Footsteps

Footsteps

The More Things Change 2

Staying True to the Mission 3

Around Campus 4

MP&MS by the Numbers 6

Students Past and Present 7

Modalities: More Than a Buzzword 8

Getting Technical at MP&MS 10

Time Out with Steve and Donna 12

Liz Brown: Teacher/Traveler 14

Annual Report 16

The Magazine of Marin PriMary & Middle SchoolVol. 8 Spring 2010

Marin Primary & Middle School Treasuring childhood—learning for life

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Welcome to the new version of Footsteps! Just as in the past, you will find stories about the engaged teaching and learning going on from one end of the school to the other, all within a new format that more appropriately reflects the growth and change taking place within the school. The new Footsteps is not only beautiful but environmentally friendly, employing a smaller size, soy inks, and recycled paper. We have also folded in our 2008-2009 Annual report, to reduce the environ-mental impact of our communications. Hmm…just like last summer’s hallway renovation, a significant upgrade in functionality and “green-ness,” all wrapped up in a beautiful package. And just as we’ve continued to discover the many advantages of our hallway improvements through the year, we anticipate that the new Footsteps will provide a new window for our readers on all that is going on at Marin primary & Middle School.

This edition also reflects our school’s history and culture (see “Around Campus” and the interview with Donna and Steve Fanfelle) as well as the foundations of our future, in news from our educational tech-nology specialist and an interview with this year’s new fourth grade teacher, liz Brown. The timeless values of this school, especially treasuring childhood, remain as relevant to the lives of our students and families as they were when the school was founded in 1975.

From my own perspective, i’ve seen new research on learning and teaching impact schools significantly in the last decade. Technology has created shifts in everything, from the way we order lunches to the way our students receive information. These groundswells transform communication and information accessibility, but they don’t change fundamental learning experiences: watching chicks hatch, perform-ing in a play, creating a work of art that pushes boundaries. it’s this dichotomy that makes working with students so rewarding, and one of the reasons it’s so much fun to come to school every day!

The More Things change . . .

by Julie Elam, Head of School

Footsteps • Spring 2010 3

over ten years ago our family first arrived at Marin primary & Middle School with our three-year-old daughter, Emma, who will soon be gradu-ating from the eighth grade. For those of you just beginning the journey of educating your child or children, it is true what they say—time flies by. Marin primary & Middle School was a different place back then, in so many ways, but at its core it was the same. The values and principles which are the foundation of this school have only grown stronger under the leadership and guidance of Julie Elam’s experience and wisdom.

When it came time to look at primary schools, we knew we didn’t want to send our children someplace where the process was sacrificed for an artificial goal. We wanted them to become critical thinkers—to question and explore and leave Mp&MS with a love of learning that will remain with them throughout life. After an exhaustive search, we decided to stay at Marin primary & Middle School because we so firmly believed in the school’s mission and philosophy. As the Mission Statement says, “we honor and enjoy children’s natural curiosity, competence, and exuberance.” Marin primary & Middle School truly does honor each child, asking not “how smart is the child?,” but “how is the child smart?” When author and brain researcher Maryanne Wolf came to our school recently, she unabashedly said, “You guys are doing it right. Keep it up.”

As we prepare for graduation, i feel incredible gratitude to the teach-ers and staff who give so much of themselves on a daily basis. This eighth grade class, like all of the students here, would not be where they are without the nurturing environment of our school. They have a solid foundation upon which to grow. They will face challenges and issues we can’t even imagine, and they will do so with compassion and grace. To our teachers, the leadership team, and each employee who contributes so selflessly to the school, thank you for your dedica-tion and commitment to the children. We appreciate all of you.

by Therese Lawless, Board Chair

Staying True to the Mission

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around campusMP&MS Welcomes Cuernavacan VisitorsWhat started as an old-fashioned ink-and-paper penpal exchange has blos-somed into a multi-faceted friendship between people and cultures. Since 2007, Marin primary & Middle School second and fifth graders have been exchanging hand-written letters, as well as email and video conversations via Skype, with students at The Williams School in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Cuernavacan students write their letters in English, Marin primary students write “en Espanol.”

