Harbor Highlights ANNUAL GIVING REPORT 2018–2019
Dear Harbor Community
Letter From The Head of School
O
ne of the greatest challenges I faced early in my teaching career was during my first year of teaching middle school Latin and math, right out of college. Preparing for all of my classes, coaching three seasons, and adjusting to a new school culture, I was surprised by how difficult it was. Why didn’t Bill listen to me when I asked him to quiet down? How could my Latin class of ninth graders have such varying degrees of interest and ability? Why didn’t my fifth grade math students do all of their homework? In time, I learned about classroom management and how best to design a differentiated Latin class, but what was most fulfilling was finding a career I loved—because I felt I was making a difference in children’s lives. I have always been interested in discovering how different children learn and observing how their needs change over time. A student who flies and thrives through elementary school suddenly struggles in middle school. Why is that? And what can I, or the school, do to help him or her regain that confidence? In Harbor, I have found a school that, at its core, cares deeply about children. We spend an enormous amount of time watching children grow, talking with parents about issues as they arise, and adjusting our approach as each child develops and their needs change. It is fascinating and incredibly rewarding work. Our tagline—“Embracing the extraordinary in every child”—perfectly reflects this belief. By paying close attention to, and celebrating each stage of a child’s development, we strive to develop life-long skills like creative problem-solving, critical thinking, resourcefulness, risk-taking, open-mindedness, selfadvocacy, independence, collaboration, resilience, and determination, so children can face any challenge that comes their way - even teaching high school Latin! Your support for Harbor in so many ways is key to helping us live our mission, and I thank you for everything you do to support this incredible school.
With gratitude, John Cissel Head of School
2018-2019 Expenditures
Financial Aid & Scholarship
11%
Technology 2%
2018-2019 Revenue
State Aid 1%
Salaries & Benefits
60%
Harbor Fund, Parents’ Association and Other Gifts
18%
General Administration 8%
Physical Plant 8%
Summer Program
13%
Institutional 4%
Summer Program 8%
2
Harbor Highlights • 2018– 2019
Tuition 67%
Other 1%
A
s we reflect upon our 61st year of “embracing the extraordinary in every child,” I’d like to take a moment to share with you some details about what it takes, financially, to keep Harbor going. In the charts (opposite page, below), you’ll see what our expenses were last year, and what our various sources of revenue were. Our biggest outlay, which is an essential and critically important expenditure, was salaries and benefits, at 60%. The next largest expense was financial aid and scholarships, at 11%. The remainder of our expenses fell into categories such as physical plant, technology, general administration, and Camp Harbor expenses. I’m sure many of you are aware of this, but we run a very tight ship at Harbor—there’s very little wiggle room in our budget. You’ll see from the revenue pie chart just how we paid for these expenses: • First was tuition, which covered just 67% of our revenue. That means that 33% of our operating budget had to be paid for through other means besides tuition. • The majority of the other funds came from Camp Harbor and the Harbor Fund. So you can see that philanthropy is more than just something that’s “nice to have”—it plays a critical role in meeting our budget every year. The bulk of our annual philanthropy comes from the Harbor Fund, which averages around $240,000 every year. The Harbor Fund pays for fundamental elements of the school, such as faculty professional development, teacher supplies, athletic equipment, building maintenance, books for the library and classrooms, etc. In addition to the Harbor Fund, we receive a fair amount of restricted gifts, such as gifts to pay for the roof repair and other building repairs, ukuleles for the music department, coffee for faculty and staff, and extra field trips. And finally, our annual Fund-a-Grant, which we hold during our Spring Benefit, is another source of revenue for us, and allows the school to invest in special priorities that are determined each year, such as the PA System, laptops, and chairs for the history room. This year, the Fund-a-Grant will raise money for faculty classroom wish lists, professional development, and the faculty endowment. As we look ahead to the future of Harbor Country Day School, we also need to raise money that will enable us to invest in the school’s future, which brings us to our $10 million capital campaign. We have already raised just over $5 million—that’s pretty incredible for an independent elementary school on Long Island! Roughly $1.3 million has been allocated to the faculty endowment, which will be used to improve faculty