| A Journey of Learning and Discovery | Spring 2016
Magazine
SPECIAL:
Next Stage Campaign
Section Inside. » PAGE 6
2015-2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President
Debbie Kurzweil
Dear Davis Academy Family:
Vice Presidents
Mara Berman
Jon Leven
Evan Toporek
A
Secretary
Bill Rothschild
Treasurer
Melinda Cobb
Immediate Past President
Sam Tuck
Trustees
Penni Alper
Sherri Berger
Ann Davis
Elizabeth Davis
Laura Dinerman
Mark Edelstein
Lisa Freedman
Scott Galanti
Billie Greenberg
Lisa Haynor
Jeff Hopkins
Mark Kopkin
Kevin Levingston
Sandy London
Arlene Marcus
Dulcy Rosenberg
Alan Rosenberg
Kellee Rosenberg
Edwin Rothberg
Carol Rubin
Janet Selig
Toby Sidman
Stacy Sullivan
Dawn Tresh
Beth Warner
Art Wildstein
Trustees for Life
William Breman (z’l)
Jay Davis
Sid Kirschner
Past Presidents
(in order of service)
Jan Epstein
Carol Nemo
Dean Benamy
Harriet Zoller
Bryan Fields
Ben Sillins
Billie Greenberg
Tonia Sellers
2
| The Davis Academy
fter years of visioning and strategic planning, consultations with experts,
fundraising and great anticipation, the construction crews have literally “rolled
in” to the Lower School campus to begin the transformation of dream to reality for
our school’s “Next Stage.”
As our cover illustrates, the day before the bulldozers
arrived to demolish the original trailer that served as our
cafeteria for so many years, we took creative freedom and had
fun celebrating with some iconic Davis Academy graffiti art.
The temporary building held some powerful memories for our
students and faculty, and we couldn’t let the era come to a
close without a memorable send-off. It’s where early pioneer
parents kicked off a hot lunch program by cooking hot dogs
once a week for their children, and since then, where over
15 years of lunches have been eaten and the birkat hamazon
Amy Shafron
prayer has been sung thousands of times. With warm
memories and great appreciation for our history, we gear up
for the epic next stage of our school’s history (see page 6).
We are grateful beyond measure for our board’s vision and
leadership in continuing to plan for a vibrant future for our
school. We are equally thankful to the many parents, alumni,
grandparents, faculty and caring community members who
embraced the challenge of funding a project that will enhance
the lives and learning experiences of our own children and
generations to come. We proudly recognize our Next Stage
Debbie Kurzweil
Capital Campaign contributors in this special edition of The
Journey Magazine (see page 8).
At the same time, spring is in full swing at The Davis Academy! Flowers and trees
are blooming in the beautiful outdoor nature sanctuary, the curtain has closed on four
fantastic performances of our annual musical Lion King, Jr., Davis athletes are breaking
records in spring sports, and soon we’ll be re-telling the Passover story in 16 unique
interactive Seders. Seventh graders are on their way to D.C. and fifth graders are
heading to Savannah. Before long eighth graders will be stepping off the plane, forever
changed by their experiences in Israel, and graduation won’t be far behind.
Enjoy this issue of The Journey Magazine, which provides snapshots of innovative
and collaborative learning, global experiences, competition and creativity and
of course meaningful milestones within our dedicated and diverse community.
Our stories are inspired not only by the excitement about our “next stage”
but ultimately by our collective passion to provide the best possible learning
environment for our children.
B’Shalom,
Amy Shafron
Head of School
Debbie Kurzweil
President, Board of Trustees
2016 Top Workplace!
The Davis Academy is once again proud to be named a Top
Workplace by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. For the second
year, voluntary survey feedback by Davis Academy faculty and
staff confirms that The Davis Academy is a supportive and
communal work environment that provides professional growth
and excellent benefits. We know that a positive and an inspiring
workplace for our faculty translates directly into a top notch
warm and nurturing learning environment for our children.
of:
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The Circle of Life!
