MIDDLEBRIDGE SCHOOL

ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014
MIDDLEBRIDGE SCHOOL
A Place to Belong and Become.
A MI DDL E B R I DG E W E LCO ME
Dear Friends of Middlebridge School,
One of the countless privileges and pleasures of leading a dynamic school in
of Middlebridge School. We already have one of the most individualized programs
its early years is that we frequently have the opportunity to report and celebrate
in the country, one that emphasizes students’ strengths and celebrates their
new milestones.
differences. But we can always do more, as parents and as educators, to develop
This is one of those moments. In June, we hosted the largest graduating class
our students’ passions and talents.
in Middlebridge School history. Twenty-one students – 19 undergraduates
We want to be confident that we are providing the richest and fullest experience
and two post-graduate students – proudly walked at the 2014 Commencement
for all students. Which is why we, and the Board of Trustees, have spent much of
Ceremony, which was well attended by joyful family members and friends. It
the past year developing a Campus Master Plan that clearly emphasizes program
was truly a beautiful and meaningful day.
enrichment. In the months ahead, we look forward to sharing the details of our
But what makes this historic occasion a significant milestone is this: at our
planning with you.
inception in 2008, our total enrollment was 21 students. We’ve come a long
Middlebridge School’s success is due to your consistent generosity and dedica-
way in a short period of time.
tion. We thank you, as always, for all you do, and we look forward to working
Enrollment for the 2014-2015 year will grow to 65 students, 10 of whom will
be participating in our newly expanded post-graduate program. This unique
independent living experience is just one element of an exciting program
enrichment plan we will be implementing in the months and years to come.
with you to create the most comprehensive and compelling experience for all
past, present, and future Middlebridge students and families.
Respectfully,
Demand for a Middlebridge School education has increased every year we’ve
John J. Kaufman
Mark Pelson
been in existence, and many of you have asked about our hopes and plans for
Head of School Board Chairman
growth and development of the Middlebridge campus.
As the “start-up” activities and daily demands of our early years have begun to
ease and become more routine, we can now shift our focus to securing the future
SOCCER F IELD F UNDRAISER
MA KING THE DREA M A REA LIT Y
On the eve of our Commencement Ceremony, and on
behalf of the Class of 2014, John issued a challenge to the
entire Middlebridge community: our students needed
a soccer field, and we needed the help of our families to
make the dream a reality.
Every year, our Seniors and Postgraduates vote on a class
gift-a gift that will serve as a lasting legacy for decades of
Middlebridge students to come. This past spring, students
voted to install soccer goals on the athletic field. After the
success of the MBS Owls basketball team, it was important
to all of our students that the inaugural Owls soccer team
would have a place to practice, even if the entire playing
season would be hosted at rival schools.
Jay & Susan Burnett
Heidi Bruening
David & Debbie Donovan
Adam & Rachel Gutow-Ellis
Patricia James
Steven & Maria James
John & Laurie Kaufman
Dan & Shannon Leventhal
Marco Investments
(Peter & Susan Scotti)
William & Nancy Reid
Bruce Saffran
John Travers
Dianne Tudzin
Stephen & Stacy Turner
Michael & Holly Cliggott
Americo & Judith Colaluca
Alice Deighan
Sam & Heather Folgert
Adam & Susan Geiger
Raymond & Susan Gentile
Michael & Laurie Grills
At the Senior and Postgraduate Luncheon, students and
their parents upped the ante by raising a little over $11,000
to support excavation, releveling and turf for a regulation
soccer field on the grounds of our very own Hazard Castle.
A MI DDL E B R I DG E T R ADI T I O N
We are so pleased to share that together, as students, parents
and staff, we raised $48,100 to create a soccer field for the
MBS Owls Soccer team. This year, our students will play on
their own field, and will share their community with the
schools that we host at games. Please join us in recognizing
Since our first Commencement Ceremony in
those listed below for their contributions to Alumni Field.
their daughter, Tara (Class of ’11), the tradition
2009, one of the traditions that have become an
integral part of our school culture is the awarding
of Hawaiian Graduation Leis. Thanks to one of
our founding families, Ed and Janet Chen, and
adds a splash of color and deeper symbolism to
our graduation.
