WILMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT September 1, 2014 – August 31, 2015
OUR MISSION
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ilmington Montessori School is a collaborative learning community rooted in Montessori principles, inspiring the joyful discovery of self and a passion for learning and independent thinking. We empower children to be knowledgeable and responsible contributors to the global community.
Featuring art created by the students of Wilmington Montessori School. Editor: Noel Dietrich Graphic Design: Holly Feldheim Photo Credits: Noel Dietrich, Lauren Harris, Heather Siple, Lisa Surbrook
A MESSAGE FROM
Lisa A. Lalama & Anna Quisel
Dear WMS Families and Friends, The 2014-15 school year was a year of change. It began with great plans; we were able to achieve many of our goals due to your tremendous support. The second year of the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future Comprehensive Campaign brought even more of you back to WMS to demonstrate your support of our school and our work with children. Because of your generosity and the support of local foundations, we are moving solidly into the future. Thank you. Continuing to bring the 2013-16 Strategic Plan to fruition, we achieved our goal of moving to authentic Montessori three-year age groupings for our Primary (ages 3-6) and Lower Elementary (ages 6-9) programs and considered how to best educate our parents and community about Montessori education. We have reached out into the community to share the Montessori classroom experience in local libraries, and we have welcomed new families into WMS to participate in our Learning Together program. WMS families are learning more than ever before about their child’s school day through Edmodo, which is available on their mobile devices and brings classroom news, including pictures and short movies, directly to them. We celebrated the beginning of 2015 with the official opening of the new toddler playground. Designed by a local landscaper with input from our toddler teachers, the playground offers children a beautiful natural space to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Opportunities to run, climb and play with water, sand and other natural materials abound. We also opened all three of our Maker Studios: Toddler, Primary and Elementary. Each of these spaces is equipped with developmentally appropriate materials to engage children in learning more about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics). Our students relish their time in our Maker Studios where they explore, make mistakes that lead to understanding, and learn about their world in a hands-on, Montessori way. 2014-15 was a year of technology. At WMS, technology is an integral part of our students’ learning experiences. We began our one-to-one iPad initiative with
our Upper Elementary students; Lower Elementary classrooms have a set of iPads to share. Students have many opportunities to use technology to support their work including making movies, creating slideshows, studying a new language, conversing with authors, exploring computer coding and practicing academic skills. Technology has been incorporated in every discipline from music, to library studies, to culture. Just as it is part of all of our lives outside of school, technology is also a part of our school life. We look forward to continued learning and integration of technology as we go forward, preparing students with the skills they will need in their next educational steps and beyond. In December 2014, the Longwood Foundation offered us a challenge grant of $300,000 that will allow us to begin to integrate the arts more fully into our students’ learning. We received an overwhelming response from our community to help us meet this challenge. You can look forward to updates on this initiative throughout the next year. In the meantime, we are visiting schools to learn how they have integrated arts education into their curriculum and exploring ways to bring that to WMS. WMS is a dynamic community, built on a strong Montessori foundation and incorporating important educational best practices. Our mission statement describes WMS as “a collaborative learning community rooted in Montessori principles, inspiring the joyful discovery of self and a passion for learning and independent thinking.� Everything we do is based on these ideas. We seek knowledge, inspire children to ask questions, and work together to be the best place for children to learn and thrive. We are grateful to everyone who makes up our community. You have helped us move forward into the future as a strong and vital Montessori school for children from 12 months to 12 years. Thank you for being a part of WMS.
