Annual Report 2011-2012

Mission, Core Values, Portrait of Our Graduates

The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes is true to the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori. We create an environment that cultivates the child’s intellect, instills responsibility, fosters respect and inspires care for the community.

Core Values Academic Excellence

Diversity

Integrity

Independence

Leadership

Gracious Community

Portrait of Our Graduates • Confident, independent and intrinsically motivated

• Respectful, responsible and socially collaborative

• Critical, creative and abstract thinkers

• Academic achievers who manage time & work efficiently

• Compassionate leaders who are prepared for future success

They have a passion for learning, cultural awareness, and a commitment to service.

From the Head of School and Board President The 2011-2012 year at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes was one of renewal, reconnection and growth. Building on a newly strengthened foundation of Montessori principles and an outstanding teaching staff, our expanded marketing campaign begun last year – reaching out to our business and residential neighbors in Edison Lakes, networking with the University of Notre Dame and rekindling the fire of the founders of the school – bore remarkable fruit. Enrollment increased 23% from August to February surpassing projected numbers. Our outside auditor remarked she had not seen such positive signs for many years and seldom such a dramatic turnaround in a nonprofit organization in such a short time. The Mustang Match of $50,000 donated to TMA by some of those founders, was designed to run through the calendar year. It was fulfilled by mid-March and the offer has been duplicated. The Annual Fall Frolic Race and Windfall Gala fundraisers brought record high revenues to TMA.

Student growth and achievement has always been the focus of what we do. In the nationwide Terra Nova standardized tests given primarily to private schools, our Junior High students scored at the 90th percentile, Upper Elementary at 79th percentile. Besides continuing our students’ peer teaching within The Academy’s classes at Edison Lakes and work at the Center for the Homeless, our Junior High students attended and presented at the area’s first Human Rights Conference hosted by Good Shepherd Montessori School. Our Upper Elementary continued their weekly visits to Emeritus Senior Living at Arborwood, taking preschool materials and working with the Alzheimers patients, and all levels- Lower Elementary through Junior High- were given the opportunity of a Farm experience through a generous offer from the Ludwick family.

But school isn’t all work, even at such an excellent school as ours. Noteworthy events in our family included the Ice Cream Social, with a 9/11 tribute flag-raising ceremony led by Boy Scout students and a peace quote read by an 8th grader; the annual Grandparents & Special Friends Day; and an International Festival that brought our gymnasium alive with the sounds and flavors of music, dance, and food representing more than 30 different countries and cultures.

The community within The Montessori Academy remains steadfast in offering an exemplary educational experience in a safe environment to your child. We pride ourselves in being diligent stewards of The Montessori Academy’s resources. We appreciate the investment you make in your child by choosing TMA and we treasure your trust in us. At The Montessori Academy, we understand that it takes all of us working together to prepare your child for a great future.

We do this knowing that those who learn today will lead tomorrow.

Deborah Drendall, Head of School Becky Ludwick, Board President

Board of Trustees 2011-2012

Becky Ludwick, President

Ed Yang, President-Elect

Jacob Mark, Secretary

Bob Schell, Treasurer

Deborah Drendall, Head of School

Kiernan Anzelc

Tracy Brennan

Melanie Como-Dits

Emilia Hartland

Leigh Hayden

Dan Lindley

Sophie White

Parent Network Two goals in Parent Network this year were: 1.) to support and develop leadership through “Room Parents” and 2.) to increase parent participation in school activities and events Monthly meetings were well-attended, especially by room parents, with more parents attending toward the end of the school year. For this first year with designated room parents we were still fine-tuning our system. Initially, they were designated to provide leadership in the following areas: Assisting in organizing all-school events

• Serving as liaison between class families and school sponsored events • Initiating and coordinating with the classroom teacher to plan family-friendly events • Helping the classroom teacher secure parent volunteers for special class projects, etc. • Representing the classroom and providing leadership at Parent Network meetings • Facilitating Parent Network fundraising

