Alma del Mar Charter School
2013 Annual Report
“Alma del Mar is preparing our children to become well-rounded, productive, positive, intelligent, influential leaders of tomorrow that will think for themselves.” – Heather Campinha-Castro, mother of Samuel, ‘26
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Alma del Mar Charter School
Dear Friends,
We are pleased to share with you our 2013 Annual Report.
We are very proud of the progress of our young scholars over the past two years. For the first time, Alma scholars had the opportunity to take the MCAS in the spring of 2013. In math, our scholars significantly outperformed the statewide average. Our scholars are also closing the gap in literacy. Nearly all of our scholars are now reading above grade level.
Our scholars are also achieving when it comes to doing high quality work. For example, our second graders interviewed immigrants from around the world and learned about the many pathways that lead people to New Bedford. They then documented these stories in detailed biographies of the immigrants. By engaging in meaningful work, our scholars are developing into journalists, biologists, and historians. Our school culture is stronger and family engagement is deepening. We continue to partner with families to overcome traditional barriers to achievement so that our scholars can succeed. 100% of Alma families report that their scholars are getting the education they need to be on the path to college. For the second consecutive year, our average daily attendance was over 97%.
Our scholars have also expanded their educational horizons for after they graduate from Alma del Mar. During the 2012-2013 school year, scholars visited Harvard University, Boston College, Boston University, Franklin Pierce University, and Bowdoin College. While on campuses, scholars presented their work to panels of college students. Thanks to the support of the Amelia Peabody Foundation, we completed the installation of six portable classrooms (known as The Fine Arts Building), allowing us to continue to meet the demands of our evergrowing scholar population. There are now more than 600 children on the waiting list to attend Alma del Mar.
The 2013-2014 school year promises to bring many exciting opportunities to the Alma del Mar community. This year, we are enhancing our arts curriculum by launching an instrumental music program for third and fourth graders. We are also entering the start of a capital campaign to finance our long-term space. Thanks to your support, we met our fundraising goal for 2012-2013. It is this demonstration of your belief in us that makes us confident in our ability to meet the challenges of our upcoming capital campaign. In 2011, we founded Alma del Mar believing that justice demands that New Bedford children have access to the very best education— one that truly prepares them for life and releases their full potential. We are now closer to making that vision a reality for our scholars. Sincerely,
Will Gardner Executive Director
David M. Prentiss Chair, Board of Trustees
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our scholars must overcome TOUGH odds Many of our scholars were born into neighborhoods where educational opportunities are limited and expectations for academic achievement are low.
The challenges of poverty – including community violence, lack of adequate food and shelter, and high incarceration rates – often present significant barriers to their success. 81% of our scholars will be the first in their family to graduate from a 4-year college.
Minority Students
Low-‐Income Students 100%
100%
90%
90% 80%
79%
80%
73%
71%
70%
70%
60%
60%
50%
50%
52%
37%
40%
40%
30%
30%
20%
20%
10%
10%
0%
0%
Alma del Mar
Local District
Massachusetts
34%
Alma del Mar
Students with Disabilities 100%
90%
90%
80%
80%
70%
70%
60%
60%
50%
50%
40%
40% 26%
30%
22% 17%
20% 10% 0%
4
20%
14%
10%
Alma del Mar
Local District
Massachusetts
English Language Learners
100%
30%
Local District
Massachusetts
0%
Alma del Mar Charter School
5%
Alma del Mar
Local District
8%
Massachusetts
alma del mar is closing the achievement gap In 2013, Alma scholars took the MCAS for the first time.
The third graders taking the test had been with us for about a year and a half at that point, and their MCAS results show great progress in both math and literacy. Our math scores already exceed the state average, and Alma scholars are growing 1.4 years in reading each year. We still have a great deal more work to do, and we are very proud of all the hard work our scholars have put into their studies!