salaries and benefits; nearly $1 million has been allocated to the tuition assistance endowment, which will help Harbor provide financial assistance to more families and enable more children to benefit from the exceptional education our children have been receiving; just over $1.1 million has been allocated to the general endowment, which is a sort of “safety net” savings account for any unexpected expenses the school might encounter; and $1.7 million has been allocated to capital projects, such as a new STEAM center and other building modernization projects. So as you can see, we have already made significant investments in a bright future for Harbor. On behalf of the board of trustees, I thank you for your incredible support of Harbor Country Day School, the Harbor Fund, and our capital campaign. It is only because of your support that we have been able to take such a bold step as launching this campaign for the future of Harbor. And it is only with your continued support that we will be able to reach our ambitious campaign goals. I look forward to reaching those goals alongside John Cissel, Harbor’s amazing faculty and staff, and each of you. With appreciation, Corinne Hammons Chair, Board of Trustees 2018 – 2019 • Harbor Highlights
Dear Harbor Community
Letter From The Board of Trustees Chair
3
Dear Harbor Community
Letter From a Faculty Member
M
y time at Harbor is brief compared to most others, but I think my experiences in this short time are truly invaluable. My role has changed several times over my four years here, and I have come to realize that Harbor has given me, as an educator, what I strive to give my students:
The courage to live outside of my comfort zone. In my four years at Harbor, I have been a fourth grade co-teacher, a learning specialist, a kindergarten teacher, a fifth grade teacher, and a math teacher for fourth, fifth and seventh grades. These changes have encouraged me to collaborate with, and work alongside, other teachers. They have allowed me time to work with students who might need a different approach to their learning, and have encouraged me to become creative in my teaching. Some of the areas that I have had the privilege to teach in were, at one time, unfathomable. Frightening, if you will. When I first graduated, if you would have asked me what grade I wanted to teach, I would have said first grade. I most likely would have limited myself to just that. If it weren’t for Harbor, I would not have been able to see the amazing opportunities that each of these roles would offer me. I would have limited myself to where I felt the most comfortable. It was not until I sat in these uncomfortable spaces that I realized it didn’t matter the grade level or content: my true passion is figuring out the best ways to help every student succeed in my classroom. It is having the ability to help students see their full potential, no matter their age or ability. It’s having the opportunity to help students become confident learners.
My true passion is figuring out the best ways to help every student succeed in my classroom. It is having the ability to help students see their full potential, no matter their age or ability. You might be wondering how my outlook is different than most others, or how this is different than philosophies at other schools. If you aren’t wondering, then you might want to start. We live in a world set by standards, where everyone is trying to be better than the next person, rather than focusing on themselves. I tell my students that the best way to succeed is to become the best version of themselves. To do so, they must challenge themselves each day to be better than they were the day before. Harbor is not confined by academic standards. Instead, it welcomes the individual needs of its students. We have the flexibility to push these standards and go beyond the norms to teach students what it means to be well-rounded individuals. We do so by becoming the driving force that encourages them to step out of their own comfort zones. I do not believe that we all learn the same way, and I do
4
Harbor Highlights • 2018– 2019
This is what Harbor allows me as an educator: the opportunity to be the teacher that I once needed.
Dear Harbor Community
not believe in teaching children that there is only one way to learn. I do believe in teaching children that goals are attainable through hard work and consistency, that we all learn at different paces, and that our skills go above and beyond a standard that is created to measure us against one another. I often hear the phrase “be who you needed when you were younger.” If I am being completely honest, I needed teachers who took the time to understand the way I learned; teachers who realized that just because I didn’t grasp a concept right away, it didn’t mean that I was never going to. I needed a teacher who took the time to come up with strategies, and who took different teaching approaches. What I needed was a teacher who saw my potential when I didn’t see it in myself.
