Montessori School o fMaui Annual Report 2018-19

Montessori School of Maui A N N UA L R E P O R T F O R F I S C A L Y E A R 2 0 1 8 – 2 0 1 9

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2018 – 2019

officers Allyson Mattox GROWING GLOBAL CITIZENS SINCE 1978

president

The Montessori School of Maui provides a

Tess Hanson DeLisa

comprehensive curriculum from early childhood into adolescence by following the principles, spirit and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori’s method of education. This approach features a collaborative learning environment to stimulate each student’s critical thinking skills, cultivate inquisitive minds and empower children to actively participate in the rapidly changing environment of the twenty-first century.

The Montessori School of Maui promotes: • Academic excellence • A love of learning • Mutual respect

vice president

Salma Ansari treasurer

Dr. Frederick Rawe secretary

trustees Jeremy Baldwin Robert Pellettieri Gary Blumenstein Jennifer Pritchett Sarah Bredhoff Jacqueline Scheibel Emma Burns Klaus Simmer John Guarin David Spee Heather Haynes, MD Ben Summit Erica White

• Environmental awareness and responsibility • Individual accountability within a social framework • The development of each child’s unique potential The Montessori School of Maui is a non-profit organization.

We are a non-denominational, co-educational school enrolling and providing education to children

honorary board members Susan R. Graham Annie Nelson Cynthia Quisenberry Cherry Anne Sutherland

without regard to race, nationality, gender, ethnic origin or religious beliefs.

The Montessori School of Maui is fully accredited by the Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Both associations awarded our school a full seven-year accreditation, the highest term any school can receive.

An expansion during the 2004-2005 school year was awarded LEED® Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

Jeremy Baldwin, Salma Ansari, Sarah Bredhoff, Erica White, Tess DeLisa, Jenny Pritchett, Klaus Simmer, Emma Burns Cabiles, Robert Pellettieri, Heather Hanyes, Jacqueline Scheibel (not pictured: Ally Mattox, Fredrick Rawe, Gary Blumenstein, David Spee and Ben Summit)

FACULTY & STAFF

2018 – 2019

administration

toddler classroom

Eric L Dustman, PhD head of school

‘Ōhi’a

Anela Medeiros, Teacher Holly Hume, Teaching Assistant

Cheryl Kaupalolo director of finance

primary classrooms

Ali Grimes director of development

Kamani

Jamie Athearn director of admissions

Kukui

Melinda Lyle-Javier director of teaching and learning Momi Chun finance associate

Alejandra Carta, Teacher Ryder Weymouth, Teaching Assistant Megan Lacasse, Teacher Roopa Akkineni, Teacher/ Teaching Assistant Jennifer Stocks, Teaching Assistant

Monkeypod Shana Driscoll, Teacher

Maile Lopes development assistant

Lucy Olsen, Teaching Assistant

Nara

Kiana Iwado administrative assistant

Krissy Kaina, Teacher Azusa Merrill, Teaching Assistant

Deesha Tucker office assistant

Dheya Kealoha librarian, field trip & after-school programs coordinator

Plumeria

Primary/Toddler Teachers: Roopa Akkineni, Azusa Merrill, Anne Colletta, Janie Kunin, Ryder Weymouth, Megan Lacasse, Alejandra Carta, Lucy Olsen, Anela Medeiros, Holly Hume, Krissy Kaina

Janie Kunin, Teacher Anne Colletta, Teaching Assistant

lower elementary classrooms

upper elementary classrooms

Banyan

Emily Severson, Teacher

‘Iliahi

Alyshea Hiraga, Teaching Assistant

Amy Eiden, Teacher Nani Cabanting, Teaching Assistant

Jacaranda Amanda Asue, Teacher

Māmane Patti Harper, Teacher

Miri Sunkel, Teaching Assistant

Wiliwili

Jennifer Dempsey, Teacher

middle school classroom

Helen Hootkins, Teaching Assistant

Koa

Jeffrey Friedman, Teacher

Melissa Meeker, Math/Science Resource Teacher

Kameleonalani Cleveland, Teaching Assistant

Jamie Athearn, Momi Chun, Maile Lopes, Dheya Kealoha, Kiana Iwado, Cheryl Kaupalolo, Melinda Lyle-Javier, Ali Grimes, Deesha Tucker, Eric Dustman

resource teachers Art: Sandra Guerard Living Classroom: Scott Lacasse Physical Education: Sarah Pearson Fine Arts Integration: Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) Hawaiian Studies: Melinda Lyle-Javier Mindfulness: Ali Grimes Spanish: Elianne Santin

Elementary Teachers: Amy Eiden, Amanda Asue, Nani Cabanting, Nalani Cleveland, Patti Harper, Miri Sunkel, Jennifer Dempsey, Helen Hootkins, Alyshea Hiraga (not pictured Emily Severson)

Middle School Teachers: Melissa Meeker and Jeffrey Friedman

extended care Primary: Andrea Futch, Emily Zhou Elementary: Sarah Pearson, Liliana I‘i

maintenance Tony Akina, Director of Maintenance Anthony Phillips, Maintenance Assistant Chad Llego, Maintenance Assistant Jonathon Rebo, Custodian Elmer Rasay, Custodian Mel Lantigua, Custodian Elana Sousa, Custodian

Resource Teachers: Ellianne Santin, Scott Lacasse, Melinda Lyle-Javier, Ali Grimes, Sarah Pearson, Sandra Guerard LIST AS OF 5/30/19

Maintenance and Janitorial: Chad Lego, Tony Akina and Anthony Phillips (not pictured: Jonny Rebo, Elana Sousa, Elmer Rasay and Mel Lantigua)

A Message from the Head of School All indicators during our 40th Anniversary school year point to our success in vision and growth as a community at Montessori School of Maui. Given such achievement, congratulations and thank yous are in order for everyone who participated in the successful experience that was the last 12 months; including our students, staff, parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, friends and supporters.

A great deal occurred that gives good reason for celebration: • Our 40th Anniversary was filled with enthusiastic applause at our April concert featuring Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Micah Nelson as Particle Kid, Lily Meloa and Pat Simmons, Jr. Allyson Mattox, Board President and Eric Dustman, Head of School

• The Cynthia Wynans-Burns Scholarship Fund provided its first scholarship in support of a child whose parent formerly attended MOMI. • Ground was broken on a much-needed building expansion project for the growing elementary program.

• Grant monies and private donations to support our Living Classroom Greenhouse initiative were received to support the propogation of native plants by students.

• Multiple staff successfully completed advanced degrees.

• MOMI became the first school on Maui to adopt the internationally acclaimed Roots of Empathy Program and will continue this program in the 2019-2020 school year.

• The administrative position of Director of Human Resources was created to support the implementation of new programs for the benefit of staff and faculty.

• The newly formed Technology Committee developed a plan for meeting the technological needs of staff, faculty, and students. The plan was supported by a generous donation from the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and will be rolled out in the fall of 2019.

• The development of a new 2019-2024 Strategic Plan by the Board of Trustees in August 2019 will define our course for the short-term and ensure our sustainability over the next 40 years.

I am confident that the benefits of each of these important milestones will continue to ripple through and positively impact our programs and community for years to come. Collectively, they equate to an even greater school and one equipped to maintain our strong vision of promoting academic excellence, mutual respect, environmental awareness and responsibility, individual accountability within a social framework, the development of each child’s unique potential, and a love of learning.

Mahalo nui loa,

Eric L Dustman, PhD Head of School

About Our School The Montessori School of Maui, founded in 1978, began by serving just 8 students in a simple Quonset hut beside St. Rita’s Church in Haiku. Over the years the organization has mindfully grown, stretched and evolved to a lovely 9-acre campus serving over 270 students, from Toddler through 8th grade.

