ROU ND TABLE
th e n e ws le t te r o f ma so n pr e par ato ry sch oo l
Charleston, SC
fall 2014
FRO M O U R H E AD O F SCH OO L
in september 1972, I stepped through
the doors of a still-young Miss Mason’s School
as a five-year-old first grader. Since then, I
have had the pleasure to watch our school
grow as a student, a teacher, a coach, a parent,
and an administrator. Our school has grown
in size and stature since I was a student, but
the essential elements of Mason Prep have
remained the same.
A component of the student experience that
has stayed constant since our original days as
Miss Mason’s is the emphasis on respect. Our young people develop
respect for each other and their individual differences, for themselves,
for adults, for knowledge, and for the world in which they live. The
atmosphere of respect pervades our school and helps to create an
educational climate in which students feel free to express themselves and
in which teachers can focus their energies on their instruction rather
than on disciplinary matters.
Another piece that has been crucial to our school’s success through the
years is our teachers’ care for their students. Children are not allowed
to fall through the cracks at Mason Prep. Our teachers take the time to
know their students as learners and as individuals. The same love that
was shown toward me by my first grade teacher, Mrs. Jeanne Thrower, is
evident in the first grade (and now kindergarten!) classrooms of today. It
is truly a pleasure to see alumni from the worlds of high school, college,
and adulthood return to Mason Prep to visit with the teachers that hold
special places in their hearts.
Another constant at Miss Mason’s and Mason Prep throughout the fiftyyear history of our school has been the quality of our teachers. Their
experience, expertise, knowledge of their subjects, and ability to reach
their students has helped our school to produce graduates who are very
well-prepared for their futures. Our teachers love their students, their
jobs, and their subjects, and it shows!
We recently celebrated a Miss Mason’s School reunion at 1 Meeting Street,
where Mrs. Nancy Hawk opened the predecessor of today’s Mason Prep
in her basement. At that gathering, I remarked about how our school’s
connections run deep. Mrs. Hawk’s daughter, Mrs. Penny Wilson, is
now the Chair of our Board of Trustees. Mrs. Betty Disher, who taught
at Miss Mason’s during my time as a student, was the Headmistress
who hired me in 1990 and her three grandchildren are now at our
school. Six of our teachers attended Miss Mason’s or Mason Prep, and I
thoroughly enjoyed teaching all four of our second and fifth grade home
room teachers. My sixth grade daughter goes to math class in the room
where Mrs. Thrower taught me in first grade. The culture that allows
Mason Prep students to grow in our special nurturing environment has
itself been carefully nurtured over the past fifty years by an amazing
progression of dedicated teachers, administrators, and trustees. Young
teachers have had the opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans and
then, in turn, share their wisdom and institutional knowledge with those
who came after them. The beneficiaries of this process are, of course, our
amazing students.
This year, we celebrate fifty years of excellence while preparing to open
a new building that will usher Mason Prep into the next half-century.
Those who came before us left a solid foundation for our school, and
I consider it an honor and a privilege to be a part of the history of the
wonderful institution that is Mason Prep.
50 th B I RTH DAY BA S H
Mark your calendar for Mason Prep’s 50th Birthday Bash!
We will celebrate the past 50 and the next 50 wonderful years with a “bash” on
Friday, March 13th at Founders Hall at Charles Towne Landing. Book the sitter and shine up
your dancing shoes – it’s going to be a great night!
1st Qua rter
STU D E NT H O N O RS
H E A D M A S TE R ’ S LI S T
FAC U LT Y LI S T
H O N O R RO LL
Students with no subject grade below 93 for that reporting period.
Students who maintain an overall average of 93 or
higher with no subject grade lower than an 85.
Students who maintain an overall average of 90-92
with no subject grade lower than an 85.
