2024-25 School Updates

List of 8 items.

• New Faculty/Staff Members

  When we start the new school year, we have a group of wonderful new people to welcome to our faculty/staff. In addition to new hires who were announced in our June Comings and Goings Letter or in the communication we sent over the summer regarding the hiring of our Director of Enrollment Management, Marsille Reed, and our Director of Equity and Belonging, Sanjev deSilva, we have a few additional new faculty/staff member bios we’d like to share with you below.

   

  • Megan Marietti Heller will join Redwood Day as our new K-8 Librarian. Megan comes to us from the Mill Valley School District, where she has been serving as a Teacher Librarian. Megan also has experience as an Elementary Teacher at Cascade Canyon School in Fairfax and Ross Valley School District. Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a California Teaching Credential from the Dominican University of California in San Rafael. She also earned a California Library Services Credential and a Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University in San Jose, CA. 
    
    
  • Sydney Polich will join us as our new Human Resources/Payroll Manager. Sydney served as an HR coordinator at the Northern California International Rescue Committee for three years. Sydney earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Saint Mary’s College. 
    
    
  • Claire Gilmore will join our community as our new 1st-grade Lead Teacher. Claire comes to us after teaching Kindergarten at Oakland Unified School District’s Sequoia Elementary and First Grade at AIMS K-12 College Prep Elementary. Claire holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Education from the University of California, Berkeley, and has earned a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential from Cal State TEACH at California State University, Fresno.
    
    
  • Elizabeth Lubin is joining Redwood Day as our new K-5 Music Teacher. Elizabeth comes to us from the Oakland Unified School District, where she worked as a Long-Term Interim Music Teacher. Elizabeth is a Music Teacher with Music for Minors in the Bay Area and a Choir Director for the Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir. Elizabeth has previous experience as a music educator and chorus director for the Oakland Youth Chorus. Elizabeth studied Music at The City College of New York, and Brooklyn College, and attended the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA.
    
    
  • Katy Lambe will join us as our 6th-7th Grade Spanish Teacher. She comes to us from the University of San Francisco, where she served as an Adjunct Professor of Spanish Language. Prior to that role, Katy served as a Graduate Student Instructor in Spanish Language and Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. Katy holds a PhD in Hispanic Languages and Literatures from the University of California, Berkeley. She earned her MA in Hispanic Languages and Literatures and her BA in Spanish Language and Literature from UC Berkeley. 
    
    
  • Linda Manzur will join our community as our new Assistant to the Lower School Director. Linda comes to us from Mount Madonna School, where she served as a Director of Admission and Development Coordinator. Linda earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Santa Clara University.
    
    
  • Kayla McHenry will join us as our X-Care and Summer Programs Coordinator. Kayla served as Program Coordinator for the City of Mountain View and more recently served as a Computer Systems Engineer Apprentice at Apple. Kayla earned a Certificate in Application Development.
    
    
  • Aaron Vanderwerf will join our Community this fall as our Long-term Substitute Design, Build, and Innovate Specialist while David Palange is away from school on parental leave. Aaron previously served as the Creativity Lab Director for the Oakland Lighthouse Community Public Schools and more recently served as a Facilities Director at Urban Adamah in Berkeley. Aaron earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Master in Education from Mills College in Oakland. 
    
    
  • Victoria Bui, Eli Rodriguez, Payton Randle and Debbie Yura are joining the Lower School Associate Teacher’s team. Victoria comes to us from Brandeis School of San Francisco, where she served as a 1st-grade Resident Teacher. Victoria holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies, with a minor in European Studies, from The University of Texas at Austin. Eli served as a Nature Preschool Assistant Teacher at the Chicago Botanic Gardens and recently completed her Master of Arts in Elementary Education at National Louis University in Chicago, IL, Eli also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. Payton previously served as an Assistant Stem Teacher at R&D Impact and and after a School Teacher at the YMCA in San Francisco. Payton earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of San Francisco. Debbie comes to us from the DaVinci Academy of Silicon Valley where she served as an elementary school teacher. Deborah holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
    
    
  • In June, Jane Shamaeva moved on from Redwood Day. We are working to complete our search for our new School Counselor, and will update the community when the search is finalized.

• Spring MAP Test Results

  Last year, we piloted the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test in grades 3-8. Prior to the MAP test, Redwood Day administered the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) test in grades 3-8 to measure academic progress, provide data about the academic program, and help ensure our program is at the cutting edge. Embracing our commitment to transparent communication, we understand from the parent/guardian satisfaction survey and the listening sessions that some of our parent/guardian community are concerned that our academic program needs to be more rigorous. For the past decade plus, our ERB test results have indicated that Redwood Day students consistently outperform CA independent school norms in key academic areas, including reading, language, and mathematics. The results from our MAP Assessment pilot indicate the same - Redwood Day students consistently outperform CA independent school averages in key academic areas.

