The Farbrook School 2012 Annual Report

Far Brook School

Far Brook School

52 Great Hills RoadShort Hills, New Jersey 07078

farbrook.org

973-379-3442

Annual Report 2011 – 2012

A small school of uncommon quality where education is considered an art

Message from the Head of SchoolDear Members of the Far Brook Community,

I am grateful for the extraordinary generosity of ourschool community in gifts of vision, time, and resources.

The 2011- 2012 school year was one of self-assessment, decision making, and progress. A few areasof distinction include:

• Master Plan. Working with the Board of Trustees andgathering input from our school community, wedeveloped a campus Master Plan for Far Brook’s futurethat will enhance our facilities and each student’sexperience. Building design and fundraising planningcontinue to proceed at a vigorous pace.

• 2011-2012 Annual Fund. The Fund topped $500,000 for the first time. Suchcommitment speaks to the meaningful place Far Brook holds in people’s hearts and lives.

• Faculty Development. 2011- 2012 brought five new faculty and staff to Far Brook,adding energy and new ideas to our talented and dedicated community. Facultymembers continue to attend workshops, conferences, and degree programs, returningto Far Brook with the latest in educational research and curriculum development.

• Self-Study. Our faculty and staff thoughtfully and diligently worked throughout theyear to prepare the comprehensive Self-Study toward dual accreditation from MiddleStates Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Association ofIndependent Schools (NAIS). This introspective exercise has affirmed that we remaintrue to our core values, while inspiring us toward continuous improvement in all areasof school life.

• Summer Garden. In June, our new science teacher and several parents established avegetable garden behind the cottage by the road. The garden is part of an increasingfocus on our natural environment and campus science improvements in our future.

In the following pages you will see that through judicious financial oversight and growth,Far Brook remains strong. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to our dedicatedBoard of Trustees for their visionary leadership and generosity. To the faculty and staff, Ithank you for your commitment to excellence which guides each of our students to reachtheir full potential. To our families, volunteers, donors, and our loyal alumni community, thankyou for your support of the important work we do here at Far Brook every day, preparing ourstudents to be curious, creative thinkers, and happy, healthy contributors to their futurecommunities.

Warmly,

Amy ZiebarthHead of School

2 | FA R B ROOK A NNUA L R E PO RT | 2011 - 2012

Amy ZiebarthHead of School

2011 - 2012 | FA R B ROOK A NNUA L R E PO RT | 3

Message from the Chair of the BoardDear Members of the Far Brook Community,

The Annual Report provides a welcome opportunity toacknowledge the highlights of the past year. In 2011-2012, Amy Ziebarth served her second year as our Headof School. Amy is a thoughtful visionary who has takenFar Brook’s measure with a loving spirit true to theSchool’s core mission. Her strong leadership ‒ combinedwith her love of Far Brook, our students, and ourcommunity ‒ inspires excellence at every level.

The 2011- 2012 year also ushered in two majorundertakings for the School. The first is the developmentof a Master Plan which reflects a bright and attainable futurefor Far Brook. The second is Far Brook’s 10-year accreditation review which provides aprocess for critical self-reflection and improvement, as well as assuring quality throughevaluation by fellow educators.

The entire community contributes to advancing our mission. Our devoted and talentedstaff encourages exceptional performance. Our students learn, grow, and thrive. Parents arepassionate volunteers and generous donors. Alumni and their parents stay involved as theyvisit, write, volunteer, and recognize Far Brook through their gifts.

Financial support continues as one of the most critical ways in which our communityworks to sustain Far Brook. I thank all contributors for their exceptional generosity to theAnnual Fund this past year. For the first time, Far Brook’s Annual Fund gifts crossed over the half million dollar mark ‒ $506,750 in total. We also welcomed 106 first time donors to the Fund. These gifts, which cover 7% of our operating budget, are vital to the highquality of education offered to our students and represent a strong testament to thedevotion of our community.