Harbor is a creative outlet that lets me go beyond a curriculum to enhance students’ learning. It has granted me the opportunity to put the relationships with my students before academics, and to become invested in each child who walks the halls of Harbor—even if it is just through a simple wave or hello. Harbor has allowed me to reach every student, in whatever way possible, no matter what it takes. Harbor has allowed me to live outside of my comfort zone, and to teach my students to do the same. I’ll leave you with a quote that I came across recently. I think it speaks volumes about what Harbor is: Imagine a school where kids are walking down the hallway and every adult is doing their best to interact with every one of them because they see every kid as their kid. Now ask yourself, “Is this your school?” —Brian Mendler, Educator
How lucky are we to not have to imagine? We are living proof that schools like this do exist. Sincerely, Kandra Kane Fifth Grade Teacher
2018 – 2019 • Harbor Highlights
5
The Harbor Fund
2018– 2019 What is the Harbor Fund?
How much should I give?
It is an annual fundraising campaign that directly supports the school’s programs—and your children—this academic year.
We simply ask that you do your best within your financial means. Every gift, of every amount, is appreciated and valued.
Why is the Harbor Fund necessary?
How do I make my gift?
It is necessary because tuition income is not enough to cover our annual expenses. In fact, nearly one-third of our expenses are not covered by tuition and must be funded through other means, such as the Harbor Fund.
We accept gifts in the form of personal checks, credit cards, and stock. You may mail it to the school office, make a gift on the school’s website, or call the advancement team at (631) 584-5555.
Who gives to the Harbor Fund? Parents, alumni, trustees, faculty, staff, and friends are all asked to contribute. For the past five years, our parent participation has grown from 91% to 96%. Last year and already this year, 100% of our faculty, staff, and trustees made gifts.
Is my gift tax-deductible? Yes, contributions to The Harbor Fund are fully tax-deductible.
Thank you for your support!
How is the Harbor Fund used? It supports technology, professional development of our faculty, classroom programs, the performing arts, athletics, and maintenance of the school’s building and grounds.
What is our goal this year? Our goal this year is for 100% of our families, as well as 100% of our faculty, staff, and trustees, to make their own gift by December 31st. 6
Harbor Highlights • 2018– 2019
For more information about contributing to the Harbor Fund, visit the “Harbor Fund” page at hcdsny.org, or please contact: Jennifer A. Taggart Director of Advancement and Marketing jtaggart@hcdsny.org • (631) 584-5555
The Harbor Fund 2018-2019 Harbor Fund All-School Participation 100%
75%
50%
25%
0% K ePr
3s
K ePr
4s
i) n es de de de de de de de de ol te lsk aff ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ho ar ste St wo G G G G G G G G c g u o d t S r r r h h h h h d d s T n t t t t t r e l b r n i l f r i a x n F u of Fi gh nd Do co Si Th lA ve d lty Ei Fo Ki ta rs. Se Se ar cu M To Fa Bo s(
) ng Ki rs. (M
K ePr
4
l ta To
l ta To
2018 – 2019 • Harbor Highlights
7
Parents’ Association
Parents’ Association Harbor would like to give a special “thank you” to Marianne Dempsey, Salina Gleeson, April von Bemmelen, and Jennifer Leggio for serving as coordinators of our Parents’ Association during the 2018-2019 school year. The Parents’ Association is dedicated to promoting a sense of community, facilitating communication between Harbor and its families, and raising funds for programs and events that enrich and enhance school life. Parents’ Association participation is an amazing opportunity to get to know other families, experience a slice of Harbor students’ school lives, and become involved in the life of Harbor. The group meets on a monthly basis. For more information about the many ways parents can contribute, the Parents’ Association coordinators may be reached at parentsassociation@hcdsny.org. Below is a list of events and programs the Parents’ Association sponsors:
Annual Spring Benefit The Parents’ Association’s major fundraising event is the annual Spring Benefit, which is an exciting and elegant evening for parents, alumni, trustees, friends, faculty, and staff. The event includes live and silent auctions, dancing, dinner, and open bar. Live and silent auction items are donated by the
8
Harbor Highlights • 2018– 2019
Harbor community and many local merchants who support our mission. Other highlights of the evening include Harbor’s Own Budding Artists Collection and the “Fund-A-Grant” auction, which gives attendees an opportunity to donate directly to specific school initiatives at a designated level of support. Previous Fund-A-Grant items have included new student iPads, SMART boards, technology advancement, science lab equipment, physical education and recess equipment, and professional development.
