The Little School 2018-2019 Annual Report

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2018-2019

ANNUAL REPORT


2018-2019 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Kelly Chang CHAIR

Abhishek Dubey VICE CHAIR

Frank Grijalva SECRETARY

Phil Brandt TREASURER

Monique Bloch Davin Chin Lisa Decker

Stephen Gillett Claudia Hung Ellen Kaspi Dan Klusman Kendra Petkau Paul Schlachter Judy Shedd Jenny Steen Dan Westfahl Bob Zeinemann

EX-OFFICIO

Peter Berner-Hays HEAD OF SCHOOL

Mike Murphy

FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE

Tina Knutson PGA CHAIR

Chris Little AAB CHAIR

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear TLS Families and Friends, It has been my great pleasure to join the Little School community as it prepares to launch the next decade of growth and possibility. I have found a rich legacy of excellence and care from which to draw inspiration. Indeed, it is within our founding vision that I find the ideals that will launch us into our next 60 years of vibrancy, community and meaningful learning: PIONEERING SPIRIT: Eleanor Siegl, The Little School’s founder, was an educational pioneer and visionary. She believed that school could and should be better for children and designed a progressive school meant to celebrate the child as a friend, learner, citizen and individual. She believed “best practice” was an iterative experience of carefully observing and knowing children, staying at the forefront of research, applying

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THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT


that learning to practice through responsive curricular design, reflecting on its impact in the daily life of the classroom and adjusting to best match the needs of children. In this Age of Information, The Little School is primed to embrace this pioneering spirit and deepen its commitment to design experiences that are responsive to each child, anchored in research and informed by purpose and meaning. PASSION FOR CHILDREN AND CHILDHOOD: The Little School leads with its respect and care for children. From leaping unbridled through the forest on a fairy hunt to cozying up beside a teacher for a quiet story, we put children and childhood at the center of our story. However, the story of childhood in our society is ever-changing and shifting. The Little School recognizes this complexity and is positioned to be a dynamic oasis for children as they explore and engage their world. COMMITMENT TO LEARNING FOR ALL: Schools are places of learning. The Little School believes that all members of a school should be embraced as learners. Our natural curiosity as students, parents, educators and community members drew many of us to the school. The Little School is ready to reinvigorate its commitment to professional development and parent education in a way that celebrates its culture of curiosity in all constituents. CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY: The composition of The Little School community evolves each year, but our devotion to that community connectedness is unwavering. Part of what adds to the school’s magic are the ways that families, students and faculty know and respect one another. The research on the power of connectedness and its correlation to happiness and success has been affirmed time and again. The Little School is prepared to expand its sense of community and more deeply connect with one another.

As the school reflects on the 2018-19 school year, it is easy to see how it boldly launched new initiatives that will define our future and secure our sustainability: • We successfully completed our re-accreditation process with the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), writing a beautiful self-study that captured the history, growth and opportunities at the school with depth and reflection. • TLS launched a capital campaign, the Campaign for a Big Future, to fund the revitalization of the campus and the construction of a multipurpose building that will allow us to bring our community together in new and meaningful ways. • Our community came together to celebrate its 60th anniversary in a variety of ways, joyfully reconnecting with families and community members from across the years. • Long-tenured faculty and staff, Nancy Palmer, Steve Goldenberg and Peter Berner-Hayes recounted the school’s journey and values with passion and impact before closing their own chapters with TLS. As each of these events unfolded, children remained at the center of our conversations and days. The school welcomed the most international population in its history. Nineteen students outgrew in June, ready to launch into their new schools with the gifts of self-advocacy, curiosity, intrinsic motivation, compassion and community mindedness that are hallmarks of our program. What will the next sixty years at TLS hold? It is my honor to join each of you in writing the story of our future together. Here is to a joyful year ahead!

Julie Kalmus Head of School

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BUILDING BRIDGES TO DEEPER UNDERSTANDING IN THE MATH CLASSROOM

BY ALICE HAUSCHKA, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

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Imagine the future towards which students will contribute their hearts and minds. How will our teaching and curriculum engage our students’ thinking and skill development so that they are best equipped to tackle the problems and opportunities of the 21st century? What kind of mathematical learning provides the best foundation for the future designers, engineers, inventors, entrepreneurs, farmers, teachers, diplomats, artists, nurses, researchers and citizens we are educating? How can their school and home experiences at age 4, 7 or 11 promote our children’s strong identity as mathematicians and their lifelong willingness to raise their hand to say “yes” to mathematical challenges and opportunities – and to have fun while they are at it?

THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT


WE BELIEVE … Learning is a collaborative and social endeavor. Learning is a process of constructing meaning to make sense of concepts. Learning requires perseverance and willingness to experience disequilibrium. BRIDGES TEACHERS … Encourage students to be responsible for their own learning. Use good questioning strategies and draw out student thinking. Promote discourse while creating a safe learning environment. During the 2018-19 school year, we tackled the more pragmatic aspect of these questions, specifically reviewing our K-5 math curriculum, piloting and researching new curriculum, and paving the way for a major update in the way that we teach math. Our teachers were eager to invest the time and resources to help us meet the challenge of ensuring the powerful level of skill development, engagement and confidence that all of our students are capable of accomplishing. Beginning in February 2018, our Math Curriculum Task Force — a collaboration with teachers from K, 1, 2/3 and 4/5 and me — led this investigation and piloted new curriculum. Ultimately, we approached this as an inquiry process: generating questions about what we wanted in a strong math curriculum, charting a timeline for researching curricula used by other independent or progressive schools, experimenting with different curricula and assessing their effectiveness. Most importantly, we were interested in how our students were learning, how we were able to engage all levels and different capacities for challenge, and how well our students seemed to be building both the skills and the dispositions as mathematical thinkers.

BRIDGES STUDENTS … Solve problems using visual models and manipulatives. Make and test conjectures while recording their thinking. Talk and move around the classroom as they actively engage in learning.

The Math Curriculum Task Force ultimately recommended the school adopt the Bridges curriculum. Bridges meets the desired outcomes of our questions and aligns with all our goals: • It matches our progressive vision for hands-on, constructivist learning. • It supports teachers in building a math-positive classroom community full of choice, interaction, dialogue, small group work and challenge at high levels. • It supports students in building their confidence and affinity for math, so that they are able to learn skills at the highest level they are capable. • It provides rich mathematical tasks, problems and games that promote active and meaningful learning. • It challenges students to apply mathematical thinking practices and test their skills by modeling, reasoning, explaining and revising their thinking. • It promotes a growth mindset as students develop their identities as mathematicians, celebrating deep thinking and wonder to develop true understanding. Curiosity and mathematical thinking go hand-in-hand. We’ve found a curricular tool that aligns with our philosophy and deepens the resources we have to engage each mathematician at TLS in a meaningful way.

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The Campaign for a Big Future is a once-in-ageneration opportunity to expand and modernize our campus, strengthen our mission and ensure The Little School’s future. This list includes all donors who made their commitment to the Campaign for a Big Future prior to June 30, 2019. We are grateful to these individuals, foundations and corporations and to all who join them in supporting the future of The Little School and the students we serve.

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LEADERSHIP DONORS The Borysenko Family * The Hung-Burrell Family Michael and Kelly Chang Tessie Che and Michael Chang The Dahlin Family * Joed, Jessup, Janna and Jon * Drew Hamlin Glen and Mei-Chang Hung Sushma Verma and Ajay Kalhan * Christina Knutson Curtis, Jeanie and Nora Light * The Petkau Family Ren Che Foundation

Tao and Liya Li Microsoft The Mitchell Family Moccasin Lake Foundation Joanne Edinberg and Joseph Notarangelo The Osborne Family The Rahbar-Tavakkol Family Colin, Samantha and Max Robertson * Wei Shao and Yi Fang * The Little School Faculty and Staff + Edward Wallace and Amy Cilley The Williams Family * Rachael Wyman and Bob Zeinemann Peter Zetterberg and Pamela Kessler *

MAJOR DONORS Anonymous Sienna Benzion Ojasa and Nihar Bihani * Monique Bradshaw and Ada Duan * Kenny Chen and Jade Qiang Davin Chin and Shirley Yeung Jeremy and Kristin Condit * Danron, LLC Neha Goswami and Abhishek Dubey Noel Murphy and Jeff Fowler Stephen Gillett and Nina Crocker Steven and Gayla Hites Scott and Mindy Hopper Mark and Anelise Hotopp The Iatco Family * Larrissa and Shawn Johnson * Ellen Kaspi

