QLS Alumni…Where Are They Now?The list below is a compilation of the nation’s tops schools that have accepted Quarry Lane Alumni.

Academy of Arts University

Brigham Young University

Carnegie Mellon University

Chapman University

Columbia University

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Drexel University

Emory University

Georgetown University

Gonzaga University

Harvard University

Johns Hopkins University

Loyola Marymount University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

New York University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Rice University

Saint Mary’s College

Stanford University

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, San Diego

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

University of Southern California

University of the Pacific

University of Tulsa

Vanderbilt University

It Started with a Vision

There’s an App for ThatJames Jackson is using technology,

and his experience with a reading difficulty, to help other students.

Jackson, who takes the Applied Science 1 class, struggled with a mild form of dyslexia, so when he was given an assignment to invent something that would help people he knew exactly what to do.

“I wanted to help people with dyslexia, so I thought about creating a hand-held device that would read text aloud,” said Jackson. Then it occurred to him that rather than create a new device, it would be more efficient to develop reading technology for a device that nearly everyone already owns—a cell phone. “People have their phones with them at all times, so what better way to deliver instant reading support,” he said.

More specifically, Jackson is developing an iPhone application that would read text aloud—including emails, phone numbers and web content—and would also create a moveable visual ruler below each line of text. Jackson said, “Using a ruler to underline text is a technique that helped me focus on one line at a time and improved my reading skills.”

Jackson’s applied science teacher Dr. Carmen Taylor said, “I’m really impressed with this project. Not only is James learning a lot about so f tware development, but he’s also learning more about the unique way his brain works while helping others with the same challenges.”

Jackson’s dream has become more than a class project. His ultimate goal is to bring a fully-functional application

With the promotion of our seniors from high school to the esteemed universities they will soon call home, I can wholeheartedly say that my dream has been realized. I have no doubt in their ability to excel in the challenging world of higher education, and I’m proud to say that Quarry Lane had a hand in their preparation.

Hence, the senior graduation marks a truly momentous occasion, not only in the lives of each senior and their family, but also in the Quarry Lane community as a whole. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the seniors of our inaugural graduating class. I’m extremely impressed by all of our seniors’ accomplishments, but I know I’ll be even more proud when we look back in 10 to 15 years and observe the impact our students have made in their respective communities.

For the seniors who have been together since elementary school, Quarry Lane holds many special

memories. Maybe they don’t recall every math lesson or book report (okay, they might), but they will never forget the civil war re-enactments, countless field trips and colonial dancing lessons. Seniors Christopher Hair, Omar Ibrahimi, Laura Weber and Akaash

Seniors: Looking Forward, Looking Back Yadav joined Quarry Lane as young children, and have forged a strong bond over the years they’ve spent together. Recently, these four students got together to talk about favorite memories, aspects of Quarry Lane they will miss and the things they are looking forward to in the years to come.

Ibrahimi, who joined Quarry Lane in third grade, said, “Quarry Lane is such a close-knit community. The people here have been like family to me. I’m going to miss the teachers who have had such a huge impact on me and helped guide me.” He added with a smile, “I’ll also miss singing—and hearing my classmates sing—in economics class.”

Weber, who entered Quarry Lane as a first grader, said, “I’ve made lots of great memories over the years. I especially loved my conceptual physics class because the teacher really brought the concepts to life. But, what I’m going to miss the most are the people who make this place great. Quarry Lane has prepared me to make

It’s been a truly memorable and exciting experience to prepare for our first high school graduation! At this

point in our school’s history, I’m inclined to look back through the years and remember how it all started.

I can hardly believe that almost twenty years have passed since I founded The Quarry Lane School. Our first students were only two and three years old. Even then I couldn’t help but to envision them as future graduates of Quarry Lane preparing to attend the best universities in the country.

Our school has gone through many changes in those two decades. We grew from one campus, to two, then three so we could offer a full range of education programs. One thing that has not changed is my vision to prepare students for success in our nation’s top colleges and beyond.

