The Headmaster's Letter

June 23, 2008

Dear New and Returning Sage Ridge Parents,

I want to thank everyone for their support this last year.  The graduation and 8^th grade promotion ceremonies were our best ever and extremely well attended. I hope you all had a chance to see them.  As you look forward to the summer, please review the items in this letter carefully. There is a considerable amount of important information that you will need to know as you prepare for the next school year.

1. School Forms – In my May letter, packets of information were sent home that included the items listed below. If you have not received this please contact Mrs. Stephens in the divisional office immediately. 
   1. Emergency release form (yellow)
   2. Field Trip/extra-curricular activity form (green)
   3. Media Release Form (Blue)
   4. Over the Counter Meds Form (Purple)
   5. Daily Rx Meds Dispensed at School Form (Orange)
   6. Car Pool Interest Form
   7. Physical Education Uniforms (Middle School students only) – The forms for these must be turned in to the main office by June 30^th.  Parents should note that if these forms are not turned in by the 30^th, Mrs. Stephens will make an estimate of size for your child.
   8. Physical Examination Forms – All students new to SRS must have a physical examination by a medical doctor.  Returning students entering grades 7, 9, and 11 also need physicals.  Students will not be permitted to attend class or join athletic teams without a copy of an examination on file.  In addition to examinations, SRS requires a certified record of your child’s immunizations, as mandated by the state of Nevada.  Please inquire at your health care provider’s office when obtaining the examination, especially if new immunizations are administered to your child.
   9. NOTE: ALL FORMS ARE DUE IN THE MAIN OFFICE BY THE END OF THE DAY ON Monday, AUGUST 18.
2. Enrollment – Currently our enrollment for 08/09 is 233 students.  We finished the year at 224. I anticipate us opening school at around 235 students.  I want to thank those of you who have spoken well of us in the community and to your friends. I attribute a sizable portion of the growth in the number of applications to the positive message being sent by our parents to the greater Reno community. The bottom line is that approximately 60-70% of the applications we receive come from referrals.   
    
3. Parent Association 08/09 Officers – I included the PA officers in my last letter but the names of these people deserve repeating. 

President: Walter Prendergast

Vice President: Cary Ingbar

Treasurer: Jeff Foster

Secretary: Karen Gabriel

Lunch Co-Chairs: Tonya Robison and Suman Prasad

Hospitality Co-Chairs: Gisele Prive and Laura Kowalczyk

Volunteer Hours Chair: Ilana Rugg

4. Departures and New Additions to the Sage Ridge Family – As you probably know by now, Bradley Hirsch and Kelli Anastassatos have decided to move on.  Bradley wants to be closer to his family back east and Kelli wants to spend more time with her young son, Galen. All of us wish them the very best in their new endeavors and hope they come back and visit often. A reminder regarding new faculty/employees for the 08/09 SY follows:

a.       6^th Grade Science and Mathematics –  Ms. Daphne Abrams will join Sage Ridge from St. Jean Baptiste High School in New York City where she  has been teaching biology this last year.  Prior to St. Jean, Ms. Abrams taught high school chemistry and biology at the Dwight School, also in New York City.  Ms. Abrams has a B.S. in biology with a neuroscience concentration from Colby College, Waterville, ME, and a M.S. in middle school education from the Bank Street College of Education in New York City.  Daphne has also taught algebra to middle students while working summers for Academic Summer Associates in NYC. 

b.      7^th & 8^th Grade Science – Ms. Michelle Gallivan will join Sage Ridge from the Landmark School in Massachusetts where she has taught science for the last twelve years, working with both middle and upper school students.  Ms. Gallivan received her B.S. in zoology from the University of New Hampshire and her M.S. in education from Simmons College. She has also been a staff scientist for the Whale Center of New England.

c.       Library – I am pleased to announce that Tonya Robison, current parent (Konner and Tera, ’14), will be stepping in to assume the duties of librarian on a part time basis. She will start her duties on August 19 and be on campus MWF from 8-12 noon and TTh from 1-5 p.m.