5th grade:
Raegan Badger, Claudia Baicu, Macey Bearden,
Charles Bernstein, Avery Brack, Lilly Bridges,
Caleb Cayouette, Sam Laro, Jake Myers, Zach
Skipper, Hope-Elaine Stowell
5th grade:
Callie Costa, Anna Graves, Kaitlyn Hamilton,
Thomas Hilton, William Jones, Robert Mallard,
Jett McGrath, Colin Philp, Elliott Sanders,
Cathryn Shippee, Ella Small, Claire Vaughan, Evie
Wells, Leah Zimlich
5th grade:
Trad Turrentine
6th grade:
Haley Bryan, Anna Cook, Eliza Cook, Avery
Crymes, Mills Jordan, Eshani Mehta, Emily
Murrell, Maehler Purcell, Mary Wallace Rainero,
Amelia Stemple, Caroline Stemple
7th grade:
Amanda Beall, Ansley Branson, Hampton Gehlken,
Rebecca Hair, Lily Hambric, Erin Littlejohn, Piper
Monk, Daniel Nichols, Sophia Wilson
8th grade:
Peyton Baxley, Sophia Bernstein, Celia Campbell,
Emma Louise Farmer, Benjamin Garner, Alec
Goldberg, Lindsay Lankau, Christopher Littlejohn,
Chase Mitchum, Elizabeth Moseley, Walton
Moseley, Stephen Pastis, Stuart Philp, Anne Claire
Purcell, Hampden Thomas, Andrew Zimlich
6th grade:
Jackson Ayers, Heyward Britton, Ryan Campbell,
Diego Forte, Neal Goldberg, Zach Jennings,
Mackenzie Knapp, Mary Clare Kreutner, Harrison
Livingston, Ellen Mitchum, Sophie Nguyen, Bailey
Ohl, Lucy Oxford, Ryan Rogers, Charlie Volpe,
Hannah Wise, Porter Zach
6th grade:
Jack Akerman, James Crowther, Luca Gruber,
Mary Catherine Mann, TJ Ockerman, Brady
Prezzano, Ethan Teufel
7th grade:
Luke Noble, Mira Turkewitz
8th grade:
Jack Britton, Jack Graves, Marguerite Peterseim,
Jack Trouche
7th grade:
Ashleigh Anne Binz, Otto DeMuth, Elizabeth
Edwards, Reilly Keith, Celia Mood, Matthew
Roark, Isabel Schnauthiel, Matthew Sease,
Cameron Shippee, Addison Stowell, Christie Tran,
Sam Trouche, Adhithi Viswanathan
50 th AN N IVE RSARY STR E E T PART Y
The first celebration of Mason Prep’s 50th year was held on November 15. Halsey and Bull Streets were shut down to make way for a street party
including games for all ages, food trucks, a bluegrass band and several special presentations.
We were honored to have Mayor Joe Riley (a Mason Prep grandparent) join us to deliver a proclamation designating November 19 as “Mason Prep Day.”
This day is our Founders’ Day, which we recognize each year during American Education Week.
A time capsule, put together by students in 1994 for Mason Prep’s 50th year, was opened to reveal many items including: a mix tape, a Walkman, a 1994
school yearbook, and a scrapbook containing many souvenirs and newspaper clippings from that year.
It was a wonderful day for our Mason Prep family, and we were thrilled to see our current families, alumni, past families and faculty and staff enjoying
celebrating this very special year together.
8th grade:
Helen Beischel, Bryan Bracy, Daniel Kassis,
Thomas Kay, Monica Ly, Holston Rainero, Daniel
Rumph, Peyton Stokes, Zach Wallace-Wright
C R E ATIV E W R ITI N G
N I C E K N I G HT S
Michael Ott, Maggie Brock, Sally Brown, Hewitt McKenzie, Mills Knapp,
Harrison Hayes, Brennan Teufel, Meredith Finley, Jane McCrae Sanders, Tawes
Wenz, Jay Bearden, Benjamin Brock, James Taylor, William Roumillat, Katherine
Nguyen, Molly Stafford, Ella Small, Claire Vaughan, Thomas Hilton, Mary
Clare Kreutner, Eliza Cook, Anna Cook, Eshani Mehta, Adhithi Viswanathan,
Elizabeth Edwards, Erin Littlejohn, Lily Hambric, Sophia Bernstein, Zach
Wallace-Wright, Emma Louise Farmer, Christopher Littlejohn
Sarah Oswald, Emily Murrell, Leah Bagg, Callie Costa, Wesley Klump, Will
Meany, Henry Smith, Christie Tran, Woods Glendenning, Hannah Roark,
Wallace Pettus, Mary Cathryn Wolfert, Stephen Pastis, Analeise Gustafson,
Crosby Averill, Maehler Purcell, Mary Caroline Kiger, Charlotte Thompson,
Mills Knapp, Jackson Turrentine, Anne Claire Purcell, Lizzy Small, Evie Wells,
Chase Mitchum, Will Craig, Brison Shaddrix, KK Wise, Ethan Stamey, Sophia
Wilson, Isabella Ragucci, Emily Benasutti, Brady Dantzler, Ewan McIntosh,
Walton Moseley, Bea Criscuolo, Bailey Ohl, Brennan Teufel, Chip Miller, Zach
Jennings, William Sander, Jonah Haller, Summer Harper
WHY HAS MASON PREP BEEN SUCCESSFUL FOR 50 YEARS?
