www.presidiohill.org
ROOTED in RESILIENCE
Presidio Hill School Impact Report | 2020-2021
GIVING helps roots
GROW
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Presidio Hill School has been deeply rooted in San Francisco for over a century. The roots of our school support our full community and are nourished by the philanthropy and volunteerism of our families, staff, alumni, and friends. This impact report details the many ways that our community has helped nurture these roots; roots which, in one of our most challenging years, have supported Presidio Hill students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members and have allowed us to uphold our shared principles and ideals. Thank you for the water you have given, the soil you have turned, and the care you have shown our community and our school.
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Words from Lisa Jeli HEAD OF SCHOOL
Our theme of being Rooted in Resilience draws many connections for a school community. Resilience is a trait prized in student development and is often a natural quality that children have in abundance. This makes sense; a resilient nature sets children up for survival, creativity, and joy, even in the midst of incredibly challenging circumstances. For adults, resiliency is often supported by community and buoyed by positive experiences–luckily, we at Presidio Hill School have a community of caring and understanding adults, and positive and happy children to strengthen our own resilience during difficult times. It is our responsibility as parents, guardians, and educators to nurture the development of our students’ resilience so that they can grow into their best selves: kind, curious, responsible, and optimistic citizens of the greater world. And, it is inspiring every day to be a part of the Presidio Hill community–to see the imagination, wonder, and joy of students learning and to grow the bonds of partnership and connection between students, staff, and families. Maintaining resilience and optimism for ourselves and each other when these traits flag at times, which they do, is both an ongoing process and a commitment. For our students, this process is helped immensely by being rooted in a place of beauty and nature, in a community of warmth and understanding, in unconditionally loving and caring families, and in a class of peers who appreciate them for exactly who they are and challenge them to be their best. In our rootedness to Presidio Hill School, to the natural land on which we are fortunate to exist, and to the Bay Area, we are able to expand our potential and experience. We are able to share our own resilience, looking forward optimistically and honestly to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. 4 | IMPACT REPORT | 2021
The resilience that we have as individuals and that we have developed as a Presidio Hill School community will serve us as we look forward to our upcoming school initiatives and planning processes. In the recent past, we just completed our California Association of Independent Schools Re-Accreditation. Postponed from March 2020, this process required a deep and thoughtful self-study on behalf of Presidio Hill School and covered topics that include institutional purpose and core values; teaching and learning; financial and operational sustainability; and institutional stewardship, leadership,and improvement. The self-study was followed by an on-campus accreditation visit this Fall. The resulting accreditation team recommendations will set Presidio Hill School up for a strategic planning process planned for 2022-2023 that will ensure that our school moves forward with stability and mission-aligned purpose for many years to come.
Finally, I want to thank the Presidio Hill School community—parents, guardians, students, staff, faculty, families, friends, and alumni— for supporting our school during what has been one of our most challenging times institutionally. Your efforts are noticed and so appreciated. I am bolstered by the energy, creativity, and generosity of each member of our community, and I thank you for all the ways you give to Presidio Hill School.
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Words from the Board of Trustees 2020-2021 Co-Chairs MATTHEW NATHAN AND MICHELLE CHAN
Annual Fund
Welcome to our 2020-2021 Presidio Hill Annual Report, a reflection on a year that exemplifies how our Presidio Hill School community is truly Rooted in Resilience. Historically, resilience is one of the originating characteristics of Presidio Hill School. The Presidio Open Air School was established in the midst of the 1918 flu pandemic. Populated by a dedicated and “cooperative” community, our school was created with the optimism and determination to offer children an excellent progressive education in spite of the greater challenges in the world at large. As co-chairs of the Board of Trustees during the 2020-21 school year, we are proud and humbled at how this spirit continues at Presidio Hill School today. This last year has brought us together in myriad ways, despite our distance, and we are thrilled to share with you just a few of the accomplishments from our community last year.
Managing COVID-19 Our school’s flexible and engaged students, dedicated staff and faculty, and understanding and generous families allowed us to weather COVID-19 together as a community. We could not be more appreciative of the effort this community made to pivot to distance learning; the dedication of all community members made this possible. Existing home-school connections were deepened as a result of our shift to distance learning, with parents/guardians serving as at-home support alongside classroom faculty. Then, in late Fall 2020, we were able to have students return to campus. Classroom teachers shouldered the challenges of educating students both at home and on campus, families prioritized community health by adhering closely to our school’s protocols, and students were able to imagine, inquire, and create together once again! Finally, as a Board of Trustees, our focus during this tumultuous year was on ensuring the longevity and stability of our school as an institution.
