ANNUAL REPORT September 1, 2014 – August 31, 2015

WILMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Featuring art created by the students of Wilmington Montessori School.Editor: Noel DietrichGraphic Design: Holly FeldheimPhoto Credits: Noel Dietrich, Lauren Harris, Heather Siple, Lisa Surbrook

OUR MISSION

Wilmington Montessori School is a collaborative learning community rooted in Montessori principles, inspiring

the joyful discovery of self and a passion for learning and independent thinking. We empower children to be knowledgeable and responsible contributors to the global community.

Dear WMS Families and Friends,

The 2014-15 school year was a year of change. It began with great plans; we were able to achieve many of our goals due to your tremendous support. The second year of the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future Comprehensive Campaign brought even more of you back to WMS to demonstrate your support of our school and our work with children. Because of your generosity and the support of local foundations, we are moving solidly into the future. Thank you.

Continuing to bring the 2013-16 Strategic Plan to fruition, we achieved our goal of moving to authentic Montessori three-year age groupings for our Primary (ages 3-6) and Lower Elementary (ages 6-9) programs and considered how to best educate our parents and community about Montessori education. We have reached out into the community to share the Montessori classroom experience in local libraries, and we have welcomed new families into WMS to participate in our Learning Together program. WMS families are learning more than ever before about their child’s school day through Edmodo, which is available on their mobile devices and brings classroom news, including pictures and short movies, directly to them.

We celebrated the beginning of 2015 with the official opening of the new toddler playground. Designed by a local landscaper with input from our toddler teachers, the playground offers children a beautiful natural space to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Opportunities to run, climb and play with water, sand and other natural materials abound. We also opened all three of our Maker Studios: Toddler, Primary and Elementary. Each of these spaces is equipped with developmentally appropriate materials to engage children in learning more about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics). Our students relish their time in our Maker Studios where they explore, make mistakes that lead to understanding, and learn about their world in a hands-on, Montessori way.

2014-15 was a year of technology. At WMS, technology is an integral part of our students’ learning experiences. We began our one-to-one iPad initiative with

Lisa A. Lalama & Anna QuiselA MESSAGE FROM

our Upper Elementary students; Lower Elementary classrooms have a set of iPads to share. Students have many opportunities to use technology to support their work including making movies, creating slideshows, studying a new language, conversing with authors, exploring computer coding and practicing academic skills. Technology has been incorporated in every discipline from music, to library studies, to culture. Just as it is part of all of our lives outside of school, technol-ogy is also a part of our school life. We look forward to continued learning and integration of technology as we go forward, preparing students with the skills they will need in their next educational steps and beyond.

In December 2014, the Longwood Foundation offered us a challenge grant of $300,000 that will allow us to begin to integrate the arts more fully into our students’ learning. We received an overwhelming response from our community to help us meet this challenge. You can look forward to updates on this initiative throughout the next year. In the meantime, we are visiting schools to learn how they have integrated arts education into their curriculum and exploring ways to bring that to WMS.

WMS is a dynamic community, built on a strong Montessori foundation and incorporating important educational best practices. Our mission statement describes WMS as “a collaborative learning community rooted in Montessori principles, inspiring the joyful discovery of self and a passion for learning and independent thinking.” Everything we do is based on these ideas. We seek knowledge, inspire children to ask questions, and work together to be the best place for children to learn and thrive. We are grateful to everyone who makes up our community. You have helped us move forward into the future as a strong and vital Montessori school for children from 12 months to 12 years. Thank you for being a part of WMS.

Lisa A. Lalama Anna QuiselHead of School Chair, WMS Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORSAnna Quisel, ChairMeredith AmadoIsrael FloydMelissa Hayman *Caroline Lintner **Drew Matalonis **Pam Politis **Dan Sanders *Paul SakaguchiLiz SloanSusie VentrescaZehra WamiqLisa Lalama, ex officio

ADVISORY BOARDGuiliana de GraziaAudrey DobersteinMarie M. DuganHarry G. Haskell, Jr.Jackie IvyMichèle LeFever QuinnNancy KaribjanianRobin Karol-EngJane MaroneyDeborah Murray-ShepherdWilliam RyanPatrick StonerSusan ThomasCathy Weaver

* Term began in 2015** Term ended in 2015

Wilmington Montessori School’s financial performance for 2014-15 was strong. The Board of Directors and administration continued to

work carefully to manage the operating budget so that expenditures matched revenues. We also maintained our investment in our future and spent more than $150,000 on Strategic Plan initiatives.

