Annual Fundraising Report 2016-2017

The Long Ridge School

Board of Trustees 2016-2017

Aditi ShrikamPresidentBecki FleischerVice PresidentChristen DeSantisTreasurerRatna Subrahmanyam BasuSecretary

Guy Bailey Mark DavisCraig DeMaioIrene Eddy David FriedmanPatti LitzenAnne MengdenAdaobi Odili

Honorary TrusteesRonald Japha

Ex-OfficioKris BriaHead of SchoolGretchen MezoffAssistant Head of SchoolKaren McNicollFaculty Representative

Parents Group (non-voting)Shanti Hageman

The Long Ridge School thanks Craig DeMaio

for his dedicated service.

We welcome John Black, Chris Ferraro, Larry Gilmore, and Jenny McIntosh on the

2017-2018 Board.

The Long Ridge School is a diverse community of learners where children are respected as individuals with innate curiosity. We believe children flour-ish in a small, caring, and academically challenging environment where learning is an active and joyful experience. We help children develop the skills, motivation, and values to become successful students, responsible people and lifelong learners.

We believe:Children should be valued for their uniqueness, ideas, and talents.

Children achieve their highest potential in a challenging academic environ-ment that addresses each child’s social and emotional development. Chil-dren learn in different ways and at different rates. Children should be active participants in their own learning; we encourage children to explore, experi-ence and investigate as part of the educational process.

The natural range of abilities and levels of development typical of young children are best accommodated in multi-aged groups.

Interdisciplinary studies promote a deep understanding and mastery of the skills and concepts expected at each grade level.

Children thrive in a rich learning environment that includes visual and per-forming arts, science, technology, world language and physical education.

Statement of PurPoSe

Dear Members of The Long Ridge School Community,

As I reflect on the 2016-2017 school year at Long Ridge I am once again struck by the bittersweet pang that comes when your last child graduates from this magical school. My son, though happily engaged and thriving in middle school thanks to the foundation he got at LRS, didn’t want to leave this wonderful community. Neither did I, which is why I am especially grateful to be writing to you, ever dedicated and joyfully engaged, as President of the Board of Trustees.

It is a tremendous honor to serve in this capacity and to offer my thanks and appreci-ation to all of you for your contributions to the school. Your philanthropic support al-lows our exceptional faculty to create a learning environment for our children where they are both physically and emotionally safe to take chances and explore ideas, which sets the foundation on which they will build the rest of their lives.

Letter from the President, Board of trustees

It’s incredible to think about the impact that early education has on one’s life trajectory. As the mother of two graduates, I see the unmatched benefits from their early education at Long Ridge payout almost daily. Without question, our investment at Long Ridge, both through tuition and philanthropy, has been one of our best. But of course, our tuition and philanthropic contributions alone aren’t enough to sustain a school – it takes all of us.

I am always amazed by how authentic, caring, and generous our community is. From current parents and faculty to alumni, alumni families, alumni faculty, grandparent, and friends, we are all committed to sustaining and advancing our school’s purpose. This commitment and community doesn’t happen by chance. It has to be fostered and developed and for 29-years we have all benefited beyond words that Kris Bria has been leading that charge.

As we move through the upcoming leadership transition, three main directives guide your Board of Trustees: Preserve, Prepare Propel. In honor of Kris’s legacy and all of your commitment we will:

• Preserve the sacred nature of childhood, the ability of teacher to address individual student needs, and the inclusivity of parents and the wider community;

• Prepare our community for a new chapter after the 29-year tenure of our Head of School; and• Propel the school we all love forward with a clear and defined value proposition that is aligned with our core

values.

I am extremely grateful for the steadfast service of our Board of Trustees, our committed parent volunteers, and everyone who invests their time, talent and treasure in our school.

Thank you.

