Click to view the 2013-14 Annual Report

Click to view the 2013-14 Annual Report

Strength in Unity
~ You Make A Difference!
Dear Sussex Supporters,
Thank you for supporting our incredibly special school. The pages of this report
reflect your time, talent, and generous financial resources.
Your steadfast giving allows us to create authentic and meaningful learning
experiences for all of our Sussex children. We strive for every classroom to be
an exciting learning environment where children can grow into their potential—
your support helps us reach this goal.
At Sussex, we offer whole-child education, helping our students grow into poised
learners who can recognize the many dimensions of their individual voices and
Robyn Gaddy, Director
talents. Our teachers deliver an education that inspires intellectual curiosity and
brilliance, all the while calling on students to act with empathy, kindness, and gratitude.
Of the many successes and celebrations noted in this report, I want to highlight the generosity of one family who
granted a new music room to our school. Here, in this inspiring learning space, students can creatively grow
in their performing arts abilities
while building their musical
rhythmic intelligence. Thank
you for this gift to the arts.
On behalf of all of the staff and
students, I want to express our
most heartfelt gratitude for your
belief in and commitment to our
school.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Robyn Reed Gaddy
Newly constructed music room
Students partnered with
over nine non-profits to
In 2014, we graduated our
provide service and to give
300th student from Sussex.
back to our community.
Our students
• won the individual
state championship for
Mathcounts
• placed first in the Missoula
County Spelling Bee
• won four art contests
• published 28 pieces of
written work
Last year, we awarded
$94,634 in financial aid
to 31 students.
The drama department put
on a dozen performances,
culminating with 65 students
participating in the musical
“Willy Wonka, Jr.”
Why We Give
Sussex School nurtured our daughters (Drewallyn ‘97,
and Kelsyn ‘00) to become active and engaged citizens,
with exemplary skills in math, writing, and public
speaking before they ever entered high school. Today,
as successful professionals, our family notes the fruits of
their Sussex education in a myriad of ways. Through
our monthly giving, we can “pay back” some of the
scholarship dollars we received. We know there are
many families who, like us, have to work two full-time
jobs to raise their family, and private school tuition can
feel frivolous. Twenty years later, we realize it was not.
-Barbara Riley and Colin Bevins
Barbara Riley; Kelsyn, ‘00; Drewallyn, ‘97; and Colin Bevins
I donate to Sussex because, when I think about the life
skills I use every day, they relate back to my time at
Sussex: creative and critical thinking, respect for the
outdoors, confidence to try something outside my
comfort zone, and the joy of friendship and community.
- Kelsyn Bevins
~ An excellent education is not possible
through tuition alone. Annual Fund
gifts help meet our needs year after year.
Ben Jimenez, ‘91
I attended Sussex from 4th-8th grades, graduating
in 1991. My younger sister, Maggie, also attended
Sussex from Kindergarten-8th grade, and our mom
(Nancy Seldin) was a music teacher at Sussex.
Because of this, Sussex has been a part our family’s
life ever since we first arrived in Missoula in 1985. I
feel very strongly that Sussex presents students and
parents with a unique set of opportunities and can
play an integral role in their development both as
students and as human beings. Perhaps one of the
most enduring lessons I learned from Sussex is that it
is not only about being aware of what we are given,
but also what we are able to give in return. For me,
contributing to Sussex represents an opportunity to
give back to something that has given me so much.
-Ben Jimenez
As we looked into schools for our daughter, it was
important to us that the faculty and students valued
individualism and creativity and that the school day
involved exploring nature, the arts, and community
issues. We found all that and more at Sussex. Estelle
has gained an ability to express herself and her needs,
while also understanding the needs of others. She has
expanded her knowledge about culture and friendship
in addition to gaining skills in core academics.
Contributing to the annual fund is one way we can
support a school that has been so supportive of our
child.
- Joe, Jillian, and Estelle Campana
Jillian, Estelle, and Joe Campana
Sussex’s promotion and encouragement of each
child’s self-esteem and unique abilities contributed to
the success of our granddaughter (Baylee ’11) and our
grandson, Blake, who is currently enrolled at Sussex.
