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

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

Strength in Unity ~ You Make A Difference!

Robyn Gaddy, Director

Newly constructed music room

Students partnered with

over nine non-profits to

provide service and to give

back to our community.

The drama department put

on a dozen performances,

culminating with 65 students

participating in the musical

“Willy Wonka, Jr.”

In 2014, we graduated our

300th student from Sussex.

Last year, we awarded

$94,634 in financial aid

to 31 students.

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

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

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

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

~ An excellent education is not possible through tuition alone. Annual Fund

gifts help meet our needs year after year.

Ben Jimenez, ‘91

Barbara Riley; Kelsyn, ‘00; Drewallyn, ‘97; and Colin Bevins

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

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

Sharene and John Menson

Jillian, Estelle, and Joe Campana

IndividualsGretchen Aagaard

& Dave ShivelyJodi & Steve Allison-BunnellAnonymousAnonymousScott Ayers

& Robin Etingen-AyersDerek & Julia BaggerlyCoco & Will BallewHallie (Bornstein)

& Walter BanzigerJennifer & John BardsleyJay BarlowMelody BarnesTim Bechtold

& Karen KnudsenKelsyn BevinsSteve & Patti BierwagDavid Bixby & Linda BaileyWilliam Boehner

& Susan GearyJordie BornsteinMarcy & Phillip BornsteinMichael & Daphne BraunAngela BrookerDolly & David BrowderCarrie & Jonathan BrungerClara Brunner JohnsonSara BruyaJennie & Blake BucherCooper Burchenal

& Anne FogelRalph & Martha BurchenalAlice & Charlie ByrneEdward Callaghan

& Valerie HedquistJoe & Jillian CampanaMaryEllen Campbell

& Dennis O’Donnell

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.

Helen CappadociaJill & Tim CarmodySuzanne & William ChapmanChecota FamilyElizabeth ClemmerAmber Rose D’HoogeMark & Melissa DadmunMichael DegeMorgan & Christy DeskinsChris & Mary DombrowskiAdam & Amy DuerkJudith DuerkJudith DundasChris EdgarLinda & Paul EichwaldJen Ellis & Seth WilsonJeanne EnsignLee EsbenshadeRichard & Nancy EsbenshadeNicole Finke

& Matthew LubaroffElise & Stephen FosterRobyn & Will GaddyDori Gilels & Mike BeltzLeslie & Steve GuerreriArza HammondGloria HandelHarrington UnitrustRobert HausmannChance HeathKatie HeathSchuyler HeathSloane HeathForrest HortonMelanie & Rob JeffsBenjamin JimenezMarguerite JimenezNathan JohnsonTina Karlsson & Peter Benson

Patricia Kelly & Steve PetersonAbe KemmisBrandon KendallMargaret Jones KeyesLisa Klempay

& Luc DescloitresDiane KnudsenBrett & Jodi KulinaKris & Tim LarocheHelena Maclay & John LarsonEddie & Molly LedermannLaura & Tim LowryCale & Katie MarthensQuinn McCoyDaniel & Katie McMurrayJohn & Sharene MensonAndy & Amanda MillerTim & Tracy MitchellDaniel & Rachel MorganKathleen MorganJustin MorrisKyle MorrisKim Murchison

& Josh SlotnickKaren Nelson & Diane AdamiEvelyn NewellNewell & Kadas FamilyAndrew & Jenny ParkerAnn & Michael ParkerDawn & Tim PayneBrettë Bornstein PedrickElizabeth PrattDavid & Michelle RechtmanMarvie & Roland RedmondBarbara Riley & Colin BevinsMartha RobertsHelen & Jeff Rolston-ClemmerNancy RomalovCatherine & Robert Ross

Harold & Sandra SamuelsEric SedlacekSusan Selbach

& Chuck ThompsonEdward Seldin

& Linda WithamEllen & James ShannonJoellen Shannon

& Bobby GrilloMolly ShannonKaty & Paul SimonMaylinn SmithEdward & Susan StandleyAmy Sennett Starner

& Stephen StarnerKimley Cox SvendsenSandi TarrAnne Taylor

& John RichardsonGray & Eloise ThompsonSally ThompsonBen Tuholske

& Claire SteinbergNina Van RensselaerRon WakimotoSam & Stephanie WallaceChloe Redmond WarnerEli Weinberg &

Leigha Wilbur WeinbergRebecca Weston

& Eduardo CapulongDorothy & John WhistonElizabeth WhistonCharlotte WilliamsMartha WilliamsMurray WilmerdingCris WinnerDon & Bente WinstonUncle Larry’s FundBeth YoungbloodEmily Zell

Designated GiftsAnonymous ~ Music roomChecota Family ~ Adventure Program & Back 40John Adams & Laurie Yung ~ Bus bike rackDerek & Julia Baggerly ~ Bus bike rackCooper Burchenal & Anne Fogel ~ Bus bike rackJen Ellis & Seth Wilson ~ Honor treesRobin Etingen Ayers & Scott Ayers ~ Honor trees Barbara & John Grillo ~ Writing CollaborativeLeslie & Steve Guerreri ~ Bus bike rackMary Langenderfer & Weber Greiser ~ Harrington Memorial FundNicole Finke & Matthew Lubaroff ~ Honor treesCarolyn Lutes ~ Lauranita Hill Memorial FundJohn & Sharene Menson ~ Honor treesThe Nathan P. Jacobs Foundation ~ Student giftDara Newman & Scott Samuels ~ Bus bike rackPatsy O’Keefe ~ Writing CollaborativeJane & Ronald Olson ~ Library FundAndrew & Jennifer Parker ~ Bus bike rackElizabeth Urschel ~ Honor treesTor & Linda Winston ~ Bente Winston Alumni Scholarship

FundDon & Bente Winston ~ Bente Winston Alumni Scholarship

Fund, K-5 Math Specialist Position, Honor treesFrancisca Winston & Karlton Gross ~ Bente Winston Alumni

Scholarship FundDrew & Sheena Winterer ~ Kindergarten booksEcothon Donors ~ Thanks to all donors who supported our

students in their day of community service.

