Far Brook School Annual Report 2014-2015

FAR BROOK SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 – 2015 A small school of uncommon quality where education is considered an art

DEAR MEMBERS OF THE FAR BROOK COMMUNITY, Welcome to the 2014-15 Annual Report. Thank you to our generous donors, our talented faculty, our dedicated Board members, our selfless and hardworking volunteers, and, of course, our remarkable students who inspire us all to be the best we possibly can be.

We are pleased to tell you that the 2014-15 school year was a successful one for Far Brook, highlighted by growth in the areas of admissions, fundraising, diversity, technology, service learning, and construction, to name a few.

4 Admissions – 2014-15 was a strong year in Admissions, with applications up 11% over the previous year. Student attrition was 6.5% - well below the national average of 10%.

4 Diversity – Far Brook’s diversity efforts continued to grow. The Diversity Committee planned several events such as guest speakers, film screenings, and workshops for faculty, families, and students, including the well-received “Family Photo Project.”

4 Technology – We added a new position of Systems Administrator, and hired Rob Andolina, who has been a welcome and much-needed addition to the School. Rob has been working to streamline technology to be both efficient and user-friendly.

Additionally, the School launched a beautiful and improved new website.

4 Parent Education – We offered a series of parent education opportunities that ranged from literacy conversations to visits by a consulting psychologist to discuss child development at different stages, cultural competency, and supporting your child in the ever-changing world of technology.

4 Service Learning – Far Brook was honored by the Family Assistance Resource Center, achieving the “School of the Year” award for our outstanding support of this organization which provides emergency resources to individuals and families in crisis.

We partnered with and supported them through our student community service program.

4 Pilot Lunch Program – Students in Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grades were invited to participate in our catered school lunch pilot program through “No Fuss Lunch.”

The pilot was so successful that it was opened to our entire Middle School this fall.

4 Construction – Progress continued on the construction site of Far Brook’s two new additions to campus – the Music and Arts Building and the Science and Environmental Center. For all the exciting details, please see the Imagine The Possibilities section.

4 Fundraising – Fundraising for the Imagine The Possibilities Campaign continued with generous commitments toward the $8 million goal coming from alumni, alumni parents, current parents, faculty and administration, foundations, and friends. The Annual Fund ended strong at $508,761 thanks to the Trustee Challenge Match, which inspired the final $30,000 needed to meet our goal!

To our entire community, thank you for your generosity of spirit and resources and for your support. It was a wonderfully busy and productive year, and we thank you for making so much possible.

With deepest gratitude,

Amy Ziebarth and

Tommaso Zanobini

Head of School

Chair, Board of Trustees

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.

ADMISSIONS ADMISSIONS 2014-2015 DEMOGRAPHICS Number of Students............................ 243 (52% Boys; 48% Girls) New Students....................................... 42 Number of Families............................. 164 New Families......................................... 20 Diversity – Students of Color.............. 36% Communities........................................ 43 SECONDARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED BY THE CLASS OF 2015 Columbia High School Montclair Kimberley Academy Deerfield Academy Morristown-Beard School (4) Delbarton School Newark Academy (4) Kent Place School (5) The Pingry School (4) Millburn High School Watchung Hills Regional High School

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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 2014-2015.

REVENUE n Tuition & Fees....................... $7,562,950 n Annual Fund........................... $508,761 n Endowment and Investment Income................. $286,355 n *Auxiliary Services................... $209,113 TOTAL..................................... $8,567,179

EXPENSES n Educational Program Expense... $6,494,138 n Financial Aid........................... $926,686 n Plant Maintenance.................. $473,072 n Depreciation........................... $294,259 n Administrative Expense and Contingency Reserve........ $379,024 TOTAL..................................... $8,567,179 *includes After-School Program, Summer camp rental, and merchandise sales

PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT

2014-2015 Annual Fund........................................................... $508,761 Contributed Income.................................................................. $258,870

Financial Aid................................................$175,300

Playground Enhancement...............................$38,330 Other.............................................................$45,240 Campaign Payments and Endowment.................................... $1,463,456 TOTAL................................................................................... $2,231,087

THE 2014-2015 ANNUAL FUND RAISED $508,761!

Our strong sense of community inspires and encourages us in all aspects of the School. Every year we ask our dedicated current parents, alumni, alumni parents, faculty and administration, grandparents, and friends to participate in giving to the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is the backbone of Far Brook’s fundraising efforts, comprising 6% of the operating budget for the current school year.

