2016-17 Far Brook Report on Philanthropy

FAR BROOK SCHOOL

2016–2017

REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY

w w w. f a r b r o o k . o r g / g i v e

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Our purpose is to create a supportive and caring community that cherishes love of learning, creativity, and individuality, and that provides teachers and students with both support and freedom to take risks in order to reach their full potential.

Implicit in our philosophy is the goal of bringing students to their highest level of academic and personal competency, both for their present and in preparation for their future education. In addition, we share a much larger purpose.

We see Far Brook’s mission as a desire to use and to adapt the principles of progressive education and its philosophy of pragmatism for a changing world, and while valuing academic excellence and respect for nature, to instill a creative response to learning with great art, drama, music, and literature as models.

Our approach to education demands that both students and teachers be active participants in a reciprocal learning experience. We recognize the role of metaphor, ritual, and tradition in children’s lives and the power of the arts in the learning process. Our curriculum is unified by interdisciplinary studies of thematic units and great historical eras, which allow children to relate themselves to the universe and to the history of mankind. A Far Brook education takes place in an environment of natural beauty and intimacy, where character and citizenship are valued as much as achievement, process as much as product.

It is our desire to touch the lives of children so they may live life wisely and with great joy.

2016-2017

Dear Members of the Far Brook Community, We are pleased to share Far Brook’s 2016-2017 Report on Philanthropy.

The progress we were able to make during the year reflects the generosity of our extraordinary community – current families, alumni, faculty and administrators – and our collective dedication to the community’s most important members – the students.

Different people decide to contribute their talent and resources to Far Brook for different reasons, but most are proud of Far Brook’s progressive approach to education, high academic standards, and deep, rich curriculum. We all are inspired by our students who are curious, thoughtful, collaborative, and self-reliant.

As Far Brook prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary on May 12, 2018, we cannot help but reflect on our incredibly rich history. Those who came before us, led the School with wisdom, vision, and purpose. These pioneers knew that their contributions would benefit the next generation of students and families. They were “paying it forward” for all of us. To them, and to all of you, we are grateful.

The 2016-2017 year was a busy one with many significant accomplishments: Philanthropic Support from the Far Brook community remains strong.

In 2016-2017 we raised a total of more than $1,000,000. In addition, we collected $972,000 in pledge payments from our Imagine The Possibilities Campaign which was completed in December of 2015.

Far Brook’s Endowment: Due to a combination of strong equity markets and the prudent financial oversight of the Board’s Finance Committee and our business office, Far Brook’s Endowment crossed the six-million-dollar mark for the first time. The fair market value, as of June 30, 2017, was $6,022,688, 14% growth from the June 30, 2016 total of $5,264,847.

w w w. f a r b r o o k . o r g / g i v e

2017 Spring Soiree, Far Brook’s Parent Social and Auction: Thanks to the generosity of our community and the more than $45,000 raised from the Parent Social, a colorful Everlast Climbing Wall was purchased and installed in the Gym in late August. This is a wonderful addition to our sports and health programs. Funds from this evening also supported robotic and electronic technology enhancements for Nursery through Eighth Grade students.

Faculty Development: Far Brook’s internal Faculty program for professional development, known as Professional Study Groups, gives teachers more ownership over their own learning and teaching. Instituted in 2016, each group is charged with reading relevant research, studying best practices, and identifying innovations to use in our classrooms.

Some of the areas of inquiry this year included: nonfiction reading, authentic assessment, global citizenship, and integrated arts curriculum.

The program served such a positive model for engaged and energized professional development that we are continuing it in the 2017-2018 year.

Summer Programs: This was the second year Far Brook hosted its twoweek STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Camp, with more than 60 budding scientists and engineers designing, testing, creating, and collaborating on challenging STEAM projects. In June, for the second year, NJ SEEDS Young Scholars academic program called Far Brook home for five weeks, further deepening Far Brook’s 14-year relationship with SEEDS. Widening the Lens: Far Brook’s Diversity Conference: On Saturday, November 12, 2016, Far Brook hosted its first Diversity Conference, modeled on the successful New York City Dalton School Conference.

