Living Our Mission ANNUAL REPORT 2020–2021
We lived our mission by…
Dear friends, The 2020–2021 school year is behind us. Thankfully. Most of our students learned remotely all year long. The rest learned mostly remotely, as we didn’t offer a full in-person option until April. We worked hard to make the best of it. Our teachers and principals came together over the summer for a month of professional development to learn how to plan curriculum and teach well in a remote setting. Our operations team made sure every one of our
Listening & Innovating | pages 4–5
students had a computer and internet access at home. And, in partnership with parents and families, we did everything we knew how to keep our kids engaged and learning throughout the year. But remote learning is a very constricted format. Our kids learned less than they would have otherwise. Isolation took a toll on the mental health of so many of our kids and grown-ups too. And although coming back to in-person learning has been challenging, there hasn’t been a moment where we’ve wished for the good old days of remote learning. We believe the experience of the last year will make us stronger in the long run. It affirmed who we are and what we need to thrive. It affirmed the importance of strong interpersonal relationships, fortified by in-person contact. It affirmed how
Supporting & Adapting | pages 6–7
much we need structure and routine. And it affirmed the importance of being together to build thriving and fulfilling cultures of achievement in our schools. There is A LOT of work ahead. We’re incredibly thankful to return to it. Thank you for all of the support you provided to our school communities during these difficult days. Here’s to many, many bright days ahead.
Sincerely,
Jon Clark Co-Director Celebrating | pages 8–9
About Brooke Founded in 2002, Brooke Charter Schools is a network of high-performing charter public schools in Boston. Named after the late Senator Edward W. Brooke III, the first African American popularly elected to the U.S. Senate, our mission is to provide an academically rigorous public education to students from the cities of Boston and Chelsea that will ensure that they are prepared to attend and succeed in college and beyond.
IN THE 2020–2021 SCHOOL YEAR… We educated 2,049 students across grades K–12
We served families in six primary neighborhoods
We operated five schools across four campuses
CHELSEA BROOKE
EAST BOSTON
ATHLETICS
Brooke Mattapan
Brooke East Boston
Brooke Roslindale
Brooke High School & Eighth Grade Academy
ROXBURY DORCHESTER MATTAPAN HYDE PARK
WE SPENT OUR YEAR…
LISTENING After the abrupt transition to remote learning in Spring 2020, we spent the summer designing a plan to provide the best possible education for our scholars while keeping our community safe in the 2020–2021 school year.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Expert guidance
American Academy of Pediatrics
Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
Expert guidance
Expert guidance
We ultimately decided to begin the school year with a remote learning model for all grade levels, with the exception of a small number of students who require in-person support.
“The administrators took a lot of
parent feedback. They were clearly open to it, because it was obvious that they incorporated our feedback into planning this year. We felt heard as parents, and I can see how teachers are still challenging my kids with their lessons this fall.”
Families Surveys and conversations
School leadership considered data on COVID-19 transmission, guidance from experts, and input from Brooke community members
–Gretchen M., November 2020 Parent of scholars in Brooke Roslindale, Eighth Grade Academy, and Brooke High School
Decision to start the 2020–2021 school year remotely
Brooke staff and teachers Surveys and conversations
Structured learning We required attendance and credited students for participation just as we would for in-person school.
Data-informed support Teachers used standards-based assessments to inform regular oneon-one meetings between teachers, students, and parents.
Packages of learning supplies Students received packages from their school every month —including technology, books, instruments, exercise equipment, and so much more.
In-person services A limited number of students were invited to learn in person, especially those with significant and complex needs or who were struggling to learn remotely.
WE SPENT OUR YEAR…
INNOVATING
Innovating Once we decided on a remote model for the fall, we knew we needed to innovate and improve upon the experience of remote learning from the previous spring. We delayed the start of school until September to create space for our teachers to spend six weeks in professional development toward entering the new school year prepared, rather than reactive, to the challenges presented by remote learning in a pandemic. We were determined to provide a highquality, rigorous curriculum to our scholars as they learned from home.