Best of luck to you, seniors! I could not be more proud.

Sincerely,

Sabri Arac, Ph.D.Head of School

new friends and take on new challenges when I’m at Rice.”

Yadav echoed Weber’s statements when he said, “What I’ll miss most is the rest of the seniors. We’re all so close. At the same time, I can’t wait to live on my own in a new city. I know we’ll all keep in touch even though we’ll be in different parts of the country.”

“I’ll miss my Quarry Lane family,” said Hair. “I have to admit, I’ll also miss my time in the chemistry lab. Believe it or not, I’m looking forward to even higher levels of mathematics.” At that, the four long-time friends burst into laughter. Undoubtedly, the Class of 2010 holds a special place in the heart of Quarry Lane’s founder, Dr. Sabri Arac. He said, “It’s amazing to think that I met these students when they were only seven, eight or nine years old. Even then, we could see the potential they possessed. Now that they are graduating, they represent the fulfillment of my vision for Quarry Lane.”

Faculty Spotlight .....p. 2

Student Spotlight ....p. 2

SAT/ACT Scores ......p. 2

Moving Ahead .........p. 3

Student Essay ...........p. 3

Solar Cars ..................p. 3

Coming Attractions .p. 4

Student Life ..............p. 4

In This Issue

Spring 2010 K-12, College Preparatory Private School, Dublin, CA www.QuarryLane.org

to market, so that it’s available to anyone who needs it. “I want this to be available in the iPhone app store in about a year,” said Jackson.

Senior Krista White contributed to the Fall 2010 edition of Slate with an essay about the ups and

downs of applying to college. White’s stack of acceptances reads like a list of the nation’s top colleges; Georgetown, U.C. Berkeley, UNC - Chapel Hill,

By Gabrielle DentonLower School Director

TEACHER Spotlight

Student Spotlight

What do Leadership Class, sixth grade Social Studies and IB History of the

Americas have in common? They were all taught by Liz Paz-Rumore this year. Mrs. Paz-Rumore, who has just completed her tenth year at Quarry Lane, has a deep passion to know every student in the upper school and help them succeed in any way she can. She first started at Quarry Lane as a third grade teacher and has served as the middle school coordinator and student council advisor, along with several other positions here. She said, “In the time I’ve been at Quarry Lane, I’ve seen it grow and bloom. It’s been so exciting to be a part of the development of a great school!”

Mrs. Paz-Rumore’s philosophy of teaching is to help each student find their individual voice and, in the process, help them discover their unique strengths. Whether it’s a sixth grader who needs support transitioning

Liz Paz-RumoreUpper School Teacher

Close Up

Mr. Kelly Warner joined The Quarry Lane School this year as the lower school computer

teacher at the Dublin Campus. He specializes in creating age-appropriate computer lessons for each grade level. Starting in Jr. K, he teaches the fundamentals of mouse control and basic keyboard skills. As students move up through the grades, their knowledge and experience with the Microsoft Office programs deepens.

Kelly Warner Lower School Computer teacher

Moving Ahead

June is a time of transition; as spring comes to a close and summer takes hold we feel the energy of change

everywhere. Twelfth graders are graduating and moving on to higher education, eighth grade students are advancing to high school, fifth graders make the transition to middle school and our young friends in preschool make the leap to the elementary program. At this time of the year, our tendency can be to look back and remember the experiences of the school year that’s coming to a close. While there is a place for reminiscing, I encourage all Quarry Lane students to look ahead to the coming year with

Features

excitement and commitment. There is more to learn, more to experience and more to share. Whether you are a kindergarten student or a senior in high school, the way you approach the next stage of your education is important. I urge you to take every opportunity for growth and personal development, knowing it will serve you well in the future. With this goal in mind, spend your summer wisely. Challenge yourself to learn every day. Practice creative writing, read a book you enjoy, take advantage of travel opportunities with your family, paint and sketch, try a new sport or play a board game that will sharpen your math skills. There are dozens of fun things you can do to prepare your mind and body for the school year ahead. I wish you all a fun from elementary to middle school or a

senior who is honing in on their final college decision, Mrs. Paz-Rumore offers individualized guidance based on each student’s needs.