   

  
  
  

  

   

  We will be moving forward with the MAP Assessment again this year in Grades 3-8. Additionally, we will be piloting the MAP Reading Assessment in 2nd Grade. On October 17 from 5:00-6:00 p.m., we look forward to sharing more detailed information about the School’s overall performance on this assessment, how/why we use the data to inform instruction, and our plans for continued data collection to support our decisions about the academic program to ensure our program remains rigorous and cutting edge for all students.

• High School Placement for Class of 2024

  One of the metrics we use to evaluate the success of our program is our high school placement outcomes. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2024 as they start their high school journeys. 94% of our graduating class will be attending their first or second choice high school! Below, please find a list of the high schools our Class of 2024 are attending. 

   

  School	Number of Students
  Alameda High	1
  Athenian School	4
  Bentley	2
  Berkeley High	1
  Bishop O’Dowd	34
  Carondelet	2
  Castro Valley High	1
  College Preparatory School	8
  Jewish Community High School of the Bay	1
  Head-Royce	2
  Lick-Wilmerding	1
  Northampton High School (MA)	1
  Phillips Academy Andover	1
  Piedmont High School	2
  Skyline High School	1
  St. Mary’s	4

   

  
  We take great pride in sending our students to a wide range of high schools throughout the Bay Area and nationally. We have alumni at all of the schools listed above (and more), and we consistently receive feedback that Redwood Day students are not only prepared academically for the various high schools they matriculate in, but that they are also kind, respectful human beings. As we enter the 2024-25 school year, we look forward to continuing to support our 8th graders as they begin their transition to the next stage of their educational journey, and we look forward to continuing to lay the foundational building blocks for all of our students in every grade as we prepare them academically, socially and emotionally for their next challenge.

• English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Update for Lower School

  Last school year (2023-24), we implemented a new suite of reading assessments and the SIPPS (Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words) curriculum in Grades K-5. Based on our end-of-year assessments, we are proud to report that the SIPPS curriculum had a significant positive impact on student learning, achievement, and foundational literacy skill development. Our data illustrates significant growth and development for all students in line with our expectations. This curriculum adoption positions Redwood Day ahead of most other independent schools in the Bay Area and ensures our reading curriculum remains at the cutting edge. From our survey and listening session results, we know that parents/guardians want more data as proof points, especially in light of the incorrect narrative that took hold last school year regarding Redwood Day’s English Language Arts (ELA) and reading curriculum. We look forward to sharing more about the great success of this implementation, including data and more information about our ELA curriculum with Lower School families on October 10 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. We will also be hosting an Early Literacy session for K-2 families on September 10 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. We hope to see many parents/guardians at both events! 

  
  Building upon our work from last school year, we are also excited to report that based on the recommendations of our ELA Curriculum Review Committee, we will be implementing two new ELA programs this year in the Lower School: Being a Reader (BAR) and Being a Writer (BAW). Being a Reader is a research based, standards-aligned, comprehensive K–5 reading program that integrates foundational skills instruction, practice in reading comprehension strategies, and rich literacy experiences with explicit social skills instruction and activities that foster students’ growth as responsible, caring, and collaborative people. Being a Writer, also a research based, standards aligned program provides student-centered writing instruction in process, genres, and conventions. The program uses collaboration, peer feedback, and independent writing to engage young writers in our community. Again, we look forward to sharing more information with K-5 families about these exciting curriculum adoptions on October 10.

• K-8 Mathematics Curriculum Update

  Based on the great work of our Mathematics Curriculum Review Committee, we are excited to share some new developments for this school year. 

  Math Olympiad for Grades 4-5

  This year, we’ll be implementing a 4th and 5th Grade Math Olympiad team for students who are ready for extra challenges in mathematics. For years, we’ve had a Middle School Math Olympiad team, and we are excited to bring this opportunity to our 4th and 5th grade students. More information about the team will follow in the first few weeks of the school year.

  Math Challenge and Extension

  As part of our instructional response to keep all students in their optimal learning zones, we will be implementing components of various math extension/challenge resources throughout the grades. While we’ve done this in the past, we will be doing so in a more standardized way across the grades to challenge students who demonstrate a need. Depending on units of study and assessments, teachers will determine which students would benefit from extension and challenge activities and will provide them as appropriate.

  Geometry Activity for 8th Grade

  Additionally, we are excited to announce a new 8th-grade Geometry Exposure Activity. This activity is for students who are passionate about math and ready to explore high school level geometry during an 8th grade year-long activity. Students who are eligible to join this activity will show readiness for geometry by taking a pre-activity assessment as well as demonstrate independence and curiosity for learning advanced mathematics. 

  Lower School Math Night 

  In our parent/guardian satisfaction survey, we heard that parents/guardians want more opportunities to learn about the Math in Focus program. This year, we’ll be offering an opportunity to come to campus on February 6, 2025, to learn more about the math program and participate in activities that your child engages in during math instruction. Details about this event will follow later in the fall.