The school employs a collaborative learning environment, based upon the time-honored principles developed by Dr. Maria Montessori over 100 years ago, designed to stimulate each student’s critical thinking skills, cultivate inquisitive minds and empower children to actively participate in the rapidly changing environment of the twenty-first century.

The Montessori teaching methodology is uniquely based upon observation, peer learning, tactile learning materials and intrinsic motivation. Within each classroom, multiple grades or levels of students are combined, creating an environment wherein students serve as leaders for one-another. These elements all come together to create a truly distinctive and remarkable approach to education.

ELEMENTARY PROGRAM

Ages 6 years to 12 years, Grades 1 through 6 Elementary students thrive on learning with and from each other. These collaborative learning environments, divided into Lower Elementary serving grades 1 through 3 and Upper Elementary serving grades 4 through 6, emphasize the interactive process that encourages both academic success and social competence. Students develop the ability to work cooperatively in reaching a goal, contributing ideas, listening to others and respecting individual differences.

Our Programs: TODDLER PROGRAM

Ages 18 months to 3 years The Toddler Program supports children in developing selfcontrol and self-confidence through communication and real life activities. In a safe and caring environment, young children are encouraged to explore and challenge themselves as they develop into independent human beings.

PRIMARY PROGRAM

Ages 3 years to 6 years, Pre-K through Kindergarten Primary children love to work in a community of independent learners. A wide range of activities engage the children at all levels of ability and maturity, and make possible the Montessori goals of individualized work, concentration, independence and social awareness.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Ages 12 years to 14 years, Grades 7 and 8 When our Middle School students graduate, they find themselves well prepared for their high school years. The program’s curriculum and instructional design are developed so that each student is knowledgeable and well versed in skills common to a pre-collegiate curriculum, with a special focus on the integration of technology.

40 Years at MOMI – In the Spring of 2018, a small group of our school’s founders and staff formed a committee to meet and begin planning celebrations for the 40th Anniversary School Year during 2018-2019.

We envisioned a year of festivities and talked about ideas for preserving our history. Many of these endeavors came to fruition and our accomplishments included:

Mahalo to the 40th Anniversary Committee!

Carol Childerhose • Eric Dustman • Dennys Eymard Jeffrey Friedman • Ali Grimes • Susan Graham • Maile Lopes Melinda Lyle-Javier • Cynthia Quisenberry • Jing Wong

• 40th Anniversary Short Documentary Film.

Produced, filmed and edited by our Middle School Students, check it out on our homepage: www.momi.org • 40th Anniversary Archiving Efforts. School photos from 1978-2019 were labelled, organized and scanned into digital archives.

• Middle School 40th Anniversary Website. Middle School students took some of our favorite photos and created and designed a website featuring photos from each campus from 1978-present.

• Our 3rd Annual Taste of Upcountry in Honor of the 40th Anniversary raised a record amount, grossing over $100,000, including a record $30,050 in Raisea-Paddle Funds for our Tuition Assistance Program.

MOMI’s 40th Birthday Party Students and staff gathered in the RFC to hear a few words from Eric, Melinda and Ali about the history of our school and celebrating our 40 years.

They then sang a cheerful Happy Birthday to Montessori School of Maui and enjoyed birthday cake on the RFC lanai and lawn.

• The 2018 Cynthia Winans-Burns Fund Triple Match, brought this scholarship fund to well over $100,000 and the first scholarship for a child of a MOMI alumni was awarded for the 2019-2020 school year.

• MOMI Alum Kai Lenny visited with our students and inspired them by speaking about his MOMI experience and the importance of the students following their dreams. (Read more on page 6.)

• 40th Birthday Party. The student community came together in the RFC to celebrate MOMI’s 40th Birthday.

• MOMI Alums Lukas Nelson, Micah Nelson, Lily Meola and (non-Alum) Pat Simmons Jr. came to perform with their bands at a 40th Anniversary Benefit Concert to raise funds for the Cynthia Winans-Burns Scholarship Fund for Children of MOMI Alumni. (Read about this event on the next page.)

3rd Annual Taste of Upcountry

• Roots of Empathy Founder and President Mary Gordon visited Montessori School of Maui for a Baby Celebration with our participating babies, followed by a free community event where she shared about the success of the internationally acclaimed Roots of Empathy Program. (Read more on page 7.)

• The Student Philanthropy Committee raised $6,300 this past school year, a record amount, to benefit two Maui nonprofit organizations: Hale Makua and Paia Youth & Cultural Center.

The Student Philanthropy Committee

A Spectacular Year 40th Anniversary Benefit Concert with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Micah Nelson as Particle Kid, Lily Meola and Pat Simmons Jr On a gorgeous, breezy Sunday evening in April, staff and volunteers were excited and nervous to share our first rock concert in quite some time with MOMI families, friends, grandparents, alumni and parents of alumni.

The sold-out show surpassed all expectations, with incredible artist performances and an all-around glowing, joyful and celebratory community. The evening opened with a welcome from Head of School, Eric Dustman, who noted that this evening, a benefit for the Cynthia Winans-Burns (CWB) Scholarship Fund for Children of MOMI Alumni, “was about Cynthia and her legacy.”

The first musical performance featured Pat Simmons Jr and his band. In introducing himself, Pat playfully joked that he wasn’t able to get in to Montessori School of Maui as a preschooler, but he was overjoyed to get in now. Pat’s soulful acoustic set was a lovely way to kick off the evening as the sun began to descend behind the school garden. Next up, Lily Meola and her all-female bandmates arrived on stage, after having played aboard Southwest Airlines’ maiden trip to Maui. Lily introduced herself as a Montessori alumni, her mom as a former teacher and talked about the fond memories she had of her time her at MOMI in primary. Lily played several original songs, as well as a soulful, uplifting cover of

Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” Our next alum to take the stage was Micah Nelson performing as Particle Kid. Micah’s unique and lyrical sound was accompanied by his powerful stage presence and artistic visuals created by his wife, Alex. Much to the audience’s delight, towards the end of his set, Micah jumped off of the stage and played a guitar solo in the crowd. Our final act featured MOMI alum Lukas Nelson and his band, Lucas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Fan-favorite and MOMI parent, Tato Melgar, serves as the percussionist in the band. Lukas and his band played the longest set of the evening including his original hit, “Find Yourself” and Paul Simon favorite, “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.” Our Montessori friends and families enjoyed dancing and singing along in the RFC. We are so grateful to all four bands – who exemplified grace, courtesy, talent and joy, for a fun-filled evening in support of our CWB Scholarship Fund.

In our 40th Anniversary year, one of the important intentions was to surpass the goal of $100,000 in funds in the Cynthia Winans-Burns Scholarship Fund for Children of MOMI Alumni, so that the first scholarship could be awarded. Funds raised from the Cynthia Winans-Burns Triple Match in

December of 2018, plus our 40th Anniversary concert proceeds, well surpassed that goal and brought the total in the CWB Fund to $116,823. Our first Alumni parent scholarship was awarded to a student and gratefully received by the family. Mahalo to all of our MOMI friends who came out to enjoy an evening of music together in support of this great cause, and a great woman.

micah nelson as particle kid

pat simmons jr

lucas nelson & promise of the real

lily meola

Kai Lenny at Montessori School of Maui, February 15, 2019 We were thrilled to have one of our alumni, the amazing waterman Kai Lenny, visit our students at school this year.