Warm regards,

Becki Fleischer

President, Board of Trustees

Summary of fundraiSing activitieS

2016-2017 2015-2016 Annual Fund Unrestricted $109,674 $101,510 Restricted $1,630 $400 Leadership $25,000 n/a

5th Grade Gift $4,100 n/a

Total Annual Fund $140,404 $101,910 Matching Campaign n/a $200,000

Events Auction, Net of Expenses $60,760 $61,988 Auction Fund-A-Need $25,550 $16,200

Total Auction $86,310 $78,188 Book Fair and Other Small Events $2,715 $4,949 Total Events $89,025 $83,137 TOTAL FUNDRAISING $229,429 $385,047

Annual Fund Participation Rate

2016-2017 2015-2016 Trustees 100% 100% Current Parents 72% 96% Alumni 5% 2% Alumni/Past Parents 11% 13% Grandparents 8% 8% Faculty/Staff 65% 100%

Annual Fund Gift by Constituent

Trustees

CurrentParents

Alumni

Grandparents

Staff

Friends

The Annual Fund allows us to maintain an exceptional faculty, small class sizes, and a comprehensive curriculum. Tuition alone does not cover the full cost of a Long Ridge education. Everyone’s contributions help bridge the “gap” between tuition revenue and total operating expenses. Unlike tuition, gifts to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible. When you give to the Annual Fund, you support the people and programs that make LRS unique. Gifts received between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017, are listed.

Many thanks for your participation in the Annual Fund!

Great Horned Owl $10,000+Becki and Ari Fleischer*

Great Gray Owl $5,000-$9,999Ratna Subrahmanyan Basu and Avijit Basu^Paola and Chris FerraroAnne Mengden and Michael Giliberto*Wendy and Doug Kreeger Anuradha Tyagi and Arjun Sethi

Aditi and Lalan ShrikamRichard Whitcomb

Snowy Owl $2,500-$4,999Kathy King and Guy Bailey Renee Fleming in honor or Kris BriaIrene Eddy and Terence DonohueCandyrae and Paul MieyalMary Singleton and Mark Landis^Natalie and Yoav Wiegenfeld

Christine and Kevin CostelloSuzanne Deschamps and Eric Wenberg

Hawk Owl $1,000-$2,499Samantha and Aaron BrownVikktoria and Douglas CooperAngelique CrainRaquel and Craig DeMaioChristen and Edward DeSantis

LRS ANNUAL FUND#PowerofParticipation

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

Irene EddyAlumni Parent Chair

Eleanor Morgan

Grandparent Chair

Paul Mieyal Anu Sethi

Current Parent Co-Chairs

Eli Zalichin Kramer ‘95Alumni Chair

THANK YOU!The Annual Fund makes everything possible at The Long Ridge School. Like all independent schools, LRS relies on tax-deductible gifts to meet its needs. Gifts provide support for the excellent academics, athletics, arts, faculty and staff, li-brary, technology and ensures financial assistance, and much more.

Participation demonstrates the belief in a Long Ridge educa-tion. Every gift, no matter the size, demonstrates a heartfelt belief in the quality of teaching and learning that takes place at LRS every day! Your donation attracts additional support from foundations and corporations.

Shanti Hageman and Kyde SharpLydia and Richard HellingerMeryl and Ronald Japha Serena Mayeri and Jason KlenoffPatty LitzenKatya Yarmolovich and Michael Mehan Velvet, Tevin, and Teran MickensJennifer Bale-O’Connell and W. Richard O’Connell Jennifer Port and Jerry RhineGaryfalia Papadopoulou and Avraam SidiropoulosNancy and Jeffrey SerkesLeonard A. and Mary Jane Schafer FoundationJulie Grantham and Chris Slaga Debbie and Alan Steckler*Jan and Jeff Sterling The Morris & Florence Bender Foundation, Inc.Sylwia and James Thornton^Kathy and Gurdon WattlesDonna and Richard VolpittaTerran and Michael Whittingham

Screech Owl $500-$999Celine and Jarlath CarbinCharlesanna and William EckerSamantha and William HarriganVictoria and Mark LacuestaDavid and Peggy Gordon Marks Family FoundationGretchen and Carl MezoffAriel and Walter MillerAdaobi OdiliLindsay and Rob Oudsema Deb and Chip Rubenstein

