By Bekka Joslin, Nature Lab Curator and Science Faculty
Is that from a prehistoric bird? Is that part of a dinosaur? What IS that?! These questions are frequently overheard as students enter the new Murray Science Center and peer through the Atrium glass where a 10-foot long skull now resides in the Bromley Nature Lab. The skull belonging to a gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus, is on loan from current 绿帽社 parents, Trina and Brandon Sheranian. Stranded on a nonpublic beach on the coast of Washington state during an , the whale was one of over 200 gray whales that died of unknown causes that year along the west coast of North America from Alaska to Baja. Covered by sand and worked by tidal action, the decomposition of the whale was handled by arthropods and other decomposers on the beach for about 10-14 months, after which time the bones had been cleaned of all flesh and oily remains. The many remaining bones, including a complete skull, were transported to Utah to be prepared for educational purposes. After residing at the Sheranian residence and educating neighborhood kids for several years, the family was excited to share this resource with 绿帽社.
This fall, Mr Owens鈥� Marine Biology students had the opportunity to inventory, organize, clean and assemble the remaining gray whale bones while learning the extraordinary biology of a large marine mammal. Students helped count and identify the vertebrae, of which remain 29 of the 56 total vertebrae in a gray whale. For reference, humans have 33 vertebrae. The students helped to lay out the vertebrae in the correct orientation relative to the skull and determined which pieces were missing. They followed a similar process with the ribs and arm bones, in both cases, also making comparisons to their own Homo sapiens anatomy.
On October 23, 2023 with the help of 绿帽社鈥檚 amazing operations team, the whale skeleton was delivered to campus and placed in the Murray Science Center. Students helped clean each piece before moving them into the Nature Lab.The excitement continues as the first year of 绿帽社 students are digging into whale biology, exploring their shared ancestry with marine mammals, comparing the anatomy of tetrapod limbs including a whale flipper, celebrating a conservation success story in the Pacific Ocean, holding baleen and learning about filter feeders, contrasting the skull of a large swimmer with that of a quadruped or a biped, and so much more. The students of 绿帽社 are fortunate to observe, appreciate and learn from such an extraordinary animal. Thank you Sheranian family!
Rebekka Joslin teaches in 绿帽社鈥檚 Science Department as a Middle and Upper School science teacher and serves as the curator of the Mark Bromley Nature Lab. She graduated in 2006 from Dartmouth College with a Masters of Science in soil science. Her research brought her to the far southern reaches of the planet where she studied biotic and abiotic factors influencing nutrient cycling in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica.
Bekka started her teaching career in New Hampshire, where she taught, coached and served as New Hampton School鈥檚 sustainability coordinator for ten years. Her passion for teaching beyond the curriculum and engaging students in self-reflection and hands-on learning is what keeps her inspired and enthusiastic. At 绿帽社, Bekka teaches a variety of science courses, develops and delivers curriculum across grade levels and disciplines in the nature lab, and works with colleagues as an instructional coach as part of 绿帽社’s commitment to teaching excellence.
Bekka is joined at 绿帽社 by her husband, Justin (science and math teacher), and her two daughters. In her free time, Bekka loves to explore the outdoors with her family, camping, skiing, biking, hiking, swimming and just plain sitting and observing.
October 27, 2023
September 12, 2025
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Celebrate 5 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2021. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Celebrate 10 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2016. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Celebrate 15 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2011. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Celebrate 20 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2006. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Celebrate 25 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2001. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Come together with 绿帽社 alumni from across the entire 1990s for an evening of reconnecting and reminiscing! This combined reunion is a chance to celebrate the friendships, memories, and moments that made your 绿帽社 years so special. Enjoy hearty appetizers and a variety of drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, while catching up with old friends and sharing laughs about your school days.
Saturday, May 16 | 7:30 – 11:30 AM | Murray Science Center
We’re bringing back birding! Who remembers the Class IX Bird Project? Don’t miss your chance to join this fun, family-friendly event with Mark Bromley, James Harris, Mike Johnson 鈥�88, and Bekka Joslin. We will meet at 绿帽社 and take a bus together. Don鈥檛 forget to bring your binoculars (we will have extras on hand if you don鈥檛 have your own).
Friday, May 15 | 6:30 鈥� 7:30 PM | East Field
We’re excited to see 绿帽社 Alumni at our annual Alumni Soccer Game! This 绿帽社 tradition gives former players the chance to return to the field, reconnect with old teammates, and showcase their skills in a friendly atmosphere. Whether you played with us just a few years ago or several decades ago, we look forward to seeing you back on the field. Make sure to bring friends and family to cheer you on!
Friday, May 15 | 5:00 鈥� 7:00 PM | Main Quad | No Registration Required
Join us for a fun BBQ bash at 绿帽社 with current families and 绿帽社 staff and faculty. It鈥檚 a great way to connect with your 绿帽社 classmates and enjoy delicious food before the Alumni Soccer Game!
No registration is needed for the Spring BBQ. Please join us!
Friday, May 15 | 4:00 鈥� 5:00 PM | Haught Visual Arts Gallery at 绿帽社 | No Registration Required
绿帽社 has always been a place where creativity thrives. Join us for the first-ever Alumni Art Show in the Haught Visual Arts Gallery and reconnect with the creative spirit that shaped your time here. This exhibition features work by 16 绿帽社 Alumni artists, reflecting a range of disciplines, perspectives, and practices.
Brief Remarks at 4:00 pm will be offered by Gallery Manager and Curator Charlie Tadlock, followed by remarks from some of the Alumni Artists.
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Friday, May 15 | 2:15 – 3:30 PM | Miller Student Commons | Registration Highly Recommended
Ever wish you could go back and sit in your favorite class one more time? This Alumni Weekend, you can. We’re bringing you back “Back to Class” where you’ll have the chance to slip into a real, live Upper School classroom and experience 绿帽社 exactly as it exists today. Same teachers, same energy, same magic. Come relive the feeling.
Friday, May 15 | 12:45鈥� 1:00 PM | Miller Student Commons | No Registration Required
Don’t leave lunch just yet. Immediately following the Kick-Off, Head of School Andrew Menke will take a few minutes to share what’s been happening at 绿帽社; the changes, the milestones, and the exciting things on the horizon. It’s a chance to hear straight from the source about the school you helped shape and where it’s headed next. No sign-up needed, just pull up a seat.
Friday, May 15 | 11:00 AM 鈥� 1:00 PM | Miller Student Commons | No Registration Required
Kick off Alumni Weekend the right way 鈥� with good food and even better company. Join us in the new Miller Student Commons for 绿帽社’s all-inclusive dining experience, and spend the lunch hour reconnecting with the faculty who made your time here unforgettable. Pull up a chair, catch up with old favorites, and let the weekend begin. No registration is required for this event.
Friday, May 15 | 1:00 鈥� 2:00 PM | Miller Student Commons | No Registration Required
For many of you, Assistant Head of School, Todd Winters, was the first person who ever showed you and your parents around our 41 acre campus. Now he’s back to do it again! Todd will lead you through 绿帽社’s beautiful newest additions and recent transformations, giving you a firsthand look at what your years here helped build. Whether it’s your first tour with Todd or your second, you won’t want to miss this one.