Kai attended Montessori School of Maui from Toddler through 8th Grade. We held an all-school assembly where Kai spoke to students about his meaningful experience as a MOMI student and about the importance of students following their dreams no matter how big and impossible they may seem. Students also watched Kai’s film, Paradigm Lost, and had a lengthy Q & A with him afterwards. They kai lenny and melinda lyle-javier asked him everything from, “What is the biggest wave you have ever surfed?” to “Are you ever scared?” (the answer was yes!) to “Why aren’t there more girls in your film?” After the school assembly and visits with kids to sign autographs, Kai and his father, Martin, sat down with Director of Development Ali Grimes, for an alumni interview, excerpts of which are featured here: Ali: Thank you so much for coming to school today and sharing about your journey, success and challenges with the kids. How do you think your education here at MOMI affected your life personally and professionally?

Kai: I think on a personal level, Montessori School of Maui taught me to care about other people and not only people, but also to care about the environment around me. This was especially important to learn here on Maui because we have such a fragile ecosystem.

So just learning to have the awareness and the thoughtfulness and care for the people around me and the environment as well, was a huge piece of my Montessori education.

My education here also taught me to accept people as they are, rather than passing judgement. What I really loved about growing up in this school is that everyone feels they can be who they are. We learned that everyone has something in life that they are amazing at doing, and we should appreciate it.

Professionally, my Montessori education helped me approach a problem at a new angle, versus being stuck in thinking there is only one way to solve a problem. Problem solving and approaching things in a different way helped me to accomplish things that seemed impossible.

Also, having an open mind has been one of the most important things that I took from here. Being open minded is why I’m doing what I’m doing now. It is important for success. And then, not being afraid. Follow your heart and do it. That’s been the key to my success – sticking to my own guns.

Ali: Often successful Montessori alumni in the world talk about developing their ability to “think outside of the box” through their Montessori learning. Do you feel that being

a student at Montessori School of Maui helped you learn how to think outside of the box?

Kai: Montessori has taught me to think in three dimensions, rather than to see what’s just on the surface. Think outside the box, yes of course that too, and it also helped my imagination go and grow ideas. I was able to learn how to have the structure to do something, but then figure out how to do it my way. There was a lack of close-mindedness here. Teachers were not close-minded towards how I would solve anything or do anything too . . . and that was really nurturing.

Who you surround yourself with is really important, and I think you really become what you surround yourself with – and I became that Montessori person, thoughtful and caring for others, and then open-minded in my pursuits and how I would do anything.

Ali: Do you have a favorite memory or two about your time at Montessori?

Kai: This school is like a Garden of Eden . . . it really is. I don’t know many schools in the world that are this nature-oriented or this cool. I remember hanging out under the Banyan Tree and visualizing my future which was me being inside a barrel and that tree was the whole barrel.

I was given the freedom to think and learn in my own way and get energy out as needed, like to run 50 laps around the school. It was really special. There were really deep connections and friendships that I made here early on – and I don’t think that’s typical for most kids in elementary schools.

It’s interesting to see where my classmates paths have led.

Cody Kirbox and Ian Gentile – our relationships were forged

here and it’s pretty cool that we are still such a tight-knit crew.

Ali: Do you feel that Montessori education is still relevant for a changing world?

Kai: I think yes, more than ever, the Montessori program is more relevant and important now than when I was growing up. Being able to have a broader thought process is important for future generations and you learn that at Montessori. For example, being an entrepreneur now, there has never been a better time, and I think Montessori allows for big ideas. Montessori definitely nurtures thinking – that you can create the future versus being a servant to it. I definitely think who I am is because, of course my parents, but it’s also because of the thought process I’ve been able to learn from here. And that’s an important skill for all people to have in the future.

Ali: What is your best piece of advice for the students at Montessori School of Maui?

Kai: The best advice I can give to students at Montessori is: follow your own path. Don’t be deterred by what anyone says about how you should do something. If it feels right, follow it with the utmost perseverance. And don’t necessarily always be worried about having motivation because I think when you are too focused on being “motivated” it takes almost all of the energy away from actually doing something. You are going to have ups and downs and you are probably going to have more downs than ups, which we all have, I have felt that. If you keep persevering, stay goal-oriented and try your very best, you will be able to go a lot farther than you can imagine.

In thinking about what I have accomplished now – you know when you are a little kid and you think, “Oh I wonder what I will be like when I grow up, what will I be doing?” You have all of these hopes and dreams. And if I saw my future accomplishments, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do many things because it would have been like, oh that’s too intimidating, that’s too crazy. But, you just take

it day by day, week by week, lesson by lesson, that’s my best advice. The best answer you can get from people sometimes is “no” because then you figure out how to do it and prove everyone wrong and that’s pretty fun. Your path is going to be really hard, but everyone can handle any kind of challenge as long as you are true to being you.

Mary Gordon: Roots of Empathy (ROE) President and Founder of the internationally acclaimed Roots of Empathy Program, Mary Gordon, visited Montessori School of Maui on Wednesday May 1, 2019.

Ali: Do you have any favorite memories or thoughts about your teachers here at Montessori?

Kai: I had so many great teachers at Montessori. Melinda is one of the teachers who was with me throughout my entire time here at Montessori and she left an indelible mark on my life. She is the sweetest and kindest person, but then she also taught me a lot of great lessons as a kid. I had so much energy and trying to teach me and manage my high energy was difficult, but Melinda taught me to complete my assignments and to do them as well as I could. I am so grateful to have been in such helpful hands because if I had been in a different school environment, it wouldn’t have been the same.

Ali: Thanks Kai. I’m wondering Martin, if I can also ask you a question as a Montessori parent?

When I asked you over the phone about your boys and their Montessori experience, you said something to the effect that it was a bit of a leap of faith to bring your boys here. But everything that you were told would happen as far as their education and helping to develop them as humans, happened. Can you speak a little about that?

Martin: You nailed it. I was of the opinion that Kai had a lot of energy. I thought well if you went back to the way we grew up, we were told by our parents that you needed to go to a private school with nuns to keep you under control in a really strict environment. My wife convinced both of us that the Montessori way is definitely the best because they have a formula, and Maria Montessori had proven all of this in her teachings. And so it was a leap of faith and it was scary, but when we committed to it, along the way, yes like everything in life, there were inconsistencies and there were times when we had to reinforce ourselves with that original vision. And then, it all happened. I mean from Toddler, all the way up to graduating from Middle School, it was just incredible. And now we see the rewards. I see an amazing son here who is just doing incredible things in his athleticism and as a person, and then my younger son, Ridge, is about to graduate from college and he too is just achieving and loving and enjoying life. And it just doesn’t get much better than that as a parent. We are so grateful to Montessori School of Maui. We love this school.

In the afternoon, Mary and her team visited with MOMI staff and the families of our five Roots of Empathy babies this year. We rolled out the green carpet – a signature of Roots of Empathy – for our babies and families to join us in celebrating their year as Roots of Empathy teachers. Thankful words were shared by Mary Gordon, who noted that not only was MOMI the first school on Maui to implement the program, but that our school had also implemented the program in a record number of classrooms in Hawaii – five total. Participating Roots of Empathy parents shared heartfelt words about how being a part of the ROE Program had benefited their lives and strengthened their families’ connection to MOMI. One mom shared how wonderful it was to have Upper Elementary students approach her almost daily and connect with her and her baby on campus.

Roots of Empathy-trained facilitator Jamie Athearn shared, “It is an honor to have facilitated the Roots of Empathy Program in the ‘Iliahi Class this school year. The training through Roots of Empathy was thorough every step of the way, from our intensive training in Honolulu last year, to the support we received throughout the school year. It was amazing for our class to observe the growth, development and emo-

tions our baby, Leroy, shared over the span of the school year. The level of compassion and empathy the students were able to develop over the school year was palpable. Students and staff alike are looking forward to following Leroy as he grows into a toddler and then a child here at Montessori School of Maui.”

