Wilmington Montessori School Today’s Learners; Tomorrow’s Leaders.
ANNUAL REPORT | September 1, 2018 – August 31, 2019
Cover art: Room 19’s 2019 auction gift — melted crayon and paint on canvas
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.
A MESSAGE FROM
Lisa A. Lalama & Ann Hriciga
Dear WMS Families and Friends, The calendar has moved to a new decade, and WMS is setting its sights on its future. As we began the final school year of the 2010s, we welcomed our first middle-school students to WMS for the 2018-19 school year. These seventhand eighth-graders have added so much energy and enthusiasm to WMS’s learning environment. They have showcased their musical talents at new events such as a coffee house and their performance of “A Rose’s Curse,” a musical they wrote themselves. They have raised money and beta tested a coffee shop for the WMS community, and they have gone beyond our walls to participate in Math League competitions throughout New Castle County, traveled on expeditionary learning trips, set up an art space at the Sunday Breakfast Mission, and joined teams from around the world at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Michigan after tying for first place in the state. They also serve as role models for our youngest students, who greet them excitedly in the hallways, walk with them to after-school child care, and look forward to milestones and WMS traditions, like sharing the cake at our annual birthday assembly. The 2018-19 school year brought other new experiences to the WMS community including participating in the Pacem in Terris art exhibit, beginning an Eco-Student Council to lead us in our environmental endeavors as a Green Ribbon School, and hosting our very first eighth-grade graduation. Every year brings “firsts” like these while also allowing us to continue the time-honored traditions that make WMS such a special place. We continue to embrace our mission of peace and global citizenship by starting each September with an assembly centered around the International Day of Peace, sending our sixth-graders on an overnight trip to the Global Citizenship Action Project (GCAP) in New York City and honoring the school’s birthday each January. It is thanks to all of the people who came before us that we have such a wonderful school today.
Our commitment to the arts and technology is now in its fourth year. Our students, from toddlers through middle school, have performed in shows throughout the year with students running the lights and sound, learning those skills to support fellow students in their artistic endeavors. Along with these performances, we were fortunate to host the Twin Poets, Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha and Albert Mills, as artists-in-residence who inspired both students and families with their spoken-word poetry. As the year came to an end, we began the process of planning for WMS’s future with a large group of faculty, staff, board members, past and current parents, alumni, and other educators. All groups were represented at our first planning session in June 2019. Since then we have done further work with our community and look forward to sharing information about our next strategic plan in the coming months. It promises to keep us moving forward to meet the needs of children and families into this new decade and beyond. As we embark on our new strategic plan what we recognize more than ever is our commitment to all that has led to us being the best Montessori school in Delaware. We have renewed our commitment to the Montessori principles that have so clearly defined our school and contributed to our
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success. As Dr. Montessori knew, laying a foundation in a child’s early years solidly prepares them for a lifetime of learning. We recognize the work that you have put into the school, making us who we are today. Each of you is part of the mosaic that forms Wilmington Montessori School. As our school song so aptly states, “Right from the smallest, up to the tallest, this school was made for you and me.” Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make our school the best it can be. We could not do it without you and value your contribution of time, energy and financial resources. We’re looking forward to our future and all that it holds. Best,
Lisa A. Lalama Head of School
Ann Hriciga Chair, Board of Directors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ann Hriciga, Chair Calissa Brown Israel Floyd Richard Gulino Lisa Hastings-Sheppard Sharon Miller Anna Quisel Paul Sakaguchi Stephanie Simms Mayura Simon Susie Ventresca Zehra Wamiq ADVISORY BOARD Guliana de Grazia Audrey Doberstein Marie M. Dugan Michèle LeFever Quinn Nancy Karibjanian Deborah Murray-Shepherd William Ryan
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ALEX LINTNER (WMS ’09):
Empowered to Make the World a Better Place
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lexandra (“Alex”) Lintner (WMS ’09) will graduate from Pomona College in Claremont, California, this year, with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She can also add to her résumé codesigning and co-teaching a course, completing an internship on heritage seed-saving in New Zealand, working on a farm in Maine, and trying her hand at artisan cheese making and beekeeping. As an Evelyn B. Craddock McVicar Memorial Fund recipient, Alex was chosen by Dr. Heather Williams, Professor of Politics, International Relations and Environmental Analysis at Pomona College, to co-design and co-teach a course on “The Global Politics of Agriculture.” “I have been working on this project for the past year, talking with lawyers, talking to farmers and activists, going to agricultural conferences, and reading all sorts of books and papers,” Alex explained. “We redesigned the course around the concept of public trust doctrine, and its potential application to agricultural assets.” Dr. Williams, who met Alex in the spring of 2018 when she was a student in her class, described Alex as one of the most brilliant and self-directed individuals she has ever met. “I felt like I won a lottery with Alex as a student,” she said. “She has a natural sciences background with a lot of organic chemistry and plant biology, thus making it possible for her to wade through literature for which I myself actually have no training. Her three-part research paper ‘Synthesized research on glyphosate and Roundup toxicity” (completed with consultation of her professors in biology and chemistry) was a graduate-level piece. In fact, it was so good that I think it could be developed into a review piece in a peer-reviewed professional journal.”
