The Little School 2017-2018 Annual Report

2017-2018

ANNUAL REPORT

IDEALS OF OUR PAST ROOTED IN THE PRESENT GROWING FOR THE FUTURE

2017-2018 Board of Trustees

1959-1960 Board of Trustees

Kelly Chang

Eleanor Siegl Henry Siegl Roy H. Wensberg Katherine Wensberg Robert J. Block Dorothy W. Block Stimson Bullitt Katharine M. Bullitt

CHAIR

Noel Murphy PAST CHAIR

Sam Uzwack SECRETARY

Lindsey Stibbard TREASURER

Phil Brandt Abhishek Dubey Stephen Gillett Francisco Grijalva Claudia Hung Ellen Kaspi Dan Klusman Kendra Petkau Paul Schlachter Judy Shedd Jenny Steen Bob Zeinemann EX-OFFICIO

Peter Berner-Hays HEAD OF SCHOOL

Julie Brumley

FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE

Davin Chin PGA CHAIR

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Little School Friends, LET’S CELEBRATE! The past year

has been filled with impressive accomplishments and new beginnings.

As we close out the year and lean into the 60th there is lots going on and lots to call out. First a few numbers. We have crushed previous year totals in terms of Annual Fund giving, auction receipts and raise-the-paddle donations to support financial aid to the tune of nearly $500,000. The faculty/staff and Board of Trustees have 100% participation in Annual Fund giving. Parents/guardians participation rate is 95%. This is markedly different than a handful of years ago and bodes well for the future of The Little School.

Yes, there is much to cheer in terms of straight numbers. More important is the energy and commitment to the school that these numbers describe. A powerful marker of a great school is active engagement of families in the daily life of school. This includes chaperoning field trips, PGA and room rep service, trustee and committee participation, teacher appreciation lunches and weekly staff meeting snacks — all visible examples of engagement and support.

Less visible and at least as important are the regular reading of Friday letters, observations, conferences and conversations directly with children exploring their school days.

Sixty school years ago, The Little School was started by a visionary educator committed to taking childhood seriously and taking each child seriously. Eleanor Siegl was clear about the transformational role of a great progressive school in the lives of young children. Here we are working in service to the very same ideals and ideas. There have been countless partners and supporters along the way. This continues to this very moment. As we look to a new chapter in school leadership beginning in the sixty-first year, we can proudly and thankfully reflect on the generosity of generations of Little School families and friends. It has been a great year. It will continue to be a great place for children.

The Little School – Where Big Futures Begin.

Peter Berner-Hays HEAD OF SCHOOL

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< Outside Time at The Little School of Seattle

^ The Little School Founder Eleanor Siegl

TELLING OUR STORY

BY BECKY DOLAN, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

The year was 1959. With 55 students and five staff members, The Little School of Seattle opened its doors, operating in the basement of the University Unitarian Church. After the Seattle City Council denied requests to open a school in a nearby residence, this opening was a triumph for Eleanor Siegl and the founding board members of The Little School.

This group of like-minded friends and colleagues was inspired to provide an education for children that was different from their own. Eschewing the conformity norms of the 1950s, students would be taught not to follow blindly but to think independently, a need made all too real with the Holocaust in the not-so-distant past. Through experiential learning, a social/emotional emphasis that infused the curriculum, a cooperative whole language approach and a respect for diversity, The Little School existed to raise engaged citizens who would actively participate in society, build community, advocate for themselves and others, and have a true impact on the world.

^ Judy Willsmore-Finkle, former parent and trustee, is the originator of the Rainbow Arches used at the Art Festival.

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Currently, in our 60th year, we can look back on The Little Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, try to separate fact from legend, and recognize the significant and meaningful steps along the way that landed us collectively where we stand today. Teaching Assistant Jules Hetland, who has a long-time connection to the school, has taken on the role of historian and, some might contend, archaeologist, working to uncover and reconnect the stories of The Little Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past with those of us who did not experience them first hand. She has spent time interviewing former faculty and staff, reconnecting with alums and going through our archives at the University of Washington.

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Shawn the Collie lived next door to The Little School in the 70s and 80s. With no before or after school programs, Shawn showed up every day around 9 a.m. and left around 3 p.m. He watched over the kids on the Big Field, and the kids would lie on him, pet him and generally make a fuss. Shawn was also seen standing guard when a strange dog came on campus, staying between him and the 3-year-olds in Kathi Titus’ class until the other dog left. >

^ Henry Siegl, husband of Eleanor and long-time concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony, would perch at the top of the stairs outside the Meadows Building and play “Flight of the Bumblebee” to begin the May Day parade.

< The library used to be in a classroom in the Meadows Building. The 1989-1990 school year was its first in the LLC. As the building was nearing completion, there was a major snowstorm that closed school for three days. It also caused a pipe to burst in the ceiling of the Extended Day room, which was discovered when school resumed and water was seen running out from under the front doors of the new building. Perhaps that is why Librarian Nancy Palmer decided the library needed a bath tub.

She purchased it from a friend for $50, but it cost $150 to move it to The Little School.

These renewed efforts to chronicle The Little School’s history began, as most things do here at TLS, with students in mind. How can we connect our students to the 60th anniversary in ways that have purpose and meaning for them and are also at their appropriate developmental level? Three areas were chosen on which to focus: HISTORY – The Little School was founded in 1959.

