Check Out the Spring 2017 Beyond the Birches
Posted on May 8th, 2017 by klapa
We are delighted to share the Spring 2017 edition of Beyond the Birches with you! As our Allendale Columbia School magazine, we hope you will enjoy the variety of stories included, featuring what’s happening right now at the school, what some of our alumni are up to, plans for the future, and more! Click here to access the full edition, or click on the links below to access individual articles!
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
It’s A Long Story: Featuring AC Faculty Member Randy Northrup
Creating Opportunity for Determined Students
Why Accessibility Matters: Reflections from Phelan Conheady ’17
Innovative Ways to Teach. Innovative Ways to Learn.
From Idea to Reality: AC Students Make an Impact on School #25
From Allens Creek to Broadway: Alumna Profile of Victoria Paterson ’89
AC in the News
Recap of Alumni Events
The Grosso Family: Planning Together
The Legacy Leadership Circle
Explore Summer LEAP and AC’s Summer Program
Nancy Northup ’77 Honored with 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award
Posted on April 3rd, 2017 by jpalomaki
Allendale Columbia School is pleased to announce Nancy Northup ’77 as the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for 2017.
Established in 2009 to honor alumni for their outstanding achievements and contributions to both Allendale Columbia School and their local community, the AC Alumni Board is proud to recognize Nancy as an alumna who has made a regional, national, and international impact while also serving as a role model for young people around the world. As one nomination letter stated, “Nancy is a credit to AC, but, more importantly, she is someone who young people can look up to and see that one person can indeed make a difference in people’s lives.” (more…)
Posted in: Alumni News
AC in the News – Winter 2017
Posted on February 2nd, 2017 by klapa
Check out AC’s recent media coverage below!
Please note that the clips below will display best on desktop or laptop computers as opposed to mobile devices.
LLE Research Lands Local Teens in Semifinals
for National Science Competition
January 23rd, 2017
Two local teens have earned recognition in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search (formerly the Intel Science Talent Search) for research projects they carried out last summer at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). AC senior Nathan Morse is among the 300 semifinalists nationwide chosen from more than 1,700 who entered the competition. Click here to read more!
TEDx Rochester Returns to Illuminate
January 12th, 2017
TEDxAllendaleColumbiaSchool is mentioned as one of the TEDx events taking place in the Rochester area in this Democrat and Chronicle article about the return of TEDxRochester. Click here to read the full story!
Victor Resident Joins Allendale Columbia School
January 12th, 2017
This article announces John Palomaki’s appointment as Allendale Columbia School’s development and communications associate. In this role, John is responsible for managing the donor database, gift processing, research, reports, and the development and implementation of a social media plan to extend AC’s reach and engagement online. Click here to read more!
Allendale Columbia Robotics Team Competes in Tournament
December 27th, 2016
AC’s Robotics Team, the Chrononauts, competed in the Finger Lakes FIRST Tech Challenge Tournament at St. John Fisher College. The team placed 15th overall and was awarded the Rockwell Collins Innovate Award, advancing them to the Excelsior NY Regional Championship in February. The Rockwell Collins Innovate Award is given to one team per tournament that thinks outside the box and has the most innovative and creative robot design. Click here to see the full article!
No Bologna: Lunch Ladies and a Meal Man
Share their Favorite Holiday Recipes
Winter 2017
This article is a reprint of the feature story that appeared in 585 Magazine and highlights Laura Reynolds-Gorsuch, AC’s Food Service Director. In the article, Laura shares her recipe for AC Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, a favorite among AC faculty, staff, and students. Click here to see!
High School Athlete of the Week – Addy Flood
December 1st, 2016
This High School Athlete of the Week article and video feature AC junior Adelaide “Addy” Flood. She states that, “This year as a captain, I hope to encourage my team like the seniors last year and the year before encouraged me.” Click here to see!
Local Teen Performs in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 24th, 2016
Several news outlets featured AC tenth grader John Phillips as he performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Click the following links to see the coverage from 13WHAM, Time Warner Cable News, and CNYCentral.com.
