ACS Beirut Capital Fund Progress Report 2015 - 2016

Progress Report June 2016

The Capital Fund for the American Community School Beirut

The American Community School Beirut (ACS) continues to be in the vanguard of educational practices in Lebanon and the region through its framework of an American educational philosophy: rich academic curricula, athletics, visual and performing arts, community service and outdoor education.

We are building an ambitious Capital Fund to modernize and expand our facilities and to secure our financial future with the intention to be one of the finest co-educational universitypreparatory schools in the Middle East.

Thanks to the generous support of parents, alumni and friends of the school, the Capital Fund’s modernization and expansion process began with a stunningly designed mixed-use building completed in Spring 2015. It hosts music and language classrooms, fifth grade classrooms, faculty and Head of School apartments, and a dynamic event space on the roof.

As a result, in 2015-2016, a crucial re-allocation and renovation of space occurred. The school repurposed the former Head’s BD apartment into administrative offices and classrooms. A much

needed, state-of-the-art high school science center was also built in the BD building and features three new spacious labs to accommodate the needs of the Chemistry, Physics and Biology classes. The middle school also created a new science center, replacing the previous lecture-style classrooms with more than 500 square meters of open floor. The science floor’s coding lab, maker-space, learning lounge, multimedia room, and multipurpose room more naturally align with the science program’s 21st century STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) curriculum.

Additionally, all three Early Years and Elementary School playgrounds experienced an extensive re-design, with the most recent upgrade a “Nature Playground” for Early Years, which encompasses the themes of nature and play.

Furthermore, to complement and support the facility improvements, ACS is committed to an ambitious plan to grow the school’s endowment, helping to recruit top-notch educators and promising financially disadvantaged students. An increased endowment will generate annual interest that will provide a stronger safety net for ACS.

CAPITAL FUND & ENDOWMENT vs.

ANNUAL FUND

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Think of ACS as a large investment, like buying a house. You have to make payments on your mortgage, but you also need to keep the lights on. In the world of ACS fundraising, the capital fund and endowment are like the long-term investment of mortgage payments, while the annual fund is like the immediate need to pay the utility bills.

BE THE DIFFERENCE.

CAPITAL FUND & ENDOWMENT

ANNUAL FUND

WWW.ACS.EDU.LB/GIVE

HELP TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE THE ACS FACILITIES THE FIRST NEW BUILDING IN 60 YEARS

The beautifully designed building solved specific challenges that ACS faced because of the campus’ unique urban setting, a location that is perfect in many ways, but challenging in others. The thirteen-floor building fulfills a variety of functions from fifth grade classrooms to elementary language classrooms, music rooms and faculty apartments.

We have raised $1.38 million in pledges and donations of the $7.53 million in building costs.

HELP TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE THE ACS FACILITIES PLAYGROUNDS

ACS playgrounds, along with the Athletic Field complex, received much needed renovations that modernized and made them safer, better suited for students’ needs, and more effective with large groups of children.

We have raised $700,000 in pledges and donations of the $1 million in renovation costs for the Athletic Field, Elementary Roof, Lower School Playground and Early Years Nature Playground.

HELP TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE THE ACS FACILITIES NEW SCIENCE CENTERS FOR THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS

Three new spacious and versatile High School science labs are more conducive for in-lab teaching and demonstrations for Chemistry, Physics and Biology classes. 500 square meters of open floor transformed the Middle School science classrooms into a coding lab, maker-space, learning lounge, multimedia room, and multipurpose room that more naturally align with the 21st century STEM curriculum. We have raised $800,000 in pledges and donations of the $2.3 million in renovation costs for the science centers.

HELP TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE THE ACS FACILITIES CAMPUS WIDE PROJECTS

ACS gives our donors the opportunity to place their names on key campus landmarks. Landmarks include the Cafeteria, the Lower School Library, the Lower School Multipurpose Room, the High School Principal’s Office and more.

We have raised $100,000 in pledges and donations of the $2.45 million in naming opportunities for Campus Wide Projects.

CONTRIBUTE TO ACS TO SUPPORT THE ENDOWMENT

Empowering youth through quality education is a social responsibility of utmost importance to the future of our region. Endowed Named Scholarships give the recipients a chance to build a better future for themselves and give back to their communities. The interest earned from an endowed scholarship will support a student, making it possible for ACS to enroll in perpetuity, an additional qualified student who demonstrates the character, intelligence, and work ethic required to be enrolled at ACS. ACS also gives our donors the opportunity to endow a chair; they have the opportunity to endow each of the High School, Middle School, Elementary School, and Early Years Principal’s Chairs. By endowing one of these chairs, the donor allows ACS to direct money that would otherwise be spent on salaries toward school programs and needs.

We have raised $375,000 in pledges and donations to support the establishment of three new endowed funds: The Lyn Grinstein Discretionary Fund for the Head of School, The Farah Family Athletic and Leadership Award & the Rami and Melek El Nimer Endowed Scholarship.