Our events could not exist without the many parents, friends/supporters and teachers who cheerfully volunteer. The following is a list of the school events sponsored by Parent Network last year, and the parents who generously offered their time to organize:

• Fall All-School Hay Ride- Jen Williamson and Kathryn Scarlett • Winter Tubing- Jen Loudin (unfortunately canceled due to our dry winter.) • Bowling Night- Jen Williamson • Sleepover- Jen Williamson and Rachel Morgan • Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon- Amy Heintzelman-Dee and Amy Cousins • Spring Flower Sale- Tracy Brennan • Fun Fair- Barb and Israel Demeulenaere • Box Tops- Kelly Foley • SCRIP- Shelby Smyrl and Melissa Baldwin

The classroom baskets and projects for our Windfall event were outstanding this year, contributing to one of our most well-attended and successful Windfall events in years! Thank you to all of the parents who coordinated, donated, or helped facilitate the children’s projects in the classroom. We welcome ALL parents to join us in our efforts to grow our sense of community and fun at TMA! If you are interested, or want to learn more, please come to a PN meeting. If meetings don’t work into your schedule, please contact Kathryn at kathryn_scarlett@me.com or Jen at jwilliamson@hgservices.com and they will help you get involved in whatever capacity suits your time and interests. All parents are welcome all the time!

Room Parents

Huge thanks to all of our Room Parents for last year! Because of their energy and contributions our school events were fun and successful. We are especially grateful for all they do to foster a sense of community in our wonderful school.

Toddlers

Kathryn Scarlett

EC Room 3

Francie Schmuhl-Wagner

EC Room 4

Amy Cousins

EC Room 5-6

Shelby Smyrl & Kelly Foley

Lower El Room 106

Jen Williamson, Shahla Pouya & Amy Cousins

Lower El Room 107

Sungita Chung, Jeanne Yoder & Claire DeLano

Upper El Room 102

Barb Demeulenaere & Rachel Morgan

Upper El Room 104

Dulcie Martin & Fonda Blocker-Suarez

Junior High

Amy Heintzelman-Dee & Melinda Romanetz

Financials Income and Expenses

Revenue 2011-2012 %

Tuition $1,417,389 88

Fundraising $198,927 12

Other $1,323 0

$1,617,639

Expenses 2011-2012

Salary,Benefits,Taxes $1,065,014 65

Classroom/Student Support $358,220 22

Building/Maintenance $141,423 9

Other $73,827 4

$1,638,484

-$20,845

Tuition 88%

Fundraising 12%

Other 0%

Revenue 2011-2012

Tuition Fundraising Other

Salary,Benefits,Taxes 65%

Classroom/Student Support

22%

Building/Maintenance 9%

Other 4%

Expenses 2011-2012

Salary,Benefits,Taxes Classroom/Student SupportBuilding/Maintenance Other

Development

The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes has provided an environment that fulfills personal development and delivers academic excellence for our children for over 40 years. But it is our unified community of parents, grandparents, alumni, teachers, and friends support and contributions that ensures The Montessori Academy’s legacy generation after generation. Dr. Maria Montessori believed strongly in giving to others and to the community and, looking back on this past year, it is clear that The Montessori Academy community believes this too.

Thank you to the students, alumni, faculty, administration, staff and parents for always remembering to give back. Thank you for your contribution to the education and enrichment of our most valuable resource…

our children…our future.

Annual Giving

Chaired by Dr. Doug & Dr. Julie Morris, the Annual Giving Campaign was kicked off at the beginning of the school year with 100% participation from our Board of Trustees and Staff. Through the commitment of our generous community, over $75,000 was raised, exceeding our goal by over 36 percent for the 2011-2012 school year!

Like most independent schools, The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes does not receive government funding, and tuition alone does not cover the cost to maintain the entire Montessori program. Funds raised from Annual Giving provide financial support essential to bridging the gap between tuition and actual operating costs, allowing the school to maintain strong academic programs, low student-faculty ratio, co-curricular programs and faculty enrichment.