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One of the most critical ways to ensure our school’s stability is through thoughtful fundraising. We are pleased to announce that during the 2020-2021 school year, we raised a record-breaking $597,000 for the Annual Fund. These funds were immediately utilized to support a wide range of needs at Presidio Hill School, from enhancements to our building in light of physical distancing requirements to virtual guest speakers and enriching programming for our students. Each year, the Annual Fund affords Presidio Hill School the flexibility to provide an exemplary progressive education to all of our students while also meeting unanticipated needs; this past year was such a clear example of how a healthy Annual Fund benefits and protects our school.
Equity and Inclusion Initiatives Over the course of the 2020-2021 school year, the Board of Trustees also made important progress related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Board’s Equity and Inclusion Committee launched our first ever Presidio Hill School Families and Faculty of Color Survey and are dedicated to more robust engagement in the future. The partnership between the Board of Trustees’ Equity and Inclusion Committee and Presidio Hill School’s Multicultural Leadership Team was strengthened by the shared goal of creating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage and mission statement. Presidio Hill has a history of working toward a more equitable and diverse world—founding values that contribute to our resilience and strength as a community today and guide us as we move forward into our shared future. We have been grateful and proud to serve as your Board of Trustees co-chairs for the last year, and to be a part of this incredible Presidio Hill School community. We are delighted to also introduce your Board of Trustees co-chairs for the 20212022 school year: Nicole Lavallee and Noah Berland. Both veteran members of the Board of Trustees, and dedicated Presidio Hill School parents and volunteers, Nicole and Noah will continue moving our school toward a promising and inspiring future, together with all of you.
Words from the Board of Trustees Co-Chairs
NOAH BERLAND AND NICOLE LAVALLEE | Board of Trustees Co-Chairs, 2021-2022 Presidio Hill School is sustained and uplifted by the Board of Trustees, a group of dedicated volunteers, composed of parents, guardians, faculty, staff, and community members who strategically safeguard the mission of the school by overseeing annual finances, planning for long-term development and sustainability, and helping to lead fundraising efforts. The Board of Trustees is led by a chair or two co-chairs who support and inspire the work of the individual trustees and committees as well as demonstrate a deep commitment to Presidio Hill School by their volunteerism and philanthropy. For the 2021-2022 school year, our Board of Trustees co-chairs are Noah Berland and Nicole Lavallee. When asked the question “Why do you give to Presidio Hill School?” our board chairs answered: NOAH: There are many reasons I give to Presidio Hill School. I give to PHS when I am asked because I care about our community and when invited to help, I feel grateful to turn my positive feelings into actions. I also deeply believe in the progressive pedagogy of PHS’s founding influences, such as John Dewey (along with many others), and the school’s mission, philosophy, and teaching style. From the moment our children began as kindergarten students, through what will now be our son’s seventh-grade year and our daughter’s fourth-grade year, my wife and I have witnessed firsthand the ways that PHS supports our children to become the best versions of themselves. We also believe that giving back to the community is an act that reinforces for our kids that the principles they learn at PHS are real components of our daily lives. Finally, I give to PHS with the hope of making our community a better place for everyone and with the understanding that a true partnership– like the one PHS promotes with and between families–necessitates bilateral participation. PHS continuously gives to students, families, staff, and our community and I feel that it is my, and our, responsibility to give back to PHS any way we can.
NICOLE: I am proud to serve as co-chair of Presidio Hill School’s Board of Trustees. My decision to step forward was rooted in my belief that it is important to give back to Presidio Hill School, which has given so much to my family over the past six years. During our time at PHS, my husband and I have each volunteered in different ways and have supported the school in as many capacities as we can because we believe in the mission of the school and want to ensure that our daughter’s, and all Presidio Hill School students’, experience is as enriching, vital, and inspiring as possible. For me, there is no better place to invest both time and financial gifts. I know I am not alone in believing this as our community has proven generous on both fronts time and again. Indeed, it is the valued contribution of each parent, guardian, and community member that helps provides the margin of excellence for our children. And for that, I am grateful to all.
