2011–2012 Annual Report - The Elisabeth Morrow School

The Elisabeth Morrow School 2011 - 2012 Annual Report

Our school is alive with new initiatives and long-standing traditions infused into a curriculum that engages students as they develop the strong foundation needed for success in our everevolving world. We are proud of the students we graduate: we know them to be critical thinkers, conďŹ dent leaders and young men and women of principle possessing a profound love of learning that started here, at î‚Še Elisabeth Morrow School.

MISSION e Elisabeth Morrow School pursues the highest educational standards in a supportive, creative environment. We challenge our students’ intellects, promote academic excellence, encourage independent thinking, and cultivate individual talents.

Our dedicated, experienced faculty fosters moral growth and social responsibility. In our culturally diverse community, we value tradition and innovation and the joy of lifelong learning.

CORE VALUES An educational environment committed to academic excellence and child-centered learning; An educational process symbolized by the Four C’s, courtesy, consideration, cooperation and compassion, that focuses not only on the intellectual, but also upon the social and character development of children; A passion for learning; A strong sense of community among students, teachers, families, administrators and staff.

VISION e Elisabeth Morrow School will educate three-year-olds through eighth graders in a supportive, child-centered environment of restricted class size. e Elisabeth Morrow School will prepare students to be proficient academically and strong of character. e Elisabeth Morrow School will attract, develop and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. e student body and professional staff will reflect diversity of ethnicity, heritage and economic status. e Elisabeth Morrow School will be in a position of financial strength.

Thank You To Our Donors Dear EMS Community,

Aaron Cooper Head of School

It is with great excitement and optimism that I take the helm at Elisabeth Morrow. Aer nine years at the school – and three as a parent – I can say that the mission of Elisabeth Morrow is alive and well in the classrooms, corridors, and outdoor spaces throughout the school. Our culture of high-quality academics in an active environment where students are known and supported by experienced, inspirational teachers helps ignite and nurture a joy of learning in our students. Students are challenged and inspired regularly. I have seen the products of an Elisabeth Morrow education succeed in high school, college, and beyond. By all accounts, our students are well-prepared academically, transition well socially, and emerge as leaders within the communities they join aer Elisabeth Morrow.

I would like to thank the entire Elisabeth Morrow community for welcoming me so warmly to my new role as Head of School. As an educator and a parent, I am passionate about this school and its purpose to provide the best possible education to children at these most important developmental times in their lives.

I thank David Lowry, my predecessor and mentor, for providing direction for the school in seeing through our new strategic plan and for ensuring that the 4 C’s are at the center of all that we do.

I thank the many volunteers this past year for the time, commitment, and energy you showed in making everything from drop-off to the International Festival, from field trips to the Book Fair, successful, warm, and positive for our community. e special efforts of the Spring Gala chairs and their committee as well as the Apple Tree Fund volunteers generated significant funds that benefit Elisabeth Morrow in important and meaningful ways. I look forward to joining you in those efforts again this year.

Finally, and importantly, I thank all the donors for your commitment and continuing participation in giving your resources to Elisabeth Morrow. Your ongoing dedication to the school allows us to truly provide the very best for our students every day of the year, every year of their childhood. Your support goes a long way to sustaining these programs and, importantly, to signaling the strength of our community.

I look forward to working with you, the faculty and staff, and our students to ensure that we bring the best to each of our students.

My very best,

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Dear Friends,

Rosemary Mills Russell President, Board of Trustees

is past year has been one of planning for transition, celebrating accomplishments and continuing the EMS tradition of educating children in a supportive environment. It has been a wonderful year.

Aer 12 years at EMS, we bid farewell to David Lowry. David brought EMS to a new level by adding the middle school, focusing on development and sustainability of the School, supporting more continuing education for the faculty, and promoting greater coordination of curriculum. e Board of Trustees extends our deepest thanks to David. Judging from the incredible number of current and past parents, faculty, administration and friends that attended the spring gala in the Lowrys’ honor, the entire community echoes our thanks.

We are lucky that Aril Lowry will continue to teach at EMS next year. Aril’s knowledge and love of gardening led to the creation of a unique educational program for our students and continues to increase the beauty of our campus.