What else happened that year in Seattle; in the United States; in science, technology and music; in the world? Significant events from the past 60 years have been gathered together into one timeline, which will be expanded and extended over time, for use in classrooms and to tell our story.

TRADITIONS – Some events seem so much a part of who we are as a school that they must have been around since the beginning, but that is rarely the case.

BUILDINGS – With changes coming to our campus, it is a good time to recognize that decisions about buildings and spaces were made throughout our school’s history.

For many, history is all about dates and events. It can feel dry and unengaging, without any connection to who we are. But the true history of The Little School lies in the stories and the people who gave of themselves to create a school and experiences that will stay with us for years to come.

(See pages 10 and 11 for highlights from The Little School timeline.)

^ The story is that Gerry Perry, former teacher and librarian, confiscated some squirt guns, promising kids they could have them back the last day of school. That evolved into Splash Day. After a period of escalating arms races when Super Soakers came on the scene, the decision was made to level the playing field with squirt bottles for all.

AS PART OF THE LITTLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY, YOU ARE PART OF OUR HISTORY. PLEASE HELP PRESERVE IT. If you have artifacts or stories to share about your time at The Little School, contact Becky Dolan at beckyd@thelittleschool.org or 425-827-4609 ext. 106.

Peruse our growing photo collection at https://thelittleschool.smugmug.com. Upload pictures of your own to add to the collection and help more fully chronicle TLS history at: http://tiny.cc/shareTLShistory.

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PROTECTING THE MISSION

BY JENNY STEEN, TRUSTEE AND TLS ALUM

The Little School has been a part of my life for literally as long I can remember. My first day on campus was 40 years ago September as I sat in founder Eleanor Siegl’s office, a curious 3-year-old preparing to embark on many years of rich, adventurous learning. What years they were! So good, I had to come back. And back again. Over the years, my path continued to intersect with the school — as a participant in alumni events, later as a summer program TA in college, later still as the school’s development director for several years. And now, I have the privilege of serving on the Board of Trustees and tending to the school’s long-term future. It seems beautifully appropriate that I have an opportunity to protect and strengthen the future of a place that has contributed so greatly to my own.

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The Board of Trustees may not be as visible as some groups on campus, but we are an engaged and committed team actively working to protect the school’s mission and ensure its longevity.

While the administration handles operational tasks, the Board looks strategically at the big picture ahead, working toward a vision of a healthy, vibrant Little School 30 years from now.

Even as we celebrate this year’s 60th anniversary, the Board is already making decisions with the school’s centennial in mind.

We work to retain balance in each of these areas:

One of my roles on the Board is chairing the Committee on Trustees (COT), a committee in place to ensure the health of the Board itself.

Our primary feat each year is anticipating the needs of the school and the strategic work ahead to identify new committed individuals who can join us in furthering the school’s mission. We recruit with consideration for who is currently on the Board, who will be cycling off and who specifically we need to maintain an effective, vibrant and diverse board.

• Perspectives

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• Skills and backgrounds (to match the present strategic work) • Affiliations with the school (alumni, current and alumni parents/guardians, outside community members) • Racial and ethnic backgrounds • Gender • Socio-economic resources and backgrounds Ultimately, the Board needs diversity in all of these areas — differing experiences informing our discussions and strengthening our decisions.

Of course, some important common threads also exist.

Every trustee shares an enthusiastic willingness to engage, an appreciation for progressive education and The Little School’s program, and the ability to think strategically as we work to care for The School’s longterm future. We are fortunate to have a well-balanced, well-engaged board!

FAREWELLS Part of board health is having a measured but constant inflow and outflow of participants. Every year we have to say farewell to a few trustees concluding their tenure.

This year, the Board applauds two phenomenal departing trustees. They each brought tremendous value to the Board and left indelible footprints on our strategic work.

Lindsey Stibbard Lindsey’s long history with The Little School spans nearly her entire life, as both her parents worked for the school and she attended and outgrew the school as a student in the 1970s. It was a joy to have her back on campus as a trustee. Lindsey joined the Board in 2012 and served two full terms, including time as treasurer, before concluding this year. She was an integral member of the Finance Committee and was highly appreciated by fellow trustees for her keen eye for detail, institutional memory, forward-thinking perspectives and passion for The Little School.

Sam Uzwack Sam came to The Little School initially as a parent. He joined the Board in 2014, bringing a wealth of school leadership experience to bear through his professional role as middle school head and college counselor for Eastside Prep. Sam was involved on several committees, ultimately serving on the Executive Committee as board secretary. Despite his over-filled plate, he could always be counted on for quick insightful input, engaged leadership and a warm enthusiasm for The Little School and progressive education.

WELCOMES The Board also applauds our four fabulous incoming trustees who began their terms in July 2018. They each bring different skills and backgrounds to the Board, enriching the group and our discussions of this year’s strategic projects at hand.

Davin Chin A current TLS parent (of twins Anthony and Benjamin in the Woods Building), Davin served as PGA chair for two years before joining the Board of Trustees. As an intellectual property attorney, Davin brings a legal perspective and research prowess to his work on the Board and has already contributed both to his work on the Campus Planning and Development committees.

Dan Westfahl A parent of current and alum TLS students (Maia now at Forest Ridge, Grant and Ashton in the Woods Building), Dan has been an active school volunteer from the start. He works as a principal consultant at Apptio, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, and brings a financial and technical background to the Board. He’s serving on both the Development Committee and the Finance Committee.

