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Footsteps
The More Things Change 2
Staying True to the Mission 3
Around Campus 4
MP&MS by the Numbers 6
Students Past and Present 7
Modalities: More Than a Buzzword 8
Getting Technical at MP&MS 10
Time Out with Steve and Donna 12
Liz Brown: Teacher/Traveler 14
Annual Report 16
The Magazine of Marin PriMary & Middle SchoolVol. 8 Spring 2010
Marin Primary & Middle School Treasuring childhood—learning for life
2
Welcome to the new version of Footsteps! Just as in the past, you will find stories about the engaged teaching and learning going on from one end of the school to the other, all within a new format that more appropriately reflects the growth and change taking place within the school. The new Footsteps is not only beautiful but environmentally friendly, employing a smaller size, soy inks, and recycled paper. We have also folded in our 2008-2009 Annual report, to reduce the environ-mental impact of our communications. Hmm…just like last summer’s hallway renovation, a significant upgrade in functionality and “green-ness,” all wrapped up in a beautiful package. And just as we’ve continued to discover the many advantages of our hallway improvements through the year, we anticipate that the new Footsteps will provide a new window for our readers on all that is going on at Marin primary & Middle School.
This edition also reflects our school’s history and culture (see “Around Campus” and the interview with Donna and Steve Fanfelle) as well as the foundations of our future, in news from our educational tech-nology specialist and an interview with this year’s new fourth grade teacher, liz Brown. The timeless values of this school, especially treasuring childhood, remain as relevant to the lives of our students and families as they were when the school was founded in 1975.
From my own perspective, i’ve seen new research on learning and teaching impact schools significantly in the last decade. Technology has created shifts in everything, from the way we order lunches to the way our students receive information. These groundswells transform communication and information accessibility, but they don’t change fundamental learning experiences: watching chicks hatch, perform-ing in a play, creating a work of art that pushes boundaries. it’s this dichotomy that makes working with students so rewarding, and one of the reasons it’s so much fun to come to school every day!
The More Things change . . .
by Julie Elam, Head of School
Footsteps • Spring 2010 3
over ten years ago our family first arrived at Marin primary & Middle School with our three-year-old daughter, Emma, who will soon be gradu-ating from the eighth grade. For those of you just beginning the journey of educating your child or children, it is true what they say—time flies by. Marin primary & Middle School was a different place back then, in so many ways, but at its core it was the same. The values and principles which are the foundation of this school have only grown stronger under the leadership and guidance of Julie Elam’s experience and wisdom.
When it came time to look at primary schools, we knew we didn’t want to send our children someplace where the process was sacrificed for an artificial goal. We wanted them to become critical thinkers—to question and explore and leave Mp&MS with a love of learning that will remain with them throughout life. After an exhaustive search, we decided to stay at Marin primary & Middle School because we so firmly believed in the school’s mission and philosophy. As the Mission Statement says, “we honor and enjoy children’s natural curiosity, competence, and exuberance.” Marin primary & Middle School truly does honor each child, asking not “how smart is the child?,” but “how is the child smart?” When author and brain researcher Maryanne Wolf came to our school recently, she unabashedly said, “You guys are doing it right. Keep it up.”
As we prepare for graduation, i feel incredible gratitude to the teach-ers and staff who give so much of themselves on a daily basis. This eighth grade class, like all of the students here, would not be where they are without the nurturing environment of our school. They have a solid foundation upon which to grow. They will face challenges and issues we can’t even imagine, and they will do so with compassion and grace. To our teachers, the leadership team, and each employee who contributes so selflessly to the school, thank you for your dedica-tion and commitment to the children. We appreciate all of you.
by Therese Lawless, Board Chair
Staying True to the Mission
4
around campusMP&MS Welcomes Cuernavacan VisitorsWhat started as an old-fashioned ink-and-paper penpal exchange has blos-somed into a multi-faceted friendship between people and cultures. Since 2007, Marin primary & Middle School second and fifth graders have been exchanging hand-written letters, as well as email and video conversations via Skype, with students at The Williams School in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Cuernavacan students write their letters in English, Marin primary students write “en Espanol.”
The project proved so successful that in november 2008, select Mp&MS staff traveled to The Williams School to spread “shoobee diplomacy,” spending a busy week at The Williams School setting up a wood shop, then guiding students in building their own shoobee guitars.
From this positive experience a new tradition has sprung. Several teachers from The Williams School were guests of Mp&MS in March, hand-delivering Mexican customs and culture to the students. Second grade students learned about “jugetes,” or traditional Mexican toys, fifth graders learned the vast impact corn had on the Mexican culture. Both grades put their newfound knowledge to work by creating “amates”—traditional Mexican paintings on paper made of bark from the amate tree.
The visit culminated in a schoolwide assembly on the playground. Under azul skies, students performed dances and shared favorite Mexican foods. ole!
Charlie Hale Speaks at David Hale Memorial Library on Meeting ChallengesMp&MS alum Charlie Hale and his parents were on campus in April to address the Mp&MS middle school community. in a moving talk, Charlie spoke of his late brother, David Hale, the Mp&MS library’s namesake, and the accident that profoundly affected his life. “The library was built by my mom to honor my little brother who was killed in
a car accident when he was two. i was badly hurt in the same accident. David Heath was willing to take a chance and let me try to be successful as a student. Marin primary gave me confidence. They offered hope and encour-agement to my family. it is important to remember that by trying hard and not letting challenges and disappoint-ments get in your way, everyone can be successful.”
Charlie currently works at Five points Fitness gym, Woodlands Market and Cafe, and in guest services for the SF giants. His story was the topic of a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Footsteps • Spring 2010 5
MP&MS Actors Charm With “Into the Woods” Talented MP&MS actors brought “into the Woods” to life at the Throckmorton Theater this spring. The production delighted audiences from preschoolers to grandparents. Set to music by Steven Sondheim, “into the Woods” is a Jack and the Beanstalk/cinderella/ rapunzel/little red riding hood mashup. Students deftly handled the sophisticated score and delivered their lines with assurance.