Donor Profile—Alia Zein Buzwair Growing up attending an American school made me believe in the American education system on a personal level. My family moved from Syria to Greece for my father’s business, and from the age of 5 to 18, I attended American Community School Athens. To this day, it is the greatest gift my parents ever gave me and the reason I looked no further than ACS Beirut when I married and started a family here.

As a mother of four, I am both proud and aware of how different and unique my children are from each other. My oldest daughter Maryam is bright and funny, and my son Mohamed is intelligent, quick-witted and drawn to sports. My two youngest, Tara and Talal, are five years and 18 months old and at a stage where they are just starting to develop their likes and dislikes.

Nurturing, attentive and stimulating environments are of utmost importance for my kids during this precious time in their lives, and it is essential for me to have them in a school like ACS where they are engaged, supported and challenged.

The school’s focus on developing the whole person, like their character and values— and not just academics— is what my husband and I were looking for in a school. Teachers understand student strengths and weaknesses, and they give students time and space to explore what they love. Each day when I drop my kids off at school, I know that they are in such good hands that I often remark ACS is doing a better job than I could myself!

For me, giving to the ACS Capital Fund is unquestionable. While tuition income, with the help of the Annual Fund, is used to cover daily expenses, I know facility upgrades like the middle and high school STEM labs, Early Year’s Nature Playground, and athletic field enhancements rely solely on Capital Fund contributions beyond what is paid in tuition fees.

I believe that ACS Beirut deserves the best so that it may continue to serve as a model of academic, extracurricular and athletic excellence for the Middle East. And, if not for parents and alumni, who else will support the campus facility upgrades that are needed to match the high level of learning that goes on inside the school walls? Donating to the Capital Fund to me means investing in a space that will inspire, care and provide for our children. I hope you will consider joining me by contributing to the Capital Fund today.

Sincerely,

Alia Zein Buzwair ACS Middle School, Elementary School and Early Years Parent

ACS CAPITAL FUND PROGRESS REPORT

$500,000 +

Anonymous

$10,000 +

Mr. & Mrs. Mohammad Safadi*

Anonymous Mr. Jerry & Mrs. Lyn Hussong ‘62 Grinstein* Mr. & Mrs. Yassine Jaber* Mr. Jonathan G. Stacey ‘61 & Mrs. Lisa Ebert ‘74 Stacey Dr. & Mrs. John Waterbury* WN

$100,000 +

$5,000 +

$250,000 +

Mr. William ‘56* & Mrs. Nancy Crays Mr. Rami El Nimer & Mrs. Melek El Nimer* State of Kuwait

Mr. Jay Bruder ‘74* Dr. Scott Brunger ‘64 & Mrs. Ann Owens ‘65 Brunger Dr. Barbara A. Porter ‘71* Mrs. Barbara C. Sampson* Mr. & Mrs. Samir I. Toubassy*

$50,000 +

Mr. William G. ‘66 & Mrs. Melinda Held ‘69 Brunger* Mr. Fahad Buzwair & Mrs. Alia Zein Buzwair Mr. Ziad Dalloul Mr. & Mrs. Karim H. Fallaha* Mr. & Mrs. Fawzi Farah* Mr. Richard & Mrs. Chirine Haykel Mr. Henry Sarkissian & Mrs. Myrna Sarkissian*

$25,000 +

Jammal Trust Bank s.a.l./ Mr. Anwar Jammal

$1,000 +

Anonymous Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Karam M. Atallah* Mr. Bassam & Mrs. Salwa Siniora Baassiri* Dr. Karl K. Barbir ‘66 Dr. Donald Coppock ‘65 Mr. James G. Ennis ‘65 Mr. Patrick Hinds ‘56* Ms. Carlene Snyder Howland ‘50 Mr. Jeff Hutchins ‘65* Mrs. Judy Mandaville Lipman ‘56 Mrs. Blanche G. Mansfield Dr. Lawrence Moulton ‘65

Ms. Margit Bliss Orange ‘53* Dr. Valerie Estes Ragan ‘76* Mr. Robert Rogier ‘65 & Mrs. Suzanne Rogier ‘63 Lowers Dr. Paul Salem Mrs. Linda Handschin Sheppard ‘68* Mrs. Marilyn Bunyan Wilkens ‘53 Mr. David Williams ‘74 Mr. Pieter Wybro ‘67

$500+

Mrs. Lucie Austin ‘76 Ms. JoAnn Atwood ‘72 Ms. Muriel Brunger ‘73 Class Gifts Dr. Martin Crane ‘65 & Mrs. DeLoris Lowman Crane ‘65 Dr. Donald A. Luidens ‘65 Ms. Lynne Manilla ‘67 Dr. Jack ‘56 & Mrs. Diane Renfer ‘56 Sommer

