“Fostering curiosity, multidisciplinary experiences and respecting student voices are cornerstones of progressive education.”

Teachers, administrators and parents from dozens of schools across the country converged in Los Angeles last October for the Progressive Educators Network ( PEN) Conference. Nine Synergy staff members attended, to gather ideas and practices from other progressive schools. They returned full of inspiration and resources to share with the rest of the staff.

There were almost 100 workshops to choose from at the two-day conference. Topics ranged from implementing conflict resolution methods inside the classroom to creating public and private partnerships among schools. We participated in a day of school

visits where we were asked to share more about our Agreement System and unique cooperative structure. Daryl Wells said, “One of the resounding messages of the conference was the importance of truly integrated curricula. By matching our students’ interest in the world around them to essential skills and abilities, we create the constant curiosity that is characteristic of lifelong learners.”

Fostering curiosity; providing multi disciplinary, hands on, and real-world experiences; respecting individual student voices and needs; and teaching from a social justice perspective are (Continued page 2)

In this issue:Synergy Attends PEN Conference 1Principles of Progressive Education 2Illustrator Christian Robinson Visits Synergy 3Interview with Jessica Gentry 4Synergy’s New Sidewalk Garden 5Service Learning at Synergy 6Synergy Top Chef 8 Thank you, Dan! 9Synergy Futsal Champions 2014 9Alumni News 10Poetry Reading 10Synergy’s Solar Kiosk 11

Synergy Attends Progressive Education Conferenceby Rea Inglesis, Skylights teacher

1Synergy Times | Summer 2014

Synergy TimesThe newsletter of Synergy School

Summer 2014

Synergy Staff at PEN Conference in Los Angeles Rita Franklin with Angela Davis

(PEN, continued) cornerstones of progressive education that were all explored at the event. The theme of this year’s biannual

conference was “Play Hard!: The Serious Work of Keeping JOY in Learning!” The stage was set by the first keynote speaker, Dr. Stuart Brown, who discussed how play shapes the brain. “Play,” he said, “is a catalyst for learning. At any age, play acts to retain and enhance meaningful context, and optimizes the learning process.”

A range of speakers throughout the weekend developed the theme, including Bay Area psychologist, Madeline Levine, author of The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well. She encourages teachers and parents alike to view success broadly and to consider that it is measured in adulthood, not at the end of each grading period. Her talk and the conversations after affirmed Synergy’s evolving approach to assessment. For example, many progressive schools eschew grades as a measure of success, as Synergy does until middle school. Additionally, at Synergy we have been discussing how to give more weight to portfolios of work as an assessment tool.

Rita Franklin was particularly impressed by the number of current students who attended the conference and discussed the value of teacher-student partnership in assessing work. Teachers at Synergy routinely engage in this type of process around student work and in our student-parent-and teacher conferences. Tom Little, long-time head of

Park Day School and one of the PEN organizers, presented a slide show of his national tour to over 50 progressive schools. His research shows that progressive education is experiencing

a resurgence of interest, as schools realign with the idea of learning as collaborative and child-centered. As he said, progressive education has a “different center of gravity, where the interests and proclivities of the child should direct where the learning will go.” Joan Pettijohn said his talk helped her “realize how powerful and effective” progressive teaching methods are and how there is a “strong, growing, network” that includes public as well as private schools.

A foundational concept at Synergy is social justice. Two speakers at the conference focused on this element of progressive education. One was Angela Davis, a distinguished professor, writer and activist who is working to dismantle the prison industrial complex. She made a powerful case for redirecting those resources towards education. She also spoke of her personal experience as a product of progressive education. Another highlight was Erin Gruwell, the transformative teacher who empowered students at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach to become Freedom Writers. Their experience inspired the feature film by that name. Her belief in her students and the power of their stories inspired all who were present.

One workshop at the conference was on creating an all-school thematic experience. Meanwhile, back at Synergy School, teachers offered two days of intensive, cross-age classes on the theme of Water. Students experimented with water through art, science, dance and games, and had a great time. This is one example of the way that Synergy is a model of progressive education, and ahead of the curve in many ways.

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Three Principles of

Progressive Education

Tom Little, visionary educator, former Head of Park Day School in the East Bay, and former head of the Progressive Education Network (PEN) passed away on April 30, 2014 after battling bone cancer. In 2013, he toured progressive schools around the country, interviewing educators about progressive education. Little leaves a legacy of commitment to progressive education and a vast body of research on schools using these principles.

