THE SPIRIT
Preparing Different Learners for Success
Winter/Spring 2009-2010
OF ETON ACADEMY
1755 Melton
Birmingham, MI 48009
248.642.1150
www.etonacademy.org
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Eton Academy is the best school in the world. You can be yourself here and be
accepted for that. There are no mean kids or bullies. I am never teased. You will
be accepted here, and people will see your differences as strengths. It is so easy
to make friends here because people just like you surround you. Even if you make
mistakes, people won’t judge you and will forgive and forget. No matter who you
are, what you like to do, or how you communicate with others, you will find friends
here. Nobody is left out. Teachers have time to help you individually and
care about each and every student. If you have a problem, you can just go to
them, and it will be solved by the end of the day.
The things I have learned
here are more than just strategies to help me in school or social skills.
I have
learned that I can do things, and I am a good person. I’ve learned that my
parents were right when they said I was a good kid. I’ve learned that not all
kids are mean and hurtful. All in all, Eton Academy is the greatest place to be.
The Eton Approach™ Begins!
A Successful Start in 2009-2010
What? The Eton Approach™ is a complete system for teaching and
learning at Eton Academy. It takes 23 years of specialized education
developed at Eton Academy and applies 21st century technology, cutting
edge brain-based research, and systematic structure to create the most
innovative method of educating different learners.
It’s more than curriculum, The Eton Approach™ is the foundation for
student success. The Eton Approach™ blends researched-based teaching
methods with an accepting environment that is nurturing, warm and kind.
Additionally, The Eton Approach™
• Adapts to how students learn and process information
• Respects how students and parents feel
• Provides teachers with assessments and data to make decisions
regarding personalized instruction on an ongoing basis
• Delivers instruction using the following techniques: multi-sensory,
sequential, systematic, cumulative, direct, cross-curricular, hands-on
and experiential
Why? It started with Eton Academy’s Strategic Plan, which took action
in 2008-2009. That year, the Strategic Taskforce on Program conducted
meetings filled with innovative thinking and answered their call to further
improve Eton’s already strong program. The Taskforce developed the Eton
Approach™ and released its plan for implementation in the 2009-2010
school year.
When? Beginning on the first day of school in 2009-2010, Eton Academy
engaged fully with the Eton Approach™.
How? The Eton Approach™ involves eight essential elements. From
parent involvement to student assessment and online reporting, all point
to the ways that Eton’s educational program helps students learn and
achieve success. Find out more about each of the steps online at: www.
etonacademy.org/program.php
A central component to the Eton Approach™ is the use of web-based
technology to organize and communicate vital information about each
student’s learning style, needs, and profile to teachers and parents.
Eton educators apply our personalized curriculum and instruction to the
unique needs of each student, creating an educational experience that leads
to a more personalized, targeted learning experience that ultimately leads
to greater success at Eton, and beyond.
SPIRIT OF GIVING
Vive la Différence! Thank
You, we raised $220,000
*
year after year, they support
eton’s Gala & Auction — Here’s why
Dennis and Hadas Bernard
We know, as past parents of a student
who attended Eton, what a difference
this school makes. That’s why we
support the Gala & Auction each year.
One of the highlights of the evening
is hearing from an Eton student that
talks about how Eton has not only
changed their life but has helped
them succeed in school and other
endeavors. After hearing the student
speak, we gain amazing insight on
Eton’s approach to learning.
Plus, we always come home with great
items from the best auction around.
* Amount reflects net proceeds.
Mark and Paula LaNeve
John and Collette Cook
Our son, Drew, and our entire family
have been touched in an unbelievably
positive way in our six years at Eton.
A few years ago, one of our neighbors
invited us to their child’s school auction.
It was Eton Academy.
In our wildest dreams, we could not
have imagined a school that’s so focused
on different learners, so empathetic to
personal and emotional struggles, and
so enthusiastic about opportunities and
possibilities for all students.
At our first Gala we met the students and
listened to the graduates speak about their
learning challenges and how Eton helped
them find success. We were amazed! We
love the school’s mission, the faculty, and
especially the students and all of their
individual accomplishments. It’s an honor
to be part of the Eton community.
We will forever be appreciative of Pete
Pullen, Tom Hoff, and the entire faculty
and Eton family.
It is truly a special place!