Donors continued to contribute generously to WMS, helping us raise more than $1 million. We are incredibly grateful for their support. Their contribu-tions support our mission and confirm their confidence in WMS and the ways in which we serve our community.

OtherAuctionAnnual FundFoundationCommunity Gifts

65.24%

.85%

26.44%

5.69%

1.78%

$1,121,908

$454,660

$97,936

$30,531$14,679

community gifts

foundations

annual fund

auction

other

SOURCES OF FUNDRAISING REVENUE

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2014-15

• Total revenue was up $346,000 (7.5%) year-over-year while expenses were down $195,000 (5.0%).

• Total earnings in the current year were $1,312,000 compared to $770,000 in the prior year. The increase in earnings is due to better matching expenses to revenue and enhanced fundraising. Note that although the fundraising dollars are included in earnings, the majority of fundraising dollars are dedicated to investing in our program and are not spent on day-to-day operations.

• Total fundraising revenue for the year was $1,720,000 compared to $1,068,000 in the prior year.

• WMS awarded $295,000 in financial aid versus $388,000 in 2014.

• The fair market value of the school’s investments was $3.14 million compared to $2.18 million in the prior year.

• Total debt outstanding declined by $95,000 to $1,319,000 as of August 2015.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Tuition and Fees 70.08%Contributions 21.28%Summer Programs 6.75%Miscellaneous Income 1.10%Investment Income .79%Total Revenue and Support 100%

revenue and support: $5,272,031

tuition and fees

contributions

summer program

misc. income

investment income 0.18%

0.62%

6.91%

32.63%

59.66%

0 16 32 48 64 80

expenses: $3,960,118instructional

administrative

facilities

summer program

financial aid

advancement

benefits

debt servicing

42.87%

15.52%

7.46%

14.99%

7.49%

5.97%

3.67%

2.03%

Wilmington Montessori School would like to thank the following donors for their support of the 2014-15 Annual Fund (as of August 31, 2015). Contributions to the Annual Fund support the school’s operating costs, including ongoing professional development, classroom materials, technology and arts enhancements, and tuition assistance. Thank you to our 2014-15 Annual Fund Co-Chairs Sharon Miller and Mayura Simon for their leadership and commitment to Wilmington Montessori School.

World Globe Friend ($5,000 and above)AnonymousMeredith and David AmadoThe Nichols FamilyWilliam P. Roberts IIIHenry and Joan RustBret Snyder and Anna Quisel

Golden Bead Friend ($2,500 to $4,999) Brad and Becky DaveyCaroline Brown LintnerThe Scott FamilyWilmington Flower Market

Pink Tower Friend ($1,000 to $2,499)Mr. Henry I. Brown IIIAnn Hriciga and Michael CoughlinThe Laster FamilyGarrett and Christine MoritzGeoffrey and Mayura SimonElizabeth W. Snyder

Geometric Solid Friend ($500 to $999) AnonymousJeff Barnes, Felise Luchansky and Dan BarnesJoan and Rob BeatsonAnneMarie Brescia and Daniel BrennanKevin and Brenda Cole

Alexa, Ephie and Mike DonahueMarie M. DuganDaniele D. and David V. ElkinsKimberly and Dave GilesThe Hayman FamilyLisa A. LalamaSharon E. MillerMichael W. O’DonnellSusan Pierce and James MatlackThe Raju FamilyAthena and David RuhlPaul SakaguchiRobert and Kathleen SiegfriedThe Sultan Family Trinomial Cube Friend ($250 to $499) Mary Jo and Jim ChandlerThe Czeschin FamilyHoward Damude and Julie JohnstonElva and Anton DelportIsrael and Patricia FloydLaura and Ben HuggettThe Hutchful FamilyLaKeetra and Lamont JoseyFrancis and Mary JulianAlison and Kevin KahnThe Kalin FamilyMary and Matthew LoNora and Jim Lober

