TASIS Dorado 2016-2017 First Semester Highlights Newsletter

2016-2017

FIRST SEMESTER

HIGHLIGHTS

Welcome MOVING FORWARD One of the main goals of a TASIS Dorado education is to transform young men and women into “engaged global citizens and innovative, selfless leaders.” TASIS Dorado seeks to accomplish this by staying true to our mission, vision, and values as expressed in our recently completed Strategic Plan. (See www. tasisdorado.com > About Us > Strategic Plan.) During this first semester, we have made significant progress in achieving our goals!

Read on in this newsletter for highlights.

In August, we began the school year with 792 students, our largest enrollment ever. This marked a growth of 43 students over the same period last year.

TASIS Dorado is a catalyst for transformation in our community, our island, and our world. We have a “commitment to building community,” starting with the teacher-student relationship.

The knowledge and care that each teacher brings to the classroom is highly motivating for students in their pursuit of excellence.

Our Mission

TASIS Dorado challenges and nurtures students to pursue academic and personal excellence so that they become engaged global citizens and innovative, selfless leaders.

Our Vision

TASIS Dorado aspires to be a world-class school that transforms students’ lives through love of learning, beauty, truth, goodness and wisdom.

Our Values

TASIS Dorado instills in its students the values of courage, kindness, integrity, humility and a commitment to building community.

Community also implies mutual respect and fairness. We welcome students from all backgrounds, from those on full scholarships to those with ample resources. All are treated equally and respectfully here.

You make this possible. Without you, TASIS Dorado would not be flourishing.

Your support and gifts allow us to fulfill our exceptional mission to challenge students from diverse backgrounds to the highest standards of excellence.

With gratitude, Tim Howard, Ed.D. Headmaster

A C U LT U R E O F G I V I N G The success of an annual appeal—and the strength of the school—always depends on a wonderful spirit of giving.

The Annual Fund affects every aspect of TASIS Dorado’s daily life. It supports faculty members who impart their knowledge to our students; enhances our library collections; ensures that TASIS Dorado remains on the leading edge of technological innovation; and allows students who would otherwise not be able to afford an independent school education to attend school here. TASIS Dorado began as a promise to children, which we must not forget.

Two simple truths have driven our school’s leaders and teachers: children deserve our best; and even the best schools cannot stand still.

2016 - 2017 ESTIMATED

2016 - 2017 ESTIMATED

INCOME OTHER REVENUE 6%

ANNUAL FUND 0%

EXPENSES DEBT SERVICE (INTEREST) 1%

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (DEPRE) 3% SCHOLARSHIPS FINANCIAL AID 9%

BUILDING FUND 2%

OPERATIONS 46%

TUITION & FEES 92%

Fundraising at TASIS Dorado TASIS Dorado, a non-profit educational institution, relies on income from tuition to cover its operating expenses and special projects. We are proud of our academic program and grateful for the support of our community. In addition, fundraising activities and generous donations from parents, friends and others have supported the construction of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) and defrayed the cost of student scholarships.

We believe that education is one of the most important investments a family makes and that a TASIS Dorado education is well-worth the sacrifice. We know our school can grow and that there are opportunities to take TASIS Dorado to the next level of excellence.

Currently, there are 16 scholarship students at TASIS Dorado, or about 2% of our total student body.

This year, the school will award $226,000 in full scholarships. Please consider supporting part or all of a $12,000 student scholarship. Every donation, small or large, makes a difference!

ACADEMIC PROGRAM 41%

What is the difference between an Annual Fund and a Capital Campaign?

Gifts to a Capital Campaign are usually larger pledges that fund long-term projects like new construction. They are often made over a three- to five-year period. The recent addition of the PAC falls in this category.

On the other hand, Annual Fund gifts are solicited and given every year to help fund key components of the Strategic Plan, beyond our planned operations. An Annual Fund appeal supports all areas of the institution, including academics, athletics, art, drama, teacher learning, and financial aid. For example:

Attracting and retaining the most talented and skilled teachers and staff Granting financial aid for qualified students Maintaining our state-of-the-art facilities

What does tuition cover at TASIS Dorado?