In his presentation at October’s PEN Conference, Little outlined the major principles of progressive education. "I have traveled coast to coast visiting progressive schools and have learned that progressive education is three things:

1. Progressive education prepares students for active participation in a democratic society.

2. It is a place where we honor the whole child and education springs from the needs of our students.

3. Progressive education has an enduring commitment to social justice."

-Tom Little (1953-2014)

Little’s book, Loving Learning: How Progressive Education Can Save American Schools will be published by W.W. Norton in March 2015.

The Synergy library was proud to host award-winning illustrator Christian Robinson for several sessions with K-3 students this May. Christian is an illustrator of children’s picture books who lives and works near in San Francisco, and near Synergy. He writes that he “likes to blur the line between work and play,” and

judging from their rapt engagement in his lessons, our students certainly agree with his point of view.

In the weeks preceding his visit, the library shared three books of his with our K-3 students. They studied his illustrations and prepared questions for the artist. In class, Christian shared Rain by Linda

Ashman with the K-1 students. After reading the story, accompanied by projected pages and rain sounds, Mr. Robinson led the students in drawing images of what they liked or disliked about rain. Circulating the room, Robinson offered encouragement and suggestions to the energetic illustrators.

In the Sun Room, Christian read Harlem’s Little Blackbird by Renée Watson. He then explained his use of collage and paint in creating his illustrations. He showed the students the story’s words, what he received from the author. Then he briefly summarized how he used post-its for the storyboard and developed his technique for appropriate illustrations.

He explained his use of research to give the story of Florence Mills its historical imagery. Since Mills was a singer, Robinson challenged the kids to draw the voices of three singers: an operatic tenor, an African click singer, and a jazz singer. Students engaged eagerly in the activity as they listened to each voice.

The mesmerized faces of the kids, their absorption in their drawings, and their eagerness to respond to Christian’s questions and learn from him proved the day a success. At the conclusion of the day, Christian signed his books—Josephine, by Patricia Hruby Powell, as well as Rain and Harlem’s Little Blackbird—for the Synergy Library. Rita Franklin said, “We all were so excited by Christian’s art, and hope to have all of our students participate in the future.”

We are very grateful for the astute and cooperative efforts of parent library liaisons Thaai Walker and Jilanne Hoffmann, and Daryl Wells, art teacher, for making the visit happen.

Illustrator Christian Robinson Visits SynergyBy Carolyn Karis, Synergy Librarian

3Synergy Times | Summer 2014

“The mesmerized faces of the kids, their absorption in their drawings, and their eagerness...proved the day a success.”

Christian Robinson with Sun Room Students Christian Robinson

I first met Jessica through email and her enthusiasm, even through the computer, was palpable. As Jessica and I sat down to talk about her first months at Synergy, her enjoyment of her new job and her new city is still fresh and energizing.

Elena Dillon: What was your educational work experience before Synergy?

Jessica Gentry: I started off as a special education teacher in Pasadena in an independent school and taught for 6 years, with various grades. I transitioned into working in a psychotherapy and educational therapy center in Santa Monica, where I was the clinical director and an educational therapist. After about three years there, I started my own practice as an educational therapist and occasionally was the specialist at Fusion Los Angeles.

What drew you to Synergy?

JG: When I was in Los Angeles, I worked for myself and I worked too

much; I’m a terrible boss. What I was missing was working in a community of like-minded individuals. I was working one-on-one with students and I just didn’t feel like I was reaching enough people. I created a “dream job” list, and it included: working with like-minded individuals, being able to learn from other personalities and teaching styles, having set hours (working for myself had me working all the time), being able to take public transportation,

and being able to have a voice in the community I worked for. Honestly, when I saw Synergy’s posting I was floored with excitement. I did all the

voodoo magic I knew to get an interview.

After the interview, I was at a client’s house and I saw something odd in the middle of the street. I picked it up and it was a fortune from a fortune cookie and it said, “You will be called to fill a position of high honor.” I hoped that it meant getting the job here at Synergy.

How  has  it  been  so  far?

JG: I love it here. I honestly did get

my dream job. I am amazed by how much support the community has given me as I learn this role and get to know their children. (Continued page 5)

“Each child is unique and I try to honor that. I believe that differences should be celebrated.”