Brian & Tanya Hubert
Mack & Margery Lindsey
Donald & Tamra Parsons
Alison Patton
Mark & Katherine Pelson
David & Laura Ramsden
Ellen Roskin
Michael Roskin
Andrzej & Isabella Rozycki
Roger & Elizabeth Sippl
Mark & Patricia Tavill
Charles & Michelle White
Albert Jr. & Kathleen Bruce
Bruce & Eva Decker
Susan Elliott
Gordon & Pamela Gummelt
Alex & Cornelia Hodosh
Donald & Donna Kelleher
Joseph & Sheila Kuzmic
Gardner & Julie Lee
Abelardo & Angelica
Merino-Jimenez
Ralph & Barbara Papitto
Charles Shafter
Dominick & Kristina Toresco
Kenneth & Debra Weitzman
Sean Williams
Leis are traditional Hawaiian flower necklaces
given as a sign of welcoming and to show affection. Leis traditionally express love, reverence,
respect, congratulations, and welcome. Orchid leis,
like those we award at graduation, are given as a
gesture of gratitude. At Middlebridge, we fondly
present our commencement leis to our students
to recognize their departure, and to thank them
for their time at MBS, and to our staff and board
members to recognize their enduring service to
the mission of the school.
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M ID D LE BRI D GE F I N A N C I A L OV ER V I EW
“Education is not preparation for life;
education is life itself.”
—John Dewey
87 %
63%
2%
2%
3%
3%
1%
6%
6%
6%
Because of the vision and commitment of the board of trustees, and the hard
our students is, we see what the potential of Middlebridge School is, and we look
work of the teachers and staff, Middlebridge School has become one of the most
forward to investing in the best possible educational experience for our students.
highly-regarded schools for students with learning differences in the country
in a relatively short period of time.
MIDDLEBRIDGE SCHOOL INCOME
MI DDL E B R I DG E S CHO O L E XP E NS E S
nity, the board is pleased to report that Middlebridge School enters its seventh
Tuition, fees and other
3,520,339.
Annual Fund
258,701.
Capital Campaign
233,015.
Temporarily Restricted
50,600.
TOTAL4,062,655.
Salaries and Taxes
2,033,586.
Program Enhancements
351,912.
Interest and Debt service
313,440.
Benefits191,966.
Buildings and Grounds
102,554.
Insurance70,971.
Utilities97,037.
Office and other
69,411.
TOTAL3,230,877.
year in a position of strong financial health. The board of trustees, and the finance
hiring the most capable faculty, investing in adaptive technology, and finding
committee in particular, has provided thoughtful guidance and prudent fiscal
a physical home—the board is now able to move our attention to leveraging our
management that has contributed to the financial stability of Middlebridge.
Middlebridge has achieved success because of the generosity and dedication of
As the board looks ahead, we will be focused on securing the future of the school
our board members, our families, and our supporters. As we have in the past, we
and dedicated to program enrichment. Just as we see what the potential of each of
are confident we will be able to continue to count on our school community to
6
10 %
In addition to our outstanding academic program and wonderful school commu-
After spending the first several years concentrating on building the school—
success and planning the next phase of Middlebridge’ s development.
11 %
contribute to the Annual Fund and capital projects in the future.
CAPITAL CAM PA I GN CON T R I B U T I ON S S I N C E IN C E PT ION
ANNUAL F UND 201 3 -2014
As a nonprofit organization, tuition revenue alone is not sufficient to maintain the programmatic
excellence we all value so highly. Beyond our capital needs, consistent and strong annual giving
provides enrichment to all of our students and helps attract support from philanthropic institutions
and grant giving organizations. Our school’s future success is contingent upon maintaining our
current donor base while also investing in the cultivation of new relationships.
