Parents of Alumni News Flash

Taylor Hwong Remembers the Bead Frame

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:54:00 -0500

Taylor Hwong attended the school when the upper level was only 3rd grade. He transferred to Princeton Day School for his elementary and Middle School years, and then transferred to The Lawrenceville School for high school. His younger sisters attended this school for as long as they could at the time, too: Connie until 6th grade, and Alison until 8th grade. Taylor received a BS and an MBA from Columbia University and a Masters of Engineering from the University of California at Berkley. He served in the army for four years and is still a Major in the Reserves. This summer he completed a short deployment to Iraq. He is currently working in business development for Hess Corporation.

Taylor and his wife Jessica are the proud parents of Caitlin (almost 3) and baby Theodore (born in November). In September, Taylor enjoyed participating for the 5th time in our Annual Golf Outing at Jasna Polana, which he highly recommends to other alums and old friends of the school. For the second consecutive year he is graciously volunteering as a campaign leader for our school’s Annual Campaign.

How far does a Montessori education reach? The other day, his manager and a co-worker commented on his elegant script handwriting and asked if there was any special aspect of his education that would encourage such handwriting. When he mentioned that he attended a Montessori school for his early elementary years they both said, “That must be it!” Taylor told them that he even now mentally pictures the bead frame when doing basic math, and says that to him nouns are always black triangles and verbs are always red spheres. They were intrigued!

Catching Up with Xan Nowakowski

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:00:14 -0400

After Xan Nowakowski left Princeton Montessori in 1995, she went on to graduate from Princeton Day School and has since then been awarded a BA in Political Science from Columbia University, and a MPH in Health Systems and Policy from UMDNJ. While at UMDNJ she was awarded one of their top prizes for academic excellence and was inducted into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. She is currently studying for a PhD in Medical Sociology at Florida State University which she expects to complete in 2016.

For her fieldwork, she designed and completed her own study of pain management practices in acute care hospitals throughout New Jersey. While completing her MPH she worked as a research assistant and consultant on the New Jersey Safe Schools Program, an occupational health initiative focused on teens in career education programs. She developed curriculum materials, conducted epidemiological surveillance research, and taught workshops. She also served on the Institutional Review Board for UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, reviewing new and continuing biomedical and public health research studies for compliance with human subjects protection standards.

In April 2010 she relocated to Tallahassee, Florida, where she has worked as a health care researcher for the College of Medicine at Florida State University, mostly with the FL CURED (Center for Universal Research to Eradicate Disease) think tank; she also does community needs assessments and related research for community health centers serving low-income and under-served persons.

Her PhD research focuses on cumulative inequality of health across the life course in persons with chronic diseases causing pain and disability. She also continues to do research with her UMDNJ colleagues, mostly on built environments as determinants of health outcomes in vulnerable populations. Finally, she is also a guest lecture for different undergraduate and graduate health professions courses at FSU on topics including patient-provider communication, health-related quality of life, research methods, and health disparities.

PDS Soccer

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:27:00 -0400

Paul Zetterberg, ‘08 alum and current PDS soccer player, makes a move on a Princeton High School player during a recent game.

Performing at B.A.M.

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:10:14 -0400

Daniel Marmion (‘94) is performing with the Oregon Shakespeare Company’s production of Throne of Blood at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Nov. 10-14, 2010.

Starring role

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:02:32 -0400

Adam Morris, former Junior II student and son of Monica Morris (Jr. II and MS math teacher), is starring as Sweeney in Franklin Theatre Works production of Sweeney Todd. Performances are the last 2 weekends in October (2010) and tickets can be purchased at http://www.franklintheatreworks.org/index.htm

Moved to Chicago

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:39:34 -0400

Elise Everett (‘02) writes: “I graduated from Emory in December 2010 and stayed in Atlanta doing event planning for The Carter Center through May. Now I’m back home for a bit before I move to Chicago in August. My boyfriend and I just signed the lease on a great apartment downtown. If we manage to agree on decorations–which is really code for if he blindly agrees with everything I choose–I’m certain it will be a wonderful foray into the next stage of coupledom. As for the business side of things, I’m currently looking for a position in Chicago with an events management firm or within luxury hospitality.” If there’s anyone in Chicago or thereabouts who might be able to give Elise some introductions I’m sure she’d appreciate it.