$1+

Mr. Matt Brunger Mrs. Cleo Fagerlie Current ‘65 Mrs. Joanne Davies Ms. Lamya L. Deeb ‘79 Mr. Pete Fleury ‘61 Mr. Robert Foster* Ms. Suzanne M. Haight ‘75 Mrs. Barbara L. Hudspith Mr. Clifford Hunt ‘74 Mrs. Kristen (Kris) L. Hunt ‘72 Members Give Powered by JUSTGIVE Ms. Charlotte Minette Kaplow ‘62 Mr. & Mrs. Abdul H. Mansour* Mrs. Patricia Marquart ‘65 Ms. Judith McKinley ‘64 Mrs. Jan Singer Quinn ‘65 Mr. Robert L. Reeves ‘70 Mrs. Lynn McIntyre Riley ‘65 Mr. Bill Tracy ‘53

TOTAL $2,077,757

Mr. Mike Adrounie ‘65 Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Mrs. Gail Padgett Balocca ‘61 * Board of Trustees of ACS * Board of Governors of the Alumni Association * Former Board of Trustees of ACS * Former & Current Faculty, Staff & Administration

The American Community School Beirut truly appreciates the generosity of each supporter. Every effort is made to ensure that the above list of donors is accurate. If you have made a gift to the Capital Fund before June 30, 2016, and your name is not listed or is listed differently than you prefer, please contact the Development & Alumni Relations Office at development@acs.edu.lb. Donors are listed in alphabetical order.

THE BRUNGER FAMILY MUSIC ROOM

ACS Board of Trustees member Melinda Held Brunger ’69 with her husband Dr. Bill Brunger ’66 were honored at a dedication ceremony in June 2015 for their donation of a music performance space in the new ACS building.

THE SAFADI SCIENCE CENTER IN MEMORY OF RAMZI M. SAFADI ‘02

Minister and trustee Mohammad Safadi dedicated the BD Science Center in November 2015, which he donated to ACS in memory of his son, Ramzi Safadi ‘02. Ramzi was a highly inquisitive person who loved to ask questions and go on nature expeditions.

BEIT SALIM IN HONOR OF SALIM KHEIREDDINE, SR.

Minister and trustee Marwan Kheireddine dedicated the new Head of School’s apartment in March 2016 to honor his late father, Salim Kheireddine, Sr. The Kheireddine Family have four children at ACS: Salim Kheireddine ’20, Sacha Kheireddine ’22, Zeid Kheireddine ’23 and Mina Kheireddine ’26.

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES

The work to renovate ACS is on its way but we need your help. Please consider making a major gift to the Capital Fund to offset the costs incurred by these critical upgrades. All gifts will have naming opportunities attached.

HELP TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE THE ACS FACILITIES THE FIRST NEW BUILDING IN 60 YEARS Whole building

$3,000,000

5th grade (3)

$100,000

Head of School’s apartment

$1,000,000

5 grade (4)

$100,000

Roof Terrace (Event space)

$1,000,000

Music performance space

$80,000

16 Faculty Apartments

$100,000 each

Music Room

$150,000

5th grade (1)

$100,000

Elementary Music Room

$150,000

5th grade (2)

$100,000

2 Language Rooms

$75,000 each

th

A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE CENTER Conference Room

$100,000

Robotics Lab

$200,000

Filming Room

$100,000

Maker Space

$100,000

Instructional Space

$100,000

Teacher’s Space

$50,000

Multipurpose Space one

$100,000

Open Space

$200,000

Multipurpose Space two

$100,000

MS Science Wing

$500,000

A NEW HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE CENTER Science Lab one

$100,000

Science Lab three

$100,000

Science Lab two

$100,000

Science Center

$450,000

HELP TO RENOVATE PLAYGROUNDS Athletic Field

$250,000

Lower School Playground

$250,000

Elementary Roof

$200,000

Early Years Nature Playground

$300,000

CAMPUS WIDE NAMING OPPORTUNITIES Cafeteria

$750,000

The Community Lounge

$100,000

5 Floor of the BD Building

$500,000

BD Conference Room

$100,000

Classroom in 5th floor of BD

$100,000

The Administration Wing

$150,000

Lower School Library

$350,000

The Stage in the Rabbit Field

3x 2x $50,000

LS Multipurpose Space

$200,000

HS Principal’s Office

$50,000

th

CONTRIBUTE TO ACS TO SUPPORT THE ENDOWMENT Endowed Scholarships

$250,000 each

Head’s Chair

$100,000

3 Principals’ Chairs

$100,000 each

www.acs.edu.lb P.O.Box 11-8129, Riad El Solh 1107-2260 Beirut, Lebanon 67 Nigeria Street, Jal El-Bahr 2035-8003 T: 961 (1) 374 370 - F: 961 (1) 366 050 3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 8th Fl. New York, NY 10017-2303, U.S.A. T: 212 583 7634 - F: 212 583 7635