Lake Tahoe School 2022-2023 Annual Report

ANNUAL

REPORT 2022-2023

Table of Contents

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Note from the Head of School Year in Review Mission, Vision & Values School Highlights Numbers Annual Fund Donors Volunteers Nonprofit and Local Organizations Board of Trustees

Note from the Head of School While the changing seasons bring with them a natural rhythm of holidays and celebrations, at Lake Tahoe School, we believe in the power of gratitude year-round. This spirit of appreciation is especially strong as we reflect on the past year and the remarkable ways our community has come together in support of our school.

Your unwavering financial support has been instrumental in shaping our growth and success. From the recent Duffield Donation Match, which allowed us to pay off the school’s mortgage, invest in new technologies and equipment, and embark on exciting construction projects, to your ongoing contributions through the Annual Fund and our Celestial Ball Gala and Auction, your generosity has a profound impact on all aspects of school life.

These contributions directly enhance the learning experience for our students, enabling us to provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Whether it’s the creation of a wonderful new library, the implementation of innovative technologies, or the ongoing purchase of essential textbooks and classroom materials, your support fuels our commitment to fostering a stimulating and enriching learning environment.

Beyond financial contributions, your time and talent are equally invaluable. From volunteering your expertise to dedicating your time to fundraising events and school activities, you actively contribute to the vibrant community that is the heart of Lake Tahoe School.

By entrusting us with your children’s education, you place your trust in our mission and vision, inspiring us to continually strive for excellence.

We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our entire school community - from parents and students to faculty, staff, and alumni. Each individual plays a vital role in shaping the Lake Tahoe School experience and ensuring its continued success.

While the calendar may mark specific dates for celebration, the spirit of gratitude permeates every day at Lake Tahoe School. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for making a difference in the lives of our students. Together, we look forward to another year of growth, learning, and shared achievements.

Sincerely, Bob Graves Head of School

Mission:

To create a joyful and academically challenging learning environment that echoes the wonder of Lake Tahoe, cultivates community, and sparks personal discovery that leads to an extraordinary future for every student.

Vision:

A thriving community of engaged students, passionate educators, and connected families

Values:

Community, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Empathy, Optimism

Year In Review

13 Events Held in Duffield Hall

100% Athletic & Arts Participation

9 Overnight Trips

12 Middle School Advisory Workshops

6

8:1

House Activities

Student to Faculty Ratio

30 Field Trips

14 School Performances

$1M+ Tuition Assistance Granted

50% Volunteer Participation

80 Cafe Days

26% Students Receiving Tuition Assistance

Academic Highlights

Middle School Science Expo

We had an incredible turnout showcasing support to a hardworking, energized group of sixth- and seventh-grade student scientists. Their exhaustive efforts were seen and recognized by many both inside and outside our school community. Congratulations to Angie Alpers, Stellan Hamner-Jillson, Larkin Schuessler, and Kylie Mangiaracina for placing first!

Brains in Science Class

Lower School was abuzz with excitment when we had real human brains in science class! Students learned about the inner workings of the brain and gained a new appreciation for how the brain works. Thank you to the UNR Neuroscience Department!

Diamond Peak Dummy Downhill

Our Lower School students exercised their engineering skills in this year’s annual Dummy Downhill competition at Diamond Peak Ski Resort, where participants build dummies and launch them off a ski jump at the end of the ski season.

Grades 3-5 built a pencil-shaped dummy while grades K-2 built an airplane dummy, which not only looked like a true plane taking flight off the runway but also snagged a “Survivor” victory for remaining intact after landing!

Academic Highlights

Middle School Math League

Our Middle School Bobcats’ achievements in the 2023 Math League Contest were a testament to their hard work, dedication and passion for mathematics!

Congratulations to Roger Alpers, Zakary Weimer, and Logan Rive for leading their teams, and to Middle School math teacher Patrick Fleming for his leadership.

First Grade Animal Presentations

Our first grade class demonstrated engaged, hands-on learning to write reports on and present about endangered animals of their choosing. With the help and collaboration of Ms. Christina, Ms. K, Ms. Alison, and Mr. Pandola, students were able to read about their animals, learn about their habitat, draw their animals, and have them printed on wood and cut out in preparation for their big presentation in Duffield Hall!

Eighth Grade Exhibition

This year’s 8th grade Exhibition was an incredible event. All of our students put in an enormous amount of time and effort to make this experience memorable, from a piano performance to a presentation about diabetes to a step-by-step instructional surf lesson.