Lisa Decker An alumni TLS parent (Stella now at Bright Water Waldorf School), Lisa has been a champion of The Little School and engaged volunteer since her first day on campus. She brings her passion for the school and a deep thoughtfulness to her work on the Board, particularly in her work on the Diversity Committee.

Monique Bloch An alumna of The Little School, Monique is thrilled to be back on campus. Attending in the 1970’s, Monique remained connected to TLS through her father’s tenure as a trustee and continued support. Monique works for Kimco Realty and brings a breadth of leadership and business experience to the Board and her work on the Committee for Trustees.

I am so excited about all that lies ahead! We have an exceptionally healthy and enthusiastic Board of Trustees engaged. We are blessed by strong skilled school leadership in current Head of School Peter Berner-Hays and incoming Head Julie Kalmus. The new campus plan, specifically a multipurpose gathering space that can accommodate the full school community, is a long-time school dream, and it is thrilling to see it coming to fruition.

It is also wonderful to see the school program continue to be strengthened and fine-tuned by a faculty and staff committed to continual learning and self-improvement.

Every year something wonderful gets even better.

That said, I am equally excited about the things that have not changed about the school in my 40-year history here — the natural campus, the uncompromised respect for children, the commitment to progressive, authentic learning, values of kindness, democracy, shared humanity.

The Little School of my childhood is alive and well today!

And thanks to the heart-felt engagement of an incredible school community — trustees, faculty, staff, students, parents/guardians, alumni — it will remain so for many anniversaries to come.

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LITTLE SCHOOL IDEALS IN ACTION This fall, TLS alum and renowned Seattle restaurateur Ethan Stowell made a return visit to The Little School. It had been 20 years since he last set foot on our campus, and another 20 before that when he attended TLS for a few years as a preschool student in the late 70s. Shortly after moving to Bellevue from Germany, Ethanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family moved to Seattle, which cut short his time at The Little School. Yet, after all these years, Ethan was instantly drawn to a tree behind the Meadows Building that he remembered falling from so many years ago.

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QUESTION TO ETHAN FROM STUDENT, ZACH WILLIAMS:

What was the most unfair thing you’ve seen in Seattle?

Ethan was gracious enough to come back to TLS for a visit and to answer questions from students in Amanda’s class. Beyond those about his favorite foods to cook, the names of his restaurants and “How do you cook a wolf?” — inspired by the name of one of Ethan’s restaurants, which was inspired by a book — students asked questions that connected to why he is a chef and how he uses his skills and place in the community to make it a better place.

While shyness, along with family dinners and his father’s joy of cooking, played a role in Ethan becoming a chef — it was okay to be shy and quiet in the kitchen — it’s something he has certainly outgrown. As CEO of over a dozen restaurants in Seattle, with numerous culinary nominations and awards, Ethan now uses his position and connections to benefit the broader community. It is a commitment that he does not take lightly. The same day he visited TLS, Ethan also had two charity evening events scheduled – one to support United Way of King County, for which he and his wife Angela are campaign co-chairs, and another in support of The Nature Project, a non-profit co-founded by former Seahawks Tight End Cooper Helfet.

“Tonight, we’re doing an event with some of the Seahawks players so that they can bring kids out into nature that don’t traditionally have experiences out in nature like you guys have here at The Little School. You have a lot of outdoor activity here, and a lot of kids don’t get that. It’s a big privilege to be able to have this.”

“I think the most unfair thing I’m seeing in Seattle is homeless people. I think it’s unfair for people to be living on the streets.

I think we all need to be working together to solve that problem.”

Giving back through food is something Maya Hancock, a student in Amanda’s class, has in common with Ethan Stowell. When she was six, Maya and her mom, Nicolette, had many discussions about the homeless people they would see on their regular trips into Seattle. Maya was particularly concerned about what they would eat and wanted to help.

This set Nicolette on a path to find something that would blend Maya’s love of cooking with her strong sense of social justice. What she found was Homeless Cooking, a program at St. Clouds restaurant in the Madrona area of Seattle. Together, they would volunteer each month, spending four hours helping to cook meals for 500 homeless people. With the restaurant having recently closed, the program is no longer active. Not ones to sit idly by, you can be sure Maya and Nicolette will keep looking for ways to help those in need.

Even though Ethan was a student at TLS for a short time, it is gratifying to see him championing the ideals of The Little School throughout the area, using his talents to give back to causes that matter to him and helping to make the community better for all of us.

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A CLEAR AND STEADY PATH

BY ALICE HAUSCHKA, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

“She is an avid collector of rocks, carved sticks, and other ‘beautiful junk.’ She often initiates and directs dramatic play with her friends using her good ideas and creative energy. She has a warm capacity for seeing another child’s needs, offering assistance readily with zippers and shoes, proud and confident of her skills.”

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While these three sentences could have been gleaned from a student report written by one of our teachers today, these words were taken from a year-end report written in May 1973.

This report, along with one from 1974, are the only material artifacts I have from my two years as a student at The Little School. I had just turned four. The report, type-written in green ink, was signed by my teacher, Julie Cox, and also by Eleanor Siegl.

Nowadays, from my perspective as an educator, I am able to put a name on the intentional things that my teachers were probably doing back then. Since I have read Eleanor Siegl’s dissertation and worked closely with educators who learned from and worked with her, I now understand the good and effective ways The Little School taught children like me back then. Not only this, but I understand that this was also a pretty revolutionary and courageous way to teach children — a radical contrast to the traditional schooling that was the norm then and, to great extent, even today:

It is hard to determine how my future life path was shaped by years spent at The Little School as a young child, but it’s not difficult to surmise, from this report, that I was pretty engaged in the work and play of being four. It is also clear that my teachers were paying attention, nurturing my learning and development, noting my interests and valuing my imaginary life alongside my practical skills with shoelaces and zippers.