Lisa A. Lalama Head of School
Anna Quisel Chair, WMS Board of Directors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anna Quisel, Chair Meredith Amado Israel Floyd Melissa Hayman * Caroline Lintner ** Drew Matalonis ** Pam Politis ** Dan Sanders * Paul Sakaguchi Liz Sloan Susie Ventresca Zehra Wamiq Lisa Lalama, ex officio ADVISORY BOARD Guiliana de Grazia Audrey Doberstein Marie M. Dugan Harry G. Haskell, Jr. Jackie Ivy Michèle LeFever Quinn Nancy Karibjanian Robin Karol-Eng Jane Maroney Deborah Murray-Shepherd William Ryan Patrick Stoner Susan Thomas Cathy Weaver * Term began in 2015 ** Term ended in 2015
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
2014-15
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ilmington Montessori School’s financial performance for 2014-15 was strong. The Board of Directors and administration continued to work carefully to manage the operating budget so that expenditures matched revenues. We also maintained our investment in our future and spent more than $150,000 on Strategic Plan initiatives. Donors continued to contribute generously to WMS, helping us raise more than $1 million. We are incredibly grateful for their support. Their contributions support our mission and confirm their confidence in WMS and the ways in which we serve our community.
SOURCES OF FUNDRAISING REVENUE Community Gifts Foundation Annual FundAuction $30,531
$97,936 1.78%
Other
$14,679 .85%
5.69% $454,660 26.44% 65.24%
$1,121,908 community gifts foundations annual fund auction other
• Total revenue was up $346,000 (7.5%) year-over-year while expenses were down $195,000 (5.0%). • Total earnings in the current year were $1,312,000 compared to $770,000 in the prior year. The increase in earnings is due to better matching expenses to revenue and enhanced fundraising. Note that although the fundraising dollars are included in earnings, the majority of fundraising dollars are dedicated to investing in our program and are not spent on day-to-day operations. • Total fundraising revenue for the year was $1,720,000 compared to $1,068,000 in the prior year. • WMS awarded $295,000 in financial aid versus $388,000 in 2014. • The fair market value of the school’s investments was $3.14 million compared to $2.18 million in the prior year. • Total debt outstanding declined by $95,000 to $1,319,000 as of August 2015. revenue and support :
$5,272,031 59.66%
tuition and fees
32.63%
contributions
6.91%
summer program misc. income
0.62%
investment income
0.18%
0
10
expenses :
20
30
$3,960,118
50
60
42.87%
instructional
15.52%
administrative
summer
40
Tuition and Fees 70.08% Contributions 21.28% facilities 14.99% Summer Programs 6.75% Miscellaneous Income 1.10% program Investment Income 7.49% .79% Total Revenue and Support 100%
7.46%
financial aid
5.97%
advancement
3.67%
benefits
2.03%
debt servicing
0
16
32
48
64
8
ANNUAL FUND
2014-15
Wilmington Montessori School would like to thank the following donors for their support of the 2014-15 Annual Fund (as of August 31, 2015). Contributions to the Annual Fund support the school’s operating costs, including ongoing professional development, classroom materials, technology and arts enhancements, and tuition assistance. Thank you to our 2014-15 Annual Fund Co-Chairs Sharon Miller and Mayura Simon for their leadership and commitment to Wilmington Montessori School. World Globe Friend ($5,000 and above) Anonymous Meredith and David Amado The Nichols Family William P. Roberts III Henry and Joan Rust Bret Snyder and Anna Quisel Golden Bead Friend ($2,500 to $4,999) Brad and Becky Davey Caroline Brown Lintner The Scott Family Wilmington Flower Market Pink Tower Friend ($1,000 to $2,499) Mr. Henry I. Brown III Ann Hriciga and Michael Coughlin The Laster Family Garrett and Christine Moritz Geoffrey and Mayura Simon Elizabeth W. Snyder Geometric Solid Friend ($500 to $999) Anonymous Jeff Barnes, Felise Luchansky and Dan Barnes Joan and Rob Beatson AnneMarie Brescia and Daniel Brennan Kevin and Brenda Cole