Allendale Columbia School’s Production of “Cinderella”
November 15th, 2016
AC students Phelan Conheady and Catherine Kennedy, and ASL Interpreter Steph Regan, appeared on Good Day Rochester to talk about AC’s production of “Cinderella” and the use of sign language during the show. Click here to see the interview!
Allendale Columbia School to Host Book Event Series
November 11th, 2016
This Brighton-Pittsford Post article highlights AC’s Book Event Series. Throughout the year, AC will host events so that members of the community can discuss the best-selling book about transforming education, Most Likely to Succeed: Preparing Our Kids for the Innovation Era, by Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith. Click here to learn more!
New Hires
November 11th, 2016
This Rochester Business Journal article announces three individuals who joined the AC team this year: Margarita Chaves as a World Language Teacher, John Curatalo as a Physical Education Teacher, and Angie Burch as an Accounting Specialist. Click here to see!
Author Charles Benoit Visits Allendale Columbia School
November 2nd, 2016
The Brighton-Pittsford Post highlighted AC’s recent author visit by publishing a photo of AC ninth grader Roxana “Roxy” Reisch introducing Greece author Charles Benoit before he presented a talk called “Stuck in High School: Why I Write Young Adult Fiction (and Why You Should Read It)”. Click here to see!
Allendale Columbia School to Host Open House
November 2nd, 2016
The Brighton-Pittsford Post highlighted AC’s fall open house, at which attendees had the opportunity to meet teachers, students, and administrators and tour the campus. Click here to see!
Local High Schooler to Perform in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
October 30th, 2016
This television news story highlights AC tenth grader John Phillips as he prepared to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. As part of this experience, his trumpet skills were seen by an estimated 53 million people. Click here to see the story!
What You Need to Know About the Current State of Rochester’s Kids, Teaching Election 2016 and More
October 27th, 2016
AC’s Summer LEAP Program is mentioned at the 10:43 mark of this television show, which discusses the ongoing effort to improve outcomes for Rochester-area children. Click here to see!
We’re doing so many exciting and interesting things here at AC and look forward to sharing more media coverage with you in the future!
Posted in: AC in the News, Alumni News, Highlights, Kid Kudos, Lower School, Middle School, Pre-Primary School, Upper School
AC in the News for September and October 2016
Posted on November 2nd, 2016 by klapa
Check out AC’s recent media coverage below!
Please note that the clips below will display best on desktop or laptop computers
as opposed to mobile devices.
No Bologna: Lunch Ladies and a Meal Man
Share their Favorite Holiday Recipes
November/December 2016
Laura Reynolds-Gorsuch, AC’s Food Service Director, is featured in this article highlighting local school lunch programs. In the article, Laura shares one of her favorite recipes: AC Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Click here to see!
Allendale Columbia School Announces 3 New Hires
October 26th, 2016
In this article, the Brighton-Pittsford Post shares details about three of AC’s most recent hires: Angie Burch, Accounting Specialist; Margarita Chaves, Lower School World Language Teacher; and John Curatalo, Physical Education Teacher. Click here to read about these three, and stay tuned for announcements about other faculty and staff members who joined AC this year!
Fairport Resident Joins Allendale Columbia School
October 26th, 2016
The Fairport-East Rochester Post recently announced the appointment of Margarita Chaves as Lower School World Language Teacher. Click here to see, and check back for announcements about other faculty and staff appointments!
Educator Spotlight: Lessons from the Field
October 25th, 2016
AC faculty member Beth Guzzetta has been featured as Educator of the Week on the National Geographic Education Blog. The interview highlights Beth’s work as a Middle School math and science teacher and an international research educator who organizes programs that emphasize field research as well as respect for other cultures and environments. Click here to see!