COMMUNITY DONORS Cigdem and Hakan Aygun * Noelle and Greg Beams Monique Bloch * Jen and Phil Brandt Terry Coonan and Judy Shedd Lisa Decker David and Joanne Donhoff Fernando Mendez Sarah and Will Gallien Google Francisco and Susan Grijalva Nicolette and John Hancock Gabi Hays Kimco Realty Company Dan Klusman and Kathy Gibson Toshihiko and Sarah Niwa Mary Pat and John Osterhaus

THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Amitha and Yinglin Perera * Dan Reger and Amy Darke * Paul Schlachter Starbucks Partner Match Tim and Jenny Steen Lindsey Stibbard Kelly Webster The Westfahl Family

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING LITTLE SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS FOR THEIR COLLECTIVE GIFT TO THE CAMPAIGN FOR A BIG FUTURE: Michael Asbridge Amy and Peter Berner-Hays Alison and Crai Bower Tamara and Brian Crook * Maria Dogero Becky and Jerry Dolan Amanda Haecker Alice Hauschka and Sean Walsh Jules Hetland Kristin Hornell Julie Irvine Tiana Johnson and Kyle Dickson Ted and Julie Kalmus Rachel Kotkin Kary S. Kublin, Ph.D. Nancy Levine Nicole Matthews Michele Mendrick


Mem Merrin and Adam Harrison * Nancy Palmer Jo Smith Mel and Cindy Sorensen Keiko Andrews Jose Vazquez Katie Warden Heidi and Corey Weathers Regan Wensnahan Colleen Wes Ken and Dawn Wojciechowski * We also extend an extra thanks to these donors, who have increased the impact of their gift by securing matching funds from their employers.

As of December 20, 2019, we have raised over $3.3 million for the Campaign for a Big Future. Your help is still needed to raise the $4.5 million needed for this bold project. To make a gift and see more about the purpose and progress of this amazing effort, go to the Campaign for a Big Future website at bigfuture.thelittleschool.org.

^ For the final march of the May Day Parade, Nancy Palmer leads students through what will be the breezeway of the new multipurpose building.

< Joe from Bayley Construction teaches students about some of the big equipment being used for our campus reconfiguration, as well as the importance of site safety and personal protective gear.

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HANDS-ON STEWARDSHIP BY JESSIE RYAN, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SPECIALIST

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The Little School community is incredibly fortunate to have acres of rich second-growth forest for students to explore — soft, damp mosses to run their fingers through, decomposing logs filled with crawling bugs to catch, trees to lean against as they read and write, and unplanned teachable moments around every corner. Students’ everyday encounters with the natural world are what shape the curriculum of the environmental education program at The Little School – grounded in the unexpected, in questions and in curiosity.

THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT


Utilizing such an emergent curriculum and emphasizing seasonal changes allows students to build connections between their everyday natural curiosities and their learning. Whose leaves are falling in the play area in October? Where do our banana slug neighbors go in winter? What does a robin’s nest look like? Let’s go outside and find out! Students at TLS excitedly engage with scientific concepts like decomposition, photosynthesis, adaptation and life cycles by exploring the changes that occur on our forested campus and gardens throughout the school year. As a result, students can build complex understandings of the interconnections between plants and animals in an ecosystem, deepen their scientific thinking skills, and, more importantly, recognize our place within these systems as caretakers. Students at TLS experience the life of a plant from seed to harvest in our community garden — from watering and sowing seeds to cooking and sharing a meal together, the garden provides students with tangible (and tasty!) ways to engage with the plants, animals and land that surrounds them. By watching their lovingly tended seedlings grow into fruits and vegetables, which are shared by the entire school, students develop an appreciation for the time and care it takes for our food to grow, learn to engage with natural spaces responsibly and respectfully, and build community with teachers and classmates over shared meals. Incorporating local Coast Salish stories and traditional knowledge into our time outdoors further solidifies students’ connections to land and place and transforms the forest from a blur of green to a medicine cabinet, a library of stories, a protective fort, and a caring friend. When students become connected to land in these ways, stewardship is a natural next step.

After only a few months of environmental education lessons, students at TLS were calling emergency meetings during recess to address the “plastic problem” that had arisen in their play spaces. In no time, we had a school-wide Campus Cleanup Collection that students filled with scraps and garbage from their play areas. Our once a week after school garden hour quickly turned into a daily garden club; colorful drawings of birds covered classroom windows to protect our neighbors from collisions; scrapes on the playground were soothed with yarrow and salal from the student-made forest medicine garden. Not only do TLS students recognize their role as stewards of their beloved forest, but they take the job into their own hands. Environmental stewardship at a local level can inspire global change. It is my hope that this program continues to empower students to see themselves as leaders for positive change in their own communities and beyond.