Alex farming during one of her summer vacations.
“I felt like I won the lottery with Alex as a student.”
JOIN US!
Dr. Williams said the work Alex produced that summer helped update the course syllabus and unit plan for the following spring. Alex says she has always been able to communicate with her teachers and advocate for herself because of a solid foundation at Wilmington Montessori School. “WMS supports a creative zeal for learning and strong studentteacher relationships,” she said. “The small classrooms encouraged us not to be afraid to talk to adults and provided the opportunity to make our voices heard.”
We love to hear from our alumni! Please send your news to alumni@wmsde.org. annual report 2018-19
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“WMS supports a creative zeal for learning and strong student-teacher relationships. The small classrooms encouraged us not to be afraid to talk to adults and provided the opportunity to make our voices heard.” She also values the friendships she made at the school, the peer-to-peer relationships devoid of competition for grades: “WMS is a safe space to be who you are. Friendships made there have resilience and authenticity. The students are diverse, passionate and quirky.” Having lived in Delaware most of her life, Alex chose Pomona because of its excellent academic reputation but she also loved the idea of living in sunny California and being close to her grandmother. “I think my initial interest in agriculture came from working with my grandfather in his vegetable garden,” she explained. “I also enjoyed working on farms during my summers off while I was in high school.” After WMS, Alex attended The Tatnall School where she received recognition for excellence in environmental science, writing and physics and was voted by the faculty as the graduating senior who best embodied the ideals of the school. “This school was very different from WMS, but thanks to my time at WMS I was able to continue to cultivate curiosity and intellectual independence,” Alex said. “I was also again able to develop close relationships with teachers and peers.”
Perhaps a doctorate in plant or fungal ecology, environmental law or even farming may be in her future. “When I’m outdoors, I’m really happy,” Alex said. “I am aware of the inter-relations of plants, microbes, minerals, insects and agents of the more than human world guiding life to be regenerative and self-supporting. I’m fascinated by the intersection of biology and politics. Today, scientists must be political, and politicians must be scientific. We need to design an agriculture that is more equitable, that encourages the wellbeing of all constituents. I am hoping to help facilitate symbiotic human relationships to the land, and the intergenerational knowledge transfer of right relationship to the land.” Mature beyond her years and ready to make the world a better place, Alex lives the WMS mission daily as a “ knowledgeable and responsible contributor to the global community.” In the words of Dr. Williams: “At this point, I don’t see Alex as a student so much as a colleague and a kindred intellectual spirit. I can’t wait to see what she does next!”
WMS Head of School Lisa Lalama taught Alex when she was a student in the Upper Elementary (9-12) Program. “Almost 15 years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of being a teacher and advisor to a curious and interested student entering the 9-12 classroom,” Lisa said. “Alex’s smile and enthusiasm for life quickly infected the entire program. Her curiosity drove her in academics and in the arts. Her writing portrayed not only her ability to follow the conventions of writing, but also to use her voice to share stories that begged to be told. Alex is an advocate for change, an active participant in life and a curious and engaged learner.” Alex says that her WMS education helped her nourish her destiny and has empowered her to take on challenges and be unafraid of the unknown. At this point, she has so many interests and projects that she is unsure what she will do next. 4
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Alex resting during a hike in the California woods.