When she’s not chaperoning middle school dances, Mrs. Paz-Rumore enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Dartmouth and Stanford just to name a few. She said, “I decided on Columbia, where I’ll be studying theater and linguistics. I’m interested in acting and also interpreting, maybe for the U.N.”

When reflecting on her final year of high school, White found one class to be the most memorable. “My most impactful class this year was AP Chemistry. I was afraid it was going to be too hard, but Dr. Mizusawa really encouraged me to be self-motivated. The independence I developed in AP Chem will really help me succeed in a college setting,” said White.

Beyond learning the importance of planning ahead and remaining organized, White has gained valuable wisdom as a result of the college application process. She said, “The biggest life lesson I’ve learned from this process is that sometimes there can be more than one right choice. For years I had my heart set on going to Yale, but then I fell in love with Columbia. I think it will be a great fit for me.”

Krista White

Marta Wilbrink

IB ArtOne of the unique aspects

of being an International Baccalaureate (IB) high school

is the opportunity to have external assessments. This means that students are not just graded by their Quarry Lane teachers, but also by outside professionals who are trained and certified by IB. On the heels of the IB Art examiner’s visit to Quarry Lane, three students reflected on their experience with this unique IB Art class.

For Senior Laura Weber, art isn’t just an elective, it’s a passion that has evolved into a career aspiration. Her interest in art guided her to a major in computer science with an emphasis in digital special affects. She’ll pursue her degree at Rice University, her first choice college. Weber said, “IB Art has given me the chance to work with all different types of media, focus my approach to art and hone my artistic voice. It’s also very process-oriented. IB wants to see your initial inspiration, research, early trials and finally, the finished product. It’s not just about what’s on the canvas but

Science-minded Marta Wilbrink is different from most kids her

age. While other six-year-olds hear bedtime stories about princesses or dinosaurs, Wilbrink requests books about Charles Darwin’s theories. “I’m interested in books about Darwin, so my dad reads me stories about him before bed,” she said. “He studied lots of science and became really famous, but he kept on learning, just because he wanted to know more. Also, he didn’t learn from books, he went to tropical places, like the Galapagos Islands, and did the research himself,” Wilbrink explained.

Like Darwin, Wilbrink has traveled to tropical locales to study wild life. She said, “When I went to Costa Rica I went on science tours and saw sloths—the 2-toed and 3-toed kind—and white-faced capuchin monkeys!”

Wilbrink also studies wildlife right in her home. “I help take care of the animals in our salt water fish tank. We have coral, a chromis fish, a clown fish named Lighty, a snail, a hermit crab, a shrimp and a yellow goby that cleans

the algae at night.” In regard to her future career,

Wilbrink explained that if she doesn’t become a zoologist, she’ll be an artist. “I like paints and oil pastels,” she said.

Lower School Director Gabrielle Denton said, “I admire Marta’s inquisitive nature and zest for knowledge. I know she will continue to model what it means to be a life-long learner.”

College Entrance Test Results

2008 Quarry Lane Students’ average ACT national rank composite score is 94% (top 6% nationally). This means that the Quarry Lane average ACT composite score is better than

94% of students nationally (information received from www.actstudent.org).

(information received from College Board SAT website: www.collegeboard.com)

2 3

2009 Quarry Lane 11th Grade Students’ Average SAT Scores

2009 College-Bound Seniors’ Average SAT Scores Nationwide

643658

501 515 493

672

Mr. Warner also emphasizes the fundamentals of typing, web design and digital design. For Mr. Warner, it’s important to create connections between the core classes and the computer class. He said, “Our computer classes often coordinate with students’ regular classroom curriculum. This provides relevance and teamwork opportunities for our kids, who always look forward to computer time!”

