Far Brook School Annual Report 2015-16

FAR BROOK SCHOOL 2015 – 2016 REPORT ON PHILANTHROPY A small school of uncommon quality where education is considered an art

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.

DEAR MEMBERS OF THE FAR BROOK COMMUNITY, We are pleased to share Far Brook’s 2015-2016 Annual Report. Thank you to our wonderful community – our generous donors, dedicated faculty, remarkable Board of Trustees, hard-working volunteers, and our extraordinary students who continue to amaze us with their kindness, intelligence, warmth, and humor.

The 2015-2016 School year was a successful and busy one for Far Brook. There were many accomplishments in our efforts to advance our mission. A few of the highlights: Imagine The Possibilities Campaign We completed the historic Imagine The Possibilities Campaign at the end of 2015 with gifts and commitments totaling $8,543,221. This three-and-a-half-year effort raised funds for two new buildings, the Endowment, the Playground, and the purchase of a fully restored, concert-quality, 1894 Steinway B piano. We are ever grateful for the generosity of our donors who make Far Brook a philanthropic priority.

On the morning of Sunday, October 25, 2015 we officially named and dedicated the Music & Arts Building, Kronthal Science & Environmental Center, the Charlotte ’07 and Duncan ’04 Fisher Woodshop, and the Courtyard – dedicated to Far Brook’s 1948 Founding Families. In addition, we celebrated the naming of the Joseph B. Baker ’62 Endowment for Excellence in Mathematics and Science – a first for our School.

The buildings opened to students and faculty in January 2016, with rave reviews.

Centerbrook architects received high praise for their distinctive designs that “look and feel like Far Brook.” The addition of light filled, state-of-the-art classroom spaces, gives new dimension to the wonderful learning and teaching that happens here every day. It is thrilling to watch the creativity from both students and faculty as they use these spaces in exciting and innovative ways.

Middle School STEAM Immersion Week For one full week in January, Far Brook students in Grades 4-6 exchanged their regular schedules for five days of project-based, interdisciplinary STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) activities, focusing on challenges in biomechanical engineering. Working in small, mixed-grade groups, Middle School students applied the Engineering Design Process to design, build, test, and refine prosthetic devices for both animals and humans. This exciting, week-long immersion gave Middle School students an opportunity to engage their STEAM skills in solving real-world problems, as well as a first-hand awareness of some of the world- and life-changing innovations that are possible in STEAM professions.

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New Multi-Age Nursery Program A new multi-age Nursery Program, with half and full day options, was introduced and is a natural addition to an already successful program. Beginning the Far Brook journey at three allows our youngest students to experience an environment guided by our creative Nursery teachers that is rich in imagination, curiosity, and wonder.

We Said Good-bye to Three Longtime Community Members Carol Sargent, who retired from Far Brook’s Development office after 34 years, was honored on Sunday, January 21, 2016 at Far Brook’s Chamber Music & Chocolates concert, “Piano in Perspectives.” Carol established the Development Office in 1982.

Over the years her contributions were many – she created the Annual Fund, developed publications, worked with volunteers, ran events, and oversaw the School’s first two capital campaigns.

Joan Rabinowitz, Far Brook’s creative and inspiring Second Grade teacher, retired in June after 29 years of dedicated service to the School. Joan’s passion for the arts, science, and literature was a natural fit for the Second Grade core curriculum. As a Master Teacher, Joan provided opportunities to deepen her students’ thinking, to share her wisdom for life’s everyday occurrences, and to create an atmosphere of intellectual challenge and support.

Allen Artz, Far Brook’s Director of Music, retired in June after 26 years. We are grateful for all that he accomplished over the years as he significantly enhanced and nurtured the School’s music program. During his tenure, and through his dedication and talent in developing a student’s musical ability, programs such as Choir, Boys’ Choir, Group, Orchestra, Music Theory, and Handbells substantially grew and flourished.

Far Brook’s STEAM Summer Camp As a result of our successful STEAM Immersion week, almost fifty Far Brook students participated in some serious “hands on, minds on” fun as they spent their days designing and building a range of projects during Far Brook’s first STEAM Summer Camp this past June. With different options available for younger and older students, campers signed up for either one or both weeks, trying their hands building prosthetics, solar machines, computer programs, and aquaponic systems. The spacious, light, and airy science labs in our new Kronthal Science & Environmental Center, with their NanaWalls opening to the deck and Wetlands, provided an ideal “makerspace” for this innovative camp.

The Far Brook Fund The Far Brook Fund ended strong at $514,815 topping the half-million-dollar mark for the fifth year in a row. Thank you to our current parents, trustees, alumni, alumni parents, and the faculty and administration who reached 100% participation for the first time ever!

A heartfelt thank you to our entire community for your ongoing support as we continue to work together to prepare our students to be curious, thoughtful, creative thinkers, and lifelong learners. They are what inspire us every day.