We have always been passionate about
helping children, especially in our own
community. We look forward each year
to Eton’s auction because we know our
support is making a big difference in a
local child’s life.
SPIRIT OF LEARNING
Life Science Class Hatches a Lucky Chick
If you walked the halls of the lower school recently, you
may have heard a chirping sound coming out of Mrs.
Doty’s classroom. That’s because her Life Science class,
inspired by the hobby of fourth grader, Brandon Russo,
successfully hatched a chick.
According to Brandon, it’s a tricky business raising
chickens. Eggs need lots of care to make it all the way to
becoming a chick.
“I’ve tried hatching eggs before,” Brandon said. “First
time, the incubator failed. It was disappointing, but I
wanted to try again.”
That’s when he suggested to
Mrs. Lawn, Eton Lower School
Co-Director, that it become part
of a science project. Mrs. Lawn
spoke with Mrs. Doty and the
plan was put into motion.
Brandon brought in some
equipment, and then eggs
were ordered from McMurry
Hatchery.
Together, the class nurtured
several eggs while Mrs.
Doty provided the class with
instruction designed to expand
on the chick-raising experience.
Brandon is a budding expert in raising chickens. A
passion sparked by summer camps at Upland Hills
Farm that he said he attended every year since he can
remember.
Why chickens? When asked, Brandon shrugged his
shoulders smiled and said, “Because I really, really like it.”
Why chickens at Eton? To that Brandon replied, “I
thought it would be great for the kids to learn life stages
of the eggs and watching them hatch.” But that’s easier
said than done.
“I loved the hands on activity
that the children were able to
not only visualize, but it touched
on most senses,” said Mrs. Doty.
“We are studying Life Science
and this fit in so wonderfully. The
children were not only excited but quite engaged.”
The class’ care and effort paid off. On a February
afternoon, one of the eggs had a peep hole in it. The next
morning, the class met their new friend, Chirpie. Or is
it Lucky? At the time of the interview, Brandon said the
jury was still out on which name to use.
The chick chirps non-stop. However, given the challenge
of hatching chickens, Brandon thinks the right name is
Lucky, without a doubt.
Seeds of Peace Grow from Improvised Lesson
Agility is an important teaching skill, particularly at Eton.
In the course of teaching planned lessons, Eton
teachers are quick to identify unexpected enrichment
opportunities, allowing students to engage more fully.
This happened recently in Ms. Mary Beth
Casey’s Current Issues Class. Originally,
the unit was a course in studying
individual rights. This topic spurred a
spontaneous lesson about the power of
words.
Students connected emotionally and reflected on the
power of words in their own lives.
These words came directly
from Eton Academy tenth grade
student, Lauren Daniels, in her
project which was a Public Service
Announcement video.
In her video, Lauren reenacted
an encounter with a friend who
spoke hurtful words regarding her
learning differences.
Her words encompass what
students learned through the unit,
while making a connection to
the mission of Eton Academy—a
school that embraces acceptance,
not only of others but, at times
most importantly, ourselves.
Some students chose to write very powerful
and emotional stories of their experiences
with being an outsider or different.
Other students created collages using
powerful words and images to outline a
symbol such as peace sign or a heart.
Remember
that what you say
can affect someone for
an hour, a day or
a lifetime.
Ms. Casey then created a new project
called “Seeds of Peace,” a project to
counter act violent words that can be seeds of
hate.
“Remember that what you say can
affect someone for an hour, a day
or a lifetime.”
Students used the project to demonstrate their
understanding of the damage that can be inflicted upon
others by the words we use. The class drew from their
own affinities in designing their projects, and the way in
which they presented them to the class.
The “Seeds of Peace” project is one
example of the quick thinking and skilled
teaching of Eton faculty, combined with a personal
connection by students —allowing traditional lessons to
develop into opportunities for extraordinary growth.
SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIP
Serving Non-Profits with a Smile
Former Eton Academy Board of Trustees Member, H. Perry Driggs
Perry Driggs is the kind of man who seems as if he does
everything enthusiastically. His zest for life is magnetic. His
big smiles are frequent and genuine.
