Finding Strength in Community | The Center for Early Education Annual Report 2019-20

FINDING STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY

ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020

CONTENTS E E

4 5 10 1 40 4 MESSAGE FROM DAVID MESSINGER, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OUR CAMPUS

COR E VA LU E S R E SP O N S I B I L I T Y HONESTY I NC LUS IO N C A R I NG

CLASS OF 2020 TRIBUTE

The Center for Early Education, a socio-economically and culturally diverse independent school for children, toddlers through grade six, strives to graduate students who are joyful, resilient, lifelong learners. The Center embraces a philosophy of education that combines a nurturing, inclusive learning environment with an increasingly challenging academic program that addresses the developmental needs of each child.

5 6 8 12 16 25 46 50 2019-20 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2019-20 OPERATING RESULTS

MESSAGE FROM REVETA BOWERS, INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL

MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE BLAGDEN AND PETER CHANG, CO-PRESIDENTS OF THE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

2019-20 SUPPORTERS

FRONT AND CENTER HIGHLIGHT

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

ADMINISTRATION AND ADVANCEMENT STAFF

FROM

THE

PRESIDENT

OF

THE

BOARD

OF

TRUSTEES

DEAR CENTER COMMUNITY, On behalf of The Board of Trustees, we hope you, your families, and loved ones have found some peace and solace during these turbulent times.

The 2020-2021 school year will be markedly different than any year in The Center’s history. The challenges we face are being confronted by schools across the country as each has grappled with how and when to open, how to explore remote learning options, how to confront issues regarding social justice, how to adjust to financial uncertainty, how to provide for the ongoing safety of their teachers and students, how to appropriately support their faculty and staff, how to work in partnership with parents, and the list goes on.

Although we may share challenges with other schools, the Board is confident that our school is well poised considering these times. However, with unprecedented challenges, we know that we may face some tough decisions in the months ahead. For the Board, one of our greatest obligations is to ensure the long-term viability of the school.

In this regard, we are fortunate to have a tremendous leader in Reveta Bowers, our Interim Head of School. As you likely know, Reveta built The Center into the well-respected institution we know today. She is a nationally recognized education expert, and schools across the country actively seek her advice and counsel. Without reservation, The Board has full faith and confidence in her vision and leadership.

Reveta, our dedicated administrative staff, and outstanding teachers have worked tirelessly to reimagine a phenomenal educational experience customized at every grade level. We applaud their creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance. In accordance with our values, the school has enhanced its curriculum regarding social justice, including some provocative sessions for parents. The Board believes that Reveta, the faculty, and staff are setting a new standard of excellence for childhood education nationwide.

In spite of this momentum, the school also has significant financial pressure as our costs are increasing but our sources of revenue are not. We have invested in technology to facilitate remote learning as well as new health and safety protocols that we had not anticipated even a few months ago. Considering the economic hardship of some families, we anticipate spending more on financial aid. This financial squeeze and the related uncertainty will require us to sharpen our pencils.

As is the case every year, we have recently welcomed new families, administrators, and teachers to our community. We are so glad you are with us and look forward to the day we can meet in person. Speaking of starting at a new school remotely, we are reminded of our recent Center graduates. Due to the pandemic, last year’s sixth grade class missed the ritual of an in-person graduation, and now most of them are joining middle schools in a remote manner. They are an impressive group, and we hope they can reunite with one another and be with their new classmates soon.

With our current students in mind during this unique time in history, The Center believes in children’s enduring capacity to become joyful lifelong learners and thoughtful world citizens. For these reasons and more, we are fortunate that The Center for Early Education has brought us together and united us with a common purpose.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank you for your continued commitment to our school and community.

Respectfully yours,

David Messinger President, The Board of Trustees

2019-20 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TO P ROW L TO R : Brian Potiker - Kawanna Brown, Vice President - Damien Granderson - Denise Barta - Peter Chang Amy Flemming - Marcus Lollie - Jack Angelo - Sunny Whang - Jennifer Tolbert - Mark Siegel Betzรกbe Gonzรกlez - Holly Gores - Michael Guerin - Eric Esrailian - Alex Miscynzski - Tom Staggs B OT TO M ROW L TO R : Matt Kline - Mai Lassiter - David Messinger, President - Mark Brooks, Former Head of School Viveca Paulin-Ferrell, Secretary - Charles Nelson - Dennis Gies, Treasurer N OT P I C T U R E D : John Bracker, Veronica Cajigas, Bobby Kotick, Robert Tuttle

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2019-2020 OPERATING RESULTS

(UNAUDITED)