Although he recently moved to sunny California from Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Warner feels right at home at Quarry Lane. He said, “Since my QLS introduction I’ve been surrounded by motivated teachers and parents, and students who want to learn and explore.” Mr. Warner has a wide range of interests and has worked as a senior IT manager and a marketing professional before joining the Quarry Lane team. He has a passion for music—a talent he recently used to help the fifth grade class prepare for their musical, The Thirteen Colonies. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and young son.

how you got there.” Senior Rebecca Kershaw’s experience

with art has encouraged her to look at creative expression in a new way she explained, “I enrolled in the class because I thought it would be fun. Of course, it was fun but I learned that creating art is a wonderful source of stress release for me. In the future, I’ll continue to make art as a nerve-calming hobby.” Kershaw found inspiration in her peers and her surroundings, she said, “Many of my projects focused on community. I have two pieces focused on San Francisco and an installation of photos with many of my friends. In each photo, my classmates hold a sign that reads ‘We are many. We are one.’ It’s meant to represent the diversity of Quarry Lane and the world.”

Junior Alexis Church wasn’t always confident about her creative talents. She said, “I was initially apprehensive about taking IB Art; I’ve never seen myself as a strong artist, but then I got into it and just let go. I’ve grown a lot, as a student and as a person, because of this class.” Church explained that the greatest benefit of the IB Art class was not just the technical art skills she gained, but the inspiration to focus her academic energy, she said, “IB Art has made me change the way I approach projects in all of my classes. I’ve learned that there is a deeper level of processing and understanding that I can strive for in every assignment. Also, I love the way IB Art challenges you to think across the subject areas. For instance, one of my projects was based on One Hundred Years of Solitude, which I’m studying in IB English.”

It’s obvious that IB Art has had a significant and unique impact on each one of these students. Art teacher Mrs. Jackie Flynn said, “In this class, it’s not just about following directions and getting projects done. Students have to find their own artistic voice and let it be their guide.”

Aman is Quite the Optimist

Critical Reading Math Writing

I’d Like To Be Under The Sea…Each spring, the lower school is

transformed into an underwater wonderland! For an entire

week, grades Jr. K through 5 celebrate all things “ocean” during our annual Ocean Week extravaganza.

In preparation for Ocean Week, students attended a number of off-campus field trips to gather introductory knowledge about the material they later covered. These trips included: the Pigeon Point tide pools, Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

During Ocean Week, May 24 to 28, each grade level studied a different marine environment and transformed their room to match their habitat. The students followed the Marine Activities, Resources and Education (MARE) Program designed by the Lawrence Hall of Science, they examined ponds, the rocky seashore, the sandy seashore, wetlands, kelp forests and the open ocean. Students also participated in two interactive assemblies, “The Australia Great Barrier Reef Expedition” and “The Australia Great White Shark Expedition,” presented by underwater explorers Wayne and Karen Brown. The Browns combined multimedia presentations, biological models, animal specimens, costumes, audience participation and creative storytelling techniques to bring the experience to life.

One of the highlights of Ocean Week was the dissection in which students

examined real clams, perches and dog fish. Lower School Director Gabrielle Denton said, “Ocean Week is one of the many experiential learning opportunities that we offer our students throughout the year. We’ve seen that students are far more likely to engage with the material and retain information when they are able to see, smell, hear and touch the curriculum. It’s about using ‘fun’ to help students learn on a deep level. The students have a great time!” Middle School students

combined physics, solar energy and fun to wrap up

the school year. Dr. Carmen Taylor introduced an end-of-the-year project that engaged the students while it was educational. She said, “When I realized we would be finishing our textbooks a few weeks early, I wanted to plan an exciting learning opportunity for the students. I researched Solar Sprint online and knew the students would love it.”

Solar Sprint is an annual solar car competition sponsored by Solar Made, a solar panel manufacturer. Each team received a small Solar Made solar panel and motor, but the design, construction and materials—like Legos, model car parts and shoe boxes—were left up to

Fun in the Suntheir imagination.

