Annual Report 2011 – 2012
Far Brook School A small school of uncommon quality where education is considered an art
Far Brook School 52 Great Hills Road Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 farbrook.org 973-379-3442
Message from the Head of School Dear Members of the Far Brook Community, I am grateful for the extraordinary generosity of our school community in gifts of vision, time, and resources. The 2011- 2012 school year was one of selfassessment, decision making, and progress. A few areas of distinction include:
Amy Ziebarth Head of School
• Master Plan. Working with the Board of Trustees and gathering input from our school community, we developed a campus Master Plan for Far Brook’s future that will enhance our facilities and each student’s experience. Building design and fundraising planning continue to proceed at a vigorous pace.
• 2011- 2012 Annual Fund. The Fund topped $500,000 for the first time. Such commitment speaks to the meaningful place Far Brook holds in people’s hearts and lives. • Faculty Development. 2011- 2012 brought five new faculty and staff to Far Brook, adding energy and new ideas to our talented and dedicated community. Faculty members continue to attend workshops, conferences, and degree programs, returning to Far Brook with the latest in educational research and curriculum development. • Self-Study. Our faculty and staff thoughtfully and diligently worked throughout the year to prepare the comprehensive Self-Study toward dual accreditation from Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). This introspective exercise has affirmed that we remain true to our core values, while inspiring us toward continuous improvement in all areas of school life. • Summer Garden. In June, our new science teacher and several parents established a vegetable garden behind the cottage by the road. The garden is part of an increasing focus on our natural environment and campus science improvements in our future. In the following pages you will see that through judicious financial oversight and growth, Far Brook remains strong. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to our dedicated Board of Trustees for their visionary leadership and generosity. To the faculty and staff, I thank you for your commitment to excellence which guides each of our students to reach their full potential. To our families, volunteers, donors, and our loyal alumni community, thank you for your support of the important work we do here at Far Brook every day, preparing our students to be curious, creative thinkers, and happy, healthy contributors to their future communities. Warmly,
Amy Ziebarth Head of School
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Message from the Chair of the Board Dear Members of the Far Brook Community, The Annual Report provides a welcome opportunity to acknowledge the highlights of the past year. In 20112012, Amy Ziebarth served her second year as our Head of School. Amy is a thoughtful visionary who has taken Far Brook’s measure with a loving spirit true to the School’s core mission. Her strong leadership ‒ combined with her love of Far Brook, our students, and our community ‒ inspires excellence at every level. Mary Sue Fisher The 2011- 2012 year also ushered in two major Chair, Board of Trustees undertakings for the School. The first is the development of a Master Plan which reflects a bright and attainable future for Far Brook. The second is Far Brook’s 10-year accreditation review which provides a process for critical self-reflection and improvement, as well as assuring quality through evaluation by fellow educators.
The entire community contributes to advancing our mission. Our devoted and talented staff encourages exceptional performance. Our students learn, grow, and thrive. Parents are passionate volunteers and generous donors. Alumni and their parents stay involved as they visit, write, volunteer, and recognize Far Brook through their gifts. Financial support continues as one of the most critical ways in which our community works to sustain Far Brook. I thank all contributors for their exceptional generosity to the Annual Fund this past year. For the first time, Far Brook’s Annual Fund gifts crossed over the half million dollar mark ‒ $506,750 in total. We also welcomed 106 first time donors to the Fund. These gifts, which cover 7% of our operating budget, are vital to the high quality of education offered to our students and represent a strong testament to the devotion of our community. I am also glad to note that we are well positioned to grow our endowment to ensure Far Brook’s future. J.P. Morgan has performed well in its first year as Far Brook’s investment manager. After many years and generous support from our community, Far Brook’s endowment is $4,690,150, and its growth remains a priority for the School. In conclusion, I can assure the community that the state of the School remains excellent, with a strong and diverse student body, long-tenured and dedicated faculty and administration, and excellent financial health. Thanks to you all who help make Far Brook a success. Sincerely,
Mary Sue Fisher Chair, Board of Trustees
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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.
“
It has been said that,
perhaps, education has no
greater gift to mankind than that of putting into his childhood a wedge of
”
rational wonder.