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An Interview with Jessica Gentry, Learning Specialistby Elena Dillon, Synergy Board of Trustees member and Alum Teacher

Learning Specialist Jessica Gentry with Sunroom Student TaeAurie

5Synergy Times | Summer 2014

(Gentry Interview continued) I am so grateful that people are kind and helpful as I figure things out.

Tell me more about your approach to working with children.

JG: The children teach me how to teach them. Each child is unique and I try to honor that. I believe that differences should be celebrated, as does the Synergy community.

And I think that it is important that we remember to acknowledge that cognitive diversity is not a bad thing or something to be feared. It just is a style a student learns best in and we, as the adults and teachers, need to do our best to determine that style and honor it.

Overall, I want the child to feel like they absolutely are a gift to this world, and that who they are is exactly what this world needs right now.

On Saturday, April 26, 2014, Synergy’s Ecoteam, Yard Committee, many parents, and Friends of the Urban Forest revived an old Synergy dream to create a sidewalk garden. Thanks to Doug Wildman, Chair of the Synergy’s Yard Committee and Program Director at FUF, Synergy was invited to be part of a city--wide effort to green our public spaces. Friends of the Urban Forest is partnering with the SF Public Utilities Commission on the Sidewalk Greening Project to replace concrete sidewalks with thriving gardens to help reduce the amount of rain water entering our combined storm sewer system and help recharge the ground water. On the Friday prior, FUF prepared the gardens – installing stone edging, amending soil and distributing mulch before the community planting described below.

Ecoteam is a school club interested in making Synergy School an eco-friendly community. We organize many activities such as: Earth Week, waste-free lunch days, and many more. We also do activities such as: Wear Green Day, Decorate a Pot Day, and Dress as a Plant Day with the whole school. These events help build awareness of our earth.

We recently had an event in which we planted a beautiful garden on the street next to our school. Most of Ecoteam was there, plus many others. There were experienced helpers there, who worked in the Friends of the Urban Forest group. We planted, watered, and spread mulch on the plant beds. We filled our plant beds with many native species of plants. And, since people do get hungry after work, we had a barbeque afterwards.

Elizabeth Holcombe, a member of Ecoteam from Eastenders, says, “It makes the street look so colorful and alive!”

If you have the time, please come look at our garden. It’s a great demonstration of what we do in Ecoteam. This garden is a wonderful sight. Besides being beautiful, it helps with the rainwater system, because instead of all the rain going down the drain, it sinks into the earth and helps keep it alive.

In short, Ecoteam is a group of dedicated people, determined to help the earth.

Synergy’s New Sidewalk Garden by Jessica Schott-Rosenfield, Eastender

Students and parents planting Sidewalk Garden

Synergy’s mission statement pledges our commitment to social justice, and we are always looking for new ways to engage with our community. This year saw the implementation of our first Service Learning electives, two 6-week sessions of student and community research and action that sparked satisfying results and promising collaborations.

By the start of the fall elective I had located an ally to assist in running the course: Synergy alumnus Lee Fieber ’04, who had just graduated from UC Davis and was looking to re-engage with the Synergy community. The first elective of twelve Middle School students focused on a strategy called Community Asset Mapping, which involves identifying a community’s strengths and challenges, and identifying possible areas of engagement. Students interviewed community members, photographed evidence of areas for improvement, and researched how other communities were addressing these challenges through direct action.

In the intervening months, Lee and I put together a video featuring writing, quotes, and footage of Synergy

students in action. It was presented to the Synergy Board and a number of community members expressed their appreciation; however, the real work was only just beginning!

The goal for the second elective was to respond to the data collected during the asset mapping exercise, identify community groups or organizations that could help us reach our goals, and begin taking action. I enlisted the help of Elena Dillon and Tammy Damon, Synergy alumni teachers and administrators.

Tammy and Elena discovered that the Synergy group was eligible to receive training from a San Francisco Department of Public Works graffiti abatement supervisor. The training,

held on Valentine’s Day 2014, enabled Lee, Elena and I to become designated neighborhood improvement supervisors. Students in the second elective engaged in four separate graffiti abatement sessions around the neighborhood.

“Service Learning was an awesome elective to be a part of because we

“Middle School students focused on a strategy called Community Asset Mapping, which involves identifying a community’s strengths and challenges, and identifying possible areas of engagement.”