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a spectacular display of color, creativity and song, The
Davis Academy showcased its commitment to the arts
and an array of student talent to audiences totaling
more than 2400 in four exciting performances of The Lion King,
Jr. The show was a fantastic grand finale for the 13th and last
Davis Academy musical ever to be presented in the Middle School
“gymnatorium,” as was shared by Davis Academy’s Director of
Visual and Performing Arts Kendrick Phillips. In a production that
truly took a village, the classic Disney story about the young lion
who learns to become a leader came to life with a cast and crew
of nearly 200 students from five year olds to 8th grade “seniors,”
assisted by the skills and generosity of numerous Davis Academy
faculty and dozens of parent and alumni volunteers. In fact, all
students participated in the learning experience this year, with
The Lion King as the theme for a unique Middle School visual
and performing arts day a month before the show’s opening, as
well as the inspiration for student art in every grade that became
a gallery that playgoers enjoyed on their way into the Middle
School “theater.” As The Davis Academy’s “Next Stage” takes
shape, we’ll be looking forward to celebrating the 2017 musical
production as the first show in our new Performing Arts Center!
The Journey Magazine | Spring 2016 |
3
LEARNING&DISCOVERY
Integrated Approach Broadens Perspective
A
ABOVE: Fourth graders enjoyed their afternoon making
fringed blankets for the young patients at Children’s
Healthcare hospitals. The mitzvah was part of their yearlong focus on health and
disabilities. RIGHT: Sixth
graders made beautiful
mosaic-style yads with the
help of renowned artist
Gary Rosenthal, who comes
each year to assist with this
special project. The yads will
be used when they read from
Torah at their bar or bat
mitzvah next year. BELOW:
In a continuation of their
interfaith partnership, Davis
5th graders visited peers at
Mt. Vernon Presbyterian
School attending chapel
services and discussing the
important topic of hunger
in America.
4
| The Davis Academy | davisacademy.org
year ago, Middle School teachers began a creative design process to
develop an engaging way for students to explore concepts of a single
theme across their curriculum. “Integrated learning opportunities like
these are particularly meaningful in the middle school years as they foster
metacognition, an awareness of one’s own thinking, which helps students
more effectively question, visualize, and synthesize information,” explained
Drew Frank, Associate Head of School.
When the week-long integrated units
rolled out during January, 6th graders,
for example, focused their experience on
the theme Through Tunnels and Crossing
Bridges, which launched during PE class
when students navigated a variety of
symbolic obstacles (pictured below).
Students studied this theme through
the lens of each academic discipline.
They read Doris Lessing’s short story
Through the Tunnel in language arts,
learned about important tunnels in social
studies, and immersed themselves into
a measurements lab in math. The week
culminated with an activity discussing
the theme’s relevance to our social and
emotional selves.
Likewise, 7th graders explored the
theme of Varying Perspectives and Different
Lenses with the movie Life is Beautiful
used as the foundational framing piece.
During their week, the 8th grade team explored the powerful question: “What
is Value?” by studying the gold standard in social studies, human values in
Judaics, discussing The Gift of the Magi in language arts, and discovering the
basis of precious metals through labs in science.
“It was a huge success for everyone,” according to Assistant Principal Jeff
Rothstein, adding that teachers are already enthusiastically discussing next
year’s projects. He added: “There is no doubt that this approach reflects and
fosters both divergent and convergent learning as all learners (teachers and
students) are inspired to make connections that are catalytic to gaining a
deeper cognition through exposure to different learning methods.”
Students Test Virtual Field Trip Experience
While snowflakes fell outside on a February day, Davis Academy
Lower and Middle School students donned special Google
viewers and took virtual field trips to sunnier places such as
Barcelona and Jerusalem. This unique experience was part of the
“beta test” for an innovative educational technology experience
called the Google Expeditions Pioneer Program.
Some classes took a London Literary tour while other
students virtually visited the workshop of a New York coding
entrepreneur. The technology of the Google Cardboard viewers,
powered by smartphones, allowed students to explore these
faraway places with vivid panoramas and 3D images guided by
their teachers. Perhaps just as exciting was the chance for Davis
students to improve the Google product by offering suggestions
about their experiences to Google technology experts, who
shared that they were most impressed with their visit to The
Davis Academy, including the thoughtfulness of the student
feedback and the professionalism of our teachers.
ABOVE: Kudos to three Davis Academy students who took top awards at the
Georgia (state level) Educational Technology Fair: Charlie Berss–3rd place
in 3D Modeling in grades 3rd /4th; Jordan Liban–2nd place in Game Design
in grades 7th/8th; and Jake Friedman and Jordan Liban–3rd Place in 3D
Modeling in grades 7th/8th . BELOW LEFT: During a recent all-school Kabbalat
Shabbat, 7th grader Darren Rosing read the poem he authored called “But,
One Day” which won 3rd place in the national RAVSAK Hebrew Poetry Contest.
