2022-2023
Report on Philanthropy
Statement of Purpose Our purpose is to create a supportive and caring community that cherishes love of learning, creativity, and individuality, and that provides teachers and students with both support and freedom to take risks in order to reach their full potential. Implicit in our philosophy is the goal of bringing students to their highest level of academic and personal competency, both for their present and in preparation for their future education. In addition, we share a much larger purpose. We see Far Brook’s mission as a desire to use and to adapt the principles of progressive education and its philosophy of pragmatism for a changing world, and while valuing academic excellence and respect for nature, to instill a creative response to learning with great art, drama, music, and literature as models. Our approach to education demands that both students and teachers be active participants in a reciprocal learning experience. We recognize the role of metaphor, ritual, and tradition in children’s lives and the power of the arts in the learning process. Our curriculum is unified by interdisciplinary studies of thematic units and great historical eras, which allow children to relate themselves to the universe and to the history of mankind. A Far Brook education takes place in an environment of natural beauty and intimacy, where character and citizenship are valued as much as achievement, process as much as product. It is our desire to touch the lives of children so they may live life wisely and with great joy.
Dear Far Brook Community, We are pleased to share with you the Far Brook School 2022–2023 Report on Philanthropy. Throughout the following pages, you will find an overview of the previous academic year, including reporting on Far Brook’s accomplishments and areas of growth. Our 75th Anniversary is here, and we look forward to a year full of celebrations for our entire community, rooted in the School’s rich history while continuing to chart a future connected to our progressive roots, rigorous academic standards, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Scan the QR code on the Events page to learn more about the anniversary schedule. In April 2023, Far Brook welcomed the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) Visiting Accreditation Team for a three-day visit. During this time, the Team met with varied constituency groups and observed our classes and our campus through the lens of our mission statement. The NJAIS process of an in-depth self-study every ten years provides an additional opportunity to thoughtfully evaluate where we are today and strengthen our strategic vision for the future. I am pleased to share that Far Brook has earned continued accreditation status. As the Executive Director of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) stated, “This mark of distinction should be seen as a hallmark of your school’s excellence, and we are proud to have Far Brook School continue among our accredited member schools.”
Philanthropy The Far Brook community continues to be extraordinarily generous to the School, whether by making an annual donation or a major gift, investing in the School’s future through a planned gift, or giving time and resources. We thank you all for your commitment to our community. In 2022–23, Far Brook raised $1,202,836, including gifts to The Far Brook Fund, restricted funds, campaign pledge payments, planned giving, and gifts in kind. As is common in independent schools, the funds raised this past year were critical in funding 7% of the operating budget. Your donations reinforce Far Brook’s investment in academic excellence, tuition assistance, and our faculty. The Far Brook Fund has a tangible impact on the School, supporting current students and faculty every day and ensuring all of our students receive the benefits of our progressive approach to teaching and learning. Additionally, our Endowment has seen significant growth over time. As of June 30, 2023, the fair market value of Far Brook’s Endowment was $9,081,140, an 11% increase over the previous year.
Students and Faculty Following two years of distance learning and online events, this year marked a return to campus for all students and families. We were delighted to host our full community in person at the Thanksgiving Processional, Winter Celebration, and Stabat Mater and Other Voices, as well as host our first Winter Book Fair in over two years with guest speaker Andrea Davis Pinkney. Additionally, June 2023 marked our all-school Field Day, which was officially opened by retiring faculty members Ed Solecki and Valerie McEntee. Throughout the year, students worked on collaborative, interactive projects that highlighted each grade’s educational theme and essential question. A particular focus was the environment and climate change, with Far Brook expanding our recycling programming and adding composting. The First Grade recreated the Selva Maya Rainforest of Central America in their classrooms, exploring “Environment and Community: What Creates an Impact,” while the Third Grade invited the school community to an Environmental and Climate Summit, presenting their research on several important issues impacting Indigenous communities in North America. Students enjoyed field and immersion trips, including the Junior High’s return to Pok-O-MacCready in September 2022 and our bi-annual Junior High Winter Cultural Immersion Trip to Montreal, which gives students an opportunity to put their French knowledge to use while exploring the region’s culture and history. This past May, the Sixth Grade traveled again to Washington, D.C., experiencing the city’s iconic monuments, museums, and memorials. They spent time with Senator Cory Booker, who sat with students to answer their questions and hear their opinions on a range of New Jersey and national issues. In fall 2022, Far Brook added cross country to our roster of athletics, which includes soccer, field hockey, baseball, lacrosse, and track and field. Our Junior High baseball team members worked with Director of Athletics Mike Pollak and Woodshop/Design Thinking Teacher Chris Murphy to build a moveable pitcher’s mound for the multi-sports field. Art Integration Specialist Rob Olazagasti worked with students to create an art installation in Moore Hall based on a Mary Oliver poem. This multigrade collaboration began as a lesson on symmetry, color, and harmony and transformed into a beautiful springtime display. Our faculty explored a range of professional development opportunities throughout the school year. This included attending NAIS People of Color Conference, joining a series of NJAIS workshops around students’ mental health, and, for the first time attending the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics Conference. Additionally, faculty and staff participated in a daylong workshop on gender and sexual identity, moderated by Dr. Jennifer Bryan.