Said director charlie Queary, “it is amazing how good these actors are getting! not only did they learn a very difficult music score, they overlaid it with fantastic acting. everything ran smoothly thanks to parent support, and the production values were through the roof!”
charlie’s confidence in his actors’ abilities has been showcased in past after-school productions such as last autumn’s primary school production of “really rosie,” and spring productions of “daddy lear,” and “The Tik Tok of oz.”
New Peeps in the Barn!Weeks of patience paid off for Barn students when their incubating chicks finally pecked their way into the world in late March. While the chicks picked at their shells, Barn teacher Joy abesamis wrote, “our Barn children are all doing such an amazing job of being patient and keeping their excitement down. They are awe-some and we couldn’t be more proud.” The Barn traditionally gets the fertile eggs from Skippy’s farm fresh food in Petaluma.
The new Barn “mommies and daddies” were instantly smitten, naming their new additions fluffy, emma, chubby, little lulu, furry, cheesy, Sophie and chick’n’pop. What is the fate of the chicks once they lose their fluff? “in the past, the grown chicks have been given to MP&MS teachers to raise for eggs,” said Barn teacher Mark derango. “This year the chickens were given to rivertown feed to be adopted by people wanting fresh eggs and fertilizer.”
They Blinded Us with Scienceahh, spring, when the air is perfumed with scents of plum blossoms, tender shoots of grass, and bunsen burners. Spring is science fair season, and the halls at MP&MS overflowed with the results of our fourth and fifth graders’ efforts.
Prior to presenting the awards in the fifth grade classroom, rebecca Wunderlich spoke of using science in daily life, the excitement a tested theory can evoke, and the judging criteria was explained. experiments were conducted on measuring the speed of sound, what kind of wood burns most efficiently, and a study on
sunscreen that included included this interesting fact: a photostabilizer (the chemical used in developing pictures back in the day) is used in sunscreen to keep the other chemicals from breaking down in sunlight. Who knew?
6
MP&MS by the numbers
years in operation35 3Heads of School
1990year the middle school was added232alumni who are
college graduates
years of Mp&MS service that Donna Fanfelle, Steve Fanfelle, Claire Charbonneau, and Dave DeMartini have between them112
74
30new laptops the 2009 Fund-in-need bought
1 graduate in the very first eighth grade class
books in the David Hale library6,192
painted rocks in the outdoor Education Center
Footsteps • Spring 2010 7
Students Past and Present
painted rocks in the outdoor Education Center
The Shapes of a Year
by Abby Bernard, Class of 2010
Warmth hits my faceas i step out of classi reach out my hand to plucka delicate flower off a nearby treeMy flower sings to me,That life just has begunlife will live and it will dieBut life will continue on
We part but will returnrunning past the dock,Through the barn,as i come to the meadow balmy air hits me,i am no longer near the soundThe chill of the air has gone awayJust as i reach the wooden doori grab a spoke of the wheelThat is the doori walk in,Slip off my shoes,and let myself sink inThe grass, dirt, the smell,My gardenMy homeMy campMy place
as i walk out of classa crisp, briskWind hits me SMacK in the facea crunchy leaf flies into my eyeWe have returnedWe do each yearTo share what knowledgeWe gained while we were away
The frigid air snapsagainst our frail sidesWe gather close andSit inside,i watch water drip down andi dream of warmthof my garden,of my dock,of my barnof my timeof warmer timesWe come and goas time goes on,We change and growas we grow we may feel thatnothing stays the same,and we are rightnothing stays exactly the sameWe can’t go back and it can’t come to usBut one thing stays the sameThe shapes of our year,We will alwayshave a cold onea warm onea brisk one,and one filled with feverno matter what happensWe have ourSeasons.
Mp&MS Alumni Spotlight Walker Henderson Mp&MS Class of ‘07
Walker is a junior at the Urban School of San francisco. along with science and music classes, he is in
his third year of chinese, learning to speak, read and write Mandarin. he plays lead guitar in Urban’s ad-vanced Jazz Band, which recently had a featured performance in front of 4,000 at the National As-sociation of independent Schools conference. The next step in his education is embarking on the search for a college.
Dylan HendersonMp&MS Class of ‘09
dylan is thrilled to be part of Marin academy, finishing up his freshman year. dylan plays drums in one of the jazz bands and often plays in ensembles. dylan continues to stay in contact with a number of his old MP&MS friends who are at differ-ent schools. “after so many years together, those bonds are still very tight,” says mom laura Tauber.
The MP&MS Class of 2009 is finding success at the following high schools: The Branson School • Sir Francis Drake High School • The Bay School • Marin Catholic High School • Redwood High School • Sugar Bowl Academy • Saint Igna-tius High School • Marin Academy • Drew High School • Marin School of the Arts
8
Modalities: More Than a Buzzword
The sounds of learning in the primary school: first graders using their bodies to write the words of the week in the air, third graders hunting for things to measure, second graders shaking out their wiggles with the “shaky eights” and then sitting down to listen to stories of the Chinese Zodiac. All of these things are just part of a normal day at Marin primary & Middle School, a place where chil-dren are truly excited to attend and to learn. And it happens that i am privileged to be in a school where an administrator is welcomed into the classroom as a teacher. For me, there is nothing like the sound of a first grader learning to read. The predictable patterned text: “Here is a red ball. Here is a blue shirt.” The hope is that the child will turn and look at the picture so he or she will be able to “read” the word “shirt,” and maybe need a small prompt to remember the “sh” sound. And the excitement of watching the pattern change and watching the child stop and notice—a clear indication that the child is not simply memorizing the
pattern, but that reading has begun. All of these behaviors are predict-able because reading readiness and literacy develop in a systematic way in young children. it is why i chose to become a reading specialist and why i feel so fortunate to be at a school where i can teach as well as be a part of a fabulous administra-tive team.
The varied approaches to learning in the classrooms of Marin primary & Middle School are one of the things that set us apart from other schools. our teachers know that children learn in many different ways and through many different modalities. it is this knowledge that helps us develop a curriculum in the primary school that integrates many subject areas, including the arts, technology, physical educa-tion, and outdoor education. This integrated approach to learning not only helps to meet the learn-ing needs of every student in the classroom, but furthers the mission of the school of “teaching to reach children.”