BELOW RIGHT: It was a phenomenal season for Lions basketball! The A-Boys,
pictured here, became the MAAC champions after a thrilling game defeating
Galloway School, 40-38 in overtime!
Immigrant Speakers Highlight Davis Diversity
D
avis Academy families come from all over the globe. They speak many languages, including Spanish, French, Russian, Portuguese,
Czech and Hebrew and come from as far as Canada, Israel, South Africa, Singapore, Russia, Argentina and Chile, to name a few.
A series of guests speaking to 5th graders recently brought a unit on immigration to life and was a testament to the diversity within
the Davis Academy community itself. At least eight visitors, nearly all representing Davis Academy families, shared their powerful
personal coming-to-America stories with the students. They described their journeys, as children or young adults, from places such
as Russia, Ukraine, Iran, South America, South Africa and Israel. The 5th graders listened as some described escaping from hardships
and restrictions that American children have never experienced. Some left their homes in the former Soviet Union after the collapse
of Communism. Others left unsafe places in South America or Iran,
and others came to the U.S. for new opportunities. The students
learned about what it was like starting a new life in a place where
the newcomers didn’t speak the language, understand the culture
or even have any friends. Despite the diversity of their origins and
experiences, the Davis community immigrants seemed to share
one common message to the students: that America is the greatest
country in the world.
LEFT: Davis dad Jacob Kuttner shows documents to 5th graders illustrating his journey
from Iran at the age of 14. As Jews his family had to leave the country using fake passports
because they had a stamp on their real passports showing they had been to Israel. RIGHT:
Justin Wolfson with his grandmother Barbara Wolfson and father Gary Wolfson, who told
students about their home country of South Africa and why they left to come to America.
The Journey Magazine | Spring 2016 |
5
The Davis Academy
Breaks Ground on
ON
a momentous Friday morning in
February, a full house of nearly
1,000 students, teachers, families,
Davis Academy founders, and community
supporters gathered in the Lower School gym
for a historic Kabbalat Shabbat service that
celebrated The Davis Academy’s vibrant future.
In less than a year (January, 2017), the school community is
expected to gather again to cut the ribbon at the grand opening
of building additions that will create exciting opportunities
for The Davis Academy: a 600+ seat performing arts center,
a spiritual and community gathering space, multiple flexible
learning spaces, and at long last, a state-of-the art kitchen
and dining hall.
The groundbreaking followed more than two years of
visioning and detailed planning for The Davis Academy’s
“Next Stage” that began to take shape following a facilities
assessment for the last formal strategic plan in 2013. The
resulting wish list, including some projects such as the theater
and dining hall, which had always been part of the school’s
masterplan, was approved by the Board of Trustees in spring
of 2014. The $7.5 million Next Stage Capital Campaign was
launched and nearly completed within 15 months. (The
following pages list the generous donors to this campaign.)
6
| The Davis Academy | davisacademy.org
The “Next Stage” project marks
the fourth major building expansion
for our school, which began 23 years
ago in classrooms in the basement of
the Junior Achievement building on
Abernathy Road. The Davis Academy’s
first permanent home (now the Lower
School campus) was completed in 1996,
with the additional then-middle grades
wing and gymnasium added in 1999. The
separate Middle School campus opened
to students in August, 2004.
Kyle Epstein of Warren Epstein &
Associates, Architects, Inc., who has
designed all of the Davis buildings and
additions and is once again the school’s
architect, says this is a very different kind
of project for The Davis Academy.
“Every other time,” said Epstein, “it’s
been about the number of seats. This time
it was a wonderfully different conversation
and some blue sky thinking about how
to imagine a building and an educational
program that enhances and changes the
lives of children.” Another difference this
time around, he added, was the variety of
constituents, including faculty members,
who had important input.
The performing arts center, according to
Epstein is “the jewel” of the project, adding
that this state-of-the-art auditorium has
been designed and will be equipped to host
almost any kind of production possible.
The vendors were very creative in devising
ways to simplify equipment needs to meet
the budget, yet make it highly functional
for the school, he said.