Service learning opportunities for our students

Tuition at TASIS Dorado, in contrast with most schools, covers all textbooks and materials, field trips, daily snacks, and team uniforms.

Providing curriculum materials and additional resources, including innovative collaborations with artistic, social, scientific, and entrepreneurial entities

Thank You to our Donors

La Ceiba, Our Jewel

by Eric Tabales Sculpture at TASIS Dorado Performing Arts Center (PAC)

PINK DIAMOND SPONSORS Gifts above $20,000

Domenech Ferraiuoli Family Vázquez Henríquez Family

BLUE DIAMOND SPONSOR Gifts between $15,000 and $19,999 Carlson Family

DIAMOND SPONSORS Gifts between $10,000 and $19,999 Manatí Medical Center Matosantos González Family Pagán Pagán Family Trápaga Family Universal Group

RUBY SPONSORS

Gifts between $5,000 and $19,999 Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Calixto Family Casanova Family Delgado García Family Econo Fiallo Family

Fernando González Neugebauer Family Puerto Rico Children’s Hospital Sainz Family Stratton Family Rivera Ferraiuoli Family Vélez Kornitskaya Family

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR Gifts between $2,500 and $4,999 Anchía Family Burger King Emanuelli Cotto Family Espinosa Ochoa Family Holsum Luzio Family Ortega Martínez Family Pantoja Family Rodríguez Villarmarzo Family Sierra Family Solares Family Sun West Sung Family Watkins Family

EMERALD SPONSORS Gifts between $1,000 and $2,499 Albors Family Broco Rivera Family Cabanillas Family Cacho Machado Family Cortés Sumaza Family Crikelair Family de Man Family Descartes López Family Fernández Rodríguez Family García Estremera Family García Navas Family González Frontera Family Goveo Lounsberry Family Inclán Rodríguez Family Melecio Family Méndez Colón Family Mendoza Dávila Family Nardone Guerra Family Peraza Díaz Family Pharma-Bio Serv Puig Stubbe Family Rivera Aguilar Family Rivera Díaz Family Rodríguez Rodríguez Family Robles Romo Family Soto Montalvo Family Soto Rodríguez Family Celeste Suris Toraño Pagán Family

OPAL SPONSORS

Gifts between $750 and $999 Abernathy Family Abreu López Family Bonilla Díaz Family Colón Silva Family Hernández Echegaray Family Howard Family Medina González Family

Add a message and your name to Our Ceiba by purchasing a portion of the tree or leaves! All donations go towards the Scholarship Fund and to pay off the PAC. For more information, please contact Michelle Yegros in the Office of Advancement.

Maldonado Osorio Family Rivera Hernández Family Rosselló Colón Family Rovira Cruz Family

PEARL SPONSORS Gifts between $500 and $699 Alegría Maldonado Family Alvarado Family Louis Christiansen Colón Family Cortés Maas Family García Nolla Family López Ruíz Family Mejía Valle Family Pérez Torrellas Family Ramos Acevedo Family Regis Family Rodríguez Aquino Family Seda Pérez Family Torres Urrutia Family

IN KIND SPONSORS Bacardí Coca Cola Los Muchachos Catering Martin Printing Plaza Cellars Sin Prisa Band Space Contemporary Art Gallery Sun Colors Teamworx

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS Computer Science Competition TASIS Dorado hosted the first high school Computer Science Bowl in Puerto Rico, adjudicated by three professors from the UPR. Our team finished with a perfect score and took first place. Senior José Ricardo Proskauer is being considered to represent Puerto Rico in the International Computer Science Olympiad next spring in Iran.

Curriculum Revision Project Under the guidance of our administration and teacher-leaders, the entire school is engaged in revising and updating our curriculum, a major initiative of our Strategic Plan. This 2-year process will be completed by May 2018.

