Annual Report 2022-2023

FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Board of Trustees

Dear Families and Friends of MCS,

Often we reflect on the past to prepare for the brightness of the future ahead. The 2022-2023 school year showcased our community’s capacity to remain flexible and adaptable through a lens of hope and possibility. For the first time since the pandemic began, MCS’s hallmark events and activities returned. From our beloved Harvest Picnic and Jog-a-thon to Upper Elementary’s trip to Catalina Island and Lower Elementary’s family campouts, our community was able to come together to play, socialize, learn and discover in many important ways.

We learned from our spring 2023 family survey that 94% of families believe that MCS provides a high quality education for students. We also gleaned important feedback and great ideas about ways in which we can work together to make our community and programs ever better and stronger.

In June, we said goodbye to MCS’s Head of School and veteran teacher of 25 years, Melanie Jacobs and welcomed Interim Head of School, Vanessa Jackson, for the 2023-24 school year. Many already knew Vanessa as an MCS alumna, former board member and current parent. Over the summer months, Vanessa met individually with and hosted strategic planning sessions with our staffulty in anticipation of the new school year. We are very excited about the positive momentum and progress that has been made thus far as we work towards realizing MCS’ fullest potential on behalf of our students, families and staffulty.

I want to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing families, staffulty and board of trustees for your dedication, collaboration and trust in this moment of transition for MCS. I appreciate the time and effort put into everything you do for the benefit of our community.

With gratitude,

Michael-James Hey

“This is the hope we have–a hope in a new humanity that will come from this new education, an education that is a collaboration of humans and the universe, that is a help for evolution.”

— Dr. Maria Montessori

FROM THE INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear MCS Community,

Recently, I enjoyed a stunning morning as the sun rose on Refugio State Beach at our recent Green Door fall campout. I was up early making coffee for the parents in the group and was reminded once again of how as an alumna, parent and now school leader for MCS, I have a lot to be thankful for: The incredibly high quality of early childhood education that our school provides to our children is unparalleled; the curiosity, independence and integrity that our elementary program nurtures in our students is something you have to see to believe. I am extremely privileged to be leading a wildly talented, committed, passionate and capable staffulty this year as we work to bring positive change to MCS. What a gift to be part of this community!

As we head into MCS’ fifty-eighth year together, I want to thank each of our current and past families and our many friends of MCS for your continued support. Montessori Center School has more to offer than ever before – more potential and more support to leverage from our growing numbers of dedicated current and alumni families and friends, as well as from our world class staffulty, current and emeritus! I am excited to work together to harness the power of our history and community as we guide the school into a future that is full of hope and promise.

I hope that you will enjoy this annual report, which provides a snapshot of all that we built together in the 202223 school year. Thank you to each and every one of you who made a financial contribution in 2022-23: Your generosity has brought a wealth of resources and opportunities to the school: a new multi-sport court, teacher professional development, upgrades to our curriculum materials, investment in our beautiful garden campus and so much more.

I look forward to our journey together over this coming year as we continue to build our community and deliver a high-quality Montessori program for our students.

With gratitude, Vanessa

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Amy MacLeod Treasurer

Leonard Chen

Karen Goyal

Royce Borgeson

Brandi Redman

Michael-James Hey President

Tim Morton-Smith Vice President

Natalie Mutz

Leo Welder

Vanessa Jackson Secretary

Felicita Torres

MCS FAMILY INTERVIEW The Eberharter Family

Tell us about your family?

We (Joachim and Cheryl) met while studying at UCSB at the tail end of the last millennium. After graduation, the beauty of the mountains and waters of the Santa Barbara area convinced us we wanted to stay in this idyllic part of California with our friends and dreams. Those dreams included traveling, getting married, and raising a family. We have been blessed with two sons – Miles (12) and Phoenix (6). Miles has just become an MCS alumnus, and we are deeply proud of him. Phoenix just completed his first year at MCS in Silver Door and will begin his journey in Lower Elementary in the fall. We love being part of the local community and enjoy all the area has to offer. We find family fun at our favorite local spots like the Botanic Garden, the Zoo, the Natural History Museum, the Wharf and Harbor, riding bikes at Lake Los Carneros, playing in the dappled sunlight under ancient oaks, community events, hikes, playing at the Santa Ynez river, and beach beauty! We still enjoy traveling with the whole family to explore this wonderful world.

When did you start at MCS? How did you discover MCS?