REVENUE TUITION & FEES 78.17% $16,753,000

AUXILIARY PROGRAMS 2.62%

AFD & EVENTS (NET) 17.85% $3,824,500

$562,500

SALA & BEN 64.99

$13,417,10

OTHER INCOME 1.36%

$290,400

EX

PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT

(UNAUDITED) $2,305,929

$2,028,500 $1,494,400

$523,000

ANNUAL FUND DRIVE

ARIES NEFITS 9%

GALA/ AUCTION (NET)

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

RESTRICTED GIFTS & OTHER FUNDRAISING

FINANCIAL AID 9.33%

$1,926,300

00

XPENDITURES OPERATING EXPENSES 25.68%

$5,302,100

7

DEAR CENTER COMMUNITY, An annual report is traditionally a look back on the past year and an opportunity to thank all of the people who have gifted the school with their donations of time, energy, and money. So, let me start this letter by adding my thanks on behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration to all of you for the incredibly generous gifts to The Center this past school year!

Last year we welcomed students, parents, teachers, and staff into our new campus buildings, cheered the completion of our field, and enjoyed many moments of joyful learning, exploration, discovery, and close community. We celebrated the Glitzy Galatsby gala, raising crucial funds for the operation of our school and the support of our students, thanks to your generosity and participation. And when the Covid-19 pandemic upended our world last spring, Center teachers and staff quickly shifted to provide continuity and support for our students at home.

That is why in late June I made the decision to return as Interim Head of School, a decision that was inspired by feelings of nostalgia and a strong sense of “homecoming”! In this instance, I was returning to a place to which I had been deeply committed for 44 years. I was further motivated by recalling the key findings from a marketing and branding study CEE commissioned with an outside firm in 2014. The findings of the study revealed remarkable consensus around a theme they heard from students, faculty, staff, alumni, current and former parents, and trustees. It was, “This is our community!” “It is where I always feel welcome,” “It is the closest thing I have to a community in my life.” The firm was stunned by how often the word community came up with respect to people’s experiences at The Center.

I knew this was going to be a year unlike any we had ever experienced, but I also appreciated that our collective and shared experiences with Covid-19, including the fear, isolation, insecurity and the physical distance can be overcome by our authentic connections and being reminded of the strength of our relationships. The helplessness that some of us have felt during the past six months can be managed by finding time to come together, even remotely. The teaching and learning we do as a school is bolstered by our sense of community, our shared values, and our mission.

The Center has always meant something to the people who made this their school. Its enduring value is the strength of the community. It is more than a place to teach and learn. It is more today than a newly completed campus. As thankful as I am for all of your past support to this community, I know one thing for certain. The Center for Early Education will thrive now and into the future because we will always find shelter and strength in our community. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Reveta Bowers Interim Head of School

8

In the Spring of 2020, we completed the last phase of the four-year Campus Enhancement Project. Our classrooms and community spaces reflect our educational philosophy, a flexible and interconnected approach to learning, and a strong sense of joy and wellbeing.

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DEAR CEE COMMUNITY, While the year ended in a way that none of us could have ever imagined, the strength of our community continues to shine through despite the significant challenges that we have and continue to face. The excitement and fervor of this past school year was a particularly special time for all, celebrating a completed campus with amazing new facilities that not only supported and advanced our educational goals but also added a variety of welcoming social areas. This was finally going to be the much-anticipated return to our new and improved campus…with more parking!

That excitement was unfortunately replaced by doubt and uncertainty with the unprecedented and rapid onset of Covid-19. Though struggling to quickly recalibrate our home and professional lives to the new reality, we found ways to remain connected with one another through Virtual Socials, engaging Parent Education speakers, community service opportunities, and other creative digital ways to show our appreciation for each other and the CEE community.

In the midst of a public health crisis, we also came face to face with the explosion of a long-festering social crisis of systemic racism, newly brought to the forefront in the wake of the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. We are challenged to stand together and fight for social justice and racial equality. We are being called to be an active voice to help change our world, for ourselves and for our children. The time is now. The CEE Stands Together series has been our community’s way of reaching each other, even while physically distanced, to understand, to listen, to share, to break through, to acknowledge and unpack and unravel. These ongoing conversations are only the beginning of our efforts to instill lasting change.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to Mark Brooks for his skillful leadership during the pivotal transition years of construction and change. We would also like to thank Deedie Hudnut, Gayle Gerber, Teresa Owen, and Frank Peralta for their decades of dedication and service to and for CEE. Lastly, we would like to say goodbye and good luck to all the sixth-grade graduates and departing families. We will miss you and hope that you will stay connected with us always.