Puerto Rico Math Olympiad 194 TASIS Dorado students made it to Round 2. Fifteen 4th and 5th graders and 14 upper school students have made it to Round 3. Out of 25 qualifying students in 5th grade throughout Puerto Rico, 11 are from TD! (44%)

Advanced Placement TASIS Dorado added two new AP courses, for a total offering of 22 APs. TD was also just accepted into the AP Capstone Program.

Student Honors TASIS Dorado boasts 1 Semifinalist in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program and 7 national Hispanic Scholar Awards. José Ricardo Proskauer represented Puerto Rico at the Iberoamerican Physics Olympiad in Uruguay and obtained an Honorable Mention. Ana Fiallo, Enrique Carrasco, and Carlos Junco were awarded the Adolfo Fortier Prize for their outstanding results on the PIENSE Spanish Test. For the 2nd year in a row, Tristán Grillasca won the TD Spelling Bee Competition.

Science: “Earth Week” This year’s theme was “Eco-Agriculture: Rooted in Nature” and included field trips, special speakers, and a Farmers’ Market. Our Bloom Greenhouse in the Sabanera farm is a busy place and continues spreading the word about eco-agriculture through integrated units in the lower and upper schools.

FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS Teaching Excellence Several teachers are currently working towards their doctoral degrees in education. For the second year in a row, math teacher Cheo Santos prepared students from TASIS Dorado and Puerto Rico to compete in the International Math Olympiad in Hong Kong. TASIS Dorado student Francisco Proskauer took home a bronze medal for the second year in a row. Luís Camacho has been asked to present on “best practices of an exemplary physical education program,” including at the University of Puerto Rico.

New Teachers Six new teachers were welcomed to TASIS Dorado this year. All were assigned mentors and are participating in an induction program under the leadership of Monica Peña.

Teacher Goals All faculty and administrators set two SMART Goals for the year: one related to student growth and achievement and another related to professional growth.

Middle School Sara Hernández was named Interim Middle School Principal and is leading with great energy and skill. She and other administrators are supporting teachers with regular observations and feedback.

Rychell Janga ‘17 “I believe that my education at TASIS Dorado combined with values instilled by teachers and coaches--perseverance, work ethic, and a positive attitude--have been preparing me for life after graduation. The amazing generosity and support of this community is something you don’t see very often and I will always be grateful.”

SUPPORTERS Gifts above $250

Juan Adames and Johanna Baena-Rivero Lillian Aponte Roberto Bachman and Jossette Rodríguez Anthony and Terry Bava Timothy and María Beckett Ricardo Blanco and Brigitte Krumhansl Luís Bou and Lillian Padilla Carlos Castañeda and Laura del Cuadro Ivan Castañer and Carmen Cividanes-Lago Alex Colón and Lisa García Miguel and Ivelisse Cordovés Eduardo Cortés and Cristina Castro Familia Cortés González Joel and Karla Cruz Luís Cruz and Luz Muñiz José Encarnación and Milagros Cortés Luís Fajardo and Sandra Gómez Michael and Sarah Flaherty Jaime and Susan Fortuño Garrett and Kristin Fuller Hector García and María Cruz Jorge and Micki García Winston González and Myrna Rodríguez Antonio Hernández and Yesenia López Steven Kreisher and Brenda Bibiloni Familia López León Luís and Lillian Marini Félix and Wanda Márquez Mari Marrero Paul and Elva Martin Alfredo and Ileana Martínez-Álvarez Tere Martínez-Álvarez Michael Mateo and Sandra Ramos Alberto Miranda and Jennifer Cancio Marco Miranda and Julietta Fragoso

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS Communities of the World In this election year, COTW celebrated democracy through the theme, “Elections around the World.”

New Reading Program Grades 1-5 are implementing Journeys, a new reading program to strengthen foundational reading skills and comprehension.

Teachers are also devoting increased attention to the writing process in Writers’ Workshop.