Twelve New Jersey independent schools, comprising of more than 150 attendees, made up of diversity coordinators, administrators, faculty, parents, trustees, alumni and students, came together for this full-day event designed to build community and inclusion.

Strategic Plan and Long-Range Planning: The Board of Trustees continue to work on a new Strategic Plan for Far Brook. This process, which began in the fall of 2016, is a community-wide effort that sought input and feedback from members of the faculty and staff, current families, alumni and their families. In support of the plan, the Finance Committee of the Board and our Director of Finance and Operations created an integrated financial model which provides improved forward visibility over a ten-year period. A final draft of the plan will be presented to the community in the coming year.

2016-2017

Marketing: We continue to develop new marketing materials and strategies as we shape our message in this ever-changing world while remaining true to Far Brook’s mission and philosophy. A social media team was created to produce continuous content for our website, Facebook, and Instagram presence. We have also increased opportunities for current families to learn about the grades ahead. We have added morning and evening presentations on a variety of topics including curriculum and assessment, diversity, parenting workshops, among others.

To our entire community, we thank you for your ongoing generosity of time, talent, and resources. 2016-2017 was a busy and productive year for Far Brook School.

With Deepest Gratitude,

Amy Ziebarth and

Head of School

Bob Kelly Chair, Board of Trustees

w w w. f a r b r o o k . o r g / g i v e

FINANCIAL REPORT We are pleased to report that Far Brook School’s financial position remains strong. Below is a summary for the 2016-2017 year.

Revenue

Expenses

11%

Financial Aid

79%

7%

Tuition and Fees

Educational Program and Technology

11%

Plant Maintenance

Far Brook Fund and other philanthropic support

7%

Endowment and Investment Income

3%

Auxiliary Programs

2016-2017

5% 5%

Administrative

5%

Depreciation

3%

Auxiliary Programs

SUMMARY OF PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT We are profoundly grateful to our community of current parents, alumni, alumni parents, trustees, grandparents, faculty and staff, and friends who continue to give thoughtfully and generously to the School. Thank you for making the extraordinary Far Brook experience possible for each and every student. Below is a summary of philanthropic support for 2106-2017.

$435,518

2016-2017 Far Brook Fund

Total dollars raised:

$1,005,013

$194,110

Endowment/Restricted Scholarship/Tribute Gifts

$268,100

Current Use Financial Aid

$45,000

Imagine The Possibilities Capital Campaign payments:

$ 972,742

Spring Soiree – Parent Social & Auction

$15,000

Head of School Speaker Series

Total dollars received:

$1,977,755

$10,000

Widening The Lens Diversity Conference Corporate Partnership

$37,285

Additional gifts to Music and Instrument Fund, Drama Department, Class Gift, Head of School Discretionary Fund, and Special Projects

w w w. f a r b r o o k . o r g / g i v e

ADMISSIONS Number of Students........................ 238 (55% Boys and 45% Girls) New Students..................................... 43 Number of Families.......................... 165 New Families...................................... 30 Diversity - Students of Color............. 90 Communities...................................... 30

Secondary Schools Attended by the Class of 2017 George School Kent Place School Little Red School House/Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI) Millburn High School Montclair Kimberley Academy Morristown-Beard School Newark Academy The Pingry School

2016-2017

2016-2017 Student/Teacher Ratio 6:1 100% Board of Trustees participation 100% Faculty & Administration participation

84% Current Parent participation

$435,518 raised!

THANK YOU! w w w. f a r b r o o k . o r g / g i v e

ENDOWMENT Far Brook’s Endowment totaled $6,022,688 as of June 30, 2017, representing an endowment per student of $25,959. Our Endowment provides regular income, through smart investing and prudent management, for School programs, scholarships, financial aid, faculty development, facilities, and general needs. It ensures Far Brook’s long-term security and sustainability by creating support for future ventures and sudden opportunities. A donor may add to these funds at any time.