Local HS Trumpet Player to March in Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
October 23rd, 2016
John Phillips, a 10th grader at AC, will be playing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade this November. John is the first musician from Monroe County to play in the Great American High School Marching Band as part of the parade, and just four high school students were selected from New York to march in the parade as part of the band, which has been marching for the last ten years. Click the following links to see 13WHAM’s online video coverage, 5 a.m. show coverage (clip begins at the 6:26 mark), and online story. You can also click the following links to see FOX Rochester’s online video coverage,morning show coverage (at the 15:14 mark), and online story. Finally, visit this link to see WROC’s television coverage (at the 45:23 mark).
Family Court Candidates Agree on Value of “Tough Love”
October 21st, 2016
AC alum Stacey Romeo ’87 is featured in this Democrat and Chronicle article. As highlighted by the article, she was part of a mock trial team that won a national championship in San Francisco while she was a senior at Allendale Columbia School in 1987. After receiving an undergraduate and master’s degree, she decided to pursue a career in law. Click here to see the story online!
Best Way to Fill Out A College Application
October 5th, 2016
Mick Gee, Head of School, and Kristin Merriman, College Advisor, recently appeared on Good Day Rochester to share tips for students as they apply to college. They suggest that it’s important for students to own the process and start early. Click here to see!
RBJ Fast Start: Telling the Story of Allendale Columbia
September 30th, 2016
This Rochester Business Journal Fast Start article features Courtney Dixon, AC’s Director of Marketing and Communications. In addition to her efforts to tell AC’s story to both internal and external audiences, Courtney also worked with AC’s advancement and development personnel to launch the highly successful Make Your Mark Gala, and serves as an adjunct professor at Roberts Wesleyan College. Please click here to see!
Demographic Data Show an Increase in Diversity
September 23rd, 2016
Shannon Baudo, AC’s Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid, is highlighted in this Rochester Business Journal article discussing enrollment trends at some local schools. In the article, Shannon shares that AC opened 2016-2017 with its highest enrollment in several years. Click here to read more!
Gee Leads School to Expand, Improve
September 9th, 2016
This Rochester Business Journal article highlights Mick Gee, Head of School. As stated in the article, since 2012 enrollment is up 26 percent, the annual fund has more than doubled, and the campus has expanded with the opening of a $250,000 Design & Innovation Lab. Please click here to read the full article!
We’re doing so many exciting and interesting things here at AC and look forward to sharing more media coverage with you in the future!
AC in the News for July and August 2016
Posted on September 1st, 2016 by klapaAllendale Columbia School has recently been featured in a number of news outlets, providing an opportunity to showcase our position as a cure for the Common Core in front of a wide range of audiences! Highlights are included below; we hope you enjoy reading about some of the great things happening at AC! Please note that the clips below will display best on desktop or laptop computers as opposed to mobile devices.
Back to School: Healthy, Innovative Lunches
August 22nd, 2016
News reporter Jennifer Johnson spent a morning at Allendale Columbia School covering our food program and interviewing Laura Reynolds-Gorsuch, Food Service Director; Dr. Elizabeth Murray, AC parent and pediatrician; Lindsey Brown, AC faculty member and Director of AC’s Summer LEAP Program; and students Indiia Maring and Juliana Bruno. Click here to see!
AC’s Make Your Mark Gala Featured in “Seen” Section
August 5th, 2016
More than 450 people joined honorary chairs the Judson family and co-chairs Duffy Palmer and Mark Siwiec at Oak Hill Country Club for AC’s Make Your Mark Gala. The event celebrated AC’s rich 125- year history and raised $265,000 for the school. Click here to see!
Local Schools Work to Prevent Learning Loss
August 4th, 2016
Allendale Columbia School’s Summer LEAP program was featured in this Fairport-East Rochester Post article. LEAP works to combat summer learning loss as students participate in a variety of academic experiences and field trips. The article includes a photo of students involved in a S.T.E.M. experiment in AC’s Design & Innovation Lab, which opened last fall. Click here to see the story online and here to see the story in print!