As Aaron Cooper begins his tenure as the seventh head of e Elisabeth Morrow School, there is excitement and energy in the air. Aaron has worked extensively with the Board and has been intimately involved in the continuing development of our strategic plan. is enabled Aaron to implement some of the best ideas while the plan narrative was still being written. Many of these are aimed at bringing the entire community together and educating all parents about the benefits of a PreKindergarten to Grade Eight EMS education.

Next fall the plan will guide Aaron and the rest of his administration in strengthening our already strong School. ere are constants that prevail at EMS throughout all transitions. Most important is, of course, our faculty. ey set us apart from our peer schools with their experience, their understanding of child development and their own love of learning. ey will always be the heart of the School.

Finally, I thank you for continuing to make EMS a philanthropic priority through your donations and your volunteer efforts. Participation rates for the Apple Tree fund again reached almost 75%. In addition over $225,000 was raised for our endowment at the Spring Gala. e best schools work in partnership with the parents of their students. e Board of Trustees is grateful for your commitment and your support.

My very best,

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The Elisabeth Morrow School Board of Trustees, 2012–2013

Rosemary Mills Russell, President Edward J. Hunter, !st Vice President Gregory J. Amerkanian, 2nd Vice President Heide Ilgenfritz, Treasurer Eric T. Hirschhorn, Secretary Joseph A. Agresta, Jr. ’78 Adrienne Buda ’79 Anderson Stephen A. Borg ’80 George Chiocco, Jr. Joseph DeRose, Jr. Armando Diaz

Joshua Hyman ’75 Melinda Panella ’82 Insana Robert Kachikian Jayne Gurland Lein Neal Merker Robert Michiels David Nichols David Oropeza ’75 Elizabeth Puchner Gregory Shaia Clare Sheridan Hanita Walia

Trustee Emerti Sandra Borg Joan Van Alstyne ’34 Johnson Graham Jones Emily Mann Charles C. Parlin, Jr. ’33 Jayanne Tedesco William Van Ness

Business Report

Richard Pagano Business Manager

e year ending June 2012 was a challenging one for e Elisabeth Morrow School. However, the School has been able to navigate successfully through the uncertainty of this economic environment. We continue to proceed conservatively in order to meet our budgeted targets and remain debt-free, despite a modest unrealized loss on longterm investments.

Again this year, the total of gis to the school, both unrestricted and restricted, reached $900,000. A substantial amount, this money will assist in our efforts to augment and retain our talented faculty as well as enrich our overall program. For this, the school extends its sincerest thanks to all who gave generously.

Revenue

Expenses

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Development Report

Penny Lippe Director of Development

ank You! e support for the Apple Tree Fund continued steadfast this year with generous participation from members of our EMS community. Our Spring Gala honoring David and Aril Lowry generated a new level of support, raising over $225,000 for our Endowment for Faculty. e commitment of the EMS families – both past and present – is strong and very much a part of making Elisabeth Morrow the school that it is. at commitment and generosity ensures that Elisabeth Morrow

Annual Operating Funds • The Apple Tree Fund ` Restricted and Unrestricted

$ 640,785

Endowment for Our Faculty • Spring Gala • Additional Donations

$ 232,337

Other Endowment Funds • Character Education Endowment • Latin and Classical Humanities Endowment • Named Funds: Molly Anderson Fund Darryl Anne Burnham Memorial Fund Graham-Johnson Endowment Fund Mary Hawkins Memorial Fund George Penny Endowment Fund Total

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continues to be the unique and caring place where children are challenged and inspired daily, where they are given the academic tools and life skills to thrive as EMS graduates, well prepared for their future. is Annual Report recognizes all those who participated in giving to e Elisabeth Morrow School during fiscal year 2011-2012.

We thank them for their commitment and support of this extraordinary School.

Additionally, $ 231,184 were received in cash payments on pre-existing pledges to the Endowment

$ 11,350

for Our Faculty and $ 4,000 to our capital fund.