Tawny Owl $250-$499Myrna, Herman, and Geoff Alswanger in honor of Kris Bria, in memory of Ron Parente and Mike HarrisLee Morgan and John BlackTerry BlankPam and Michael ColemanMichelle and Peter Ebstein*Mark Davis and Elisabeth EvansIrina and Yury FeyginLiz FleischerBrenda and Jake GambacciniMargaret Segreti and Tom Hohensee Jill and Kenneth IscolLaura and Taner KarakasCarole and Ken KirkDonna Zalichin ‘62 and Barry Kramer Eli Zalichin Kramer ‘95Janet and Malcolm McDonald

Jennifer and Gary McIntoshKaren and Geoffrey McNicollTeri and Morton SalomonSally and Everett Schenk Carol and Jim SharpMelinda and Christopher SmithStop & Shop A+ Bonus Bucks Jennifer and Rez ToghraeeLeslie and Andrew Zachary

Barn Owl $100-$249Pam Adams*AmazonSairah Sheikh and Mansoor Ashraf Kim BaconAndrew BaileyTonia ‘75 and Paul BarringerSusan and Robert BaxterDeena Merlen and Joseph Bell Alison and Jeffrey BlackIngrid and Tom Broderick Jocelyn and Dane CharbeneauDaniela and Jaroslav DancDarlene and Wayne DavisLaurel and Richard CohenChristine and Paul Crotty Jamie and Brandon DeNataleAmy and Jared Dulski Susan and Carl EkstromMary and Maurice FayomiFrancey Fenton ‘85Liz Fleischer ‘15 Mari Okie-Fouracre and Anthony Fouracre Meira Rosenberg and David Friedman Hope and Al Hageman

Louise HarrisSarah and Aaron HiattDanielle and Stephen HildebrandPamela and Alex HuntJanet JusselKelli and Sebastien Katch Patti and Steve LesandoPilar and Eddy Menacho Cheryl and Phillip MillerEleanor MorganJennifer and Christopher O’NeillNadine OundjianSandra and John PalacioPenny and Dan RashinHeather DiBenedetto and Daniel Reading Lisa and Lawrence SiebertSorrento PizzaSusan and David StollerKaren and Warren TomPati and Steven ViningRachel WagleSpotted Owl $1-$99

In-Kind GiftsKris and John BriaRebecca and Ori BukaiPam ChinKelly FalcoKatherine HughesCarissa and Ian LewisSusan Seiler

Corporate Matching GiftsGE FoundationIBMS&P Global Mathing Gift ProgramSynchrony Financial

* Denotes partial or fully restricted gifts

^ Denotes gifts that include corporate matching funds

CONGRATULATIONS to Grade 5 for reaching

100% Class Participation!

B - 82% N - 71% K-1 - 64% 2-3 - 80% 4-5 - 84%

Augie BarringerPerry BarringerVirginia and Robert BurtonChristine Cardone and John SollamiDebbie DePouliLeslie Hammond and Robert EbersoleLoretta and Carl EkstromXiang He and Rong Fan Ruth FieldsCarden Ryder GriffithMiranda Hynes ‘04David Jussel in memory of Leland Scott Brown and Morgan Scott BrownPatricia and Myles McGraneJan and Dale MelikanErica and Andrew MerrillSusan and Kurt Ostheimer Jane SilvermanAnnette L. ThompsonMia Constanza Wiggers and Edwin Wiggers

Fifth Grade Gift Thank you to all the 5th grade families who contributed funds to the 5th Grade Gift totaling $4200 to be used to update the school’s main entrance. This will include items of new furniture, carpeting and possibly new signage and artwork.