ANNUAL FUND 2014-15

Andrew and Sandra MatalonisChristopher and Louise McArdleCurtis and Courtney MillerJoe Nemecz and Nancy KaribjanianNancy and Rick OddoCarolyn W. ShafferKathryn Tullis and Phillip LiuSusie Ventresca and David Ropars

Brown Stairs Friend ($100 to $249) AnonymousMarcia Schiff AceroMichael and Becky AllenHiten and Rinku AminMarybeth AuldElijah and Letisha BarnettSandra and Basil Battaglia James Beissel and Sharleen BeverlyRamesh and Rajani BhatiaCynthia BoydTrish BradleyJoanna BregerDebra CarriThe Cash FamilyPaul and Margaret CashMatthias and Theresa ConatyThe Connelly FamilyChuck ConnorRichard and Susan CoyleThe DePonte FamilyThe DesMarais FamilyNancy and Robert DietrichNoel Sarah DietrichThe Doyle FamilyBrian and Sharie EngMike and Joelle Florax Paul and Julie GattiMark and Kim GlevickySherry and John GoodillThe Haas FamilyTrish HarkinsLauren and Matt HarrisRaymond and Zakiya HatchJennifer Heness

Mary and Henry HirschbielDon and Joyce HutchisonDonna M. IrbyRosemary KillianDr. and Mrs. Lazarus M. KirifidesMichael and Kerry KirifidesBenjamin and Jennifer KniazJon and Kelly LambirasMichèle LeFever QuinnPaige LucarelliMary Maloney Huss and Ben GoldsteinJoseph and Lisa MartinMike and Wendy MasseyAndrew and Kelly MayoZollie McClary XXIV and Stephanie SimmsGerry McVeyBarbara and Andy MillerLaurie MuhlbauerMark W. MurrayThe Oberly FamilyJohn and Jonathan O’BrienThe Politis FamilyThe Renz FamilyOlivia RoaneGajinder Singh SassonJim and Loretta SchneiderJohn and Lorraine SeiberlichThe Shweiki FamilyStacey and Jeff SilversMurray SimonCathy Simon-CordSally Spatafora and Jackie IvyBeth and Don StookeyEd and Melissa SugzdinisPat SumnerThe Surbrook/Bowers FamilyDeepa and Sandeep VasudevanThe Vinton FamilyMary C. Wiggin and Arthur J. Holveck, Jr.Sarah WilliamsZhen Xu and Shaorong ChenThe York FamilyThe Zankowsky Family

Friends of WMS (Up to $99) AnonymousRenèe AndersonThe Auffret FamilyJay W. BoothDeirdre Buckmaster and Leslie CareyJohn BudzynRhonda L. BudzynLeanne CallawayC. Curtis and Bonnie ClementsLynda CoanTeddy DaveyGiuliana S. de GraziaEileen and Nate EdmundsThe Ehrlich FamilyGreg and Ellen EllisSharon EntzmingerErin Facciolo WehlerRosemary FeehanMegan FeliceangeliLaura Florence and Megan BushnellSamantha and David FruchtmanRuth GovatosMargo Govatos LongMissy GrafeSusan and Brian GreenbergLawrence and Carol HarrisJoseph and Kathleen HickeyEvan JuersThe Junk FamilyKristen KefferElizabeth KocherMarissa LaneCindy LoberBenjamin LoderGaynell LoderAnita LouieCarolyn MalatestaJane E. MinerTim MooreYvonne NassMary Kate Newell, Ph.D.Karen OberlyThe O’Connell Sparco Family

Jeanne OrrDarko and Laura OrsicEmmy PittarelliWanda RhodesHeather and Greg RussellSamantha RussellBen and Amy SauersVaughan and Aliza SawdonThe Sloan FamilyThe StroudsChristine TateBarbara L. TrottoElizabeth VarleyNancy and Anthony VentrescaHeather WadlerBarry and Michelle WalkerAdrianna WallThe Walsh FamilyArlene WasonThe Whalen FamilyCass WinnerErin WinnerWMS Meerkat BankWMS Staff