Enrollment Management Far Brook continued to host in-person Admissions events through the 2022–23 school year. This included opening the campus for prospective family tours, playgroups, student visits, and other applicant events, including Winter Celebration. Our Eighth Grade students continued the Admissions Tour Guide Program, interacting directly with prospective families and sharing their Far Brook experiences with newly admitted families. The Enrollment Management Office and our Faculty Equity Team debuted a new program for the school year, Meet and Greet for Prospective Families of Color. This provided families with an opportunity to discuss the experiences of current parents and students of color at Far Brook, as well as to learn about curricular initiatives related to diversity, equity, and community.
Diversity, Equity, and Community (DEC) Several new initiatives were added to our DEC offerings, broadening our outreach and programming this past year. Far Brook introduced school-wide Affinity and Community Ally Groups, strengthening connections, allyship, and belonging. We also welcomed back our winter story-sharing event, Story Slam, and hosted new events organized by the Parent Community Connection (PCC) DEC Committee - a family MLK Day of Action, where our community shared books, recordings, and made protest posters for our on-campus march, an event commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and to culminate the year, an Evening of Dining and Dialogue, featuring Dr. Khyati Joshi. Dr. Joshi’s framework of racial identity development helped attendees to know themselves and others better. Please see the DEC page for more information on our initiatives for the year. In addition, Far Brook held a series of Community Focus Groups in response to parent feedback received during the 2022–23 school year. These groups were structured and led by an independent facilitator, Saveena Dhall, Ed.M. Following the focus groups, Ms. Dhall prepared a report that included recommended opportunities for us to continue to build and strengthen our community as we strive to have everyone participate in the significant and unique benefits of the Far Brook experience. We look forward to the year ahead as we delve further into planning and implementing these recommendations.
Alumni This was a strong year for placement for our graduating students, as well as our graduating high school alumni. Our students enrolled in a broad range of schools across New Jersey and an array of colleges and universities across the country. Please see the Graduation and Alumni pages for the complete lists for our Class of 2023 and Class of 2019. We invite all of our alumni to return to the Far Brook School campus throughout the 2023–24 year to join our 75th Anniversary celebrations. Far Brook will host many events for all of our constituencies, including an Alumni Community Day on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Please see our Events pages for more details.
Facilities, Operations, and Auxiliary Programs The Middle School renovation was completed in September 2022 and we celebrated its grand reopening with our students and families. Our Fifth and Sixth Grade students enjoyed new and bright classrooms on the top floor, while our Third Grade students have two new classrooms, as well as the Fanelle Family Gallery, designed to echo a Haudenosaunee Longhouse, in conjunction with the Third Grade curriculum centered on Native American and Indigenous cultures, where students’ work is displayed throughout the year. Additionally, the renovation included a new technology classroom, as well as breakout spaces. Summer at Far Brook thrived during 2023 with a comprehensive, nine-week day camp including puppetry, woodshop, fiber arts, Little Medical School, and more. We enrolled 526 campers from 208 households, with the program managed by 16 Far Brook faculty and staff, as well as 18 alumni. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff, we thank you for your commitment to Far Brook School and our mission of progressive education. With deepest gratitude,
Amy Ziebarth Head of School
Marc Schwartz Chair, Board of Trustees
Financial Summary Below is a summary of the 2022–2023 school year.