2013 Mathematics MCAS Results
100% 90% 80% 70% 60%
Advanced Pro@icient
50%
Needs Improvement
40%
Warning/Failing
30% 20% 10%
0%
Alma del Mar
Local District
State
2013 Literacy MCAS Results 100% 90% 80% 70% 60%
Advanced Pro@icient
50%
Needs Improvement
40%
Warning/Failing
30% 20% 10%
0%
Alma del Mar
Local District
State
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alma scholars follow our five commitments Service: Jose, a first grader, shows service by teaching the new kindergarteners how to use the climbing equipment on the playground.
Quality: Isaac, a third grader, demonstrates
quality by completing multiple drafts of his writing assignment, improving each time.
Integrity: Natalia, a fourth grader, shows
integrity by making sure she keeps her eyes on her own paper during a math test.
Accountability: Luisa, a kindergartener,
demonstrates accountability by apologizing when she bumps into another scholar in the hallway.
Persistence: John, a second grader,
shows persistence by practicing his math skills with a tutor after school.
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Alma del Mar Charter School
Spotlight: Quality
Alma del Mar is an Expedionary Learning school. All scholars complete a three-month Expedition in social studies each fall and a three-month Expedition in science each spring.
The Class of 2026 (fourth grade) participated in an Expedition about Buzzards Bay. They studied the land, sea and sky of Buzzards Bay. They researched the dangers to the bay and its current state. Scholars went on several fieldwork trips where they showed service in our community by helping clean local beaches and parks. Scholars also visited the Boston Museum of Science to study weather and climate and their impact on different regions.
Scholars then created a calendar to make others aware of the Bay, its history, and its climate. Scholars sold the calendar to raise money for conservation efforts. Below is a sample page from the calendar:
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an extraordinary teacher in every classroom Alma Teachers by the Numbers
1,000 candidates for 9 open positions
19 teachers with a collective 71 years of teaching experience
8 home states; 15 hometowns
22 colleges across 11 states
8 study abroad countries
10 advanced degrees completed - 6 more in progress
30% more time teaching than in other schools
“How do you thank someone for teaching your child to read and write?” -Kathryn Ford, mother of William ‘29 and Alexander ‘30
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Alma del Mar Charter School
Spotlight: meet Ms. Guerrier
Shabrina Guerrier
Second Grade Lead Teacher Hometown: Cambridge, MA Alma Mater: Bates College Why did you choose to join the Alma team?
I wanted to be a part of a school that understands that all children have potential, that they are all capable, and that our job is to help them reach their goals.
What is your top goal during your first year at Alma?
My primary goal for my first year at Alma is to build strong relationships with my scholars. I want them to see me as their biggest supporter in and out of the classroom. My scholars will see me as someone they can depend on and someone they can trust.
What is your hope for your scholars?
This year, I hope that my scholars will be able to express themselves in every capacity. I want my scholars to be open to new ideas and also be able to challenge the ideas of others. Additionally, I hope that my scholars will be intrinsically motivated. They will work hard because they want to, rather than working hard for a reward or to make me happy. I hope that they have a passion for learning and that they invest in their own learning.
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Alma expects greatness of every scholar
“The very best thing about home visits is having our child’s teacher in our home, pen in hand, asking: ‘What can I do to help your child succeed?’ This type of communication tells the scholar, “My teacher cares about what I do. I matter. I’m important!” - Jillian Gomes, mother of Adrien ‘30 and Roman ‘27
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Maria came to Alma del Mar a few weeks in to her third grade year. She had an IEP and struggled with the structure of the classroom, including raising her hand and staying in her seat. When she arrived for her first day as a third grader at Alma del Mar, Maria did not know her letter sounds and was unfamiliar with basic math concepts like addition. English language instruction was also a challenge since she only spoke Spanish at home. Learning was hard for Maria and, as a result, she didn’t want to go to school. The Alma del Mar team began providing Maria with extra support, including daily one-on-one help in literacy and math. Alma teachers supported Maria by creating pictorial booklets to help her remember reading and math strategies. Maria caught on quickly, coming in every day prepared to learn and utilize the strategies she had been taught. It wasn’t long before she was waking up her mother in the morning, wanting to be sure she’d be at school on time! Maria wanted to be pushed academically, striving to learn more and enjoying the challenge. For the first time, she had the tools to be academically successful.