In Honor of the Amado FamilyThe Farabaugh Family

In Honor of Mark Bomgardner Kathryn G. Lloyd and Kerwin Dobbs

In Honor of Marie M. Dugan AnonymousRobert and Mary Anne GrenfellGordon and Suzanne PfeifferDr. and Mrs. Henry Weiner

In Honor of Hayley and Parker Eng Drs. Robin Karol-Eng and Jerald Eng

In Honor of Brandon JonesJohnathan and Taryn Fletcher

In Honor of Kaleb KainMr. and Mrs. Dante Marini

In Honor of the Lober FamilyMolly Ruppert

In Honor of Pat SumnerAnonymous

In Honor of Aaron J. B. WashingtonAdville and Gwendolyn Bell

In Honor of Emily Pfeiffer WeemsGordon and Suzanne Pfeiffer

In Memory of Mark BomgardnerMarybeth AuldRandy and Belinda BorowiczThelma and James DooleyElaine DugganDavid and Jean EdwardsSherry and Norman FreemanKerry and Michael KirifidesEdmund and Margaret PierceSusan Pierce and James MatlackNancy SimpkinsJim and Tonya TambsFrank Tambs IIIMary Margaret Williams

In Memory of Jean LushCarl and Karen Klutzke

In Memory of Sally OrrRobert Orr

In Memory of Nancy SakaguchiAlison Mack and Tony Kinney

In Memory of Marjory StoneKatie Levine and James Orman

In Memory of Loretta WojcikJim and Helen Fath

Corporations, Foundations and Government Apple Branch School PhotographyAmazonDelaware Division of the ArtsGeneral Mills Box Tops for EducationGoodshopShoe Box Recycling LLCSmart LunchesTargetTitle II Professional Development FundWilmington Flower Market

Matching Gifts BoeingCapital OneGE AircraftJP MorganWells Fargo

Class of 2015 Sixth-Grade Class GiftWilmington Montessori School would like to thank the students and families of the class of 2015, led by WMS parent Lisa Surbrook, for donating the materials and creating a beautiful labyrinth in the WMS woods for current and future students to enjoy.

WMS Class of 2015Sarah BregerAlexa DonahueDeming FloraxMavis Florence-BushnellAudrey HolveckEvan LowKendall MasseyMorgan SilversAlejandra Spatafora Shannon Surbrook-Bowers

Corner BistroCreative CapesCurrie Hair, Skin & NailsDealCatcherDelaware Art MuseumDelaware Center for the Contemporary ArtsDelaware Theatre CompanyDental Associates of Delaware - Brandywine OfficeNoel Sarah DietrichDouble ‘D’ GymnasticsElk Mountain Ski Resort, Inc.The Friendly Gift ShopPaul GattiThe Grenfell FamilyBetsy HaasHagley Museum and LibraryHand and Stone Handcrafted PortraitsHansel and GretelHarry G. HaskellHealth One PA Chiropractic and RehabilitationIntegrity Auto RepairIron Hill BreweryKennett Design with a Splash of WineKramer PortraitsLady’s ImageLisa A. LalamaThe Lamiet FamilyThe Laster FamilyLearning ExpressLeisure FitnessLeShio RestaurantLongitudesWestLongwood GardensRyan MarchettaZollie McClaryThe Melting PotMid Atlantic Grand PrixMidway Speedway ParkMoore Brothers Wine Company Delaware

AUCTION

Bidding on the Bayou

Wilmington Montessori School would like to recognize the following individuals and companies for their gifts to the 2015 Auction. Many thanks to Auction Chair Stephanie Simms and the 2015 Auction Committee for their leadership, hard work and commitment to WMS. Proceeds of the auction benefit the school’s operating fund.