Erin Murphy Primary School Director
Footsteps • Spring 2010 9
in addition to integrated curricu-lum, individualized instruction is important in providing children with a well-rounded education, and one of the many reasons i am at Marin primary & Middle School.
The word “modalities” is heard often, and many schools make efforts to teach this way. in the classrooms of Mp&MS, teachers know their students and group them according to specific needs on each given day. Children move in and out of groups rather than staying in one group for the entire year because their needs change. Teachers continually assess their students to be sure they are chal-lenged, provided with remediation, or instructed according to what each individual needs at the time.
That is true individualization, and it is seen on all levels from jun-ior kindergarten to fourth grade and beyond. Teachers work in teams with specialists and learn-ing resource staff and talk about individual students to come up with specific plans when a skill or concept needs strengthening, when a behavior has become a hindrance to learning, or when a child needs enrichment because he or she has mastered a skill. Marin primary & Middle School is built on this phi-losophy that we “teach to reach” children, and it is done every day by every person in the building.
our teachers know that children learn in many different ways and through many different modalities.
10
getting Technical at MP&MS
When Mp&MS first became a school in 1975, television sets had three main channels (four if you count the educational channel,) we were sure to carry dimes for the pay phone, and an exciting day was one on which your photos were ready after waiting a week for them from the time you dropped them off at the neighborhood drug store. Two renegade kids were building computers from wood and electric typewriter parts, and music was blasting through the speakers of Ford Torinos via eight-track tapes.
To state the obvious, technology has moved at dizzying speeds since 1975. As adults, sometimes it’s all you can do to figure out how to pro-gram the TiVo. Conventional wisdom says, “if you can’t figure out how to do something on your (insert latest technology item or software here: digital camera, iphone, BlackBerry, Facebook,) ask your kid how to do it.” indeed, kids’ comfort with the latest technology is impressive. Even more impressive are the ways we’ve learned to adapt at Mp&MS to our rapidly-changing world in order to enhance learning. Far from replacing reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic, technology complements the proc-ess. Students learn to use the latest information-gathering and sharing techniques to give polished presentations, peer reviews, and classroom discussions.
Below are just a few ways we’re integrating technology into our classrooms:
• Second graders round out their library research on rainforest animals by utilizing links posted on the class web page, applying the information they’ve gathered to create walk-through exhibits in their classroom. As third graders, they put those same research skills to work, this time with a little more muscle, for the African Extravaganza. Along with creating slideshows on African wildlife, students present their online discoveries via costume, dance, and skits interpreting African folklore.
Yolanda EscandonTechnology Education SpecialistandJudy ZimolaCommunications Manager
Footsteps • Spring 2010 11
At Mp&MS, we’ve adapted to our rapidly-changing world in order to enhance learning, make free time productive, and gain new perspectives from our youngest students.
• “Ning is the thing!” according to sixth grade teacher Daydra Bell. Young MP&MS authors are using Ning for writers’ workshop, in which students post writing samples and classmates critique in a private online forum. “The teachers can really see how students evolve as writers. From the beginning to the end of the year, it’s apparent that students have developed their unique writing styles. They pay more attention to their writing because they’re writing for an audience, not just for the teacher. And they learn to analyze and critique. Social networking for them has grown to a level beyond ‘hey, how ya doin’?”
• Armed with digital cameras and guided by their own curiosity, the Zoo class recently visited the Outdoor Education Center. The result was a gallery of photos mounted on construction paper and artfully embellished with sunflower seeds. The photos showed closeups of flowers, long shots of the arbor, and the play of light and shadows on the path. “i’ve used a camera before!” one student eagerly shared. The young photographers were proud to point to their works, and enthusiastic about future photo opportunities.
• More technology will soon be invading our classrooms. This year’s 2010 Fund-in-Need at the MP&MS 22nd Annual Auction raised more than $70,000 to support the Technology Committee’s Fast Start plan, which will provide more laptops as well as SMArT Board digital whiteboards, ipads, document projectors, digital cam-eras, and other high-tech tools for our classrooms.
Who knows what methods we’ll employ to teach our students by the year 2040? Maybe our technology lab will have plasma walls and we’ll look at images projected in the air. Maybe we’ll wear clothes made from soda bottles. Wait…we already wear those. one thing is certain: we’ll be here, ready to embrace whatever new developments come along.
12
Time outwith Steve and donna
What is your favorite event?
Steve: That would be gradua-tion, because every single emo-tion you can possibly imagine just tugs at my heartstrings.
Donna: The heavy admissions sea-son when i’m giving tours because that’s my favorite part of the job. i just feel so strongly that Mp&MS is an amazing place for students to be. i also like the holiday time, because we’re quite a family here.
What’s the single big-gest change you’ve seen take place at school?
Steve: i’ve been here for thirty years, and the biggest change is a true understanding for the founding philosophy. i think in the last four years especially, people have come to truly acknowledge and respect what we’re doing for the kids, for all types of learn-ers. We were talking about the “whole child” years ago, when no one else was, and now everyone is. That makes me feel proud.
Donna: We’re starting to look on the outside the way we are on the inside, with the new rugs, the new lighting, and the skylights. We look as special as we are.
What would you most like to see in the way of physical improvements?
Steve: Well, what i would really love to see next are two things: the first is a Multi-purpose room or gym or combination of both. The second would be Dave (De-Martini) actually getting some gray hair. i’m really questioning how he can still have brown hair after being at Mp&MS as long as i have.
Donna: Steve kind of took my idea, because i’d like to see a better Multi-purpose room so we could have a place where all of the families of the school could be together. The other one is a certain mid-dle school teacher wearing long pants and closed-toe shoes when i have admission tours.
Footsteps • Spring 2010 13
Can a relationship survive when both parties work in the same place? if those parties are enthusiastic, committed, and have a great sense of humor, the relationship not only survives, it enhances the workplace. Eighth grade teacher Steve and Admissions Co-Director Donna Fanfelle bring the spirit of george Burns and gracie Allen to Mp&MS.
If you could have anybody else’s job at MP&MS, whose would it be?
Donna: That’s a good ques-tion, because in all my years here, i’ve done just about everything. i like my own job. i don’t want to trade positions with anybody else. is that oK?