By the end of the school year, Maria was reading at grade level. She passed her math interim exam and scored an 80% on her literacy interim exam. She no longer struggles with the structure or expected behaviors of the classroom. This year, Maria is in the fourth grade at Alma del Mar. She is thriving, academically, personally and socially.
Alma del Mar Charter School
Spotlight: alma in singapore The math curriculum in Singapore is one of the most rigorous in the world. Singapore ranks #1 worldwide in math performance on the TIMSS examination. Alma del Mar uses the Singapore curriculum beginning in kindergarten to give scholars a deep conceptual appreciation of numbers.
Kyla Spindler, Alma’s Math Department Chair, has been leading Alma’s implementation of the Singapore Math curriculum. She applied for a grant from Fund for Teachers to enable her to travel to Singapore. Ms. Spindler received the funding and spent three weeks studying math instruction in primary schools in Singapore!
Ms. Spindler traveled to Singapore in purusit of methods for teaching Singapore Math to struggling students and ways to effectively implement professional development to improve math instruction. Ms. Spindler observed classrooms in seven schools and met with the heads of math departments to discuss their curricula, their approaches to teacher development, and their school’s approach to special education and differentiated instruction.
Ms. Spindler left Singapore with copious sample materials and a notebook full of new approaches to Singapore Math. This fall, she is sharing what she has learned with the rest of the Alma del Mar math department. Her professional development sessions focus on nine experience-based problem solving techniques that are traditionally overlooked in Singapore Math workshops in the US.
“Overall, I think we are on the right track, but we have a lot of room to grow. Seeing Singapore Math first hand gives me the resources and the confidence to improve my own teaching and the teaching of math school-wide.” - Ms. Spindler
Ms. Spindler also made note of the varied approaches to special education utilized in the Singaporean schools, including the use of before and after school interventions, co-teaching models of instruction, and analysis of test scores to inform class size and curriculum. Ms. Spindler is now working with the rest of the Alma team to design interventions for struggling students.
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Alma Prepares Every Scholar for College College is integrated into everything we do. Town Hall: Every Friday, our whole-school gathering begins with scholars chanting the cheer of their college (the alma mater of their teacher). The class with the most spirit wins bragging rights and the Spirit Stick. School visits: Each year, Alma scholars visit a college preparatory high school or college. While there, they ask students questions, discover the delights of a college campus (like soft-serve ice cream!), and interact with professors.
Class identity: College is a part of the Alma culture from the moment a child wins the enrollment lottery. The kindergarteners who enrolled in the fall of 2013 are known as the Alma del Mar Class of 2030 (that is the year in which they will graduate from college). Every classroom is named after the teacher’s alma mater. These college banners appear outside of our classrooms:
BATES COLLEGE
CLASS OF 2030
POMONA CLASS OF 2029
BOSTON UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2028
“Alma students and their teacher are incredibly impressive. The students are attentive listeners who track the person speaking. They are enthusiastic and respectful. When I greeted them they gave a firm handshake and maintained good eye contact. I hope that in a few years we will welcome some of them back when they enroll as college students here. - Professor David Stolow, Boston University
FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY
HAMILTON COLLEGE
CLASS OF 2026
CLASS OF 2027
MR. RIFFLE
MS. COTUGNO
MS. SPINDLER
MS. GUERRIER
MS. SUMMERS THIRD GRADE
FOURTH GRADE
RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
KEENE COLLEGE
KINDERGARTEN
CLASS OF 2030
FIRST GRADE
CLASS OF 2029
SECOND GRADE
CLASS OF 2028
CLASS OF 2026
CLASS OF 2027
MS. PALMIERI
KINDERGARTEN
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MS. CONCEPCION FIRST GRADE
MS. LEE
SECOND GRADE
Alma del Mar Charter School
MS. CONWAY THIRD GRADE
MS. SOUSA FOURTH GRADE
Spotlight: Bowdoin Every year at Alma, scholars travel to college campuses to talk to professors and students about college life.