Alexa, Ephie and Mike Donahue Marie M. Dugan Daniele D. and David V. Elkins Kimberly and Dave Giles The Hayman Family Lisa A. Lalama Sharon E. Miller Michael W. O’Donnell Susan Pierce and James Matlack The Raju Family Athena and David Ruhl Paul Sakaguchi Robert and Kathleen Siegfried The Sultan Family Trinomial Cube Friend ($250 to $499) Mary Jo and Jim Chandler The Czeschin Family Howard Damude and Julie Johnston Elva and Anton Delport Israel and Patricia Floyd Laura and Ben Huggett The Hutchful Family LaKeetra and Lamont Josey Francis and Mary Julian Alison and Kevin Kahn The Kalin Family Mary and Matthew Lo Nora and Jim Lober
Andrew and Sandra Matalonis Christopher and Louise McArdle Curtis and Courtney Miller Joe Nemecz and Nancy Karibjanian Nancy and Rick Oddo Carolyn W. Shaffer Kathryn Tullis and Phillip Liu Susie Ventresca and David Ropars Brown Stairs Friend ($100 to $249) Anonymous Marcia Schiff Acero Michael and Becky Allen Hiten and Rinku Amin Marybeth Auld Elijah and Letisha Barnett Sandra and Basil Battaglia James Beissel and Sharleen Beverly Ramesh and Rajani Bhatia Cynthia Boyd Trish Bradley Joanna Breger Debra Carri The Cash Family Paul and Margaret Cash Matthias and Theresa Conaty The Connelly Family Chuck Connor Richard and Susan Coyle The DePonte Family The DesMarais Family Nancy and Robert Dietrich Noel Sarah Dietrich The Doyle Family Brian and Sharie Eng Mike and Joelle Florax Paul and Julie Gatti Mark and Kim Glevicky Sherry and John Goodill The Haas Family Trish Harkins Lauren and Matt Harris Raymond and Zakiya Hatch Jennifer Heness
Mary and Henry Hirschbiel Don and Joyce Hutchison Donna M. Irby Rosemary Killian Dr. and Mrs. Lazarus M. Kirifides Michael and Kerry Kirifides Benjamin and Jennifer Kniaz Jon and Kelly Lambiras Michèle LeFever Quinn Paige Lucarelli Mary Maloney Huss and Ben Goldstein Joseph and Lisa Martin Mike and Wendy Massey Andrew and Kelly Mayo Zollie McClary XXIV and Stephanie Simms Gerry McVey Barbara and Andy Miller Laurie Muhlbauer Mark W. Murray The Oberly Family John and Jonathan O’Brien The Politis Family The Renz Family Olivia Roane Gajinder Singh Sasson Jim and Loretta Schneider John and Lorraine Seiberlich The Shweiki Family Stacey and Jeff Silvers Murray Simon Cathy Simon-Cord Sally Spatafora and Jackie Ivy Beth and Don Stookey Ed and Melissa Sugzdinis Pat Sumner The Surbrook/Bowers Family Deepa and Sandeep Vasudevan The Vinton Family Mary C. Wiggin and Arthur J. Holveck, Jr. Sarah Williams Zhen Xu and Shaorong Chen The York Family The Zankowsky Family
Friends of WMS (Up to $99) Anonymous Renèe Anderson The Auffret Family Jay W. Booth Deirdre Buckmaster and Leslie Carey John Budzyn Rhonda L. Budzyn Leanne Callaway C. Curtis and Bonnie Clements Lynda Coan Teddy Davey Giuliana S. de Grazia Eileen and Nate Edmunds The Ehrlich Family Greg and Ellen Ellis Sharon Entzminger Erin Facciolo Wehler Rosemary Feehan Megan Feliceangeli Laura Florence and Megan Bushnell Samantha and David Fruchtman Ruth Govatos Margo Govatos Long Missy Grafe Susan and Brian Greenberg Lawrence and Carol Harris Joseph and Kathleen Hickey Evan Juers The Junk Family Kristen Keffer Elizabeth Kocher Marissa Lane Cindy Lober Benjamin Loder Gaynell Loder Anita Louie Carolyn Malatesta Jane E. Miner Tim Moore Yvonne Nass Mary Kate Newell, Ph.D. Karen Oberly The O’Connell Sparco Family