Steve: i definitely would not want to be in any type of administrative position because i do better deal-ing with the fourteen-year-olds, hence, teaching children for thirty-three years. if i had to choose one other area, i would love to be a drama teacher like Charlie . . .
Donna: You’d be good at it.
Steve: . . . i would love to do that.
If a TV show were to be made about MP&MS, what do you think would be a good theme song?
Steve: “What a Wonderful World” by louis Armstrong, and to coincide with that, “go Your own Way” by Fleetwood Mac.
Donna: Mine would be “it’s a Small World,” the Disneyland song, because i love that, and “We Are Family.”
Steve: What happened to “Fol-low the Yellow Brick road?”
Donna: And i like “Follow the Yellow Brick road,” too.
Steve: i was gonna use that!
Donna: You’re arguing with me . . .
Steve: “Follow the Yel-low Brick road” . . .
Donna: . . .oK, but you’re arguing . . .
Steve: . . .this is what i tell the graduates. it’s a Wonderful World, Follow the Yellow Brick road, but go Your own Way. There. That’s me, in a nutshell.
14
liz Brown: Teacher/Traveler
As told to Judy Zimola
My family moved from Colorado to California when i was two years old. Both my parents were teach-ers there but took the opportunity to move out to a farm on the coast of California near Fort ross to take over running a ranch and summer camp for children that had been in existence from the 1950’s. i grew up on the farm in the redwoods with my parents, twin sister, and older brother in a very small community.
i attended an elementary school very similar to Mp&MS and loved grow-ing up in rural northern California. My parents have always opened our eyes to different cultures and my family went on a trip to Europe when i was nine years old. My parents took us out of school for two months and we travelled to eight different countries. This was a very memorable trip for me. it gave me the passion, curiosity, and yearning to further experience the world in various ways. For example, i volunteered in Costa rica, working at an orphanage, taking care of children of all ages. i also worked at an elementary school part-time, helping teach English to kindergarten through sixth graders while there. At the same time, i was practicing my Spanish and learning about life in Central America.
i moved to new Zealand in 2005 with a year-long work visa to ex-perience yet another culture and way of living. i took on many jobs including working in preschools; various agriculture jobs in vineyards, kiwi and apple farms; and hospitality jobs while exploring the incred-ible outdoor education of both the north and South islands.
Footsteps • Spring 2010 15
Travelling, experiencing and seeing other cultures makes me real-ize that my world and culture are just a small part of the big picture. My experiences abroad have opened my eyes to different ideas and ways of living and have made me feel more connected to humankind. Understanding various cultures and histories makes me want to learn more about the world around me and has given me a broader frame of reference in which to live. My travel experiences have humbled me and i feel very fortunate to have had the chance to interact with a diverse range of people, and experience other parts of the world with my own eyes and not just through the media of America. Furthermore, travel has made me appreciate my life here in California all the more!
Travel has also influenced my ideas and theories on teaching. i more deeply understand the true importance of opening students’ eyes to other ways of living. learning about the greater world is vital, even from a young age, and i do my best to incorporate this into many aspects of my teaching as well as sharing my world experiences with students who may have not yet had the opportunity to learn as much first-hand about other cultures. i hope this will inspire them to appreciate diversity, be open to new worldly experiences, and accept others even more.
a world traveler, first year MP&MS teacher elizabeth Brown brings a depth of experience to the fourth grade class-room.
“i enjoy teaching at a place where stu-dents are exposed to the greater world around them. com-munity and global service projects including Pennies for Peace, helping students in the local canal district, and providing relief aid for those devastated by natural disasters really enhances kids’ knowledge base.”
16
MP&MS 2008-2009 annual report
nine months after joining Marin primary & Middle School as Director of Development, i am thrilled to be a staff member of this special school. i am continually impressed by our dedicated faculty, bright and eager students and the amazing community generously supporting our efforts.
2008-09 was a challenging year for our country and for many at Mp&MS, and we are grateful for the hundreds of donors listed on the following pages who supported the school. Every gift truly made a difference.
The 2008-09 Mp&MS Annual Fund campaign, chaired by Mark Sla-vonia, raised $344,763 for the school’s operating budget. Mp&MS’s parent Association, under the leadership of larie Flaherty, made an additional contribution of $148,000 to the school, in part as a result of the success of Mp&MS’s 21st Annual Auction, “Club Magnolia.” We are also so thankful for our hardworking capital campaign com-mittee, chaired by John Stobo and Sue Whitaker, for leading our school through its first major capital campaign. The sparkling new hallways are just a taste of what’s to come with this project!
if we haven’t yet met, please stop by and introduce yourself—my office is two doors down from Julie’s. i look forward to work-ing with you to accomplish wonderful things for Mp&MS!
rising to the challenge
by Meredith Clark Development Director
Footsteps • Spring 2010 17
Donations to Mp&MS play a critical role in ensuring the quality of the school’s programs and facilities. Thank you to all the current and former Mp&MS parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends who help sustain the financial health of our special school.
Annual FundThe Mp&MS Annual Fund raises unrestricted money to supplement the school’s operating budget. Annual Fund donations help bridge the difference between what tuition covers and the actual cost of educating each child. items the Annual Fund helps support include teacher salaries, the school’s innovative curriculum, and the best student services. Annual Fund donations for the 2009-2010 campaign are being accepted through June 30, 2010.
Major Donor and Foundation GiftsMp&MS seeks ongoing support in the form of major gifts and foundation grants to fund specific programs, special projects, and the school’s endowment. Major gifts the school has received in recent years have helped fund the learning resource Center, the Tuition Assistance program, and the outdoor Education Center.
Building for Their Future over the last few years, Mp&MS has raised more than $2 million through the initial quiet phase of the Building for Their Future capital campaign. These funds helped the school complete a major hallway renova-tion and other important improvements in the summer of 2009. Funds are currently being raised for addi-tional campus updates, including a new Multi-purpose room and a renovated playground area.
MP&MS Parents Associationin addition to its role in strengthening the Mp&MS community, the school’s parents Association is crucial to fundraising. proceeds from the Mp&MS Annual Auction and other volunteer-driven parents Association events support the school’s operating budget, helping ensure excellence and quality beyond what tuition alone will cover. The Mp&MS 22nd Annual Auction took place on March 27, 2010 at the Julia Morgan Ball-room in San Francisco.