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2018-2019 OPERATING REVENUE AND EXPENSES TOTAL REVENUE: $4,617,320

Tuition Contributions1 After School Programs Investment Income Other

$3,658,430 79% $494,612 11% $218,792 5% $158,317 3% $87,169 2%

TOTAL EXPENSES: $4,421,140 2

Compensation $3,220,631 73% Program $396,044 9% Financial Aid $380,486 9% Fundraising $148,123 3% Facilities, General & Administrative $275,856 6%

1. Excludes Capital Campaign Revenue 2. Excludes Depreciation (NonCash)

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THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

2018-2019 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 of the Annual Fund and the 60th Anniversary Celebration & Auction. Anonymous (2) Saima Kamran and Kamran Ahsan Diana and Michael Albrecht Melinda and Mike Amoratis Annalee Anderson Keiko Andrews Laurie Apfel Liat and Guy Arama Michael Asbridge Cigdem and Hakan Aygun Angela and Steve Ayres Bob and Vickie Baldwin Jennifer and Robert Bayersdorfer Lynn Beebe Benzion Family Peter and Amy Berner-Hays Ojasa and Nihar Bihani Margie and Ken Bloch Monique Bloch Noah Bochner Tara and Michael Borysenko Alison and Crai Bower Monique Bradshaw and Ada Duan Phil and Jen Brandt Mari Brockhaus The Burcars Henry and Cindy Burgess Ursula and Fergal Burke Claudia Hung and Tim Burrell Becca Campbell The Chang Family Yifen Huang and Robert Chen Hannah Chen Chien-Her Chin and Hsiao-Chuan Huang Shirley Yeung and Davin Chin Loyce and Peter Chung Richard Coder Kristin and Jeremy Condit Amy Conley Anni Coonan Terry Coonan and Judy Shedd Monica Cermeno Vazquez and David Cornette Brent Coyle and Cynthia Conner Gretchen Crittenden Tammy Crook Caroline and Ian Curtiss Mike and Marla Dahlin Leija and John Davis Lisa Decker Maria Dogero Becky Dolan Domenique Joanne and David Donhoff Mr. and Mrs. Dore


Esther and Nick Drake Abhishek Dubey and Neha Goswami Kathleen and David Eaton Sharon and David Ebbo Sophia Egler Natalie Smith and Shmulik Eisenmann Amanda Eller Mary McConney and Marlin Eller Dennis Erwood Kristina Feliciano Flavia Amaral and Carlos Figueira Rachel Brodsky and Andrew Finch Guy Fineout Margaret Fitzgerald Noel Murphy and Jeff Fowler Camilla Franklin Julie Glendenning and Mark Freid Keri Moran and Guy Gilbert Stephen Gillett and Nina Crocker Marie Glaser Steve Goldenberg Courtney Miller-Jones and Daniel Goldstein Lu Queiroz and Jorg Gomolka Deb and Steve Grasso Francisco and Susan Grijalva Amanda Haecker Ben and Margaret Hall The Hamaker Family Amanda and Dustin Hamlin John and Nicolette Hancock The Harris-Johnston Family Alice Hauschka and Sean Walsh The Teevan Hehmeyer Family Jules Hetland Robyn Hites Elaine Chang and Roman Holenstein Erica and Brian Holley Alex Hopper Kristin Hornell Anelise and Mark Hotopp Vanessa and Jay Huang Tatiana Buga and Dan Iatco Julie Irvine The Ishizuka Family Asha Jackson Nazia Zaman and Mansoor Jafry Saakshi Gangwal and Sankalp Jain Sara Tahir and Hassan Javed Adana and Thomas Jimma Katie Johnson Larrissa and Shawn Johnson Tiana Johnson and Kyle Dickson Jessica Kehoe and Matthew Johnston Summer and Matt Jubelirer Sushma Verma and Ajay Kalhan Ted and Julie Kalmus Ellen Kaspi Kala Anantharaman and Suchindra Katageri Priya Raghav and Raghav Kaushik Elena and Ike Kehal Laurie and David Kelly Molly Kernan The Kimchi Family Dan Klusman and Kathleen Gibson Tina Knutson Judy and Eugene Koh Rachel Kotkin Meredith McClurg and Jeffrey Krauss Kary S. Kublin Kathy Kyllonen Jackie Latif Kasey and Nick LeClercq