Wednesday evening, MOMI hosted a free community event, entitled “Cultivating Emotional Literacy in the Children of Hawaii, A Parent & Teacher Education Event.” Mary Gordon offered up an inspiring lecture about her life’s work followed by a Q & A session with the audience. The entire Montessori School of Maui staff attended, along with parents and educators from all over Maui. In her talk, Mary discussed how the root of all

of the challenges we face in the world today stem from violence, and violence thereby begins without the proper development of connection and relationship within children and adults. She cited research that supported these claims, noting that empathy develops when these forms of attachment are nurtured.

She went on to say that if there are enough communities embracing the Roots of Empathy Program and other programs that teach compassion and empathy to children, we have the potential to change the world in an incredibly positive way.

MOMI is thrilled to offer the Roots of Empathy Program again next year with new babies and in new classrooms.

Roots of Empathy’s mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. Roots of Empathy strives to break the intergenerational cycle of violence and poor parenting. For more information on the Roots of Empathy Program, visit: rootsofempathy.org

Our Mission A Love of Learning One of the primary tenants of our school and the Montessori philosophy is to inspire a “Love of Learning” within each child. Teachers work on an individual and group basis with students to support the intrinsic curiosities within each child, so that they come to awaken their innate passions and love their days at school. Finding that sense of contentment in our students daily workflow and social and

Mutual Respect

Academic Excellence Academic excellence is a cornerstone of the Montessori School of Maui’s mission as a school. Since we opened our doors in 1978, we have continually self-reflected as a school, and grown and developed our program to be a model Montessori school.

Student abilities vary across all academic areas of study. Therefore, our focus on academic excellence, layered with a flexible child-centered model, allows a child to work individually, or with peers, at the level that meets the developmental and cognitive needs at that particular point in time. The beauty of the Montessori methodology is that it allows flexibility for both teachers and students to build upon the intrinsic curiosity of the student to achieve growth and academic success. Many successful Montessori-educated adults accredit their Montessori-style education for giving them the ability to “think outside the box.” For a changing world, our education gives students the critical thinking skills, self-confidence and adaptability that will be necessary for them to thrive.

collaborative time is given great attention.

Of this, Maria Montessori said, “Joy, feeling one’s own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul.” During the morning work cycle, our teachers create an environment of “joyful workflow” for our students, where they are given the freedom to choose their work, follow their curiosities and thereby strengthen their intrinsic motivation.

The healthy social and emotional learning environment that Montessori School of Maui provides allows our students to learn and cultivate self-respect, respect for their environment, respect for their peers and respect for their teachers. This sense of “Mutual Respect” for each other is a way that we encourage and develop a sense of peace within the school community.

Students address their teacher by their first name cultivating a sense of connection and respect between teacher and student. When teachers model respect by being respectful to children, as opposed to a system of rewards and punishments, a true culture of respect can be created. Whether it is a gentle hand on the shoulder or soft words guiding better behavior, we see this respect modeled by our teachers and embodied in our students as they grow and develop. If our students can grow into adults who carry this sense of respect in their interactions and pursuits, we believe this is one of the foundations for a more peaceful and interdependent society and world.

GROWING GLOBAL CITIZENS SINCE 1978

Environmental Awareness and Responsibility

The Development of Each Child’s Unique Potential

Cultivating a love and respect for the Earth and our environment is tied into many aspects of our students’ education at Montessori School of Maui. Beginning in Toddler and Primary, students experience hands on activities with Living Classroom Teacher, Scott Lacasse, in the beautiful School Garden. As they grow into their elementary

In our prepared environments, teachers become the ally of the student, in assisting them in their growth and in achieving their unique potential. It was Maria Montessori’s belief that each child has a unique gift and purpose, and that the job of the educator was to help the student tap into that potential. Our academic curriculum is rich and

Individual Accountability Within a Social Framework

years, students continue to work and study in the Living Classroom and Peace Garden and also take field trip excursions within our wondrous environment of Maui. In Middle School, those trips and service work expand to include environmental care and sustainability projects on campus and community service work in the greater Maui community.

As part of the mission of “Growing Global Citizens,” we feel that care for and sustainability of our planet is of paramount importance for our students’ learning.

At our school, great attention and care is given to each individual student, not only to bring out the intrinsic gifts within that child, but also to help the child embody individual accountability. With the tools they are given for mutual respect and healthy communication at our school, they also learn about personal integrity and accountability. Their hearts and emotions are held in great care, and they are also taught about the responsibility that comes with their own actions and behaviors – how to humbly apologize by taking ownership for their mistakes. The classroom ‘ohana is held with the highest regard, so that each individual also learns to care for and support the greater group.

rigorous. Our Montessori teachers are trained in the art of observation and appreciate the differences between students’ learning styles and interests. Teachers create individualized learning plans for each of their students, which allows for each student to realize their full potential.

Kūpuna Day Annually, our students’ kūpuna, (or grandparents), are invited to spend the day with their grandchildren on our school campus.

Hawaii-based kūpuna, as well as those who visit from the mainland and abroad, spend the morning with their grandchildren touring campus and engaging in the classroom. Students are also encouraged to invite a special friend, aunty or uncle, when their kūpuna are unable to attend this special day.

Kūpuna and special friends enjoy a hands-on classroom experience with the Montessori materials and methodology, guided by both their grandchildren and classroom teachers. After a busy morning spent learning and observing in the classrooms, kūpuna enjoy a potluck brunch provided by Montessori parents in the Root Family Center. There is also an opportunity for family photos and to complete a craft project. New this past year, the library held its first book fair fundraiser on Kūpuna Day. We thank our kūpuna for all of the ways they support their grandchildren, from drop-off and pick up, to paying tuition, volunteering, making school donations and more.

SAVE THE DATE: We hope to see many returning and new faces at our Kūpuna Day next year on Friday, January 24, 2020.

Lei Day 2018 Our Lei Day on May 24th, 2019, was spectacular! Mahalo nui loa to our talented and beautiful kumu, Anake Rose Bailey, for guiding the students through such special Lei Day performances, overflowing with the spirit of aloha.

Lei Day is a favorite all-school celebration of spring and Hawaiian culture. This year’s Lei Day performances incorporated hula, oli and musical instruments to bring together an impressive all-school performance. Middle School students Betty Russo and Hayden White emceed the event with enthusiasm and presence.

To honor retiring teacher, Janie Kunin, MOMI students performed “Mele ‘Ohana.” This song by Keali‘i Reichel was performed by our volunteer musician, Andy Kaina. A beloved member of our ‘ohana, Janie has taught primary students at MOMI since 1996 and she will be missed!

Mahalo to Angelina Hills Photography for capturing all the beauty that is Lei Day. And we send a special mahalo to this year’s Lei Day Committee including MOMI staff members: Nalani Cleveland, Alyshea Hiraga, Holly Hume, Azusa Merrill, Lucy Olsen and Ryder Weymouth.

We appreciate all of the parents, kūpuna and friends who came out to join us for Lei Day and who enjoyed the student performances and aloha spirit of the day.

SAVE THE DATE: Lei Day this school year will take place on Friday, May 22, 2020.

Earth Day Our Earth Day celebration and eco-educational activities were outstanding this year! The Sustainability Committee, comprised of staff members Anne Colletta, Jennifer Dempsey, Amy Eiden, and Scott Lacasse, plus twelve student representatives from the Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Middle School Classes, envisioned and created a fun-filled and service-oriented day.

To kick off the day, all students and staff circled on the lower lawn to hear Earth Day inspired poetry recited by students and then the whole school community sang the all-school MOMI oli.

Students and staff took an all-school drone photo too, (check out our back cover photo in this issue!) which spelled out MOMI. (Montessori of Maui, Incorporated was our first name in 1978, and thereby the acronym MOMI was born and has stuck to this day.)

Next, Earth Day activities and stations were set up for classes to rotate through fun and educational activities about sustainability and care for our earth and its inhabitants.