Miles started MCS in kindergarten on the Primary side of school. As a five-year old, his previous two years of education consisted of an amazing outdoor preschool filled with adventure and nature. Miles could tell you all about native plants and how to build a stick shelter, but he knew little about how indoor school works. MCS was his first experience in a classroom. Needless to say, we were a bit nervous about the transition! In Yellow Door, Miles developed a love for school and a joy in learning that has lasted through his elementary education. He honestly loved everyday right through his sixth-grade graduation this past school year! We are grateful we chose MCS. Cheryl learned about the school while earning her teaching credential and later working at a local private school. MCS provides a wonderful balance between academic learning and freedom to explore. Now we get to revisit our elementary experience with our youngest, Phoenix.

What made you choose the Montessori philosophy and in particular,

MCS for your children?

We believe in a learning environment that fosters creativity, values community, and supports curiosity. The Montessori philosophy aligns with our family values of gratitude, respect, responsibility, and participating in the world with kindness and care. We want our children to be lifelong learners that honor the beauty of knowledge through a love of learning.

What stands out about the staffulty?

Every child connects with the world and its people differently. We value the hard-working staffulty at MCS for understanding children and putting what Maria Montessori envisioned into practice with dedication and heart. On campus, a deep-rooted atmosphere of mutual respect, encouragement, and a love for learning is ever-present. At MCS, growth and learning truly flourish. The staffulty tirelessly work to engage many types of learners and always have time to talk or listen to parents or children, patiently, professionally, and with thoughtfulness.

In what ways do you enjoy volunteering at MCS?

We believe that service and volunteering are an important part of being in any community. For us, volunteering at MCS connects us to many amazing people. Time with teachers and staff bring confidence in a shared vision, and we find joy working alongside other parents to create experiences our children benefit from. Both of us have found fun and satisfaction as a room parents, parent guest speakers, and helping with various events while our eldest attended MCS. There are many opportunities for volunteering at MCS, which strengthens the MCS community greatly. As parents of two students, the opportunities in the classroom and for family gatherings have been incredible and an honor.

What do you love most about MCS?

MCS teaches the beauty of the world, the love of learning, acceptance and values peace, community, and independent problem-solving. The faculty are committed to purposeful teaching about the world outside and the world inside each student. The MCS approach to education supports curiosity, fosters creativity, facilitates critical thinking, and empowers independent thought. Additionally, the learning and social environment at MCS cultivates kindness and respect and invites and celebrates uniqueness and acceptance of differences. Academically, MCS offers broad subject matter. Mix this all together, and you have a community of learners and teachers that value each other and grow together socially, emotionally, and academically.

What does your child enjoy most about the Montessori approach to learning?

Miles has always enjoyed and flourished in the academic freedom provided by the Montessori approach. His learning journey has covered a lot of ground, and his curiosity and desire to learn remain boundless because he has been able to learn at his own pace throughout the years. He also enjoyed art, playing at recess, and sports. Phoenix very much enjoys the various hands-on materials and activities in the classroom. He enjoys taking on projects and challenging himself to finish them. Phoenix also enjoys story time, seasonal works, and recess. The library is one of his favorite places to visit – thanks, Anne!

What are one or two aspects of the learning at MCS that you hope your children will carry their entire lives?

Both Miles and Phoenix have grown to love reading books! They practice thinking scientifically, pondering their places in the world. They are continually discovering and reinforcing their unique talents, goals, and stretches. We feel these are lifelong paths that will help them be compassionate, capable, and innovative members of any present and future communities.

How do you feel your child’s Montessori education will positively affect them in future endeavors?

We’re so grateful to know that both Miles and Phoenix will benefit from the confidence, independence and contagious love of learning that MCS has cultivated and nurtured within them. Critical thinking and self-directed and selfmotivated action are some other aspects of their Montessori education that will serve them well in life and make them kind, considerate, principled and successful members of society.

“Within the child lies the fate of the future.”

— Dr. Maria Montessori

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING

2022- 2023

We would like to acknowledge our donors who generously contributed to our fundraising efforts. We are so very grateful for your support! Whether through the Fund for MCS, the Auction Benefit or the Jog-a-Thon, your generosity has positively impacted our mission and community.