$ 884,472

Thank You Parents! anks to the generous gis of time and talent on the part of so many dedicated volunteers, 2011-2012 was another successful year for the EMS Parents Association. We are most grateful to our “retiring” president, Donna LoBue, for her skillful and Jodee Fink effective leadership. As she worked to President, Parents implement both social and Association educational programs for the EMS community, Donna was tireless in her efforts to ensure that planning was done thoroughly, that all events ran smoothly, and that all concerns brought to her attention

were addressed respectfully. She assumed responsibility for production of Simply Delicious, the 2012 cookbook, and devoted countless hours to getting it done in a timely and professional manner. Most impressively, Donna managed to accomplish all of this with a graciousness and warmth that embodied the best ideals of the EMS “4 C’s”.

Our hope as the PA Board is to continue to provide programs and events that positively impact the education of our children while maintaining the traditions and essence of our life as a community. Our thanks to all the volunteers whose work makes this happen!

The Elisabeth Morrow School Parents Association Board • 2012–2013 President: Jodee Fink First Vice President: Adela Waymouth Skinner (Morrow House) Second Vice President: Felicia Zekauskas (Chilton House & Little School) Secretary: Mary Costigan Treasurer: Lily Riedel Morrow House Representative: Melanie Anagnos Little School Representative: Deborah Sonnenberg Chilton House Representative: Liora Spiess Board of Trustees Liaison to P.A.B.: Melinda Insana

Committees & Chairpersons Book Fair, November 2012: Adrienne Anderson Karen Toback Hospitality & P.A. Faculty Luncheon: Chilton House - Liora Spiess Little School - Deborah Sonnenberg Morrow House - Melanie Anagnos 10

Library Aid Committee Chilton House Coordinator - Stephanie Morel Little School Coordinator - Jen Cordover Morrow House Coordinator - Amy Spiewak Nominating: Donna LoBue Kindness Representative: Mary Costigan Leadership/Volunteer Luncheon: Felicia Zekauskas Teachers’ Gi Fund: Lily Riedel School Store: Co-Manager - Fran Rowbottom Co-Manager - Anne Ryoo Co-Manager - Joan Zhao Photography: Chilton House - Meredith Escala Little School - Clare Sheridan Morrow House - Joy Musto

Parents Association Event and Activities, 2011-2012 HOSPITALITY AND DECORATIONS

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS

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Hospitality Tent New Parents’ Picnic New Students’ Orientation Back-to-School Nights Open Houses Faculty Tea Cocoa Parties in Morrow House and Little School Volunteer Leadership Luncheon Morrow House Field day luncheon & T-Shirts for new students Faculty Gi Fund facilitation 4th Grade Promotion and Morrow House Promotion Ceremonies Faculty/Staff Luncheon Holiday and Year End Gis to Maintenance and Administrative Staff Graduation Reception and T-Shirts for graduates and Morrow House faculty

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FUND RAISING • • •

Book Fair this year generated $12,167 from books, raffle and pantry sales.

Gi Wrap Sales generated $581.

Photography Day generated $4,747.

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Todd Strasser, award-winning author of more than 120 books for middle-graders and teens, presented to students in Little School and Morrow House in conjunction with Book Fair 2011.

Tedd Arnold, author and illustrator of over 50 books including the Fly Guy series, presented to students in Chilton House and Little School in conjunction with Book Fair 2011.

Peter Maloney and Felicia Zekauskas, authors and illustrators of 17 books and EMS parents, presented to the students in Chilton House in conjunction with Book Fair 2011.

Drs. Leslie Day and Trudy Smoke, author and illustrator respectively of Field Guide to the Street Trees of New York City, presented to the 4th through 8th graders in conjunction with Book Fair 2011.

Trenton Lee Stewart, best-selling author of e Mysterious Benedict Society series, gave a spring presentation to students in Little School and Morrow House.

In conjunction with Book Fair 2011, the Parents Association collected and donated used books to be distributed to underserved schools.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS •

Anne Collier, co-chair of President Obama’s Online Safety and Technology Working Group and editor of NetFamilyNews.org, led two discussions with parents focusing on children’s online lives.

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EMS Book Fair, November 2011 e annual Elisabeth Morrow Book Fair, sponsored by the Parents Association, is a spectacular community event thanks in large part to many extraordinary volunteers. It offers a wide selection of quality books and encourages literacy for all ages. We thank all who make this treasured EMS tradition such a success.