The Class of 2027 took the Downeaster train to Bowdoin College. Scholars toured the campus, ate in the dining hall, visited the Arctic Museum and presented their Expedition work to students in the Environmental Studies department. When passing by the six story library, one scholar exclaimed, “When I come here, I’m going to read every book in that library!”
Visiting Bowdoin was a powerful experience not only for our scholars, but also for our parent chaperones. Many commented that, after the trip, they could picture what it might look like for their scholar to go to college. Their teacher reflected, “At Alma, we talk about college so much, but actually seeing the college makes it real for scholars.”
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We do whatever it takes for our scholars Wellness: We have a full-time school nurse. We provide dental care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids for scholars. We also offer onsite counseling for students with mental health needs.
Special Education Services: 26% of our scholars have an IEP. We serve scholars with autism, epilepsy, ADHD, specific learning disabilities and Tourette’s. All scholars are fully included in a general education classroom. The Alma team includes a literacy interventionist, a special education interventionist, and two paraprofessionals. We partner with the Schwartz Center for Children to provide specialty services. English Language Instruction: More than half of our kindergarteners have at least one parent whose first language is not English. Those students who are still learning English receive daily focused instruction in speaking and understanding English.
Transportation: Many of our families do not have a car or money for gas. We provide free school bus transportation to and from school for families living anywhere in New Bedford. School Meals: Alma del Mar serves healthful breakfasts, lunches, and snacks every day. 81% of our scholars are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. All scholars receive free breakfast every day.
Basic Needs: In partnership with other community organizations, Alma del Mar provides pajamas, winter coats, Thanksgiving dinners, books, and other basics to families – while working with those families to develop the self-sufficiency to provide for themselves.
Alma del Mar demonstrates “a focus that brings with it the obligation and keen desire to fully investigate a child’s learning profile, with the understanding that what is uncovered will be addressed with the most educationally sound methods possible.” - Gretchen Timmel, Massachusetts General Hopsital
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Alma del Mar Charter School
Spotlight: reading conferences Struggling readers participate in daily one-on-one conferences with a teacher. Below is a transcript of one of those conferences: INTRO: Ms. Leiwant: “Hi Eli. What book are you reading today?” Eli: “Buzz Boy and Fly Guy. It’s a really funny book!” Ms. Lewaint: “Great! Will you read for me where you left off?”
Research: Watch scholar read for 1-2 mins without interrupting, just taking notes or keeping a running record. Decide what to teach for the day. Ms. Leiwant: “I loved how you slowed down at each tricky word and tried to figure it out. I can tell that you really want to read every word correctly.”
Teaching: Ms. Leiwant: “You know what I noticed? I noticed that after you would work really hard on a word, you would often just keep going. It really helps me as a reader to go back and reread the whole sentence smoothly, so that I can remember what I’m reading about! Let me show you.”
Teacher reads a sentence, gets stuck decoding a word, then goes back and rereads smoothly. Ms. Leiwant: “Let’s go back to this sentence where there was a tricky word for you. Let’s see if we can use this strategy together.”
Read in unison, slow for the tricky word solving, then go back and reread the whole sentence together. Ms. Leiwant: “Alright, let’s keep reading from where we had left off earlier. I’m excited to see you practice this strategy as you read - if you have to stop for a tricky word, always go back and reread the full sentence smoothly. What are you going to do?” Eli: “Reread the sentence after I figure out a tricky word.” Scholar reads aloud for a page or two, using the strategy effectively. Prompt scholar if needed.
closing: Record the teaching point in kid friendly language in the child’s conference notebook. The child should have this to reference during his/her independent reading time. Ms. Leiwant: “You did great work rereading sentences where you had to slow down for a tricky word. Today and every day that you are reading, I want you to use this strategy. Next time that we conference, I am going to be looking to see that you do this all the time. If you are an expert on it, I’ll be able to teach you something new!”