Action HardwareAmerican Karate StudiosAnytime FitnessArden Swim ClubThe Arden Theatre CompanyGilles AuffretStephanie AuffretMarybeth AuldBBC Tavern and Grill The Back Burner RestaurantBarclaycardBelak FlowersBelfint, Lyons & ShumanBellefonte CaféBianca’s Personal Chef ServiceBig Sky Bread CompanyThe Birth CenterBlue Ballroom Dance StudioBob’s Discount FurnitureBoxcar Brewing CompanyBrandywine YMCABuckley’s TavernBuilding System and ServicesCamp MontessoriChaddsford WineryCheesecake FactoryHunter Clarke-FieldsChuck ConnorCorkcicle

Timothy MooreName Bubbles, LLCConnie NyeO.K. Video, LLCOasis Family Fun CenterOffice DepotOrganic ValleyJeanne OrrPSUTix ManPanera BreadParent Education Consulting ServicesPenn Cinema RiverfrontPetworth Citizen & Reading RoomPhiladelphia 76ersPhiladelphia Eagles FootballPinot’s PalettePortrait InnovationsAnna QuiselRemembearsJennifer RenzRetro Fitness – Concord MallRoom 2Room 3Room 4Room 5Rooms 9/10Room 11Room 12/14 After-CareRoom 13Room 15Room 16Room 17Room 19Room 20Room 22Room 27Bill RyanSIW VegetablesSanctuary SpaSea Glass Fine Art PhotographyPaula SharpeShop LuLuThe Silvers FamilyStephanie Simms

Cathy Simon-CordSoccer ShotsSprinklesStratosphere Trampoline ParkSweeney’s BakeryTalleyville Fire CompanyTotal Wine & MoreTutto FrescoUlysses American GastropubSusie VentrescaVera BradleyVeritas Wine and Craft Beer StoreZehra and Wamiq SultanWMMRWhole Foods Market - Glen MillsSarah WilliamsWilmington Blue RocksWilmington Montessori School Administrative TeamWilmington Montessori School Advisory BoardWilmington Montessori School Board of DirectorsThe Wilmington Police DepartmentYards Brewing CompanyYour Creation StationMike Zatwarnytsky

We deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please notify Joan Beatson, Director of Development, of any corrections at (302) 475-0555 or joan_beatson@wmsde.org.

Leadership ($1,000,000 and above)Anonymous

Benefactors ($100,000 to $999,999)Crystal TrustCaroline and Matt LintnerLongwood FoundationThe Maurice Amado FoundationWilliam P. Roberts IIIHenry and Joan RustJudy and Bill* ScheideElizabeth SnyderThe Welfare Foundation

Patrons ($25,000 to $99,999)Crestlea FoundationAnn Hriciga and Michael CoughlinThe Laffey-McHugh FoundationThe Quisel Snyder Family

Sponsors ($10,000 to $24,999)The Davey FamilyTravis and Becky LasterChristine and Garrett MoritzThe Politis FamilyAthena and David RuhlPatricia M. Scott

In 2013, as part of its three-year Strategic Plan, the Board of Directors of Wilmington Montessori School launched the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the

Future Comprehensive Campaign, named in honor of longtime Head of School Marie Dugan. This $3.5 million campaign, designed by the Board with input from faculty, staff and parents, will ensure that the core values of the school can be financially sustained.

The Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future will provide for:• Improvements in salaries, benefits and professional development

opportunities, ensuring that we maintain excellent faculty and staff.• Enhancements in technology, STEAM (science, technology,

engineering, arts and mathematics) and Arts Integration programs.• Building and campus repairs and upgrades.• Strengthening our balance sheet and working capital by growing

our cash reserve.

Wilmington Montessori School gratefully acknowledges the following donors to the Marie M. Dugan Fund for the Future Comprehensive Campaign (as of August 31, 2015):

THE MARIE M. DUGAN FUND FOR THE FUTURE

Comprehensive Campaign

Honorary Co-ChairsMarie M. DuganJudith McCartin Scheide

Campaign Co-ChairsMeredith AmadoAnna Quisel

Left photo: Judy McCartin Scheide and Marie M. Dugan as co-teachers at the Arden School in 1976. Right photo: Judy and Marie in 2014.