d.      7^th & 8^th Grade English – Mr. Jacob Harmon will join us from his two year overseas experience at the Chung Dahm Institute where he taught English as a second language.  He is a 2004 graduate of Reed College and his degree is in English Literature.  Mr. Harmon, also a graduate of the Bolles School in Florida, has an interest in coaching baseball and soccer as well as taking a leadership role in outdoor education trips. 

e.       Middle School Physical Education – (pending)

f.       Upper School Chemistry – Ms. Heather Clewett will join the faculty as a part time instructor in chemistry.  Heather holds a B.S. in bioengineering from U.C. San Diego where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She also was a chemistry TA at UCSD from 1992-1994.  Heather currently lives in Reno with her husband and young son.

g.       Middle School Instrumental Music – Mr. Jody Postin joins the faculty as a part time instrumental music teacher.  He will be working primarily with the lower middle school classes during the day. Jody holds a B.S. in K-12 music education from Olivet Nazarene University and for the last six years has been teaching vocal and general music in the Wichita, KA, public schools.  He has also been a championship coach for both football and track & field. 

5. Classes Begin/Book Day/New Student Orientation – There will be more detailed information sent out regarding the days/dates below during the week of August 7.
   1. The first day of classes is Tuesday, August 26. The day will begin promptly at 8:05 with an all school town meeting in the gym.  Although Wednesdays are considered “Formal Dress,” the first Wednesday of the school year, August 27, is not a formal dress day.
   2. Book Day is Monday, August 25. A schedule will be sent out the week of August 7 indicating which grades should come at which times.  A list of certain items (i.e. binders, notebooks, etc.) that have been standardized in grades 5-8 is enclosed in this letter and should be purchased prior to the first day of classes.
   3. New Student Orientation – Please see the notes from each division to access this information.  Questions should be directed to either Mr. Shindell or Dr. Nickles. 
6. Report Cards (07/08 SRS students) – Please find enclosed report cards for 07/08.  These include 2^nd semester grades as well as 4^th quarter grades.
7. Summer Projects – There are a number of items that are being done over the summer to improve the function, energy efficiency, and “look” of the campus. Suggestions are, of course, welcome.  These should be directed to the office of the Headmaster. 
8. College Admissions – In my May letter, I included the colleges/universities at which the class of 2008 will be enrolling in the fall.  The list bears repeating:

Courtney Barton                  - Gonzaga University (WA)

Nathan Chellman                 - Brown University (RI)

Eva Delappe                         - Harvard University (MA)

Sarah Delappe                     - Yale University (CT)

Nick Hwang                          - Hope College (MI)

David Ingbar                        - Gettysburg College (PA)

Steve Jensen                         - University of the Pacific (CA)

Emily Juneau                       - Smith College (MA)

Sarah Katz                            - Willamette University (OR)

Richard Kern                        - Clarkson College (NY)

Heber Lopez                         - The Tisch School of the Dramatic Arts /NYU (NY)

Kendra Mallory                   - Alfred University (NY)

Kate McConnell                  - Wellesley College MA)

Krystin Norman                   - Whitman College (WA)

Adam Peterson                    - University of Southern California (CA)

Davis Prendergast                - Vanderbilt University (TN)

Cassie Walker                      - University of Nevada, Reno (NV)

Matt Walker                         - University of the Pacific (CA)

Brett Webster                       - Kenyon College (OH)

Please note that the dollar value of the scholarships awarded to this class from all schools is $1,403,888.  For one year, and just from the schools the graduates are attending, the figure is $431,025.  The average for those students receiving an award is $29,869.96.

10. Used Book return and sale (volunteers should contact Walter Prendergast at wprender@charter.net  and/or 224-4259 – Parents who wish to assist with the used book sale on Book Day should contact Walter Prendergast at the above number and/or email address. Please be reminded of the following: 

a.       Books designated for resale will be resold at 50% of the original purchase price.  

b.      Families will receive 75% of the used book sale price and the Parents Association will receive 25% of the used book sale price.

c.       Families who were unable to return their used books after final exams should contact Walter Prendergast at the above number/email address.

d.      Used books are distributed/sold on Book Day on a first come, first served basis but only within the time frame allocated for each family’s designated group (sent in early August).