Annual Giving Donors

Guardian Level ($2,500 and higher) Bill Anzelc and Kiernan Anzelc Stephen Drendall and Deborah Drendall John Firth and Ann Firth David Hornback and Kasi Hornback John Hudak and Suzette Hudak Eric Ludwick and Becky Ludwick Christopher Tapper Edward Yang and Celia Yang Patron Level ($1,000 to $2,499) Anonymous Donor Stefen Borysiak and Irene Borysiak Matt Brennan and Tracy Brennan Jeffrey Dee and Amy Heintzelman-Dee David Dits and Melanie Como-Dits Brian Finch and Kathy Kolata Kevin Geary and Annie Geary Alphonso Hopkins and Consuella Hopkins Daniel Lindley and Jennifer Lindley Jacob Mark and Jill Mark Doug Morris and Julie Morris Rolan Pascual and Cynthia Pascual Tomaz Pessanha Michael Poole and Roxane Poole The Robert Family Foundation Paul Romanetz and Melinda Romanetz The Rozanksy Family Foundation Felix Short and Katha Short Ronald Stangebye and Susan Stangebye W. Byars Wells and Nycole Wells Paul Worland and Deirdre Mylod The Yoder Family

Supporter Level ($500 to $999) Anonymous Donor Binod Balakrishnan and Lakshmi Jayasree Charles Barber and Sophie White Marc Bussan and Julie Bussan Corey Cressy and Becky Cressy Scott Griffith and Stephannie Larocque Greg Hartland and Emilia Hartland Michael Leep and Diana Leep Anthony Mattucci and Michelle Mattucci Ronald Minzey and Constance Minzey Brian O’Day and Amy O’Day Matthew Park and Susan Park Stephen Smith and Rebecca Smith The Stewart Family Douglas Williamson and Jennifer Williamson Friends Level (up to $499) The Abernathy Family Brian Atkinson and Aida Atkinson The Aven Family Todd Baldwin and Melissa Burns-Baldwin Harald Bellm and Patricia Bellm Joan Berta Ed Bosworth and Kim Bosworth Kevin Bradford and Tonya Bradford Lin Brooks Ramzi Bualuan and Ghada Bualuan Duquoin Burgess Dan Chapman Kathleen Clark Oscar Costilla and Sonia Costilla Trudy Davis Paul DeLano and Claire DeLano Israel Demeulenaere and Barb Demeulenaere Brad Dennis and Becky Dennis Carl Doherty and Camillia Doherty Ryan Dombkowski and Alicia Dombkowski Rita Donley Lauren Dunbar Cindy Dunn

Bob Feferman and Shoshana Feferman Brian Finch and Kathy Kolata Terri Foley Joel Gabrielse and Julie Gabrielse Gerard Gallagher and Kari Gallagher Jasveer Grewal and Preeya Grewal Greg Hill and Judy Hill The Hillsdon-Smith Family Troy Homenchuk and Sarah Homenchuk Jon Howard and Paige Como-Howard Ryan Howell and Kristy Howell Mark Jamieson and Linda Jamieson Paul Jurgensen and Margaret Jurgensen Mike Kelly and Lisa Kelly Nayeer Khan and Mahnaz Khan K. Kitson Logue and Julie Logue Karen Klingel The Krutsch Family Lindsay Marquette Chuck and Dulcie Martin William Meyer and Linda Meyer Tony Muffoletto and Helen Muffoletto Gabriel Paczkowski and Andrea Paczkowski Janice Poorman Mark Prochaska and Marcy Prochaska Jim Regelean Rick Reynolds and Rhonda Reynolds Tom Richardson and Connie Richardson Donna Rockafellow Kevin Rooney and Meg Rooney The Sanders-McWilliams Family Jason Scarlett and Kathryn Scarlett Bob Schell and Deborah Fleming Tom Shelley and Cindy Shelley Dmitry Shlapentokh and Natalia Shlapentokh Steven Spilger and Wai Mun Liew-Spilger The Stebelton Family Robert Stockman and Mana Derakhshani Federico Suarez and Fonda Suarez The Taccheri Family