Experiential learning in small classes led by caring and
qualified staff makes the difference. We contribute to
the annual fund because we believe it is vital that this
learning experience takes place in an environment of
socio-economic diversity.
-John and Sharene Menson
Sharene and John Menson
The Annual Fund
~ Gifts to the Annual Fund keep our
programs strong ­— from the Arts to
technology to financial aid.
The Sussex tradition of giving has been vital to the health of our school for over 40 years. While tuition provides
our school with a strong financial base, your support enables the school to offer financial aid to families in need
and provides funds for classroom supplies, field trips, facilities, and much more.
Individuals
Gretchen Aagaard
& Dave Shively
Jodi & Steve Allison-Bunnell
Anonymous
Anonymous
Scott Ayers
& Robin Etingen-Ayers
Derek & Julia Baggerly
Coco & Will Ballew
Hallie (Bornstein)
& Walter Banziger
Jennifer & John Bardsley
Jay Barlow
Melody Barnes
Tim Bechtold
& Karen Knudsen
Kelsyn Bevins
Steve & Patti Bierwag
David Bixby & Linda Bailey
William Boehner
& Susan Geary
Jordie Bornstein
Marcy & Phillip Bornstein
Michael & Daphne Braun
Angela Brooker
Dolly & David Browder
Carrie & Jonathan Brunger
Clara Brunner Johnson
Sara Bruya
Jennie & Blake Bucher
Cooper Burchenal
& Anne Fogel
Ralph & Martha Burchenal
Alice & Charlie Byrne
Edward Callaghan
& Valerie Hedquist
Joe & Jillian Campana
MaryEllen Campbell
& Dennis O’Donnell
Helen Cappadocia
Jill & Tim Carmody
Suzanne & William Chapman
Checota Family
Elizabeth Clemmer
Amber Rose D’Hooge
Mark & Melissa Dadmun
Michael Dege
Morgan & Christy Deskins
Chris & Mary Dombrowski
Adam & Amy Duerk
Judith Duerk
Judith Dundas
Chris Edgar
Linda & Paul Eichwald
Jen Ellis & Seth Wilson
Jeanne Ensign
Lee Esbenshade
Richard & Nancy Esbenshade
Nicole Finke
& Matthew Lubaroff
Elise & Stephen Foster
Robyn & Will Gaddy
Dori Gilels & Mike Beltz
Leslie & Steve Guerreri
Arza Hammond
Gloria Handel
Harrington Unitrust
Robert Hausmann
Chance Heath
Katie Heath
Schuyler Heath
Sloane Heath
Forrest Horton
Melanie & Rob Jeffs
Benjamin Jimenez
Marguerite Jimenez
Nathan Johnson
Tina Karlsson & Peter Benson
Patricia Kelly & Steve Peterson
Abe Kemmis
Brandon Kendall
Margaret Jones Keyes
Lisa Klempay
& Luc Descloitres
Diane Knudsen
Brett & Jodi Kulina
Kris & Tim Laroche
Helena Maclay & John Larson
Eddie & Molly Ledermann
Laura & Tim Lowry
Cale & Katie Marthens
Quinn McCoy
Daniel & Katie McMurray
John & Sharene Menson
Andy & Amanda Miller
Tim & Tracy Mitchell
Daniel & Rachel Morgan
Kathleen Morgan
Justin Morris
Kyle Morris
Kim Murchison
& Josh Slotnick
Karen Nelson & Diane Adami
Evelyn Newell
Newell & Kadas Family
Andrew & Jenny Parker
Ann & Michael Parker
Dawn & Tim Payne
Brettë Bornstein Pedrick
Elizabeth Pratt
David & Michelle Rechtman
Marvie & Roland Redmond
Barbara Riley & Colin Bevins
Martha Roberts
Helen & Jeff Rolston-Clemmer
Nancy Romalov
Catherine & Robert Ross
Harold & Sandra Samuels
Eric Sedlacek
Susan Selbach
& Chuck Thompson
Edward Seldin
& Linda Witham
Ellen & James Shannon
Joellen Shannon
& Bobby Grillo
Molly Shannon
Katy & Paul Simon
Maylinn Smith
Edward & Susan Standley
Amy Sennett Starner
& Stephen Starner