CO-CHAIRS Adrienne Anderson Hanita Walia VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Jodee Fink FACULTY TEA Parents Association SET UP/BREAK DOWN Michelle Oropeza Ainsworth Hall Annitsa Philliou PANTRY Jayne Gurland Lein Melinda Insana Debra Perskie-Schwartz RAFFLE Angela omas-German Julie Diaz Christine Benanti DECORATIONS Adela Skinner Teddi Hunter Joan Zhao GIFT WRAP Michele Skop Gisela Pursiainen

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GIFT B OOKS Kim Agresta-Chiocco Karen Toback Lily Riedel AUTHOR LUNCH Monica Borg Hana Choi Julie Knie AUTHOR B OOK PRE-ORDER Melanie Anagnos Donna LoBue B OOK DONATIONS Amy Spiewak CASHIERS Clare Sheridan Ashley Grant Deepa Chadha SCHOOL STORE Fran Rowbottom Courtney Miglietta Anne Ryoo TREASURER Laura Cohen

Family Field Day, 2011 e perfect weather added to the fun-filled aernoon as families and faculty gathered on campus for games and activities at the beginning of the school year. It was a wonderful time to welcome new families, catch up on summer happenings and enjoy the strong sense of our EMS community.

CO-CHAIRS Jay & Kelli Agresta Ted & Teddi Hunter PARENT VOLUNTEERS Chan Champell Hadas Chechik Andy Escala Jodee Fink Deb Glasser Ted Hunter Miriam Lockhart Shabri Mitta Suzan Onal Michele Skop Angela omas Stacy Wing Helen Wood SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MIDDLE S CHOOL

VOLUNTEERS Sarah Abrahamsen Rasa Anvari Jon Candler Andre Cervantes Veronique Dhont Claire Fink Regina Fink Chris Hall

Eddie Happle Liz Harris Quinn Hecker Carter Hirschhorn Aidan Hunter Ethan Hunter Ezra Hunter Caroline Hyer Emily Insana Bre Kelly Emily Kopelman Adelina Latinsky-Ortiz Alex Lein Lucia LoBue Anna Lockhart Emma Loring Emma Michiels Lauren Park Valentina Ramirez-Cruz Pam Restrepo Sara Rivoir Peter Shamamian Rene Spiewak Kira Trout Michelle Tu Alex Wedgebury Mariella Williams

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International Festival e International Festival, an EMS tradition, celebrates the wonderfully diverse cultures that make up our EMS community. Guests of all ages and heritages, many in their native dress, enjoyed delicious food from around the world. With a display of flags on high, the event radiated friendship and an international feeling of good will to all.

CO-CHAIRS Annitsa Philliou Adela Skinner Maria Staphos COMMITTEE CHAIRS Natalie Amerkanian Jesse Bonsu Deepa Chadha Hadas Chechik Jodee Fink Amy Graham Laura Higgins Melinda Insana Maral Jebejian

Emma Kim Mariana Kleiman Shirley Lee Donna LoBue Patricia MacLean Christyl Murray Sally-Jo O’Brien Jen Ostfeld Saloni Parikh Dana Romita-Cox Fran Rowbottom Stephanie Tejeda Angela omas Karen Toback

Spring Gala e Spring Gala was a tremendous celebration of our EMS community. It brought a record number of EMS families, both past and present, together to honor retiring Head of School David Lowry and his wife, Aril. Guests enjoyed jovial conversations and a spirited auction raising over $225,000 for the Endowment for our Faculty before dancing the night away. It was a magnificent evening!

EVENT CHAIRS Jennifer Shaia, Judy Couri and Courtney Miglietta COMMITTEE LEADERS Adrienne Anderson Luisa Angioletti Monica Borg Sandy Choi Mary Costigan Susan Del Rio Ellen Feldman Jodee Fink Melissa Geiger Ashley Grant Robin Hollander Teddi Hunter Heide Ilgenfritz Laurie Kitts Donna LoBue Debra Michiels Fran Rowbottom Michele Skop Hanita Walia Felicia Zekauskas Penny Lippe, Director of Development Maureen York, Director of Special Events

