Mari Pongkhamsing Has Plans for Our Library

Meet Mari Pongkhamsing, our new librarian. Mari has been a student and a parent and a teacher at The Meher Schools and has worked here on and off since high school.

In recent years, she’s been providing extra support to small groups of students and one-to one tutoring. At the same time, she’s been working part-time on the reference and children’s desks at the San Leandro Public Library. Now she’s combining her love of libraries, teaching, and children in her new role here. She replaces Thea Montandon, who retired in June after 33 years as our librarian.

Over time Mari will be culling out-of-date books from the library’s 23,000-book collection and buying new ones. Some of those will be graphic novels. “We only have a few now, and they’re very popular.”

“I hope to explore the idea of the library as a ‘makerspace’ (collaborative workspace) and add some creative projects and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities to the library curriculum,” she says. “We’ll also practice some research skills using our Chromebooks.”

Mari comes to us with an abundance of qualifications. She has a master’s degree in library and information science and a special education credential. She also has an MA in folklore and interned for a summer at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

She attended school here from preschool through fifth grade. Two of our other staff members, Room 4’s Rosanna Allen and Elementary Co-Principal Ivy Summers, were a year ahead of her, and the three were in combined third-fourth and fourth-fifth classes together.

Mari’s son, Ollie, graduated from our fifth grade last year. Her daughter, Anjali, is in our second grade.

A Song for Ukraine’s Children

One of our fifth graders was awed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership when his country was invaded by Russia in February. The boy quoted Zelensky’s statements demonstrating his humanity and deep affection for his people and his country. He felt the people of Ukraine exemplified a new kind of courage.

The student's comments inspired his teacher Terry Johnson to create this “Song for the Children of Ukraine” with a group of her friends. Several of our students, parents, staff, and alumni contributed to the project.

Terry said, “The song is intended to say, ‘Yes, people around the world are sending food, medical supplies, and so much more, but we also send our love with the understanding that we are all one family.’”

In an outpouring of generosity, Meher Schools families last year contributed clothing, emergency supplies, and funds for Ukrainian refugees through organizations like White Pony Express and Following Francis. One of our fundraisers was recreated for the video. Terry is also executive director of Following Francis.

Meher Schools Alum Named U.S. Attorney for New Mexico

Meher Schools graduate Alexander M. M. Uballez was sworn in on May 24 as the U.S. attorney for the District of New Mexico. Alex was nominated by President Biden in January and confirmed by the Senate in May. As the U.S. attorney, he is chief federal law enforcement officer for the district, leading a team of over 180 prosecutors and staff.

Alex graduated from The Meher Schools in 1997 and earned his law degree at Columbia University.

Fifth grade teacher Terry Johnson remembers Alex as “quite an amazing being even as a 10-year-old. Every year I have my students read one of the short stories he wrote in my class.”