Rochester Magazine
Allendale Columbia School’s Make Your Mark Gala
Summer 2016
This full-page feature includes photos from Allendale Columbia School’s Make Your Mark Gala, stating that the very well attended event provided a chance to celebrate the school’s 125-year history and reflect on the accomplishments of current and former students. Click here to see!
Ten Lucky Students Headed to Earthworks Camp
August 3rd, 2016
This news story featured a partnership between AC, The Earthworks Institute, Senator Funke, Senator Robach, Assembly Majority Leader Morelle, Summer LEAP, and The Center for Youth. Funded by a state grant Earthworks received and hosted at AC, students from The Center for Youth and Summer LEAP have been given the opportunity to participate in a week-long outdoor camp experience called Runnin’ Wild. Please click here to see!
$25,000 Grant Helps Non-Profit Teach STEM Over Summer
August 3rd, 2016
Thanks to a $25,000 New York State grant, a local non-profit known as Earthworks is able to give up to ten children a five-day summer camp experience. The organization works in partnership with AC’s Summer LEAP program to help Rochester City School District students who want to attend the Center for Youth’s camp. Click here to see!
Bright Spot: Summer LEAP Program at Allendale Columbia
July 12th, 2016
Channel 13 did a Bright Spot featuring AC’s Summer LEAP program. This initiative fights summer learning loss by providing free summer programming as students from Rochester City School No. 17 attend classes for six weeks, receive meals and work on reading, math, health, character development, art and music. Click here to see!
Rochester In Focus: AC’s Madagascar Experience
July 10th, 2016
This Rochester in Focus feature that appeared on Channel 10 highlights AC’s Madagascar trip and includes interviews with AC faculty member Beth Guzzetta and student Adelaide Flood. Please click here to see the coverage, which has been uploaded to Vimeo!
We’re doing so many exciting and interesting things here at AC and look forward to sharing more media coverage with you in the future!
AC Communications
AC in the News for May and June 2016
Posted on June 17th, 2016 by klapaAllendale Columbia School has recently been featured in a number of news outlets, providing an opportunity to showcase our position as a cure for the Common Core in front of a wide range of audiences! Highlights are included below; we hope you enjoy reading about some of the great things happening at AC! Please note that the clips below will display best on desktop or laptop computers as opposed to mobile devices.
Allendale Columbia Rejoices in its 125th Anniversary
June 7th, 2016
As we near the end of our 125th year, Allendale Columbia School graced the front page of the Democrat and Chronicle in an article highlighting some of our history, faculty designing their own curriculum, the Great Penny RACE in Lower School, the DuPont Challenge, our food program, the recent trips to Madagascar and Senegal, and our Summer LEAP program. Click here to view the story online!
Brighton Memorial Library Honors Literary Awards Contest Winners
June 7th, 2016
This Brighton-Pittsford Post article features Brighton Memorial Library’s 44th annual Literary Awards Contest winners. Two AC students received honorable mentions in their division – Liza Cotter for her piece titled “Where the Boy Rides His Bike” and Evelyn Van Arsdale for her piece titled “The Message”. Click here to see!
Neurodiversity Advocate Calls for Kindness
June 3rd, 2016
This Greece Post piece was written by Kate Bjorklund, a member of AC’s Class of 2016, about one of the TEDxAllendaleColumbiaSchool speakers (and soon-to-be AC student) Dylan Dailor. Dylan has been active in his role as a neurodiversity advocate for years, and even authored his own book. Click here to read the online version, or pick up the June 16th edition to see it in print!
ROC Youth HackFest Challenges Youth to Use Technology
for Social Good
June 2nd, 2016
Fourteen students from Brighton and Pittsford won their divisions and took home awards for their social innovation at the first youth hackathon in the Greater Rochester region. Included among the winners were AC’s Adam Awad, Liza Cotter, and Brendan Keller. The event was a collaboration between iCanCode, Digital Rochester and AT&T, and was born out of a desire to expand coding opportunities for Rochester-area youth. To see the full article, click here!