Hazard Tower Society ($200K plus)
NEED A NAME! ($25K plus)
Anne & Paul Marcus Family
$20,000 plus
Elizabeth Doerr
The Dorr Foundation
Foundation
Mark & Katherine Pelson
Joseph, Terry & Daniella Rothchild
The Rhode Island Foundation
Andrew Wallerstein & Mary Sloane
James & Margaret Wade
Peter & Susan Scotti
Tylor & Kimberly Armstrong
(Fidelity)
Mark & Katherine Pelson
Andrew Wallerstein & Mary Sloane
Trevor & Leslie Eddy
$15,000 plus
$1000 plus
Beech Tree Society ($100K plus)
Edward & Janet Chen
Terrace Club ($10K plus)
Albert & Kathleen Bruce
David Ives & Pamela Burch
Armstrong Family
Mike & Lisa Casey
Victor & Barbara Pelson
Cornelia & Alex Hodosh
Michael & Laurie Grills
Kelly A. Smith
Teach A Man To Fish Foundation
The Nulman Foundation
$1000 plus
$10,000 plus
Joseph & Sheila Kuzmic
Interstate Electronics Company
Carol Nulman & The Nulman
Patricia James
Dogwood Society ($50K plus)
Foundation
Sally Kingsbury & David Oppenheimer
Richard & Terry Albright
Bruce Saffran
Pfizer Foundation (Albert, Jr. &
Pamela & Michael Donnelly
Heidi & John Marotta
Kathleen Bruce Matching Gift)
Susan Elliott
Pam Ries Metzger
John & Frances Thorne
Anne & Michael Ellis
Doyle & Nancy Perry
Elliott & Nora Fine
Betty Perry
van Beuren Charitable Trust
Champlin Foundation
David & Deborah Donovan
Archway Society ($5K plus)
Adam & Susan Geiger
Peter & Barbara Benedek
Steven James & Maria Silva
Steven & Joan Graff
Up to $1000
Rosaline Granoff
Kathy Perry & Diana Phipps
The Rhode Island Foundation,
B. Michael & Cherie James
Peter Baum & Naomi Arenberg
Greg & Debbie Jenkins
Chris & Mandi Sadler
Anonymous Fund
Ed & Ann Kania
Jay & Phyllis Buckley
Paula Karp
Josh Sadler
Roger & Elizabeth Sippl
Mack & Margery Lindsey
Richard & Elizabeth Carson
Robert Kline & Joy Foster
Abby Wolfson
Mark & Patricia Tavill
Susan & Dan Custer
Charles & Michelle White
G.G. & Kathy Davis
Alice Deighan
8
The Papitto Foundation
(Ralph & Barbara Papitto)
Lorraine Parmer
Pfizer Foundation Matching Gift
(Albert & Kathleen Bruce)
Sokal Media Group
Charles & Michelle White
Sean Williams
Anna Cooke Woodward
Eleanor & Joe Zuber
Steven & Maria James
Southwestern Scrap Materials Co.
(Adam & Rachel Gutow-Ellis)
Dominick & Kristina Toresco
$5,000 plus
Elizabeth Doerr
Michael & Laurie Grills
Jacqueline Kaufman
Alison Patton
Bruce Saffran
$2,500 plus
Albert Jr. & Kathleen Bruce
Edward & Janet Chen
Mack & Margery Lindsey
John Amorosa
Michael & Lisa Casey
Belton A. & Mary Copp
Jay & Susan Burnett
Michael & Holly Cliggott
Carmine & Patricia DeMaio
Trevor & Leslie Eddy
Fox Rothschild LLP
Raymond & Susan Gentile
Alex & Cornelia Hodosh
David Ives & Pamela Burch
Donald & Donna Kelleher
Kozyra & Hartz, LLC
Joseph & Sheila Kuzmic
Terilynn Langsev
Gardner & Julie Lee
William & Nicole Lehourites
Steven & Gail Levitt
Roger Lewis
Amanda Mallory
Stuart & Sara Meyers
The Mironov Group
Mark & Arlene Montenero
The Murray Family Charitable
Foundation
Paul & Valerie Presburger
Michael Rendine
Rose T.Y. Chen Charitable Trust
Andrzej & Isabella Rozycki
Schiller & Pittenger, P.C.