Book Fair The Book Fair celebrates the love of reading with our children. Each student may purchase books from the Book Fair during school hours. In addition, in an effort to enrich the classroom and school libraries, we promote the Teacher’s Wish List program, enabling teachers to select desired books for their classroom libraries. Parents have the opportunity to purchase these books for the school, and an acknowledgment of the family’s generosity is affixed to the inside of the book.
Family Fun Night Family Fun Night is a great evening of family fun, challenges and healthy competition, with ‘heart-pounding’ activities for all ages to enjoy. All students and their families are invited to come, bring their best game and/or their best cheering voice and enjoy! This event is typically held off the Harbor campus at a sports facility. Food and refreshments are served.
Trunk or Treat
All students are invited to take part in making delicious edible gingerbread houses during Harbor’s annual Gingerbread Extravaganza. Gingerbread materials are bought fresh from a local bakery, with the houses assembled and ready for decorating. This event is a favorite of all students, as they relish this opportunity to explore their inner architects and designers.
Trunk or Treat is a cherished, longstanding Harbor tradition. All students and their families are invited to arrive in costume to enjoy a safe and frightfully fun-filled time trick-or-treating at Harbor Country Day School’s safe “neighborhood.” Children also enjoy fun, games, and story-telling in the school gym.
Harbor Super Raffle
The Harbor Closet is a collection of gently used uniforms that have been donated by Harbor families. It is open to all families throughout the year, and families are encouraged to take what they might be able to use and donate what they no longer need.
The Super Raffle is an exciting way to support the school and have a chance to win $10,000 in cash. The proceeds from the Harbor Super Raffle are used to fund tuition assistance and other student programs.
Harbor Closet
2018-2019 Board of Trustees Corinne Hammons*, Chair Cynthia Wong Lippe, Ph.D.*, Vice Chair Therese DeAngelis, CPA, P’08, P’11, Treasurer Carrie Zuckerman, P’11, P’16, Secretary Rose Antilus, M.D.* Robert Antonacci, M.D., P’16, P’16 Seema Bhansali, Esq.* George Bubaris, P’05, P’08 Mónica Bugallo, Ph.D., Friend of Harbor Vincent Della Pietra, Ph.D., P’15
Alex Doboli, Ph.D., P’17* Agnes Ferro, D.P.T., P’19* Leyi Gao, Ph.D., Friend of Harbor Nancy Langdon Hickerson, Ph.D., P’12, P’15 Bob McCarroll, ‘78* Neal Mellert, Esq.* Sue Ryan, P’08 John Cissel, Ex-Officio, Head of School * = Parent of current HCDS student P = Parent of HCDS graduate
2018-2019 Faculty and Staff Diane Abrams +
Marge Gabriele ++++
Dana Allen
Bryana Gensinger
Dana Amir
Larissa Grass ++
Amanda Baron
Sarah Griffiths
April Bier +
Laura Huang Ernst ++++
Jackie Burt
Kandra Kane
Nancy Busa +
Dawn King
John Cissel +
Carly Lange
Annette Costa
Andrea Lofmark
Danielle Davey
Amy Malone
Debbie Decker
Christine McBrien ++
Kimberly Deutsch
Lynda McKenna ++++
Gretchen Dobrowolski
Greg Monfiletto
Donna Dowling
Lynette Mutschler
Nicole Driscoll
Susan Napodano ++
Krystina Gallo +
Katherine O’Brien +
Nicole Fotis-Connelly +
Caitlin Packard
Krissy Paul ++ Ralph Pepe + Silvana Rugilo Donna Siani ++++ Terry Skoff + Hong Li Snyder + Rachel Weir +++ Artie Weissbach + Ken Wilken + Elizabeth Williams + Dot Woo Dawn Woods ++