Operating Revenue
Operating Expenses
63%
Salaries and Benefits
83
%
Tuition and Application Fees
8%
Other Income
8%
Tuition Assistance
8%
Educational
7%
7%
Depreciation
2%
Administrative
Contributions
Interest and Dividend Income
6% 5%
Auxiliary Services and Activities
3%
Buildings and Grounds
Endowment As of June 30, 2023, Far Brook’s Endowment totaled $9,081,140, representing an endowment per student of $36,036. Our endowment provides regular income through smart investing and prudent management for academic programs, tuition assistance, DEC initiatives, faculty development, facilities, and general needs. Additionally, it ensures Far Brook School’s long-term security and sustainability by creating support for future opportunities.
$10M
$12,726
$202,722
$1,806,699
$4,317,936
$7,468,193
$9,081,140
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
2023
$9M $8M $7M $6M $5M $4M $3M $2M $1M $0
Contact the Development department at 973-379-3442 for more information on how you can invest in Far Brook’s future.
Endowment Funds Far Brook has 29 specialized endowment funds which create lasting opportunity and impact for our students and faculty. These center on the arts, scholarships, tuition assistance, professional development, faculty benefits, building upkeep, and more.
Art Endowment Funds Kramer Art Fund Fredda S. Leff Special Projects Endowment Polly S. Niebling Drama Fund
Building Endowment Funds Milton H. Stern Endowment Fund The Ruth and Max Segal Family Library Endowment Fund
Faculty Endowment Funds The Elliott Averett Family Fund for Teacher Benefits Faculty Endowment Fund Faculty Opportunity Fund Endowment for Teacher Benefits Moore Faculty Benefit Fund
Scholarship Endowment Funds Mary Adams Scholarship for Mathematics and Science Edwin A. Finckel Scholarship for the Arts The Founding Families Scholarship Endowment Fund The George Bartol Scholarship The Hite Scholarship The James E. and Elizabeth Hughes Scholarship Endowment Fund William R. Johnson Scholarship for the Arts Barbara Jordan Endowment Scholarship The Koven Family Scholarship The Patrick Jeffrey Scholarship Endowment Fund The Paula Levin Lower School Scholarship Fund Marks Student Scholarships The Opportunity Scholarship Fund for Excellence The Caroline Pfohl and Damien Ho Scholarship Carol Silver Endowment for Student Scholarships
Expendable Funds The Faculty Fund for Innovation High School Tuition Assistance Fund The Joan H. Stern Speaker Series for Faculty Development Music and Instrument Fund
Giving Summary Thank you to our incredible community of current parents, alumni, alumni parents, trustees, faculty, administration, and community friends who support Far Brook School. Your donations make our progressive educational experience possible for every student. This report reflects gifts made to Far Brook School between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
$401,499 The Far Brook Fund 2022-2023
$253,000 Imagine the Possibilities Capital Campaign Payments
$247,442 Endowment Gifts
$113,500
Total 2022-2023 Dollars Raised:
Planned Giving and Pledge Commitments
(including pledges)
$79,020
$1,202,836
Tuition Assistance
$76,465 Additional Gifts Including Widening the Lens underwriting, grants, Chamber Music and Chocolates, High School Tuition Assistance Fund, 2023 class gift, special projects, and gifts in kind
$31,910 Strength in Community Far Brook’s Initiative for Students and Faculty Campaign Payments
Thanks to your support, Far Brook raised $401,499 through the annual fund for the 2022–2023 school year. We are grateful to the entire community for their support of The Far Brook Fund. Our 967 gifts* were received from: Current Families
Grandparents
Faculty and Staff
Former Faculty and Staff
Trustees
Family Foundations
Alumni
Matching Gift Programs
Alumni Families
Friends
Participation 77%
76%
Current Parents
New Parents
100% Trustees
*Gift count includes recurring gifts.
2022-2023 Ambassadors Keisa Anthony Kristen Balderston Mona Boewe Jacob and Jennifer Buurma Tanya Nicholson Miller and Amy Yin, Co-Chairs
James Kingham Neil Mehta Bess Oransky ‘92 Antonia Pinney Amanda Richardson ‘98 Suzanne Travers
Katharine Larsen, Lead Ambassador
Cindy Zhou
Enrollment Number of Students: 252
Number of Families: 196
New Students: 43
New Families: 38
Diversity: 47%
Communities: 32
African American 14.3%
These nine communities constitute 79% of this year’s student body:
Asian American 13.9% Latino/Hispanic American 6.0%
Maplewood/South Orange 43.7%
Middle Eastern American 1.2%
Short Hills/Millburn 13.9%
Multiracial American 11.5%
West Orange 6.0%
Native American 0.4%
Livingston 5.6% Summit 5.6% Chatham/Madison 4.8%
Diversity, Equity, & Community (DEC) At Far Brook, we share a commitment to diversity, equity, and community in all aspects of school life. Our DEC efforts have been vitally important in ensuring that the intentional diversity of our community is a distinguishing aspect of the Far Brook experience. Our students have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from peers and adults representing a rich variety of backgrounds and life experiences. The scope of Far Brook’s diversity, equity, community, and belonging work continues to grow and expand with many opportunities to learn and to build community in and beyond the classroom - with current families, alumni, and our friends, colleagues, and partner organizations in the surrounding communities.