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST MEMORY OF MASON PREP?
“Mason Prep continues to thrive because we have always believed that children
are first at our school. We also continue to recognize that while they deserve a
strong academic foundation that they must also be given the opportunities to
develop and to grow into well rounded citizens.”
“Eight years in one place leaves you with lots of special memories, but one
stands out in my mind as being particularly representative of my entire time
there. When I was in first grade, there was a huge thunderstorm that left Bull
Street completely submerged in a few inches of water, making after school pickup a nightmare. Rather than forcing me to wade through the waters alone, Mrs.
Colleen Barth picked me up and carried me across the street to my car so that
my pink Keds wouldn’t get wet. She was wearing four-inch heels.”
—ROSEANN JORDAN, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
“Mason Prep is unique because of what it gives its students. Students graduate from
Mason Prep prepared for their next steps, armed with an excellent education and
strength of character.”
—BETSY CRIBB, ALUMNA, 2007
—BETSY CRIBB, ALUMNA, 2007
“Mason Prep has stayed true to its mission by maintaining a nurturing
environment in which students can develop into respectful, responsible citizens
while knowing that they are loved.”
—ERIK KREUTNER, HEAD OF SCHOOL
“Mason Prep’s success is explained in one word—love. It’s the little school with
the great big heart.”
—CAROL MAYNARD, TEACHER, 1994-
“Mason Prep has remained successful for 50 years by adhering to the core
tenet of its mission statement, ‘Education of the whole child.’ In addition to
challenging classroom instruction, Mason Prep enriches its students’ academic
experience with exposure to arts, music, drama, and a true appreciation for
ancient and modern culture. Only through the development of all facets of a
broad learning experience do young men and women become well-rounded,
free-thinking, and engaged members of society.”
—JONATHAN FABRI, ALUMNUS, 1988
“Mason Prep is one big family and from day one, you feel as if the students,
faculty and families work together to encourage, motivate and support one
another. Via extracurricular opportunities, advanced technology, team sports,
community leadership, volunteerism, an involved PTO, charitable giving, penpal exchanges and so much more…each child discovers their interests and skills
that resonate with them forever.”
—CHRISTY COFFREAD SCHACHTE, ALUMNA, 1981
WHAT DID MASON PREP TEACH YOU THAT HAS
STUCK WITH YOU?
‘At Mason Prep, I learned a lot about math, science, language, and geography;
but beyond that -and perhaps far more significant - I learned about life,
friendship, hard work, and responsibility. Those lessons have stayed with me and
influenced every aspect of every pursuit, every challenge, every trial, and every
success along the way.”
“I had a large display on the wall with the following saying printed on it. ‘BY THE
YARD, LIFE IS HARD - INCH BY INCH, IT’S A CINCH.’ I had read some
years ago in an article in Readers Digest that if we had difficult, time consuming
jobs, they would often be put off and go unaccomplished. But, if we learned to
take these same jobs in small ‘bites,’ they were very doable. So I tried to teach the
children that theory. Interestingly, it was the parents who seemed to take this little
saying to heart. I still have past parents come up to me and say how much this has
helped them through the years. I even had one precious mother embroider it and
frame it for me.”