It’s no wonder that when Perry received a call in 2001
from then Board Chairman, Bob Klein, to join the Eton
Academy Board of Trustees, Perry said he enthusiastically
agreed. Perry served on the Eton Academy Board of Trustees
from 2001-2008. During his tenure, he provided Eton with
leadership, financial expertise and a passion for education.
raised six children and now boast 11 grandchildren.Yet,
Perry still made time to serve in a leadership role for
many prominent non-profits—the Red Cross, the Lansing
Symphony, the United Way, Michigan State University
Foundation and the Harvard Business School Alumni Board,
just to name a few.
In Perry’s newest endeavor, he’s affecting multiple nonprofits at once. The Harvard Business School Club of
Michigan raises funds to send CEOs of Michigan non-profits
to an executive training program at the Harvard Business
Working with a committee comprised of Trustees, Eton’s
School in Boston. He’s part of a collaboration borne from
Head of School and Finance Director, Perry worked for the
this group that is working to find new ways these non-profits
overhaul of the endowment fund and other
can help each other achieve their missions
financial aspects of Eton.
and further benefit our communities. He’s
You have to keep
“That was an accomplishment!” Perry
renewing yourself all an adjunct instructor at Walsh College, too.
Leading by example, he practices lifelong
said. “We consolidated Eton’s endowment
the
time.
It
requires
an
learning daily, with a morning routine of
investments so they could be managed
active role.
scripture reading and Spanish practice.
more effectively for Eton’s benefit,” he
said, “and we helped get the other financial
“You have to keep renewing yourself all
aspects of Eton in order so that people
the time,” Perry said. “It requires an active role. Lifelong
could understand it and make objective decisions.”
learning is not something you say.” Perry then looked over
at the piano and said, “I
With Perry on the Board,
might take that up again.”
Eton received another
Lorraine chuckled and said,
avid supporter in the deal,
“I might need to get some
Lorraine Driggs, Perry’s
headphones.”
wife. The Driggs agreed
that their favorite memory
In addition, the couple
of Eton Academy came
is planning one year of
from hearing student
volunteer service at Southern
speakers at the Auction
Virginia University, a college
each year.
affiliated with the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
“Listening to those
Saints.
students speak at the
Gala. I’d put that as the
How do they do it all? “We
highlight,” Perry said. “We
both know all of this work
always look forward to that
is important,” Lorraine
part,” Lorraine added.
said. “So we do what we
can to support each other.”
Perry not only realized
Agreeing, Perry nods and
a successful career in
smiles.
banking, he and Lorraine
Holocaust Survivor Visits Eton Academy
Shares Experience, Wisdom through Life Story
April 23, 1936. That was the last day of school for Martin
Lowenberg.
Listening intently, an audience of Eton Academy Middle and
Upper school students paid close attention as Mr. Lowenberg
carefully unravelled his tragic story of loss and survival.
While the story was heart wrenching, the 86 year-old story
teller conveyed it artfully and with an ease that only decades
of earned wisdom can provide. He stomped his feet to
replicate the sound of Nazi soldiers. He crouched in a squat
to show students the position he had to maintain while being
held at gunpoint for 22 hours. The effect was powerful. So,
too, were the many images and photographs
of his family and small town where he was
raised—in an unforgettable comparison
of before and after. Every part of his story
was accompanied by a photograph to
make it even more real for the students.
Students sat and listened, with rapt
attention to the unfathomable story of a
teenage boy’s experience.
“At 17 years old, I was liberated one
week before the war ended,” Mr.
Lowenberg said. “I weighed 76 pounds,”
he concluded.
Then he paused for a moment, and said
“At 12 years old, my childhood was taken
away.
“That was my life.”
In strong contrast to the story they were
hearing, each of the students in the auditorium
eagerly anticipate their own last day of school
—graduation, continuing to college—a hopefilled life awaits.
Yet, for Mr. Lowenberg his last day of school
was the start of an unimaginable nightmare that
would leave him persecuted, starved, enslaved,
imprisoned, tortured and orphaned. Mr.
Lowenberg is a Jewish Holocaust survivor.
Pointing out little details, like the last day he
was allowed to go to school, was a technique
that really allowed students to connect with his
story. He spoke candidly to the students, yet at
a level that connected with them.
SPIRIT OF ACHIEVEMENT
Two Alums Share How Eton Prepared them for Success
On a February morning, Eton welcomed a visit by two
former students, Tom Stankard and Adam Meyers.
In a quick interview, here’s what they shared:
Q&A
Welcome back!
Both: Thanks!