6 Synergy Times | Summer 2014

Service Learning Projects at Synergyby Daryl Wells, Art Teacher

Ecoteam’s Wear Green Day Decorating pots

hit the pavement plenty,” observed Lee. “Those who passed by often took note. We were often appreciated, and it didn't hurt that we were sporting hazard vests, which, as it turns out, is also cool. I highly recommend the class to all persons interested in community service, parents and students alike!”

Elena added, “The kids got really into scraping all the stickers off of

poles, and what could be better than getting to paint over graffiti? It was gratifying to them when people on the street would thank them for their work. The owner of Clooney's himself actually came out of the bar to personally acknowledge them.  The folks from DPW were so happy to have Synergy join the graffiti patrol and made such an effort to get us all the supplies and to support

us in every way.”In addition to the graffiti abatement

work, we also found an ally in Clint Womack, Volunteer Manager of Catholic Charities CYO. Mr. Womack helped Synergy find ways we could alleviate the problems of the homeless in our community, and suggested ways we could help families housed in homeless shelters across the city. We created forty Valentine’s Day gift

bags for children and parents living in one Mission family shelter, and later created age-specific birthday bags containing toys, treats, art materials, and hand-made cards. Mr. Womack said the birthday bags were particularly useful for long-term use in the shelters, as kids who end up in a difficult situation on their special day would still be able to receive something special.

I was impressed by the energy and imagination students put into the gift bags— they stayed after school to finish, and thought hard about which age (4-10) they were targeting with each bag. They really got outside themselves and empathized with the recipients. They wrote supportive and encouraging messages and poems on the cards inside.

I believe the entire process increased students’ awareness of how good it feels to be connected to your community. Many of the 6th and 7th grade participants expressed interest in continuing the work, and these students will lead the charge for more community action through Service Learning in future years.

7Synergy Times | Summer 2014

“I believe the entire process increased students’ awareness of how good it feels to be connected to your community.”

Community Service Event

In the Fall, Synergy will host a community service event at The Garden Project, harvesting vegetables and packaging them for the homeless and people in need For more information about the Garden Project visit www.gardenproject.org.

Synergy students with DPW Graffiti Abatement Supervisor Students painting over graffiti

You wouldn’t know it now, but on a warm Saturday night in April, the Synergy Big Room transformed itself into Top Chef Stadium, the site of Top Chef Synergy, a spirited fundraising dinner-game that runs four chef teams through their paces over four rounds of competitive play and serves dinner to 20 taster/judges.Our four Chef teams this year were:

Chef Mahala Bundy, with sous chefs Carla Bossieux and

Dominic Altieri

Chef Tammy Damon, with sous chefs Kevin Souza and

Valentina Imbeni

Chef Ariel Leighton, with sous chefs Sandy Barra and

Melanie Moore

Chef Scott Rubin, with sous chefs Adam Savage and

Chas Edwards

Twenty Taster/Judges who had bought their seats during Synergy’s

online auction on Bidding for Good were the dinner guests. Their duties were just to arrive hungry, enjoy a three-course meal prepared by the Chef Teams, judge and score the food in various categories like “taste” and “presentation,” and have a good time!

This year, the Chef Teams were subjected to four rounds of cooking and tasting. They were judged on a salad, an amuse bouche, a round of trivia, and a main dish.

Rules of play varied according to course. For example, on the second round—amuse bouche—teams found out just the day before that salmon would be the ingredient they would be working with. The teams

then were invited to bring their own “advantage” ingredient. Teams’ inspired “advantage” ingredients ranged from crème fraiche to kiwi. On the night of the event, they had to select three other “surprise,” or “challenge” ingredients from the Top Chef Challenge table—a spread

of ingredients ranging from the expected (chives, capers) to the unexpected (canned smoked trout, maple syrup, instant coffee). Despite serious—and not-so-serious—competition, Team Damon took the title Top Chef Synergy this year! Congratulations to Tammy and her team and all the chefs and tasters for what was a close competition and an entertaining night.

“Using ingredients like crème fraiche to kiwi, capers to instant coffee, the Chefs had to be inventive.”