$10,000 and above

Casey & Alexander Fang

$5,000 - $9,999

Susan & Phong Do

Jessica Scheeter & Zach Gill

Macy & Henry McGinness

Doris & Greg McPhee

Jessica & Roberto Santana

Kamren & Tim Morton - Smith

$2,500 - $4,999

Chaucer’s Bookstore

Kacy Cristofani & Chris Burke

Leonard Chen

Teddi & Reggi Drew

Karen & Vishal Goyal

Megi & Chris Haydon

Caitrin McKiernan & Andrew S. Hicks

Megan & Paasha Mahdavi

Kristina & Chris McCausland

Fernanda Machado & Robert Riskin

Youjin Jung & Jae Shin

$1,500 - $2,499

Kate Gerpheide & Guillaume de Zwirek

Milena & Devin Dierenfield

Theresa & David Dolotta

Jing Lu & Xi Dong

Grace Choy & Jonathan Heagle

Marissa & Taylor Jobe

Aniko & David Kim

Tara Fergusson & Stephen Litchfield

Elisa Lorenzi & Christian Malek

Morgan & Brian McDonald

Raytheon

Dasha & David Russ

Vanessa Jackson & Edward Uzzell

Rubi & Marc Soares

$500 - $1,499

Conor & Josh Adler

American Riviera Bank

Nicole & Michael Aispuro

Felicita A. Torres & Geraldo Aldana

Abby Alexiades

Anonymous

John Baker

Jennifer & John Berger

Cami & Anthony Bonavita

Maria Elosu & Robert “Rusty” Brace

Amber & Brian Braden

Robin Deinhard & Brian Burkett

Kara Byrne

Misook & Tom Burk

Diana & Steve Charles

Dr. Annie Pham-Cheng & Dr. George Cheng

Christy & Thomas Condon - Family Foundation

Cross Fit of Santa Barbara

Anne & Benjamin Curtin

Xi Dong

Ashley & Sean Eberz

Sarah Anthony & Luis Esparza

Daniella & Marco Felix

Elizabeth & Jonathan Golden

Google

Raine & Andrew Hahn

Anne Shaw-Hey & Michael-James Hey

Diane Nguyen & Turi Honneger

Sarah Hemmer & Taylor Holve

Dr. Karen Engberg & Dr. Doug Jackson

Melanie Jacobs

Allie & Chris Joyce

Monica & Seth Kaplan

Mieko Kusano & Rob Lambourne

Amy & Don MacLeod

Genevieve Pelletier & Bryan Mahoney

Tara Pesce Moehrle & Tim Moehrle

Katie & Paul O’Keefe

Nikki Bowen & Forest Patton

Courtney & Anna Phillips

Alex Houston

Marguerite & Christopher Polos

Brandi Redman

Savage & Cooke Distillery

Heather Reagan & Eric Shepherd

Lindsay & Mike Shinn

Brittany & Scott Sloan

Stephan Warren

Studio 7 Architecture

Olga & Dmitri Strukov

Angela Consentino & Henry Stumpf

Amy & Conor Toohey

Gabrielle & Leo Welder

Caitlin Slutzky & David Wieger

John Williams

Dr. Heather Terbell & Dr. Mark Wilson

$250-499

Melika & Tom Adams

Bank of America

Sofie & Elliot Brown

Judy Senning-Brown & Willy Brown

Rynell & Cameron Casey

Suzanne & Michael Cohen

Kathleen & Nathaniel Craig

Angelina & Jeremy Dukesherer

Dr. Katya Markova & Dmitry Fedorova

Megan Gage

Courtney Anderson & Robert Georges

Ann & Marius Gheorghita

Suzanne Hawtrey

Farani & Winston Haynes

Gina & Caesar Ho

Jeni & Chris Janci

Kristin & Andrew Khuri

Amanda & Scott Macrae

Vaughn Bunch & Susan Moriarity

Chee Fang & Jiun How Ng

Rick Philbrick

Jie Hu & Min Ren

Bageshree Parmar & Jaydip Savani

Carley Russell & Ky Schultz

Nicole & Matt Staska

Maryam Nozari & Bijan Yazdansepas

Amy & Todd Whiteford

$1-249

Katie & Mike Allan

Anonymous

Janelle Ashby

KK Holland & David Atkins

Lisa Benjamin

Julie & Bryce Boe

Loric Box

Rose Brownridge

Brittany & Roy Bryan

Tessa Burns

Donna & Joel Butera

Gabriela & Mike Carver

Tyler Clark

Suki & Misael Contreras

Yan Pu & David Countryman

Birgit Crable

Jonathan & Carly Daulton

Lisa Lavora-De Beule & Frederic De Beule

Liam Dong

Cheryl & Joachim Eberharter

Lisa & Rylan Edwards

Marilyn & John English

Tania & Ian Fiedorek

Kathy Finck

Kalani Floyd

Jennifer Balaishis & Shanone Frumkes

Roma Garcia

Sandy Gorman

Amy Guo

Garbriela Silva - Gutierrez

Meredith & Jesse Hendricks

Megan & Rickart Hepburn

Erika Herrera

Chantel Ding & Jiang Hu

Winni Ni & Chong Huang

Jay James

Lindsay Jerome

Emily Jimenez

Christina & Derek Jones

Tammy & William Kao

Kaufman Foundation, Inc.