ANNUAL FUND 2016-17
Wilmington Montessori School would like to thank the following donors for their support of the 2018-19 Annual Fund (as of August 31, 2019). With your help, we surpassed our goal and raised more than $90,000 to support ongoing professional development, technology and arts enhancements, financial aid and many other operating expenses that are not covered by the cost of tuition. Thank you to our 2018-19 Annual Fund chair Kevin Kahn and Giving Tuesday coordinator David Kubacki for their leadership and commitment to Wilmington Montessori School. World Globe Friend ($5,000 and above) Anonymous Christine and Garrett Moritz The Quisel Snyder Family William P. Roberts, III St. Gabriels Lodge 2035 - Sons of Italy Golden Bead Friend ($2,500 to $4,999) Caroline Brown Lintner Patricia M. Scott Pink Tower Friend ($1,000 to $2,499) Ann Hriciga and Mike Coughlin Anonymous Allan, Calissa and Laurel Brown Laurent and Nastasha Chardonnet Israel and Patricia Floyd Mr. and Mrs. Francis Julian Joe Nemecz and Nancy Karibjanian Grace, David and Olivia Kubacki Lisa Rong Robert and Kathleen Siegfried The Simon Family Elizabeth W. Snyder Geometric Solid Friend ($500 to $999) Ford and Marie Downes Rick and Esther Downes Dr. & Mrs. Horatio C. Jones, III Frank and Elizabeth Joyce Laura and Ted Kirkpatrick Ken and Mary Louise Kubacki Lisa A. Lalama Kathryn Tullis and Phillip Liu
Sharon E. Miller John and Jonathan O’Brien Pam and Jeffrey Politis William T. Ryan, III Paul Sakaguchi Xiaoyang Shen The Sultan Family James Wake and Priya Bhatia Trinomial Cube Friend ($250 to $499) Anonymous Paul and Leslie Bastianelli Anette Darby and Shane Darby The Delport Family Family of Campbell Ebling Jim and Helen Fath The Huggett Family The Kahn Family Colleen M. Lamiet The Reiters Susan Ventresca and David Ropars Zhen Xu and Shaorong Chen Brown Stairs Friend ($100 to $249) Joseph Abele and Sara Weymouth Michael and Becky Allen The Amin Family Anonymous Marybeth Auld Trish Bradley Peter and Patricia Brennan Mr. Henry I. Brown, III* Dr. and Mrs. Burks Maggie Chevrier annual report 2018-19
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Lynda Coan William and Carol Comegys Chuck Connor Noel Sarah Dietrich Robert and Nancy Dietrich Marie and George Dugan Gary D. Finger The Fox Family Martin and Tiffany Harrison Donna Bissey and Michael Hartman Mr. Michael Heneghan Mary and Henry Hirschbiel The Wiggins & Huntoon Family Jeannie Augustus Jones and Christina Paez Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Kahn, Sr. Neil, Joanie, Matt and Lauren Kalin Judith and Tim Kane Rosemary Killian Alison Mack and Anthony Kinney Richard and Lynn Koehler Natalie Kress Randy and Kathy Labar Kelly and Jon Lambiras J. Travis and Rebecca Laster Matthew Lenza and Kateryna Karachun Carol Lettich Lewis and Deanna Levin Mary and Matthew Lo James and Nora Lober Cindy Lober The Honorable Jane P. Maroney Barbara and Andy Miller Elizabeth Monaghan Andrew and Lisa Morris Laurie Muhlbauer Mark W. Murray Nancy and Rick Oddo Laurie Orsic The Pachowka Family
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David Paul and Kathy Klein Ping Lai Lorraine Pollert Kent Quisel Heather and Greg Russell Murray Simon John B. Slade Sandy Dedinas Thomas Barbara L. Trotto Mary Maloney Huss and Benjamin Goldstein Feng Wang and Hongmin Jiang Brad Wason Chenggui Wen Sarah Williams The Zankowsky Family The Zogby Family Friends of WMS (Up to $99) Joe Ambrosino Anonymous Mandy Balanetsky The Banks Family Sandra and Basil Battaglia Claude and Mary Beaty The Surbrook Bowers Family Ed and Marie Brown Nola Brown Bunnie Bryant Patricia Callaway and Malcolm Christoph Jill Campbell Jeffrey and Monica Castellano Lisa Chou Lisa Cleveland Hilde Colton Brian and Johanna Comegys Michael and Jessica Conlan The Connelly Family Brian and Megan Crawford Carmen Crespo Dad William and Emily Davis Jeffrey Donovan and Agueda Molina Sharon Entzminger Mary Falkenburg Kirsti Forrest Bobby and Judith Giddings The Godowsky Family Brian and Susan Greenberg Becca and Rick Gulino The Haas Family Jocelyn Hall Jill Hallissey Harris Family