Off to a Good Start

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:49:00 -0400

Samantha Cucci (‘10) tells us she is very much enjoying her new high school as of September '10 (Hunterdon Central Regional High School). “Everything is going really well. I made a TON of friends. My teachers are really nice too. I got lost a few times but that shouldn’t surprise anyone. I must admit, I really like being in a big school. My art class is soo cool. I love the projects we’re doing. I’m joining yearbook club, class council, possibly photography club, possibly a play, and I’m going to do track in the spring. I really miss Princeton Montessori, though. So does David! Also, I’m working at my dance studio as an assistant teacher. I love it. I’m there about 10-15 hours a week (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday). Thankfully, I don’t have too much homework, yet.”

Alum and his Mom Support Home Front

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:54:30 -0400

A fine art exhibit, Generations, featuring the works of Jill Sacalis Turndorf, former Princeton Montessori School parent, and Ben Turndorf, Princeton Montessori Alum (‘03), will be held September 24 through October 3 on Palmer Square. Half of all of the proceeds from the show will go to benefit HomeFront to provide food, housing, education and other services to homeless families.

For full story click here.

Good Company!

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:51:00 -0400

For all of the Montessori Alum here is a kudo for you!

Famous Montessori Students

A Few Alumni Updates

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:25:00 -0400

Elsa Fridman (‘02) took a year off after high school and worked for half of it and then went off to Tanzania for the second part. She has one more year before graduating from NYU and is currently interning in an advertising agency in New York and working part time for a perfumer at the Plaza Hotel. Elsa is trying to get some reading done in preparation of Gallatin’s equivalent of a final cumulative exam, the Colloquium!

Kelly Hart ('02) is job searching in NYC - hoping to find something in fashion or design. She gave us a quick update on several other alum: Elise Everett ('02) moved to Chicago and is still looking for a job in corporate event planning, Lauren Bowman ('03) is studying for the LSAT, Justin Yi ('02) moved to KOREA in June and is working for Deutsch Bank.

Alumni Essay

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:12:00 -0400

This essay was written by alum, Michael Hartnack (‘03) in response to an interview question:

“What is your most interesting educational experience?”

DREAMING OUT LOUD

As I am about to become a senior in college, it was difficult for me to look back over all the years of education to come up with the most powerful educational experience I have had. I attended Princeton Montessori School, a very small school, from kindergarten to 8^th grade, and then a small private high school in Princeton from grades 9-12. Because of this, I had an incredible educational experience from start to finish, and it was very difficult for me to think of one defining moment that really changed me the most.

However, such moments do exist, and I have had several educational experiences that I feel have changed me, and will continue to change me as I learn and grow as a student and as an adult. The one I have chosen to write about was in the 8^th grade, at the very small Princeton Montessori School. The way the curriculum was set up, there was a different history theme every year. Because the school was so small – only 9 people were in my 8^th grade class - the entire middle school was broken up into only two classrooms, and each class was made up of students from 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades. This enabled the rotation of history and science curriculums. The three history themes were American History, Ancient Civilizations, and European History. At the end of each year, the 8^th grade class would go on a complete immersion experience to the location of that particular year’s history curriculum. When I was in 6^th grade, we learned about European History, and the 8^th grade class visited Paris and London. The following year, the 8^th grade class visited Greece and Rome as part of the Ancient Civilizations study. In my 8^th grade, year, the theme was American history, and we were to spend a week on the Oregon trail, traveling by wagon and horseback, sleeping in tents, and learning all about the history of our country.

To many, this trip would appear like a complete letdown after the previous two trips ventured to Europe. However, not to my class. We saw this experience as perhaps the most powerful educational opportunity we had ever had. It was a ten day trip, beginning with a huge steak dinner at a Nebraska lodge. We then set out on the covered wagon, carrying all of our belongings and spending most of the day either walking or riding on horseback. Putting ourselves in the shoes of those that walked across the country to find new land was an incredible experience. There is no better way to teach a student than to show them. It is commonly said that the best writing will show not tell a story, and this experience on the Oregon train was a precise example of the merit of that statement. No amount of work or studying we did could have possibly given us the depth and immersion experience that we had out in Nebraska and Utah. We hiked and rode for 8 days, sleeping in authentic canvas tents and cooking authentic meals. Ironically, our tour guide couldn’t read or write, much like many of the settlers we read about in our American History textbooks.

