Make Your Westmark: Westmark Fund 2022–2023

YOUR

Each year, everyone in the Westmark School community— students, parents and guardians, grandparents, faculty and staff, trustees, alumni families, and friends—plays a role in shaping the extraordinary experience of a Westmark edu cation. You make your mark.

YOU MAKE YOUR WESTMARK.

Westmark relies on your generosity to leave a lasting impact on our students’ lives. Tuition alone does not enable us to create life-changing experiences for our neurodiverse learners. The School makes up the difference through the Westmark Fund, our most important annual fundraising initiative.

EVERY WESTMARK STUDENT BENEFITS FROM THE WESTMARK FUND.

Give to the Westmark Fund as just one way to make your Westmark! Thank you for investing in our School’s heartfelt mission.

I MAKE MY WEST

BY CARING FOR MY FRIENDS

A sense of belonging is the promise of attend ing Westmark. It’s a place where students build positive relationships with peers, faculty, and staff. When Hero joined Grade 3 mid-year, she felt worried: “I didn’t know anyone there yet.” But soon enough, she was thriving—wheth er singing on stage with Zoe and Amelie or playing with her friends Lilliana and Maddy. A new fifth grader this year, Miles thinks his friends are more than just funny and fun. “We understand each other and can always work things out if we disagree.”

MAKE YOUR WESTMARK! Give to the Westmark Fund to ensure small class sizes, social-emotional learning, and experiences that strengthen the bonds between students.

In sixth grade, Abby discovered how much she loves to perform. “I was really nervous for my first audition,” she explains, “but now I know if I’m prepared, I’ll be fine.” She and her castmates earned a standing ovation at last year’s production of the musical Annie. In the classroom, Charlie discovered his interest in Roman aqueducts, photography, and much more. “I like doing interesting experiments in science. It’s always fun to see what happens.” At Westmark, students cultivate strengths and interests each and every day.

MAKE YOUR WESTMARK! Thanks to your gift to the Westmark Fund, students have access to well-equipped learning environ ments, assistive technology, and robust arts and athletics programs.

I MAKE MY WEST

BY EXPLORING NEW THINGS

Westmark Lions develop into confident, re silient young adults—and seniors Koby and Katherine are no exception! The two Student Council members and leaders of the School’s Eye to Eye peer mentorship chapter traveled to Washington, DC, to champion legislation supporting students with learning differenc es. Koby knows the impact of modeling for younger students “how far someone who shares similarities with them can grow.” At Westmark, Katherine adds, “I have learned to advocate for not just myself but for others who are like me and don’t have the same op portunity that I have.”

MAKE YOUR WESTMARK! Westmark is committed to preparing students for suc cessful and fulfilling futures. The Westmark Fund helps to ensure that they practice self-advocacy, leadership, and teamwork both in and out of the classroom.

BY GROWING INTO A LEADER I MAKE MY WEST

I MAKE MY WEST

BY BEING A LIFELONG LEARNER

At Westmark, learning isn’t just for students. It’s for faculty and staff too! Patty Barrows, who has dedicated thirty-seven years to teaching at Westmark, values the opportunity to devel op her practice through regular professional learning. “When you stop growing as a teacher, you stop being effective. There’s always some thing you can improve no matter how long you’ve been doing it.” Trained in innovative research-based methodologies, Ms. Barrows and her colleagues see immediate results in the classroom—professional learning “enhances learning for our kids.”

MAKE YOUR WESTMARK! Supported by your philanthropy, Westmark educators participate in year-round professional learning that directly bolsters student growth and achievement.

I MAKE MY WEST

BY GETTING INVOLVED

“I’m the loud one cheering from the bleach ers!” laughs Nicole Cefali, proud mother of new Middle Schooler and student-athlete Ben. An active member of the Westmark Parent As sociation, she has long served as Grade Level Ambassador, volunteers on the Spring Gala and other committees, and offers a helping hand wherever she can on campus. “Giving back to a place where your child is spending so many of their hours is just a good feeling,”

Nicole remarks. “That connectivity with the teachers, the kids, the families—it’s how we feel at home at Westmark.”

MAKE YOUR WESTMARK! Community involvement is central to our success. Donate to the Westmark Fund to max imize the difference you can make in the lives of our students.

When Jim Kilcourse’s daughter, Nadia, grad uated in 2017, it marked a new chapter for the proud Westmark family. “As a parent, you reap the rewards of a Westmark education when you watch your child go on to fulfill their potential.” In Nadia’s case, the Westmark alum earned herself a college degree and now works at her alma mater as a teaching assistant. Meanwhile, Jim deepened his own commitment to the School, now serving as Board Chair. Tuition assistance is a priority for him and his fellow trustees. “To fulfill our mission, it is nothing short of urgent for us to welcome as many students in need of this specialized academic experience as possible.”

I MAKE MY WEST

MAKE YOUR WESTMARK! Help open our doors wide to families from across Greater Los Angeles. Support our tuition assistance program by making the Westmark Fund your philanthropic priority.

BY EMBRACING OUR MISSION

MAKE YOUR

BY MAKING A GIFT TODAY

fulfilling the mission of Westmark.

commitment to the School

for your family.

LEADERSHIP GIFTS

Every gift to the Westmark Fund matters. Gifts of $5,000 and more are recognized as Leader ship Gifts, accounting for seventy percent of our total giving. Leadership Gifts ensure that Westmark continues to empower our students to achieve their goals.

WAYS TO GIVE

PLEDGES

Make a larger gift over time. Rather than do nating a lump sum, make a pledge that can be fulfilled in single, quarterly, or monthly install ment(s), payable before June 30, 2023.

MATCHING GIFTS

Maximize your contribution. Find out if your employer offers a matching gift program to double or even triple the value of your donation.

GIFTS OF SECURITIES

Benefit from the twofold savings opportunity of donating a gift of appreciated stock and/or securities.

All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Westmark School is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) institution (federal tax ID 95-4616645).

GIVE NOW ONLINE

Make a gift or a payment on your pledge at westmarkschool.org/onlinegiving Or scan the QR code below.

BY MAIL

Mail or deliver your payment to the West mark campus. Checks should be made payable to Westmark School.

For more information about the Westmark Fund, contact:

Mary-Ellen Lavigne, Director of Advancement email: mlavigne@westmarkschool.org phone: 818-986-5045 Ext. 316

Westmark School is a creative and supportive college preparatory school dedicated to educating, empowering, and celebrating students with distinct learning styles, providing the tools necessary to achieve successful and fulfilling futures.