• Instead of a lock-step, one-size-fits-all curriculum, learning is tailored to a child’s developmental and individual needs.

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• Instead of preschool and elementary school being the means to an end, the work and play of childhood is inherently valuable as an end in itself.

• Instead of seeing children as immature or childish, young children are treated as whole persons in their own right, and the distinct stages of child development are valued and understood.

• Instead of having to work alone and prove their competence through tests, students learn in a social context where they need to cooperate and demonstrate learning in lots of different ways.

• Instead of being motivated by rewards and punishments, children are intrinsically curious and motivated by a drive to discover, understand, create and belong.

• Instead of being forgettable or irrelevant, children’s relational and emotional lives are deeply important; they require a social environment among other children and healthy relationships with trusted adults.

• Instead of sitting at desks or learning by rote, children are active agents of their learning; they develop meaning though sense, experience, guidance and practice.

• Instead of school being something that only happens indoors, important learning takes place outside in nature and in play areas.

… as our affiliation with the associations of progressive or independent educators opened new partnerships and invited the cross-pollination of ideas.

• The outdoor realm is not a recess from learning; it is another classroom where physical, social, imaginative learning takes place, in addition to discovery, wonder and solitude.

… as we grew into new climbers, buildings and indoor/ outdoor spaces for our community to thrive.

These are some of the core beliefs upon which TLS took root. The school, along with this progressive, earthy, childcentered philosophy, grew as strong as the large cedar tree behind the Woods Building that students call the Mother Tree. For sixty years the school has maintained a familiar mission, with sturdy traditions and well-tended pedagogical methods.

The Little School “mother tree” of 2019 would still be familiar to The Little School “sapling” of 1959, but it would also look a little different. As the word progressive implies, the school has also continued to evolve and make progress. New branches, green with possibility, emerged … … as research about the brain shed light on promising new teaching practices and curriculum. … as computer technology opened up new methods for communicating and accessing information. … as our increasingly diverse student population shined a light on the global community that connects us. … as we grew in our commitment and efforts to be inclusive and culturally responsive. … as we harnessed more creative and scientific learning through dedicated programs in art, music, drama and environmental education. … as workplace collaboration opened up new possibilities for faculty to learn and teach together. … as our forested campus taught us to be better stewards of nature and also better nature-educators.

At the beginning of the school year, Peter asked all of us to reflect and write some of the elements that make for a great education, and a great progressive education at that. As I was looking through the notes collected from my colleagues, I noticed this idea jotted in a margin: “The world we are preparing students for is beyond our current imagination.”

I have thought about that idea this fall as I watched 5-yearolds politely, assertively negotiate when building a town with big blocks in the Center Room. That thought also became real when I watched 10-year-olds sitting in a circle, in a reading group, talking earnestly about literary devices like metaphors (that I don’t think I learned until I was in high school), and then when I saw those same 10-year-olds pretend to be a tribe of cats, harvesting herbs and making mud-balls out in the woods.

It’s true that we can’t really imagine what the world will look like when our students grow up, and it can be a little scary when we try. But what we can imagine – and even know for certain – is that we are providing our students with an education that is serving them exceptionally well as the 3-, 5-, 7-, or 11-year-olds they are right now, and this education is both the means and the ends that will prepare them for the unimaginable future that they inherit. Better yet – like a mudball, a bigblock town, a tribe of cats or a metaphor – theirs will be a big future, and a world of hope and possibility, that they themselves create.

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HIGHLIGHTS FR APRIL 30,

SEPTEMBER 9,

1959 1960 1962 1966 The Little School of Seattle opens at the University Unitarian Church.

First Children’s Art Show is held.

The name changes to Art Festival in 1990.

Sing is a TLS tradition from the beginning, started by Mascha Siegl.

1976

Friends of The Little School is established.

This would become the Parent Association (PAC) and now the Parent/Guardian Association (PGA).

SEPTEMBER 17,

1981 1988 1989

The Little School becomes an accredited member of the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent School (now NWAIS).

Teacher Jill Boyd begins the Bread Tab Collection. The tradition was carried on by teachers Kathi Titus and Joyce Kidd-Miller and now rests with Cindy Sorensen and Alison Bower’s class.

2007 2010 Dedication of the Renée Motley-Colbert Memorial.

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The Little School of Seattle is formally approved by the Washington State Board of Education. The name was changed to The Little School when we moved to Bellevue.

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Peter Berner-Hays becomes interim head of school; appointed head in 2011.

Founder Eleanor Siegl retires as head of school; remains involved with TLS as director emerita.

Dedication of the Eleanor Siegl Library Learning Center and the Roush Family Library.

2012 2013 Celebration for collecting 100,000 bread tabs.

The Little School debuts a new logo.

ROM

YEARS APRIL 2,

1968 1970 1971 1973 The Central Branch of The Little School is led

by TLS teachers Pat Melgard and Marge Johnson. In 1972, it became the Central Branch Preschool, independent from TLS.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Woods Building, the first built on the Bellevue campus.

1993 1994

First classes take place in the Woods Building on the Bellevue campus.

Groundbreaking on the Meadows Building.