Annual Giving Donors

Friends Level (contiued)

Kate Tapper

Philip Toepp and Robin Toepp

Ziya Toper and Sibel Toper

Paul Turner and Lindsay Turner

Lori Twining

John Voor and Donna Voor

Upper Elementary Soccer Team and Parents

Seng Lang Wang

Maya Watson

Dennis Wood

Donald Wroblewski and Diane Wroblewski

Chiyuin Yang

Lyle Zynda and Erika Zynda

Pink Tower Club- Our Youngest Supporters

Alexis Bishop Gage Hudak

Amelia Bishop Jack Hudak

Gabriella Bishop Luke Hudak

Grace Brennan Olivia Hudak

Marc Bualuan Emilee Ludwick

Brenden Cook Lynsee Ludwick

Tyler Dits Blake Ludwick

Cooper Finch Cassidy Martenson

The Foley Grandchildren Dana McDorman-Kolata

Anita Hartland Tomaz Pessanha

Philip Hartland Jaleana Short

Auri Hudak Jade Tapper

James Tapper

Mustang Match

The 2011 Mustang Match was a generous matching grant donated to The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes by The Cressy Foundation. It afforded any new participant who donated or any past contributor who increased their past contribution amount to be matched up to $50,000. Through donations from Annual Giving, Windfall and general contributions made throughout the year, The Montessori Academy was able to achieve the full matching amount of $50,000!

Fall Frolic

The annual charity race featuring a 10K, 5K, 2K and kid’s obstacle course took place Saturday, October 1st. The event welcomed over 600 runners, walkers and obstacle course participants to our campus. We would like to thank Claire Delano and Kendra Clayton for their leadership and countless hours of hard work as well as acknowledge the 125 volunteers that donated their time to make this event a success. Funds raised from the race supports our Montessori Academy classroom at the Center for the Homeless….the nation’s ONLY Montessori program serving homeless children.

2011-12 Sponsors Title Sponsor: Northwestern Mutual Financial Timing Sponsor: St. Joseph Regional Medical Center The Cressy Foundation T-Shirt Sponsor: Anonymous Donor AM General Boling Vision Center Crowe Horwath Morris Animal Hospital RPI Water Stop Sponsor: 1st Source Bank Allied Physicians Network Enzyme Research Laboratories

Lake City Bank Lexus of Mishawaka Radiology, Inc. Triangle Rubber and Plastic Walmart Mile Marker Sponsor: Centier Bank Cressy & Everett Real Estate Family Foot Care Clinic The Geary Family Gibson Insurance Magrane Pet Medical Center May Oberfell Lorber MutualBank The Lebermuth Company

In-Kind Sponsor: Balloon Specialties Barnaby's Pizza Between the Buns Bozworthy Images Brother's Bakery C&D Supply Company Chipotle Crown Trophy CVS The Doyle Family Family Dental Health Corporation Innovative Endurance Kroger Martins Supermarket Metro Run & Walk The Meyer Family The Rooney Family Starbucks Studebagels

Windfall Gala 2012

“Legends” - A Sports Extravaganza Windfall 2012 was hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn on the campus at St. Mary’s College. Under the leadership of Melanie Como-Dits, Suzette Hudak, Paige Como-Howard and Katy Troester, the event featured sports themed tables and décor with over 195 in attendance. For the first time “cell phone” bidding was introduced for the over 98 silent auction items, increasing revenue for the silent auction by 73%. The Parent Network organized the creation of “class baskets” featuring a tailgating basket, coffee and tea baskets, ski packages, animal and beach baskets to name a few. These baskets were an amazing success and wild bidding ensued in pursuit of these prized items. The live auction of 22 items included “priceless” class projects created by the students of The Montessori Academy as well as a signed guitar by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, autographed footballs and trips to Las Vegas and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After the lively evening was concluded Windfall 2012 raised over $72,000 exceeding the goal of $50,000! In true Montessori fashion, the event was supported throughout the TMA community with 21 families providing sponsorship for the staff and faculty to attend the auction. Program sponsors included the Gurley Leep Automotive Family, Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, 1st Source Bank, Advanced Dental, Manuchehr Derakhshani, Home Comfort Experts, La Lumiere School, Barnes & Thornburg and Martin’s Pharmacy.