For information about making a gift to Marin primary & Middle School, please contact Meredith A. Clark, Director of Development at (415) 413-9046 or [email protected].
giving at Marin Primary & Middle School
18
Board of Trustees 2008-2009
Officers
Chair
Eliot Holtzman
Vice Chairs
Therese lawless
John Stobo
Treasurer
laura Tauber
Secretary
Fred lange
Head of School
Julie Elam
Board Members
Chris Albinson
John Battelle
rick Bernard
Jayme Canton
george Carver
Tom Dietz
larie Flaherty
Cathy Hunter
Susan Kan-Whitaker
rory little
Stephanie Mellin
Melanie nichols
Tom restaino
Joe rusbarsky
Mark Slavonia
Kerry Tepperman
Parents association 2008-2009
Officers
president
larie Flaherty
Vice president
Kristen powell
Treasurer
Carol DeMuth
Secretary
Sam Cross
Footsteps • Spring 2010 19
annual fund 2008-2009
Founder’s Circle
$25,00+
Mark and Catherine Slavonia
Head’s Council
$10,000 to $24,999
Ed and Susan Catmull
garry rayant and Kathy Fields-rayant
Tom restaino and Jan Becker
Magnolia Society
$5,000 to $9,999
Anonymous
John and Janet Bent
george and Kathy Carver
Tom Dietz and leslie Ferguson-Dietz
Bob and Myra Fairchild
Eliot and Margot Holtzman
Donald and Donna Kelleher
(in honor of Bari Kelleher Williams)
Byron Kuth and liz ranieri Kuth
Tibor laczay and Julia Zhen
rory and Jan little
Bill and Stephanie Mellin
John and Diana Stobo
Jim Sturdevant and Therese lawless
The lEF Foundation
lars Ulrich and Connie nielsen
Patrons
$2,500 to $4,999
John and Michelle Battelle
Stephen and Christine Bent
phil and Christine Bronstein
Kurt and Jane Burkhard
Craig and Vida Campbell
Alex Cobb and Melissa norris
leonard and Margaret DeSomma
Mark and Maria Forney
Chris and Allison Fragakis
Eric and Kimberly Johnson
Jon Myers and Bonnie Seto-Myers
Jeremy and Amy noblin
liz palacios
rich and Tanya peterson
pg&E
Todd Schneider and Devin Dixon
Daniel and Elizabeth Traub
Craig and gia Wallace
John Whitaker and Susan Kan-Whitaker
Erik and Ali Witte
Benefactors
$1,000 to $2,499
Chris and Debra Albinson
Mark and Victoria Anderson
Anonymous
Jason and negissa Araghi
Clint Bajakian and Deniz ince
rick and Sarah Bernard
Scott and pam Bohner
ned and Catherine Brown
Jayme and gayle Canton
Will Costa and Kitty King
Stuart and lois Coven
Shawn and Samantha Cross
Adam Cummings
Deborah J. And peter A. Magowan
Family Foundation, inc.
Julie and Jon Elam
Fidelity Charitable Fund
Jim and larie Flaherty
Christopher and nerida gallagher
genentech Employee giving program
Andy and linda gordon
Jeff and Claire Haggin
Tyson and Kristen Harper
Mark Henderson and laura Tauber
Thomas and Tinsley Hutson-Wiley
Joe Keene and Susan Andrus
robert and Sloan Klein
Marco Krapels and Moira Hanes
Fred and lynn lange
Cortland and Elizabeth larned
levi Strauss Foundation
robert and Maribeth Marchi
robert and Karen McHugh
Michael McTiernan and Jeong-Ae Yoon
luke Moix and Andrea Derochi
Martin and Carol neville
paul and Melanie nichols
Steve and Cindy patrizi
philip and Cynthia pillsbury
Jeff and Kim Qvale
Josh and Angela rafner
Su ranft
Darrell rosenstein and liesel Walsh
Joe rusbarsky and Margaret Warner
peter and Diana ryan
greg Schilz and Kim Kihara
Alexei and Elena Sorokine
Matthew Spotswood and
Shannon parrott Spotswood
leonard Stecklow and Karen Steiner
Sharon Stone
Dennis and nancy Thompson
John and Barbara Treat
Kirk and Mindy Uhrlaub
patrick and Caroline Wabl
Jimmy and leAnn Wanninger
Marc Watrous and
Kimberly Kraemer Watrous
Adam Wolfson and Dana oliver
Heroes $500 to $999
4Charity Foundation, inc.