Athletic Highlights

Cross Country

With our largest team ever with 54 students competing, the Bobcats won the 7th grade boys division, the 7th grade girls division, and the 8th grade girls division.

There were also a number of outstanding individual results at championships for the Bobcats.

Girls Basketball

Both our 7th and 8th grade girls basketball teams had a great season this year!

We are so proud of our lady Bobcats for their hustle and their hearts on and off the court. Way to “play like a Bobcat!”

Boys Basketball

Both the 7th and 8th grade boys basketball teams finished league play undefeated - that’s a combined 17-0 for our boys basketball program! Both teams were runners up in the Division 1 Small School Tournament, qualifying them to compete in the Division 1 Tah-Neva playoffs.

Athletic Highlights

Girls Volleyball

Our Bobcats played with great energy and sportsmanship, ending the season 4-4 for 7th grade girls volleyball and 3-5 for 8th grade girls volleyball. These lady Bobacts showed commitment, energy, humor, and effort throughout the season.

Nordic Ski

With 20 athletes in total on our Nordic Ski team, there were many notable achievements including Lachlan McConnon securing a top 10 finish for the boys in 5th place, Lily Cooper securing a top 10 finish for the girls in 9th place, Oliver Pietzke and Jack O’Donnell finishing in the top 20, and the Boys team finishing 4th overall in the CNISSF league. Miles Cooper also won in the 5th grade division at every race!

Track and Field

From breaking Tah-Neva records and school records to securing team championships and personal bests, our Track and Field team excelled in this year’s season with three team titles for 7th grade girls, 7th grade boys and 8th grade girls.

Arts and Performances Highlights

Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Lake Tahoe School’s annual Dia de los Muertos celebration this year showcased talents from grades 3-8 including costumes, ukuleles, singing and choreographed dances. Seventh graders’ young ofrenda projects were displayed at the Nevada State Museum following the performance!

Tahoe Transformations at Gatekeeper's Museum

Fourth grade students at Lake Tahoe School were invited to submit artwork to the Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City. Students chose the theme of “Tahoe Transformations,” exploring their perspectives on the change of seasons in and the history of Lake Tahoe from past to present day time. The exhibit also displayed a special historical dedication to Lake Tahoe School!

Shrek the Musical Jr.

Ms. Amory and Ms. Barb worked their theater magic with Middle School drama class to bring our community a charming rendition of Shrek. The kids in the audience were beside themselves and the kids backstage were an enthusiastic and joyful band of actors.

Arts and Performances Highlights

Holiday in the Snow

With Ms. Barb’s leadership, students showed off their performing talents on stage for the school’s annual Holiday Show this year, singing their socks off with classics - like “Jingle Bells” and “Blue Christmas” - and hits of the season - like “It’s Raining Tacos (On Christmas Eve).” Ensembles included a range of instruments, from recorders and bells to a full-on rock band led by our very own resident rockstar (and social studies teacher) Pat Casey and his rock band elective class.

Seussical the Musical Jr.

If growing up with Dr. Seuss was wonderful, seeing it all come together on stage is an entirely different and exciting experience. With a wildly colored background and set, and talented and creatively costumed actors, the Doyle Family Stage in Duffield Hall came alive with the joy and energy of Seussical the Musical, Jr. Ms. Amory, Ms. Barb, and Ms. Breider herded the cats in hats into a singing and dancing frenzy of stunning performances, memorable scenes, and pure joy.

Declamation

One of the best traditions at Lake Tahoe School is our annual Declamations.

Designed to allow our students the opportunity to learn the art of public speaking and performance, our K - 7th Grade program does that and more.

Whether a simple poem or speech, a musical selection played or sung, the fully actuated skit performances of the 7th grade, and everything in between - all are part of our students’ best and most memorable moments at LTS.

Outdoor and Service Learning Highlights

Middle School Community Service Days

From the East Shore Trail to the disc golf course to Diamond Peak and even on campus, our middle school sustainability leaders logged plenty of hours cleaning up trash on trails this past year. Thank you for keeping our community clean!

Tahoe Institute for Natural Science Visit

Each year, Ms. K finds a local organization to partner with for sustainability in Lake Tahoe. Our kindergarten and first grade science classes were visited by the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science to provide tactile insight into different animals around the Tahoe Basin by exploring animal pelts, helping demonstrate to students how different characteristics of Tahoe’s mammals contribute to shaping the Lake Tahoe environment.

F.I.S.H.

Our middle school students made frequent trips to Friends In Service Helping in Carson City to sort food for community members in need, sorting an average of 3,000 pounds of food per trip.