Epstein was also challenged to design
for current requirements as well as future
needs, which could be very different. The
flexible classrooms, for example, will be
fairly simple in design in order to adapt
to any kind of interior configuration, and
the infrastructure will support technology
needs for today and tomorrow.
Two weeks after the February 19
ceremonial event, the bulldozers began
the real groundbreaking in early March.
Brasfield & Gorrie, a highly respected
construction firm which has extensive
experience in school projects, is the
contractor. Davis Academy grandparent
Joe Rubin is serving as the project’s
volunteer project coordinator.
The first phase involved clearing the
property behind the Lower School Media
Center, where the new additions will be
constructed. The demolition of the old
portable lunchroom that had served the
school for nearly 16 years was a historic
and somewhat nostalgic moment.
Before it went down, teachers and
administrators spray painted words and
symbols of Davis love, appreciative for
ABOVE Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul congratulated
The Davis Academy for investing in its students in
remarks to donors on groundbreaking morning.
the building’s service and memories and
ready for the start of a new era.
Thanking supporters and leadership
on the ceremonial day, Davis Academy’s
Head of School Amy Shafron said,
“Today, we will grab our shovels and
ceremoniously break ground on this
exciting project. In just a matter of
days, we will officially begin building
our new sacred spaces—so that we can
do what we do best as a community—
to celebrate and nurture each child’s
creativity, to eat together, to pray
together—and to learn together—to be
a kehillah dedicated to the very best for
our children and our future.”
The Journey Magazine | Spring 2016 |
7
Contributors
(Campaign commitments as of 3-17-2016)
The success of our Next Stage Capital Campaign, enabling us to build the school’s most
exciting expansion ever, is possible thanks to the generosity of Davis Academy parents,
grandparents, faculty and staff, alumni and caring community donors. We thank all
of our many supporters, who we recognize here, and are grateful for the energy
and commitment of our campaign leadership: Campaign Co-chairs Mara Berman,
Jon Leven and Sam Tuck and the many other volunteers who shared their passion
with our community. In the following pages, we proudly recognize all of our donors.
$1 million +
Ann and Jay Davis
Dulcy and Jerry Rosenberg
Michelle and Alan Rosenberg
Karen and Kenneth Rosenberg
Karen and Mark Musa
$500,000–$999,999
Henry and Elaine Kaufman Foundation, Inc.
$250,000–$499,999
Carole and Sid Kirschner
The Leven Family
Andrea and Mike Leven
Shawn and Jon Leven
Penni Alper and Alan Wolf
$180,000–$249,999
Mara, Justin, Ella, Avery and Davis Berman
Elizabeth A. Davis
Hope and Craig Kaufman
$100,000–$179,999
Cindy and Jeff Hopkins
Allyson, Sam, Leah and Nolan Tuck
Selig Foundation
Linda and Steve Selig
Cathy and Steve Kuranoff
Mindy and David Shoulberg
$50,000–$99,999
The Cohen Family
Phyllis M. and Joe z”l Cohen
Delilah and Steven Cohen
Jodi and Shon Mekyten
Leah and Richard Davis
Ellen and Paul Goldstein & Family
Amy and Adam Coffsky
Robyn and Steven Gold
Alicia and Erez Goren
The Lipman Family
Andrea and Andy Lipman
Eva and Charles Lipman
Tamara, Brian, Emily and Daryn Mand
Marlene J. Schwartz
$25,000–$49,999
Anonymous (1)
Judy and Hal Abroms
The Benamy Family
Beth and Paul Benamy
Kim and Dean Benamy
Brenda and Alan Lewis
Candy and Stephen M. Berman
Dana and Eric Bernath
The Cohen-Janko Family
Shirley and Stanley Cohen
Angie and Shawn Janko
Ellen and Todd Cohen
The Dinerman and Medeiros Families
Teri and Mark Edelstein
Barbara and Bryan Fields
Vanessa and Isaac Frank
8
Lisa and Steve Freedman
Mark D. Kopkin
Debbie and David Kurzweil
The London-Rinzler Family
Kellee Rosenberg and Chad Rosenberg
Toby and Thomas Rosing
The Rothberg Family
The Sidman Family
Tobyanne and Arnold Sidman
Lauren and Steven Sidman
Benjamin R. Sillins and Family
Jana and Jason Tessler
Lisa and Evan Toporek
Art Wildstein
$18,000–$24,999
Anonymous (1)
Dana and Stephen Aronson
Warren Epstein & Associates, Architects, Inc.