And as we look ahead, we would like to warmly welcome Reveta Bowers back to CEE. With her boundless energy and strength, she is poised to lead and inspire us as we continue to navigate through these unusual times. We also extend our deepest gratitude to our faculty, administration, and staff as they continue to balance their own lives while they endeavor to create and innovate richer learning experiences for our children, in the face of unanticipated and complex circumstances.

Despite all the challenges we have and continue to face individually and as a society, our shared goal of giving our children and their families the best education and experience possible remains unchanged. On behalf of the entire Parents’ Association Board, we want to thank each and every parent volunteer and committee chair for your hard work to enrich the lives of all our children and the CEE community. We look forward to continuing the important work we have begun.

With our deepest gratitude,

Catherine Blagden and Peter Chang Your 2019-2020 Parents’ Association Co-Presidents

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A COUNCIL

L ALUMNI COUNCIL PRESIDENTS Nate Ament ’98 Co-Chair Darrin Revitz ’92 Co-Chair

ALUMNI COUNCIL COMMITTEE CHAIRS Morgan Cohen ’92 Annual Fund Drive Abbie Feldman ’92 Events Trevor Miller ’97 Networking Morgan Mallory ’95 Community Service Lauren Nourafchan Ravan ’05 Annual Fund Drive Judd Zinberg ’89 Networking

ALUMNI COUNCIL MEMBERS Anjoum Agrama ’06 Katie Allen ’94 Michael Allen ’94 Berni Barta ’04 Lexi Barta ’97 Marni Barta ’03 Romi Barta ’00 Katherine Belgrad ’05 Jessica Illoulian Bowman ’91 Erica August Cowan ’89 Hersh Davis-Nitzberg ’89 Sean Furst ’82 Steven Gersh ’95 Morgan Gilman ’91 Ben Gordon ’84 Ariela Weston Herman ’95 Craig Juda ’87 Caitlin Kramer ’05 Stormie Leoni ’02 Marissa Lepor ’06 Sean Lubens ’94 Tiffany McLinn ’78 Joanna August Morley ’93 Caitlin Murphy ’05 Gabriella Nourafchan ’01 Jordan Passman ’98 Sam Plotkin ’90 Trini Rios ’03 Stephen H. Silberkraus ’93 Leah Waxman ’04

U

M

N

I

FRONT AND CENTER The CEE Alumni Council created the Front & Center Speaker Series last fall to help alumni connect and engage with members of the broader CEE community, sharing insights from their varied professional and personal journeys.

The inaugural Front & Center Alumni event in October 2019 was an intimate evening with Los Angeles pillars and CEE parents Bryan Lourd (Partner and Co-Chairman of Creative Artists Agency) and Bruce Bozzi (Former Executive Vice President of The Palm Restaurant Group) in The Eisner Board Room at CEE. Fellow Center parent Julie Chen Moonves moderated the lively discussion with our alumni as Bruce and Bryan shared the life experiences that made them who they are today.

Following the presentation, Bruce and Bryan answered questions from alumni, touching on a range of topics in business and in life!

Guests enjoyed a networking cocktail hour on the terrace as the sun went down over West Hollywood. Alumni 21 and over are welcome to join future Front & Center events! Contact alumni@cee-school.org for more information and make sure to follow @CEEAlumni on Instagram.

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The new playfield is a central campus gathering place and athletic center. From recess to PE classes and after school sports, students, parents and teachers enjoy the inviting and comfortable green space. Picnic tables and trees create a shaded lunch area south of the field.

C L A S S E E

O F

2 0 2 0

A TRIBUTE

On June 7, 2020, the Class of 2020 celebrated their accomplishments and the conclusion of their days at CEE with a Virtual Un-Graduation Event on Zoom. While it was not the traditional CEE graduation play, sixth graders felt the love from their CEE family!

Before the event, graduates and their families enjoyed a heartfelt ‘video hug’ from the CEE faculty and staff. Then, during the live Zoom call, Class of 2020 graduates enjoyed celebratory messages from a number of special guests, including a keynote message from Senator Kamala Harris!

The virtual celebration concluded with a photo montage of each student. The event also marked the launch of the Class of 2020 class website, on which each student’s individual page included congratulatory messages from advisors, original writing, and a showcase of his or her chosen passion project completed in May. We can’t wait to see the Class of 2020 in person when we can celebrate together on campus, and wish them the very best as they begin their secondary school journeys!