Far Brook has several constituent groups that focus on DEC initiatives across the school: Diversity Committee of the Board of Trustees Diversity, Equity, and Community Committee of the PCC Faculty Equity and Inclusion Team Faculty Gender and Sexuality Diversity Committee
Key initiatives include: Far Brook’s Diversity Conference, Widening the Lens Mid-Week Dialogue Affinity and Community Ally Groups Heritage Morning Meetings and other shares Professional Development, Parent Speakers, Community Programs, and more As a community, we represent a spectrum of identities, heritages, family configurations, cultures, interests, and perspectives, and believe this diversity makes us the strongest kind of learning environment.
Parents and caregivers are at the heart of the Far Brook School community. Far Brook has a tradition of volunteerism and many parents (fathers, mothers, guardians, and grandparents) donate their time and skills to the School. Our Parents Community Connection (PCC) supports Far Brook through creating opportunities for current families to engage with the community, meet other parents, and get a glimpse of their child’s experience by volunteering their time and talents. Many thanks to our 2022-2023 PCC Leadership Team
Hilary Hoover, Co-Chair
Neil Marks, Co-Chair
Thank you to our esteemed Board of Trustees, a dedicated group of current and past parents, alumni, and one member of the faculty, all with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.
Board of Trustees
Emeritus Trustees
Marc Schwartz, Chair
Alice Davison
Carmine Fanelle
Doak Sergent, Vice Chair
Adam Keil ‘92
Mary Sue Fisher
Renée Sekino Wolfe, Secretary
Tanya Nicholson Miller
James E. Hughes ‘56
Chris Burns, Treasurer
Harsh Sule
Robert Kelly
Diane Bakst
Jeffrey Kronthal
Kenyanna Scott Bell
Alison Ullrich, faculty representative (term ended spring 2023)
Lourdes Blanco
Amy Yin
Bradford Wiley ‘54
Nadine Burnett
Amy Ziebarth, Head of School
Tommaso Zanobini
Charles Oransky
Graduation On Friday, June 9, 2023, the Eighth Grade class took part in Far Brook’s time-honored graduation tradition. Each student gave a short speech about their Far Brook experience and then performed Shakespeare’s The Tempest for their family and friends. Following the play, everyone joined the students in celebration, which included a display of their hand-made, calligraphed diplomas.
Students from the Class of 2023 are freshmen at the following high schools: Columbia High School (South Orange/Maplewood) Gill St. Bernard’s Kent Place School Madison High School Montclair Kimberley Academy Morristown Beard School Newark Academy Peddie School Pingry School
Alumni In May 2023, students from the Class of 2019 returned to campus to celebrate their time at Far Brook School before graduating from high school. They were joined by beloved faculty members, including Ed Solecki and Valerie McEntee who both retired at the end of the school year after 40+ years of teaching.
These Far Brook alums are now freshmen at the following colleges and universities: Bennington College
Purdue University
Bucknell University
Rutgers University
Carnegie Mellon University
Syracuse University
Colby College
Texas Christian University
College of the Holy Cross
Tufts University
East Stroudsburg University
Union College
Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY
University of Chicago
Lafayette College
University of Michigan
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
University of Notre Dame
Hope College
University of Richmond
Howard University
The University of Vermont
Lafayette College
Upcoming 2023–2024 Events* November 20, 2023
March 6, 2024
(For Lower School Families
Stabat Mater and Other
and Alumni)
Voices
Thanksgiving Processional
Far Brook Celebrates 75 Years!
June 7, 2024
November 21, 2023
Graduation
(For Upper School Families
(For Eighth Grade Families,
and Alumni; Alumni Lunch
Faculty, and Alumni)
to follow) Thanksgiving Processional
*Dates are subject to change. All locations are on campus unless otherwise noted. Visit farbrook.org for the full calendar.
Scan here to visit the 75th Anniversary webpage.
52 Great Hills Road Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 farbrook.org