This experience, I believe, has been my most important and influential educational experience. Not only did I learn an incredible amount of American history, but it really taught me the best way to teach and learn. Teaching and learning is about more than sitting in a classroom and lecturing; it is about letting the students experience whatever you are trying to teach. Of course, the overwhelming majority of students will never have the type of opportunity I had in the 8^th grade, but teaching and learning strategies can be taken from it, and applied to the typical school classroom.

This experience also showed me the importance of teamwork, and that a strong team has the ability to do whatever we set our minds to. The eight days on the trail were not easy, and they were certainly not the same as a trip to Greece, Rome, Paris or London. We knew we had a difficult experience ahead of us before we began, and we knew this experience would draw us together as a class and the bonds would become stronger than ever. This immersion experience made my 8^th grade trip to the Oregon Trail the most important educational experience of my life.

Update from vet school

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:57:54 -0400

Beatriz Fernandez writes (July ‘10): "I still have a year left of vet school, but I’m actually in San Francisco right now doing a one month externship at a vet clinic (and practicing my English which is a litlle rusty after so many years without practice). The rest of the summer I’m working at an animal hospital in Valencia so hopefully I’ll get a chance to go to the beach.“ Beatriz is living and studying in Madrid.

Alumn Marathon Run

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:46:54 -0400

Old Friends Reconnect at Alumn Wedding

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:49:00 -0400

Thank You to Our Alumni Panel!

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:16:27 -0500

On Wed. Jan. 6th, six alumni of the School braved the cold wind and the early hour to speak in a panel format about the benefits of their Princeton Montessori School education. Many parents had interesting questions to ask of them, especially as all six of the alumni are either finished or almost finished with college so they have experienced many years of education since they were last here. Several of them spoke about the independence they gained in their studies and their study habits and how that has encouraged them to create their own paths and embrace the learning process. Many spoke of the benefits of a small class size and their close relationships with teachers. Some of them invested time and energy into sports at high school and some found other outlets for their time and energy like the arts or community service. All ended with a resounding YES! when asked if they would send their own children (when that time comes) to a Montessori school.

Many thanks to Matthew Weber ’94, Nicole Kaduson ’96, Bryan Seelagy ’02, Kelly Hart ’02, Justin Yi ’02, and Andrea Plasko ‘03 who participated in the panel.

Alum Wins Poetry Award

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:59:00 -0500

Isabel Soto, 2009 Princeton Montessori School graduate, received 2nd place for her poem on Martin Luther King in a New Jersey literacy contest sponsored by Princeton University.

The 2010 Literary & Video Contests were open to New Jersey students in grades 7 through 12. The students were invited to participate in an effort to keep Dr. King’s legacy alive.Contest winners and their families were invited to attend the annual King Day celebration on January 18, 2010 in Richardson Auditorium. The submissions of all contest participants help contribute greatly to our community’s understanding of Dr. King’s life and legacy.

For more information about the essay contest http://www.princeton.edu/mlk/studentcontests/essay/

Gold Award

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:48:09 -0400

Remembering a Special Teacher

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:34:00 -0400

On Saturday, September 26th, alumni and their parents, along with past and current faculty, gathered to remember Evelyn Kalpin, a former Junior II teacher, who died of cancer in June. The afternoon was filled with poignant memories of a special teacher. It was wonderful to see so many of our past students at this touching memorial. Read memories of Evelyn.

Mark your calendars now for the Alumni Dinner, May 7, 2010 at 6:30 PM. All alumni and their parents are invited back to school to see the new addition, tour the school, share stories with your old classmates, and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Send us news about your family!

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:02:00 -0500

Check out the website for Jesse Brooke’s band, TRIO SUBTONIC

Submitted by Jesse’s mom, Pat Hansen.

Have you been published?

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:05:00 -0400

This article appeared in the January issue of Glamour Magazine, and was submitted by Corey Hwong.

Send us an update and we will post it here!