We are PHS
Presidio Hill School Impact Report | 2019-2020
As Presidio Hill School deliberated on a theme for this year’s Impact Report, we considered the following questions: What is the essence of PHS and how did we maintain connection and community during the coronavirus crisis? In other words, What makes us PHS? We came up with the following answers: Presidio Hill School reflects shared values, encompasses community experiences, and promotes institutional and individual growth. Presidio Hill School can be found in the wide-open windows on campus, the forested pathways of the Presidio, and the vibrant homes of our community. Presidio Hill School is the flexibility and compassion of families, the history and values of the institution, the perseverance and adaptability of faculty, the support and experiences of alumni, and the creativity and curiosity of students.
Together, we are Presidio Hill School.
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PHS is more than just a school. It’s an active community of people that continues to evolve and adapt to be the best it can be for the students, families, and staff. We often feel like we are students ourselves when challenged by the social justice and progressive ideals of PHS. We love being part of it. The Kashuba Family
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Words from Lisa While I have been a part of the wonderful and loving Presidio Hill School community in a variety of roles over the last three decades, my current role affords me, at times, much more of a bird’s-eye view. What I have witnessed since taking on the role of Head of School has been truly amazing and inspiring. I have seen our community rise to many challenges while always keeping at heart the main goal of Presidio Hill School–to support our students as they imagine, inquire, and create on their path to becoming curious and thoughtful lifelong learners who feel both a desire and a responsibility to ask questions, take action, and offer compassion. Committed Presidio Hill School parents and guardians have always been vital to
our school community and to our school’s success as an institution committed to whole-child education. When I mention Presidio Hill’s partnership with our families at the admission tours each fall, it is always with a sense of abiding respect and a deep understanding that we support Presidio Hill School and our students all together. It is this strong engagement and real partnership that allows us to deepen the educational experience for our young learners, create a community for our adults, and, as we are learning daily this year, to weather any storms that come with our priorities firmly in place. Similarly foundational to the Presidio Hill School experience is our engagement and partnership with our “front yard”–the
Presidio. In 1990 when I began my tenure at PHS, the Presidio was just becoming a decommissioned military base and the school did not make much use of the acres beyond our playground. Now, Presidio Hill students gain an intimate knowledge of the abundant natural world just steps from our front door. Students explore the redwood grove and willow dome, maintain Mountain Lake and El Polin Spring, play on the sand dunes and at the sports field, and marvel at the natural art around every corner. They learn to listen, to observe, to breathe, and to wonder. Partnership does not end between Presidio Hill School and the Presidio, or between Presidio Hill staff and parents/guardians, but must extend directly into the homes of each of our families. Our community
must hear and amplify the voices and experiences of our members, so that we make Presidio Hill School a place where every single student, from the Bay Area and beyond, and from the rich variety of their cultural and family experiences, can truly thrive in their own identity while learning about their peers. Similarly, we must ensure that every family can truly be a full part of the Presidio Hill School community, with voice and visibility and a lived experience that welcomes and bolsters us all. And we know that this diversity of experience and respect and dignity for everyone is absolutely necessary for us to be our best and to ensure the most robust education possible for all our students. We have work to do, and it is work of the best and most important kind.
These are unfamiliar and sometimes very choppy waters. Trusting one another, listening to each other, reaching out and honestly and respectfully sharing our observations and our needs, and offering ideas and creative solutions are key to the continued success of our community and our school. I know I have many, many partners in these efforts with all of you, and my gratitude is immense. I do not doubt that Presidio Hill School will continue to flourish, both during this uniquely challenging time in our history, and into the future. Having been a part of the school for our 75th, 90th, and 100th year celebrations, I fully intend to participate in our 125th anniversary in 2043—maybe from a chair at home if necessary! I look forward to seeing you there, too.
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Words from the Board of Trustees Co-Chairs Christina Maluenda Marchiel and Matthew Nathan | Board of Trustees Co-Chairs, 2019-2020
Presidio Hill School has a rich history of partnership. Originally founded as a cooperative school–a model that fostered extensive engagement across constituencies and strengthened shared values–Presidio Hill is now a corporation made up of parents/guardians, trustees, and staff, all of whom have an equal vote in the governing process of our school.