Harbor Country Day School welcomes the following new faculty and staff members to the 2019-2020 school year:
Colleen Wright
Amarilis Singh
+ = 5 years of service ++ = 10 years of service +++ = 15 years of service ++++ = 20 years of service
2018-2019 Board of Trustees, Faculty and Staff
Gingerbread Extravaganza
Cindy Cutalo Kimberly Jungen Janine Leone Paolo Masakayan Angela Mouquin Sonia Rodriguez Nikki Strull Jacqueline Thomas Meredith Valasek Ally Vallone 2018 – 2019 • Harbor Highlights
9
Harbor Giving Circles
HARBOR GIVING CIRCLES July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019
Founders Circle $20,000 or more Barbara Amonson & Vincent DellaPietra* Anonymous Cynthia & David Lippe* Adrienne & Jeff Owen* Sue & Neal Ryan* Hsin Jung Wu & H.P. Wei
Head of School Society $5,000–$9,999 Therese DeAngelis* Richard & Camila Lippe* Carrie & Keith Zuckerman*
Harbor Benefactor $2,500–$4,999 George & Joan Bubaris* Central Semiconductor Corp. Ellen & Bob Gaffney ’76 Dr. Christine Ruggiero & Mr. Neal Mellert* Kerry & Kerry Phelan* Dr. Rose Antilus & Mr. Gomer Thomas*
Anchor Society $1,000–$2,499 Dr. Bridget Perkins & Dr. Robert Antonacci Michael Ardolino, Realty Connect USA Mr. & Mrs. Swaminathan Bala Elisa & Dan Bosshart Gail Chesler* John R. Cissel* Andrea Dagnelli ’86 & Santiago Cristobal* Meifeng Lin & Chris Dawson Josefina & David Essex* 10
Harbor Highlights • 2018– 2019
Agnes & Philip Ferro* Corinne & Lee Hammons* Mr. & Mrs. Jack Hasso Dr. Tehmina Haque & Dr. Sami Khan* Leyi & Jun Lu* In Memory of Aelysche M. Maher Nancy & Steven Mancini Jennifer & Glen Moller* Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Norman* Löic Rentiers & Leo Wong* Kay Wong*
St. James Funeral Home, Inc. Gretchen Eigenbrod & Carrie Short* Kim & George Sparacio* Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Stony Brook Medicine, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Stonyhill Equestrian Center Doris & Arthur Strawbridge Suffolk Imaging Bingjing Chen & Zan Sun* Dr. Marie Surpris-Silverstein Jennifer & Thomas Tona* In Memory of Y.Q. & Michon Wong* Karen & Kent Valadez
Harbor Hawks Club $500–$999 Action for Healthy Kids Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, PC and Orthodontics too! Advanced Orthopedics In Memory of Dilip V. Bhansali Carter Design Cedar Knolls Homes Cerini & Associates, LLP Marianne & Robert Dempsey* The Filosa Family* Beth & Alex Finger* Salina & John Gleeson* The Good Steer Charlene Haridat-Persaud & Mukesh Haridat* Nancy A. Langdon, Ph.D. & Matthew L. Hickerson* Jennifer (Smith) Huntley ’63 Klein Wealth Management Kimberly & Michael Lauri Jennifer & Anthony Leggio* Shang & Tina Loh Anna & Rich MacDonald* Anna & Robert McCarroll* ’78 Made to Move Tennis & Wellness Magic Gutters Inc. Elisa Stoler & Peter Mahnken Xinxia Zhang & Dongsheng Men Michael Anthony Group, Inc. Owen Brothers Landscape Design & Development Pottery King Elizabeth & Craig Robillard
Three Sisters Club $250–$499 Pauline & William Adkins The Ardito Family* Lauren McDonough & Lawrence Barnard* Mustafa & Zenaida Beler* Ethan Calixte ’27 Kiersten Calixte ’25 Adair Carter ’27 Sterling Carter ’23 Cynthia & Carmelo Cataudella* Dr. Jules Cohen* Debbie Decker* Mr. & Mrs. Salvatore Grillo* Home Care at its Best, Inc. David M. Horowitz, M.D., Concierge Medicine Rachel & Muhammad Imran* Roy & Maria Kahane Denise & Joe King* In Honor of John E. Kuhlke, M.D. Mr. & Mrs. Jean Louis* The Perez-Solis Family The Racca Family* Kerry & Chris Rothemich Gerri Sardegna Lori Sherman Cynthia & William Squires Nicole & Scott Wafer* Jasmine Wei ’26 Josephine Wei ’26 Dr. Vicky Novoa & Mr. Patrick West