Rebecca and Ori BukaiCeline and Jarlath CarbinVikktoria and Douglas CooperDarlene and Wayne DavisChristen and Edward DeSantis

Susan and Carl EkstromBecki and Ari FleischerMarie GionfriddoLydia and Richard HellingerMarilyn and Gary Hellinger

Victoria and Mark LacuestaPatty LitzenCandyrae and Paul MieyalAditi and Lalan ShrikamAnuradha Tyagi and Arjun Sethi

SPecial eventS and contributorS

With the generosity and support of our school community and neighboring communities, we generated over $86,000 from the Auction.

2017 Annual Auction Benefit - Spring Fling

On Friday, April 24, 2017, The Annual Auction Spring Fling was held at Hibernian Hall. We introduced mobile bidding that allowed real time bidding for those who were unable to attend. The Auction raised approximately $60,760 to fund the school’s operating expenses. An additional $25,550 was raised for this year’s Fund-A-Need for library enhancements. The new book collection was named in honor of Joanna Merlen, whoserved aas the LRS librarian for many years.

Many thanks to Jenn Bale-O’Connell, Paola Ferraro, Kelli Katch, and Lee Morgan for their dedication and generosity.

Tishan and Theodore CowanPaola and Chris FerraroBecki and Ari Fleischer

Julie GranthamSamantha and Bill Harrigan

Patty LitzenAnuradha and Arjun SethiAditi and Lalan Shrikam

THANK YOU TO OUR BENEFACTORS

FRIENDS WHO MADE OR SOLICITED DONATIONSPam AdamsNorman and Patricia AngusGuy BaileyAlison Black Lee Morgan and John BlackTerry BlankKris BriaHayate Jandar Boujid and Mourad BoujidSamantha and Aaron BrownVirginia Duncan and Robert BurtonDanny CepedaPam Chin Christine Costello Raquel DeMaioJamie and Brandon DeNataleDebbie DePouliChristen DeSantisFrancesca and Ernesto D’OnofrioPaola and Chris Ferraro

Irina Feygin Kelly FinlandAri and Becki FleischerFaith GlassmanRosie Glassman ‘00Ralph HammockLeslie HammondLouise HarrisKit HughesElaine JuranSebastien and Kelli KatchMarty Ann KernerDebbie LeePatti LesandoCarissa LewisPatty LitzenJenne and James LiveseyJenny McIntosh Ausra McKennaThe Mehan FamilyAnne MengdenGretchen Mezoff

Marietta MorelliGaryfalia PapadopoulouAdaobi OdiliJennifer Bale-O’Connell and Dr. Richard O’ConnellLauren RednissNatasha Ulyanov-Schiattarella and Carlo SchiattarellaSusan SeilerAnuradha and Arjun SethiSairah Sheikh Aditi and Lalan ShrikamShanti Hageman and Kyde SharpMary SingletonSue StollerRatna SubrahmanyanSylwia ThorntonThe Tom FamilyBeth VessicchioSarah Weillbrenner Viteri Rachel Wagle

Library Before Library After Enhancements

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLWING BUSINESSES WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY DONATED

Advanced Dental Care of WestchesterAmadeus PianosAux Delices FoodsBalloons Over Westchester, LLCBar TacoBarcelona Wine BarBareburgerBaumgold Fine JewelryBeau NailsBoothbay Lobster Co. Bridgeport BluefishCalifornia Pizza KitchenCapital GenealogyCaramoor Center for Music and the ArtsCask RepublicChelsea Piers ConnecticutChristopher Cintron DesignsCoalhouse PizzaCobs BreadConnecticut Dance CenterConnecticut OpenCost Less Wines and LiquorsCounty TV & ApplianceDesigns By LeeDiMare Pastry ShopDinosaur BBQ StamfordF.I.S.H.FANCHESTFancy Pants Baking CompanyFrank Pepe’s Development Co.Garden CateringGiovana’s Wine and Spirits