All schools in San Francisco, the Bay Area, California, and the nation have experienced significant challenges for both program and community as a result of the pandemic, yet the distinctive characteristics that make PHS a collaborative environment and an inspiring educational experience were uniquely suited to shepherding students, families, and staff through this crisis.
This year, the partnership that has underpinned Presidio Hill School’s values for more than 100 years was given an additional bolster–the connection between school and home was developed and strengthened as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting shift from in-person to distance learning this past March.
Presidio Hill’s small class sizes, ample student-teacher support, and intimate, collaborative environment ensure that every child in our community is known and nurtured, and that all families are appreciated and involved. This was especially apparent during our shift to distance learning–Presidio Hill was able to support students as both
individuals and as integral members of classroom communities. Presidio Hill School teachers tangibly translated the warmth of a classroom experience to a distance format, uplifting our students and families. Presidio Hill School was founded during a pandemic–the flu of 1918–and under principles and values that still exist today. Our school’s foundation as an open-air progressive institution and our leadership in progressive education allowed us to support students and staff as we transitioned to crisis-driven distance learning and will serve us well as we look ahead to the 202021 school year and incorporate our values of compassion, creativity, and welcoming in our distance learning plans and as we determine protocols that reflect the open-air structure of our founding. Additionally, our rich history of partnering with the Presidio Trust, and our deliberate incorporation
of outdoor education into all aspects of our curriculum, will allow us to welcome students in-person outdoors in a safe and thoughtful way. We are grateful that, within this incredibly challenging situation, Presidio Hill’s unique values and history will support families, students, and staff as we look ahead to a new school year. Finally, there was no clearer example of PHS partnership and support than the fundraising efforts in April for our Community Support Fund. Families, staff, and alumni shared resources for those in our community who had been financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic and we raised over $45,000 in 48 hours! What a proud, wonderful moment for our full community. We are grateful for the understanding, flexibility, and support of the PHS community and look forward to a new year imagining, inquiring, and creating alongside all of you.
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My kids want to go to PHS every Monday morning more than any other place. This makes us want to work together for the school and for the PHS community. The Kim Family
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Having the Presidio as our front yard has meant that Sebastian and Iliana have been able to learn from hands-on learning outdoors, in one of the most beautiful places in the world. They understand that learning happens in the real world and not just in a classroom. Some of their happiest memories of school are from the community service projects they were involved in at the Presidio.
The Carrero-Riley Family
Alumni Profiles
Lara Klemens Lara Klemens attended Presidio Hill School starting in Kindergarten and graduated in 1984. Lara earned her BA in Psychology from UCSC and has over 20 years of experience as a trained therapeutic bodyworker, massage therapist, and Orthopedic Manual Therapist here in San Francisco.
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Lara is thrilled to remain connected to PHS 35 years after graduation; “PHS taught me to be a person,” she says, “even when I was a kid.” Lara’s idea of success is based on whether what she’s doing feels consistent with who she is, and this self-awareness has enabled her to embrace transitions and changes. She is proud to enjoy many different hobbies and remain curious about the world as an adult, and credits this to “the support of just ‘being me’” that she received at PHS.
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What were some highlights of last spring’s alumni Zoom session for you? It was lovely to see a varied group of
alumni. Usually we get together with our own cohorts to rehash old memories and relationships. With the all-inclusive event, I was able to see the consistency in the alumni body. All of us agreed on the more general feelings of community and progressive ideals. It was nice to see that the philosophy of the school has stayed consistent through the years. What would you want to share with a current PHS student? The ability to talk comfortably with people is one of the most important skills you can learn. I talked with adults a lot when I was a kid. It taught me everyone is a person you can learn from. The teachers and staff at PHS have chosen to work at a school that focuses on relationships. Talk with your teachers and the staff (outside of classwork). They will teach you just by how they talk with you. And you will teach them by sharing what you think about.