The Simon FamilyZehra and Wamiq Sultan

Supporters ($5,000 to $9,999)Marie M. DuganThe Honorable Jane P. MaroneyOrder Sons of Italy - St. Gabriel’s Lodge

Donors ($1,000 to $4,999)AnonymousJoan and Rob BeatsonCalissa, Allan and Laurel Brown Dupont Drs. Robin Karol-Eng and Jerald EngIsrael and Patricia FloydAndrea HardingHarry G. Haskell, Jr.Horatio and Suzanne JonesLisa A. LalamaMichèle LeFever Quinn and Joseph QuinnThe Matalonis FamilyThe Nemecz Karibjanian FamilyElizabeth NolanWilliam RyanPaul Y. SakaguchiDrew and Elizabeth SloanSusan Ventresca and David RoparsBarry M. Willoughby

Friends ($250 to $999)AnonymousBentley Systems, Inc.The Celestian Strange Family

Roxanne Higgins ElliottThe Garvin FamilyBecca and Rick GulinoGeorge and Thelma HaldemanFrancis and Mary JulianDonna H. Melton/Just in Time! CommunicationsNick and Sue SotiropoulosTarget #ThanksABillion Campaign

Contributors (Up to $249)Anonymous (2)Ralph Amado and Anne RodigMarybeth AuldFrank and Lori BeardellBetty C. BenderPriya Bhatia and James WakeMartha Boston and Christopher McKenneyMr. and Mrs. Peter BrennanHenry I. BrownRosanne and Michael CabelliPaul and Margaret CashMaggie and J.C.* ChevrierC. Curtis and Bonnie ClementsDr. and Mrs. Thomas Patrick ConatyRichard and Susan CoyleDavid CutlerDiane M. DambachGiuliana de GraziaJoe and Keri del TufoThe DePonte FamilyJennifer Eng-KulwyTJ and Christi Fath

Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan and Taryn FletcherRuth GovatosNancy L. HastedKay and Christopher HolbrookThe Honaker FamilyWayne KingstonDr. Lazarus and Mrs. Helen M. KirifidesElizabeth KocherAmanda and Rick LewisGaynell LoderDante and Bernadine MariniKathy and Bernard McFaddenGail T. MorrisonRobert MuhlbauerBill and Nancy MurphyOlga NielsenKaren OberlyMark and Nancy PaquetteSharon L. ParkerDavid Paul and Kathy KleinHeide and Ed PreisendanzKent QuiselElaine and Michael ReillyDonna SandersEdwin and Jean SchmidtJim and Loretta SchneiderRobert SimanBennett and Rhea ThomasWilliam H. Thomas, Sr.Gail and Eugene TolpinRobert and Lois TorgersonThe Vinton FamilySteve and Patricia WiddossEstelle Yelnosky

In Honor of the Bindloss Boys – Jon, Ian and BryanArlene Dunn

In Honor of the Caring, Supportive Faculty and Staff Who Touched Our LivesDarla F. Wilson

In Honor of Hilde ColtonSophia Smith and Adeyemi Adebowale

In Honor of Marie M. DuganMarlene and Cyril MilunskyMilunsky Family Dentistry with Thanks and Fond Memories

In Honor of Aaron WashingtonAdville and Gwendolyn Bell In Memory of Anthony LalamaSusan and David Stratton

In Memory of Mr. Andrew TimmonsMax Timmons

In Memory of Bill Bindloss, Jean Lush, Brian Parker and Eric ZumstegMarie M. Dugan

In Memory of Helen WinslowJonathan D. Jaffe

The Secret Garden – Gifts for the Toddler PlaygroundAnonymousBruce and Noelle ArchambeauGreg and Ellen EllisNorman and Terri FrankeLaKeetra and Lamont JoseyMark and Margo LongRyan Mawhinney and Jeannie Stith-MawhinneyChristopher and Louise McArdlePaula SharpeBret Snyder and Anna QuiselPhanna Hem and Tu ThaiBarb TrottoSarah WilliamsWMS Families

Matching GiftsBoeing Capital OneFMC CorporationMerck FoundationMicrosoftW.L. Gore

*deceased

We deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please notify Joan Beatson, Director of Development, of any corrections at (302) 475-0555 or joan_beatson@wmsde.org.

Class of 2015

construction

PlaygroundNEW TODDLER

after

before

Built in 2015, this playground offers children a beautiful natural space to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Opportunities to run, climb and play with water, sand and other natural materials abound.

Today’s Learners; Tomorrow’s Leaders.