Students broke up into color-coordinated groups named after Native Hawaiian animals. Then our students participated in creating a bottle cap mural, making seed balls, painting county trash cans, assembling beach clean up bags for Pacific Whale Foundation, playing educational games about invasive species with Maui Invasive Species Committee, performing Flocabulary where they created poems about the Earth, playing pollination tag and watching a live poi pounding demonstration.

For several months prior to Earth Day, families collected bottle caps to repurpose into a student-created art mural. The purpose of this “trash art” was to raise awareness about the hazards to wildlife that these single-use plastics cause. Plastic bottle caps cannot be recycled on Maui and are one of the top 10 items found during marine debris clean-ups. They are the second most littered item after cigarette butts. Jacaranda Assistant Teacher, Miri Sunkel, who holds a BA in Art Education, spearheaded the effort, with students constructing the art piece. The bottle cap mural is our cover photo on this issue and has been permanently installed at MOMI on the lanai adjacent to the Employee Work Room overlooking the lower lawn.

Spanish For the last three school years, native Spanish speaker Elianne Santin, born in Uruguay and raised in Argentina has implemented and taught a vibrant Spanish curriculum to students beginning in Primary and extending all the way through 8th grade. Recent studies have overwhelmingly shown the benefit of learning a new language on brain development and neuroplasticity. Most classes take place in the Spanish Classroom in the afternoon, however, there are also in-class lessons for Primary – and most recently, Middle School students incorporated their Spanish speaking into their spring field trip.

MAHALO TO OUR PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION TEAM!

ALUMNI NEWS 2018-19 A New Generation of Montessori School of Maui Alumni

Congratulations to the Montessori School of Maui 2019 8th Grade Graduating Class!

2018–2019 PTO Team: Rainee, Kanoe, Keri and Jennifer Mahalo nui loa to our 2018-2019 PTO Team: President, Jennifer Oberg, Vice President Rainee Gerard, Treasurer Keri Quinsaat and Secretary, Kanoe Merino. Our PTO team led another successful year of community building and fundraising events including: the New Parent Breakfast, the Fall Family Potluck, Family Movie Night, the PTO Holiday Fair, the Family Dance and the Annual Staff Appreciation Party. The brand new event – the Family Dance – was a smashing success, thanks to Mark Bridgeford and his donations from Hang Ten Rigging and parent DJ, Dave Garza, aka DJ Dad Life.

Surpassing last year’s record, our PTO Team raised a record amount of over $10,000. The PTO voted to spend these funds on Physical Education equipment, Aftercare items, Cross-Country equipment, Playground supplies, Technology initiatives and Lei Day expenses. We extend a heartfelt mahalo to Jen and Rainee who will end their terms as PTO Officers. We are grateful to welcome new and returning members for the 2019-2020 team: President, Keri Quinsaat, Vice President Sarah Ernst, Treasurer, Melissa Ray and Secretary Kanoe Merino.

Sarah Oberg, Helena Colletta, Amber Lincoln, Coral Tucker, Evan Parante Graduation remarks from Board President, Ally Mattox, included a sweet send off, “I hope that you will always keep Montessori in your hearts as you move on to finish your education. And if you’re just a little sad today as you leave campus, I want you to remember what Winnie the Pooh said, ‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’” Head of School, Eric Dustman, shared, “Every one of you displays characteristics that are representative of what we hope to instill – independence, self-confidence, and academic preparedness.

That makes me proud and demands a congratulations today.”

We wish the best of luck to our class of 2015 8th grade graduates who recently graduated from high school:

Analicia Kapua, Zofia Kayian, Katherine Chumley, Julian Weber, Dahlia Kopycienski, Kaweulu Higashino, Haley Heine, Daniel Raab and Kane DeWilde

2019-2020 PTO Team: Sarah, Kanoe, Keri and Melissa

Analicia Kapua: Oregon State University Zofia Kayian: University of California, Santa Cruz Katherine Chumley: University of California, Irvine Julian Weber: Post-Grad High School Year in Germany, Training for Professional Soccer Dahlia Kopycienski: Colorado State University Kawelu Higashino: Kapi‘olani Community College Heley Heine: Macalester College Daniel Raab: University of Colorado Denver Kane DeWilde: Gap Year

ALUMNI NEWS 2018-2019 Anela Medeiros Anela is currently our Toddler Class Lead Teacher.

She has spent much of her life at Montessori School of Maui, since her mother, Melinda Lyle-Javier, was one of our first teachers. Anela started as a student in primary at our Paia Holy Rosary Church campus and completed 5th grade at our Kahului Union Church campus. As an adult, she has also served as an Assistant, Middle School Math Teacher and Aftercare Lead over the years.

Anela’s daughter, Anuhea, is currently a thriving first year student. Anela credits her Montessori education as the inspiration to pursue a degree in education. “My education at Montessori School of Maui helped me build my confidence, taught me to work independently and to grow strong academically. It is a joy to begin the Montessori learning journey with my young students.”

Kaimana Neil This past summer Kaimana appeared as “Mark” in Porchlight Music Theatre’s A Chorus Line. He is pursuing his BFA in musical theatre with a dance emphasis at the Chicago College of Performing Arts.

Over the summer, Kaimana also had perfomances in the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Summer Festival, Wizard of Oz and Kokandy Productions’ Head over Heels.

Kaimana’s past credits include “Diesel” in West Side Story with The Encore Musical Theatre Company and “The Wolf” in Into the Woods with Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA). Other CCPA productions Kaimana has acted in include Little Women, Pirates of Penzance and A Touch Unnatural.

Danielle Erdman In 2019, Danielle graduated from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Business and a Minor in Event Management. She attended

Montessori for five years, from preschool to second grade. Danielle is home on Maui for six months, “working and relaxing while working out the kinks for my next move. I plan to move to either Australia or New Zealand and may attend grad school. Cal Poly is a ‘Learn By Doing’ University much like the Montessori philosophy. I fondly remember my time at Montessori, choosing my own work, my favorite subject being math which continued to be a strong and enjoyable subject for me. I remember my mom always complaining when I went home because I would always be so dirty from playing outside, but I believe the time outside allowed me to focus more when I was in the classroom. It also gave me something to look forward to throughout the day.”

Cliff Graham Congratulations to MOMI alum and current parent Cliff and his wife, Ginny, who welcomed their baby girl, Mila Murphy Graham, in September 2019.

Kamryn Vorfeld Kamyrn graduated in December 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a Concentration in Accounting. Kamryn shares, “I started my job as a tax associate in a small CPA firm in Fort Collins in January, and I’m LOVING it. I’m taking some continuing education classes this Summer and Fall and I’m working towards getting my CPA certification. In my down time I like to paint, go hiking, lay by the pool, or go to different breweries around Fort Collins (and, of course, visit my parents whenever I can!) I think my Montessori education really helped me learn how to work well with others, as well as independently. It also taught me that asking questions and asking for help when I need it is a big part of the learning process.

My MOMI education has helped spark my love of learning and continues to help me grow in both in my field of work and in my life in general.”

Ryder Weymouth Ryder attended Montessori from Primary through Middle School and is currently working as a Teaching Assistant here at Montessori School of Maui! Ryder graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from UH Manoa with a first ever Certification in Philosophy for Children. “Montessori helped me get in tune and aware of my environment.

Being able to be outside for classes and being exposed to different cultures at a young age helped me better navigate the world. I love working here and supporting my students in their growth at such an amazing school.”

Liliana I’i Lili attended MOMI from Primary through 5th grade and is currently serving as the Aftercare Assistant. She has fond memories of her teachers, lessons and her favorite field trip to work in the lo‘i in Hana while attending MOMI. She credits her Montessori education with teaching her to work independently and to show others kindness and compassion. Lili is also a second generation MOMI alum since her mom Kanoe and Aunty Anela attended MOMI in our school’s early years.