Kathy Kelley

Paige Kriewald

Gina Newell & Jens-Uwe Kuhn

Monique Myers & Kristian Kvilekval

Claude-Lise Lafranque

Sharon Liddy

Josephine & Jeremy Lin

Leane Ledbetter

Courtney Lockwood

Brooke & Crosby Loggins

Huong Ngo & Daniel Martin

Maria Martinez

Madison McClurkin

Monica & Mark Mendoza

Julie & Andrew Milham

Dr. Katrina Mitchell

Valerie Moreno

Jennifer & Timothy Montague

Irene Morales

Natalie & Andrew Mutz

Samantha & Neil Narang

Melanie Newhouse

Wendy & Joe Oldani

Katy Parker

Carol Parsons

Paypal Giving

Melissa & Michael Pease

Paulo Perez

Jennifer & Oliver Press

Shereen Ramawtar

Mariana Rickard

Peggi Robinson

Dana Ullmann Rosenkrantz & Joshua Rosenkrantz

Sue Sadler

Kimberly Sanchez

Karthik Perumalsamy & Maheswari Sellamuthu

Ikuko & Spencer Smith

Stout & Kaufman Professions Law Corp.

Lynn & David Swenson

Kelly & Barry Tanowitz

Lisa Tosta

Carla Vences

Rana & Brian Warren

Mariaelena & Stewart Welch

Krista Williams

FINANCIAL REPORT 2022 - 2023

FUNDRAISING 2022 - 2023

THE GOLDEN AGE OF JAZZ

MCS Annual Auction

In March 2023, MCS held its Annual Auction Benefit. One of MCS’s most significant fundraisers of the year, the evening raised $76,242. Proceeds support campus facilities, classroom materials and programming. Of this total, $32,050 was generated from our cash call, which funded our blacktop refurbishment and the creation of a multi-sport court.

THANK YOU to our Auction In-Kind Donors, Sponsors and Underwriters

Ameriflex, Hannah Buschbom

AMS Events

Anthony Bonavita

Apples to Zucchini Cooking School

Aqua Door Families

Ashley and Sean Eberz

Auralite Acupuncture

AutoCamp

Blue Door Families

Brass Beer

Brian Schaffield

Bristol Farms

Canyon Ranch

Carucci Wines

Cathedral Oaks Athletic Club

Celebration Cruises

Chicken Little

Chuck’s of Hawaii

Colleen Kalani Floyd

Core Power Yoga

Cresset

David Russ

Diamond Door Families

DK Group

DMK Studios

Dune Coffee

Elizabeth Gallery Mosaics

Emerald Door Families

Esparza Law Group

Felix and Killen, Attorneys at Law

Future Perfect Wines

Geoff Green

Gold Door Families

Green Door Families

Hollister Co.

Images by Valerie Islands

Janelle Ashby

Kimpton Canary Santa Barbara

La Paloma

Lazy Acres

Leane Ledbetter

Lucky Penny

Lull Mattress

MaiLaniKea

Mammoth Moving and Storage

Margerum Wine Company

Mark Collier, Magician

Melanie Jacobs

Microblading S.B.

Mineral Door-6th Grade

Miner’s Ace Hardware

Mission Linen

Molly Gordon, Coach

Montessori Center School

Moxi

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

Museum of Natural History

Navy Door Families

Niki Mickler

Opal Restaurant & Bar

Katy Parker

Peet’s Coffee

Purple Door Families

Red Door Families

Return to Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary

Revolver Pizza

Robin Deinhard

Santa Barbara Adventure

Santa Barbara Festival Ballet

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Santa Barbara Zoo

Sarah Anthony

Savage and Cook Distillery

Silver Door Families

Slate Catering

Something Good Organics

Sonos

Sprout’s

Studio 7 Architecture

Surf Happens

Suzanne Hawtrey

The Hahn Family

The Drew Family

The Goyal Famil

The Jobe Family

The Katzenstein Family

The Lambourne Family

The Little Doghouse

The Polos Family

The Riviera Towel Company

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

The Standard Men’s Shop

The Whiteford Family

Trader Joe’s

UltraAnalog Corporation

Well With Rynell, Rynell Casey

Wendy Foster

White Door Families

Women’s Health Coalition

Yellow Door Families

Yoga Soup

MCS PARENT VOLUNTEERS

You Make a Difference!