Yasha and Jaron Simms The Harris Family Zac and Sara Stevenson Shazia Hashmi The Strouds Joyce and Don Hutchison Enaas Sultan Shelby and Brian Kaufman Juan Summers and Danika Robbins-Summers Samia Khan Pat Sumner Lilah Kleban Richa Thakkar Eugene and Mira Klein Lamont and LaKeetra Josey Rajesh Kurpad and Sarina Pasricha Mike and Stephanie VenDouern Kevin and Kim Lafferty Hans Vermeersch and Rosie Grayburn The Lavelle Family RosĂo Viscarra Beverly Lewis Elaine H. Walsh and the Walsh Family Ben Loder WMS Staff The Long Family Erin Facciolo Wehler The Lyons Family Erin Winner Carolyn Malatesta Lisa and Joe Martin In Honor of the 9-12 Teachers, Students, Porkchop & Hillary McDonald Chester Bacon Farah Memon Anand Simon Mr. Elan Moritz Emma Mulrine In Honor of the Dedicated Teachers Venkata Narayana and Divya Keerthi Malineni Jim and Thelma Dooley Yvonne Nass Alyssa Novello In Honor of Marie M. Dugan Himani Divatia Robert and Mary Anne Grenfell Linda Pirlot Abigail Quandt and Don Potter Emmy Pittarelli The Ranji Family In Honor of Sophia and Skylar Holbrook Elaine and Michael Reilly Christopher and Kay Holbrook Kelly and Bill Rhodunda Saadia Riaz Khan In Honor of Augustus L. Jones III Shelley Robyn S. A. Jones Chris and Krista Rossetti Samantha Russell In Honor of Thomas and Noelle Jordan Luke Scheuer Daniel Jordan Loretta Schneider Paula Anne Sharpe Tobi Sheiker *Deceased Jennifer Shellem Lisa and David Sheppard We deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please notify Lori Oberly, Development Assistant, of any The Shweiki Family corrections at 302-475-0555 or giving@wmsde.org. annual report 2018-19
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In Honor of Addie Laster Drs. James and Madlon Laster
In Memory of Helen Gadsby John and Sherry Goodill
In Honor of Emma and Evan Lewis Amanda and Rick Lewis
In Memory of Kimberly Sullivan Giles Dave Giles
In Honor of Zollie McClary XXIV
In Memory of Jane Miner Trish Harkins Cathy Simon-Cord
In Honor of Jaycion Mitchell Tina Betz In Honor of Ava Padovani Mom Mom & Pop Pop In Honor of Room 17 Sam Stubblefield and Liz Muth In Honor of Sophia Russial Anonymous In Honor of Katrina, Arielle and Nicky Sotiropoulos Nick and Sue Sotiropoulos In Honor of Ava and Ella Walsh Marilyn Faralli In Honor of Aiden Widdoes Fallon Gilbert In Honor of Zane D. Wilson Darla F. Wilson In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Shew Him Louie Anita Louie In Memory of Grace Cauffman The Farabaugh Family In Memory of Richard Coyle Susan Coyle 8
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In Memory of James C. Schneider (PopPop) The Oberly Family Corporations, Foundations and Government Facebook Network for Good United Way Wells Fargo Matching Gift Program Your Cause, LLC W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. Matching Gifts Amazon General Mills Box Tops for Education Lifetouch PayPal Tea Collection