WE SPENT OUR YEAR…
SUPPORTING Immediately following the initial COVID-19 shutdown, we realized our scholars’ families, many of whom are low-income and Black or Latinx, faced the brunt of both the health and economic crises. In response, we created the Brooke Community Relief Fund to provide them with direct support. We executed the fund’s first round in the spring of 2020 for families experiencing joblessness, reduction of work hours, and/or COVID-19 illness. As the crisis escalated, we organized another push in time for the holidays to alleviate families’ continued struggles. Gratitude and urgency are two of our core values, both of which were clearly on display.
269 grants
227 grants
190 grants
to families at
to families at
to families at
Brooke East Boston
Brooke Mattapan
Brooke Roslindale
50 grants
88 grants
to families at
to families at
Brooke Eighth Grade Academy
Brooke High School
The Brooke Community Relief Fund awarded 755* grants of $500 or $1,000 to families totaling
$378,000 from 537 donors
A few of the messages of gratitude from our recipients “We are a family of 6 and your generous donation helped with two weeks’ worth of groceries, which was amazing and so helpful during these unprecedented times. I wish you and your family lots of blessings in return and good health. Thank you so much.”
“I might have to put my phone in rice later because of the tears falling on my phone. Lol! I appreciate you guys so much you have no idea! This year has been super tough on my family. God bless you!”
“We received your help and you do not know how relieved we are to know that we can bring food for our family and in addition to that with your support we will be able to give our children a Christmas gift. We are unemployed and without your contribution all this would not be possible. Thank you very much.”
*Families with multiple children who attend different Brooke campuses and/or received multiple grants are represented twice
WE SPENT OUR YEAR…
Innovating ADAPTING Universal Mask Wearing
Strong Building Ventilation
Based on family feedback in the fall, we knew many of our families were interested in returning to in-person learning when we could do so safely. We began preparations to return to inperson learning in the winter of 2020 with a staff working group, which:
▪ Read extensive research on safety protocols and community transition ▪ Engaged families and staff to give input on return to school ▪ Mapped out the logistics to bring more students in the building
Social Distancing
Cohort Approach
▪ Provided vaccination information and booked appointments for staff, and hosted vaccine clinics. Ultimately, Brooke reopened for all grades in the spring, beginning with elementary school in early April and high school by early May. Many of our families chose to remain in our remote learning program, however, so by the end of the school year, 42% of our scholars were back in their classrooms for in-person instruction.
Hand Hygiene
Weekly COVID-19 Testing
WE ENDED OUR YEAR…
CELEBRATING The Class of 2021 reunited one more time, surrounded by the love and support of their teachers and families, for an outdoor graduation ceremony. It was a proud moment to see this group of scholars maintain their optimism, having persevered through a challenging senior year on the way to college. Thirty-two members of this small but mighty class graduated with plans to attend colleges such as Amherst College, College of the Holy Cross, Northeastern University, and the UMASS campuses.