Outdoor and Service Learning Highlights

Middle School Advisory

Our middle school advisory program provided opportunities for hands-on learning through several experiential workshops throughout the year that not only cover life skills such as survival skills, basic needs, and team building, but also give opportunities for students to connect with one another and with their advisory teachers.

The Giving Tree

Every year, Tahoe Family Solutions chooses local families who are most in need during the holidays and asks for three wishes from each family member. These wishes are then written on ornaments and hung on the Giving Tree in the Lake Tahoe School lobby. This past year, every single ornament was taken from the tree, which means every single wish was made true!

Project Discovery

Our middle school Bobcats had a great time working hard and having fun during their adventure learning day at Project Discovery completing team building exercises and obstacle courses.

Field Trips and Travel Highlights

Local Field Trips

Nevada

2022-2023

Animal Ark - Reno, NV Bowl Incline - Incline Village, NV Carnelian Rock Hunting - Carnelian Bay, CA Diamond Peak Ski Resort - Incline Village, NV Discovery Museum - Reno, NV Donner Museum - Truckee, CA Donner Summit - Truckee, CA Fleischmann Planetarium - Reno, NV High Altitude Fitness - Truckee, CA Incline Beach - Incline Village, NV Incline HS Science Expo - Incline Village, NV Incline Village Cinema - Incline Village, NV IVGID Rec Center - Incline Village, NV Crystal Bay Kayaking - Crystal Bay, CA KUNR Studio - Reno, NV Mount Rose Ecological Hike - Reno, NV Nevada Museum of Art - Reno, NV NLT Fire Department - Incline Village, NV Project Discovery - Reno, NV Sand Harbor - Incline Village, NV Stewart Indian School - Carson City, NV Tahoe City Farmer’s Market - Tahoe City, CA Tahoe City Nordic Center - Tahoe City, CA Taylor Creek - South Lake Tahoe, CA Truckee River Rafting - Truckee, CA UC Davis Science Center - Incline Village, NV Via Ferrata - Olympic Valley, CA Washoe Library - Incline Village, NV

California

Field Trips and Travel Highlights

Out-of-Town and Abroad Trips 2022-2023

Coloma, CA Sacramento, CA Bishop, CA

Washington D.C.

Big Sur, CA In addition to their local field trips, our students experienced out-of-town adventures as well. Our fourth grade class traveled to Coloma to learn about the rich history of California gold digging and Western Expansion. Sixth graders traveled to Sacramento for river rafting on the American River, as well as attending the opening rounds of March Madness. Our seventh graders traveled to Washington D.C. for exposure to the democratic process and U.S. history; and the Eastern Sierra near Bishop for some hiking and outdoor adventures. Our eighth graders traveled to Costa Rica to explore sustainable development, language immersion, and service learning with a little surfing sprinkled in; as well as Big Sur to hike, surf, cook, and have fun in the sun together.

Costa Rica

Revenue

Tuition

$4,692,700

Philanthropy

$1,241,800

Other Income

$583,500

Total Revenue: $6,518,000

Expenses

Salaries and Benefits

$4,265,000

Tuition Assistance

$1,161,000

Educational Materials

$422,400

Facilities

$332,000

Field Trips and Transportation

$270,000

Total Expenses: $6,450,400

Thank You to our Generous Donors

Annual Fund 2022-2023

The Lake Tahoe School community has a passion for student-centered learning and education. They show that through the generous support of the Annual Fund.

A student-centered learning environment takes an abundance of resources. It takes individual attention from teachers, dedicated support from parents and family at home and opportunities that are as well-rounded and diverse as our students. Our donors understand that the Annual Fund is supporting all of that.

The pages of this report show all the amazing opportunities our students had throughout the year. It is all thanks to those who made a gift to the Annual Fund.

It truly makes a difference, so from the bottom of our hearts - thank you!

B O BC AT FOUN DER ’S CIRCLE $ 1 00,0 0 0 + Anonymous Hester Family Foundation

B O BC AT M EDALIST S $ 50,0 0 0 + Stuart and Amanda McLeod Steve Tomkovicz

B O BC AT LE ADER S $ 1 5 ,0 0 0 + Anonymous Ricki Akiwenzie Angela and Noah Knauf Kevin and Rebecca Kassekert Joe and Jenny Molinelli Lyndon and Madeleine Rive Natasha and Ali Warner

B O BC AT CH AM P IONS $ 1 0,0 0 0 +

Nathan and Monica Offenberg The Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Andrew Visci The Harvey and Leslie Wagner Foundation