Last year your generous contributions 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 Annual Fund supported faculty salaries and teacher development, the purchase of classroom materials and supplies, and scholarship and financial aid assistance.

488% of Current Parents participated, contributing over $300,000 495% of New Parents participated

493% of Faculty and Administration participated 4Alumni contributed over $62,000* 4Trustees contributed $139,850*

4The Trustee Challenge Match totaled nearly $37,000* 4Gifts ranged from $5 to $20,000

4Business matching gifts totaled over $43,500 *includes Current Parents

THE ANNUAL FUND 1985-2015

$398,412

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ENDOWMENT Far Brook’s Endowment totaled $5,370,357 as of June 30, 2015, representing an endowment per student of $22,100. Our healthy 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 unexpected opportunities. A donor can add to these funds at any time.

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 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 Current-Use Financial Aid funds are made possible through foundation, alumni, charitable trust, and parent gifts.

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The 2014-15 school year saw notable advancement for the Imagine The Possibilities Campaign and campus construction of the two new buildings – the Music and Arts Building and the Science and Environmental Center.

A special “groundbreaking” Morning Meeting was held for students and faculty on September 29, 2014. As students entered Moore Hall, a slideshow was looping, documenting the progress of construction, including the arrival and assembly of the temporary classroom building that was delivered to the campus in sections or “pods.”

Head of School Amy Ziebarth greeted the community and faculty members discussed how construction was being integrated into lessons and the daily life of the classrooms.

For example, the Kindergarten spent a “hands-on” afternoon with a miller who was on campus to create benches from removed trees. Likewise, the Fifth Grade launched the study of Ancient Greece with a look at the impact of Greek architecture and its influence on building today.

Sue Wyeth, senior director at Centerbrook Architects, spoke about the process of creating a vision for the new buildings and grounds. Sue explained the importance of understanding what defines Far Brook’s campus: how access to the outdoors is essential, as is a setting that fosters the feeling of community at the School.

Amy then invited the Eighth Grade to assist in the ceremonial groundbreaking. Wearing hard hats, each Eighth Grader took a turn putting a shovelful of earth into a wheelbarrow while Amy read their reflections or “time capsule” thoughts.

The excitement surrounding the Capital Campaign continued on October 20, 2014, when Far Brook celebrated its leadership donors with a dinner in Moore Hall. That evening, Tommaso Zanobini, Chair of Far Brook’s Board of Trustees, announced that fundraising had crossed the $7.5M mark toward the goal of $8M. Amy thanked all the donors to the Campaign and then individually honored the four top donors – two alumni and two alumni families – who made transformational gifts early in the Campaign. Our deepest appreciation goes to Joseph B. Baker ’62, Leah and Jeff Kronthal, Brad Wiley ’54, and Mary Sue and Peter Fisher.

Construction continued through the winter and spring with the reconfiguration of the parking lot, the installation of the construction road, and the breaking of ground for the two new academic buildings. This was quickly followed with renovation on the old “pump house� and construction of the permanent Music and Arts Building and Science and Environmental Center, including roofs, windows, and mechanicals.

This area of campus will be home to two rain gardens. A rain garden takes advantage of rainfall and stormwater runoff in its design and plant selection. These gardens will serve to slow the water as it travels down hill, giving it more time to infiltrate and less opportunity to gain momentum and erosive power. The gardens will provide hands-on learning opportunities for Far Brook students as they study how plants exist and thrive in varying conditions.

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2014 – 2015 ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY ADMINISTRATION Amy Ziebarth Head of School Nicole Fabian Engelke ’88 Director of Upper Schools Paula Levin Director of Lower School Donna Chahalis Director of Business and Finance Janice O’Shea Accounting Manager Mikki Murphy Director of Admissions, Placement and Financial Aid

Jerilyn Campbell School Nurse

Karen Bonanno First Grade Associate Teacher

Stacey Layton Development Coordinator

Rebecca Campbell Fourth Grade Teacher

Peggy Fawcett Development Associate

Michael Chodroff Science Teacher Grades 5-8/ Director of Sustainability

Joan Burr Communications Coordinator Melissa Stampoulos Kitchen Coordinator Arthur Gannon Plant Supervisor