“Let the fact that you are
standing here today in your cap and gowns be a reminder that you are resilient, hardworking, and not afraid to overcome any challenge that heads your way.” –Joseph Mendoza, Class of 2021 Salutatorian
Financials GENERAL FINANCIALS Commonwealth Per Pupil Tuition
$38,596,110
Program Restricted Grants
-
$25K or More
Laurie Berlin and Edward Deicke
Nancy and Lawrence Coolidge
Amy Factor-Oyer and Jay Oyer
Anonymous Donor (2)
Kenneth Bettenhauser
Rebecca Corso
Laurel and Ken Ferretti
Baldwin Politi Family
Josh Biber and Meredith Boak*
Amber Cossette
Jon Finelli
Eileen Coughlin
Joan Fitzgerald
William and Judith Cowin
Heather Flaherty
Danielle Blair
Kyle Crossley
Marie Flaherty
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Isabella Cucchi
Alexander Forrest
David Cullen
Tom and Carla Fortmann
Daniel Bonomo
Barb and Dekkers Davidson
Elizabeth Freedman
Ann S. Borne
Andrea Davis
Paul and Allison Friedmann
Boston Private Bank
Heidi Deck
Jonathan Garland*
Mallory Bram and Clinton Pong
Tricia and Mark Deck
Veronica Gentile
Mattie Deed
Lindsay Giammarino
Mary Dennis
Richard Gilbody
Sophie Dennis
Annie Gordiano
Felicia Depina
Gary Gottlieb
Carla DeSantis
Angela Grandinetti
Andrew Dicks
Jennifer Grandinetti
Jacqueline Disch
Nicole Grandinetti and Joshua Bolduc
Charles Hayden Foundation Charter School Growth Fund
Interagency Grants—Operating
$431,837
Government Grants
$3,839,623
Network/Central Office Income
-
City of Boston Community Preservation Act
In-Kind Transportation & Pension
$9,035,411
Dell
Program Fees & Other Income
$368,495
TOTAL
$47,966,796
Lewis Family Foundation Linde Family Foundation Local Initiatives Support Corporation
OPERATING EXPENSES Personnel—Salaries & Benefits
$34,033,306
Direct Student Costs
$3,984,486
Facility Expenses
$6,096,331
Other Operating Costs
$1,510,864
Depreciation
$2,341,809
TOTAL
$46,533,710
GENERAL REVENUES (EXPENSES)
One8 Foundation Jennifer Toll Van Otterloo Family Foundation
Anonymous Donor (3)
Emily Burke
Queenstar Akrong
Emily Burnor
Brett and Kate Alessi
Bart Bussink and Ann Jenkins
$285,076
Grants & Contributions (Unrestricted)
$297,748
Grants & Contributions (Capital)
$-
Forgiveness of Debt
$-
Other Income
$340,186
Kate Wright Apfelbaum
Financing Costs
$(515,437)
Henry and Diana Asher
Intercompany Grants—Capital
$585,682
Chanel Badgett
Losses on Interest Rate Swap Agreements
$(1,324,337)
Katherine Barnes
$3,674,456
Jaclyn Bryson James and Lin Buck
Interest Income
Change in Unrestricted Net Position
Nicole Brooks
Under $25K
$(299,142)
($630,224)
Ethan Bronsnick
Charlotte Buck
Unwind Activities
TOTAL
Christopher Bizzacco and Victoria Criado
Hilary and Brad Allinson Amazon Smile Coralyn Andres-Taylor
Baupost Group Vivian Beard Katie Belle Jacqueline Benevides Hilary Berkman Ronda and Evan F. Berkman
Mairead and Bob Doherty Lawanda Donald
Nicole Greene William Greer
Marianne Byrne
Molly Donovan
Levin and Eleanor Campbell
Thomas and Ellen Draper
Brian Carey
Chris Duggan
Susan Carroll
Emily and Evan Dvorin
Christopher Chiocco
Imran Eba
Kathy Choi and John J-H Kim
ECMC Foundation
Bob and Michelle Christman
Nicole Efron and Simon Helmore
Jesse Clark
Lisa Ehrich
Dan Harris
Dr. Joel P. Clark
Catherine Ehrlich
Tom and Emily Haslett
Jon Clark and Kimberly Steadman
Shaleea Ezedi
Sarah Holden
Nneka Edwards-Burgess
Alex Grodd Jacob and Liz Grossman Louis Grossman Lauren Haist Greg and Katty Halloran Barbara Hammond Sarah Hammond Dionne Harden
Jen Holleran
Betty Horne Meghan Hurley Frank and Nada Isler Kristi Jobson
Charles and Susie Longfield Colleen and Mark Magleby Sanyika Malcolm Joseph
Allison Scharfstein
Allyson Taylor
Jordan Warshaw
Katie Ouellette
Michael, Sara, and Sally Schnitzer
Brittany Taylor
Skylar Washburn
Alexis Teevens
Haydee Watkins
Jody Teevens
Sean and Gogi Welch
Barbara Tharp
Benjamin Whipple and Carol Gladstone
Melissa Oyer-Klein Alan Paret
Rachel Shack
Emily Paret
Shack Charitable Foundation Trust
Machine Science Inc.