For the first time, the school year begins with students in the Meadows and Woods buildings.

2001 2003

The first Ice Cream Social is held in conjuction with the Big Climber Celebration.

Paul Brahce becomes director of The Little School.

Renovations are completed on the Woods and Meadows buildings to upgrade the classrooms and enclose the Woods Courtyard.

2014

2015

2018

The Board of Trustees shares the Long-Term Stragetic Plan 2014-2021.

The Little School Alumni Reunion becomes an annual event.

Celebration for collecting the second 100,000 bread tabs.

Covered Court built behind the Woods Building.

The Little School Alumni Association Board is established.

TLS celebrates diversity with the first Heritage Festival.

ONWARD!

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BREAKING GROUND ON BIG FUTURES

BY KELLY CHANG, TLS BOARD CHAIR

In 1969, generous donors supported The Little School in purchasing 9.6 acres of wooded land in Bellevue where our students still run, laugh and learn today.

Following the acquisition of this special place, The Little School initiated a capital campaign to finance the construction of the first buildings The Little School could call its own. A brochure from that effort explained the aim of The Little School “was to encourage maximum individual growth intellectually, socially and emotionally.

To this end it pledged itself to the search for those unique, priceless qualities within each child.” In 2018, now on 12.5 acres, celebrating our 60th anniversary and embarking on an exciting enhancement to the built spaces of our wooded wonderland, we are just as committed to and inspired by the strong sense of self that can be nurtured, celebrated and unleashed in childhood. Since the church basement in Seattle, the integration of balanced social, emotional and academic learning, to achieve maximum individual

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THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

“ Our enhanced campus and facilities represent our commitment to our unique program and the families we serve.”

“ This investment in the future of our school announces our enduring commitment to bold, progressive education in a natural setting.” growth and to nourish the innate love of learning children have, motivates all that we do in service of our school, teaching professionals, families, children and community.

Periodically, the school takes a deep and long-term view of its mission and work. Our strategic direction through 2021 was laid out in a plan developed by the Board of Trustees through a yearlong, community-wide process in 2013. This plan prioritized renewing our education program, improving overall enrollment and retention, and nurturing a vibrant community. While we will always strive to deliver the most outstanding child-

centered program supported by strong enrollment in the context of a vibrant community, our steady progress on these initiatives the last five years has set us up to focus now on our fourth and final goal: revitalization and expansion of our campus and facilities. As you watch construction on the culminating stage of the last strategic plan cement Peter’s legacy, a new round of strategic planning will commence under Julie Kalmus’ leadership in July 2019, a couple of years ahead of schedule.

The 2013-21 strategic plan set the course for work related to each initiative, thus setting the stage, among other things, for us to purchase a strip of land from the City of Bellevue in 2017 that had previously run through The Little School campus. We now own four contiguous parcels. Before the current school year closes, we will break ground on an exciting campus plan that preserves our woods and Big Field, creates a large community gathering space, and improves vehicle and pedestrian safety and flow. The vision for The Little School

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“ Our commitment to childhood learning and growth and the vision for our campus have been with us since our founding.”

^ Original plans for The Little School Bellevue campus, circa 1969.

campus is the result of three years of planning led by a committee of trustees, faculty, administration and parents. It incorporates input from the entire community.

The design is updated, modest, authentic, functional, flexible and of course, child- and community-centered.

It also mirrors the vision of The Little School campus originally conceived when it first moved to Bellevue, preserving space and opportunity for the natural movement of children between classrooms through the outdoors. We will also refresh our existing buildings to foster deeper collaboration and more social connection while keeping children at the center of what we do.

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THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

While there are many benefits to a community gathering space and renewed building configurations and finishes that we will all enjoy, our campus plan achieves yet more.

Our enhanced campus and facilities represent our commitment to our unique program and the families we serve. This investment in the future of our school announces our enduring commitment to bold, progressive education in a natural setting. What we do at The Little School works, is great for children, and matters in and beyond our community. Our commitment to childhood learning and growth and the vision for our campus have been with us since our founding. So has our conviction in our work and our mission. What was said the first time we broke ground on a major capital project in 1970 is just as true today: “With the achievement of this goal, The Little School will come forth to stand as a profound declaration that its concepts about children and learning can and should be practiced in all schools today.” As we celebrate our 60th anniversary and break ground on a long-awaited community gathering space, we claim our status as a leader of progressive education, influencing the learning experience of children beyond the boundaries of our woods for another sixty years.

2017-2018 OPERATING REVENUE AND EXPENSES REVENUE

Tuition Contributions After School Programs Investment Income Other

$3,603,422 $490,389 $120,666 $417,377 $74,323

77% 10% 3% 9% 1%

EXPENSES

2017-2018 DONORS The Little School has a long history of living the principles of progressive education, advocating for others, and coming together to support the community and the school. THANK YOU to the following donors who generously continue this tradition with their support to the Annual Fund and auction.