Miranda Gardiner 2020
Miranda Gardiner attended Presidio Hill School along with her sister, Lillian, and graduated in 1993, going on to earn her BA from Georgetown and her Master’s in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. After living and working from Vancouver to Frankfurt to Abu Dhabi, she now lives in Los Angeles and works as a Sustainable Design Leader for global architecture firm HKS, Inc, with a particular focus on projects in their America West region. In Miranda’s opinion, being part of the PHS community means continually learning and growing. In fact, when she undergoes reviews in the workplace, she always thinks back to self-evaluations at PHS. “As a kid, it is very powerful to talk through how to be a better student and a better version of yourself,” she says, and notes that bosses have been impressed by her reflection and self-awareness - skills she built during her time at Presidio Hill. She firmly believes that selfimprovement is a continuous process, regardless of one’s age.
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What were some highlights of last spring’s alumni Zoom session for you? As a sustainability consultant, it was fascinating to hear how the 1918 pandemic influenced the design and concepts behind the school. I talk to clients about the importance of good ventilation, natural daylight, healthy materials, etc. so I was excited to learn that these were part of my education well before I entered my career. Plus, sharing some laughs and seeing all the smiling faces from multiple PHS generations on the call was great fun too! What would you want to share with a current PHS student? One of my PHS yearbook quotes is, “I’d make it so there wouldn’t be pollution and every person had a job.” I’m living my quote, as I work on sustainable and equitable building designs, and know the influence of my PHS teachers and classmates helped me along this path. For current students, some things you’re learning may seem boring or irrelevant right now but remind yourself of your dreams, as these things will be part of your amazing future.
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PHS prepared me for high school because it taught me how to make strong connections with others and how to think outside the box. PHS taught me to be a kind and confident person who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself. Maria, Class of 2019
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and now!
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The Steinheimer Klivans Family
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We are motivated to support PHS because we value the strong and welcoming community we found there. Each of the three graduation ceremonies we attended– including one on Zoom–reminded us of what a special place PHS is. We loved hearing from each of the amazing and diverse students in the 8th grade classes and the creative, caring teachers who know them so well!
Impact in Action
The phrase “We Are PHS” means solidarity to us because our community members value the close-knit relationships with each other. We embrace and appreciate the unique attributes that each one of us brings to PHS, creating a diverse, colorful and vibrant learning environment that instills the importance of inclusiveness, kindness, and above all, a genuine understanding and respect for differences.
the greater ecosystem, but it is also an important piece of California history.
Our children’s learning experiences have been greatly enhanced by the Presidio, affectionately referred to as our school “front yard” by the PHS community. The boys’ weekly lessons at the Presidio allowed them to explore and observe the local habitat through all their senses—bird watching, differentiating natural and manmade sounds, or simply appreciating the gusts of wind brushing against their skin. This invaluable outdoor classroom not only provided them with hands-on lessons in natural sciences and broadened their understanding of their relationships with
We asked ourselves, what can we offer to the community? Karina and I reflected on our international experiences, and in collaboration with the Development Office, the multi-year Intercultural Studies Fund was born. The purpose of the ISF is to support and facilitate conversations beyond PHS’ existing programs. We hope to broaden our students’ experiences through foreign language studies and discussions on domestic and international affairs that are pertinent to the ever-changing world we live in. The Zhang Family
We are a bicultural family with extensive ties to both sides of the Pacific. When we joined PHS, we were truly amazed by the school’s progressive education – from nurturing young minds through thoughtful lessons, to the appreciation of arts, music, and nature.
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To us, the phrase, “We are PHS” means community. PHS is an active collaboration between the students, teachers, staff, and parents and guardians. It’s an ongoing conversation in which everyone has a voice. Sturgill Puri Family
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The Presidio Hill School Community Support Fund The Presidio Hill School Community Support Fund was established in response to the economic impact of COVID-19. In April 2020, PHS organized a 48-hour fundraiser so that we could collectively provide financial assistance to PHS families and community members who were facing new, dire economic challenges because of this public health crisis and related economic fallout. With an initial goal of $15,000, the Community Support Fund ended up raising almost $50,000 from over 100 donors!
Much of the Fund has been distributed to families and community members to help meet basic needs such as food, mortgage and rent payments, and childcare expenses. We still have a portion of these funds on reserve should more needs arise in our community, and we intend to incorporate any remaining funds into the PHS Flexible Tuition program as we have seen an increased need for assistance with tuition during this pandemic.
The success of the PHS Community Support Fund is a clear indicator of the supportive partnership and authentic connection of the PHS community–we compassionately and thoughtfully support one another through challenging situations.