I am also glad to note that we are well positioned to grow our endowment to ensure Far Brook’s future. J.P. Morgan has performed well in its first year as Far Brook’s investmentmanager. After many years and generous support from our community, Far Brook’sendowment is $4,690,150, and its growth remains a priority for the School.

In conclusion, I can assure the community that the state of the School remains excellent, with a strong and diverse student body, long-tenured and dedicated faculty and administration,and excellent financial health. Thanks to you all who help make Far Brook a success.

Sincerely,

Mary Sue Fisher Chair, Board of Trustees

Mary Sue Fisher Chair, Board of Trustees


Statement of Purpose

Our purpose is to create a supportive and caringcommunity that cherishes love of learning, creativity, andindividuality, and that provides teachers and students withboth support and freedom to take risks in order to reachtheir full potential.

Implicit in our philosophy is the goal of bringingstudents to their highest level of academic and personalcompetency, both for their present and in preparation for their future education. In addition, we share a muchlarger purpose.

We see Far Brook’s mission as a desire to use and toadapt the principles of progressive education and itsphilosophy of pragmatism for a changing world, and whilevaluing academic excellence and respect for nature, toinstill a creative response to learning with great art, drama,music, and literature as models.

Our approach to education demands that bothstudents and teachers be active participants in areciprocal learning experience. We recognize the role ofmetaphor, ritual, and tradition in children’s lives and thepower of the arts in the learning process. Our curriculumis unified by interdisciplinary studies of thematic units and great historical eras, which allow children to relatethemselves to the universe and to the history of mankind.A Far Brook education takes place in an environment of natural beauty and intimacy, where character andcitizenship are valued as much as achievement, process as much as product.

It is our desire to touch the lives of children so theymay live life wisely and with great joy.

“It has been said that,perhaps, education has no

greater gift to mankind than

that of putting into his

childhood a wedge of

rational wonder.”– the Roots of Excellence


Admissions

Demographics

Number of Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

(60% Boys; 40% Girls)

New Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Number of Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

New Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Diversity – Students of Color . . . . . . . . . . . . .36%

Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Secondary Schools Attended by the Class of 2012

East Orange STEM Academy

Hanover Park Regional High School

Kent Place School (5)

Millburn High School (2)

Montclair High School (2)

Montclair Kimberley Academy

Morristown-Beard School

Mount Saint Mary Academy (2)

Newark Academy (2)

Oratory Preparatory School

The Pingry School (2)


Revenue

Tuition & Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,190,801Annual Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506,750Endowment andInvestment Income. . . . . . . . . . . . 291,836Auxiliary Services** . . . . . . . . . . . . 214,391_______________________________________

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,203,778

Financial Report

We are pleased to report that Far Brook School’s financial position remains strong.Below is a financial summary for the year 2011-2012.

Philanthropic SupportAnnual Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $506,750Other Pledged and Contributed Income:Head of School Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $213,900

• Current-Use Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $202,800*• Technology (laptops) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,750• Music and Instrument Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,350

Campaign Payments and Endowment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 24,283Other Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,647Capital Commitments* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 42,011

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $796,591

Operating Statement-Excluding Depreciation Expense*

Expenses

Educational Program Expense** . . . $6,022,738Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568,850Plant Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288,218Administrative Expense andContingency Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . 323,972________________________________________

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,203,778

Revenue 2011-2012 Expenses 2011-2012

*depreciation expense for 2011-2012 was $285,601**includes After-School Program,Summer camp rental, and merchandise sales

*(Including commitments over time)

Tuition & Fees86%

Annual Fund 7%

Endowment and Investment Income 4%

Auxiliary Services 3%

Educational Program Expense84%

Financial Aid 8%

Plant Maintenance 4%

Administrative Expense and Contingency Reserve 4%

Tuition & Fees86%

Annual Fund 7%

Endowment and Investment Income 4%


Educational Program Expense84%

Financial Aid 8%



The Annual Fund

The 2011-2012 Annual Fund raised $506,750. This year, a group of Trustees and Former Trustees

challenged the Annual Fund to add 100 new donors andthey would donate an additional $75,000, above andbeyond their already generous giving. The Challenge was a success and the Annual Fund crossed the half-milliondollar mark for the first time in Far Brook’s history,reaching $506,750.