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Robyn Mandel ‘06, PHS Admission Associate
When I joined PHS in Middle School I was not a fan of education or learning. I felt like I wasn’t smart enough to learn Waverly, Grade 2 and would never be able to achieve any of my goals regarding my education. The community and the teachers at PHS changed that for me. They had a love for their students that allowed them to know us as more than just children to educate, but as people. I was presented with the idea that learning should be fun, even if it is hard. That it is not about how much information you can retain, but were you able to learn something new that enhanced your life. I have carried that idea with me throughout my entire educational journey and career.
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I love so much about PHS: my teachers, Music class with Joshi, Spanish class with Paulina, my friends, the Lower Yard, the Presidio and Math. Waverly, Grade 2
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Whenever my mind begins to swarm with worries and questions related to teaching during a pandemic marked by so many unknowns, I remind myself to take a moment and view the world from our kindergarteners’ eyes. Our kindergarteners’ curiosity about the world around them inspires us as educators to create spaces of wonder for our students. Our kindergarteners’ tremendous capacities to care for others motivates us to weave in opportunities for our students to advocate for themselves and the needs and rights of others. Our kindergarteners’ natural creativity challenges us as educators to take a step back and let our students express themselves and their understandings in their own unique and beautiful ways. I feel so grateful for having the opportunity to grow together with our children who have helped me grow professionally and personally. Larissa Hsia-Wong,
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PHS Kindergarten Teacher
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There are so many things I love about PHS; it’s a welcoming community that feels like family. Zoe, Grade 4
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I love that PHS is a place for everybody, where they can have fun, learn, and make friends. Calvin, Grade 2
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Kiah Jeffries ‘97, PHS Lower School Physical Education Teacher
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When I applied to PHS my 5th grade year a teacher named Erainya interviewed me. Before the interview, I remember going around the corner to pick out a book to read while I waited. I came across a quote that resonated with me: “Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” I used this quote in the interview and, needless to say, Erainya was impressed. 27 years later, while thinking of this experience which brought me to this community, I have also been thinking about the resilience of our teachers and staff. We all are taking the road less traveled and while there are many challenges along the way, we are all the better for it. As a father of a 17 year old with special needs, I am proud of the attention and concern PHS gives our students.
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Alethea Roche, Current Parent and PHS 4th Grade Teacher
In a world of constant zoom zoom zoom, PHS teachers and students take to The Presidio and fall in love with learning when reading underneath the shade of the redwood grove, mindfully listening amongst the roots and branches of the willow dome, walking in wisps of wind to the sand dunes, and playing in the ripples of water and spring’s first sunshine at El Polin.
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Presidio Hill School ANNUAL FUND
Presidio Open Air School was founded 103 years ago, on the brink of the 1918 flu pandemic. We have experienced many world-altering events since then, some positive and some very difficult, and our 2020-2021 school year was unprecedented. Presidio Hill reopened on-campus learning for our youngest students in late October 2020, and by the end of November 2020, all students were able to attend school on campus. Creating an on-campus learning experience that was safe and fulfilling (while also maintaining a comparable and vibrant distance learning experience) was incredibly challenging; our school leaned heavily on the expertise and commitment of our faculty and staff, on the flexibility and patience of our families, and on the resilience and creativity of our students. While some may think that our expenses must have decreased during distance learning, that is far from the truth. Distance learning necessitated hiring additional staff, including our first Educational Technology Specialist; purchasing Chromebooks for every student; and providing Presidio Hill School students with
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individualized “Dragon Chests” full of supplies for the upcoming month’s lessons. Once students were able to return to campus, our hybrid program, distancing requirements, and cohort protocols required us to upgrade our internet capabilities. And to ensure the health of our community, PHS purchased individual desks for every student, installed touchless hand sanitizers, sinks, and water bottle filling stations, and acquired air purifiers for every room on campus. We were able to recalibrate while staying true to our mission and maintaining our academic standards because of the financial support of our community. Support of our Annual Fund allowed us the flexibility to pivot and adapt to these unprecedented challenges. Thank you for keeping our students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe. And thank you for your continued commitment to Presidio Hill School.