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Alma partners with families from day one When parents feel welcomed and empowered, they become involved in their child’s education, and student achievement skyrockets. Promoting family engagement is a key component of our school culture. Home Visits: Every teacher visits the home of every child every year.
Parent-Teacher Communication: Parents have all teachers’ cell phone numbers. All parents participate in quarterly face-to-face parent conferences. If the family cannot come to the school, the teacher meets with them at home.
Family Events: Families gather for many family events including Days of Service, Harvest Feasts, movie nights, skating parties, and cookouts. All events are free. Parent Education: Alma del Mar offers free English classes for parents who speak other languages. We also bring in speakers and host parent support groups.
Parent Leadership: Parent Council Special Education Parent Council Multilingual Parent Council Booster Club.
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Alma del Mar Charter School
Spotlight: enrichment Co-Curriculars: At Alma del Mar, every scholar has Physical Education, Art, and Music each three days a week. Through Physical Education, scholars learn the fundamentals of sports and develop lifelong habits of physical fitness. In Art, scholars gain exposure to great artists throughout history and create work in their styles. In Music, starting in kindergarten, scholars learn how to read music and study tone, rhythm, and harmony.
Afterschool Enrichment: Our afterschool enrichment program is open to all scholars every day from 3:30 – 5 PM. The program is free and transportation is provided. Access to the afterschool program allows parents to work or further their education while children are in a supervised, engaging environment. Scholars receive homework help from AmericaReads tutors. Electives include:
Sailing Lacrosse Basketball Ultimate frisbee
Wrestling Karate Bowling Yoga
Clay play Arts and crafts Jewelry making Model engineering
Cheerleading ZUMBA Pop Dance Drumming
For the first time, scholars have the opportunity to participate in the Alma Strings Ensemble. Third and fourth graders learn to play the violin, viola, or cello and then perform for the community.
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volunteers enrich the lives of our scholars Why did you decide to become a mentor at Alma? I had recently moved to the area and wanted to get involved in New Bedford. From past volunteer experiences at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and RI Hospital, I knew that I enjoyed working one-on-one with both adults and children. I met a member of the Alma Board socially and was intrigued by what I heard about the school. After reading the school’s website, I decided to follow up with the mentoring program. What is rewarding about being a mentor at Alma?
Getting to know AJ, his mom and little sister has been meaningful for me. This will be my third year working with him. What are your goals for yourself and for AJ in the mentoring program?
AJ & Meredith
It is my aim to be a consistent, supportive, positive part of his life, one that will enhance his experience at school. I want to help AJ gain more confidence in himself as a scholar by helping him work through the hard parts, mastering skills and experiencing success. When AJ started to gobble up every book in the series “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” I knew he had made a huge step. I can’t wait to see where he goes next!
Alma del Mar greatly appreciates the support of volunteers. Volunteers fill many important roles in the Alma community, including assisting with recess, office tasks and special events. Our Literacy Mentors play a vital role in the social, emotional and academic development of our scholars. Mentors are volunteers from the community who meet weekly with the same scholar afterschool and develop a strong relationship with them over the course of the year.
The mentoring program is designed to reinforce what our scholars need most: the mindset and skills to be successful. Mentors act as an additional caring adult in scholars’ lives and provide them with crucial academic support. The relationship mentors form with their scholars will help scholars build their self-esteem and belief in their own potential.
We have a long waiting list of children who very much need a mentor. In 1 hour a week, you will make a powerful difference in your mentee’s life! To sign up, please visit www.almadelmar.org/mentor, call 774-206-6827, or e-mail mentor@almadelmar.org.