Warren, Jan, Kyle and Glen Epstein
Billie and Mickey z”l Greenberg & Family
Jodi Feinman
Jill Rosenbluth
Dori and Richard DeRossett
Susanne Katz and Philip Karlick
The Kohn Family
Arlene and Steven Marcus
Sherri Berger and Nate Medoff
Julie and Dan Moradi
Leslie and Ted Moradi
Carol and Joe Rubin
Amy and Michael Shafron
Beth and Andrew Warner
$15,000–$17,999
Susan and David Goldberg
Barbara and Marty Pollock
Jennifer Pollock Crim
Brent Pollock
Brenda and Bill Rothschild
$10,000–$14,999
Anonymous (1)
Julie and Karl Altmann
Lori and Scott Bohrer
Mindy, John, Regina and Jack Broda
Heather and David Carlin
Melinda and Gavin Cobb
Anne and Jeff Denneen
Lee and Jeff Edelman
Cecily and Mark Elgart
Jana and Drew Frank
Beth and Jared Friedman
Mariya Fishman and Alexander Gluzman
Lisa and James Haynor
Anna Meyerson and Jason Lichtenstein
Carrie and Michael Marx
Lisa and Scott Mirsky
Lisanne, Paul, Samantha, Zachary and
Jackson Nozick
| The Davis Academy | davisacademy.org
Sheri and Alon Panovka
Stacy and Brian Pinsker
Valerie and Jeff Polekoff
Julie and Gregg Porter
Elisa Prager
Amy, Philip, Jake, Hailey, and Zach Rubin
Dana and Dan Russotto
Kimberly and Stephen Shapiro
Celia and Murray Solomon
Andra and David Sparks
Melisa Rathburn-Stewart
and Michael Stewart
Dawn and Eric Tresh
Lori and Alon Vainer
Tonia Sellers and Seth Weissman
$5,000–$9,999
Anonymous (2)
Tammy and Todd Antin
Laurie and Jeff Arron
Rebecca and Brent Bernath
Stefanie and Joshua Boxer
Janet Selig and Jeff Bernstein, MD
Suzanne and Adam Bressler
Jeanie Diamond
Sara Boucchechter-Fabian and Zur Fabian
The Elster Family
Suzanne and Robert Friedman
Corky and Roger Gelder
Lynn and Ronnie Goldman
Shelley and Marcus Gordon
Nicole and Brian Iroff
Meryl and Paul Kaufman
Marilyn and Leslie Kelman
Sheri and Craig Kornblum
Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus
and Rabbi Micah Lapidus
Simone and Kevin Levingston
Glenda and David Minkin
Deborah and Josh Perlstein
Barbra and Phillip Rosing
Francine and James Schulhof
Michele and Glenn Shear
Michael Shenk
Suzanne and Don Silverman
Shana and Alan Stukalsky
Sheri and David Whiteman
Stacy and Jeffrey Wolff
Sheila and Merrill Wynne and Family
$3,000–$4,999
Lauren and Eric Baylin
Linda and Richard Bressler
Stephanie and David Covall
Lisa and Martin Fleischmann
Carol and Charles Ganz
Phyllis R. Herman
Rose and Luis Kramarz
Chaz, Eti, Noa, Ella and Mia Lazarian
Lisa and David Lefkovits
The Powers Family
Marcy and Jim Solmson
Meredith and Scott Solomon
Amy and Jeff Swygert
Barbara and Michael Wolfson
$1,800–$2,999
Anonymous (3)
Jeannine and Aaron Altmann
Lea and Rich Artzi
Judie Barkan
Mindy, Warren, Josh, Rachel
and Mollie Binderman
Stacy and Kevin Brown
Debra and Mark Brown
Julie Herman Cohen and Jeffery Cohen
Michele and Todd Cohen
Tasha Biron and Ari Dardik
Amy and Jonathan Deutsch
Ingrid and Stuart Dunowitz
Barbara and Keith Eichenholz
Julie Zweig and David Friedman
Lynne and Scott Galanti
Ben, Jake, Sarah and
Rebecca Greenberg
Rachel and Robert Herman
Jodi and Jordan Hirschfield
Hydi and Bruce Kalmin
Abby Bechler-Karsch and Robert Karsch
Genifer and Sam Katz
Stephanie and Brad Ladden and Family
Robbyn and Izhak Laufer
Stacy Levin
Andrea and Sam Levy
Eileen and Ralph Levy
Kelly and Alan Mishkoff