Steve and Christine Berkley
george and Sheila Bertram
Sandy and Carol Boone
Clif Bar Family Foundation
peter and Jeanne Conklin
Jeremy and Wendy Coon
Andrew and Michelle Foster
gap Foundation gift Match program
Jewish Communal Fund
John and Anne gilchrist
Alan and Elsie gregson
Mitch and linda Hart
Kurt and Julie Houtkooper
Tom Johnson and Jennifer Barry
Michael Joy
roger and Sally Kirk
20
David and penny Kweder
Michael and Tracy lauterman
Don lesser and Maria Whitaker
rick and leslie limpert
Mark and ingrid lin
Donna Maier
Brian and nicole Mott
oracle Corporation Matching gifts program
Marcy pattinson
Michael and linda perrella
Desmond and Teresa pollock
Carol pott
peter and leila poutiatine
Ethan russell and Shannon Mong
Eric and ingrid ryan
Edward and Michelle Sarti
Dan Schlager and Donna Wiggins
Michael Schon and Tara Himler
Scott and Jane Stiteler
Craig and gia Wallace
David Wilson and Belle Cole
Friends
$1 to $499
Sarah Abbey
Joy Abesamis
Ellen Abrams
raymond Ahearn
Dorie Akka
Mark and Susan Anderson
Mia Andler
William and georgeann Andrus
Anonymous
ian Arthur
nora Bailetti
Knud and lynda Balslev
Christopher and Maryam Barrett
Jacob Bastacky and laurie roth
Kirsten Bauer
Michael and Kirsten Beckwith
Daydra Bell
Derek Berka
Arlene Birkhahn
Kurt Birkhahn and
Christienne DeTournay Birkhahn
Wendy Bolker
Juliana Carlsen
raquel Carrillo
Claire Charbonneau
robert and Kimberlee Chase
roy and renee Chernus
Chris and nancy Connery
Kevin and Deborah Cook
Kevin and Katherine Cope
rick and paula Coven
Chris and Sonya Danne
Christopher Dean and Wesley Hudnall
David DeCotis and
paige Missamore-DeCotis
Dave and Chris DeMartini
Carol DeMuth
Mark Derango
Joel and Jolie DeVilbiss
Ferenc and Karen Dobronyi
David and Karen Dold
Kristi Durst
Steve and Elizabeth Dveris
Sherrie Dye
Andrew Eldredge
peter Eldredge
Mia Elsberg
Yolanda Escandon
Douglas and Julia Evans
gayanne Fambrini
Steve Fanfelle and Donna Fanfelle
Donna Firenzi
Ward Flad and Jennifer Feigal
geoff and Karyn Flynn
lassa and Kristel Frank
Drew Freeman and irene Kanehiro
David goray and Jana Wondriska
David and Dana gottlieb
Johnny and Jordonna grace
laura greenfield
Tanako Hagiwara
Jason and Johanna Hall
Celine Hamel
Tim and Carolyn Harrington
Dan Harrison
Carl Hawk
Jennifer Henzi
Tika Hick
paul and Victoria Hinks
Joseph and Barbara Hinman
Jon Hull
Susan Humphrey
Footsteps • Spring 2010 21
Cathy Hunter
Jennifer ingrassia
Jacob Jackson
Alan and pam Jarrett
Jeff and Alex Jennings
Jewish Communal Fund
Eric and Heather Johnson
Jason and Angela Jones
rhonda Jones
Warren and Diana Karlenzig
Daniel and Valerie King
Jennifer Klem-Clarke
Claudia Knaack
Margot Koch
Alessa Kutten-Cottrell
Heather Kweder
Michael laine and Kim roberts
Jeanne lawless
Jerry and Cici lee
leon lepyansky and
Mary Hope McQuiston
Jerry and Kathy lewis
Heather liston
Michael lorusso
Stephanie lyle
paul and Jennifer Maes
Jonathan and Jane Maier
Michael and Jodi Manning
Mrs. glenn Martin
nancy Matthews
Al Mayberry
Sheila McBroom
Joe Mcgovern
robert and Missy McQuiston
Mitzi Medrud
Madeline Mendelsohn and Steve Shakin
Stephanie Mink
Stephen and Barbara Moran
Mario Moran
David and Mia Munson
Erin Murphy
Molly Myerson
Cristy norian
Tom norian
James and Katja o’Brien
Jim parton and Maureen Brown parton
Matt and Amie penwell
peter pfau and Kimberly Starr
David and Mary phillips
Kyle polite
Meghan polite
Michael polite
Jeff and Kristen powell
rick pozzo
Charlie Queary
Jeffrey and Adriana rabkin
lisa ramezzano
Violet ramezzano
Judy regalia
William and Betsy richardson
David and Annie riedel
lori rifkin
Jim and Kim rizzo
John and Julie rootes
Agustin rosas-Maxemin
Tom rosko
Todd and Camille roth
Tom and nan ryan
Charles and Susan Schaefer
Winston and Ann Searles
Al and Ann Seidel
Amrick Singh Virk
Julia Smith
Avery Stout
luzMaria Strohm
Douglas Styles and Deborah pearl-Styles
Whitney Sutak
Sean and nancy Svendsen
Craig and Marylou Symonds
Jeff and Amy Taylor
Kerry Tepperman
Marianne Thomas
Craig and Stacey Tupper
Skylar Ulrich and Mario Moran
University of illinois at Chicago
Tony and rita Vierra
Meike Wanberg
linda Warren
Suzanne Warren
Jeremy and Heather Wenner
Klaus and Ellen Werner
Sarah Westmoreland
rob and gerri Wilkinson
Sean Williams
Stephen Wilson and Corinne Wong
Ted Wilson and Darcy Sears
Ted and Shauna Witt
Tim and Ashley Wood
Jeff and laura Woodhead
Michael Wray
rebecca Wunderlich
Brooke Young
Bradford and lisa Zampa
Judy Zimola
22
endowment, capital, and other restricted gifts 2008-2009
Endowment John and Michelle BattelleMichael and linda perrellaScott and Jane StitelerJeff Symonds and Susee Wittlouis Weller
David R. Heath Outdoor Education Center george and Kathy CarverBerenice Spalding
Gifts in Kind Judith BebiannoJohnny and Jordonna graceStan HoffmanEliot HoltzmanMarin r/C Hobbies Morrie and inna MinkSteve and Mattie MorganKerry Myers and Cathy Myerspeter pfau and Kimberly StarrSharon Stone