Jeanne Orr Darko and Laura Orsic Emmy Pittarelli Wanda Rhodes Heather and Greg Russell Samantha Russell Ben and Amy Sauers Vaughan and Aliza Sawdon The Sloan Family The Strouds Christine Tate Barbara L. Trotto Elizabeth Varley Nancy and Anthony Ventresca Heather Wadler Barry and Michelle Walker Adrianna Wall The Walsh Family Arlene Wason The Whalen Family Cass Winner Erin Winner WMS Meerkat Bank WMS Staff In Honor of the Amado Family The Farabaugh Family In Honor of Mark Bomgardner Kathryn G. Lloyd and Kerwin Dobbs In Honor of Marie M. Dugan Anonymous Robert and Mary Anne Grenfell Gordon and Suzanne Pfeiffer Dr. and Mrs. Henry Weiner In Honor of Hayley and Parker Eng Drs. Robin Karol-Eng and Jerald Eng In Honor of Brandon Jones Johnathan and Taryn Fletcher
In Honor of Kaleb Kain Mr. and Mrs. Dante Marini In Honor of the Lober Family Molly Ruppert In Honor of Pat Sumner Anonymous In Honor of Aaron J. B. Washington Adville and Gwendolyn Bell In Honor of Emily Pfeiffer Weems Gordon and Suzanne Pfeiffer In Memory of Mark Bomgardner Marybeth Auld Randy and Belinda Borowicz Thelma and James Dooley Elaine Duggan David and Jean Edwards Sherry and Norman Freeman Kerry and Michael Kirifides Edmund and Margaret Pierce Susan Pierce and James Matlack Nancy Simpkins Jim and Tonya Tambs Frank Tambs III Mary Margaret Williams In Memory of Jean Lush Carl and Karen Klutzke In Memory of Sally Orr Robert Orr In Memory of Nancy Sakaguchi Alison Mack and Tony Kinney In Memory of Marjory Stone Katie Levine and James Orman In Memory of Loretta Wojcik Jim and Helen Fath
Corporations, Foundations and Government Apple Branch School Photography Amazon Delaware Division of the Arts General Mills Box Tops for Education Goodshop Shoe Box Recycling LLC Smart Lunches Target Title II Professional Development Fund Wilmington Flower Market Matching Gifts Boeing Capital One GE Aircraft JP Morgan Wells Fargo Class of 2015 Sixth-Grade Class Gift Wilmington Montessori School would like to thank the students and families of the class of 2015, led by WMS parent Lisa Surbrook, for donating the materials and creating a beautiful labyrinth in the WMS woods for current and future students to enjoy. WMS Class of 2015 Sarah Breger Alexa Donahue Deming Florax Mavis Florence-Bushnell Audrey Holveck Evan Low Kendall Massey Morgan Silvers Alejandra Spatafora Shannon Surbrook-Bowers
AUCTION Bidding on the Bayou Wilmington Montessori School would like to recognize the following individuals and companies for their gifts to the 2015 Auction. Many thanks to Auction Chair Stephanie Simms and the 2015 Auction Committee for their leadership, hard work and commitment to WMS. Proceeds of the auction benefit the school’s operating fund. Action Hardware American Karate Studios Anytime Fitness Arden Swim Club The Arden Theatre Company Gilles Auffret Stephanie Auffret Marybeth Auld BBC Tavern and Grill The Back Burner Restaurant Barclaycard Belak Flowers Belfint, Lyons & Shuman Bellefonte Café Bianca’s Personal Chef Service Big Sky Bread Company The Birth Center Blue Ballroom Dance Studio Bob’s Discount Furniture Boxcar Brewing Company Brandywine YMCA Buckley’s Tavern Building System and Services Camp Montessori Chaddsford Winery Cheesecake Factory Hunter Clarke-Fields Chuck Connor Corkcicle
Corner Bistro Creative Capes Currie Hair, Skin & Nails DealCatcher Delaware Art Museum Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts Delaware Theatre Company Dental Associates of Delaware Brandywine Office Noel Sarah Dietrich Double ‘D’ Gymnastics Elk Mountain Ski Resort, Inc. The Friendly Gift Shop Paul Gatti The Grenfell Family Betsy Haas Hagley Museum and Library Hand and Stone Handcrafted Portraits Hansel and Gretel Harry G. Haskell Health One PA Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Integrity Auto Repair Iron Hill Brewery Kennett Design with a Splash of Wine Kramer Portraits Lady’s Image Lisa A. Lalama The Lamiet Family The Laster Family Learning Express Leisure Fitness LeShio Restaurant LongitudesWest Longwood Gardens Ryan Marchetta Zollie McClary The Melting Pot Mid Atlantic Grand Prix Midway Speedway Park Moore Brothers Wine Company Delaware