Far Brook’s Endowment — History $7,000,000

$6,022,688

$6,000,000

$5,264,847 $5,000,000

$4,317,936 $4,000,000

$3,000,000

$1,806,699

$2,000,000

$1,000,000

$0

2016-2017

$12,726 1980

$202,722 1990

2000

2010

2016

2017

DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT FUNDS Arts Endowment Funds Kramer Art Fund Fredda S. Leff Special Projects Endowment Polly S. Niebling Drama Fund

Building Endowment Funds Milton H. Stern Endowment Fund The Ruth and Max Segal Family Library Endowment Fund

Faculty Endowment Funds The Elliott Averett Family Fund for Teacher Benefits Faculty Endowment Fund Endowment for Teacher Benefits Moore Faculty Benefit Fund

Scholarship Endowment Funds Mary Adams Scholarship for Mathematics and Science Edwin A. Finckel Scholarship for the Arts The Founding Families Scholarship Endowment Fund The George Bartol Scholarship The Hite Scholarship The James E. and Elizabeth Hughes Scholarship Endowment Fund William R. Johnson Scholarship for the Arts Barbara Jordan Endowment Scholarship The Koven Family Scholarship Marks Student Scholarships The Opportunity Scholarship Fund for Excellence Carol Silver Endowment for Student Scholarships

w w w. f a r b r o o k . o r g / g i v e

THE HITE SCHOLARSHIP This is what an Endowment gift can do... it has staying power and impact.

A Far Brook education is rich in experiences, opportunities, and participation.

Music lessons, instrument rentals, after school programming, transportation, sports equipment, tutoring, testing, and so much more, are all integral to a Far Brook student’s life.

In honor of Samantha ’94 and Tessa ’97 Hite, this endowed scholarship was created to be used for the necessities that fall outside the normal range of tuition assistance.

Since 2000, the Hite Scholarship, endowed with a $100,000 gift, has provided $70,065 in scholarship awards.

The current balance in the Fund is $124,281.

2016-2017

THE FACULTY ENDOWMENT FUND The Faculty Endowment Fund was created in the fall of 1983 to benefit Far Brook faculty through the awarding of grants for curricular projects, travel/study programs, and special educational opportunities. Each year, faculty are invited to submit proposals for funding consideration. Over the years, more than 40 projects have been funded and recently include: Development of the Junior High Advisory Program

n

Creation of a new Seventh Grade Woodshop Curriculum to integrate use of Far Brook’s 3D printing technology

n

Preparation and presentation of Literacy Workshops for faculty

n

Six Lower School faculty attended Open Circle Curriculum Symposium prior to integrating the program into Far Brook’s curriculum

n

w w w. f a r b r o o k . o r g / g i v e

FACULTY AND STAFF 2016-2017 ADMINISTRATION Amy Ziebarth Head of School

TECHNOLOGY Robert Andolina Director of Technology

Nicole Fabian Engelke ’88 Director of Upper School

Deborah Costa Educational Technology Specialist

Paula Levin Director of Lower School Minnie Cummings Director of Finance and Operations Alisha Roig Executive Assistant / Placement Coordinator Janice O’Shea Accounting Manager Gloria Monteiro Office Coordinator Anne Engelkraut School Nurse Arthur Gannon Plant Supervisor Melissa Stampoulos Kitchen Coordinator ADMISSIONS Mikki Murphy Director of Admissions, Placement and Diversity Emi Ithen Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Kathy Ike Admissions Assistant DEVELOPMENT Suzanne Glatt Director of Development Jennifer Barba Director of Communications and Volunteers Greg Bartiromo Associate Director of the Far Brook Fund and Alumni Relations / Upper School Athletics Coach Joan Burr Communications Coordinator Yolisse Carattini Database Manager and Development Coordinator