When did you attend Eton
Academy, and where are you
now?
Tom: I was here at Eton from
fourth grade through eighth
grade. Now, I’m a Senior at Brother Rice. I’ve been at
Brother Rice since ninth grade.
have to ask for as much help.
Adam: When I started at Eton, I was mostly nervous and
scared to meet new people. It isn’t easy for me. In about
three days, though, I met a lot of people and made friends.
It boosted my confidence. I realized I could do that
everywhere, and that if I could [meet people] when I was
young, then I would continue to be able to do it when I’m
older.
What was it like to go to your respective high schools,
after attending Eton?
Tom: Brother Rice was a challenge at first, since I didn’t know
as many students, and it felt very big.
Adam: Exact same thing.
Adam: I came to Eton for seventh
and eighth grades. I go to Andover
High School—since ninth grade—
and am a Senior this year, too.
How did Eton help prepare you for the move
to your current school?
Tom: I learned how to stay focused, and
prepare for tests.
Are you willing to share what
your learning challenge is?
Adam: Being organized used to kill me. Now,
I use a planner and a calendar.
Tom: Oh, yes, sure. It’s ADHD.
Adam: Me too.
Brag a little for me.
What did it mean to you to come
to Eton Academy?
Tom: Prior to Eton school was
really challenging. For example,
when I took a math test, I would
put down the wrong answer even
though, in my mind, I knew the
right answer. Then, my parents
found Eton for me.
At Eton, I got more attention. The
tests were formatted to fit how I
learned better. The teachers were
better.
My grades improved. Homework
time at home was a lot less
stressful. My parents didn’t have
tor remind me to do it, and I didn’t
Tom: I currently have a 3.0 at Brother Rice.
Adam: I’m on the varsity football team at
Andover.
Adam Meyers
What’s next?
Tom Stankard
Tom: I’m most likely going to Aquinas for
college.
Adam: I’m going to Central Michigan and
will study science as it relates to sports, like
Kinesiology.
What would you say to a student new to
Eton?
Tom: Eton will help you [manage] your learning
disability.
Adam: Eton will bring you out of your shell.
Congratulations Class of 2009: (from left) Alexander Willem van Acker, Christopher
James Duffitt, Devin Erick McClure, Jordan Anthony Farrugia, Erin Rebeckah Spix, Peter
Sam Saigh, Jordan Ross Lindsay, Andrew J. Gorga, Nicholas G. Bahoura.
2009-2010 Eton Academy Board of Trustees
Michael E. Maslyn, President
Victoria Steward, Vice President
Robert Goudeseune, Treasurer
Lawrence Bluth, Secretary
Dennis Bernard
Maria Chirco
Mark Goodman
James F. Gwaltney, Jr.
Patricia Hartmann
Mark LaNeve
Sonia Ajluni Pastore
Kim Schatzel, Ph.D.
Jo Ellen Schwartz
Arlyce Seibert
Michael Stankard
Bill Weatherston
Jeffrey L. Zanetti, D.D.S.
Pete Pullen,
Head of School, ex-officio
Karen Fischer and
Raylon Leaks-May,
PSO Co-Representatives
THE SPIRIT
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
BIRMINGHAM, MI
PERMIT 242
OF ETON ACADEMY
1755 Melton
Birmingham, MI 48009
248.642.1150
www.etonacademy.org
Funding Falls Short, Eton Needs Your Help
Eton’s Program Relies on Annual Giving Funds
goal:
$157,000
current level:
$124,000
Eton’s critically important Annual
Giving Fund is falling short this year.
More than ever, we need your support.
Please remember to contribute to
Annual Giving. Because, when you
donate money to Annual Giving each
year, you help make the school’s
educational program possible.
Annual Giving is a tax-deductible
donation that supports vital specialized
needs of our students and school.
For more information about giving
opportunities, please contact Blythe
Moran, Director of Advancement
248.642.1150 or email bmoran@
etonacademy.org.
Please consider making a contribution
today by phone or online:
248.642.1150 www.etonacademy.org
Thank you.
We appreciate gifts at every level:
Eton Founder......................................... $5,000 and above
Eton Benefactor..................................... $2,000 to $4,999
Head of School Club............................. $1,000 to $1,999
Eton Club.............................................. $250 to $999
Friends.................................................. $1 to $249