Scout Weymouth Scout Weymouth just completed her junior year at Skidmore College studying Psychology and Political Science. She spent her junior year studying abroad in a public health program where she traveled to Washington D.C, South Africa, India, and Brazil. In each country, Scout stayed with families in homestays, studied the health care systems,

ALUMNI NEWS 2018-2019

and volunteered with different health care providers. When asked to reflect on her Montessori education, Scout said, “I think back to my MOMI education all of the time and am so grateful for all of the years I got to spend at such a beautiful school with such an amazing staff.” When asked about her post graduation plans, Scout replied, “I am not exactly sure what I want to do after graduation in 2020, but I hope to work in a setting where I can help individuals, especially children, improve their mental health.”

Mackenzie and Teddy Wilson Twins Mackenzie and Teddy are both attending San Diego State University.

Mackenzie is currently studying Business Marketing, while Teddy is studying Business Accounting. Mackenzie is hoping to start his own social media marketing consulting company and also acquire his real estate license.

Teddy is working towards an internship or job at one of the big accounting firms such as Ernst & Young. Of MOMI, Mackenzie reflected, “Montessori really laid the groundwork and foundation for my continued learning at Seabury Hall and now at San Diego State.

I also learned to have fun while at school.

Along with the foundation for my learning, Montessori helped me create long-lasting relationships as some of my closest friends were all met at Montessori. Montessori really ignited my love for learning and taught me to mutually respect other classmates and teachers. Montessori will always be a great place for my brother and me to visit and see where our future success all began.”

Jordan Everett Jordan attended Montessori School of Maui from 1st through 5th year and came back to visit campus last spring when she attended the 40th Anniversary Benefit

Concert with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Jordan is still best friends with Dru Glass Gracia, (also in attendance at the concert!) who she met at Montessori as a first year student. Jordan is currently living on Oahu and has worked as a clinical therapist for the past four years at a behavioral health hospital. Her future plan is to work towards becoming a certified play therapist. Jordan still says, “I am a proud Wiliwilier!”

Skylar Lickle

Skylar graduated from Seabury in 2018 and is currently attending the University of Hawaii Maui College and pursuing her big wave surfer and water-woman dreams. She was able to travel to Fiji this past year and teach surfing, foiling and kite surfing.

Zofia Kaiyian Zofia began her Montessori education as a primary student in the Nara Class and attended through middle school. She graduated from Seabury Hall in 2019. Zofia will be attending UC Santa Cruz, currently undeclared, but will possibly major in politics and minor in ethnic studies. After interning at Council Chair Kelly King’s office during her junior and senior years at Seabury, Zofia is working part time at the office. Zofia had a lot of heartfelt words to share about her education: “In the beginning, I didn’t appreciate Montessori education. But as I grew older and went through high school, I realized that my Montessori peers and I received something special by going to Montessori. I was extremely well prepared for high school and other life challenges. I did not know that

Montessori was preparing me for life until I saw my ease of success. Of course there were bumps and stresses but overall, Montessori left me with a strong foundation and some life long friendships. I have so many memories from Montessori, but I must say that what I cherish most are the relationships I have because of the school. From my two best friends Ana and Katie to my Montessori teachers who have still stuck with me like Jolyne Rego, Judy Sterling, and Melinda Lyle-Javier, the Montessori community has continued to support me and cheer me on.

I really value all the relationships I formed at MOMI. There’s something special about going there, you gain not only an education, but also a family.”

Emma Burns Cabiles Alum Emma is entering her third year serving on the Montessori School of Maui Board of Trustees and both the Development and Marketing Committees. She continues to work as a Floor Manager at Mama’s Fish House and got married in the spring of 2019.

From Emma: “My husband, DJ, and I got married in April and it was a perfect Maui wedding. We had all our friends and family there to celebrate with us in Haiku, and we danced the night away. We are so incredibly happy and cannot wait to honeymoon in Japan next Spring.”

Cole and Carter Christie Brothers Cole and Carter both attended Montessori from Primary through 8th grade.

Cole attends UC Santa Barbara and Carter is at Utah State University. Currently, they are at home in the islands professionally shooting photography and videography content for their business,

ALUMNI NEWS 2018-2019 Cinevzn Media. Carter speaks on his MOMI education, “Montessori has taught us to be problem solvers and to overcome obstacles with creative solutions. Some of our favorite memories come from our garden classes with Darci playing in the ‘auwai and helping to preserve native species. As Jolyne Rego always said, “Once a Wiliwilier always a Wilwilier!”

Kylie Vorfeld Kylie graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and works as a lab tech for Justin Vineyards and Winery in Paso Robles, CA. Of her job, Kylie says “My job is very hands on, and I’ve found that success in this industry is based on learning by doing rather than by formal training. This learn-by-doing method is something I became familiar with during my time at Montessori, and it has helped me to be a quick and adaptive learner. Additionally, Montessori instilled in me the gift of intrinsic motivation, which has benefited me greatly throughout my life – academically, professionally and personally. I believe these aspects of a Montessori education have been the pillars to my success thus far.”

Halia Haynes Halia graduated in 2019 from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, and a Minor in Chemistry.

Of her Montessori experience, Halia shares, “Montessori instilled a love for learning in me at a very young age and inspired me to ask questions. Montessori also helped me to appreciate the power of, and develop a deep love for nature.”

Mitch, Ellie and Jaz Hargraves All of the Hargraves children have attended or are attending the University of New South Wales in Australia.

Mitch is currently a third year student completing a dual major in Math and

work in science fair competitions and with the IFA during the summer months.

Construction Management and Property. He is also in the Elite Sports Program and is the University’s number one tennis player and team captain. Ellie is a UNSW Alum and is currently working at a medical facility as an exercise physiologist. Jaz is in her first year at UNSW and is double majoring in Science and Secondary Education and was also in the Australia Girls Choir for 5 years.

Jett Farrell Jett will be a senior at King Kekaulike this year and plans to study aeronautical engineering in college to become a pilot in the future.

Zach Teagarden As a freshman at King Kekaulike, Zach placed 2nd in his category of Physics and Astronomy at the Maui County Regional Science & Engineering Fair. His 2nd place finish moved him on to the Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair (HSSEF) where he placed 3rd in the State in his category of Physics and Astronomy for his project, “The Serendipitous Discovery of a Transiting Object,” a possible exoplanet discovery. Through his 3 years of work with the Institute for Astronomy (IFA), which began with an alliance with Montessori School of Maui, Zach has been published multiple times in the Minor Planet Center Circular, run by NASA ADS and Harvard as a researcher on comets and asteroids. In the fall, he will attend Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire for 10th-12th grades and continue his

Lyon Farrell Lyon came in 5th this year at the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships in the Freestyle Division.

Ridge Lenny, Natasha Salamack and Ashley Tanga

These three Montessori School of Maui classmates and friends all graduated from UCSD in the spring of 2019. Ridge graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Natasha with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Ashley with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing with a Minor in International Business.

Yasmina Vafaie

Yasmina is entering the 10th grade at King Kekaulike High School. This summer she was accepted into a Health and Medicine program at Harvard Medical School for high schoolers who will gather from around the world. Of this summer program at Harvard, Yasmina shares, “In this program, I will be learning basic medical skills, speaking with medical professionals and getting a basic idea of what a career in the medical field might be like. I plan to become an orthopedic surgeon and specialize in hands. I am super excited to take one of the beginning steps towards my dream.”

Financials: 2018–2019 Fiscal Year Montessori School of Maui’s fiscal health is paramount to our longevity and institutional success.

As a nonprofit organization, our administrative staff and Board of Trustees work hard to ensure our financial security by running a balanced budget; which includes yearly income from tuition, annual donations, grant monies and more.