The project combined skills important for science and, more importantly, life. Dr. Taylor said, “Students have to research the background information, come up with designs, build the car, and of course work together as a team to complete the project. The actual race on June 1 will just be the icing on the cake.”

The project included a classroom presentation by the students. Each group had to research and present on a different topic that would help them design the cars, ranging from solar panel efficiency, electric motor physics or gear ratios. “Even though the teams are competing against each other, they are also helping each other,” said Dr. Taylor.

The following excerpt comes from eight grade student Aman Yadav’s winning Optimist Speech contest entry. Aman answers the question, “Cyber Communication: Progress or Problem?”

Cyber communication, is it progress or a problem? Whenever I think about this question, I think just a few weeks ago. While I was searching for baby toys and presents for my baby cousin, I clicked on a link that almost led to a virus. Considering the fact that my computer is up to date to

all the recent anti-viruses, this still was a close call. A few years ago that would have led to an infected computer, but now we have better protective layers. It can be easily debated that cyber communication is a complete problem, and it has a negative effect, but stats obviously say otherwise. Thirty years ago, no one had heard of the internet, or cell phones. One billion, seven hundred, thirty three million people use the internet today, 400 million people use websites to interact with friend, and nearly half the world’s population have cell phones. Cyber communications is the

new necessity, and is used worldwide, regardless of the effect, it is a necessity. Cyber communication is best compared to rock climbing. You keep on climbing up, reaching a point higher than before and you just keep going. There will be some stumbles, but you have to recoup and continue to aim up. I am optimistic about the future, I’m not an occupant of the past, and believe technology is advancing every day. I believe that we have progressed since the time of the pony express; I believe we have progressed since the time of telegrams. We, as a world, are using a rope that can break, and together we are creating a newer, more flexible and stronger rope to continue up on this mountain of life. We are looking to make the future better. Not to say we are in a better world, we are in an innovative world, and the only way to become innovative, is to believe, and to be OPTIMISTIC.

Cyber communication is best compared to rock climbing. You

keep on climbing up, reaching a point higher than before and you just

keep going.

Golden Gate Bridge collage by Rebecca Kershaw

Third Grade student shares Ocean Week project with Kindergartner

and productive summer, and I trust you will come back to school ready for another wonderful year.

Student Life

Staff Writer Kelley Foulk | Graphic Designer Nathan Baird

SLATE is published by The Quarry Lane School.

Dublin Campus - K-12 6363 Tassajara Rd.,Dublin, CA 94568 (925)829-8000Pleasanton East Campus - Preschool 3750 Boulder St.,Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925)846-9400Pleasanton West Campus - Preschool 4444B Black Ave.,Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925)462-6300

www.QuarryLane.org

Printed on 100% recycled paper.

CominG ATTRACTionSTHIS YEAR SEEMED TO FLY BY. BEFORE WE KNOW IT, THE NEW SCHOOL

YEAR WILL BE UNDER WAY. HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK OF THE UPCOMING FALL SEMESTER FOR UPPER SCHOOL FAMILIES!

Sixth Grade Catalina Trip – This annual excursion to Catalina Island is a major highlight for sixth grade students. This science-focused trip in Southern California is packed with hands-on learning experiences, like snorkeling, astronomy night hikes and touch tank sessions.

Seventh and Eighth Grade Boston and New York City Trip – This week-long field trip to two of the biggest East Coast cities will take place in the fall, rather than spring, in the 2010-2011 school year. This exciting cultural and historical excursion lets students literally walk in the footsteps of the founding fathers.

Wine and Dine Dinner and Auction – Join the high school student council this fall for a night of dinner and fun. Auction items from previous years included sports memorabilia, gift certificates to local merchants and the use of a time share for a week. Proceeds support high school sports, events and activities. Plus, a portion of earnings is donated to Kiva, an international micro-lending organization.