—RUTH MALLARD, TEACHER, 1980-1999
—jonathan bayme, alumnus, 2001
“I’ve always appreciated that Mason Prep emphasized cooperation and kindness
rather than competition. The Nice Knight Award, for example, is given to students
for “just being plain nice,” as Mr. Mobley (former Head of School) used to say. ”
—betsy cribb, Alumna, 2007
“During middle school at Mason Prep, I worked on a project with Ms.
Southgate where we were monitoring the water in Alberta Long Lake for
evidence of harmful algal blooms. While I doubt our algae identification skills
were actually of much use to NOAA, this experience was very important for me
in realizing that science is something that real people (like me!) actively work
towards improving on a day to day basis, not just read about in textbooks.”
—laura tonks raffield, alumna, 2003
“I could list hundreds of lessons Mason Prep taught me, some of which I am
still figuring out today. Mason Prep taught me basic principles, like knowing
that the meter of blank verse poetry will always be iambic pentameter and that
sometimes you can use a semicolon when a second sentence modifies or refers to
the sentence before it - thank you Dr. Maynard and Mrs. Barrett! Mason Prep
also taught me the importance of honor and loyalty. When students graduate,
they have such a clear sense of what is right and wrong. I learned how to be
responsible for my own actions at a very young age.”
“Having the privilege to become the Head of the school that I attended as a
child and that took a chance on me as a teacher fresh out of college.”
—ERIK KREUTNER, HEAD OF SCHOOL
“The North Carolina camping trip with Mr. White is certainly near the top of
my list. As a 7th grader, I introduced the Headmaster to Bob Marley, and we
discussed the finer points of Simon and Garfunkel’s landmark album, ‘Bridge
over Troubled Water.’ However, my fondest memories stem from Dr. Maynard’s
instruction. Whether learning about iambic and dactylic meter, or reading the
lurid tales of Greek tragedy and Shakespearean characters, or my playing Howie
Newsome in ‘Our Town’, I loved the entire experience. I am forever grateful for
having had the opportunity.”
—JONATHAN FABRI, ALUMNUS, 1988
“I had a very close grade during my time there. We still make it a point to
see each other as often as we can because our class is a family. I was fortunate
enough to get to spend my high school years with three fellow alumnae who
ended up becoming some of my closest friends at Ashley Hall. We were jokingly
known in our high school as the ‘MPS Girls’ because we used to reminisce with
each other and tell people about our favorite stories from Mason Prep all the
time.”
—MAELA SINGH, ALUMNA, 2010
WHAT HAS CHANGED THE MOST ABOUT THE SCHOOL
AND ITS STUDENTS IN 50 YEARS?
‘One of the chief objects of education should be to widen the window through
which we view the world.’ – Arnold Glasgow
“Mason Prep has widened that window through advanced curricula, technology,
and rich educational engagement. As the school continually surpasses its history
of excellence, its heart remains the same.”
—bETTY b. dISHER, hEADMISTRESS 1989-2001
“While outer appearance has changed and today’s students are exposed more to
the world through technology and travel, Mason Prep students continue to be
respectful, well-mannered, intelligent, and caring.”
—ROSEANN JORDAN, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
—maela singh, alumna, 2010
“I have yet to find anyone that had as rigorous a middle school English
education as Mason Prep students. I truly believe that I would not have had
the same success in my college applications or my career search without the
foundation I was given at Mason Prep.”
—emily tonks, alumna, 2007
“Drama with Dr. Maynard! I was very shy as a child and never thought I’d
enjoy being in a play, but Dr. Maynard encouraged me to try out, and it was
such a fun experience. We did a child’s version of Macbeth that Dr. Maynard
had created for our class, and I remember working on lines and costumes and
blocking in and out of class for months. My sister, Emily, and I went to see
the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon on a recent trip, and
we both kept talking about how much it reminded us of Dr. Maynard and our
middle school plays!”
“Mason Prep taught me to be the best person I could be by modeling the ‘big
picture’ of what is important in life. We were encouraged to always do our best,
to help others, to respect our families, to give back, to make a difference, to
learn from our mistakes, to think outside the box, to set goals and to volunteer.
I truly believe MP provided me the necessary foundation that has continued to
positively influence my life.”