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Endowed Funds
The Endowment for Presidio Hill School is an exciting part of our school’s future. The endowment began modestly, with an initial contribution in 2007 of over $85,000 in honor of former Head of School, Carey Davis. In Presidio Hill School’s Centennial Year, 2018, an anonymous donor made a gift of $1,000,000–the largest donation to our school outside of a capital campaign. This endowment gift helps PHS attract, support, and retain our incredible faculty and staff so that generations of students can learn from expert progressive educators. In 2018, an endowment gift was made in honor of former parent and trustee, Robyn Eickman (parent of Martin Mulkeen ‘94), and helps ensure that Presidio Hill School can continue to offer a progressive education to families with a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. This, in turn, increases the diversity of our student body and enhances the experience for all of our community members.
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The impact of an endowment on a school community is significant, and the goal of an endowment is to support the longevity and success of a school. For Presidio Hill School, our endowment funds support specific goals that align with our mission and vision, safeguard our diverse and inclusive community, and ensure our long-term stability. Over the past two years, Presidio Hill has gathered a team of administrators, trustees, and experts to make investment decisions and cultivate additional donations. To date, we have $1,553,094 in our endowment funds, and have pledges which will bring that total to $1,838,351 by the end of 2022. As we move thoughtfully into strategic planning in 2022, Presidio Hill School will engage in endowment-related discussions about future investments, long term goals, and short term benefits. If you are interested in making a gift to the Endowment for Presidio Hill School, please contact Director of Development Adrienne Moon at adrienne@presidiohill.org or 415-213-8606. We look forward to sharing more as this exciting and critical component of our future develops.
2020-2021 FINANCIALS EXPENSES Personnel
69.79%
Educational
11.41%
General & Administrative
7.40%
Plant
4.63%
Bond-Interest Payments
4.38%
Capital Expenditures
2.01%
Fundraising
0.38%
REVENUE Tuition and Fees, net of scholarships
88%
Fundraising (Gross)
10%
School Events and Interest Income
2%
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PHS DONORS Abbe and Lance Clemons Adrian Ludwig and Chelsea Tanaka Alethea and James Roche Alex McClure and Blake Hayward Allison Detrick AmazonSmile Amy Donnelly Kelman Amy Gilbert and Josh Atkins Amy Hower and Tomas Boman Andrea Forker and Dean Enell Andy and Ashley Hecht Ann Meissner Anne Regenstein and John Hefti Annie and Lingo Leung Anonymous (43) Apple Corporation Matching Gift Program Ashley and Gautam Tevatia Audrey L. Yee and Michael J. Steiner Baishaki Wadhwani Barbara Paschke and David Volpendesta Bill and Laurie Cahan Bill and Tobee VanderWall Bob Baum and Diana Slavin Brad and Tiffany Stone Brandon and Kacie Cherry Brian and Carrie Chee Carla and Jeff Grandy Carol Rock and Daniel Van Vulpen Cesar Nolaso and Laura Perez Chelsea Lemon Chris and Dayana Mills
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Chris Sturgill and Sapna Puri Christina and Brian Marchiel Christopher and Lee Anne Weldon Cynthia Huie and Michael Chan Cynthia Samuels Dan Goldensohn and Dee Dee Workman Daniel Burke ‘68 and Ginny Burke Daniel Snydacker in honor of Mason Snydacker David Thompson and Susan Green Diane and Carl Shannon Dmitri Cavander and Megan Gelstein Dolby Match Program Dwayne and Annica Watts Ed Dollard and Niki Rivers Ehren Kruger Elizabeth and Brentt Brown Elizabeth and Mark Dirsa Erin and Mark Peters Erin Cooney and Ted Price Gail Emmons Gartner Genentech, Inc. Gillian and Matthew Nathan Good Eggs Google Matching Gifts Program Gordon and Sophia Rudow Greg and Amy Lejnieks Hana Lee and Sunggu Kim Hiroki and April Asai Illumina Irene Sung and Richard Drury