Annual Fund gifts impact Far Brook on a daily basiswhere the needs and opportunities are the greatest. This year’s Annual Fund provided 7% of Far Brook’soperating budget. The funds preserve the student/teacherratio of 6 to 1, support the School’s dedicated andtalented Faculty, and sustain the richness of the curriculumand learning through the arts.

• 86% of Current Parents participated contributing close to $265,000

• 91% of families new to Far Brook participated• 69% of Faculty and Administration participated• Alumni contributed close to $61,000*• Gifts ranged from $5 to $25,000• Business matching gifts totaled nearly $53,000• Gifts of $10,000 to $25,000 came fromTrustees, Current Parents, Alumni, Past Parents, and Grandparents

*includes Current Parents

The Annual Fund


1980 1990 2000 2012

$4,690,150$600,000

$500,000

$400,000

$300,000

$200,000

$100,000$15,600

$115,451

$329,543

$506,750

1980 1990 2000 2012

Tuition & Fees86%

Annual Fund 7%

$5,000,000$4,500,000$4,000,000$3,500,000$3,000,000$2,500,000$2,000,000$1,500,000$1,000,000$ 500,000$ 0 $12,726 $202,722

$1,806,699

Endowment & Investment Income 4%


Tuition & Fees86%

Financial Aid 8%



1980 1990 2000 2012

$4,690,150$600,000

$500,000

$400,000

$300,000

$200,000

$100,000$15,600

$115,451

$329,543

$506,750

1980 1990 2000 2012

Tuition & Fees86%

Annual Fund 7%

$5,000,000$4,500,000$4,000,000$3,500,000$3,000,000$2,500,000$2,000,000$1,500,000$1,000,000$ 500,000$ 0 $12,726 $202,722

$1,806,699

Endowment & Investment Income 4%


Tuition & Fees86%

Financial Aid 8%




AdvancementThe 2011-2012 year has been alive with fundraising and events that strengthen the

Far Brook experience for the students and the entire school community.

Head of School Initiatives were focused primarily on meeting current-use Financial Aidand Technology needs, with $213,900 committed, including a six-figure Financial Aidcommitment over time. The Hemera Foundation and the Marjorie Bunnell Charitable Trustalong with the generous support of current parents and alumni are making these additionalgifts possible.

The Master Plan was presented in several meetings with all constituencies last fall andwinter, outlining Phase I for a Science and Environmental Center, Arts Building, and Multi-Purpose Athletic Facility. A Feasibility Study was conducted to assess interest in support ofthese projects and in increasing the endowment. Committees continue to move forwardquickly in fundraising planning and working with the architects.

An Afternoon of Chamber Music and Chocolates continues to be a hit with the schoolcommunity. In addition to highlighting the superb and generous talents of our own MusicFaculty, the concert on February 12 raised $5,350 for the Music and Instrument Fund forthe purchase of instruments, special musical projects, scholarships for lessons, and theeventual purchase of a grand piano. As a result of these efforts, the Fund totals $29,135.

The Alumni Gathering in New York City, on April 13, was held at the home of Dan Pincus’92, and drew 35 alumni and friends together to see each other and to meet Amy Ziebarthand several Trustees.

David Finckel ’67, alumnus, world-renowned cellist, and Co-Director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, presented a special Morning Meeting on May 1. In addition to playing for the students, David shared the impact his Far Brook experience has had on his life.

Leff Endowment Project Day on May 22 made possible two performances and a lecturedemonstration by the amazing Cashore Marionettes. The husband and wife team revealedthat this was “the best audience we have ever had.”