Up to $249 The Abrams Family* Dana Allen Jennifer & Bill Anderson* Anonymous Anonymous* Sharon Beardslee* April Bier* Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Bilotti Jason Bleecher Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Bordei Brittany Brandel Tess & Mark Bremer Mónica Bugallo Susan & Eric Briner Jackie Burt Nancy Busa* Sara (Kuhlke) Caniglia ’63 Mary & Paul Carey Genevieve & Cy Carter* The Castillo Family Christian Cataudella ’15 Kimberly Cataudella ’12 Mr. & Mrs. David Chambers Mr. & Mrs. John Ciotta Annette Costa Anne Marie & Kevin Craine Alessandra Cristobal* ’23 Carina Cristobal* ’19 Mason D’Aulerio ’23 Zachary D’Aulerio ’25 Danielle Davey Kimberly Deutsch Alex Doboli ’20 Gretchen Dobrowolski Donna Dowling Nicole Driscoll Eddie Power Equipment, Inc. Montgomarie Essex* ’17 Sydney Essex* ’12 Wan Ling & David Fahrer Catherine Clark & Noam Fast David H. Fischler* ’62 Kelly McCabe Fitch Angela & Peter Flyntz* Nicole Fotis-Connelly* Marge Gabriele* Krystina Gallo*
David Garcia* Bryana Gensinger Christine Fena & Kane Gillespie Larissa Grass* Sarah Griffiths* James Grillo* ’19 Mrs. Dina Ahmed & Dr. Mohammed Hamdani Dr. Althea Hamilton The Henson Family Laura Huang Ernst* Kevin Hughes* Jule Huston ’26 Skyla Huston ’22 The Inclan Family* Diane Jaggon* Amy & Bruce Jeffrey* Melinda & Erik Johnson* Kandra Kane* Dawn King Jennifer Kirkpatrick ’69 Nicole & Lynn Klein-Rosner The Kowalik Family* Youngmi & Daniel Kum Dr. Neeru & Dr. Gurwinder Kumar Carly Lange Winne Hughes & Edgar Lee Asanda Lees ’25 Kirsten Lees ’19 Jennifer & Konstantinos Lintzeris Virginia & Jeremy Linzee Jacob Lippe* ’21 Rachael Lippe* ’24 Andrea Lofmark Stephanie Lombardo* Christine & Bruce McBrien* The McGreevy Family Lynda McKenna* Amy Malone* Inna & Boris Matvenko* Victoria & Travis Mayes Dr. Gretchen Mockler Steve Moll Greg Monfiletto* Lynette Mutschler Susan & Jay Napodano* Katherine O’Brien* Caitlin Packard* Tamara & Derrick Palmer
Krissy Paul* Ralph Pepe* Laurie & Robert Pisciotta* Catarina Cunha & Patrick Pryzbilla* The Rapisarda Family Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Rizzo III* Tracy & Kenneth Robkoff Silvana Rugilo Serap & Cafer Sahin* The Salmon Family* Dr. Michael & Lori Schwartz Lynda & Tim Sheppard* Cecilia & John Shinin* Donna Siani* Anthony Silva* ’23 Maria & Nelson Silva The Smirnov Family Terry Skoff* Hong Li Snyder* Sara Kay Stewart* ’11 Madeline Tona* ’24 The van Bemmelen Family Michelle & Vishal Varghese* Seema Bhansali & Prassana Venkatesh* Rachel Weir* Artie Weissbach* Ken Wilken* Elizabeth Williams* Bruce & Nikole Willman Dot Woo Suzannah Wood Dawn Woods* Colleen Wright*
Harbor Giving Circles
Green and White Club
Gifts in Kind Harbor Country Day School is deeply grateful for the many contributions made throughout the year, particularly by our committed parents in support of the Parents’ Association’s activities, the Spring Benefit and other special events.
*These donors have made gifts to the Harbor Fund for three consecutive years or more. 2018 – 2019 • Harbor Highlights
11
Harbor cherishes childhood, cultivates wonder and inspires confident learners and leaders.
17 Three Sisters Road • St. James, New York 11780 • 631-584-5555 info@hcdsny.org • www.hcdsny.org • www.campharbor.org