BOBC AT PART NER S $5 ,0 0 0 + The Englanders Peter Garcia The Myers Family Linda Offerdahl Rachel Schindler Weimer Family Fund

BOBC AT SOCI ET Y $1,0 0 0 + Rob and Amy Alston Linda Carter and Wyatt Nordstrom Kathy and Patrick Casey Ted and A.J. Conrads Stephania Gaspar and Paul Mohme Raj Karwa and John Benediktsson Elena Popova and Igor Kouznetsov Adam Metzger Sydney and Mike Nagy Sexton Family Foundation Liz and Greg Skidmore Tanya Soule Meredith Truettner Kendra Wong and Ethan Bolinger

BOBC AT COMM UNI T Y $5 0 0 + Bob Bryan Freya LLC Brian Phillips Prospera Financial Services Christine and Jackson Switzer

Thank You to our Generous Donors FRIE ND S O F LT S Anonymous Donors Eric and Heather Avakemian Bernard Ash and Lize Hottegindre Brett Bargenquast Suzanne Batmale Amy Berry Eric Berube Diana and Robert Birta Alina Bochis Lea Boe Heidi Breider Mark and Evelyn Brockway Amory Bundy The Cannon Family Beth Clyde Jon and Kate Cooper Aundrea Dolan Christina Edwards Karli Epstein Patrick Fleming Lisa Gumina Eric Harssema The Higginbotham Family Sara Holm Ryan and Carly Hyslop Debbie Kadziauskas Cynthia Keeler Stacy and Jae Kim

Carolyn Lang and Michael Stevenson Tiana Larios Karen Laurie Nick and Emily Leahy Alison Lee Lauri Lenora Louie and Pip Sara MacDonald Stephanie Mancuso Ryan Mitchell Austin Nichols Kris Nugent Jenna Panici Scott and Deana Patrick Steve and Christine Perry Shannon and Michael Piro Chase and Tara Purinton Restorativefit LLC Allie Sacci Diana Schlaff Sefte Living LLC Jonathan Schreter Sierra Acupuncture and Healing Arts Karen Smith Tanya Taskila Alex and Julia Taylor Corina Wagner Kellen and Rachel Wolfe

Parent Association Volunteers

Parent Association Volunteers Many of our impressive Parent Association-sponsored events would not be possible without parent volunteers. Programs include Cafe Day, Trail of Treats, the sports banquets, the Gala, the middle school brunches, the Scholastic Book Fair, sports & drama concessions, teacher appreciation week and more. We are lucky to surround ourselves with such a selfless community and are truly grateful for the remarkable involvement of so many of our parents.

-Caroline Higginbotham, co-President of the Parent Association

Tim Adams Virginia Alosi Christian Alpers Heather Amiro Justin Amiro Dana Ash Heather Avakemian Lourdes Avenier April Baker Morgan Bargenquast Cassedy Bauman Melissa Beard John Benediktsson Bella Berns Diana Birta Britney Bladel Todd Bladel Alina Bochis Lea Boe Laura Bonner Matthew Bonner Mei Bowie Scott Bowie Tara Cannon Katya Christoffersen Beth Clyde Marshall Clyde Megan Conard A.J. Conrads Kate Cooper Laurie Crutchfield Heather Davis Karen Derhalli

Meishia DeVre Steve Drescher Danielle Erikson Hermes Forteza Kelly Francl Felix Freidrich Marsha Fronterhouse Melissa Green Sarah Greiwe Leslie Hamner Meagan Hanbury Mayra Hendrickson Caroline Higginbotham Cara Hollis Alison Hollman Lize Hottegindre Samantha Hughes Carly Hyslop Hilary Izzo Casey Jennings Scott Johnson Raj Karwa Rebecca Kassekert Kierra Keller Stacy Kim Angie Knauf Igor Kouzentsov Jalayne Ladd Erin Lager Maureen Lamerdin Hillary Lane Carolyn Lang Zan Larkins

in loving memory of Sarah Howard-Harwood

Parent Association Volunteers Emily Leahy Haley Leary Annette Lee Katy Lee Kerry Lee Tony Lillios Sara MacDonald Melissa Mangiaracina Mike Mangiaracina Brooke McCarthy Thomas McCarthy Lindsay McConnon Amanda McLeod Kacie Miyamoto Jenny Molinelli Joe Molinelli Natasha Myers Sydney Nagy Jessica Nordby Wyatt Nordstrom Kristen O’Donnell Monica Offenberg Tiffany Oliva Martha Osornio Heidi Palmer Josh Palmer Kristi Partridge Rhaea Pavone Michael Piro Shannon Piro Elena Popova Maria Preobrashenskaya Ashley Reese