Endowment

Far Brook’s Endowment as of 6/30/12 – $4,690,150 General Endowment Funds

Designated Endowment Funds:

Arts Endowment Funds Kramer Art Fund Fredda S. Leff Special Projects Endowment Polly S. Niebling Drama Fund Building Endowment Funds Milton H. Stern Endowment Fund The Ruth and Max Segal Family Library Endowment Fund Faculty Endowment Funds The Elliott Averett Family Fund for Teacher Benefits Faculty Endowment Fund Endowment for Teacher Benefits Moore Faculty Benefit Fund Scholarship Endowment Funds Mary Adams Scholarship for Mathematics and Science Edwin A. Finckel Scholarship for the Arts The George Bartol Scholarship The Hite ScholarshipThe James E. and Elizabeth Hughes Scholarship Endowment Fund

Barbara Jordan Endowment Scholarship The Koven Family Scholarship Marks Student Scholarships The Opportunity Scholarship Fund for Excellence Carol Silver Endowment for Student Scholarships

Expendable Scholarship Funds (Current Use)The Founding Parents’ Scholarship, Anonymous Gift, Class of ’54Additional expendable funds made possible through foundation, alumni, charitable trust, and parent gifts.


EndowmentFar Brook’s Endowment Fund as of June 30, 2012, totaled $4,690,150, representing an

endowment per student of $20,753. The Endowment is made possible through theongoing generosity and vision of the Far Brook community, including a grant from E. J.Grassmann Trust. The Investment Committee of the Board meets quarterly with ourinvestment managers from J.P. Morgan to review progress. A percentage of the income fromthese funds supports the operating budget each year, now at $175,000. A portion of theincome generated by the endowment supports financial aid, faculty benefits and professionaldevelopment opportunities, curricular improvements, and building maintenance.

A donor can add to these funds at any time. Tribute gifts made in honor or memory of a loved one are directed to the Endowment unless otherwise noted. Bequests are anadditional way to make a substantive gift to Far Brook in perpetuity. Restricted gifts forcurrent use – such as those for the Head of School Initiative for Financial Aid or Technology –can also be made. Contact the Development Office for further information.


Administration

Amy ZiebarthHead of SchoolJim BenzDirector of Upper SchoolsPaula LevinDirector of Lower SchoolDonna ChahalisCFO and Business ManagerDorothy O'NeillDirector of Finance

Mikki MurphyDirector of Admissions andPlacementSuzanne GlattDirector of DevelopmentCaroline L. SargentDirector of AdvancementJennifer BarbaDirector of Communications and Volunteers

Marcela FigueroaExecutive Assistant / Placement Coordinator

Kathy IkeAdmissions AssistantYolanda RiveraOffice CoordinatorRachel FilzerSchool NursePeggy FawcettDevelopment AssociateJanice O’SheaCommunications CoordinatorMelissa StampoulosKitchen CoordinatorArthur GannonPlant Supervisor

2011 – 2012 Administration and FacultyFaculty

Rosemarie AlagiaUpper Schools French TeacherJoan AngeloFirst Grade TeacherF. Allen ArtzDirector of MusicEmma BanayUpper Schools ScienceTeacherGreg BartiromoPhysical Education Teacher /Athletics Coach/ After- SchoolProgram DirectorMona BoeweConnections Teacher/SecondGrade AssociateTeacher/After-School ProgramCoordinatorRebecca CampbellFourth Grade TeacherHeather Chaffin ’92Technology CoordinatorSally Adams Chernoff ’57Junior High Math / ScienceTeacherLiz ColleranMath Teacher Grades 5-8Erin ComolloFirst Grade TeacherDonna DeLorenzo-DeltzKindergarten TeacherWilliam DeltzNursery TeacherNicole Fabian Engelke ’88 Fourth GradeTeacher/Learning SpecialistGrades 4-8Ellen FlammResource Room Teacher/Learning Specialist Grades N-3Kathleen FreemanNursery TeacherJames GlossmanDirector of DramaCatharina GreenbergLower School French TeacherKate HewittLibrarian

