Peninsula Bridge

Posted on March 28, 2011 12:08 PM

Dear Peninsula Bridge Community,

I am writing to inform you that Grainger Marburg has decided to step down as the Executive Director at the end of the 2011 summer program to pursue new challenges in his career.

The Board of Directors wishes Grainger the very best in his new endeavors.  We are grateful for all that he has accomplished in his six years with Peninsula Bridge.  Grainger has been a wonderful steward of the program; he has enhanced its strengths and expanded its reach.  During his tenure at Peninsula Bridge Grainger successfully added new programs at St. Joseph's School in Atherton and St. Matthews School in San Mateo.  He brought Castilleja School back into our program as a host site for the summer program, and successfully negotiated the addition of a new school in 2012.  The program now serves 60% more students than it did in 2005 when Grainger joined Peninsula Bridge.  Grainger has brought stability to the organization's finances through diligent relationship building with our generous funders.  He has made adjustments to our program to provide consistency across our schools and enhance our ability to document the impact Peninsula Bridge has on our students.  Through his commitment to educational equity, intelligence and warmth, Grainger has been a compelling advocate for everything Peninsula Bridge represents. 

Grainger has generously committed to staying with us through the 2011 summer session, allowing the board time to perform a thorough and thoughtful search for his successor.  While we are saddened by Grainger's departure, we view this as an opportunity to find a new leader who will continue and expand on the tremendous progress Grainger has achieved.  The Board of Directors is committed to maintaining the high standard of excellence for Peninsula Bridge that Grainger has developed.  We are confident that, with the strengths of the program and the generosity and commitment of the program's supporters, we will find an outstanding Executive Director to lead Peninsula Bridge into the next phase of its development.

If you have any thoughts you would like to discuss please do not hesitate to contact me at steve@peninsulabridge.org. 

Best regards,

Stephen Fick

Peninsula Bridge Board Chairman

Posted on March 24, 2011 2:40 PM

By Grainger Marburg, Executive Director

This issue is dedicated to all the talent involved with the Peninsula Bridge Program.  This talent begins with our students - each of whom has achieved in the classroom and been recommended by a teacher to attend our program - and includes our master teachers, teacher assistants, and office staff.  It also includes our board, advisors, volunteers, and school partners.  While I am not surprised by the range and depth of skills, I am still struck by how fortunate we are to benefit from such a rich tapestry of people who are involved with what we do.  The articles in this issue nicely illustrate this point.  Ken Klieman, who was one vote shy of being the state CLMS Teacher of the Year, has been involved with Peninsula Bridge for more than ten years.  He brings the same passion to us every summer - the same commitment to teaching and learning - that he gives his students throughout the school year.  Similarly, both former Bridge teacher Jhumki Basu and former  Bridge site director Nanci Kauffman (now Head of Castilleja) personify the values and academic excellence we want to instill in every Bridge student and teacher.   Ken, Jhumki and Nanci are just a few examples of the talent that have touched Peninsula Bridge and made it the program it is today.

Posted on March 24, 2011 2:30 PM

Peninsula Bridge is proud to have on staff exceptional master teachers who create a dynamic and supportive learning environment for all our students.  One of these teachers is Ken Klieman from Bowditch Middle school in Foster City who in January was named the California League of Middle Schools Educator of the Year for Region IV.  Most recently Ken participated in the State Teacher of the Year competition and came up 1 vote short of winning.  Bowditch Principal Judy Ross commented, "As a teacher and mentor who challenges, inspires, and enables his students to think critically, Mr. Klieman was nominated for this prestigious award. His compassion and empathy exemplifies his outstanding commitment to the world of education."

Posted on March 24, 2011 2:25 PM

On November 18th of 2010 Castilleja dedicated the campus garden to Jhumki Basu '94, an alumna, past faculty member of Castilleja and former teacher assistant at Bridge.  Jhumki passed away on December 16, 2008 leaving us with memories of an amazing and inspiring human being.   She was 31 years old and died of breast cancer.  Jhumki  sought to make science education exciting and accessible to students in underserved communities and began the Discovery Science Program at Peninsula Bridge during her summers as a student at Stanford. 

Posted on March 24, 2011 2:15 PM

Former Bridge site director Nanci Kauffman was recently installed as Castilleja's sixth Head of School.   The ceremony featured a keynote address by author Catherine Steiner-Adair, author of Full of Ourselves:  A Wellness Program Advancing Girl Power, Health and Leadership,   who told students that they were in "the right place at the right time - Ms. Kauffman is one of the country's most exciting, creative and inspiring educators - unwavering in her commitment to educating girls to lead."  Nanci has been involved with Peninsula Bridge since 2001 when she ran the Teacher Collaboration program and then the Tech Girl's program for 2 years at Castilleja.  Currently Nanci is serving as the School Head  representative on our Board of Directors.  We congratulate Nanci in her new position at Castilleja and look forward to her insight and expertise as we continue to grow our program to include more independent school partners and most importantly more students.

Posted on March 24, 2011 2:10 PM

Posted on March 23, 2011 7:55 AM

Come and see the Bridge summer program in action at one of the following locations:

Woodside Priory School
Tuesday June 28th 9:30-10:30am  
Wednesday June 29th 1-2pm

Castilleja School
Thursday June 30th 9:30-10:30am
Tuesday July 5th 11-12noon

Sacred Heart Schools
Wednesday July 6th 9:30-10:30am
Thursday July 7th 11-12noon

Menlo School
Tuesday July 12th 9:30-10:30am
Wednesday July 13th 1-2pm

 Crystal Springs Uplands School
Thursday July 14th 9:30-10:30am  
Tuesday July 19th 11-12noon

 St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School
Wednesday July 20th 9:30-10:30am
Thursday July 21st 1-2pm

RSVP to Sherri Shaner at sherri@peninsulabridge.org   or (408) 358-8805