We are so grateful to our community for supporting our school in so many ways during the school year. By generously donating their time and talents, our volunteers make a massive difference in the community culture and lives of our students. We appreciate you all!

Executive Committee

Michael-James Hey, President

Tim Morton-Smith, Vice President

Amy MacLeod, Treasurer

Vanessa Jackson, Secretary

New Campus Committee

Michael-James Hey, Chair

Lindsay Shinn

Robert Riskin

Scott Vincent

Greg Reitz

Melanie Jacobs

Melanie Newhouse

Birgit Crable

Finance Committee

Amy MacLeod, Chair

Michael Challen

Dave Countryman

Michael-James Hey

Melanie Jacobs

Birgit Crable

Marketing Committee

Leo Welder, Chair

Raine Hahn

Lisa Lavora-De Beule

Melanie Jacobs

Kathy Kelley

Tyler Clark

Development Committee

Vanessa Jackson

Phong Do

Margaret Mc Cleery Cota

Kathy Kelley

Lisa Lavora - De Beule

Melanie Jacobs

Strategic Planning Committee

Michael-James Hey, Co-Chair

Tim Morton-Smith, Co-Chair

Melanie Jacobs

Melanie Newhouse

Lisa Lavora-De Beule

Sandy Gorman

Nicole Staska

Suzanne Hawtrey

Katy Parker

Anne Curtin

Committee on Trustees

Michael-James Hey

Tim Morton-Smith

Amy MacLeod

Vanessa Jackson

Melanie Jacobs

Melanie Newhouse

MCS Parent Volunteers

MPO Chair Morgan McDonald Room Reps

Conor Adler

Amy Whiteford

Brittany Sloan

Tara Fergusson

Dasha Russ

Raine Hahn

Sarah Anthony

Katie O’Keefe

Jen Press

Debora Iglesias Rodriguez

Gabrielle Welder

Robin Deinhard

Josephine Lin

Aniko Kim

Amy Levin Toohey

Kristen Ritter

Cheryl Eberharter

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Educate. Engage. Empower.

STAFFULTY 2022- 2023

Administration

Melanie Jacobs

Head of School

Melanie Newhouse

Associate Administrator & Director of Student Support Services

Birgit Crable

Business & Facilities Manager

Tyler Clark Director of Admissions

Kathy Kelley

Director of Development & Alumni Relations

Lisa Lavora-De Beule Director of Marketing & Communications

Lisa Tosta

Office Manager & Registrar

Shereen Ramawtar

Bookkeeper

Paulo Perez

Groundskeeper & Facilities Maintenance

Pre-Primary Staff

Sandy Gorman

Nicole Staska

Lupe Vital

Ana Madison

Maddie McClurkin

Gabriela Silva Gutierrez

Carla Vences

Rose Brownridge

Primary Staff

Roma Garcia

Mariana Rickard

Suki Contreras

Emily Carbajal

Krista Williams

Sharon Liddy

Kacy Cristofani

Tessa Burns

Jennifer Montague

Paige Kriewald

Elementary Staff

Katy Parker

Kelly Gould

Irene Morales

Taylor Hamilton

Kimmy Sanchez

Rubia Medina

Peggi Robinson

Maria Martinez

Erica Singer

Emily Jimenez

Specialists Staff

Anne Curtin

Maya Singer

Suzanne Hawtrey

Lindsay Jerome

Leane Ledbetter

Carol Parsons

Claude-Lise Lafranque

Afterschool Care Team & Support Teachers

Kathy Finck

Regina Gonzalez

Amy Guo

Kelly Tanowitz

Sean Carroll

Kalani Floyd

Nanci Ortiz

Student Support Services

Janelle Ashby, Learning Specialist

“This is the hope we have–a hope in a new humanity that will come from this new education, an education that is a collaboration of man and the universe…”

— Dr. Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential

MONTESSORI CENTER SCHOOL