Timothy Moore Name Bubbles, LLC Connie Nye O.K.Video, LLC Oasis Family Fun Center Office Depot Organic Valley Jeanne Orr PSUTix Man Panera Bread Parent Education Consulting Services Penn Cinema Riverfront Petworth Citizen & Reading Room Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia Eagles Football Pinot’s Palette Portrait Innovations Anna Quisel Remembears Jennifer Renz Retro Fitness – Concord Mall Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Rooms 9/10 Room 11 Room 12/14 After-Care Room 13 Room 15 Room 16 Room 17 Room 19 Room 20 Room 22 Room 27 Bill Ryan SIW Vegetables Sanctuary Spa Sea Glass Fine Art Photography Paula Sharpe Shop LuLu The Silvers Family Stephanie Simms
Cathy Simon-Cord Soccer Shots Sprinkles Stratosphere Trampoline Park Sweeney’s Bakery Talleyville Fire Company Total Wine & More Tutto Fresco Ulysses American Gastropub Susie Ventresca Vera Bradley Veritas Wine and Craft Beer Store Zehra and Wamiq Sultan WMMR Whole Foods Market - Glen Mills Sarah Williams Wilmington Blue Rocks Wilmington Montessori School Administrative Team Wilmington Montessori School Advisory Board Wilmington Montessori School Board of Directors The Wilmington Police Department Yards Brewing Company Your Creation Station Mike Zatwarnytsky
We deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please notify Joan Beatson, Director of Development, of any corrections at (302) 475-0555 or joan_beatson@wmsde.org.
THE MARIE M. DUGAN FUND FOR THE FUTURE Comprehensive Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs Marie M. Dugan Judith McCartin Scheide
Campaign Co-Chairs Meredith Amado Anna Quisel
I
n 2013, as part of its three-year Strategic Plan, the Board of Directors of Wilmington Montessori School launched the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future Comprehensive Campaign, named in honor of longtime Head of School Marie Dugan. This $3.5 million campaign, designed by the Board with input from faculty, staff and parents, will ensure that the core values of the school can be financially sustained. The Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future will provide for: • Improvements in salaries, benefits and professional development opportunities, ensuring that we maintain excellent faculty and staff. • Enhancements in technology, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and Arts Integration programs. • Building and campus repairs and upgrades. • Strengthening our balance sheet and working capital by growing our cash reserve. Wilmington Montessori School gratefully acknowledges the following donors to the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future Comprehensive Campaign (as of August 31, 2015): Leadership ($1,000,000 and above) Anonymous Benefactors ($100,000 to $999,999) Crystal Trust Caroline and Matt Lintner Longwood Foundation The Maurice Amado Foundation William P. Roberts III Henry and Joan Rust Judy and Bill* Scheide Elizabeth Snyder The Welfare Foundation
Patrons ($25,000 to $99,999) Crestlea Foundation Ann Hriciga and Michael Coughlin The Laffey-McHugh Foundation The Quisel Snyder Family Sponsors ($10,000 to $24,999) The Davey Family Travis and Becky Laster Christine and Garrett Moritz The Politis Family Athena and David Ruhl Patricia M. Scott
Left photo: Judy McCartin Scheide and Marie M. Dugan as co-teachers at the Arden School in 1976. Right photo: Judy and Marie in 2014.