Hans Moll Raúl Monteagudo and Milagros Santos Salvador Muñiz and Aileen Navas-Auger Thomas and Rosalie Navedo Antonio Pérez and Alice Maldonado Arnaldo Pérez and Lucía Martín Edward Pérez and Sheila Negrón Enrique Pérez and Sandra Vázquez Pedro Pérez and Nanette Lugo Javier Pietrantoni and Pili Rodríguez Paride Pizzingrilli and Serena Angius Juan Carlos and Becky Portela Humberto Quintana and Lymaris Lluch Jaime and Sara Ramírez Onix Reyes and Blanca Salas Fernando Rivera and Cristina Rivera Héctor Rivera and Marisol Rivera José Rivera and Elizabeth Rivera Timothy Roach and Bethsaira Castro Pepe Rodriguez de Liebana and Vivian Vázquez Victor Rodríguez and Joanne Alicea Christopher and Concetta Sabol Luís and Auricelli Santiago José Santos and Wynee Gil Sara Sanz Roberto and Christine Schröder Armando Semprit and Nitza Serrano John Sepúlveda and Carmen Goss Xavier Serra and Esther Bafalluy David Soler and Eva Jové Julio Torres and Kelly Pérez Geraldine Toste José Vega and Bettina Mercado Luís Vélez and Jenifer Hernández Robert Williams David and Heather Willis

GIVE A GIFT THAT TRANSFORMS LIVES Your donations to our Scholarship Fund transform the lives of our students.

Multiply your impact by partnering with us again.

GIVE ONLINE

You can make a credit card gift online at tasisdorado.com > Support

GIVE BY MAIL

Checks payable to: TASIS Dorado or TASIS Foundation (to obtain a tax-deductable federal certification) may be mailed to: TASIS Dorado Office of Advancement 11 Carr 693 Dorado, PR 00646-3452

GIVE BY PHONE

You may call us at (787) 796-0440 Ext. 242 with your credit-card information and we will be happy to process your gift.

MATCHING GIFTS

Maximize your gift by checking if your employer matches charitable donations.

Please ask your company if they offer a matching program.

ARTS HIGHLIGHTS Music TASIS Dorado hosted the Orquesta Sinfónica del Conservatorio for its first Benefit Concert to support Hogar Niños de Nueva Esperanza in September in the PAC.

Visual Arts Under the guidance of their teachers, our students continue to create beautiful, original works of art, including an “Angels for Haiti” ceramics project to raise funds for the hurricane ravaged island.

Meanwhile, many upper schoolers are working on their AP Art Portfolios.

Drama Creative Showcases, the Holiday Assemblies, and secondary drama class presentations all display our students’ remarkable talents, dramatic skills, and stage-presence.

ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS Soccer The Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team were the Division B Sub-Champions in the Puerto Rico High School Athletic Association.

Cross Country 6th grader Suil Pagán won 1st place in the Puerto Rico Mini Girls League out of a field of approximately 140 girls. The Mini Boys team were SubChampions in the LAMEPI League.

Golf The Varsity team took 3rd place in the PRHSAA League.

Volleyball TASIS Dorado welcomed over 60 teams in 8 brackets over 3 days for an extraordinary tournament.

Fall Sports PRHSAA All Stars Golf Tomás Haase

Volleyball Ángel Vélez Ignacio Peraza Miguel Zapata Marco Posada (All Alliance) Angélica De Jesús Claudia Gargani Valeria Saade Amalis Córdova (All Alliance)

Soccer Fernando Rojas Enrique Carrasco Sebastián Soto (All Alliance)

Basketball The basketball season is off to a great start. In particular, the Boys’ Varsity Team is a force to be reckoned with across the island. Stay tuned--or better yet, join us at the Bear Den to cheer on our teams!

Elena Emanuelli ‘27 “Our teachers encourage us to use our imagination. I’m so happy at TASIS that I feel like singing “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow...”! Oh my, the teachers teach us things that sometimes my parents don’t even know! ”

STEAMLAB Fab Lab -The TASIS School In Dorado

STEAM FAB LAB Building A key element of our Strategic Plan is expanding our science and technology program. Over the summer, a new building was added to the campus to house the first phase of our STEAM Fab Lab. Students in grades 2-12 are benefitting from hands-on creating, building, and learning activities in the Fab Lab. High School students are engaged in an Engineering Research & Design class, focused on real world projects to solve problems and make a positive impact in the world.