Kimley Cox Svendsen
Sandi Tarr
Anne Taylor
& John Richardson
Gray & Eloise Thompson
Sally Thompson
Ben Tuholske
& Claire Steinberg
Nina Van Rensselaer
Ron Wakimoto
Sam & Stephanie Wallace
Chloe Redmond Warner
Eli Weinberg &
Leigha Wilbur Weinberg
Rebecca Weston
& Eduardo Capulong
Dorothy & John Whiston
Elizabeth Whiston
Charlotte Williams
Martha Williams
Murray Wilmerding
Cris Winner
Don & Bente Winston
Uncle Larry’s Fund
Beth Youngblood
Emily Zell
The Annual Fund ­— Businesses
Teacher Appreciation Donors
Amazon Affiliates/Smile
Program
Axis Physical Therapy
Bechtold Law
The Benevity Community
Impact Fund
Blackfoot Telecommunications
Group
Children’s Dentistry of the
Rockies
Caffe Dolce
Dennehy Orthodontics
Draught Works Brewery
Fact & Fiction
First Interstate Bancsystem
Foundation
First Security Bank
Gaddy Construction
Garden City Plumbing and
Heating
Jodi & Steve Allison-Bunnell
Anonymous
Derek & Julia Baggerly
Tim Bechtold & Karen
Knudsen
Brian & Lavonne Blunt
Angela Brooker
Michelle Bryan
Chris Bryant & Julie
Kightlinger
Cooper Burchenal & Anne
Fogel
Joe & Jillian Campana
Eduardo Capulong & Rebecca
Weston
Jim & Ella Chapman
Amy & Adam Duerk
Ally & Danny Earnest
Brian Edmands
Nicole Finke & Matthew
Lubaroff
GCS Research
Good Food Store
Kenworthy Orthodontics
Lithia Toyota
Maureen Riley
Merrill Lynch KLO Group,
Daniel Kiely & Solon
Linton
Missoula Bone and Joint
Missoula Bicycle Works
Mike Warren, ZillaState
Northwestern Energy
Office Solutions & Services
Prudential Missoula Properties
Snowbowl
Target
Tea Collection
The Washington Companies
Wilcox Family Dentistry
Elise & Stephen Foster
Dori Gilels & Mike Beltz
Leslie & Stephen Guerrreri
Chris & Jen Jacaruso
Margaret Kingsland
& John Fletcher
Brett & Jodi Kulina
Diana & Rick Nash
Karen Nelson & Diane Adami
Patsy O’Keefe
Amy Ragsdale & Peter Stark
Nancy Seldin & Chic Fitts
Joellen Shannon & Bobby
Grillo
Katy & Paul Simon
Lulu & Mike Steinberg
Elizabeth Urschel
Sam & Stephanie Wallace
Martha Williams
Don & Bente Winston
Designated Gifts
Anonymous ~ Music room
Checota Family ~ Adventure Program & Back 40
John Adams & Laurie Yung ~ Bus bike rack
Derek & Julia Baggerly ~ Bus bike rack
Cooper Burchenal & Anne Fogel ~ Bus bike rack
Jen Ellis & Seth Wilson ~ Honor trees
Robin Etingen Ayers & Scott Ayers ~ Honor trees
Barbara & John Grillo ~ Writing Collaborative
Leslie & Steve Guerreri ~ Bus bike rack
Mary Langenderfer & Weber Greiser ~ Harrington Memorial Fund
Nicole Finke & Matthew Lubaroff ~ Honor trees
Carolyn Lutes ~ Lauranita Hill Memorial Fund
John & Sharene Menson ~ Honor trees
The Nathan P. Jacobs Foundation ~ Student gift
Dara Newman & Scott Samuels ~ Bus bike rack
Patsy O’Keefe ~ Writing Collaborative
Jane & Ronald Olson ~ Library Fund
Andrew & Jennifer Parker ~ Bus bike rack
Elizabeth Urschel ~ Honor trees
Tor & Linda Winston ~ Bente Winston Alumni Scholarship
Fund
Don & Bente Winston ~ Bente Winston Alumni Scholarship
Fund, K-5 Math Specialist Position, Honor trees
Francisca Winston & Karlton Gross ~ Bente Winston Alumni
Scholarship Fund
Drew & Sheena Winterer ~ Kindergarten books
Ecothon Donors ~ Thanks to all donors who supported our
students in their day of community service.