Donors with five or more consecutive years of giving

Michael LeFevre and Selena Shelley Randy and Julia Lehner Tara and Adam Levin-Delson Nancy Levine Tao and Liya Li Curtis and Jeanie Light Lu Zhao Christopher Little Tonya Henry and Robert Little John and Gwyn Lohnas Noa and Nir Mardiks Rappaport Cindy Marriott Ryan and Amity Marriott Johnny Marsh and Brittany Tinker Nicole Matthews The McComsey Family (2) Jules and Greg McLawsen Thamis Esteves-Mendez and Fernando Mendez Michele Mendrick Wyomia and Harve Menkens Mem Merrin and Adam Harrison Jamila and Brent Merritt Meysen Academy Elizabeth and Sean Mitchell Bonnie Morris Roberto Motta Michael T. Murphy Meg Mylan Mei Michelle Karin Keis and David Nister Sarah and Toshi Niwa Nora Korg Charitable Lead Unitrust The Imbach and Nowka Family Alison and Mike Ogliore Nancy Palmer Puneet Kaur and Madhav Pandya Rebecca and Tim Panos Jacob Park Jasmin Pelayo Hannah and Joel Pelley Rachel Pennoyer Wesley Pereira Kendra and Jeff Petkau Carita Polin Minjie (Serena) Ji and Jiqun (Robert) Qi Zarry Tavakkol and Habib Rahbar PJ Rawlings Stella and Chris Ray Deirdre Reedy Amy Darke and Dan Reger Kristin Trace and Jeffrey Richter Carrie and Oliver Roberts Samantha and Colin Robertson Heidi Ruff McKenzie and Jim Russo Jessie Ryan John and Carol Sakaguchi Ling Xu and Jevan Saks Larry and Sharon Saltzman Phillip and Leah Saltzman Dheeraj Sarpangal and Nithya Ramkumar Jodi Scharlock Paul Schlachter Rachel Bajema and Andrew Schnickel David Schwartz Cassie and Roy Seney Renga Arunachalam and Ravi Shanmugam Yi Fang and Wei Shao Dhruv Golconda Singh Brian Smith and Sylvie Lietart Jo Smith

Mel and Cindy Sorensen Meg and Allen Stanley Jennifer and Tim Steen Kathryn Yates Stevenson and Gary Stevenson Lindsey Stibbard Jeffrey Stoner and Eileen Wang Karl Stricker Sandy Nathan and Kamesh Subramaniam The Suter Family Joyce Teshima Kathi Titus Laurie Towe Pooja Jain and Apoorav Trehan Shirley and George Tsang The Vaughan Family Portia Vaughan Jose Vazquez The Velastegui Family Sally Vongsathorn Michelle and Chad Wall Ted Wallace and Amy Cilley Darlene Wang Lizzy Wang Katie Warden Way Heidi and Corey Weathers Cindy Weber Kelly Webster Matt Weiner Regan Wensnahan Colleen Wes Daniel Westfahl and Shannon Westfahl Braden Wild Ann and Tyler Williams Martha Moe and Craig Wilson Christina and Denny Wilson Ken Wojciechowski Nancy Worsham Lucas Wright Diego and Lucas Wright Ying Guo and Jianhui Wu Rachael Wyman and Bob Zeinemann Peter Zetterberg and Pamela Kessler Henry Zhang and Monica Li Can Zhao and Clarissa Kuo The Zien Family

GIVING TO HONOR Cindy Weber for her work with Ara and the entire preschool class – Eugene and Judy Koh Hunter Wilson Moe – Craig Wilson and Martha Moe Nicole Matthews and Brayden Lohnas – John and Gwyn Lohnas Maria Dogero for outstanding music education – Eugene and Judy Koh Prabha and Prahalad Katageri, Seethalakshmi and Anantharam – Kala Anantharaman and Suchin Katageri MATCHING GIFTS BlackRock Boeing Matching Gifts Google Kimco Realty Company Moss Adams, LLP Microsoft Nvidia Puget Sound Energy Foundation Starbucks Partner Match T-Mobile Weyerhauser