Equipment Fifty additional laptops on carts for classroom use, iPads, and tablets for early elementary centers, 3D scanners, printers, and other tools are bringing more technology experiences to our students.

Projects and Partnerships The STEAM Fab Lab at TD is associated with the MIT Fab Lab Network. Furthermore, TASIS Dorado is partnering with engineering students from the Universidad Politécnica to develop our knowledge of electrical and computer engineering every Friday afternoon in the Fab Lab.

Our recently-opened STEAM Fab Lab classroom is the first phase in expanding our capacity to prepare today’s “digital natives” for a rapidly changing world. Our plan is to continue to train teachers, add equipment, and increase connectivity. Students are already engaged in sophisticated research and design projects. They are learning to code, develop apps, and apply skills in meaningful, entrepreneurial ways. Eventually, we hope to build a state-of-the-art science and technology building. We have only begun to tap into the opportunities that exist.

If you are interested in knowing more about this initiative or assisting us with your expertise, time, and/or funds, please contact us. Naming opportunities exist for those interested in making a leadership pledge. Together, we are taking TASIS Dorado to the next level!

EXTRACURRICULAR HIGHLIGHTS TASIS Parent Association The TPA has been extraordinarily busy and successful this fall, uniting our community with events such as the Welcome Back Picnic, Business Matchmaking, En Clave de Poesía, Back to the 90s Party, and monthly meetings with special speakers like Dr. Alexandra Ramos.

Sinergía Los Naranjos This service and leadership project brings together students from 1st to 12th grade, who visit this marginalized Vega Baja community several times a week. Together, we are addressing garden and water sustainability projects, student tutoring and arts programs, and other community development initiatives.

Interact Club The TASIS Dorado Interact Club for community service inducted 50 new members this fall. The club has grown to more than 70 students, who volunteer at places like Un Rayito de Sol for pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and their families.

Student Council The Student Council raised over $4,000 to benefit the Matènwa Community in Haiti after the hurricane in October.

TEDxYouth@Dorado TASIS Dorado hosted this excellent and inspiring event for the second straight year. Special presenters included Mónica Puig, Carlos Delgado, Adriana Díaz, Sebastián Rosado, Jaime & Javier Suárez, Brenda Torres, Poncili Creación, and the UPR Cayey Choir.

Model United Nations Competition TASIS Dorado hosted the fall competition in November, which was a great success.

College Visits Over 33 college representatives visited TASIS Dorado this term. Last year’s graduates were accepted into more than 100 top-tier colleges and universities.

Counseling Office Building on the core virtues and values we hold dear, our counselors look continuously for opportunities to engage our students in acts of courage, kindness, compassion, and integrity. For example, lower school students created greeting cards for all our maintenance and cafeteria staff to thank them for their support.

Safety TASIS Dorado successfully implemented its first “lock down” drills and procedures for the entire school.

All classrooms, teachers, staff and students went through the training procedure.

Daniel Wadsworth ‘22 “TASIS is great! The teachers are really great and the students are awesome. They totally accepted me, because I just moved here this summer.

The sports program is super amazing and you have the opportunity to try every sport.

I really like coming to school!”

THE TASIS DORADO EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Rafael L. Bras Eduardo Cortés Louis R. Christiansen Fernando L. González David V. Hicks María Teresa Matosantos Ceciliana Stubbe Federico Stubbe, Jr.

HONORARY DIRECTORS

José A. Menéndez-Cortada Friedel Stubbe

REPORT PRODUCTION TEAM Headmaster Tim Howard, Ed.D. Director of Advancement Michelle Yegros Content Development Tim Howard, Ed.D. Michelle Yegros Jovita Casanova Maritere Matosantos Lucía Martín Sara Hernández Maribel Suárez Garrison Knapp Susan Fiallo Monica Peña Priscilla Torres Design Michelle Yegros

www.tasisdorado.com

|

11 Carr 693 Dorado PR 00642-3452

|

787.796.0440