The project proved so successful that in november 2008, select Mp&MS staff traveled to The Williams School to spread “shoobee diplomacy,” spending a busy week at The Williams School setting up a wood shop, then guiding students in building their own shoobee guitars.

From this positive experience a new tradition has sprung. Several teachers from The Williams School were guests of Mp&MS in March, hand-delivering Mexican customs and culture to the students. Second grade students learned about “jugetes,” or traditional Mexican toys, fifth graders learned the vast impact corn had on the Mexican culture. Both grades put their newfound knowledge to work by creating “amates”—traditional Mexican paintings on paper made of bark from the amate tree.

The visit culminated in a schoolwide assembly on the playground. Under azul skies, students performed dances and shared favorite Mexican foods. ole!

Charlie Hale Speaks at David Hale Memorial Library on Meeting ChallengesMp&MS alum Charlie Hale and his parents were on campus in April to address the Mp&MS middle school community. in a moving talk, Charlie spoke of his late brother, David Hale, the Mp&MS library’s namesake, and the accident that profoundly affected his life. “The library was built by my mom to honor my little brother who was killed in

a car accident when he was two. i was badly hurt in the same accident. David Heath was willing to take a chance and let me try to be successful as a student. Marin primary gave me confidence. They offered hope and encour-agement to my family. it is important to remember that by trying hard and not letting challenges and disappoint-ments get in your way, everyone can be successful.”

Charlie currently works at Five points Fitness gym, Woodlands Market and Cafe, and in guest services for the SF giants. His story was the topic of a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle.


MP&MS Actors Charm With “Into the Woods” Talented MP&MS actors brought “into the Woods” to life at the Throckmorton Theater this spring. The production delighted audiences from preschoolers to grandparents. Set to music by Steven Sondheim, “into the Woods” is a Jack and the Beanstalk/cinderella/ rapunzel/little red riding hood mashup. Students deftly handled the sophisticated score and delivered their lines with assurance.

Said director charlie Queary, “it is amazing how good these actors are getting! not only did they learn a very difficult music score, they overlaid it with fantastic acting. everything ran smoothly thanks to parent support, and the production values were through the roof!”

charlie’s confidence in his actors’ abilities has been showcased in past after-school productions such as last autumn’s primary school production of “really rosie,” and spring productions of “daddy lear,” and “The Tik Tok of oz.”

New Peeps in the Barn!Weeks of patience paid off for Barn students when their incubating chicks finally pecked their way into the world in late March. While the chicks picked at their shells, Barn teacher Joy abesamis wrote, “our Barn children are all doing such an amazing job of being patient and keeping their excitement down. They are awe-some and we couldn’t be more proud.” The Barn traditionally gets the fertile eggs from Skippy’s farm fresh food in Petaluma.

The new Barn “mommies and daddies” were instantly smitten, naming their new additions fluffy, emma, chubby, little lulu, furry, cheesy, Sophie and chick’n’pop. What is the fate of the chicks once they lose their fluff? “in the past, the grown chicks have been given to MP&MS teachers to raise for eggs,” said Barn teacher Mark derango. “This year the chickens were given to rivertown feed to be adopted by people wanting fresh eggs and fertilizer.”

They Blinded Us with Scienceahh, spring, when the air is perfumed with scents of plum blossoms, tender shoots of grass, and bunsen burners. Spring is science fair season, and the halls at MP&MS overflowed with the results of our fourth and fifth graders’ efforts.

Prior to presenting the awards in the fifth grade classroom, rebecca Wunderlich spoke of using science in daily life, the excitement a tested theory can evoke, and the judging criteria was explained. experiments were conducted on measuring the speed of sound, what kind of wood burns most efficiently, and a study on

sunscreen that included included this interesting fact: a photostabilizer (the chemical used in developing pictures back in the day) is used in sunscreen to keep the other chemicals from breaking down in sunlight. Who knew?