8 Synergy Times | Summer 2014

Synergy Top Chef: Still Sharp in its Second Yearby Julia Ward, Synergy Alum Parent

Chef MahalaTop Chef Tammy with Sous Chefs Valentina and Kevin

9Synergy Times | Summer 2014

It is with great gratitude that we say good-bye to Dan Matarrozi, alum parent extraordinaire. In the first years of our middle school, Sogolon and I quickly built competitive basketball teams, but had no time to direct and coordinate the program. Dan, whose own kids, Henry ’06 and Angie ’07, had already graduated, stepped in and became our volunteer Athletic Director in 2008. His leadership and commitment to the program has made a significant impact on all of our sports teams.

Dan put his time and money to assure that Synergy would be well represented in its sports endeavors. One example of this is when we needed basketball uniforms. Our uniforms were coming apart at the seams, literally (numbers falling off the back of jerseys and pants falling down because of lost draw strings, etc.). Without asking if we needed anything or if Synergy could pay for them, he showed up with a box of uniforms he had ordered for over 45 players. This is only one example of his generosity and kindness.

Dan also identified a major disadvantage that we had compared to the other schools, and tried to fill the void. He has been able to secure gym space for practices over the years, and that has been invaluable for our programs. He also took on the responsibility of scheduling games and securing refs.

Synergy has earned championships in both Girl’s and Boy’s Basketball over the years, and our Futsal team not been defeated in the past three years. Synergy, a school of less than 200 students, is now known as one of the power programs in the San Francisco Athletic League.

People are always surprised that we don’t actually have a gym facility. They hear about what the program has done and just assume that we have tons of space to develop the skill levels of the students who compete on our teams.

Thanks, Dan, for all you have done to make these successes possible.

Thank you, Dan!By Melvin Smith, Middle School Physical Education Teacher

Well, they did it again! For the second year in a row, the Synergy Boys’ Varsity Futsal team is the reigning champion of the SFAL Futsal league. And not to be outdone, Synergy Girls’ Junior Varsity also brought home the Championship in their league.

In his post-game interview, coach Sam Heminger remarked, "To say that this season was a success is an understatement. With all four teams in the playoffs and two of them winning the whole thing, Synergy was a force to be reckoned with in 2014. Let all who mention futsal mention Synergy, and may the success that this season has brought us seep into our culture and inspire a winning attitude for generations to come!"

Synergy Futsal Champions 2014!

Varsity Boys Futsal Team Junior Varsity Girls Futsal Team

Synergy founder Russ Messing and former Synergy teacher Jim Halligan are old friends, and as they took turns reading their poetry to a room full of Synergy alums, they engaged in some gentle sparring. Jim read a couple of poems about birds, and Russ countered with a poem of his own called “Happy Flock,” about the passions of birders:

I don’t understand birders, how they coo and crow at the

sighting of their thirteenth warbler finch, their umpteenth blue-footed booby, yet another flightless cormorant…

Birds weren’t the only theme, of course – one of Jim’s poems described adventures on a hitchhiking trip across country, another focused on the shootings at Virginia Tech. Russ’s poems explored a range of topics—from a photo of Georgia O’Keefe, to a visit to the family gravesite.

The alumni gathering was organized by Katherine Czesak, Jill Goffstein Stocks, the other Synergy founders, and Pat Tokunaga, Alum

Teacher, of Synergy’s Alumni Committee. There were several generations of former Synergy students there, as well as alumni parents and teachers, including Tammy Damon and Elena Dillon, who hosted the event.

If you’re interested in reading these poets’ work, you can find Russ’s book, A Convergence of Unanticipated Consequences on Amazon. Jim’s poem are not published yet but he has collaborated on several children’s books including Diabolic Downloads (Forbidden Files), Fowl Play, Round the Bend, Fowl Deeds (nominated for a Bistro Award) and Seeing Red.

A final word from Russ’s poem, “Some Last Things:”

A few last things to know: I love you. Forget about the hurts, I’ll take them off your hands. The keys are in the freezer.