Fund-in-Need Suzanne Abele-Ebanks and Kenneth EbanksChris and Debra AlbinsonJulia Banningnicholas and Jennifer BartleJohn and Michelle BattelleVinit and Hilarey BhattBrad and liz BirdScott and pam Bohnerphil and Chris BronsteinKurt and Jane BurkhardCraig and Vida CampbellJayme and gayle Cantongeorge and Kathy CarverEd and Susan CatmullWill Costa and Kitty Kingin Honor of Chris DeMartini, Joy Abesamis and Claire CharbonneauJoel and Jolie DeVilbissTom Dietz and leslie Ferguson-Dietz
Ferenc and Karen DobronyiJulie and Jon Elamrobert and Michele FieldJim and larie FlahertyAndrew and Michelle FosterChris and Allison FragakisJeff and Claire HagginEliot and Margot HoltzmanDana Johnsonrobert and Sloan KleinJoel and Jennifer KleinfeldByron Kuth and liz ranieri KuthCortland and Elizabeth larnedBill and Molly lawrenceJustin and nicole MacnaughtonJonathan and Jane MaierAlex and Aimee Mandossianrobert and Karen McHughBrian and nicole Mottliz palaciosMichael and linda perrellaCarol pottSu ranftJoe rusbarsky and Margaret WarnerTodd Schneider and Devin DixonMark and Catherine SlavoniaJim Sturdevant and Therese lawlessMark and Samara TooleDaniel and Elizabeth TraubSkylar Ulrich and Mario MoranJohn Whitaker and Susan Kan-Whitaker
Learning Resource Center Byron Kuth and liz ranieri KuthThe lEF Foundation
Library Media CenterSalesforce.com Foundation
Building for Thier FutureAnonymous Chris and Debra AlbinsonJulia BanningJohn and Michelle Battellerick and Sarah BernardJayme and gayle Cantongeorge and Kathy CarverEd and Susan CatmullWill Costa and Kitty King
Tom Dietz and leslie Ferguson-DietzFerenc and Karen DobronyiJulie and Jon ElamJosh and Kara FisherChristopher and nerida gallagherAndy and linda gordonJeff and Claire HagginMark Henderson and laura TauberEliot and Margot HoltzmanCathy Hunterpeter Joseph and Marcy levineTibor laczay and Julia ZhenFred and lynn langerick and leslie limpertrory and Jan littleDeborah J. And peter A. Magowan Family Foundation, inc. peter and Deborah Magowanlaurentius Marais and Susan Hendrie-MaraisBill and Stephanie Mellinpaul and Melanie nicholsJim parton and Maureen Brown partonpeter pfau and Kimberly StarrWick and Karen politegarry rayant and Kathy Fields-rayantTom restaino and Jan BeckerMark and Catherine SlavoniaJohn and Diana StoboJim Sturdevant and Therese lawlessKerry TeppermanJohn Whitaker and Susan Kan-Whitaker
MusicByron Kuth and liz ranieri KuthThe lEF Foundation
Social CurriculumAnonymousBell & Anderson, llC
Tuition Assistance ProgramS. Mark Taper Foundation
Footsteps • Spring 2010 23
auction donors 2008-2009
a line
Sarah abbey
Joy abesamis
ellen abrams
chris and debra albinson
Susan anderson
nicole apostoli
arrowood Vineyards
autodesk
azul design gallery
Knud and lynda Balslev
Maryam Barrett
nicolas and Jennifer Bartle
John and Michelle Battelle
Vesa and gwenael Becam
Benefit
Benissimo ristorante & Bar
derek Berka
Berkeley repertory Theatre
rick and Sarah Bernard
Brad and liz Bird
Bistro 333
Mariko Blakemore
Scott and Pam Bohner
Book Passage
Phil and chris Bronstein
Buckeye roadhouse
Buoncristiani Photography
Jeff Burke
Kirby Burke
Jane Burkhard
cafe of life chiropractic
calistoga ranch
Camp K-9 of Marin
Jayme and gayle canton
Juliana carlsen
raquel carrillo
ed and Susan catmull
erika chapman
claire charbonneau
rob and Kim chase
chateau St. Jean
children’s fairyland
Stacy ciauri
Kelle clark
classic Kids Photography
clear center of health
connexion Tutoring
Wendy coon
cooper raphael
Katherine cope
cote consulting
Marcia cote
country club Bowl
rick and Paula coven
dJ chinese cuisine
dagaz Salon
david fromer’s Soccer camp
dave and chris deMartini
Mark derango
Jolie deVilbiss
devin dowd
diPietro Todd Salon
Tom dietz and leslie ferguson-dietz
ymke dioquino
devin dixon
MP&MS drama department
Kevin V duncan
elizabeth dveris
Julie elam
andrew eldredge
Peter eldredge
leslie ferguson-dietz
Kathy fields
firefly restaurant
Jim and larie flaherty
Karyn flynn
allison fragakis
frame crafters gallery
Marie france
lassa and Kristel frank
golden gate fencing center
david goray
Jeff and claire haggin
amelia haimovitch
Moira hanes
Tim and carolyn harrington
francesca harris
dan harrison
harvest Moon Winery
heitz Wine cellars
Karen hensley
Jennifer henzi
Tika hick
eliot holtzman
Scott howard
Jon hull
Tinsley hutson-Wiley
il fornaio
Jennifer ingrassia
lin ivice
Jarvis conservatory
eric and dana Johnson
Jack Johnson
Kimberly Johnson
Kevin Jones
Joseph cozza Salon
Susan Kan-Whitaker
Warren and diana Karlenzig
don and donna Kelleher
debbie Khalilifah
Jonathan Kleid
Sloan Klein
Joel and Jennifer Kleinfeld
Jennifer Klem
heidi Krahling
heather Kweder
la Jolla Shores hotel
lambert Bridge Winery
lark Theater
cort and elizabeth larned
las camelias Mexican restaurant
Michael and Tracy lauterman
Bill and Molly lawrence
edward leaman
nathalie leiseing
clare lightfoot
rory and Jan little
Michael lopez
Susana lua
lulu designs
Stephanie lyle
24
M clothing
Mega gymnastics
MP&MS
Paul Maes
Jonathan and Jane Maier
Marin Brewing co.