– the Roots of Excellence
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Admissions Demographics Number of Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230 (60% Boys; 40% Girls) New Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Number of Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 New Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Diversity – Students of Color . . . . . . . . . . . . .36% Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Secondary Schools Attended by the Class of 2012 East Orange STEM Academy Hanover Park Regional High School Kent Place School (5) Millburn High School (2) Montclair High School (2) Montclair Kimberley Academy Morristown-Beard School Mount Saint Mary Academy (2) Newark Academy (2) Oratory Preparatory School The Pingry School (2)
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Financial Report We are pleased to report that Far Brook School’s financial position remains strong. Below is a financial summary for the year 2011- 2012.
Operating Statement-Excluding Depreciation Expense* Revenue
Expenses
Tuition & Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,190,801 Annual Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506,750 Endowment and Investment Income. . . . . . . . . . . . 291,836 Auxiliary Services** . . . . . . . . . . . . 214,391 _______________________________________
Educational Program Expense** . . . $6,022,738 Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568,850 Plant Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288,218 Administrative Expense and Contingency Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . 323,972 ________________________________________
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,203,778
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,203,778
*depreciation expense for 2011-2012 was $285,601 **includes After-School Program, Summer camp rental, and merchandise sales
Expenses 2011-2012
Revenue 2011-2012
Administrative and Administrative ExpenseExpense and Contingency 4% Contingency Reserve Reserve 4%
3% AuxiliaryAuxiliary Services Services 3% Plant Maintenance 4% Plant Maintenance 4% Endowment and Investment Endowment and Investment Income 4% Income 4% FinancialFinancial Aid 8% Aid 8% Annual Annual Fund 7%Fund 7%
Educational Educational ProgramProgram ExpenseExpense 84% 84%
Tuition &Tuition Fees & Fees 86% 86%
Philanthropic Support Annual Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $506,750 Other Pledged and Contributed Income: Head of School Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $213,900 • Current-Use Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $202,800* • Technology (laptops) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,750 • Music and Instrument Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,350 Campaign Payments and Endowment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 24,283 Other Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,647 Capital Commitments* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 42,011 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $796,591 *(Including commitments over time)
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The Annual Fund The 2011-2012 Annual Fund raised $506,750.
This year, a group of Trustees and Former Trustees challenged the Annual Fund to add 100 new donors and they would donate an additional $75,000, above and beyond their already generous giving. The Challenge was a success and the Annual Fund crossed the half-million dollar mark for the first time in Far Brook’s history, se and reaching $506,750. 4% Annual Fund gifts impact Far Brook on a daily basis where the needs and opportunities are the greatest. This year’s Annual Fund provided 7% of Far Brook’s operating budget. The funds preserve the student/teacher ratio of 6 to 1, support the School’s dedicated and talented Faculty, and sustain the richness of the curriculum and learning through the arts. • 86% of Current Parents participated contributing close to $265,000 • 91% of families new to Far Brook participated • 69% of Faculty and Administration participated • Alumni contributed close to $61,000* • Gifts ranged from $5 to $25,000 • Business matching gifts totaled nearly $53,000 • Gifts of $10,000 to $25,000 came from Trustees, Current Parents, Alumni, Past Parents, and Grandparents *includes Current Parents
The Annual Fund $600,000 $506,750 $500,000 $400,000 $329,543 $300,000 $200,000 $115,451 $100,000 $15,600
1980
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Advancement The 2011- 2012 year has been alive with fundraising and events that strengthen the Far Brook experience for the students and the entire school community.
Head of School Initiatives were focused primarily on meeting current-use Financial Aid and Technology needs, with $213,900 committed, including a six-figure Financial Aid commitment over time. The Hemera Foundation and the Marjorie Bunnell Charitable Trust along with the generous support of current parents and alumni are making these additional gifts possible. Administrative Expe Auxiliary Services 3% The Master Plan was presented in several meetings with all constituencies lastContingency fall and Reserv Endowment & Investment Plant Maintenance 4% and Multiwinter, outlining Phase I for a Science and Environmental Center, Arts Building, Income 4% Purpose Athletic Facility. A Feasibility Study was conducted to assess interest in support of Financial Aid 8% these projects and in increasing the endowment. Committees continue to move forward in fundraising planning and working with the architects. Annual quickly Fund 7% An Afternoon of Chamber Music and Chocolates continues to be a hit with the school community. In addition to highlighting the superb and generous talents of our own Music Faculty, the concert on February 12 raised $5,350 for the Music and Instrument Fund for the purchase of instruments, special musical projects, scholarships for lessons, and the eventual purchase of a grand piano. As a result of these efforts, the Fund totals $29,135. Tuition & Fees Tuition & Fees The Alumni Gathering in New York City, on April 13, was held at the home of Dan Pincus 86% 86% ’92, and drew 35 alumni and friends together to see each other and to meet Amy Ziebarth and several Trustees.