James Borninski and Dana Polk Jane Timberlake and Taylor Walker Jeff Oda Jennie Caniglia Jennifer and Brian Heifferon Jennifer Stisa Granick Jennifer, Josh, and Skye Ridless Jenny Kuo and Tom Bochenek Jeska Dzwigalski and Bradley Kittenbrink Jim and Pat Fitzgerald Jing Liang and Josh Krieger Jing Yang and Cheng Ma Jose Gonzalez Josefa Rangel Josefina Jacquin and Sebastian Bates ‘09 Joseph Tabacco and Peggy Schmidt Joshi and Leah Marshall JP and Ann Balajadia Julia and Shaban Shakoori Julie and Brian Rogers Kairi Pirk-Vatunen and Mika Vatunen Karin Larson Karina Chan and Kai Zhang Kate Joshua Kathleen Cross Kelly and Jon Dees Kelly Murphy and Tyler Abbott Kenta Ferrin and Doug Robbins Kim Ying Walsh Kirsten Hove and Alex Darr Larissa Hsia-Wong
Laura Ainsworth Lauren Davis Schwaber ‘00 Leah Nelson Lending Club Lesly Delgado Leticia Abeyta Linda Kayes Linda LeBlanc Lisa Jeli and Haroon Tahir Lisa Seitz Gruwell and Chris Gruwell Liz and Patrick Beckhelm Maria del Carmen Gomez and Jorge Santillan Mark Gunther and Anne Krantz in memory of Eva Leah Gunther Marta Salvado Sabate and Henry Marshall Martin Gross and Danny Castelow Martine Krumholz and Jonathan Abrams Mary Ann and Marc Cavness Mary Haber Mary Inman and Dave Fogler Maya Ghorayeb and Abbas Hachem Metta and Keith Krach Mical Asefaw Michelle Angier and Chris Basmajian Michelle S. Nettesheim Microsoft Mike and Leslie Meier Molly Smolen and Tiit Helimets Monica Wilkins and Steven Schulenberg Moody’s Corporation Naomi Sato and Grady Cofer
Nicholas Schrader and Nicolette Manescalchi Nicole and JP Lavallee Nicole Sorondo and Colby Leno Paige and Scott Olson Palmer and Ethan Weiss Paula Rothe and Ric Robins Pei Reng Zhao and Ze Ming Yu Peter Young and Tachina Rudman-Young Rachael and Joseph Tobener Rhoda Mae Clavel and Kit Jonathan Te Robert and Mia Kim Robert L. Powell and Ellen D. Simons Robert Scott and Rick Lewis Robin Melnick and Jeremy Atwood Robyn Moss Roc and Sonali Waland Sara Anderson Sarah Gaffney Sarah Myers and Eric Oldmixon Sean and Bridget Joyce Shannon Fitzgerald Silicon Valley Bank Stacy and Steve Jenson Stephanie and Milton Assang Stephanie and Stanislav Garber Stephanie Denzer and David Snydacker Stephanie Kastner Steve Manseau and Marie Caffey Sue Bernstein and Paul Denzer Susan Andrews and Buddy Rhodes Susan Gevirtz
Sydney Mohr Taylor Gerard The Andrews Family The Arciga Family The Drago Family The Galindo-Gardiner Family The Grindle Kaufman Family The Halbert-Alexander Family The Hänni Family The Izuel Family The Kayes Family The Law Family The Maguire Family The Newell Family The Romero Brill Family The Undurraga Family The Zeifman Family Thomas Roberts Jr. and Susan DaSilva TIAA Tiblez Tesfa and Menghiste-ab Zeru Tim Vanier Todd and Kathleen Darling Tony Morgan Trevor McNeil ‘96 and Sarah Montoya Vera Berg and Mark Strassberg in memory of Renee Ridless Vida and Dallas Kashuba 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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We received donations from community members in 23 states! After California, the most represented states were New York and Massachusetts.
FUNDRAISING
FUN FACTS!
We were proud to hold our first-ever virtual Walkathon, “Walking Through Rainbows,” in October 2020. Students had the opportunity to do activities of their choice to earn laps. Our kids ran, walked, danced, skipped, hiked, and surfed(!) their way to success and raised $40,000 for the Flexible Tuition program at PHS!
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We were thrilled to welcome guests from around the world for Grandparents and Special Friends Day. Our guests tuned in from England, the Netherlands, Italy, Israel, Malaysia, and across the U.S.
Our Spring Fling included another first for us—a Zoom dance party hosted by DJ Papa Smurf, aka PHS parent Shaban Shakoori.
100% of PHS faculty and staff supported the Annual Fund for the third year in a row, raising a record-breaking $8,357. The average gift was $120. We are incredibly grateful for such thoughtful and generous support from those who give so much to PHS!
The third floor of our Maple Street building opened in Fall 2020, officially completing our Maple Street Capital Campaign project. The third floor is now home to the Development Office, the Business Office, a brand-new dedicated conference room, and a small outdoor break area lovingly referred to by faculty and staff as “The Spot.”
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The land upon which we have established our school for over 100 years is unceded Ramaytush Ohlone land.
www.presidiohill.org