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COMMITTEE Luisa Angioletti Susan Balaban Hadas Chechik Amy Graham Jasmine Jaswal J. Grace Kim Sima Mandelzis Sandra Mastromarino Stephanie Morel Erinn Morr Christyl Murray Neeta Ogden Jennifer Ostfeld Debra Perskie-Schwartz Anne Ryoo Deborah Sonnenberg Liora Spiess Karen Toback Joan Toro-Herrera Joan Zhao UNDERWRITERS Joseph & Kelli Agresta Louis & Luisa Angioletti Jeffrey & Jennifer Cordover George & Judy Couri FATA Family Trust Ron & Ashley Grant Eric & Hillary Hirschhorn Ted & Teddi Hunter Robert & Kim Kachikian S. John Kim & J. Grace Kim

Ranga Krishna & Ranita Sharma Larry Lein & Jayne Gurland Lein Neal & Anna Merker Robert & Debra Michiels Maurizio & Courtney Miglietta William & Mara Petersen David & Debbie Rasiel Bernie & Anne Reilly Jeffrey Russell & Rosemary Mills Russell Carl & Aviva Saphier Bill & Clare Sheridan Jon & Jenny Steingart James Tighe & Barbara Rentler George & Maria Staphos Monroe & Christine Trout Sarabjit & Hanita Walia Basil & Anna Williams PLATINUM SPONSOR BENEFACTORS Joseph & Kelli Agresta Jeffrey & Jennifer Cordover George & Judy Couri Paul Marvin & Melissa Geiger Robert & Debra Michiels Maurizio & Courtney Miglietta David & Debbie Rasiel Bernie & Anne Reilly Jeffrey & Fran Rowbottom Jeffrey Russell & Rosemary Mills Russell Carl & Aviva Saphier

William & Clare Sheridan George & Maria Staphos Jon & Jenny Steingart Basil & Anna Williams GOLD BENEFACTORS Chris & Adrienne Anderson Earle & Bernadette Assanah Robin Odabash Brown William Cox & Dana Romita-Cox Joseph & Marielaina DeRose Armando & Dawn Diaz Louis & Ellen Feldman Ron & Ashley Grant Michael Heffernan & Jae Lee Robert & Susan Heidenberg William & Daphné Helm Paul & Robin Hollander Vipp & Jasmine Jaswal Joan Van Alstyne Johnson Robert & Kim Kachikian

Leo Keegan Dennis & HeonJoo Koo Larry Lein & Jayne Gurland Lein Joseph & Dalia Lerner Ira Lifshutz & Alyssa Wilk Fernando & Debbie Lopez Mitchell & Nancy Lynn David & Jamie McLain Neal & Anna Merker Ardavan Mobasheri & Azita Moosavian Mark Muntzner & Jacqueline Colby Edmondo & Miyako Schwartz Gregory & Jennifer Shaia David & Deborah Sonnenberg Steven & Liora Spiess Jayanne Tedesco Michael & Karen Toback

DONORS Scott & Anne Allen Lorra Baylis Nancy Benzel Larry & Jodee Fink Juan German & Angela omas German Peter & Reggie Gross Kevin Heaney & Leila Moore Michael & Laura Higgins Gail Kennedy Andrew & Gwen Leowitz Penny Lippe Elizabeth Miracky Levon & Vera Nazarian Herbert & Teruko Neuwalder David & Christina Nichols Mehmet & Liza Oz Richard & Lynn Pagano Virginia Smith David & Debra Trachtenberg

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The Elisabeth Morrow School • Class of 2012 Secondary Schools for the Graduates of 2012 Rasa Anvari Academy of the Holy Angels Jonathan Candler Tenafly High School Joseph De Rose Bergen County Academies Nicolas Diaz Northern Valley Regional High School (Demarest)

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Catherine Grieco Notre Dame School (NYC) Eddie Happle Xavier High School Elizabeth Harris Saddle River Day School Quinn Hecker Saddle River Day School

Carter Hirschhorn Riverdale Country School Caroline Hyer Academy of the Holy Angels Emily Insana Blair Academy So Young Jang Emma Willard School Breanna Kelly Concord Academy Adelina Latinsky-Ortiz Academy of the Holy Angels Alexander Lein Horace Mann School Kenjiro Lee Columbia Grammar Preparatory School Gregory Litt Riverdale Country School Anna Lockhart Northern Valley Regional High School (Demarest) Emma Loring Blair Academy Kevin Lu Don Bosco Preparatory High School Casey McConville Riverdale Country School Emma Michiels e Masters School