Donated Goods and Services
Bagels On Broadway ~ bagels and coffee
Castle Rock Ranch Camp ~ overnight camp
Marchie’s Nursery ~ plants
Mismo Gymnastics ~ facility usage and babysitting
Missoula Copy Shop ~ copies
Montana ACE Trempers ~ tools
Murdochs ~ tools
Pink Grizzly ~ plants
The Top Hat ~ food, drink, and venue for Spring Shake
Derek and Julia Baggerly ~ trees
Nick Baker ~ color printer
Leslie Berg ~ Mathcounts coaching
Elise and Stephen Foster ~ fax machine
Jen Jacaruso ~ Mathcounts coaching, knitting supplies
Lisa Klempay ~ Mathcounts coaching
Ron Liszak ~ drama props
Sharene and John Menson ~ gift basket and cabin rental
Holly & Mark Mohorcich ~ magazines
Andrew & Jenny Parker ~ drama costumes
Matthew Shannon ~ fishing trip
Prairie & Zandy Sievers ~ farm share
Doug Smith ~ wine
Sam Wallace ~ Mathcounts coaching
Bente Winston ~ Mathcounts coaching
Sussex School Memorial Funds
and Grant Awards
~ helping to secure
the future of our school
Over the years, Sussex School has been the recipient of generous bequests and other
major donations. The Board has invested these funds, and the income generated
from these investments is awarded in the form of grants to our staff and parents. The
funds were distributed in the following ways for the 2013/14 school year:
The Bente Winston Alumni Scholarship Fund
This fund was established by a generous gift from Frederick and Eleanor Winston, along
with additional funds from Don and Bente Winston. The intent of this fund is to offer
financial support for alumni families sending their children to Sussex.
These funds were awarded to four children of alumni in the 2013-14 school year.
Don and Bente Winston Endowment for Mathematics Education
In 2006, Don and Bente Winston established an Endowment Fund for Mathematics
Education at Sussex School. The fund supports middle school applied mathematics education
research and curriculum development, as well as projects for elementary school math.
The middle school purchased a wireless connection for the math instructor’s computer
and the students’ calculators.
A Third and Fourth Grade math enrichment program was purchased.
Elizabeth Winston Endowment Fund for Music Education
In 2000, Sussex School received a generous bequest from the will of Mrs. Elizabeth
Winston. This grant is used for educational projects in the field of music.
These funds were used to purchase musical instruments and supplies, including
microphones and West African Drums. Our music and drama programs also brought in
a musical artist for a song-writing and guitar workshop, as well as a local band to work
with middle school students in master classes, rehearsals, and a performance. Lastly, this
grant helped to hire an accompanist for the performance of “Willy Wonka, Jr.”
Elizabeth Winston Memorial Endowment Fund for Art Education
In 2000, Don and Bente Winston established an endowment fund in memory of Don’s
mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Winston. It is designated for educational projects in the field of
art due to Mrs. Winston’s great love of art and art education.
The art program funded the repair of the Sussex kiln, a print making project,
the purchase of an art room projector, an Eighth grade video project, and two
collaboration projects with the Zootown Arts Community Center and the Univesrity
Center Art Gallery. In addition, a creative clay project was funded for Kindergarten
through Second Graders.
The Hank and Nancy Harrington Memorial Endowment Fund
In 2008, alumni Sarah Harrington Schram and Emily Harrington asked that
memorials for their parents, Hank and Nancy Harrington, be given to Sussex School.
The school decided to make this fund a permanent memorial fund. After input from
Sarah and Emily, the Board decided to reserve proceeds from the fund for proposals
that enhance the learning environment or generally support the financial health of the
school, including the financial aid program.