Anonymous (9) Diana and Michael Albrecht Mehrdad and Rosie Amini Melinda and Mike Amoratis Kala Anantharaman and Suchindra Katageri Joan and Kevin Anderson Troy Anderson and Desiree Gallardo Keiko Andrews Renga Arunachalam and Ravi Shanmugam Michael Asbridge Julia and Michael Atalla Angela and Steve Ayres Bader Martin, PS Jennifer and Robert Bayersdorfer William and Gail Bain

Compensation $2,911,077 72% Program $247,544 6% Financial Aid $360,775 9% Fundraising $175,840 4% Facilities, General & Administrative $377,697 9%

Rachel Bajema and Andrew Schnickel Bob and Vickie Baldwin Eun and Travis Barron Laurel Bauer Noelle and Greg Beams Saliana and Adam Benzion Peter Berner-Hays Ojasa and Nihar Bihani Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Margie and Ken Bloch Noah Bochner Ludmila and Marco Bombardi Tara and Michael Borysenko Monique Bradshaw and Ada Duan Phil Brandt Liane and David Breckling Rachel Brodsky and Andrew Finch Julie Brumley

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J. Colin Cagney Malisa and Colin Cagney Monica Cermeno Vazquez and David Cornette Michael and Kelly Chang Srivalli Chavali and Sharath Malladi Hannah Chen Rachel Chen Chien-Her Chin and Hsiao-Chuan Huang Nico Chua Loyce and Peter Chung Columbia Bank Kristin and Jeremy Condit Cynthia Conner and Brent Coyle Terry Coonan and Judy Shedd Tammy Crook Nicole Curry and Sam Uzwack Don and Jeanne Dahlin Mike and Marla Dahlin Rosie and Danny Dalal Lisa Decker Allie and Diane Deitel Maria Dogero Becky Dolan The Donhoffs The Drazin Family Abhishek Dubey and Neha Goswami David and Sharon Ebbo Jamie-Rose and Mark Edwards The Edwards Family Tricia and Andrew Enfield Expedia Yi Fang and Wei Shao Carlos Figueira and Flavia Amaral The Flake Family Jeff Fowler and Noel Murphy Betty Fowler-Hannaford Robin Fransen Yoriko Fujimaki and Atsushi Yoshida Saakshi Gangwal and Sankalp Jain Brian Gawthrop Jaime and Paul Gerber Stephen Gillett and Nina Crocker Diana Glendenning Julie Glendenning and Mark Freid Dhruv Golconda Singh Steve Goldenberg Domenique Goncalves Google Francisco Grijalva, Ed.D. Julie and Jeff Guillot Ying Guo and Jianhui Wu Amanda Haecker Ben and Margaret Hall

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THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Brooke Hall Janna, Jon, Joed and Jessup Hamaker Deb Hamlin Drew Hamlin Dustin and Amanda Hamlin Nicolette and John Hancock Alice Hauschka and Sean Walsh Nina Hawley Gabi Hays Brad Herman Jules Hetland Highland Capital Advisors Lena and Gerald Hirschler Robyn Hites Kristin Hornell Mark Hotopp Yifen Huang and Robert Chen HUB International Limited Claudia Hung and Tim Burrell Greta Huntley Patrick Hutchins The Imbach and Nowka Family Pooja Jain and Apoorav Trehan Iris Jang and Harris Hyun Adana and Thomas Jimma Larrissa and Shawn Johnson Tiana Johnson and Kyle Dickson Jones Boys Maintenance, Inc. Jessica Kehoe Ajay and Sushma Kalhan Catherine Kao and Ambrose Wang Ellen Kaspi Maya Kaspi Puneet Kaur and Madhav Pandya Karin Keis and David Nister Molly Kernan Key Bank Joyce Kidd-Miller The Kimchis Dan Klusman and Kathy Gibson Erik Knutson Tina Knutson Judy and Eugene Koh Nora Korg Jeff Krauss and Meredith McClurg Michael Kroll Kary S. Kublin, Ph.D. Kula Foundation Clarissa Kuo and Can Zhao Michael Kuo and Yuchi Wang Laurel and Jeremy Lainer Jackie Latif Jieun Lee and Eiden Kim Michael LeFevre and Selena Shelley Julia and Randall Lehner Tara and Adam Levin-Delson Nancy Levine Tao and Liya Li Johanna and John Liberto Sylvie Lietart and Brian Smith Curtis and Jeanie Light Iris Liu and Felix Cao Sue Livingstone and Donald Padelford Heloisa Machado David and Laura Mann Cindy Marriott

Kiki and Wayne Martin Nicole Matthews Vilma and Michael McComsey The McComsey Family Thamis and Fernando Mendez Michele Mendrick Mem Merrin and Adam Harrison Meysen Academy Microsoft EasyMatch Microsoft Volunteer Program

Courtney Miller-Jones and Daniel Goldstein Martha Moe and Craig Wilson Keri Moran and Guy Gilbert Mike Murphy Sandy Nathan and Kamesh Subramaniam Jimmy Ng Jule and Jonas Norberg Nordstrom Matching Gifts The Norman Family Nvidia Optimus Fundraising The Osborne Family Suprita Pagad and Madhusudan Hosaagrahara Nancy Palmer Heather and Intaik Park Jasmin Pelayo Hannah and Joel Pelley Janice Pelley Rachel Pennoyer McClelland Amitha and Yinglin Perera Christina and Fitz Peters Kendra and Jeff Petkau Lark and Daniel Preyapongpisan Taite Pryor Priya Raghav and Raghav Kaushik Habib Rahbar and Zarry Tavakkol Noa Rappaport and Nir Mardiks PJ Rawlings