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Alma del Mar Charter School
thank you to our 2012-2013 mentors: Barbara Bedell Laurence Bedell Alyse Blake Betty Cooney Bronwen Cunningham Priscilla Ditchfield Jason Falk Donna-Lee Forster Maria Harrington Donna Howard Martha E Kay Larry Lutvak Madeleine McGuire Nancy Ogden Helena Oliveira Paula Richotte Jane Rioux Lecia Seablom Martha Cary Shuster Shana Silva Meredith Swan Deborah Synnott
we appreciate you: Advisory Council: Chad Brubaker Barbara Cook Bronwen Cunningham Priscilla Ditchfield Ed Haddad
Lucile Hicks
James Hughes Dennis Keefe Jay Lanagan Judith Li Robert Massoud Bruce Morell Mark Rasmussen Maria Rosario Anthony R. Sapienza
Community Partners:
Alma del Mar received a $35,000 grant from the Smith Family Foundation to build a playground for our scholars. 100 volunteers completed the construction of the playground in 40 hours. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Alderbrook Farm AmericaReads Buttonwood Park Zoo Buzzards Bay Coalition Club Madeirense Community Boating Center, Inc. Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts Councilman Steven Martins Eastleigh Dairy Farm Expeditionary Learning Friends Academy GiftstoGive Massachusetts General Hospital Mayor Jonathan F. Mitchell New Bedford City Council New Bedford Symphony Orchestra NorthStar Learning Centers Ocean Explorium Providence Children’s Museum Schwartz Center for Children Sharing the Harvest Tabor Academy Teach for America – Massachusetts University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Working Waterfront Festival YMCA Southcoast – New Bedford
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The alma model is cost-efficient “We love Alma because every single person in the building is invested in our children’s education.” – Amy Santos, mother of Emily ‘27 and Abby ‘28
$140
– Grace Lopes, mother of Ayva ‘29
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$128
$120
$100
$80
$72
$76
$60
$40
$20
$0
“I am so glad that Alma del Mar has such a wonderful staff. It puts my heart at ease to send my daughter to school and know that she is getting the best education and loves being there.”
Per Pupil Cost per School Day Chart Title
Alma del Mar
Average Public School in Massachusetts
Income Tuition (MA Department of Education) Government Grants & Funding (other) Nutrition Funding Private Support Funding Student Programs & Miscellaneous Fees Interest / Investment Income Total Income Expense Personnel Costs Administrative Costs Instructional Services Other Student Services Operation & Maintenance of Plant Other Fixed Charges Community Services Total Expense
Alma del Mar Charter School
Local Private School
$1,797,668 $558,324 $85,708 $201,498 $3,027 $253 $2,646,478 $1,327,679 $129,237 $399,023 $182,229 $129,678 $27,923 $6,224 $2,201,993
we need your support to achieve our mission Alma del Mar is a public school authorized under Massachusetts’ charter school law. As such, we receive part of our funding from public dollars, and we must raise the remainder from private donations.
Alma del Mar Funding Sources Per Pupil $1,250
The cost of educating an Alma scholar this past year was approximately $13,750, excluding capital expenses. The public funding we received was roughly $12,500 for each student. This left a funding gap of $1,250 per pupil, generously donated by private donors and foundations.
$12,500 Government funding
Donation $25 $100 $250 $500 $1,250
Impact Two high-quality non-fiction texts A musical instrument A fieldwork expedition to Harvard A computer with software Educate a scholar for a year
Monthly Gift $10 $25 $50 $75
Equivalent 2 Starbucks lattes 2 movie tickets and popcorn 1 tank of gas 1 dress at a department store
$24,000
Adopt a class for a year!