Thank you to our many donors and benefactors who have provided us with a year of generous contributions. We appreciate each and every one of you, and all gifts, large and small. These funds support the needs of each Montessori classroom, the diversity of our campus through our tuition assistance and scholarship programs, and restricted funding projects, like the recently completed Elementary Building Expansion Project. Mahalo!

Tuition & Fees 91%

OPERATING REVENUE

Other Income 2%

Grants and Fundraisers 5%

Annual Fund 2%

Salary and Benefits 75%

OPERATING EXPENSES

Classroom Supplies and Special Programs 3%

Maintenance, Utilities & Insurance 4%

Depreciation, Land and Building Costs 13%

Administrative Expenses 1%

Grants & Fundraiser Expenses 3%

Other Educational Expenses 1%

Goodfellow Bros., Ltd. Moonstar Greene Heather Haynes, MD Pacific Rim Land Javan and Keri Quinsaat Terry and Cynthia Quisenberry

Mahalo!

Thank you for sharing your love for MOMI with us by giving back so generously to our school!

We are very grateful to all of the trustees, parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, community members, friends and institutions who supported our school this past year.

The following pages reflect all gifts made to the Montessori School of Maui between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019.

In-kind contributions are highlighted separately at the end of this section. ** indicates Montessori School of Maui Alumni or current student

VISIONARY $10,000 and above Atherton Family Foundation Jeremy and Michelle Baldwin Sumner and Angela Erdman Graham Family Foundation McInerny Foundation Gus Taylor The Upcountry Farmers Market, Inc. ADVOCATE $5,000 to $9,999 Bendon Family Foundation Fathy Elsherif and Heather Zidell Frost Family Fund G. N. Wilcox Trust Hawaii Petroleum, Inc. Jimmy and Honey Bun Haynes Hope Builders Kaimi Judd and Malika Dudley Zach and Annie Thielen STEWARD $2,5000 to $4,999 Bank of Hawaii Hilary and Zadoc Brown Jr. Melanie Devereux

MENTOR $1,000 to $2,499 Keith and Anne Awad Philip and Emma Bergen Henry Brocklehurst and Lili Maltese Ben and Tess DeLisa Anthony Engesser and Thea Jensen-Engesser Eric and Sarah Ernst Ken and Christine Farnsworth Eric Hamp and Theresa Gerry Perley and Karen Grimes Hawaii Association of Independent Schools Kevin and Sabrina Jardine John and Cheryl Kaupalolo Melinda Lyle-Javier Allyson Mattox Patrick and Azusa Merrill Craig Mullins and Jennifer Oberg Peter Norins and Salma Ansari Robert and Melissa Ray Leonard and Kathy Sakai Jacque Scheibel Jordan and Carolyn Sharp Stephen Smith Nathan and Tia St. Cyr Isaac and Jennifer Stocks Troy and Sheron Stocks Rob and Caroline Stoner Andrew and Stacy Tan Troy Tanga and Kelley Kramers David and Deesha Tucker Jed and Erica White Zadoc W. & Lawrence N. Brown Foundation PATRON $500 to $999 Walter and Theresa Andreae Steven and Anne Barber Daniel and Heidi Bigelow

Gary and Eva Blumenstein Mark Bridgeford and Danielle Perrault DJ Cabiles and Emma Burns Cabiles ** Ron and Debi Chapple Martin Diamond Tim and Elizabeth Dick Eric and Renee Dustman Flatbread Company Thomas and Kassia Gann Chad and Shay Goodfellow John Guarin and Kimmie Ouchi Jeff Hall and Carina Long Kimo and Sheila Haynes David Kingdon and Roxanne Gillespie Daniel and Missy Lickle Gordon and Annie Loo Maui Babe, Inc Jeanne Mintz Myhobnob, Inc The Nanny Connection Fernando and Angela Nolan NUKA Doug and Wendy Peterson Rasa Priya and Sarah Thom Justin and Amanda Prouty Sales Force Mike and Kimmie Seguin Klaus and Michele Simmer David Spee Dave Stein and Nyla Nolan Viking Construction, Inc Paul Wenninger Maile Wong Daryl and Oklim Yamashita CARETAKER $250 to $499 Matias Besasso and Morena Giordano Sarah Bredhoff Marc and Katie Bromley Brothers LLC Stephanie and Zadoc Brown III C & H Propane Robert and Gillian Carvalho Andrew and Oceania Castellini Carol Childerhose Christopher and Kaiulani Cole Kim Dobson Justin and Jodel Edwards Mark and Jo Ann Ellis Michael and Kela Fisher David and Tina Fitch Dominick and Lisa Gentile Michael and Christina Hartman Adam Hicks Josh Jerman Kathleen Klett Jean-Luc Langlois and Lana Wilkinson

Martin and Paula Lenny Let’s Entertain Maui Ajna Lichau BJ and Anela Medeiros ** Donald and Gabrielle Meeker Joseph and Patt Narrowe Shep and Elena Nelson Luana O’Hare Charles Parente and Elizabeth Ignacio Robert and Michelle Pellettieri Angie Peters Anthony and Dionne Phillips Todd and Deborah Preseault Fred and Maria Rawe Ray and Nancy Rogers Alika and Dorien Romanchak Joseph and Ala Sumerlin Shaun and Denise Thayer Bruce and Kathy U‘u Dave Ward Gary and Karen Woodward Mike and Sharon Wright FRIEND Gifts up to $249 Anonymous (1) Tony and Sherron Akina Shaylan Allman and Charlotte Hunton Sam Amoroso and Sonnet Coggins Sam Aruch and Susan Marshall Astrella Art Design Amanda Asue Jamie Athearn ** Brandon and Mya Awai Zac and Susan Bailey Annika Banko Carter and Brittany Barto Shari Battle Lisa and Andrew Brodzinski David Brooke and Ashley Lorenzana Brooke Brown Estefania Burkert BJ and Nani Cabanting Richard Campbell Alejandra Carta Todd and Sheryl Carter

Adam Chesick and Sarah Fogel Kurtis Chong Kee Skyler and Leina Christensen Ryan and Christy Churchill Jason Clark and Anna Jameson Justin and Brynne Clark Corey Holmgreen and Kameleonalani Cleveland Matthew Cockey Tony and Anne Colletta Nanette Cunningham Adam and Courtney DeBower Kawailani Decoite James and Shana Driscoll Claude and Genevieve Duhau Andrea Dunn Witt Dustman ** Robbie Edwards Reed and Trisha Egge Amy Eiden Oshri Elbaz and Hadas Metzler-Elbaz Josef Erlemann and Roopa Akkineni Dennys Eymard Andre and Sabrina Fehlmann Justin and Daeja Fernandez Christopher and Ann-Marie Forsyth Jeffrey Friedman Jasmine Fulcher Karen Gallagher David Garza and Malia Rodrigues Ariel and Carrie Gebb Chad and Rainee Gerard Dru Glass-Gracia ** Zack and Nicole Gonzales Ali Grimes Ken and Vera Hagan Douglas and Kathleen Hagan William and Karen Hanisch Patti Harper and Jill Binford Yoshitaka and Satako Hata Lisa Hateum Alyshea Hiraga Kainoa Horcajo Jeff and Dawn Hudson Holly Hume ** Darren Hunsacker and Sherri Cannizzaro Ron and Liat Igra Liliana I‘i ** Joe Imhoff and Sara Tekula Kristy Ito-Lau Kiana Iwado Tim Jasnau and Jennifer Martin Noah and Kasumi Johnson Philip and Peggy Jones John and Gail Judd Matsu Kahakauwila and Vanessa Johnston-Kahakauwila Krissy Ka‘ipolani Kaina

Leadership Circle The Montessori School of Maui Leadership Circle has been established this year to honor the donors who have lifetime cash gifts exceeding $100,000.