Meghan Parquette
Doug Shaughnessy
Michael and Nancy Tooke
Avery Margerum
Lena Parvex
Matt Shaver
Anne Nancy Traiser
Emily Marsh
Miriam and Alan Pemberton
Sadie Shea
Robin Tucker
Thomas Shively
Meg and Peter Valine
Molly Pomroy
Corey Shtasel-Gottlieb and Derri Shtasel
David and Janice Vaughn
Elza Mathieu
Susan McClain Powell
Anna Sikorsky
Charlotte Kelly
Devita McConnell*
Ellen Powers
Mathilde Silverstein
Rodger Von Kries and Carol Lincoln
Meryl Kessler and Scott Oran
Cristie McGrath
David and Joan Preston
Denise Simmons
Abby Waldman
Lynn Worthy
Darragh McLaughlin
Sandhya Rao
Don Waldman
Matthew Zehr
Ryan McSweeney
Anitra Reed
Jennifer and Terrance Smith
Greg Waldman
Rosette Zihalirwa
Gretchen Medina
Jodi Remington
Helen Snodgrass
Katie and Ben Megrian
Jill Reynolds and Rich Frost
Bert and Elizabeth Snyder
Jane Walker (Thornton) and Wayne Walker
*Member of the Brooke Board of Directors
Johnson Family Charitable Fund Darlande Joseney Jayson Joyce Kari Kaalstadand and Daniel Carr Michael and Wendy Kail Telia Kapteyn and Corey Gottlieb
Rona Kiley M. Scott Knox Rachel Kohn Hannah and Jeffrey Krafchick
Divya Mani and Vicente Piedrahita
Office of Naval Research
Gregory and Leanne Martin Massachusetts Cultural Council
Charliana Mendez
Barbara Kraus-Blackney and Kevin Blackney
Jessie Merritt
Kroikdas & Bluestein Attorneys
Jonathan Moldover
Lauren Kushman* Nick LaRocque Charles and Rebecca Ledley
Dorice Moise David Morgenstern Jack Morrison Peter Munkenbeck Laura Murphy
Jay Perlman
Duncan and Liz Richardson
Susan Snyder and Paul Giragos
Cherie and Ivan Robbins
Jim Sorenson
Don and Virginia Robinson
Jon Spack and Hagar Berlin
Jaydah Robinson
Ruth Spack
Sarah Rocha
Ann and Steve Sparkes
Melissa Rozenweig
Carrie Sparkes
Trevor Rozier-Byrd*
Wilson St. Pierre
Susan and Grant Rudnicki
Reid Starr
Elvira and Jimmy Ruggeri
John and Sharilyn Steadman
Katie Lee
Sherif and Mary Nada
Daniel Leist
Brandon Naranjo
Wing Leung
Ralph Neas
Annette and Gary J. Lewis
Ali Neugebauer
Johanna Littlewood
Khuyen Nguyen
Andrew Locke
Juliet Norvig
Carolyn Locke
Elisabeth O’Donnell
LaTasha* and Thaddieus Sarpy
Janet and David Offensend
Carolyn and Paul Sax
Jamie Ruggeri Markie Ruggeri Lorraine Ruiz Matthew Salisbury
Geoff and April Stein Pamela Stevens David Stolow Mary Sutton-Smith Richard and Elizabeth Swartz Samantha Tan
Christine Vincenti
Danya Wallace Theresa Walsh
Kevin White Calvin Willett Hannah Williams Natasha Williams* Sally and Dudley Willis Mary Wissemann Hamilton Wood
Brooke East Boston | Brooke Mattapan | Brooke Roslindale Brooke High School | Brooke Eighth Grade Academy