Marin rowing association
Marin Shakespeare company
Marin Symphony
Matanzas creek Winery
al Mayberry
Karen Mchugh
Melons event catering
Timothy and Jennifer Merrill-Palethorpe
erika Michelis
Stephanie Mink
Shannon Mong
Barb Moran
dawn Morgan
Brian and nicole Mott
Mountain camp
Moylan’s Brewery and restaurant
nancy alcott Photography
navarro Vineyards
nicolette
amy noblin
noodle Soup
Tracy novick
Katja o’Brien
dana oliver
Pacific Tan
Painter’s Place
liz Palacios
Matthew Spotswood and
Shannon Parrott Spotswood
cindy Patrizi
carl Pearl
deborah Pearl-Styles
Peggy Parks Photography
Peju Winery
Matt and amie Penwell
Mike and linda Perrella
Peter Pfau
Pier 39
cynthia Pillsbury
desmond Pollock
robyn Pope
aaron and carol Pott
leila Poutiatine
Jeff and Kristen Powell
charlie Queary
Jeff and Kim Qvale
Josh and angela rafner
ravenswood Winery
ristorante la Toscana
Julie rootes
linda ross
laurie routhier
ethan russell
ingrid ryan
Samantha howe Photography
dan Schlager
Schug carneros estate Winery
Peter and elizabeth Schumacher
darcy Sears
Missy Silver
Mark and catherine Slavonia
Julia Smith
Kim Starr
leonard and Karen Stecklow
Stellar Spa
John and diana Stobo
Sharon Stone
Jim Sturdevant and Therese lawless
Whitney Sutak
Swing
TJ’s gym
anna Tapay
laura Tauber
Tavern at lark creek
The 2 Brothers Spotless Windows
The Melting Pot
The Pelican inn
The San remo hotel
Theatre rhinoceros
Sam Toole
Twin cities Market & deli
lars Ulrich
Vintner’s collective
Patrick and caroline Wabl
Meike and richard Wanberg
leann Wanninger
Ward Street cafe
nathan Washburn
Marc Watrous and
Kimberly Kraemer-Watrous
nirmal Watson
John Whitaker
Wipeout Bar & grill
adam Wolfson
Jana Wondriska
Jeffrey and laura Woodhead
Michael Wray
rebecca Wunderlich
Jeong-ae yoon
Brooke young
Footsteps • Spring 2010 25
Parents association committee chairs 2008-2009
Auction
Devin Dixon, leslie Ferguson-Dietz,
Francesca Harris, Jane Maier, Angela rafner
Book Fair Coordinators
Sonya Danne and lori Docherty
Eighth grade graduation and reception
Karen Dobronyi and Claire lightfoot
Emergency phone Tree
leila poutiatine
Friends of library (Fol)
roz lewis, Shannon Mong, Margot Holtzman
Halloween Celebration
Ali Witte, Samantha Cross
Homeroomless giving
Susan Andrus
Homeroom parent Coordinators
preschool
Julie rootes
primary School
leila poutiatine
Middle School
Debra Albinson
Hospitality Coordinators
liz palacios, lisa Christensen
literary Day
roz lewis, Shannon Mong
Merchant program - eScrip
Kim Kihara
outdoor Education Center
Margot Holtzman
parent/Faculty green initiative group
Stephanie philipp and Kirsten Beckwith
Safe routes To School
Allison Fragakis
Sock Hop/Bunny Hop
larie Flaherty
Speaker Series
garry rayant, David gottlieb
Teacher Appreciation luncheon
gayle Canton, Diana Stobo
Volunteer Hour Coordinator
irene Kanehiro
Welcome Coffee
Margot Holtzman, Karen Dobronyi
Welcome picnic
larie Flaherty
26
Exhibit I1I: gifts to Marin Primary & Middle SchoolFiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009
Unrestricted Funds $455,510 includes funds raised by annual fund and Parents association
Temporarily Restricted Funds $1,503,018 includes capital campaign donations and other restricted gifts
Permanently Restricted Funds $2,100 includes endowment donations
Total Gifts $1,960,628
financials
Exhibit 1: 2008-2009 School Revenues
Tuition 90% Fundraising 9%Interest and Other 1%
Exhibit I1: 2008-2009 School Expenditures
Salaries and Benefits: 70.5%Building and Grounds 9%Tuition Assistance Program 8.5% Educational Supplies and Field Trips 5% other (fundraising, Marketing, Insurance, Telephones, Postage, Printing) 3%Professional Services 1.5%Parents Association 1.5%Professional Development 1%
Footsteps • Spring 2010 27
demographics 2008-2009
Founded May 1975incorporated not-for-profit, coeducational, non-sectarian.
Student enrollment 338Preschool 112JK-4 1155-8 111
Student:Teacher ratioPreschool 5:1JK-8 7:1
Total number of Staff 73
disclaimerMP&MS has made every effort to check the accuracy of the lists in this report. acknowledgment lists include gifts received during the 2008-2009 fiscal year and names appear as listed on school forms. We sincerely regret any errors or omissions. MP&MS values every contribution and greatly appreciates your support. Thank you.
faculty and Staff 2008-2009
Division Directorspreschool Director Marianne Thomasprimary School Director erin MurphyMiddle School Directordave deMartinilearning resources Center Director david gottlieb
Administrative DirectorsHead of School Julie elamCo-Directors of Admission donna fanfelle, erin MurphyDirector of DevelopmentJudy regaliaDirector of Finance and Human resourcesheather liston
Administrative Office
Assistant to the Head of School
Sherrie dyeAdmission office Coordinatorceline hamelCommunications Manager Judy zimola Development Assistant laura greenfield Facilities Managerdavid MunsonFinance Associate Sarah Westmoreland Maintenance Assistant carl hawknetwork Administrator Michael lorussonurse Stephanie Mink
office Manager
lisa ramezzano
David Hale Library Media Centerlibrarian, ellen abrams
outdoor Education CenterMia andler, Molly Myersonprojects labal MayberrySocial curriculumJoe Mcgoverm
Learning Resources Centerlearning Specialists: Mia elsberg, Madeline Mendelsohn, Tom rosko, Melissa Silver, amy Taylor, Junia ziblay
After-School program Manager Matt Penwell After-School Staff: ian Arthur, dan harrison, amie Penwell
Summer Camp Director: Jason hull
PreschoolMeadowclaire charbonneau, chris deMartiniForestStephanie lyle, Mitzi MedrudSeashore,Julia Smith, Brooke young Jungleraquel carrillo, Tika hickZoorhonda Jones, leila Poutiatine, camille roth, linda WarrenBarnJoy abesamis, Mark derango
Primary SchoolJunior KindergartenMia Munson, alessa Kutten-cottrellKindergartenPaige Missamore, Mario MoranFirst gradeJennifer ingrassia, heather KwederSecond gradePeter eldredge, Jennifer henzi Third gradeSarah abbey, Kristi durstFourth gradeSusan humphrey
Middle SchoolFifth gradeMeike Wanberg, rebecca WunderlichSixth gradedaydra Bell, andrew eldredgeSeventh gradederek Berka, Jennifer KlemEighth gradeSheila McBroom, Steve fanfelle
physical EducationJon hull, Whitney Sutak
SpecialistsArtMargot Koch, Paul MaesDramacharlie QuearyEducation Technology yolanda escandonSpanishnora Bailetti, luzMaria Strohm, Julieta zuniga MusicJason Jones, Michael Wray
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