AUCTION 2019 A dedicated committee of parents and staff, led by WMS mom Jenna Bigas, staged Music Through the Ages at WMS on April 30, 2019. Families and friends of the school enjoyed competitive bidding, and music and entertainment from Cher impersonator Holly Faris. The 2019 auction raised more than $30,000 toward the school’s operating budget. WMS appreciates the support of the many volunteers that made this night a success, the generosity of our donors, and the talent and effort of the student artists who created so many exceptional class gifts. We warmly thank all contributors to the auction listed below: Adrien Padovani Aflac American Karate Studios Ann Hriciga Anna Quisel BBC Tavern & Grill Becky Laster Blo Wilmington Bob’s Discount Furniture Brad Oberholzer Brandywine YMCA Brown & Brown Bryce Johnson Building Systems & Service, Inc. C & C Cookie Factory Camp Montessori Charity Fundraising Chef Ryan Marchetta Comic Book Shop Currie Hair, Skin and Nails Delaware Children’s Museum Delaware Theatre Company Delaware Today El Diablo Burritos Elk Mountain Gary Finger Girl Scout Troop 5 Goat Gunnip & Company LLP Hagley Museum & Library Harry’s Hospitality Group Harvest House Heather Siple Joe Ambrosino Judith and Tim Kane Kramer Portraits Lisa Cleveland Little Blooms Photography Longwood Gardens Loretta Schneider Lori and John Oberly Luke and Therese Scheuer Margo Long Marie Downes Mathnasium Mayura Simon Metro Diner Michèle LeFever Quinn Moore Brothers Wine Company National Constitution Center
O.K. Video, LLC Painting With a Twist Pam and Jeffrey Politis Parent Education Consulting Services Paris Pizza Philadelphia Union Priya Bhatia PSU TixMan Pure Yoga Pilates Studio Reading Fightin Phils Retro Fitness Concord Mall Ron’s Tree Service Rosie Grayburn Sanctuary Spa Serenity Spa Sharon Entzminger Soccer Shots Stephanie Simms The Back Burner Restaurant The Couch Tomato The Melting Pot Restaurant The Oasis Family Fun Center Timothy’s of Newark Trader Joes University of Delaware Ticket Office ViaDel Consulting Group Wegman’s Wilmington Police Department Winterthur Museum Garden and Library WMS Administrative Team WMS Board of Directors WMS Classrooms and Extended Day Rooms WMS Maintenance Team Yetter’s Discount Liquors Zindler’s Sports Collectibles
We deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please notify Lori Oberly, Development Assistant, of any corrections at 302-475-0555 or giving@wmsde.org.
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2018-19
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ilmington Montessori School’s 2018-19 fiscal year was strong. The administration and board worked together to balance revenue and spending and generated a modest operating profit. Our goal every year is to have our campus operate in an efficient manner, without compromising the educational experience at WMS. We spent $41,000 on capital purchases to maintain and enhance our facility. These improvements would not be possible without the support of our donors and supporters. We are thankful to everyone in our community and the many ways they provide support every year.
SOURCES OF FUNDRAISING REVENUE: $374,693 Community Gifts$24,451
Annual FundAuction
Other
$33,775 6% 9%
$91,967
25%
60%
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$224,500
EXPENSES: $4,176,234 65%
Salaries & Benefits
facilities, Maintenance & Operations
18%
11%
Financial Aid
Classroom & Educational Expenses
6%
0
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32
48
64
REVENUE AND SUPPORT: $4,428,914 71%
Tuition & Fees
17%
Other Programs
8%
Contributions
Investment Income
0
4%
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40
50 602018-19 1170 annual report •
Highlights
2018-19
Class of
2019
Today’s Learners; Tomorrow’s Leaders.
1400 Harvey Road, Wilmington, DE 19810 www.wmsde.org