With deepest gratitude,

Amy Ziebarth and

Tommaso Zanobini

Head of School

Chair, Board of Trustees

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FINANCIAL REPORT

We are pleased to report that Far Brook School’s financial position remains strong.

Below is a financial summary for the year 2015-2016.

REVENUE n Tuition & Fees....................... $7,776,992 n Far Brook Fund........................ $514,815 n Endowment and Investment Income................. $210,473 n Auxiliary Services*.................. $230,396 TOTAL..................................... $8,732,676

EXPENSES** n Educational Program Expense....$6,700,986 n Financial Aid........................ $1,027,710 n Plant Maintenance.................. $560,113 nA dministrative Expense and Contingency Reserve........ $443,867 TOTAL..................................... $8,732,676 *includes After-School Program, Summer camp rental, and merchandise sales **depreciation expense for 2015-2016 was $439,103

PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT

2015-2016 Far Brook Fund...................................................... $514,815 Contributed Income.................................................................. $279,715

Financial Aid................................................$266,150 Other.............................................................$13,565 Campaign Payments and Endowment....................................... $940,900 TOTAL................................................................................... $1,735,430

THE 2015-2016 FAR BROOK FUND RAISED $514,815!

100% of Far Brook’s Faculty and Administration participated in the 2015-2016 Far Brook Fund. What a milestone for the School and a testament to the ongoing commitment and dedication of our community.

The Far Brook Fund is the backbone of Far Brook’s fundraising efforts, comprising 6% of the operating budget for the current school year.

Last year generous contributions from current parents, trustees, alumni, alumni parents, faculty and administration, grandparents, and friends went to work immediately to underwrite every area of the School’s budget.

The results were tangible and enriched the experience of all members of the Far Brook community.

The Far Brook Fund supported faculty salaries and teacher development, the purchase of classroom materials and supplies, and scholarship and financial aid assistance.

485% of Current Parents participated

4100% of Faculty and Administration

4Trustees and Head of School contributed $140,980 4The Trustee Challenge Match totaled $46,835!

4Gifts ranged from $5 to $20,000

4Business matching gifts totaled $46,868

THE FAR BROOK FUND 1985-2016 $600,000

$514,815 $500,000

$398,412

$400,000

$300,000

$200,000

$100,000

$0

$158,616 $58,357

1985

1995

2005

2016

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ENDOWMENT Far Brook’s Endowment totaled $5,264,847 as of June 30, 2016, representing an endowment per student of $21,666. 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. $6,000,000

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

$4,000,000

$3,000,000

$1,806,699

$2,000,000

$1,000,000

$0

$12,726 1980

$202,722 1990

2000

2016

DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT FUNDS: Arts Endowment Funds 4 Kramer Art Fund 4 Fredda S. Leff Special Projects Endowment 4 Polly S. Niebling Drama Fund Building Endowment Funds 4 Milton H. Stern Endowment Fund 4 The Ruth and Max Segal Family Library Endowment Fund Faculty Endowment Funds 4 The Elliott Averett Family Fund for Teacher Benefits 4 Faculty Endowment Fund 4 Endowment for Teacher Benefits 4 Moore Faculty Benefit Fund

Scholarship Endowment Funds 4 Mary Adams Scholarship for Mathematics and Science 4 Edwin A. Finckel Scholarship for the Arts 4 The George Bartol Scholarship 4 The Hite Scholarship 4 The James E. and Elizabeth Hughes Scholarship Endowment Fund 4 W illiam R. Johnson Scholarship for the Arts 4 Barbara Jordan Endowment Scholarship 4 The Koven Family Scholarship 4 Marks Student Scholarships 4 The Opportunity Scholarship Fund for Excellence 4 Carol Silver Endowment for Student Scholarships Financial Aid Funds (Current Use) 4 The Founding Parents’ Scholarship, Anonymous Gift, Class of ’54 4 Additional financial aid funds are made possible through foundation, alumni, charitable trust, and parent gifts.

NEW SCHOLARSHIP FUND William R. Johnson Scholarship for the Arts is named in honor and in memory of Bill Johnson, beloved Far Brook Faculty member and Art teacher (1969-1988), and made possible by the estate of Mary Ritter, alumni parent and mother of Nina Ritter ‘75 and Maria Ritter ‘78.

This scholarship provides tuition assistance for a Sixth, Seventh, or Eighth Grade student who excels in the Arts and for whom a Far Brook education would not otherwise be possible.

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Imagine The Possibilities closed at the end of 2015 raising a historic $8,543,221. Thank you to our incredibly generous donors who made Far Brook’s dreams a reality!