11.  International Student Housing Needed – This year for the first time in the last three years, SRS will not host a Rotary Exchange student.  However, there are four Chinese students who will enroll for the 08/09 school year from China and who need housing.  Two are 9^th graders and two are 10^th graders. These students plan to attend SRS through the 12^th grade.  As I write this all four are housed but there is a real possibility that there will another student who will enroll as well. It is for this (tentative) individual that we are looking for housing.

12.  Physical Education Uniforms – All students in grades 5-8 take physical education five days a week, and are required to wear the official school physical education uniform to participate in their physical education classes. The cost of the first uniform is covered through the student activity fee which each student pays upon enrolling at Sage Ridge. Any additional/replacement uniforms are the financial responsibility of each family.  There are uniform samples in the main office and middle school students and parents are asked to pro June 30 so that an order may be placed in time for the uniforms to arrive for Book Day.

13.  08/09 Class Lists (new and returning students) – Please be advised that approved copies of 08/09 course lists will be sent home with the tuition invoices the first week of July. Everyone should note that these “course lists” are not schedules but do indicate which courses will be on your child’s schedule when he/she returns in August.  You will receive the actual schedule (indicating which periods each course is offered) in the mail during the week of August 11.  Please note that students who have received a C- or below in sequential courses (i.e. mathematics and language) for the second semester are required to repeat those courses or do summer enrichment in order to pass a placement exam should they wish to proceed to the next course in the sequence. Please contact either Mr. Shindell and/or Dr. Nickles immediately if you have questions about this.  Placement exams in all subjects will be given at 9 a.m. on Friday, August 15. 

14.  Dress Policy – Parents who have questions regarding the School’s uniform policy should read the separate divisional letters from Mr. Shindell and/or Dr. Nickles.

15.  Summer Office Hours – Summer hours are 9-4 during the weekdays with the exception of, July 3 & 4. We will be closing at noon on July 3 and closed all day on the 4^th. 

16.  School Calendar – As I did in May, I am enclosing the 08/09 master calendar so that parents may plan their vacations accordingly.  This is the official version. Also, please be advised that semester exams are set in December and June. Early and/or late exams are not given except in the case of emergencies. In addition, please check the highlights below during August and September. More information will be forthcoming in my August letter.

Back to School BBQ             - Sunday, August 24

Book Day                               - Monday, August 25

1^st Day of Classes                 -  Tuesday, August 26

Outdoor Ed Orientation         -  Thursday, August 28

Outdoor Ed Week                  -  Monday-Friday, September 8-12

Back to School Night                        -  Wednesday, September 24

17.  Gala and “Fund-a-Need” -  At the 2008 Gala held at the Peppermill this past March, there were a number of people who donated to the Fund-a-Need portion of the evening.  This alone raised $14,000 for the following: A) wired projection system in the art room, B) the installation of two new computers and four monitors in the upper school publications room, and C) microscopes for the 5^th/6^th grade science rooms.  I am happy to report that the microscopes and computers have been ordered and the technicians are installing the projection system in the art room as I write this letter.  Many thanks to those who contributed their support.  There will be a plaque placed both in Crossbow Hall and in the Webster Building recognizing these individuals by name.    

18.  Annual Fund –Please note below the names of those individuals who have contributed to the 08/09 AF.  I have listed them by grade level. Please note that I have added the names of those individuals who have given from the date of my last letter to now. I want to thank each and every one of them for their support in our efforts to reach our financial and participation goals for the 07/08 school year.  This year the AF raised $177,000 with a participation level of 64% within our parent community.  Our goal, this year and in the future, is to have everyone contribute in accordance with their means.  Trustee giving is at 100% and employee giving is 80%.