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I continue to give to the PHS Annual Fund every year (for over 20 years) because I want our school to continue to have the resources necessary to provide an exemplary progressive education for our students and families. Steve Manseau, Transitional Kindergarten teacher
2019-2020 Expenses Personnel Plant
69% 3%
General & Administrative
18%
Bond-Interest Payments
5%
Educational (Total Operating Expenses)
4%
Capital Expenditures
0%
Fundraising (non-Capital Campaign)
1%
2019-2020 Revenue Tuition and Fees, net of scholarships
88%
Fundraising (Gross, not including restricted contributions)
10%
School Events and Interest Income
2%
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We Are PHS means wearing your favorite sweater because it gives you warmth. The Drago Family
2019-2020 | PHS Annual Fund & Endowment Donors In true We Are PHS spirit, Presidio Hill School is proud to list our donors alphabetically, without giving levels or amounts; we understand that one person’s donation of $50 can be just as meaningful as another’s donation of $5,000. This year, we have introduced long-term giving data which highlights our community
members who have supported PHS philanthropically for the past five, ten, fifteen, or twenty or more consecutive years. These donors represent current and former families, alumni, staff, and friends who recognize that fundraising provides an essential foundation for the PHS experience.
We are honored that our donors have chosen to support us year after year, allowing PHS to share the magic of progressive education with generations of students.
+20 years | 3 donors +15 years | 21 donors
+10 years | 51 donors +5 years | 72 donors
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PHS Donors
Our Annual Fund is what turns the extraordinary into the everyday at PHS. From immersive learning experiences to ongoing professional development, Annual Fund dollars enable us to operate at our highest potential. At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, our healthy Annual Fund allowed us the flexibility to make critical building updates, source accessible technology for faculty and families alike, and provide ample distance learning supplies for every single student. Each year, we ask for faculty, trustee, family, and alumni participation in our Annual Fund. This list of names represents our community members’ deep commitment to each other and to our school.
Anonymous (37) Amy and Josh Atkins Amy Nelder and Greg Lejnieks Anahi Villar Andrea Forker and Dean Enell Andy and Ashley Hecht Ann Meissner Anna-Marie Haalboom and Chris Barker Anne Regenstein and John Hefti Apple Corporation Matching Gift Program Audrey Yee and Michael Steiner Austin and Carla Bowker Barbara Paschke and David Volpendesta Bernard Nathan and Barbara Newman Beth Irwin Perry Bill and Jackie Weldon Bill and Laurie Cahan Bill and Tobee VanderWall Brandon and Kacie Cherry Brenda and Scott Duyan Brewster Kahle and Mary Austin Brian and Catherine Kane Brian Johnson Carmen Gomez and Jorge Santillan Charlotte Mankin Chean & Beverly Law Chelsea Lemon Chris and Dayana Mills Chris Sturgill and Sapna Puri Christian Sowul and Rynn Pressick Christina and Brian Marchiel Christopher and Lee Anne Weldon Christopher Heffelfinger
Christy and Ian James Colt Deese Compass Real Estate Courtney Damkroger and Roger Hansen Daina Chiu and Kevin Wong Dan Goldensohn and Dee Dee Workman Daniel ‘69 and Ginny Burke Daniel Kilduff ‘94 Daphne Garcia-Lopez ‘18 David Thompson and Susan Green Dezirae Malabed Diane and Carl Shannon Dmitri Cavander and Megan Gelstein Dolby Match Program Edwin Wong Ehren Kruger Electronic Arts Elizabeth and Brentt Brown Elizabeth and Mark Dirsa Ellen Simons and Bob Powell F. Gale and Mei Ling Connor Gabriella and Peter Solar Gail Emmons Genentech, Inc. Gillian and Matthew Nathan Good Eggs Google Matching Gifts Program Gordon and Sophia Rudow Greg McCrary Hana Lee and Sunggu Kim Heather Ramsey and Dan Sowell Hideko Akashi Hiroki and April Asai Irene Chan Isabela Celedon James Borninski and Dana Polk Javier Perez Jeane De Freitas and Robert Wicke