$2,000,000-$1,000,000 $999,999-$500,000 $499,999-$250,000 $249,000-$100,000 $99,999-$50,000 $49,999-$25,000 $24,999 AND BELOW

= gifts committed

ADMISSIONS ADMISSIONS 2015-2016 DEMOGRAPHICS Number of Students............................ 243 (53% boys; 47% girls) New Students....................................... 39 Number of Families............................. 167 New Families......................................... 23 Diversity – Students of Color.............. 37% Communities........................................ 29 SECONDARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED BY THE CLASS OF 2016 Andover Blair Academy Columbia High School (2) Delbarton School Elisabeth Irwin High School (NYC) Gill St. Bernard’s Kent Place School (3) Lawrenceville Livingston High School Millburn High School Morristown-Beard School (2) Newark Academy Oak Knoll The Kent School The Pingry School (2) The Salisbury School Woodward Academy (GA)

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2015 – 2016 ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY Amy Ziebarth Head of School

Emi Ithen Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Nicole Fabian Engelke ’88 Director of Upper School

Alisha Roig Office Coordinator

Paula Levin Director of Lower School

Jerilyn Campbell School Nurse

Donna Chahalis Director of Business and Finance

Stacey Layton Development Coordinator

Janice O’Shea Accounting Manager

Peggy Fawcett Development Associate

Mikki Murphy Director of Admissions, Placement, and Diversity

Joan Burr Communications Coordinator

ADMINISTRATION

Suzanne Glatt Director of Development Caroline L. Sargent Senior Philanthropic Advisor Jennifer Barba Director of Communications and Volunteers Robert Andolina Director of Technology Marcela Figueroa Executive Assistant / Placement Coordinator Kathy Ike Admissions Assistant

Melissa Stampoulos Kitchen Coordinator Arthur Gannon Plant Supervisor

FACULTY Rosemarie Alagia French Teacher Grades 7-8 / Jr. High Special Projects F. Allen Artz Director of Music Greg Bartiromo Physical Education Teacher / Athletics Coach/ After School Program Director April Bell-Martha French Teacher Grades 4-6

Mona Boewe Connections Teacher/ Sixth Grade Associate 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 Erin Comollo First Grade Teacher Deborah Wraight Costa Educational Technology Specialist Donna DeLorenzo Deltz Kindergarten Teacher William Deltz Nursery Teacher Ellen Flamm Learning Specialist Grades K-3 James Glossman Director of Drama Catharina Greenberg French Teacher Grades N-3

Megan Gottlieb Second Grade Teacher Jennifer Haakmat Learning Specialist Middle School Christine Hart Assistant Kindergarten Teacher Alison Headley Third Grade Teacher Kate Hewitt Librarian/ English Co-Teacher Grade 7 Jessica Howe First Grade Teacher Kerry Jones Fourth Grade Teacher Lauren Kronthal Science Specialist Grades 4-8 Jennifer Martin Nursery & Third Grade Associate Teacher

Nancy Muniz Director of Athletics / Physical Education Teacher / Athletics Coach Christopher Murphy Woodshop Teacher Roberto Olazagasti Math Teacher Grades 5-8 Missy Perry Third Grade Teacher Joan Rabinowitz Second Grade Teacher Jennifer Semioli Part-time Physical Education Teacher Grades 4-8 Payal Shirvaikar Math Teacher Grades 5-8 Edward Solecki History and English Teacher Grades 7-8

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 Alex Winkler ’06 Fifth Grade Associate Teacher Jamie Yang Second Grade Associate Teacher

Megan Martin Third Grade Teacher Valerie McEntee Sixth Grade Teacher Nancy McIntyre Art Teacher Claire Monaghan Nursery Associate Teacher

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2015 – 2016 VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES Tommaso Zanobini, Chair Tony Stovall, Vice Chair Robert Kelly, Treasurer Michelle Swittenberg, Secretary Amy M. Ziebarth, Head of School Chris Burns Carmine Fanelle Kate Hewitt Greg Hoffman Anne-Marie Kim Leah Kronthal Marybeth Leithead Krissy Mannello Elyse Post ’78 Marc Schwartz David Srere Christine Susko Neale Trangucci Bradford Wiley, II ’54

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES CHAIRS Diane Bakst Jeff Kronthal Leah Kronthal Joe Mannello Krissy Mannello Tommaso Zanobini

FAR BROOK FUND CHAIRS Anne-Marie Kim Elyse Post ’78 Brian Saluzzo

FAR BROOK FUND SOLICITORS Kim Bloom

Katy Burns

Brian Croshaw Greg Hoffman Vejay Lalla Bernadette Miragliotta Jenny Reinhardt Rebecca Repetti ’93 Matt Stadtmauer Bari Waxman Emily Young

FAR BROOK FUND – FACULTY LIASONS Kate Hewitt Valerie McEntee

PARENTS COMMITTEE COUNCIL CHAIRS Katy Burns Jen Gonyea Thank you to the numerous volunteers who made 2015-2016 an amazing year.

We could not do it without you!

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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

52 GREAT HILLS ROAD SHORT HILLS, NJ 07078