Dan Reger and Amy Darke The Roberts Family Samantha and Colin Robertson Stan and Marilyn Ross Phillip and Leah Saltzman Dheeraj Sarpangal and Nithya Ramkumar Priya Sathy and Amesh Mansukhani Rob and Charlene Saunders Jodi and Peter Scharlock Paul Schlachter Rebecca Sears and Joe Burcar Seattle Children’s Cassie and Roy Seney Tarang and Siddharth Shah Laura Simeon and Pippa Marple Jo Smith Natalie Helena Smith Mel and Cindy Sorensen Starbucks Partner Match Jenny and Tim Steen Gary and Kathryn Stevenson Christy Stewart Lindsey Stibbard Erica and Karl Stricker

Denice and Johnny Sun Sara and Christoph Suter Tableau Foundation Sara Tahir and Hassan Javed The Teevan Hehmeyer Family Robert Thompson Kathi Titus James Todd Kristin Trace and Jeffrey Richter Shirley and George Tsang Claire Tu and David Lai Carrie Vaughan Portia Vaughan Vinum Wine Importers & Distributers, LLC Sally Vongsathorn Ted Wallace and Amy Cilley Yunyan Wang and Gary Purchase Darlene Wang Ethan Wang Lizzy Wang Katie Warden Heidi and Corey Weathers Cindy Weber Regan Wensnahan Colleen Wes Emmett and Kathleen Wessel The Westfahl Family Ann and Tyler Williams Ken and Dawn Wojciechowski Jasper Wong and Eunice Kim Lucas Wright The Wright Family Shirley Yeung and Davin Chin Bob Zeinemann and Rachael Wyman Peter Zetterberg and Pamela Kessler The Zien Family

GIVING TO HONOR All children – Sara and Christoph Suter Andrew Tsang – Shirley and George Tsang Birds & Bees – Saliana and Adam Benzion Jackie’s class – Rebecca Sears and Joe Burcar James Adler Cagney – J. Colin Cagney Jia’s paternal grandparents – Kala Anantharaman and Suchindra Katageri Jia’s maternal grandparents – Kala Anantharaman and Suchindra Katageri Kristin Hornell – Judy and Eugene Koh Nancy Palmer’s 34 years of service – Drew Hamlin Peter Berner-Hays for his kindness – Allie and Diane Deitel Sienna Benzion – Saliana and Adam Benzion GIVING TO REMEMBER Ramaratnam Rama Ganesan – Priya Raghav and Raghav Kaushik IN-KIND GIFTS Belleden Café Jeremy and Kristin Condit David, Laura and Mercer Mann

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2017-2018 DONORS TO FINANCIAL AID The room was buzzing with a sense of community and collective appreciation as our auction guests came together to make a big impact â&#x20AC;&#x201D; raising $98,435 for financial aid.

These funds allow us to make The Little School accessible to a broader range of students. THANK YOU! Melinda and Mike Amoratis Joan and Kevin Anderson Troy Anderson and Desiree Gallardo Keiko Andrews Julia and Michael Atalla Angela and Steve Ayres Jennifer and Robert Bayersdorfer Peter Berner-Hays Ojasa and Nihar Bihani Noah Bochner Monique Bradshaw and Ada Duan Phil Brandt Julie Brumley Monica Cermeno Vazquez and David Cornette Michael and Kelly Chang Kenny and Jade Chen Rachel Chen Kristin and Jeremy Condit Terry Coonan and Judy Shedd Nicole Curry and Sam Uzwack Mike and Marla Dahlin Lisa Decker Joanne and David Donhoff Abhishek Dubey and Neha Goswami Expedia Yi Fang and Wei Shao Betty Fowler-Hannaford Jeff Fowler and Noel Murphy Jaime and Paul Gerber Stephen Gillett and Nina Crocker Julie Glendenning and Mark Freid Google Francisco Grijalva, Ed.D. Julie and Jeff Guillot Amanda Haecker Janna and Jon Hamaker Nicolette and John Hancock Alice Hauschka and Sean Walsh Nina Hawley Brad Herman Jules Hetland Claudia Hung and Tim Burrell Sarah Imbach and Andy Nowka Adana and Thomas Jimma Tiana Johnson and Kyle Dickson Ajay Kalhan and Sushma Verma Ellen Kaspi Maya Kaspi Karin Keis and David Nister Molly Kernan Dan Klusman and Kathy Gibson Tina Knutson Jeff Krauss and Meredith McClurg

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THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Michael Kroll Michael Kuo and Yuchi Wang Laurel and Jeremy Lainer Jackie Latif Nancy Levine Johanna and John Liberto Curtis and Jeanie Light Iris Liu and Felix Cao Nicole Matthews Fernando Mendez and Thamis Esteves-Mendez Mem Merrin and Adam Harrison Microsoft Courtney Miller-Jones and Daniel Goldstein Keri Moran and Guy Gilbert Jimmy Ng Jule and Jonas Norberg Matt and Kathryn Osborne Nancy Palmer Hannah and Joel Pelley Rachel Pennoyer McClelland Kendra and Jeff Petkau Habib Rahbar and Zarry Tavakkol Noa Rappaport and Nir Mardiks Dan Reger and Amy Darke Carrie and Oliver Roberts Leah and Phillip Saltzman Rob and Charlene Saunders Jodi and Peter Scharlock Paul Schlachter Rebecca Sears and Joe Burcar Tarang and Siddharth Shah Jo Smith Mel and Cindy Sorensen Tim and Jenny Steen Lindsey Stibbard Erica and Karl Stricker Sara Tahir and Hassan Javed Claire Tu and David Lai Carrie Vaughan Sally Vongsathorn Ted Wallace and Amy Cilley Catherine Kao and Ambrose Wang Katie Warden Heidi and Corey Weathers Cindy Weber Regan Wensnahan Colleen Wes Shannon and Dan Westfahl Shirley Yeung and Davin Chin Bob Zeinemann and Rachael Wyman Peter Zetterberg and Pamela Kessler

OUTGROWING The New Alum Lunch has become a new tradition as part of the rites of passage our students go through as they prepare to outgrow. This year, TLS alum and Alumni Association Board member Sydney Hopper attended the lunch to talk with the outgrowers and other soon-to-be alums about her experiences as she moved on to middle school. Sydney also shared what we all know to be true — once you are part of The Little School, you are part of the family and always welcomed back.