Windfall Committee

Kiernan Anzelc Sophie Mark Melissa Baldwin Dulcie Martin Mary Bishop Rachel Morgan Tracy Brennan Amy O’Day Julie Bussan Shahla Pouya Amy Cousins Melinda Romanetz Sungita Chung Francie Schmuhl -Wagner Claire DeLano Shelby Smyrl Barb Demeulenaere Sue Stangebye Kelly Foley Fonda Suarez Emilia Hartland Jen Williamson Amy Heintzelman-Dee Mari Linn Wise Suzette Hudak Celia Yang Amy Jamieson Jeanne Yoder Becky Ludwick

Endowment

An Endowment Fund for The Montessori Academy was established with the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County in 1995. The fund originated with $25,000 seed money and has been added to over the years by donations from private parties as well as from TMA itself. Currently the total amount held in the TMA Endowment is $70, 029.97 which gave TMA a 5% return of $3,500 this past school year.

The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County is an organization that pools and invests funds for various nonprofit organizations. These funds are invested for the long term, and there are strict limits on the amount that can be withdrawn. CFSJC is the administrator of the funds, aggregates all the money (there is no separate investment of TMA funds), makes all the investment decisions, and keeps a separate accounting of TMA's share of the funds – including all donations.

Every year, the Community Foundation disburses 5% earnings on the total principal amount back to TMA .

Montessori Teacher Academy

The Montessori Teacher Academy (MTA) was founded in conjunction with Indiana University South Bend Department of Continuing Studies in 1989 to meet the growing demand for the teacher training necessary for certification as an Early Childhood (ages 2 ½ through 6 years) Montessori teacher. Training is conducted in a Montessori school, affording hands-on access and experience with the entire Montessori curriculum and all accompanying materials. Small class size assures each teacher trainee personal attention and the opportunity to form lasting friendships and professional relationships. Successful completion of the summer academic session, a nine-month student teaching practicum, three weekend institutes during the academic year, and the completion of all required coursework earns American Montessori Society –Montessori Certification, which is recognized worldwide. After completing the summer academic program, students are required to complete an academic year student teaching in an approved Montessori school. Students arrange their student teaching with consultation from MTA. Student teaching sites can be obtained throughout the world. During the practicum, students will be supervised by an experienced, Montessori certified teacher. An MTA field consultant will visit three times during the academic year to observe the student in the classroom and provide feedback and support. The 21st course cycle for the Montessori Teacher Academy began June 2011. MTA had five students enrolled for the 2011-2012 course cycle, one male and four female adult learners. Two adult learners were sent by a local public school district, while the remaining three students were independent. The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes was able to offer student teaching opportunities to two of the students for the 2011-2012 school year.

Alumni

Paving the path to building a stronger Montessori Academy Alumni Community, Lauren Cressy Dunbar, Class of 1996, began an alumni database to collect and consolidate current alumni information. Efforts were initiated to reconnect alumni with each other and TMA by reaching out through email blasts, invitations to TMA events, and utilizing The Alumni of The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes Facebook page.

Our Alumni are a very important part of The Montessori Academy's past, present and future. Please help us to keep our mailing list current and send us news to share with the TMA community-at-large. Remember to keep in touch with the latest news, activities and pictures, like us on Facebook!

Our pages are:

• The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes

• The Alumni of The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes

Click on logo to complete and submit Alumni Survey.

Thank you for a great year!