FACULTY

Erin Comollo First Grade Teacher Liz Colleran Math Teacher Grades 5-8/ Math Coach Grade 4 Donna DeLorenzo Deltz Kindergarten Teacher

Suzanne Glatt Director of Development

Rosemarie Alagia French Teacher Grades 7-8/ Grade 8 Lead Advisor

Caroline L. Sargent Senior Philanthropic Advisor

Joan Angelo First Grade Teacher

Ellen Flamm Learning Specialist Grades N-3

Jennifer Barba Director of Communications and Volunteers

F. Allen Artz Director of Music

James Glossman Director of Drama

Robert Andolina Systems Administrator

Greg Bartiromo Physical Education Teacher/ Athletics Coach/After-School Program Director

Catharina Greenberg French Teacher Grades N-3

Marcela Figueroa Executive Assistant/Placement Coordinator

April Bell-Martha French Teacher Grades 4-6

Kathy Ike Admissions Assistant Alisha Roig Office Coordinator

Mona Boewe Connections Teacher/Sixth Grade Associate Teacher/ After-School Program Coordinator

William Deltz Nursery Teacher

Jennifer Haakmat Learning Specialist Grades 4-8 Kate Hewitt Librarian/English Co-Teacher Grade 7

Emilia Ithen Kindergarten Teacher Kerry Jones Math, Reading, Writing Teacher Grade 4 Megan Martin Third Grade Teacher Valerie McEntee Senior Teacher/Sixth Grade Teacher Nancy McIntyre Art Teacher Claire Monaghan Nursery Associate Teacher Haruka Mori Fifth Grade Teacher Nancy Muniz Director of Athletics/Physical Education Teacher/Athletics Coach

Jennifer Semioli Part-time Physical Education Teacher Grades 4-8 Edward Solecki History and English Teacher Grades 7-8

Deborah Wraight Technology Specialist Jamie Yang Second Grade Teacher

Marnie Stetson Literacy Specialist Grades 4-8/ Special Projects Nina Sze Math Teacher Grades 5-8 Grace Toolan ’05 Kindergarten Associate Teacher JoAnn Tutino Science Teacher Grades N-4/ Schoolyard Habitat Coordinator Erasmia Voukelatos Lower School Music Teacher Marcia Worth-Baker Fifth Grade Teacher

Christopher Murphy Woodshop Teacher Roberto Olazagasti Math Teacher Grades 5-8 Missy Perry Third Grade Teacher Joan Rabinowitz Second Grade Teacher Brian Schwartz Associate Teacher Grades 2-3

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2014 – 2015 VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP

ANNUAL FUND – CHAIRS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ANNUAL FUND – FACULTY LIAISONS

Tommaso Zanobini, Chair 2016 Tony Stovall, Vice Chair 2015 Robert Kelly, Treasurer 2015 Michelle Swittenberg, Secretary 2016 Amy M. Ziebarth, Head of School Chris Burns .........................2016 Carmine Fanelle ..................2016 Mary Sue Fisher ..................2015 Kate Hewitt .........................2017 Anne-Marie Kim ................2017 Tom Kligerman ...................2015 Leah Kronthal .....................2015 Marybeth Leithead .............2017 Krissy Mannello ..................2015 Elyse Post ’78 .......................2017 Marc Schwartz ....................2016 Christine Susko ...................2017 Bradford Wiley, II ’54 ..........2016

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHAIRS Diane Bakst Jeff Kronthal Leah Kronthal Joe Mannello Krissy Mannello Tommaso Zanobini

Anne-Marie Kim Elyse Post ’78

Kate Hewitt Valerie McEntee

ANNUAL FUND – SOLICITORS Jason Bernstein Kimberly Bloom Christopher Burns Brian Croshaw Greg Hoffman Bernadette Miragliotta Neil Nag Jenny Reinhardt Brian Saluzzo Matthew Stadtmauer Dhiren Toolsidas Bari Waxman Emily Young

PARENTS COMMITTEE COUNCIL Lourdes Blanco, Chair Jen Gonyea, Co-Chair Thank you to the numerous PCC volunteers who made 2014-15 such an amazing school year. We could not do it without you!

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO FAR BROOK’S FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION

for your support of the 2014-15 Annual Fund. Participation increased by 15% from 78% the previous year to 93% in 2014-15!

FOR SO MANY REASONS – we couldn’t do it without you!

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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

52 GREAT HILLS ROAD SHORT HILLS, NJ 07078