Julie and Jeffrey Peretz
Annette and Jack Rau
Julie and Rabbi Steven Rau
Anne and Henry Reich Family Foundation
Lisa Reich
Alla Alpert and Igor Reizenson
Valerie and Adam Richmond
Heather and Devon Rifkin
Karen and Alex Rogow
Dana and Mike Rosenberg
The Rothstein Family
Rhonda and David Rusnak
The Sandler Law Group, LLC
Elana and Mark Satisky
Kimberly and Jonathan Swartz
The Tolk Family
Alisa and Michael Topor
Laurie and Todd Weiss
Michele and Stephen A. Winter
Marla and Gary Wolfson
Ellen and Joseph Zarge
Lori and Sam Zelony
$1,000–$1,799
Anonymous (1)
Wendy and Darren Amato
Marita and Rabbi Spike Anderson
Lauren and Tom Antonino
Nikki and Michael Aronin
Cherie and Gary Aviv
Hayley and Cliff Baker
Tracey Baylin
Phyllis and Irwin Browarsky
Sandy and Jay Coffsky
Sheila and Mark Cohen
Jennifer and Tim Collins
Carol and Larry Cooper
Gail and Mark Dryburgh
Stephanie, Marc, Alex and
Sammy Effron
Amy and Nolan Feintuch
Allison and Dan Fellner
Susan C. Fields
Sherry Frank
Sandi and Gerald Friedman
Jennifer Gelder
Marla and Jeffrey Gold
Gladys and Aaron Goldberg
Blair and Greg Green
Bretta and David Grocer
Joan and Perry Haluska
Renee and Josh Harris
Hildee and Glen Isaacs
Joanne and Dan Israel
Arlene and Milton Jacobson
Norma Shohet and Robert Kadoori
Riley and Lawrence Kasmen
Leah and Paul Katz
Lea and Alan Kirschner
Samantha and Paul Kurgan
Wendy and Stuart Leaf
Frances and Neil Levin
Elaine Silver and David Levine
Stacey and Eric Levy
Emily Sanders and Jon Margolis
Claire and Donald Marks
Arden and Jeffrey Miller
Ruth and Burt Mirsky
Allison and Jason Molinari
Alexandra and Michael Palgon
Debra and Chris Patterson
Janine and Keith Peck
Dana and Harrison Pollinger
Wendy and Jon Reiss
Elana and Anthony Ress
Dana and Dan Richin
Susan and David Rifkin
Amy and Jeremy Rosenberg
Stephanie and Marc Rosenberg
Lynne and Mark Ross
Allison and Michael Rubin
Dawn and Adrian Sasine
Beth and Brian Sherman
Erin and Daniel Shmalo
Sharon and Roger Solomon
Jennifer Aqua and Stephen Szabo
Bonnie and Monte Vavra
Lisa and James West
Traci and Jeff Wilensky
Terry Williams
Staci and Jason Woulfin
Stephanie and Joshua Yudin
Lara and Jeff Zell
Harriet and Norman Zoller
Melanie, Scott, Drew and
Jack Zucker
$500–$999
Anonymous (6)
Juli and Billy Bauman
Ann and Mel Berss
Celia Chase
Shelley and John Day
Marilyn and Benjy Dubovsky
Joan and Mark Durbin
Lisa and Jeffrey Fuerst
Leah and Joshua Golub
Miriam and Haim Haviv
Kathleen and Scott Hoff
Amanda and Dusty Huff
Sandee and Robert Isaacs
Dianne and Don Jaslow
Reg and Jeff Kamean
Shelly and David Katz
Marc Lefkovits
Lisa and Jay Liban
Shelly and Martin Mand
Barbara and Michael Mandel
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Merlin
Elana and Todd Miller
Julie and Jeff Mokotoff
Erica and Darryl Moss
Joanne and Joe Pearson
Kendrick Heather Phillips
Galia and Jean Sabbag
Mary Seitz
Mona Shuman
Ana and Jeremy Sobel
Rhonda and Lloyd Stark
Randi and William Steuer
Julie and David Weiser
Rita and Scott Werbel
Vicki and Steve Zellner
Up to $499
Anonymous (6)
Beverly and Stewart Aaron
Karen and Gerald Ano
Lillie and Michael Axelrod
John Barnard
Shelly and Steve Barnett
Rachel and Adrian Barr
Matt Barry
Laurie and Ron Ben-Moshe
Alissa and Michael Bens
Sara Beth Berman