Jeni and Derek Izuel Jennie Caniglia Jennifer Brill and Marlon Gomez Jennifer Granick and Fred von Lohmann Jennifer Lou and Alexander Ko Jennifer, Josh, and Skye Ridless Jenny Kuo and Tom Bochenek Jim and Pat Fitzgerald Jing Liang and Josh Krieger John and Seema Fick John Gallagher and Patricia Mejia Joninna Simpson Jose and Ranesha Moreno Joseph Tabacco and Peggy Schmidt Joshi and Leah Marshall JP and Ann Balajadia Judy Basmajian Julia and Shaban Shakoori Julie and Brian Rogers Julie and Sebastien Lépinard Justin and Maxine Raphael Kaiser Permanente Community Giving Karen Kruger Karina Chan and Kai Zhang Kate Joshua Katherine Donnard Kathleen Cross Kelly and Jon Dees Kelly Murphy and Tyler Abbott Kenta Ferrin and Doug Robbins Kiah Jeffries ‘97 Kim Ying Walsh Kimberly and Josh Mitchell Kirsten Hove and Alex Darr Kristin and Mitchel Harad Kumsa Abdi Laura Ainsworth Laura Domash
Lauren Davis ‘95 Leah Nelson Leticia Abeyta Linda and Bob Hoenscheid Linda Kayes Lisa Jeli and Haroon Tahir Lise de Vito and James Zack LJ Strunsky and James Steinle Mark Gunther and Anne Krantz Martin Encinas Leon Martin Gross and Danny Castelow Martine Krumholz and Jonathan Abrams Maryann LoRusso and Steven Jo Maya Ghorayeb and Abbas Hachem Meady Tang and Neville Crawley Metta and Keith Krach Michael and Xochi Birch Michele Radcliffe and Jim Klimek Michelle and Doug Randall Michelle Angier and Chris Basmajian Michelle S. Nettesheim Microsoft Mike and Leslie Meier Mike Chan and Cynthia Huie Mitchell and Paula Thurston Molley and Richard Lowry Nancy, Arnie, and Perri Davis ‘09 Naomi Sato and Grady Cofer Netflix Nick and Fiona Palin Nicole and JP Lavallee Nicole Sorondo and Colby Leno Norma Cole and Robert Kaufman Olinda Cubillas and Remigio De La Cruz Olivia Sears and Craig Bicknell Palmer and Ethan Weiss Patty and Rusty Jepson Paula Rothe and Richert Robins
Pei Reng Zhao and Ze Ming Yu Peter Young and Tachina Rudman-Young PG&E Rita Fahrner ‘57 and Kell Fahrner-Scott ‘09 Robert Kim and Misung Won Robert Scott and Rick Lewis Robin Cooper and Robert Harrison Robyn Mandel ‘06 Roc & Sonali Waland Salesforce Sara Anderson Sarah Gaffney Sarah Myers Sean and Bridget Joyce Shannon Fitzgerald and Tom Scott Shannon McGilloway Silicon Valley Bank Stacy and Steve Jenson Stephanie and Milton Assang Stephanie Kastner Steve Manseau and Marie Caffey Stuart and Amanda Lang Susan Andrews and Buddy Rhodes Susan Gevirtz Susan Whitecotton and Craig Weissman Synapse Take Two Software Taylor Louise Gerard The Andrews Family The Aramendia Family The Arciga Family The Board Family The Chee Family The Cooney-Price Family The Galindo-Gardiner Family The Grindle Kaufman Family The Gustafson Family The Halbert-Alexander Family
The Johnson Family The Johnson Family The Kayes Family The Kilduff Family in honor of Lisa Jeli The Kittenbrink Family The Lim Family The Maguire Family The Newell Family The Ng Family The Sutton-Gersteins The Undurraga Family The Zeifman Family The Sports Basement Tiblez Tesfa and Menghiste-ab Zeru Tim Grace & Jennifer Guittard Tim Vanier Tony Cifra Tony Morgan Traci Freeman Tsedal Woldegiorigs and Solomon Tamerat Vida and Dallas Kashuba VMware Foundation Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign Wendy Horng Brawer Wendy Spero and Amos Elliston Winton Davies and Lauren Asher Yuko Kamae and Chung-Man Tam Yvette and Philip Rosedale
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