08/09 Annual Fund Contributors as of June 23, 2008

5th Grade                                                                     17 out of 31 families = 54.8%

Dr. Myron Bethel & Ms. Helen Lidholm

Mr. Roland Chen & Mrs. Shirley Llorens-Chen          

Dr. James & Mrs. Catherine Cunningham

Mr. Robert & Mrs. Martie Fine                                   

Mr. Steven & Mrs. Christine Johnson             

Ms. Catherine Bock & Mr. Denis Keller                     

Mr. James & Ms. Shannon LaBrie

Mr. Tong & Mrs. Amy Leung

Mr. Sergio & Mrs. Norma Lopez                                

Mr. Chris & Mrs. Eileen May

Dr. Marc & Tina Montella                              

Mr. Patrick & Mrs. Judy Osgood

Ms. Kathy Courtney               

Mr. Scott & Mrs. Teresa Shappell

Drs. Frank & Marcia Lu Stadler

Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Sarah Stevenson    

Mr. John & Mrs. Jaime Zerweck                     

6^th Grade                                                                      22 out of 35 families = 62.9%

Dr. Hak-Sun & Mrs. Mimi Bak

Mr. Frank & Mrs. Aimee Banales

Mr. Rob & Mrs. Ermelinda Cashell

Mr. Oliver & Mrs.Wen Dai Chen

Mr. Cort & Mrs. Jennifer Christie

Ms. Jeannie Damonte

Mr. Thomas & Mrs. Karen de Jong

Dr. Merritt & Mrs. Julie Dunlap

Mr. Ben & Mrs. Susan Farahi

Mr. David & Mrs. Jillaine Geddes

Mr. Jason & Mrs. Iveta Glavish

Mr. Robert & Mrs. Kimberly Guinasso

Mr. Tony Harrah

Drs. Richard & Anne Hayes

Mr. Tony & Mrs. Lynn King

Dr. Paul & Mrs. Rebecca Manoukian

Drs. Jerry & Glenda Matsumura

Mr. Christopher & Mrs. Graca Porada

Mr. Michael & Mrs. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt

Dr. Steven & Mrs. Lynda Robinson

Dr. Peter & Mrs. Kerry Verhey

Dr. Richard Welcome & Ms. Mary Ann Huber

7^th Grade                                                                      25 out of 39 families = 64.1%

Mr. Chris & Mrs. Julia Abts

Mr. Robert & Mrs. Sallie Armstrong

Mr. Mike & Mrs. Staci Bayliss

Mr. Peter & Mrs. Annamarie Bessette 

Mr. Michael & Mrs. Shelli Sanson-Brown

Mr. Don Roberts & Dr. Rachel Chaney-Roberts

Mr. Gary & Mrs. Kathryn Chellman

Mr. Mike  & Mrs. Lisa Dayton

Dr. Hardeep & Mrs. Shilpa Dhindsa

Mr. Robert & Mrs. Martie Fine

Mr. Jeff & Mrs. Heidi Foster

Mr. Garry & Mrs. Sherry Gadbois

Mr. Caesar & Mrs. Cynthia Garduno

Mr. Mike & Mrs. Shannon Harloff

Mr.. Steven & Mrs. Christine Johnson

Mr. C. Michael & Mrs. Nikki Kirkhouse

Mr. Todd & Mrs. Janet Lowe

Mr. Patrick & Mrs. Judy Osgood

Mr. Bhavani & Mrs. Suman Prasad

Mr. Scott & Mrs. Teresa Sedgwick

Mr. Michael & Mrs. Suzanne Shapiro

Mr. Paul & Mrs. Lys Shonnard

Mr. Ronald & Mrs. Jennifer Spector

Mr. John Trijonis

Mr. Roland & Mrs. Ana Urbano

8^th Grade                                                                      26 out of 35 = 74.3%

Mr. Vern & Mrs. Barbara Ausherman

Mr. Michael & Mrs. Ann Barnes

Mr. Jon & Mrs. Lisa Cady

Mr. Paul & Mrs. Margaret Chiavini

Mr. Soren & Mrs. Tammie Christopherson

Mr. Paul & Mrs. Rebecca Clark

Ms. Debra Clark

Mr. Brian & Mrs. Vicki Colodny

Dr. Merritt & Mrs. Julie Dunlap

Mr. Ben & Mrs. Susan Farahi

Mr. Dan & Mrs. Lisa Hauserman

Drs. Richard & Anne Hayes

            Ms. Lori Johnson

            Mr. Chet Mallory & Ms. Sue Oliver

            Dr. Paul & Mrs. Rebecca Manoukian

            Mr. Stephen & Mrs. Elise McMillan

            Mr. Mr. John & Paula Mourelatos

            Dr. Jack & Mrs. Barbara Newman

            Mr. Richard & Mrs. Linda Offerdahl

            Dr. Randall & Mrs. Tina Pierce

            Mr. Craig & Mrs. Beatriz Robinson

Mr. Kirk & Mrs. Deborah Schumacher

            Mr. Howard & Mrs. Tracey  Stevenson

            Mr. Michael & Mrs. Suzanne Shapiro

            Mr. Bob Spitzer & Ms. Vera Struc

            Dr. Richard Welcome & Ms. Mary Ann Huber

            9^th Grade                                                                      17 out of 22 families = 77.2%