The Simon Family Zehra and Wamiq Sultan Supporters ($5,000 to $9,999) Marie M. Dugan The Honorable Jane P. Maroney Order Sons of Italy - St. Gabriel’s Lodge Donors ($1,000 to $4,999) Anonymous Joan and Rob Beatson Calissa, Allan and Laurel Brown Dupont Drs. Robin Karol-Eng and Jerald Eng Israel and Patricia Floyd Andrea Harding Harry G. Haskell, Jr. Horatio and Suzanne Jones Lisa A. Lalama Michèle LeFever Quinn and Joseph Quinn The Matalonis Family The Nemecz Karibjanian Family Elizabeth Nolan William Ryan Paul Y. Sakaguchi Drew and Elizabeth Sloan Susan Ventresca and David Ropars Barry M. Willoughby Friends ($250 to $999) Anonymous Bentley Systems, Inc. The Celestian Strange Family
Roxanne Higgins Elliott The Garvin Family Becca and Rick Gulino George and Thelma Haldeman Francis and Mary Julian Donna H. Melton/Just in Time! Communications Nick and Sue Sotiropoulos Target #ThanksABillion Campaign Contributors (Up to $249) Anonymous (2) Ralph Amado and Anne Rodig Marybeth Auld Frank and Lori Beardell Betty C. Bender Priya Bhatia and James Wake Martha Boston and Christopher McKenney Mr. and Mrs. Peter Brennan Henry I. Brown Rosanne and Michael Cabelli Paul and Margaret Cash Maggie and J.C.* Chevrier C. Curtis and Bonnie Clements Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Patrick Conaty Richard and Susan Coyle David Cutler Diane M. Dambach Giuliana de Grazia Joe and Keri del Tufo The DePonte Family Jennifer Eng-Kulwy TJ and Christi Fath
Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan and Taryn Fletcher Ruth Govatos Nancy L. Hasted Kay and Christopher Holbrook The Honaker Family Wayne Kingston Dr. Lazarus and Mrs. Helen M. Kirifides Elizabeth Kocher Amanda and Rick Lewis Gaynell Loder Dante and Bernadine Marini Kathy and Bernard McFadden Gail T. Morrison Robert Muhlbauer Bill and Nancy Murphy Olga Nielsen Karen Oberly Mark and Nancy Paquette Sharon L. Parker David Paul and Kathy Klein Heide and Ed Preisendanz Kent Quisel Elaine and Michael Reilly Donna Sanders Edwin and Jean Schmidt Jim and Loretta Schneider Robert Siman Bennett and Rhea Thomas William H. Thomas, Sr. Gail and Eugene Tolpin Robert and Lois Torgerson The Vinton Family Steve and Patricia Widdoss Estelle Yelnosky In Honor of the Bindloss Boys – Jon, Ian and Bryan Arlene Dunn In Honor of the Caring, Supportive Faculty and Staff Who Touched Our Lives Darla F. Wilson In Honor of Hilde Colton Sophia Smith and Adeyemi Adebowale
In Honor of Marie M. Dugan Marlene and Cyril Milunsky Milunsky Family Dentistry with Thanks and Fond Memories In Honor of Aaron Washington Adville and Gwendolyn Bell In Memory of Anthony Lalama Susan and David Stratton In Memory of Mr. Andrew Timmons Max Timmons In Memory of Bill Bindloss, Jean Lush, Brian Parker and Eric Zumsteg Marie M. Dugan In Memory of Helen Winslow Jonathan D. Jaffe The Secret Garden – Gifts for the Toddler Playground Anonymous Bruce and Noelle Archambeau Greg and Ellen Ellis Norman and Terri Franke LaKeetra and Lamont Josey Mark and Margo Long Ryan Mawhinney and Jeannie Stith-Mawhinney Christopher and Louise McArdle Paula Sharpe Bret Snyder and Anna Quisel Phanna Hem and Tu Thai Barb Trotto Sarah Williams WMS Families Matching Gifts Boeing Capital One FMC Corporation Merck Foundation Microsoft W.L. Gore *deceased
We deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please notify Joan Beatson, Director of Development, of any corrections at (302) 475-0555 or joan_beatson@wmsde.org.
Class of
2015
Playground NEW TODDLER
before
construction
after
Built in 2015, this playground offers children a beautiful natural space to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Opportunities to run, climb and play with water, sand and other natural materials abound.
Today’s Learners; Tomorrow’s Leaders.