2016-2017

FACULTY Linda Auld Learning Consultant April Bell-Martha French Teacher Grades 4-6 Mona Boewe Sixth Grade Associate Teacher / Connections Teacher / After School Program Coordinator Laura Bonventre Fifth Grade Teacher Michelle Boyer First Grade Associate Teacher Rebecca Campbell Fourth Grade Teacher Michael Chodroff Science Teacher Grades 5-8 / Director of Sustainability Liz Colleran Math Teacher Grades 5-8 / Math Coach Grade 4 Erin Comollo First Grade Teacher Donna DeLorenzo Deltz Kindergarten Teacher / N-K Curriculum Coordinator

William Deltz Nursery Teacher Ellen Flamm Learning Specialist Grades K-3 James Glossman Director of Drama

Nancy Muniz Director of Athletics / Physical Education Teacher / Upper School Athletics Coach Christopher Murphy Woodshop Teacher / STEAM Camp Coordinator

Catharina Greenberg French Teacher Grades N-3

Roberto Olazagasti Math Teacher Grades 5-8 / Art Teacher Grades 7-8

Megan Gottlieb Second Grade Teacher

Uton Oneyjekwe Dance Teacher

Jennifer Haakmat Learning Specialist Grades 4-6

Missy Perry Third Grade Teacher

Cathi Harris Upper School Athletics Coach

Joan Rabinowitz Second Grade Teacher

Alison Headley Second Grade Associate Teacher

Jennifer Semioli Physical Education Teacher / Upper School Athletics Coach

Kate Hewitt Librarian / English Teacher Grade 7 Jessica Howe First Grade Teacher Mark Kaczmarczyk Director of Music Lauren Kronthal Science Specialist Grades 4-8 Kerry Lancey Fourth Grade Teacher Jennifer Martin Nursery Associate Teacher Megan Martin Third Grade Teacher Danyel Mayers ’08 Nursery 3s Associate Teacher Valerie McEntee Sixth Grade Teacher Nancy McIntyre Art Teacher Grades N-6 Claire Monaghan Nursery 3s Teacher

Edward Solecki History Teacher Grades 7-8 / English Teacher Grade 8 Marnie Stetson Literacy Specialist Grades 4-8 Nina Sze Math Teacher Grades 5-8 Grace Toolan ’05 Kindergarten Associate Teacher Nealy Troll Kindergarten Teacher JoAnn Tutino Science Teacher Grades N-4 / Schoolyard Habitat Coordinator Erasmia Voukelatos Lower School Music Teacher / Recorder Teacher Grade 4 Matthew Westerby Dance Teacher Alex Winkler ’06 Fifth Grade Associate Teacher

Haruka Mori Second Grade Teacher Milan Milinkovic Orchestra Teacher

w w w. f a r b r o o k . o r g / g i v e

2016-2017 VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Board of Trustees Bob Kelly – Chair Neale Trangucci – Vice Chair Carmine Fanelle – Treasurer Michelle Swittenberg – Secretary Amy Ziebarth – Head of School Diane Bakst Christopher Burns Kate Hewitt Greg Hoffman Anne-Marie Kim Leah Kronthal Marybeth Leithead Krissy Mannello Elyse Post ’78 Marc Schwartz David Srere Tony Stovall Chris Susko Bradford Wiley, II ’54 Parents Committee Council Chairs Katy Burns Jen Gonyea Thank you to ALL our volunteers who made 2016-2017 a wonderful year for our community.

The Far Brook Fund Co-Chairs Anne-Marie Kim Elyse Post ’78 Brian Saluzzo The Far Brook Fund Solicitors Lourdes Blanco Brian Croshaw Chuck Gray Greg Hoffman Vejay Lalla Bernadette Miragliotta Jamila Piracci Rebecca Wildman Repetti ‘93 Matthew Stadtmauer Amy Yin The Far Brook Fund Faculty Liaisons Kate Hewitt Valerie McEntee

52 Great Hills Road, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 – farbrook.org