CLASS OF 2020 SECONDARY SCHOOL MATRICULATION

Archer School for Girls . . . . . . . . . .

Brentwood School . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Campbell Hall School . . . . . . . . . . .

Crossroads School . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Flintridge Preparatory School . . . . .

Harvard-Westlake School . . . . . . .

Marlborough School . . . . . . . . . . . .

Oakwood School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Polytechnic School . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Windward School . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40

Each year the sixth grade class is thrilled that it is their turn to make a mask with plaster of Paris bandages applied to their face. They turn that face shape into a personal, creative, artistic statement. Over the years the masks have creatively evolved into almost anything – from animals to fireplaces to vinyl record players, toasters, and musical instruments. This process takes the entire fall semester and has become a revered CEE tradition, one that the whole school looks forward to seeing at the Art Fair in May.

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CEE STANDS TOGETHER:

AFFINITY GROUPS

In June, in response to countless senseless killings of Black Americans across the U.S. and the subsequent national response to persistent racism, CEE began a virtual community discussion series, CEE Stands Together, hosted

by CEE Affinity Groups. The ongoing discussions facilitate reflection and discovery amongst community members who bring a willingness to share their unique perspectives and listen to others. Current parents who serve as CEE Affinity Group chairs step in to lead each session. Before each event, participants may read, watch, and listen to resources provided by the hosts, which help provide context and information for the topic at hand.

R AC H E L PA R R I S H CEE Third Grade Teacher Rachel Parrish moderated our first Stands Together meeting, with a focus on representation and addressing racism in our culture through the lens of Netflix’s ‘Hollywood.’

Over 1,200 parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, faculty, and staff attended at least one of the Zoom calls, sharing experiences with racism, issues of intersectionality, and how to address racism as we move forward in our communities.

COMMUNITY NORMS • Speak from the “I” perspective.

• Assume positive intent.

• Question oneself and others with grace, seeking clarity.

• Listen to understand, not judge.

• Be mindful of positions of power; make this a mutual space.

• View disagreement as a learning opportunity.

• Lean into discomfort.

• Practice and develop the capatity to honor multiple perspectives.

• Engage respectfully.

• Be open to ongoing conversation. *Adapted from Dr. Rodney Glasglow

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A L F R E D & A RT B E C E R R A- F R A I J O Center Parents Art Becerra-Fraijo and Alfred Fraijo Jr., co-chairs of the LGBTQ Affinity Group, facilitated a session focused on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth and their parents at home and in our school community.

CEE READS Throughout the summer, authors and readers in the community met weekly with students for Thursday afternoon read-alouds on Zoom!

Thursday, June 11th Julie Chen: When I Grow Up

R E N E E TA J I M A- P E Ñ A ‘Asian Americans and Social Justice in the Time of Covid-19 and George Floyd’ was the focus of the discussion hosted by the Asian American Affinity Group. The session featured filmmaker and professor Renee Tajima-Peña, who shared her personal experiences as an Asian American growing up and her work to tell Asian American stories via film.

Thursday, June 18th Barney Saltzberg: One of These Things Is Not Like the Other

Thursday, June 25th Isla Fisher: Marge and the Secret Tunnel

C O L E T T E B OW E R S Z I N N Thursday, July 2nd Roda Ahmed: Mae Among the Stars

CEE’s Heritage Family (African American Affinity Group) hosted a discussion regarding the increasing awareness and support of Black Lives Matter, moderated by CEE Parents Collette Bowers Zinn and Mia Madati. Parents, alumni, grandparents, and faculty and staff shared personal reflections on systemic racism in our lives and sparked a community conversation that continued across multiple weeks.

F R E I DA P I N TO The Indian Affinity Group hosted an illuminating discussion on ‘Addressing the Anti-Blackness, Caste Systems, and Colorism in Indian and South Asian Communities’ with guest speaker Freida Pinto.

R I CA R D O L A R A The Latin American Affinity group moderated a session on ‘Breaking Barriers and Fighting for Immigrant Rights’ featuring guest speaker Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner.

Thursday, July 9th Tameka Fryer Brown: My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood

Thursday, July 16th Karen Winnick: How Lucky Got His Shoe

Thursday, July 23rd Lucy Rafael: The Season of Styx Malone

by Kekla Magoon

Thursday, July 30th Stephanie Steelman: The Camping Trip

by Jennifer K. Mann

ALUMNI CONN ECT IONS As The Center quickly pivoted to remote teaching and learning from home in March, the CEE Alumni Council jumped into action to help support alumni through this period of global uncertainty. Through a full calendar of virtual events focused on wellness and making connections, alumni had a chance to learn and share together in a brand new way. Hundreds of community members from all walks of CEE life joined these virtual alumni events and council meetings, which will continue throughout Dr. Traci Bank Cohen ’95 helped kick off the series with a session on ‘Tools to Help Manage Anxiety and Sadness’ in early May, which was particularly relevant as alumni grappled with the extended impacts of the pandemic. Dr. Cohen provided time and space for attendees to share their experiences with anxiety and discuss coping mechanisms for moving forward.

the fall!