Richard Nelson Tenafly High School Patrick Owens Horace Mann School Lauren Park Riverdale Country School Sang Uk Park Phillips Exeter Academy Valentina Ramirez-Cruz Tenafly High School Pamela Restrepo Academy of the Holy Angels Jeffrey Richardson St. Joseph Regional High School Abigail Rivoir Academy of the Holy Angels Peter Shamamian Horace Mann School Justin Trout Bergen County Academies Michelle Tu Bergen County Academies David Yang Bergen County Academies Anakatrina Zeidwig Academies @ Englewood

College Choices for the Class of 2012 This list includes colleges being attended by alumni from whom we have current information.

American University Babson College Boston College Bucknell University (2) California Polytechnic State University Case Western Reserve University Columbia University Dickinson College Franklin and Marshall College Gettysburg College George Washington University Hampton University

Haverford College Hofstra University Holy Cross University (2) Johns Hopkins University Kansas State University Lafayette College Lehigh University Muhlenberg College (2) Pace University Pomona College Princeton University Rice College Smith College

Tulane University Union College US Marine Corps University of Chicago (3) University of Michigan (2) University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island University of Rochester University of Wisconsin Washington University (2) Wesleyan University (2)

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Ways of Giving to The Elisabeth Morrow School Gis to e Elisabeth Morrow School are a vital source of support for the School. ere are many ways to donate to the School that may enable donors to benefit and/or realize immediate tax savings: CASH OR CREDIT CARDS Giving online using American Express, VISA or MasterCard is secure and simple. Visit our web site at www.ElisabethMorrow.org. and click on Giving on the menu bar.

By using a credit card donors may accumulate membership benefits. Credit card donations may also be made by calling the Development Office at 201-568-5566, ext. 7223 with your relevant information. Outright gis of cash may also be made using personal checks and mailing directly to EMS. SECURITIES Appreciated stocks can make excellent charitable gis in that donors receive credit for the full market value on the day the gi is made and may save capital gains tax on donated assets held long term. Visit the web site at www.elisabethmorrow.org and click on Giving then Ways to Give for instructions or call Penny Lippe at 201-568-5566, ext. 7222 for electronic transfer details.

MATCHING GIFTS Donors are encouraged to double or triple their gi by taking advantage of corporate matching gi programs. Many businesses match the gis made by their employees or their spouses. Simply complete the matching gi form, available through your personnel office, and enclose it with your gi.

PLANNED GIFTS Gis that are part of an overall financial plan and benefit you as well as e Elisabeth Morrow School are planned gis. Since planned giving must be tailored to individual circumstances and goals, the Development Office is ready to work with you and your advisors to develop a strategy that benefits you and your family as well as the School. ere are oen gi vehicles that allow you to make a larger gi than you might have thought possible.

Contact Penny Lippe at plippe@elisabethmorrow.org or at 201-568-5566, ext. 7222 for more information.

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WE VALUE DIVERSITY e Elisabeth Morrow School values the rich dimensions of diversity embodied within each member of our community. We understand that each person is unique, with a distinct individuality that encompasses (in alphabetical order) age, gender, physical abilities, political view-points, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. Diversity in an educational environment must move beyond simple tolerance; it is among our highest priorities to provide a safe, positive and nurturing environment in which to appreciate and understand difference.

THE ANNUAL REPORT e Annual Report covers the period of July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012. ese lists have been prepared with great care. Despite our sincere efforts to avoid inaccuracies, we know they can occur. If any are noted, please accept our apologies and advise us of the error. is report has been prepared by the Development Office staff: Penny Lippe Maureen York Editorial Assistant: Jan Keshishian Design: Evan Brown Photography: Evan Brown Rebecca Gove Shelley Kusnetz Debbie Rasiel Samantha Smithline e Elisabeth Morrow School is in compliance with Federal and State laws regarding non-discriminatory practices in employment and enrollment of students.

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Thank You!

The Elisabeth Morrow School 435 Lydecker Street Englewood, NJ 07631