Kelly HynesFifth Grade Associate TeacherEmilia IthenKindergarten TeacherKeri LesnikThird Grade Associate TeacherEllen MaddreyFifth Grade TeacherMegan McCallThird Grade TeacherValerie McEnteeSixth Grade Teacher / MiddleSchool Senior TeacherNancy McIntyreArt TeacherChristopher MurphyWoodshop TeacherNancy MunizDirector of Athletics / PhysicalEducation Teacher/ AthleticsCoachEmily OtnerPart Time Resource TeacherJoan RabinowitzSecond Grade TeacherDebby RichardsonKindergarten Auxiliary Teacher Nancy RingFirst Grade Associate TeacherEdward SoleckiJunior High English/HistoryTeacher / Junior High SeniorTeacher Marnie StetsonFourth Grade Teacher/JuniorHigh English TeacherNina SzeMath Teacher Grades 5-8JoAnn TutinoLower School Science Teacher/Nursery Associate Teacher Erasmia VoukelatosLower School Music Teacher Jamie WangSecond Grade TeacherJhanae WingfieldKindergarten Associate TeacherDeborah WraightThird Grade Teacher


Mary Sue Fisher, Chair . . . . . . . . . . . .2012Jeff Kronthal, Vice Chair . . . . . . . . . . .2012Tony Stovall, Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . .2012Carmine Fanelle, Secretary . . . . . . . . .2013Amy Ziebarth, Head of SchoolCarol Chartouni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013Alice Davison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012James Dworkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014Janine Kane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013Anne-Marie Kim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014

Thomas Kligerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012Kate Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012Megan McCall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014Barbara Pagos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014Elyse Post ’78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014Christine Susko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2014Michelle Swittenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013Bradford Wiley, II ’54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013Tommaso Zanobini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2013

2011 – 2012 Board of Trustees

ChairsKathy Hatfield ’81Michele IversonDave MelilloElyse Post ’78

SolicitorsJoe Baker ’62 Jason BernsteinLourdes Blanco

Kimberly BloomChristopher BurnsCarol Chartouni Brian CroshawLisa DworkinMary Sue FisherJacqueline Fleysher ’89 Greg HoffmanRobert KellyAnne-Marie Kim

Ed LeitheadRich LincerBernadette MiragliottaBrian SaluzzoMichelle SwittenbergDhiren ToolsidasBari Waxman

Annual Fund

Chair – Darlene D’AngeloAssistant Chair – Miki BeattyBook Fair – Danielle Davis, Lamont Swittenberg, Bari WaxmanCarpool – Elyse Post ’78 Fall Family Day – Emily Bulbulia, Erika FanelleFar Brook Bulletin – Nino BadridzeGold Key Books – Joan Burr, Andrea ReiterHalloween – Kristen Carlberg, Jeanne Goetz Hospitality – Lourdes Blanco, Gigi Loh, Bernadette Miragliotta Junior High Socials – Jeanne Goetz, Patricia Price Library Volunteers – Joan Burr, Dorsey Grant School Photos – Georgina Comrie, Jacqueline Fleysher ’89 School Sales – Kerry Glass, Melissa Goldberg, Kathy Stine Special Mailings – Rebecca Bernstein, Amy SchifferSports Day – Darlene D’Angelo, Penny SokolowskiTeacher Appreciation – Sandra Franks, Grace Miller, Stacey StrolloThanksgiving Processional – Kristin Kligerman, Kate Lee, Frank Mentesana, Karen Reilly

Parents Committee Council

2011 – 2012 Volunteer Leadership

Address Service Requested

Alumni families, please sendaddress corrections [email protected]

NONPROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTaGe

PaID

UNION, NJ

PeRmIT NO. 473

Far Brook School

52 Great Hills RoadShort Hills, NJ 07078

farbrook.org

973-379-3442

Far Brook SchoolAnnual Report 2011 – 2012

The Farbrook School 2012 Annual Report

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