When my children were in the lower grades, we would attend the graduation
ceremony each year; we loved the way the school celebrated the graduates with
such a beautiful celebration (this has not changed).”
—christy croffread schacte, alumna, 1981
—MARY JO STEMPLE, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
—LAURA TONKS RAFFIELD, ALUMNA, 2003
“Thanks to technology, our students know a great deal about many more things.
Fortunately, our students remain voracious readers, whether they are reading
books, e-books, or blogs.”
—ERIK KREUTNER, HEAD OF SCHOOL
“While I worked at Mason Prep for 28 years, proudly have grandchildren who
are students, and often drive carpool, I still see “curious students, involved
citizens, happy kids.”
—bETTY b. dISHER, hEADMISTRESS 1989-2001
P TO N E WS
FACU LT Y N E WS
your pto at work for our students
mrs. james named scisa master teacher
Thank you, Mason Prep Families, for joining and supporting our
PTO. All of the income generated by the PTO is used to benefit
our students and faculty and staff. The PTO offsets the costs of
many field trips; gives classroom teachers enhancement checks in
August; provides supplies for the faculty lounge; helps with funding
for professional development; provides a monthly raff le item
for teacher appreciation; provides graduation gifts for our eighth
graders in May; and provides extra funding when special needs of
the school arise, such as needing playground supplies for our new
kindergarteners.
The South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) has
named Mrs. Meghan James a Master Teacher. The Master
Teacher program recognizes teachers who exhibit best practices in
the classroom and a willingness to share and collaborate with other
educators. Master Teachers must inspire excellence in the classroom, among colleagues and, especially, among students.
The PTO exists to enhance the educational environment for our
entire Mason Prep family, which consists of the students, teachers,
and parents. Please feel free to contact the PTO with any suggestions
or questions regarding our goals and financial information.
Below is a recap of the PTO financial results as of October 31, 2014:
Revenue - $12,400
PTO membership dues and business directory - $6,055
Wrapping paper fundraiser - $5,145
Grocery store rebates - $1,200
Expenditures - $8,437
PTO contribution to class trips - $3,000
PTO contribution to local field trips - $1,437
Teacher supply enhancement and appreciation programs - $3,750
Kindergarten playground supplies - $250
*All profits made by the PTO will go back to the school and students
in one way or another.
“As your PTO Presidents, we want to thank everyone for all
Mrs. James teaches 7th and 8th grade math. In addition to being
an engaging and inspiring teacher, she has introduced or
participated in several programs that are new to Mason Prep
including:
• Error analysis, which leads math students to understand that
having the right answer is less important than understanding how
to get to it
• Math Buddies, which pairs eighth graders and first graders to
benefit both groups
• The Stock Market Game, which engages the eighth graders with
real-world connections to math
• The Science and Math Olympiad, a day dedicated to hands-on
activities in both of these fields, which has become an amazing day
for both our middle school students and their parents thanks to
the hard work of Mrs. James and the Olympiad’s “founder,” Mrs.
Renkas
In his letter of recommendation for Mrs. James, Mr. Kreutner said,
“Mrs. James’s innovative approach to teaching math has helped
her students to become mathematical thinkers in every sense. She
constantly seeks out new methods and activities to engage her students, and she never fails to impress when she e-mails me to ‘come
see what we’re doing!’ Mrs. James’s students know that they have to
put in a great deal of effort to achieve success in her class, and she
very effectively leads them to do just that.
Mrs. James joins seven Mason Prep teachers who have received this
honor.
Debbie Bandy
Katrina Bryan
Marci Yates
Erin Hauhn
Roseann Jordan
Katie Kreutner
Mary Jo Stemple
S U P P O RTI N G MA SO N P R E P
50th anniversary celebration fund
Celebrating 50 Years of Generosity
why give to the 50th anniversary celebration fund?
The Mason Prep Annual Fund is so important to our school and our students’ experience. Here are some reasons why you should consider
supporting the Annual Fund.
• Annual Fund proceeds help cover the cost of special items and initiatives that enhance our students’ experience. For example, in years past
the Annual Fund has provided iPads, equipment for KNI-TV, ActivBoards, laptops and more.
