, Kimmi Baston, Managing Director at Strong Women Strong Girls Pittsburgh, Alicia BROWN Angemeer ’88, Program Manager at Strong Women Strong Girls Pittsburgh, and Cathy LEWIS Long ’87, Co-Founder of The Salon, reflected on how girls can develop uniquely strong bonds that provide mentorship and support that last a lifetime.
Tech for Good: Encouraging Responsible Use in the Digital Age
In Tech for Good, parents learned ways they can help their daughters become effective digital communicators as they navigate their online footprint. Michele Lombardi, Middle and Upper School Computer Science Teacher, and Kristin Morgan, Digital Learning Lead Librarian at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, offered insight into the concerns, challenges, and impact of social media, screen time, and media literacy in today’s world.