            Mr. Jason & Mrs. Melissa Chelius

Mr. Dick Cook & Ms. Christina Fegert

            Dr. Hardeep & Mrs. Shilpa Dhindsa

            Mr. Edward & Mrs. Arline Dowling

Mr. Ben & Mrs. Susan Farahi

            Mr. Caesar & Mrs. Cynthia Garduno

            Dr. Jonathan & Mrs. Darla Gary-Sage

            Mr. Paul Helms

            Mr. Eric & Mrs. Catherine Ingbar

Ms. Kyung-Un Weeks

            Mr. Patrick & Mrs. Denise Johnston

            Mr. Jeff & Elisa Jones

            Ms. Beth Law

            Mr. Mark Lowenstern & Ms. Joan Spelletich

            Mr. Bhavani & Mrs. Suman Prasad

Mr. R. Keith & Mrs. Ilana Rugg

Mr. Robert Shereck & Ms. Gisele Prive

10^th Grade                                                                    12 out of 21 families = 57.1%

            Ms. Lisandra Sepulveda-Adams

            Mr. Vern & Mrs. Barbara Ausherman

            Dr. Charles & Mrs. Charlotte Carpenter

            Mr. Mike & Mrs. Lisa Dayton

            Mr. Paul Helms

            Dr. Carl & Mrs. Nancy Juneau

            Mr. Richard Kern

            Mr. Tony & Mrs. Lynn King

Mr. Todd & Mrs. Pamela Lankenau

            Mr. Walter & Mrs. Kit Prendergast

            Mr. Norman & Mrs. Tracy Stephens

            Mr. Scott & Mrs. Shaoli Pogoda

            11^th Grade                                                                    6 out of 12 families = 50.0%

            Mr. Patrick & Mrs. Denise Johnston

            Mr. Mark & Mrs. Chriss Mitchell

            Mr. Jerry & Mrs. Donna Peterson

            Mr. Harold & Mrs. Nancy Rubinstein

            Mr. Bruce & Mrs. Nancy Shipman

            Mr. Bob Spitzer & Ms. Vera Struc

12^th Grade                                                                    13 out of 18 families = 72.2%

Mr. Frank & Mrs. Nikki Feister           

Mr. Gary & Mrs. Kathryn Chellman

            Mr. Joe Delappe & Ms. Laurie Macfee

            Mr. Mike & Leslie Hurley & Mr. Steve Jensen

            Mr. Eric & Mrs. Cary Ingbar

            Dr. Carl & Mrs. Nancy Juneau

            Mr. Richard Kern

Mr. Sergio & Mrs. Norma Lopez

Mr. Joseph & Mrs. Patricia McConnell

Mr. Peter & Mrs. Lien Norman

            Mr. Chet Mallory & Ms. Sue Oliver

            Mr. Jerry & Mrs. Donna Peterson

            Mr. Wally & Mrs. Kit Prendergast

Trustees (non-Parents)             Emeritus Trustees                    Friends

            Mr. Dick Wilson                      Mrs. Norma Webster                Ms. Janet Morita

            Mr. Ranson Webster                Mr. Gary Silverman                  Ms. Eleanor Dayton

            Mr. Alan Hoffman                   Ms. Dalynne Moore                  Mr. Jeff & Mrs. Candice Kiel

Mr. John LaGatta                                                                    The Nara Fund

Mr. Richard Trachok                                                               Mr. Edward & JoAnn Allison

Ms. Michelle Mayne

Please do not hesitate to contact the office for assistance over the summer. I will be out of the office from July 3 through July 20. In the meantime, have a safe and restful vacation. 

Sincerely,

William H. Heim III

Headmaster