Donated Goods and ServicesBagels On Broadway ~ bagels and coffeeCastle Rock Ranch Camp ~ overnight campMarchie’s Nursery ~ plantsMismo Gymnastics ~ facility usage and babysittingMissoula Copy Shop ~ copiesMontana ACE Trempers ~ toolsMurdochs ~ toolsPink Grizzly ~ plantsThe Top Hat ~ food, drink, and venue for Spring ShakeDerek and Julia Baggerly ~ treesNick Baker ~ color printerLeslie Berg ~ Mathcounts coaching Elise and Stephen Foster ~ fax machineJen Jacaruso ~ Mathcounts coaching, knitting suppliesLisa Klempay ~ Mathcounts coachingRon Liszak ~ drama propsSharene and John Menson ~ gift basket and cabin rentalHolly & Mark Mohorcich ~ magazinesAndrew & Jenny Parker ~ drama costumesMatthew Shannon ~ fishing tripPrairie & Zandy Sievers ~ farm shareDoug Smith ~ wineSam Wallace ~ Mathcounts coachingBente Winston ~ Mathcounts coaching

Jodi & Steve Allison-BunnellAnonymousDerek & Julia BaggerlyTim Bechtold & Karen

KnudsenBrian & Lavonne BluntAngela BrookerMichelle BryanChris Bryant & Julie

KightlingerCooper Burchenal & Anne

FogelJoe & Jillian CampanaEduardo Capulong & Rebecca

WestonJim & Ella ChapmanAmy & Adam DuerkAlly & Danny EarnestBrian EdmandsNicole Finke & Matthew

Lubaroff

Amazon Affiliates/Smile Program

Axis Physical TherapyBechtold LawThe Benevity Community

Impact FundBlackfoot Telecommunications

GroupChildren’s Dentistry of the

RockiesCaffe DolceDennehy OrthodonticsDraught Works BreweryFact & FictionFirst Interstate Bancsystem

FoundationFirst Security BankGaddy ConstructionGarden City Plumbing and

Heating

GCS ResearchGood Food StoreKenworthy OrthodonticsLithia ToyotaMaureen RileyMerrill Lynch KLO Group,

Daniel Kiely & Solon Linton

Missoula Bone and JointMissoula Bicycle WorksMike Warren, ZillaState Northwestern EnergyOffice Solutions & ServicesPrudential Missoula PropertiesSnowbowlTargetTea CollectionThe Washington CompaniesWilcox Family Dentistry

Elise & Stephen FosterDori Gilels & Mike BeltzLeslie & Stephen GuerrreriChris & Jen JacarusoMargaret Kingsland

& John FletcherBrett & Jodi KulinaDiana & Rick NashKaren Nelson & Diane AdamiPatsy O’KeefeAmy Ragsdale & Peter StarkNancy Seldin & Chic FittsJoellen Shannon & Bobby

GrilloKaty & Paul SimonLulu & Mike SteinbergElizabeth UrschelSam & Stephanie WallaceMartha WilliamsDon & Bente Winston

Teacher Appreciation DonorsThe Annual Fund — Businesses

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 FundThis 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 EducationIn 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 EducationIn 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 EducationIn 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.

Sussex School Memorial Funds and Grant Awards ~ helping to secure

the future of our school

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 FundThis 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 EducationIn 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 DevelopmentIn 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 EducationIn 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.

Amy Duerk, Board President

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.

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

Chart  Title  

Amy Duerk, PresidentDerek Baggerly, Vice PresidentElla Chapman, TreasurerJoe Campana, SecretaryAmy Ragsdale, Community LiaisonBen Tuholske, Alumni LiaisonBente Winston, Founder

Jodi Allison-Bunnell, Member at LargeKaren Knudsen, Member at LargePaul Simon, Member at LargeRebecca Weston, Member at LargeBente Bechtold, Student RepresentativeMaddy Braun, Student Representative

Board of Directors 2013-14

AssetsCash $ 61,247.55Endowments $ 763,332.51Property and Equipment $ 2,715,193.43

Total $ 3,539,773.49

Liabilities and Net AssetsPayables $ 65,981.28Enrollment Deposits $ 80,986.00Long Term Debt $ 912,583.24Net Assets $ 2,480,222.97

Total $ 3,539,773.49

Tuition74%

Earmarked Donations

17%

Restricted Endowment

Income3%

Annual Fund

Donations6%

Instructional Programming

72%

Facilities10%

Administration and Fundraising

18%

Income Expenses

For complete financials, please contact the Business Manager at Sussex.

Financials

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.