• Middle School Advanced Topics Courses

  This year, we are continuing a wonderful new program for our 8th graders - Advanced Topics Courses. These courses provide an opportunity for in-depth study in an area of particular interest for 8th graders. The courses also prepare students for high school as they opt into a course as an elective to deepen their knowledge. Below, please find course descriptions. Even if you don’t have an 8th grader this year, it’s important to know how our program evolves as students progress on their journey. 

  Advanced Topics: Art History

  Instructor: Kayla Stoler
  
  

  We can learn a lot about people from the art they create. In this introduction to art history, students will examine and analyze art from societies of the past and present. Remember discussing the Seated Lady of Çatal Hüyük in sixth grade? Or perhaps you recall studying kente cloth in seventh grade? This Advanced Topics course will build on those skills. In addition to discussing and writing about art, students can expect to watch films, create art of their own, and leave campus to view art in person. 

  Advanced Topics: English

  Instructor: Sarah Masanek
  
  

  The AT English course further develops students’ reading and writing skills, in particular their ability to read critically and write about important issues in their communities. During the first semester, students explore, with a contemporary lens, some of the traditional, well-known novels that were once staples of middle and high school English curriculums. We analyze and discuss the power dynamics presented in the novels through the lens of race, gender, and other social hierarchies. Potential novels include The Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Great Gatsby.
  
  

  During the second semester, students use their critical thinking skills to observe and report on their own communities. First, students learn how to write articles as journalists. After developing their reporting and interviewing skills, students select an issue that matters to them and the community to further investigate. As a final project, students produce a podcast that incorporates narration, interviews, music, and sound effects to inform their audience about their chosen issue. 

  Advanced Topics: Design-Crafting Change: Design Tools & Project-Based Learning

  Instructor: Beth Entrekin
  
  

  This course teaches students how to use some of our lab tools, such as the laser cutter, microcontrollers, and 3D printers. We will cover how each tool works, the safety precautions to follow, and how to use each tool to create projects. Students may learn how to use additional lab tools that fit the specific needs of their individual projects.They will be introduced to Project-Based Learning (PBL) and basic project management skills. Students will learn to identify real-world problems, set goals, plan projects, and stay organized. Working in teams, they’ll connect to other subject matters and explore a student-directed project. The projects will be based on real-world problems or experiences, and they will design and prototype tangible solutions that demonstrate their learning. By the end of the course, students will have developed practical lab skills, gained experience in teamwork, and completed a project based on real-world problems or experiences, showcasing their learning and creativity. 

  Advanced Topics: Garden to Table

  Instructor: Ori Alon
  
  

  In this advanced topic, students will be responsible for building out the Middle School Garden, amending raised beds, planting produce and herbs, and learning how to tend your own crops. They will also learn many important techniques in the kitchen such as knife skills, various cuisines from around the world, and even develop their own recipes. This will be a great opportunity to connect to food and build useful skills that they can continue for the rest of their lives. 

  Advanced Topics: The Wide World of Sculpture

  Instructor: Jennifer Figeroa
  
  

  Does your student like working with their hands to create 3-dimensional artwork? Are they interested in exploring new materials and building techniques? In this class, they will learn about the wide-ranging discipline of sculpture through a global lens. Students will get the opportunity to grow their basic skills while focusing on a diversity of artistic influences and mediums. They will work with clay, plaster, paper, fabric, recycled and found materials, wire, and more. Students will learn the processes of carving, modeling, assembling, slab construction, plaster casting, sewing, and the fundamentals of sound construction. Find new inspiration in global art while making masks, figurative sculptures, alebrijies, plushies, and much more. The course will culminate with the construction of wearable sculptures inspired by the artist Nick Cave.

• School’s Response to World Events and Politics

  Over the past few years, world/national events and divisive politics have greatly impacted all of us. Folks have increasingly looked to schools, places of work, and other institutions to take a stance on issues and to provide pastoral care for community members who are impacted. At Redwood Day, we are recentering ourselves on our mission and we are reprioritizing our focus. As we find ourselves, once again, in a divisive election cycle, Redwood Day will focus our energy, time and human resources on educating and caring for our students when issues arise. Aside from politics, when unexpected world events occur, we will do the same. We will always educate our students in an unbiased way that provides them with the objective information they need to critically analyze issues and arrive at their own conclusions. 

  
  As such, moving forward, we will refrain from commenting or writing community-wide acknowledgements regarding world/political events. Rather, we will center ourselves on our mission and focus our energy and resources on our students, providing updates to parents/guardians about this important work, as necessary, so you can partner with us in educating our young people. In these updates, we will focus on specific action that we are taking as a learning community that may address relevant happenings. Additionally, and in alignment with our strategic plan, we will continue to invest in deepening our connections within Oakland and our local communities with our broader communications reflecting these intentions.

• COVID Protocol for 2024-25 School Year

  Please see Redwood Day’s COVID Guidance for information regarding the School’s protocols. If you have any questions, please contact Marina Ezoe, Executive Assistant to the Head of School/Special Projects Coordinator (mezoe@rdschool.org).