We would like to express our utmost gratitude and appreciation for their contributions.

Because of the generosity of our Leadership Circle donors, the vision of our dedicated founders lives on, and thousands of children have flourished at Montessori School of Maui and beyond.

Anonymous The Atherton Family Foundation Jim and Susan Bendon The Biel ‘Ohana Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation Harold K. L. Castle Foundation Pia Damon First Hawaiian Bank Foundation Susan R. Graham Hawai‘i Community Foundation Jimmy and Honey Bun Haynes Kimo and Sheila Haynes Wes and Diane Hickey Korg Foundation McInerny Foundation Willie and Annie Nelson Chapman S. and Susan S. Root Root Family Foundation David Spee Lindy and Cherry Ann Sutherland The Family of William O. Taylor

Friend Gifts, continued

Donovan and Dheya Kealoha ** Kris and Ashley Kersmarki Bill and Margaret King Amy Kojima Ben and Lorinda Kottke Neal and Janie Kunin Scott and Megan Lacasse Marc and Angela Lammers Elliot and Tracy LeBoe Gurvan LeMeur and Benedict Lechrist Hazel Liebling Chad and Jen Llego Akasha Loo Maile Lopes Gene and Barbara Massad Clay Matchett and Shae Martin Jim McManus and Tina Bartsch David and Irina Medelye Melissa Meeker John and Laura Meisel Asti and Kanoe Merino Ernest and Fumie Messersmith Steve and Kieu Meyer Chris and Leslie Millen Victor and Suzanne Musselman Scott and Kristin Nielson Linda Nguyen Daniel Norkunas and Amy Cochran Lucy Olsen Orchids of Olinda Paula Osbun Matt and Tiana Paet Wayne and Nicole Pagan Jeffrey Parker Mark and Sarah Pearson Ali Pearson Sundaura Perreault Liya Peterson ** Phillip and Alicia Peterson Sigal Peterson Valerie Petredis Andrew Plemel and Lauren Heath-Plemel Bronson and Maeghan Pocock Trip Porch Matt and Erin Pritchard Hugh and Jenny Pritchett Keha Quinabo and Momi Chun

Al Ramadan Elmer Rasay Jonathan and Chaika Rebo Tom Reed and Judy McCorkle Vetea Ribet and Angelina Hills Wade and Amanda Robson Run for Fitness – Maui For Kids 5K Betty Russo ** Tommy and Jen Russo Laurel Sakai Alberto and Elianne Santin Ben Scheinin and Amanda Skinner Kevin and Ashley Schenk Sue Schmidt Vincent and Allison Schurtz Emily Severson Brett and Emily Shapiro Daniel and Tara Shupack Joseph Silva and Kiana Rowley Donny and Sada Smith Zachary and Jacqueline Smith Michael-James Mendiola and Lilian Smith Maroe and Stephani Smith Ron and Kathleen Soule Randy and Terra Stark Colt and Jennifer Stewart Ben and Tash Summit Miri Sunkel Sierra Sylva Raefer Riordan and Wendy Takemoto Tyler Tanga ** Christine Taylor Jed Teagarden ** Aron Teuber and Ann Mevis Nigel Timms and Heidi Oberg Coral Tucker ** Robert Vafaie and Sarala Dandekar Anthony LaBua-Keiser and Maleta Van Loan Wilma Vorfeld Christopher and Ku‘ulei Waite Glenda Watson Donald and Mindon Weiss Carole Wentworth Knox and Dori Weymouth Ryder Weymouth Angela Williams Lauren Wilson Art and Karen Wong Riley Yap and Acacia Vandaele

IN-KIND GIFTS The Montessori School of Maui welcomes gifts of products, equipment, services and other items that enhance our educational programs and physical campus. Special thanks goes out to the following families, friends and community partners for their contributions.

Astrella Art Design Ben Franklin Mark Bridgeford Matthew Brunn Aaron Burkert Cook Kwee’s Maui Cookies Deaja Fallas Floral Designs Maui Kassia Gann Garnish Craft Cocktail Catering David Garza Ariel and Carrie Gebb Hang Ten Rigging LLC Island Essence, Inc. Jennifer Oberg Atelier Maui Preserved Maui Printing Company, Inc. Maui Time Printer Pete Melissa Ray Wade Robson Tommy and Jen Russo Skyline Eco Adventures Denise Thayer Barbara Verkaart Volcano Signs Walter Vorfeld & Associates Wildheart Flowers You are important to us! If we have inadvertently listed your name and/or giving level incorrectly, please let us know by contacting the Development Office at 808-573-1062 so that we may update our records. Mahalo for your understanding and support!

Ways to Give Back to our ‘Ohana As a volunteer-based nonprofit organization, Montessori School of Maui depends upon the support of the community to thrive each year. There are many ways for you to give back from volunteer opportunities to donations of gifts and services. We truly rely upon the annual generosity of our ‘ohana for generous monetary donations.

Funds raised go directly to the operating budget and support our student programs, staff development, campus maintenance and more.

While “unrestricted” donations to our Annual Fund give us the greatest flexibility in utilizing donations for the betterment of our students and school, you may also direct your gift through: ANNUAL FUND – GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

The Annual Fund underwrites all aspects of our educational and school programs, teacher professional development, maintenance of our campus, the purchase and replacement of classroom materials, computers and software and much, much more.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Our Tuition Assistance program enables families who otherwise would not have the opportunity to provide their children with the benefits and enjoyment of a Montessori education. It allows families to become or remain a part of our ‘ohana. This program also allows our students to develop diverse life-long friendships and helps assure the socio-economic diversity of our student body, which mirrors the whole world in which we live.

HAWAIIAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In an effort to further reinforce the cultural diversity of our school, the Montessori School of Maui also offers a scholarship through the Hawaiian Scholarship Fund

designed to help students who came to us through the Pauahi Keiki Scholarship Program (PKS) remain a part of our ‘ohana. Annually, an average of seven or eight young people from the Pauahi Keiki Program must leave our school as they reach age six and become ineligible for PKS. Our goal is to bring the generosity of interested members of our community to these families – to allow more of these students to continue to enjoy the many benefits of an enriching Montessori education.

CYNTHIA WINANS-BURNS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Cynthia Winans-Burns, former Head of School and member of our community for over thirty-three years, was a passionate advocate of the many benefits of a Montessori education. Following her wishes, the school established this scholarship fund in her name.

This fund supports the tuition of children of Montessori School of Maui alumni, enriching the lives of many children here on Maui through education for generations to come.

PLANNED GIFTS

Planned gifts recognize your belief in the future of our school and your desire to see it sustained for generations to come. By including the Montessori School of Maui in your estate planning through a bequest, life insurance policy, fund, trust or other planned gift, you have the opportunity to make a gift of a lifetime.

For more information about supporting the Montessori School of Maui, please contact Director of Development, Ali Grimes at 808.573.1062. We are pleased to assist you in your philanthropic goals, as we partner together in support of a quality Montessori education.

photo credits: Nani Cabanting Brett Christiansen Ben Kottke Janie Kunin Scott Lacasse Maile Lopes Anela Medeiros Angelina Ribet Ryan Siphers

writer: Ali Grimes | editors: Eric Dustman, Lucy Dustman, Ali Grimes, Sara Tekula | graphic designer: Patt Narrowe

does not become great until human beings, “ Imagination given the courage and strength, use it to create. ” ~ Maria Montessori

GROWING GLOBAL CITIZENS SINCE 1978

2933 Baldwin Avenue • Makawao, Hawai‘i 96768 808.573.0374 • fax 808.573.0389 • www.momi.org

PRINTED ON PAPER WITH RECYCLED CONTENT