• The actual cost per child far exceeds the tuition charged per student. For the 2013-14 school year, the cost per student was $12,180. Tuition
was $10,985 (grades 1-6) and $11,440 (grades 7 and 8). The Annual Fund provides items that cannot be supported by the budget.
• The Annual Fund proceeds help to keep tuition at manageable levels. If tuition needed to cover these special items and initiatives, tuition
would need to increase.
• Donations to the school are tax deductible. Tuition is not tax deductible.
what does this year’s fund support?
campus enrichment
faculty professional development
Playground Equipment
Two age-appropriate play structures - one for kindergarten and one
for grades 1 and up.
Continuing Education
Further development of our faculty’s expertise in their fields through
participation in robust graduate courses, especially those in tune
with our school’s highest academic priorities.
Enhanced Outdoor Spaces
Furnishings to create spaces where our older students can eat and
socialize, or where all students can participate in outdoor learning
opportunities.
In-House Speakers
Presentations by experts in differing areas of education to share
with our faculty new teaching methods and ways to enhance our
students’ learning experiences.
Lower School Furniture
Modern pieces for the common learning areas and
lunchroom which can be configured and utilized in a variety of
ways to support group project work, one-on-one teaching and class
gatherings.
Conferences
Attendance at national and state conferences, allowing our faculty
to network with peers teaching in their subject areas and/or grade
levels and to bring back to Mason Prep new techniques and skills.
“All proceeds from the Fund go toward items and initiatives that directly benefit our students. Funds raised are not used
for operating expenses or overhead. We ask that you join us in giving to the 50th Anniversary Celebration Fund.
Your participation is meaningful, and together we can enhance our children’s education. ”
—amanda and jason ayers, 50th anniversary celebration fund chairs
that you do for the PTO. The PTO Board’s responsibility
is to organize and coordinate all of the PTO sponsored
activities which benefit our Mason Prep family. We all
be a permanent part of mason prep
know the saying, ‘It takes a village,’ and we certainly have
Thank you to everyone who engraved a brick to celebrate our new building and 50th
anniversary.
a helpful village at Mason! We thank all of the parent
volunteers for joining PTO with their membership dues and
for giving their time and effort each and every day to help
things run smoothly with the PTO.”
—helen britton and april stokes,
pto co -presidents
Fresh air teaching & learning space
The bricks will pave the fresh air teaching and learning space (a courtyard where classes
can gather and enjoy their studies outdoors) between the new Harriett Starr Mason Lower
School Building and the James O. White Middle School Building. We look forward to
unveiling this space, complete with the names of those who hold a special place in their
hearts for Mason Prep, at the opening of our new building early next year.
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B I RTH DAY WI S H E S
STUDENTS’ WISHES FOR MASON PREP
KE: We wish Mason Prep has doughnuts on its birthday, has a great
season, stays in business and withstands a tornado.
KR: Here’s to 50 more years of ice cream truck visits!
1S: We wish Mason Prep lasts forever; continues to have great teachers,
assistant principals, and principals; gets a new building filled with
new friends each year; and that all the teachers will teach for another
50 years.
1K: Our wish for Mason Prep is for every child who attends Mason Prep
to always be respectful.
4S: May the Knight be with you!
5B: Happy Birthday Mason Prep… Don’t Stop Believing (to the tune of
the Journey song)!
5E: May you always stay the Mason Prep way.
6P: May your students always be Nice Knights!
6B: Keep instilling smiles on the faces of your students and songs in their
hearts. Happy 50th Anniversary, Mason Prep!
7J: We wish for Mason Prep to continue to thrive in sports
2H: We hope for fifty more years with great readers.
7M: To 50 more!
2J: We hope that Mason Prep has a wonderful birthday and that second grade
will get iPads.
8H: Happy Birthday, MPS. We have enjoyed the Activboards and great
teachers. Keep those vending machines running and looking forward
to that new gym!
3Q: May Mason Prep always have the nicest teachers!
3B: We wish that Mason Prep will have the ice cream truck every Friday!
4B: Every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every
month, every year are all important at Mason Prep.
8R Stay nice, Knights!