Madeleine Rive Brianna Roe Rocio Ruiz Susan Sabin Rachel Schindler Kristine Schneller Cara Schuessler Moran Shoham Liz Skidmore Karen Smith Nancy Smyth James Sohn Marseille Steele Megan Steinmeyer Tanya Taskila Zary Tavakoli Alex Taylor Amanda Thomason Apolka Totth Meredith Truettner Elizabeth Tweedale Milcah Valiente India Vannini Andrew Visci Corina Wagner Cathy Weimer Kellen Wolfe Rachel Wolfe Kristen Wood Dan Woodman Greg Wurster Souphatra Xaypanya

In January 2023, our school community suffered a devastating loss when Sarah Howard-Harwood unexpectedly passed away. Mother of four and passionately involved in our school, Sarah is greatly missed. We are grateful for her involvement in and love of Lake Tahoe School.

Parent Association Officers 2022-2023

Caroline Higginbotham, Co-Chair Sara MacDonald, Co-Chair Sara Howard-Harwood, Treasurer Virginia Alosi, Cafe Day Lead Heather Avakemian, Newcomer Lead Beth Clyde, Staff Appreciation Lead Raj Karwa, Book Fair Lead Katy Lee, Trail of Treats Lead Marseille Steele, Graduation & BBQ Lead Laura Bonner, School Productions Lead

Nonprofit and Local Organization Partnerships

Supporting Our Community 2022-2023

Supporting nonprofit and local organizations is essential to building a strong and vibrant community. These organizations provide vital services to our neighbors, friends, and family, and they rely on our support to thrive.

This is why Lake Tahoe School is committed to supporting nonprofit and local organizations in a number of ways. We donate money to organizations that are working to address important issues in our community, such as homelessness, poverty, and hunger. We also support fundraising events hosted by these organizations, and we facilitate community service days for our students to get involved.

We are proud of our commitment to supporting nonprofit and local organizations in our community.

Note from the Board of Trustees On behalf of the Lake Tahoe School Board of Trustees, I am honored to present our 2022-2023 Annual Report. This report highlights the remarkable accomplishments of our school community over the past year, a year marked by resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to providing our students with an exceptional educational experience.

Board of Trustees

As we reflect on the past year, we are incredibly proud of the many achievements of our students, faculty, and staff. Our students continue to excel academically, consistently demonstrating their intellectual curiosity and a passion for learning. They are engaged in a wide range of extracurricular activities, from athletics and arts to community service and exciting overnight trips.

Rebecca Kassekert, Chair

2022-2023

Our faculty and staff are the heart of our school, and their dedication to our students is truly inspiring.

They are committed to providing a challenging and supportive learning environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a global perspective.

Jenny Molinelli, Vice Chair

This past year we closed the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan by completing the following:

Keith O’Donnell, Treasurer

•

• • •

Enduring Foundation: We accomplished the long-range campus master plan with the following projects: -Completion of the new construction of Duffield Hall and new Playfields.

-Upgraded existing facilities with the Bobcat Treehouse Library, new Music Room, Middle School English, PreK, and updated the downstairs PE Room to support our objectives.

Strong Leadership: We exemplified a well-run and well-governed school, managed and operated according to appropriate best practices established by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Academic Excellence: We expanded Lake Tahoe School’s capacity to best support the diversity of learning styles with the addition of two Learning Specialists and a School Counselor to accommodate all abilities represented in our student body.

Optimized Enrollment: We exceeded our target enrollment of 170-180 (current enrollment of 235), while carefully considering culture, program, and finances.

Jason Green, Secretary Rob Alston Sabrina Belleci Brad Bergstrom

We also completed a new five-year strategic plan and have a clear vision for the future of Lake Tahoe School.

Amy Berry

We are grateful for the generous support of our parent community, alumni, and friends. Your contributions to our Annual Fund and other fundraising initiatives are essential to our ability to provide our students with the resources they need to succeed.

Pete Garcia

As we look ahead, with the new strategic plan in place, we are excited to continue building on the momentum of the past year. We are committed to providing our students with an education that prepares them to be leaders in the 21st century. We believe that Lake Tahoe School is a place where students can thrive, and we are committed to creating an environment where they can reach their full potential.

Thank you for your continued support of Lake Tahoe School.

Pete Garcia Interim Board Chair

Amanda McLeod Bob Graves, ex officio

995 Tahoe Boulevard, Incline Village, Nevada

775-831-5828

www.laketahoeschool.org