David Finckel ’67, alumnus, world-renowned cellist, and Co-Director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, presented a special Morning Meeting on May 1. In addition to playing for the students, David shared the impact his Far Brook experience has had on his life. Leff Endowment Project Day on May 22 made possible two performances and a lecture demonstration by the amazing Cashore Marionettes. The husband and wife team revealed that this was “the best audience we have ever had.”
Endowment $5,000,000
$4,690,150
$4,500,000 $4,000,000 $3,500,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000
$1,806,699
$1,500,000 $1,000,000 $
500,000
$
0
$12,726 1980
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Endowment Far Brook’s Endowment Fund as of June 30, 2012, totaled $4,690,150, representing an endowment per student of $20,753. The Endowment is made possible through the ongoing generosity and vision of the Far Brook community, including a grant from E. J. Grassmann Trust. The Investment Committee of the Board meets quarterly with our investment managers from J.P. Morgan to review progress. A percentage of the income from these funds supports the operating budget each year, now at $175,000. A portion of the income generated by the endowment supports financial aid, faculty benefits and professional development opportunities, curricular improvements, and building maintenance. A donor can add to these funds at any time. Tribute gifts made in honor or memory of a loved one are directed to the Endowment unless otherwise noted. Bequests are an additional way to make a substantive gift to Far Brook in perpetuity. Restricted gifts for current use – such as those for the Head of School Initiative for Financial Aid or Technology – can also be made. Contact the Development Office for further information.
Far Brook’s Endowment as of 6/30/12 – $4,690,150 General Endowment Funds Designated Endowment Funds: Arts 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 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 George Bartol Scholarship The Hite Scholarship The James E. and Elizabeth Hughes Scholarship Endowment Fund Barbara Jordan Endowment Scholarship The Koven Family Scholarship Marks Student Scholarships The Opportunity Scholarship Fund for Excellence Carol Silver Endowment for Student Scholarships
Expendable Scholarship Funds (Current Use) The Founding Parents’ Scholarship, Anonymous Gift, Class of ’54 Additional expendable funds made possible through foundation, alumni, charitable trust, and parent gifts. 2 011 - 2 012
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2011 – 2012 Administration and Faculty Administration
Faculty
Amy Ziebarth Head of School
Rosemarie Alagia Upper Schools French Teacher
Jim Benz Director of Upper Schools
Joan Angelo First Grade Teacher
Paula Levin Director of Lower School
F. Allen Artz Director of Music
Donna Chahalis CFO and Business Manager
Emma Banay Upper Schools Science Teacher
Dorothy O'Neill Director of Finance Mikki Murphy Director of Admissions and Placement Suzanne Glatt Director of Development Caroline L. Sargent Director of Advancement Jennifer Barba Director of Communications and Volunteers Marcela Figueroa Executive Assistant / Placement Coordinator Kathy Ike Admissions Assistant Yolanda Rivera Office Coordinator Rachel Filzer School Nurse Peggy Fawcett Development Associate Janice O’Shea Communications Coordinator Melissa Stampoulos Kitchen Coordinator Arthur Gannon Plant Supervisor
Ellen Maddrey Fifth Grade Teacher Megan McCall Third Grade Teacher
Greg Bartiromo Physical Education Teacher / Athletics Coach/ After- School Program Director
Valerie McEntee Sixth Grade Teacher / Middle School Senior Teacher
Mona Boewe Connections Teacher/Second Grade Associate Teacher/After-School Program Coordinator
Christopher Murphy Woodshop Teacher
Rebecca Campbell Fourth Grade Teacher Heather Chaffin ’92 Technology Coordinator Sally Adams Chernoff ’57 Junior High Math / Science Teacher
Nancy McIntyre Art Teacher
Nancy Muniz Director of Athletics / Physical Education Teacher/ Athletics Coach Emily Otner Part Time Resource Teacher Joan Rabinowitz Second Grade Teacher
Liz Colleran Math Teacher Grades 5-8