The Third and Fourth Grade Classes expanded their service learning within their
Elders Project, introducing movement and dance with the help of local nonprofit
group, Turning the Wheel.
The Jeremiah K. Thompson Memorial Fund
This fund was established in memory of Jeremiah Thompson. The fund provides
financial assistance to help cover activity fees for families who take full advantage of
the outdoor program.
Lauranita Hill Memorial Fund for Language Arts Education
In 2001, Sussex School received a generous donation from former Sussex parent Carolyn
Lutes in memory of Lauranita Hill, one of the first teachers at Sussex School, for
educational projects in the area of language arts.
“Units of Study for Teaching Reading and Writing” was purchased for grades Six
through Eight.
The Sussex Endowment for Professional Development
In 2007, an endowment fund was established to support Sussex School teachers who
wish to develop professionally by attending conferences and workshops or engage in other
opportunities that apply to the subjects they teach.
Eight staff members attended a four day workshop on “High Trust Psychology.” The
fund also paid for our Spanish instructor to attend a Montana Association of Language
Teachers conference.
Theodora Melone Fund for Natural Science and Outdoor
Education
In 1995, Sussex School received a generous bequest from the will of Ms. Theodora
Melone to use for educational projects in the outdoors, natural sciences, and
educational travel.
A grow system for the Edible School Yard was purchased for vegetable starts. In
addition, this fund awarded wages to staff to begin the restoration of the western area
of campus (the Back 40).
To learn more about any of these funds and to donate, please contact
Joellen Shannon, Marketing and Development Director.
Vital Support
~ The impact of your gift
goes far beyond our campus.
While Sussex has grown and changed significantly since it was founded in
1971, one thing has remained constant: students have been experiencing
the same love of learning that my children enjoy today. Over those years,
Sussex has added teachers and buildings, has maintained old traditions
while adding new experiences, and has expanded its community of students,
parents, and alumni.
Amy Duerk, Board President
I am so grateful that you are part of our community! Through the financial
support of each person listed in this annual report, we are able to keep
focusing on the values and qualities that first inspired Bente Winston to
create Sussex School. The thoughtful, dedicated teachers at Sussex continue
to concentrate on collaboration, intrinsic motivation, and active learning,
helping Sussex students become not only avid learners, but also good people
who go on to do great things in communities throughout the world.
Your financial support is critical to the vitality and success of Sussex. Each
of you who contributed during the 2013-14 school year helped inspire and
nurture children at our school, who in turn impact the world around them.
Gifts like yours helped us to recruit exceptional teachers, offer innovative
learning opportunities, and provide financial assistance to those in need.
Thank you for your support,
Amy Duerk
Financials
Income
Annual
Fund
Donations
6%
Expenses
Chart Title Facilities
10%
Earmarked
Donations
17%
Tuition
74%
Restricted
Endowment
Income
3%
Assets
Administration
and Fundraising
18%
Instructional
Programming
72%
Liabilities and Net Assets
Cash $ 61,247.55
Endowments $ 763,332.51
Property and Equipment $2,715,193.43
Payables Enrollment Deposits Long Term Debt Net Assets $ 65,981.28
$ 80,986.00
$ 912,583.24
$ 2,480,222.97
Total Total $3,539,773.49
$3,539,773.49
For complete financials, please contact the Business Manager at Sussex.
Board of Directors 2013-14
Amy Duerk, President
Derek Baggerly, Vice President
Ella Chapman, Treasurer
Joe Campana, Secretary
Amy Ragsdale, Community Liaison
Ben Tuholske, Alumni Liaison
Bente Winston, Founder
Jodi Allison-Bunnell, Member at Large
Karen Knudsen, Member at Large
Paul Simon, Member at Large
Rebecca Weston, Member at Large
Bente Bechtold, Student Representative
Maddy Braun, Student Representative
Photo credits: Brandon Kendall, Jakob LeMaistre, Mark Mohorcich and Sussex School | Report layout by Jen Jacaruso
Small Classes. Big Education. Since 1971.
Our mission is to provide a challenging, progressive curriculum in a
nurturing environment, so that students can become confident, enthusiastic
learners and caring participants in their local and global communities.