Helen C.S. Sloane
Mark & Patricia Tavill
John & Frances Thorne
Up to $1000
Edward & Lynne Ahearn
Anna Mary Bagley
F. Troy & Gail Barnhart
Ben Baum ‘14
Jamie Bruce
Heidi Bruening
Richard F. Carolan
John & Barbara Clancy
Aaron & Gina Colaluca
Audrey & Diane Comeau
Robert & Patricia Connerney
Joseph & Ellen Costain
G.G. & Kathleen Davis
Bruce & Eva Decker
David & Deborah Donovan
Wayne Douglas
Drazen Law Group, LLC
Steven Dunn & Annmarie Borracci
Durkin Cottage Realty
Susan Elliott
Michael & Annie Ellis
Sam & Heather Folgert
Allen Folks & Lorilyn Parmer
William & Helena Foulkes
Gary Frishman & Meredith Curren
Russ Godin
Mark Goldberg
Rosaline Granoff
Brian & Tanya Hubert
Jake Kaufman & Wendy Ciovacco
Neil & Maureen Kelly
Malcom P. Kent
Robert Kline
Spencer Ives ‘08
Anthony & Jeanne Krukowski
John & Lisa LaCarte
Camilla W. Lee
Jeffrey & Carol Leventhal
Richard & Roanne Licht
John & Heidi Marotta
Mark & Sandra McAndrew
Richard & Mary McCarthy
Abelardo Merino-Telis & Angelica Jimenez-Hernandez
Pamela Metzger
Northgate Dental Center
(William & Maria Malave)
Donald & Tamra Parsons
Nancy Price
Philip & Barbara Ritchie
Barbara Puscas
David & Laura Ramsden
Lucy Hodgson Robinson
Michael Roskin
James Roth
Shauna Rowe
Sesler Family Foundation
Phyllis Sichel
Richard F. Smith, Jr.
James & Kathleen Soares
Robert Stolzman
G. Rebecca Tayler
Michael Thompson
Vincent Travagliato
Ellis L. Tudzin
Stephen & Stacy Turner
Richard Vanasse
Concetta Volpe
Kenneth & Debra Weitzman
Diane Whitehead
Charles Yunginger III
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INTERNSHIP PARTNERS
I N-K I ND DO NAT I O NS
The following businesses and organizations contributed their time and effort to
create volunteer opportunities for Middlebridge students. These experiences help
our students gain practical knowledge in the workplace, build student confidence
and increase their participation in the community. We are so appreciative of our
fantastic Internship Partners. The following businesses, organizations and families generously donated goods,
services and time to Middlebridge School, which in turn, allowed us to apply
additional funds directly to support the programs and services we provide for the
well-being of those whom we serve in our community.
A Place To Grow
Advanced Auto Body
Chaplin Welding
Clarks Farm
Courthouse Center for the Arts
Critter Hut
Durkin Realty
East Coast Krav Maga
Growing Children of Rhode Island
Habitat for Humanity
Horse Play Animal Rescue
Jonnycake Center
Joyful Learning
Larham Landscaping
Lovesome Images Photography
Matunuck Oyster Farm
Narragansett Elementary School
Narragansett Bikes
Narragansett Parks and Recreation
Department
South Kingstown Public Library
Pets Gone Natural
Ruff Life Animal Center
Gina & Aaron Colaluca, Sr.
Wayne Douglas
Rachel & Adam Gutow-Ellis
Imai Keller Moore Architects
Maria & Steven James
Julie & Gardner Lee
Margery & Mack Lindsey
Valerie & Paul Presburger
A N A LUM N US PE RS PEC T IV E : S PE N C E R IVES, CL ASS OF ‘1 0
EXCERPTS FROM SPENCER’S COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
“The world is not like your classes—or mine—it is not a matter of passing or failing,
working towards completion. It is about taking things one day at a time. And you
do not, by any measure, need to have everything figured or planned out.