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2018-2019 DONORS TO FINANCIAL AID This year’s auction was truly a celebration of community as we looked back on 60 years of The Little School. The evening was made exceedingly special by the presence of so many from our alum community. And in addition to raising funds for The Little School’s operating budget, our community held their paddles high and raised $103,275 for financial aid. THANK YOU to the following donors for giving generously to support The Little School community. Melinda and Mike Amoratis Keiko Andrews Liat and Guy Arama Cigdem and Hakan Aygun Angela and Steve Ayres Lynn Beebe Benzion Family Peter and Amy Berner-Hays Ojasa and Nihar Bihani Margie and Ken Bloch Monique Bloch Noah Bochner Alison and Crai Bower Monique Bradshaw and Ada Duan Mari Brockhaus Ursula and Fergal Burke Claudia Hung and Tim Burrell Kelly and Michael Chang Yifen Huang and Robert Chen Hannah Chen Shirley Yeung and Davin Chin Loyce and Peter Chung Richard Coder Kristin and Jeremy Condit Anni Coonan Monica Cermeno Vazquez and David Cornette Marla and Michael Dahlin Leija and John Davis Becky Dolan Esther Ruurda-Drake and Nick Drake Abhishek Dubey and Neha Goswami Amanda Eller Kristina Feliciano Flavia Amaral and Carlos Figueira Margaret Fitzgerald Noel Murphy and Jeff Fowler Julie Glendenning and Mark Freid Will and Sarah Gallien Keri Moran and Guy Gilbert Stephen Gillett and Nina Crocker Courtney Miller-Jones and Daniel Goldstein Francisco and Susan Grijalva Amanda Haecker Jessup, Joed, Janna and Jon Hamaker Amanda and Dustin Hamlin Nicolette and John Hancock Alice Hauschka and Sean Walsh The Teevan Hehmeyer Family Jules Hetland Robyn and Ryan Hites Kristin Hornell Sara Tahir and Hassan Javed Adana and Thomas Jimma Larrissa and Shawn Johnson Sushma Verma and Ajay Kalhan

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THE LITTLE SCHOOL 2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Ted and Julie Kalmus Ellen Kaspi Laurie and David Kelly Joyce Kidd-Miller Tina Knutson Rachel Kotkin Jeff Krauss and Meredith McClurg Jackie Latif Kasey and Nick LeClercq Nancy Levine Tao and Liya Li Jeanie and Curtis Light Christopher Little Tonya Henry and Robert Little Gwyn and John Lohnas Noa Rappaport and Nir Mardiks Brittany Tinker and Johnny Marsh Kiki and Wayne Martin Nicole Matthews Kendra and Paul McComsey Wyomia and Harve Menkens Adam Harrison and Mem Merrin Elizabeth and Sean Mitchell The Imbach and Nowka Family Alison and Mike Ogliore Nancy Palmer Rebecca and Tim Panos Hannah and Joel Pelley Kendra and Jeff Petkau Carita Polin Zarry Tavakkol and Habib Rahbar Kristin Trace and Jeffrey Richter Carrie and Oliver Roberts Jessie Ryan John and Carol Sakaguchi Leah and Phillip Saltzman Jodi Scharlock Rachel Bajema and Andrew Schnickel Yi Fang and Wei Shao Mel and Cindy Sorensen Lindsey Stibbard Joyce Teshima Sophia and Nicholas Velastegui Darlene Wang Katie Warden Heidi and Corey Weathers Matt Weiner Regan Wensnahan Colleen Wes The Westfahl Family Ying Guo and Jianhui Wu Bob Zeinemann and Rachael Wyman Pamela Kessler and Peter Zetterberg


GIVING TO HONOR Steve and Nancy’s remarkable contributions to the joy of learning at TLS – Kiki and Wayne Martin MATCHING GIFTS Boeing Matching Gifts Google Microsoft Puget Sound Energy Foundation T-Mobile AUCTION SPONSORS We are grateful to The Little School 60th Anniversary Celebration & Auction event partners for their support. Gold Partners Bayley Construction, LP Optimus Fundraising Silver Partners BNY Mellon Wealth Management Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC Pacific Portfolio Consulting, LLC Bronze Partners Alliance Management Bader Martin, PS Carpapapa Auto Group, LLC Columbia Bank Studio Meng Strazzara, Inc. P.S. Community Partners A.W.G. Dewar, Inc. Colonial Life Fidelis Communications Hub International Limited Jones Boys Maintenance, Inc. Key Bank Seattle Children’s

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OUTGROWING It was a special group of students who left TLS for middle school this year. Some had been part of the Little School community since they were infants, having older siblings or parents who attended the school, while others joined us more recently. All remain cherished members of our community, and we are excited to see the impact they have on the world. Big futures await!