Your support
Impact Health services for 5 scholars for one year Transportation for 1 scholar for one year Books for 3 scholars for one year 1 professional development workshop
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Thank you to our 2012-2013 donors Foundations: Acushnet Foundation Amelia Peabody Foundation Bristol County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Club Madeirense Enable Hope Foundation George H. & Jane A. Mifflin Memorial Fund The Harbor Oaks Foundation Hot Tub Philanthropists Island Foundation Jim and Bess Hughes Fund Kittansett Club Leonard & Hilda Kaplan Charitable Foundation Lynch Foundation Mifflin Memorial Fund Patrick Carney Foundation Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation The Seymour H. Knox Foundation Inc. St. Aidan’s Chapel
Individuals: Anonymous Jonas Peter Akins Chris & Patricia Arnold Talbot Baker, Jr. Jan Baptist Charlie & Chrissie Bascom Mary Jean & Bill Blasdale Robert Booth & Bronwen Cunningham Hans Brenninkmayer Tom Brisson David Cabral Joyce Louise Calnen Karyn & Ben Campbell Sheila Powers Converse Barbara Cook David & Vicki Croll Bob & Vickie Cunningham Steven DeRossi Peter Dewalt
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James & Carol Dildine Kathryn Dinneen Joe Dow Matt & Dee Downey Lissa & Sandy England Mary & Jim Faughnan Kathryn Ford Will & Laura Gardner Clark & Margaret Gee Will & Marguerite Graham Jennifer Grantham Adelaide Griswold Maria & David Harrington Photoula & Mark Harrington Lucile Pillow Hicks Johanna & Frederic Hood Nan Johnson Martha E Kay Dennis Keefe
Alma del Mar Charter School
Lucy Keefe Trudy Kingery Rachael Kolb Ted & Nancy Kurtz Monica Laurans Judith Li Robert Massoud James Mathes Kathy Minnock Helena Oliveira Susan Passoni Faith & Charlie Paulsen David Prentiss Tom Quinlan Mark Rasmussen Steven & Martha Cary Shuster Paul Sullivan Jim & Kris Tomlinson Ann & Jack Webb
alma board of trustees Chris Arnold has been involved with education as a teacher, administrator, and educational consultant for 47 years. Mary Jean Blasdale worked at the Whaling Museum where she currently serves as a trustee. Mary Jean is past President of the Board of the Grinnell Mansion for Congregate Living and is current President of the Board of the Rotch-Jones-Duff House. David Cabral, MBA, Treasurer, is President of Five Star Surgical and Five Star Manufacturing. David is also Managing Partner at Zenith Ventures, LLC and owner of Five Star Surgical, Inc. David formerly served as Production Manager at Johnson & Johnson.
Karyn Campbell, CFA, is a former Managing Director of Capital Advisors Group, Inc. She has served on the National Board of Directors of Citizen Schools.
Bronwen Cunningham, MBA, worked in financial services at Fidelity, served on the Board of the Wellesley ABC program and of Babson College, and serves as a mentor and coach for students at Babson.
Martha Kay, M.Ed., is former Principal of Gomes Elementary School in New Bedford. She also serves on the Board of Directors of GiftstoGive. James Mathes founded SMILES Mentoring. For nearly twenty years, James served as President of the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce. In 2004, James was recognized as “SouthCoast Man of the Year.� David M. Prentiss, JD, Chairman, is CEO of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra as well as a lecturer in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth.
Kris Tomlinson obtained her BA from Tufts, her MA in East Asian Regional Studies from Harvard, and an MAT in Elementary Education from Lewis and Clark University.
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“Alma del Mar is so much more than a school. It's a family. It's friends. It's the best thing possible for my children's future. It's unheard of, and it's amazing!” -Jennifer Mimms, mother of Ryann ‘27 and Caleb ‘30
Get Involved: Visit Alma Donate to Alma Volunteer at Alma 26 Madeira Ave New Bedford, MA 02746 Phone: 774-206-6827 Fax: 774-206-6833 info@almadelmar.org www.almadelmar.org
Photo credits: Josephine Sittenfeld www.josittenfeld.com