Debby Richardson Kindergarten Auxiliary Teacher
Erin Comollo First Grade Teacher
Nancy Ring First Grade Associate Teacher
Donna DeLorenzo-Deltz Kindergarten Teacher
Edward Solecki Junior High English/History Teacher / Junior High Senior Teacher
William Deltz Nursery Teacher Nicole Fabian Engelke ’88 Fourth Grade Teacher/Learning Specialist Grades 4-8 Ellen Flamm Resource Room Teacher/ Learning Specialist Grades N-3
Catharina Greenberg Lower School French Teacher Kate Hewitt Librarian FA R B R O O K A N N U A L R E P O R T
Marnie Stetson Fourth Grade Teacher/Junior High English Teacher Nina Sze Math Teacher Grades 5-8 JoAnn Tutino Lower School Science Teacher/ Nursery Associate Teacher Erasmia Voukelatos Lower School Music Teacher
James Glossman Director of Drama
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Emilia Ithen Kindergarten Teacher Keri Lesnik Third Grade Associate Teacher
Kathleen Freeman Nursery Teacher
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Kelly Hynes Fifth Grade Associate Teacher
Jamie Wang Second Grade Teacher Jhanae Wingfield Kindergarten Associate Teacher Deborah Wraight Third Grade Teacher
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2011 – 2012 Board of Trustees Mary Sue Fisher, Chair . . . . . . . . . . . .2012 Jeff Kronthal, Vice Chair . . . . . . . . . . .2012 Tony Stovall, Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . .2012 Carmine Fanelle, Secretary . . . . . . . . .2013 Amy Ziebarth, Head of School Carol Chartouni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013 Alice Davison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012 James Dworkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014 Janine Kane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013 Anne-Marie Kim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014
Thomas Kligerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012 Kate Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012 Megan McCall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014 Barbara Pagos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014 Elyse Post ’78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014 Christine Susko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014 Michelle Swittenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013 Bradford Wiley, II ’54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013 Tommaso Zanobini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013
2011 – 2012 Volunteer Leadership Parents Committee Council Chair – Darlene D’Angelo Assistant Chair – Miki Beatty Book Fair – Danielle Davis, Lamont Swittenberg, Bari Waxman Carpool – Elyse Post ’78 Fall Family Day – Emily Bulbulia, Erika Fanelle Far Brook Bulletin – Nino Badridze Gold Key Books – Joan Burr, Andrea Reiter Halloween – Kristen Carlberg, Jeanne Goetz Hospitality – Lourdes Blanco, Gigi Loh, Bernadette Miragliotta Junior High Socials – Jeanne Goetz, Patricia Price Library Volunteers – Joan Burr, Dorsey Grant School Photos – Georgina Comrie, Jacqueline Fleysher ’89 School Sales – Kerry Glass, Melissa Goldberg, Kathy Stine Special Mailings – Rebecca Bernstein, Amy Schiffer Sports Day – Darlene D’Angelo, Penny Sokolowski Teacher Appreciation – Sandra Franks, Grace Miller, Stacey Strollo Thanksgiving Processional – Kristin Kligerman, Kate Lee, Frank Mentesana, Karen Reilly
Annual Fund Chairs Kathy Hatfield ’81 Michele Iverson Dave Melillo Elyse Post ’78 Solicitors Joe Baker ’62 Jason Bernstein Lourdes Blanco
Kimberly Bloom Christopher Burns Carol Chartouni Brian Croshaw Lisa Dworkin Mary Sue Fisher Jacqueline Fleysher ’89 Greg Hoffman Robert Kelly Anne-Marie Kim 2 011 - 2 012
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Ed Leithead Rich Lincer Bernadette Miragliotta Brian Saluzzo Michelle Swittenberg Dhiren Toolsidas Bari Waxman
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Far Brook School 52 Great Hills Road Short Hills, NJ 07078 farbrook.org 973-379-3442
Address Service Requested Alumni families, please send address corrections to development@farbrook.org
Annual Report 2011 – 2012
Far Brook School
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTaGe PaID UNION, NJ PeRmIT NO. 473