“To hope, to dream, to imagine, is one thing, one very valuable thing. But life is
vaster than you can possibly imagine. So please, by all means do not crush
yourselves, or the dreams of who you hope to be, by not knowing the route
between Point A and point B.
If there has been one thing that I’ve learned in the recent years of my education,
as well as my personal life, there is so much that can be gained by being open to
new possibilities-new opportunities. It is only when you are not absolutely set
and devoted to one path or idea that you have the freedom to explore what could
end up being the best avenues in life.
The absolute truth of the matter is that the world outside of high school is vast,
and neither you—nor anyone—can tell exactly what you’ll need. But I can tell you,
that in your time here, you have gotten a strong background to help you.
I am not here, in my opinion, to encourage you all to aspire and achieve greatness.
Partly because, in my opinion, you do not need to be told that. Each and every one
of you, I know, is capable of achieving great, great things. You have gained and
rightfully earned the ability to tackle whatever lies ahead of you.
As you celebrate, the only words I have for you are to be open to all the possibilities
you may find, and find what makes you happy.”
Smithbridge Stables
South County Chamber
of Commerce
South Kingstown Animal Rescue
Sweet Cakes Bakery
The Purple Door
The Right Click
The Village Inn
The Welcome House
Tuckertown Fire Department
Union Fire District
URI Costume Design Center
URI Go Rhody Computers
URI Marine Life Science
Research Center
URI Theater Department
URI Women’s Basketball
Wakefield Alternative
Food Cooperative
YMCA
Patty & Mark Tavill
Textron
Elizabeth & Roger Sippl
Kristina & Dominic Toresco
Amy & John Tyree
The Wheeler School
Michelle & Chad White
Sean Williams
MIDDLEBRIDGE SCHOOL
As we enter the third year in what is now
that would be as memorable and
our home, the historic Hazard Castle, we
welcoming as our students themselves.
recognized that it was time to embrace a
We are so pleased to share our new
new, and lasting, logo design. We wanted
logo as part of this year’s Annual Report,
to choose a logo that would represent
and we hope it will serve as a symbol
the spirit of our community as well as the
of our community for decades to come.
essence of the castle; we wanted a logo
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The mission of Middlebridge School is to provide
instruction, opportunities, and support for students
with learning differences.
Our community is designed to develop students’
academic abilities, intellectual curiosity, and physical
and social-emotional development.
We strive to create life-long learners with increased
independence and maturity that thrive in the
post-graduate setting of their choice.
333 Ocean Road | Narragansett, Rhode Island | 02882
middlebridgeschool.org
Middlebridge School
Staff
Board of Trustees
Linda Atamian
Rachel Axelson
Justin Bayles
Brianna Bienkiewicz
Dylan Bissonnette
Jeanne Bolden
Colin Brady
Heidi Bruening
Steve Cannici
Kelley Clancy
Brian Crea
George Cuddy
James Dempsey
Mike Deutschman
Katie Farrish
Patti Federico
Katrina Feyerherm
Ann Foley
Ben Folsom
Jen Fox
Elizabeth Furcolo
Reese Hersey
Rachael Higham
Linda Hogan
Brent Hopkins
Victoria Hopkins
John J. Kaufman
Laurie Kaufman
Carrie Kemmett
Kristen Killilea
Chris Kreger
Eric Leonard
Dan Leventhal
Shannon Leventhal
Gillian Levy
Kate Levy
Carey McGuire
Katie Obrycki
Naomi Pfohl
Marianne Radke
Martha Rhodes
Harriet Richins
Erica Sevey
Teylyr Terrio
Matt Thadeio
Katey Tillinghast
Andrew Vaillant
Otto Wallerstein
Rose White
Melissa Williams
Mark Pelson
Andrew Wallerstein
David Ives
Elizabeth Doerr
Adam Geiger
David Donovan
Steve James
Amanda Mallory
Chad White
ex-officio
John J. Kaufman
Photo Credit: Rachel Axelson Photography and Seth Jacobson Photography
MIDDLEBRIDGE SCHOOL
Middlebridge School