.....

Nutritionist Lauren Haas ’98 led members of the CEE community in a live baking demonstration of a healthy vegan blueberry muffin recipe, sharing her nutrition tips for baking at home during quarantine.

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Mindfulness expert Ellie Burrows Gluck ’96, the founder of MNDFUL NYC, guided alumni in a 15-minute group meditation session on Zoom, followed by a discussion about maintaining mindfulness during the pandemic.

‘Hamilton’ cast member and CEE alumna Jennifer Locke ’99 taught a fun, high-energy Zoom dance class for the whole family, featuring hit songs from the musical!

Craig Juda ’87, founder of WO•LA in Los Angeles, hosted the community for a 45-minute full-body circuit-training workout that got everyone’s hearts pumping!

A I DA N A major highlight of the spring virtual connections season was the Community Sing-A-Long hosted by Former (now Interim) Head of School Reveta Bowers, led by alumni Emily Gerber ’88, Ava Cardoso-Smith ’13, and Aidan Cazeau ’14. Over one thousand community members, including parents, students, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and former faculty and staff all joined in to sing together at home! From ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ for

AVA

E M I LY

the youngest students to the group finale with Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ there was something in the program for everyone to enjoy. It was a bright spot of community spirit during a time when all craved connection. Alumni, please visit centerforearlyeducation.org/alumni to sign up for updates on future events!

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ADMINISTRATION AND ADVANCEMENT STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

ADVANCEMENT TEAM

Head of School Mark A. Brooks

Director of Advancement and External Affairs Laura Maher

Director of Elementary Programs Natalie Adams Director of Technology Omar Dueñas Director of Admissions Katrina Lappin Director of Finance Jeanne Jacobs-Gaffney Assistant Head of School for Operations Erika Johnson Director of Advancement and External Affairs Laura Maher

Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Programs Ellen Krissman Assistant Director of Advancement Jessica Gersh Leff Director of Events Melissa Maxwell Database Manager and Advancement Services Coordinator Mitzy Velez

20192020 SPECIAL THANKS Catherine Blagden Reveta Bowers Peter Chang Erika Johnson Andy Mallett David Messinger Design SMOG Design, Inc., Nick Steinhardt Editorial Director of Communications Jessica Levin Financial Reporting Brian Relth Photography Abbie Feldman ’92 Jessica Levin Ellen Krissman Danny Moloshok Mekenzie Schneider

Director of Student Placement Gabby McHale Interim Director of Early Childhood Programs Deedie Hudnut

All efforts have been made to ensure the information in this report is accurate. We sincerely apologize for any inaccuracies or omissions. Should you find any, please contact the Director of Communications, Jessica Levin (levinj@cee-school.org).

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“WE WERE SEPARATED AND HAD BEEN STRUGGLING DURING THESE LAST MONTHS WITHOUT EACH OTHER. THE MOMENT FELT LIKE A CRUCIAL ONE FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND FEEL CONNECTED IN PROMOTING OUR CEE VALUES, VOCALLY SUPPORTING THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT, AND HOLDING UP OUR LOCAL AND SCHOOL COMMUNITY.” —MEKENZIE SCHNEIDER, LE ART TEACHER As the nation grappled with racial injustice following the murder of George Floyd in May, The Center community came together to stand for equality and justice in our local West Hollywood community.

In an ongoing effort to affirm that Black Lives Matter, protest messaging and art in support of the movement was collected from CEE students, parents, faculty, and staff and installed at the corner of Melrose and La Cienega in June.

CEE art teachers Mekenzie and Penny, alongside a group of parent volunteers, helped bring this meaningful show of solidarity to life. Librarian Stephanie Steelman assisted by presenting a lesson about the book The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade to the student community, discussing with students the importance of speaking up when you notice something isn’t right. Mekenzie’s supporting art lesson focused on creating a poster or sign and using your voice as an artist to make sure your protest message is clear, effective, and can be seen by others. Posters and flyers were collected all summer to be added to the installation on an ongoing basis as our community continues to make our voices heard against social injustice and systemic racism.

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