Greenwich Polo ClubHeart of Gold Fine Jewelry LLCiFloatJaafar Tazi SalonJane Mogel Interior DesignJay and Ray Jams for Fams Karen Berlin Ishii Premier Tutoring and Test PrepKeough’s Paint & HardwareKids U StamfordLive with Kelly ShowLong Ridge CampLong Ridge Fire DepartmentLong Ridge TavernMassage EnvyMohonk Mountain HouseN. Lalor PhotographyNew York GiantsNew York JetsNew York Red Bulls MLSNichols MD of GreenwichNoelle Spa for Beauty and WellnessOsteria Table 104Panic Room CTPeter Suchy JewelersRichard Cook Portrait ArtistRussell Speeder’s Camp Ave Car WashSaybrook Point Inn & SpaSerendipity Labs - StamfordShamatha YogaSign of the WhaleSkyhawks Sports Academy

SkyZone Trampoline ParkStamford Balance Chiropractic CenterStamford Museum & Nature CenterStamford SymphonyStamford ToysStill The One DistillerySweaty BettyThe 1803 Winsor House Inn & RestaurantThe Adventure Park at The Discovery MuseumThe American Museum of Natural HistoryThe Ballet School of StamfordThe Basket LadyThe Brant Foundation Art Study CenterThe Ginger ManThe Granola BarThe Long Ridge SchoolThe Mehan FamilyThe Palace TheatreThe Rye House - Port ChesterThe Tom FamilyUnited States Golf AssociationUS OpenWagon Wheel Fine WinesWalden Local Meat Co.Windham MountainYB World Taekwondo Academy

We wish to thank the parents and friends who unselfishly volunteered their time and resources to The Long Ridge School community.

PARENTS GROUP CO-CHAIRSShanti HagemanPatty Litzen

ROOM PARENTSBeginnersJenne Livesey Jennifer Toghraee

NurseryDanielle HildebrandSylwia Thornton

Grades K-1Hayate Boujid Natalie WiegenfeldKatya Yarmolovich

Grades 2-3Jamie DeNatale Lee Morgan

Grades 4-5Jenn Bale-O’ConnellAnu Sethi

NEW PARENT COCKTAIL PARTY CHAIRSSarah and Alex ViteriJenne and James Livesey

BOOK FAIR CO-CHAIRSDanielle HildebrandAnu SethiMary Singleton

COMMUNITY OUTREACH CHAIRFrancesca D’Onofrio

STAFF APPRECIATION CHAIRDonna Volpitta

ALL-SCHOOL PICNIC CHAIRSShanti HagemanPatty Litzen

FUNDRAISING CLASSAMBASSADORSChristen DeSantisSarah HiattPaul MieyalAdaobi OdiliAnu Sethi

volunteerS

The Long Ridge School Annual Report includes gifts made during the fiscal year from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. In compiling this report, every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate and complete. If we have made an error, please accept our sincere apologies and contact the Development Office.

Parents, alumni, faculty, grandparents, and friends can make a donation several ways to The Long Ridge School. For more information on giving opportunities, please contact Pam Chin, Director of De-velopment, at (203) 322-7693 or email pchin@longridgeschool.org. All requests for information will be kept confidential.

Gifts of CashContributions can be made by personal check and sent directly to the Development Office, The Long Ridge School, 478 Erskine Road, Stamford, CT 06903. Gifts may also be made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or through electronic transfer.

Online GivingFor your convenience, gifts can be made online using our secure website at www.longridgeschool.org/give-online/. An acknowledgement letter will be mailed to you confirming your donation.

Gifts of SecuritiesAppreciated securities enable the donor to take a tax deduction on the full value of the gift and avoid capital gains on the transfer.

Matching GiftsWe encourage all Long Ridge School contributors to increase their gift by taking advantage of a corpo-rate matching gift program. Your employer may double your gift. Please verify whether your employer or your spouse’s employer has such a program. If so, simply complete the matching gift form and enclose it with your gift.

EventsEvery year, the school holds events to help offset operating expenses and Fund-A-Need. These events are a wonderful way to meet new friends and get involved.

Ways to Give to LRS

Published by: The Long Ridge School, 478 Erskine Road, Stamford, CT 06903