See more photos at:www.synergyphotos.smugmug.com/2013-2014/Alumni-Poetry-Reading

Password: bestpics

Poetry ReadingBy Connie Matthiessen, Synergy Alum Parent

10 Synergy Times | Summer 2014

Class of 2014

Our eighth grade class was accepted to a wide range of public, parochial, charter and independent high schools. Our graduates will be attending the following schools:

Crystal Springs Upland SchoolDrew School

El Cerrito High SchoolGateway High SchoolHillsdale High School

Lowell High SchoolMission High School

Ruth Asawa School of the ArtsSacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory

San Mateo High SchoolSouth San Francisco High School

Stuart Hall High SchoolUniversity High School

Class of 2010

Congratulations to Synergy’s Class of 2010 as they graduate from high school. Our alumni will matriculate at the following schools:

Arizona State University

Bard College

Barnard College

Berklee School of Music

City College of San Francisco

Maryland Institute of Art

New York University

San Francisco State University

Stanford University

University of California Merced

University of California Santa Cruz

University of Montana

University of New Mexico Reno

Jim Halligan and Russ Messing

UpcomingHere are the schedule highlights for the quarter. For a more detailed schedule, please see our calendar at www.synergyschool.org

August September OctoberUpcomingHere are the schedule highlights for the quarter. For a more detailed schedule, please see our calendar at www.synergyschool.org

19New Parent Meeting

1Labor Day No School

13Fall HolidayNo School

UpcomingHere are the schedule highlights for the quarter. For a more detailed schedule, please see our calendar at www.synergyschool.org

27First Day of School

8-19Middle School Farm School Weeks

15-21Parent-Teacher Conferences

UpcomingHere are the schedule highlights for the quarter. For a more detailed schedule, please see our calendar at www.synergyschool.org

29All School Field Trip

16 K-5 Curriculum Parent Meeting

244/5 Harvest Day

One goal of Synergy’s recent Five Year Strategic Plan was for Synergy to become a Green School. As well as encouraging efforts to reduce waste at Synergy, the plan called for reducing our energy usage. In March 2013, Synergy installed solar panels on our new roof, the culmination of a series of other energy-saving improvements to our school that were part of the extensive plan. In implementing these improvements, Synergy has been able to zero out our electricity costs.

Now, thanks to a generous parent donor, these accomplishments will become part of Synergy’s daily life. Synergy is now able to display the solar energy data on its new monitor in the school’s front hallway. The 40-inch monitor displays real time electricity generation data in a graphically pleasing way from Synergy’s 30 kW, 88-panel solar roof top array. In addition, the monitor has a weather station that displays ambient temperature, solar panel

temperature and the wind speed from the school’s roof.

The solar kiosk has already been useful in many areas of Synergy life. Teachers are able to use the panel as an education tool using our data to teach how solar energy and electricity are related, and to demonstrate how it makes the school more energy efficient. (This data is also available on the school’s website at www.synergyschool.org/home/solar_energy_synergy.)

The solar kiosk is also being used as a rotating electronic display to show pictures and videos from Synergy events. Additionally, it is a helpful tool to remind parents about upcoming school events.

Our congratulations and thanks to the Board’s Green Committee and Eastenders teacher Rea Inglesis, who helped pilot this solar initiative, and to the parents and community members who supported the effort.

11Synergy Times | Summer 2014

Synergy’s Solar Kioskby Russ Curtis, Director of Technology Alumni News:

Stay Connected!

Want to know which Synergy grad was on American Idol? Which one was in Vienna this year? Share your news and stay in touch. Visit the Alumni page of Synergy’s website and join our Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/synergyschoolalumni/

Alum MK Nobilette & Alum Teacher Tiffany Tai at Alumni Reunion

The Annual Fund helps to bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating a student at Synergy School for a full year.The support we receive from our community of parents, friends, alumni and grandparents helps Synergy to maintain the strength of our program while keeping our tuition affordable and offering financial aid more than a third of our community.

Every gift counts. Donate online at www.synergyschool.org/giving

If you have any questions about donations, please contact Liz McDonald, Director of Development, at liz@synergyschool.org.

Thank you for your support!

Synergy Annual Fund

The mission of Synergy School is to provide a quality education by empowering children to flourish academically, to blossom as individuals, and to become self-confident, creative learners.

Synergy School was founded in 1973 and is a non-profit teacher cooperative, wherein students, parents, and teachers cooperate together to further a rewarding education for each child. We are a vibrant, diverse community with 190 students in kindergarten through eighth grade located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

Synergy Times is published twice a year by the Development Office of Synergy School. Feedback and story ideas are welcome.Editors: Jenna Schott, Liz McDonald, Connie Matthiessen, Elena DillonPhotography: Russ Curtis, Annie Aguirre

Every Gift Counts

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