Spirit Week – Spirit Week is the perfect way to kick off the Quarry Lane sports season. Each grade level competes for the coveted title of “Most Spirited.” Plus, Cori, the Quarry Lane cougar mascot, always makes an appearance.

Evening of the Arts – Each year, the Winter Evening of the Arts warms the hearts of Quarry Lane parents and students alike. Expect a variety of acts including music from the jazz band, dance numbers, artwork on display, singing and theater performances.

4

AMeRICAN RIVeR RAFTINgIn May, Quarry Lane freshmen and

sophomores braved the rapids of the American River on Quarry Lane’s first river rafting trip. Mrs. Liz Paz-Rumore, who chaperoned the weekend trip with Mr. Philip Harr, believes the symbolism of river rafting is a perfect fit for this age group. She said, “Like a

High School is an Adventure!Students set out on two distinct excursions in the local area

river, the life of a high school student can seem daunting, unpredictable and out of control at times. High school is an important time for students to look to the people in their boat—friends and family—for support in the midst of the rapids.” The weekend of camping was filled with teamwork, fun and friendship.

This spring, the students of Quarry Lane become involved with the imagine1day organization

to support education in the remote Ethiopian village of Abada. Teacher Amy Gross introduced the opportunity, which was quickly embraced by students and their families. She said, “The first grade imagine1day project has exposed the students to a community very different than their own and has given them the opportunity to truly change the lives of others. I have been so impressed by my class’ enthusiasm for the project and the thoughtful way that they have considered what life would be like for a student in Abada.”

What started as a first grade service project quickly grew to include the whole Dublin Campus. What makes imagine1day unique is that it allows donors to control how their contributions will be used. Supporters

Students Imagine a Better Future for ethiopian Children

can choose from specific types of teacher training, arts and science kits or even structural classroom improvements. Not to mention, the administrative costs are covered by a private endowment, so all donations are used directly for the projects chosen.

In a few short weeks, students met, then exceeded, their fundraising goal to provide the Abada Primary School with Active Learning Teacher Training, Science Kits and Science Teacher Training, School Clubs, Sports and Arts Day and a Creative Writing program. With this initial goal now complete, students have the flexibility to choose a new imagein1day project to sponsor.

“The success of this project underscores the passion our school community has to help children around the world. I’m always amazed by their generosity,” said Lower School Director Gabrielle Denton.

SAN FRANCISCO CULTURAL TOURWhile the freshmen and sophomores

rafted downriver, the juniors and seniors had a sophisticated and fun adventure in San Francisco. The weekend began with a surprise—chaperone and art teacher Mrs. Jackie Flynn booked a deluxe Hummer limousine for the trip to the city! The rest of the trip included

a Chinese family-style banquet, a scavenger hunt, a ghost tour, a night in the historic Fairmont Hotel, dancing and a cultural walking tour. Mrs. Flynn said, “It’s wonderful to be so close to a global city and to take advantage of the amazing sights and experiences it has to offer. The students made some wonderful memories!”

It was an outstanding debut year for the middle school and high school futsal teams! At the

beginning of the last school year, most Quarry Lane students had never even heard of futsal—a hybrid sport that combines soccer fundamentals and a basketball court. When art teacher and futsal enthusiast Mrs. Jackie Flynn introduced the sport as a lunchtime activity the students became hooked. Not only were they having fun, but many students who play soccer competitively saw futsal as a good way to increase ball handling skills and agility. As the months passed, it became clear to Flynn that Quarry Lane could form a solid futsal team.

Quarry Lane joined the Tri-Valley

Rookies of the YearFutsal League with middle school and high school teams, both coached by Flynn. The middle school futsal team is the only co-ed, mixed grade team in the under 14 bracket. They advanced to the championships and took home the bronze medal in their first year in the league. The high school team also progressed to the championship and ultimately won the gold medal for their age bracket. Coach Flynn said, “Considering that it’s our first year together and the teams we play against are together all year round on high school and club teams I could not be more proud. But more valuable than the win is the sense of community and school pride that futsal fosters.” GO COUGARS!