Photos from Local Student’s One Cubic Foot Madagascar Trip
June 2nd, 2016
In this story, WHEC shares some of the photos taken by participants of AC’s recent trip to Madagascar. The trip is a collaboration including members of the Seneca Park Zoo’s One Cubic Foot project and Allendale Columbia School. Click here to see!
Tough Tech Choices: Laptops, Tablets, Chromebooks, BYOD?
May 24th, 2016
In this article, former AC employee Jeff Mao provides insights for schools as they determine what technological devices to provide their students. He states that he learned from AC’s mission statement that “structure should liberate, not confine.” As a result, he suggests that schools should “seek a solution that solves for [their] educational goals, not the other way around.” Click here to read more!
Bright Spot on Awak Thongjang, Thomas Riveros, and Nolan Redhead
May 23rd, 2016
Three AC students – Awak Thongjang, Thomas Riveros, and Nolan Redhead – were highlighted in a 13WHAM segment recently, after having a combined birthday party and collecting money and toys to donate in lieu of gifts. Click here to see!
Honor Flight
May 22nd, 2016
AC students recently went to the airport to welcome Honor Flight participants, and although his name and school weren’t added to the screen, AC student Henry Nicosia speaks about this experience at the 16:39 mark of this clip from WHEC!
Local Rochester Students Will Travel to Madagascar
May 17th, 2016
This WHEC story features the group from Allendale Columbia School and the Seneca Park Zoo as they prepared to leave for their trip to Madagascar. AC’s Kate Bjorklund and Luke Nicosia were interviewed as part of the story; click here to see!
Allendale Columbia Students About to Leave for Madagascar
May 13th, 2016
This Time Warner Cable News story shows AC students gearing up for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Madagascar, to study the biodiversity of the African island. The trip was part of a partnership between the Seneca Park Zoo, Smithsonian Institution, and California-based photographer and environmentalist David Liittschwager. The story features comments from AC students Kate Bjorklund and Emily Atieh; click here to watch!
Rochester in Focus
May 8th, 2016
This edition of Rochester in Focus features AC faculty members Ariane Baer-Harper and Beth Guzzetta as they discuss their plans to bring groups of AC students to Senegal and Madagascar, respectively. Their interviews begin at the one minute mark found here.
High School Musicals Honored at Stars of Tomorrow
May 5th, 2016
As this article outlines, AC’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” was recognized at the recent Stars of Tomorrow Gala for Outstanding Acting Ensemble, Outstanding Pit Orchestra, and Alex Carioty was recognized as Outstanding Supporting Actor for his portrayal of “Orin.” In addition, Conner Shumway was recognized for his set design, and Phelan Conheady and Fateemah Saleem were recognized for incorporating sign into the show. More than 30 schools from the Greater Rochester Area performed musical numbers throughout the event, including our students who reprised “Skid Row” and Alyssa Lewis who brought the house down with her opening solo! See all the award winners here.
Earth Day Fun at Allendale Columbia
April 22nd, 2016
Channel 13 highlights AC’s Earth Day activities in this story, including the presentations by our first graders and Headwater Food Hub, as well as our electronics recycling center. See the story here.
Christin Ortiz and Headwater Food
April 19th, 2016
The marketing manager of the Headwater Food Hub discusses AC’s sustainability efforts in terms of its food service program at the 41:40 mark of this podcast. While AC’s current efforts are somewhat different from those described, AC does occasionally weigh the garbage and have contests between divisions to see who can create the least waste during a lunch period, and we have a substantial farm to table program. Click here to listen!
New Local Meat Facility Planned for 2017
April 18th, 2016
AC Food Service Team Member Yesenia Roman is included in this story’s photo and video, which discusses a new United States Department of Agriculture-inspected butchering facility being planned by Headwater Food Hub and McCann’s Local Meats. Click here to see!
We’re doing so many exciting and interesting things here at AC and look forward to sharing more media coverage with you in the future!
AC Communications