OUTGROWERS

Ashton Westfahl – Pine Lake Middle School Axel Smith – Puget Sound Community School Brier Hehmeyer – The Overlake School Ben Burrell – Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences Daniel Cornette – Rosehill Middle School Ella Edwards – Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Felipe Figueira – Evergreen Middle School Fiona Ayres – Big Picture School Gabriel Coyle – Outdoor and Adventure School Gili Kimchi – Bright Water Waldorf School Guigo Mendez – Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences Katie Peters – Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences Keith Dahlin – Billings Middle School Jin Hyun – University Prep Lucas Gomolka – The Children’s School Madhvi Kalhan – Eton School Nima Rahbar – Eastside Preparatory School Oliver Pelley – Eton School Sebastian Velastegui – Evergreen Middle School NEW ALUMS

Ausby Wallace, Bon Chen, Tayla Chang and Victoria Nister ^ This year’s New Alum Lunch, hosted by the Alumni Association Board (AAB), was the last official event to take place in the Schoolhouse. Our Outgrowers and new alums left their mark on TLS history.

^ During the Outgrowing Ceremony, students enjoyed seeing pictures of each other through the years and looking back on times spent together.

^ Pictured (top, l-r): Ausby Wallace, Felipe Figueira, Lucas Gomolka, Brier Hehmeyer, Sebastian Velastegui, Tayla Chang, Oliver Pelley, Katie Peters, Keith Dahlin, Madhvi Kalhan, Ben Burrell, Fiona Ayres, Gabriel Coyle (bottom, l-r): Ashton Westfahl, Jin Hyun, Daniel Cornette, Bon Chen, Axel Smith, Gili Kimchi, Victoria Nister, Ella Edwards, Guigo Mendez

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FOND FAREWELLS

The 60th year of The Little School saw the departure of three individuals who have had a lasting and profound impact on the school and our community.

PETER BERNER-HAYS Peter joined TLS as the interim head of school in 2010 and was appointed head in 2011. His career as an educator included roles as a kindergarten teacher and school counselor, with time at four local independent schools prior to his time at The Little School. During his tenure, Peter carefully managed the school’s property and finances, setting the stage for the new building. His powerful storytelling skills illuminated individual students and teachers and highlighted the magic of TLS’ program. While memories of Peter are also linked to food for many of us — pancakes, apple cider and hot dogs — we are most grateful for his thoughtful leadership, devoted stewardship and his commitment to strengthening community.

NANCY PALMER Coming to TLS in 1984 as the school’s second librarian, Nancy quickly became part of the fabric of The Little School. Her puppet shows are legendary, as are her necklaces and the chicken feet she wore on Splash Day. However, it is Nancy’s fierce commitment to progressive education and the way she knew each student as an individual that endears her to our community. We certainly are grateful for the library tub, but that is just one of the many gifts that she gave to The Little School.

STEVE GOLDENBERG Few among us can remember a time at The Little School before Steve Goldenberg. Steve joined TLS in 1982 and for 36 school years, he imparted authentic warmth and wisdom to the students he taught, their families and the colleagues who were so fortunate to work alongside him. Steve always had a powerful observation to share that impacted how students were known and honored. His classrooms had the happy hum of meaningful learning and play.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

thelittleschool.org OUR MISSION

The mission of The Little School is to keep alive each child’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.

Once Upon a Time: The Little School Celebration & Auction March 21, 2020 5:30 p.m. Bellevue Marriott Art Festival May 2, 2020 11 a.m.–3 p.m. The Little School

GET CONNECTED! 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

Follow The Little School on social media to see what’s happening in our classrooms and around campus. Check in with us, post your photos and share your memories.

facebook.com/ TheLittleSchoolBellevue

instagram.com/ thelittleschoolbellevue

thelittleschool.smugmug.com Members of our alum community have additional opportunities to stay connected, by joining our Facebook alum group at facebook.com/groups/ LittleSchoolAlum or following us at instagram.com/little_school_alum.


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