OUTGROWERS

Asa Zeinemann – Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, Seattle Ashlan Chang – Kamiakin Middle School, Kirkland Claire Todd – Redmond Middle School, Redmond Jake Guillot – West Ridge Middle School, Texas Kayden Weathers – Environmental and Adventure School, Kirkland Levi Drazin – Northwest School, Seattle Mercer Mann – Northwest School, Seattle Olivia King-Liu – Big Picture School, Bellevue Paul Petkau – Hillside Community School, Bellevue Sam Flake – Big Picture School, Bellevue Stella Church – Bright Water Waldorf School, Seattle NEW ALUMS

Axel Norberg – Oso Grande Elementary School, California Cameron Amini – Grand Ridge Elementary, Issaquah Colin Albrecht – Cherry Crest Elementary, Bellevue Luca Bombardi – Summers-Knoll School, Michigan Matthew Jellinghaus – Eastside Preparatory School, Kirkland Takahiro Yoshida – Alexander Graham Bell Elementary, Kirkland

Pictured (l-r): Taka Yoshida, Axel Norberg, Asa Zeinemann, Matthew Jellinghaus, Levi Drazin, Stella Church, Claire Todd, Kayden Weathers, Ashlan Chang, Olivia King-Liu, Jake Guillot, Paul Petkau, Sam Flake, Luca Bombardi, Colin Albrecht, Cameron Amini | Not pictured: Mercer Mann

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YEARS IN THE MAKING

BY BECKY DOLAN, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

The 60th year of The Little School should officially be known as the Year of the Alums. With trustee and alumni parent Judy Shedd leading the way, the school officially launched The Little School Alumni Association Board (AAB) in 2018. The mission of the Alumni Association is to engage, connect and celebrate the alumni community in support of The Little School. These are words the AAB members take to heart. In 2018, the AAB has initiated two first-ever events, Alum Splash Day and the Dip & Sip, an event for alums 21 and over to relive some fond memories making candles.

The 4th Annual TLS Alumni Reunion took place on January 3, 2019 as well.

In addition to planning great events, the AAB wants to serve as a communication link for and among alumni students, parents and guardians, faculty and staff, and The Little School Board of Trustees. As they further their work, you should expect to hear from them more often about ways that you can connect and engage, network with other TLS alums and share your memories to help maintain the school’s history.

If you’re interested in learning more about the work of the AAB, reconnecting with the school or getting involved, send an email to TLS-alums@thelittleschool.org.

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THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

I outgrew The Little School in 2006, and since then I have been reminded of my time here many times. When I received an invitation to come to an AAB meeting, I was excited to reconnect with The Little School and overjoyed with the opportunity to be part of a group dedicated to bringing together the alumni community and giving them the opportunity to reconnect with each other and the school.

—Chris Little, AAB Chair Even 10 years after outgrowing, The Little School is never far from my mind. I constantly feel the impact that the community and its members had on me, and feel that my time as a TLS student was essential in developing my love of learning and school, a passion that has given me a lot of incredible opportunities in my young life! It is out of a love and gratitude for this school that I joined the AAB — I hope it can help connect alumni both to each other and back to the school.

—Sydney Hopper, Outgrew in 2008 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS

Christopher Little, alumnus and AAB Chair Angela Ayres, alumna/current and alumni parent Jessica Christianson, alumna and former teacher Anni Coonan, alumni Jules Hetland, teaching assistant Sydney Hopper, alumna Grant Mitchell, alumnus Judy Shedd, alumni parent and trustee Max Sheffield, alumnus Jenny Steen, alumna, former staff member and trustee Kathi Titus, former teacher Jasper Yao, alumnus Becky Dolan, Ex-officio

UPCOMING EVENTS

Make plans to join us at these upcoming events and help The Little School

CELEBRATE 60!

MANY HATS

The Little School 60th Anniversary Celebration & Auction March 23, 2019 5:30 p.m.

Bellevue Marriott Art Festival May 4, 2019 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Little School

During Joyce Kidd-Miller’s time at TLS, she wore many hats: those of a nanny, a teacher, a parent, a grandmother, a colleague and a friend. In 2018, we saw her add an outgrower hat to her collection.

For 42 of The Little School’s 60 years, Joyce has been part of our story. In all those years, Joyce was unwavering in her dedication to progressive education and her commitment to children. We can’t thank Joyce enough for all she has done for The Little School.

No doubt, she has many TLS stories to tell. Onward!

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thelittleschool.org

OUR MISSION

The mission of The Little School is to keep alive each childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, to support balanced social and academic skill development, and to foster community minded, compassionate and intrinsically motivated students.

OUR VISION

We imagine a world where education inspires children to develop a strong sense of self and the courage to become innovative and empathetic leaders.

WHERE BIG FUTURES BEGIN