Gerri Bernstein
Caryn and Jason Bernstein
Marlene and Abe Besser
Sara and Justin Bier
Debbie and Mitchell Block
Mrs. “B” Joan Blumenfeld
Karyn and John Brelloch
Shirley and Perry Brickman
Arlene and Larry Brown
Mara and Don Buffington
Rebecca and David Cater
Ellen and Michael Chalef
The Charanis Family
Martha and Stanley Chatlen
Eileen and Stanley Chepenik
Debbie and Paul Chused
Debra and Sean Coffey
Joy and Roy Cohen
Simona Cohen
Michele and Todd Cohen
Adriane Cooper
Hannah and Bradley Covert
Julie and Jason Cristal
Dyann and Mitchell Diamond
Kimberly and Daryl Dollinger
Marilyn and Terry Durand
Janice and Xavier Durden
Mira and Eyal Eden
Leanne Edison
Diane and Lee Edy
Susan Effron
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Feldman
Sharon and Ross Ferrar
Nora and Steve Floersheim
Jordan Forman
Wendy and Nicholas Frank and Family
Jessica and Brian Galison
Rebecca and Jonathan Ganz
Ada Gelb
Jen and Kris George
Louise and Robert Gerber
Rebecca and Jordan Gersten
Lee and Arnie Goldberg
Lesli Greenberg Notte
Bobbee and Adam Griff
Loli and Joel Gross
Elaine Gruenhut
Laurie and Gene Guthrie
Randa and Brian Hayes
Meredith Hegarty
Emmy Hirschfield
Noah Hirschfield
Kathleen and Scott Hoff
Carol and Edward Hopkins
Jared Hopkins
Scott Hopkins
Will Hopkins
Shellie and Terry Jacobson
Susan Jay
Gwen Kaminsky
Harriet Kaminsky
Craig Kaplan
Lynn and Alan Katz
Carol and Arthur Katz
Marlo and Stephen Klorfein
Jodi and Mark Kobrinsky
Ethel Kopkin
Phyllis and Gerald Kraft
Jamie Kudlats
Harriet and Paul Kulbersh
Felicia and Bennie Kurgan
Bruria Lahav
Patricia and Michael Lawn
Andra Lefkovits-Zolty
Ronit Lemke
Nita Levin
Dominique and Rael Levin
Meryl and Richard Levitt
Simone Lewis
Dianne and Lee Lovenheim
Meryl and Brett Macune
Betty Ann and Hilbert Margol
Jennifer and Zach Margolis
Julie Margolis
Sherry and Gary Marsh
Francie and Gerald Marshall
Missy and Darryl Maslia
Rebecca and Michael McCullough
Sara and Alan Measroch
Lauren and Michael Menis
Melissa and Mark Miller
Michelle and Jon Mittleman
Robin Mittleman
Allegra Monina
Betty Moore
Emily and Kurt Moore
Beth and Chris Morrison
Rochelle and Brian Moss
Sally Mundell
Carolyne and Brett Nadel
Cortney and Chris Nelms
Alex Newberg
Jennifer and Shep Orlow
Caroline Patterson
Rica and Wladimiro Pieniek
Lisa Pritchett
Stacey Prusak
Fran and Taylor Putney
Lynn and Glen Rainbow
Jennifer and Harris Rainbow
Rebecca and Jonathan Rice
Dana Rifkin
Meryl and Lenny Rindsberg
Lynne and Matt Rosenkoff
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel D. Ross
Stacy and Brian Schleicher
Cookie and Abram Serotta
Maury Shapiro
Steve Shapiro
Linda and Leonard Sherman
Linda Shohet
Ann and Paul Silver
Tish and Bob Simard
Sharron Sims
Jennifer and Miles Slutzky
Ellen and Jerry Sokol
Catherine Solmson
Missy and Terry Stein
Cyndi Sterne
Jennifer Friedberg and Brian Swenson
Michelle and Jed Tauber
Sara Tauber
Catherine and Seth Trugman
Sigalit Tzoref
Hilary and Brian Unell
Anat and Roie Vajima
Yuliya Korabelnikova and Victor Vaysman
Sandie and Sanford Victor
Jill and Gary Vogin
Felicia and Alfredo Voloschin
Dawn and James Watkins
Linda Weintraub
Harriet Whiteman
Orna Willis
Susan Ellman-Zweig and Arnold Zweig
THE NEXT STAGE
CAMPAIGN GOAL:
$7.5 M
HELP COMPLETE
THE CAMPAIGN!
Help us to raise
the remaining
$250,000 that
will complete the
Next Stage Capital
Campaign. Visit
davisacademy.org/
capitalcampaign
to make a gift.
The Journey Magazine | Spring 2016 |
9
HAPPENINGS
Professional Development Corner
A
s a learning community, The Davis Academy fosters a culture that ensures faculty are immersed in the most innovative practices
in education and share knowledge and exchange experiences with each other. The result is an unmatched level of professionalism
that makes The Davis Academy an exciting teaching environment and gives Davis students the ultimate advantage. With seven
strands of internally developed year-long professional learning courses, along with an array of regional and national opportunities,
Davis faculty are uniquely positioned to be leaders in the field of education. The work of teachers Stacy Cohen and Missy Stein
exemplify just some of the skills and leadership of the outstanding Davis Academy faculty.
Davis Learning Center (DLC) Coordinator Stacy Cohen is an expert in a technique known as The Visualizing and Verbalizing® (V/V®)
program, a systematic approach to teaching students of all ages how to make images of what they read or hear to aid in comprehension,
critical thinking and writing. Cohen has been guiding other Davis teachers to explore and apply the V/V process to their daily classroom
lessons. When teaching new vocabulary, for example, instead of requiring students to memorize a definition, teachers can use the
process to help students build a strong mental image for the word.
‘Abundant’ might be visualized as an overflowing laundry basket.
Thereafter, says Cohen, “Every time students hear the new word,
that image will pop into their minds.”
Middle School Language Arts teacher Missy Stein has teamed
up with well-known storyteller/educator/puppeteer Marilyn
Price to create a seminar called The Power of Storytelling. The
course equips educators with techniques that use storytelling
to help students understand and remember information. It
also emphasizes the importance of storytelling and listening in
developing relationships. Teachers learn how story structure,
combined with referencing visual and cultural clues, help students
easily connect abstract or multi-step concepts and information.
Missy Stein (left) and Stacy Cohen (right) engaging with students in the classroom.
In teaching subordinating conjunctions, for example, students
might learn through a puppet show where the “Clause Family” is having a reunion, bringing together cousins Dep (dependent) and
Indie (independent). Says Stein: “Educators come away from the seminar with a deeper understanding of how students integrate
information, as well as how we engage and safeguard our own heritage through the stories we tell.”
Reaccreditation Accolades
COME PLAY A
ROUND WITH US!
The Davis Academy
18th Annual Community
Golf Tournament
In memory of Jon Barkan
Monday, April 18, 2016
Atlanta Athletic Club
Register your foursome at
davisacademy.org/golf.
10
| The Davis Academy | davisacademy.org
While The Davis Academy’s
leadership continuously reflects and
assesses the quality of our academic
programs, it was affirming to receive
exceptional commendations and
accolades from the dual SAIS/SACS
(Southern Association of Independent
Schools/Southern Association of
Colleges & Schools) Reaccreditation
Visiting Team. The team of expert
educators evaluated our school based
on a year-long process that included
a written submission by the school
relating to documented standards of
governance and operations, a selfstudy pertaining to distinct aspects
of our program and a multi-day
on-site visit late fall, which included
observations and conversations with
administrators, faculty, trustees,
parents and students. We proudly
share just a few highlights that The
Davis Academy was commended for:
• Prioritizing innovation and
creativity at every grade level and
across disciplines;
• Promoting an environment where
every member of the community is
known, valued and celebrated;
• Engaging students in meaningful,
creative community service
experiences;
• Identifying, developing and promoting a succinct set of core values that
truly represents who we are;
• Responsible and progressive
management of finances and
investments.
photo gallery
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
8105 Roberts Drive
Atlanta, GA 30350
Be Amazed.
By The Next Stage.
See page 6 for more information or visit:
davisacademy.org/capitalcampaign
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