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MP&MS by the numbers

years in operation35 3Heads of School

1990year the middle school was added232alumni who are

college graduates

years of Mp&MS service that Donna Fanfelle, Steve Fanfelle, Claire Charbonneau, and Dave DeMartini have between them112

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30new laptops the 2009 Fund-in-need bought

1 graduate in the very first eighth grade class

books in the David Hale library6,192

painted rocks in the outdoor Education Center


Students Past and Present

painted rocks in the outdoor Education Center

The Shapes of a Year

by Abby Bernard, Class of 2010

Warmth hits my faceas i step out of classi reach out my hand to plucka delicate flower off a nearby treeMy flower sings to me,That life just has begunlife will live and it will dieBut life will continue on

We part but will returnrunning past the dock,Through the barn,as i come to the meadow balmy air hits me,i am no longer near the soundThe chill of the air has gone awayJust as i reach the wooden doori grab a spoke of the wheelThat is the doori walk in,Slip off my shoes,and let myself sink inThe grass, dirt, the smell,My gardenMy homeMy campMy place

as i walk out of classa crisp, briskWind hits me SMacK in the facea crunchy leaf flies into my eyeWe have returnedWe do each yearTo share what knowledgeWe gained while we were away

The frigid air snapsagainst our frail sidesWe gather close andSit inside,i watch water drip down andi dream of warmthof my garden,of my dock,of my barnof my timeof warmer timesWe come and goas time goes on,We change and growas we grow we may feel thatnothing stays the same,and we are rightnothing stays exactly the sameWe can’t go back and it can’t come to usBut one thing stays the sameThe shapes of our year,We will alwayshave a cold onea warm onea brisk one,and one filled with feverno matter what happensWe have ourSeasons.

Mp&MS Alumni Spotlight Walker Henderson Mp&MS Class of ‘07

Walker is a junior at the Urban School of San francisco. along with science and music classes, he is in

his third year of chinese, learning to speak, read and write Mandarin. he plays lead guitar in Urban’s ad-vanced Jazz Band, which recently had a featured performance in front of 4,000 at the National As-sociation of independent Schools conference. The next step in his education is embarking on the search for a college.

Dylan HendersonMp&MS Class of ‘09

dylan is thrilled to be part of Marin academy, finishing up his freshman year. dylan plays drums in one of the jazz bands and often plays in ensembles. dylan continues to stay in contact with a number of his old MP&MS friends who are at differ-ent schools. “after so many years together, those bonds are still very tight,” says mom laura Tauber.

The MP&MS Class of 2009 is finding success at the following high schools: The Branson School • Sir Francis Drake High School • The Bay School • Marin Catholic High School • Redwood High School • Sugar Bowl Academy • Saint Igna-tius High School • Marin Academy • Drew High School • Marin School of the Arts

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Modalities: More Than a Buzzword

The sounds of learning in the primary school: first graders using their bodies to write the words of the week in the air, third graders hunting for things to measure, second graders shaking out their wiggles with the “shaky eights” and then sitting down to listen to stories of the Chinese Zodiac. All of these things are just part of a normal day at Marin primary & Middle School, a place where chil-dren are truly excited to attend and to learn. And it happens that i am privileged to be in a school where an administrator is welcomed into the classroom as a teacher. For me, there is nothing like the sound of a first grader learning to read. The predictable patterned text: “Here is a red ball. Here is a blue shirt.” The hope is that the child will turn and look at the picture so he or she will be able to “read” the word “shirt,” and maybe need a small prompt to remember the “sh” sound. And the excitement of watching the pattern change and watching the child stop and notice—a clear indication that the child is not simply memorizing the

pattern, but that reading has begun. All of these behaviors are predict-able because reading readiness and literacy develop in a systematic way in young children. it is why i chose to become a reading specialist and why i feel so fortunate to be at a school where i can teach as well as be a part of a fabulous administra-tive team.

The varied approaches to learning in the classrooms of Marin primary & Middle School are one of the things that set us apart from other schools. our teachers know that children learn in many different ways and through many different modalities. it is this knowledge that helps us develop a curriculum in the primary school that integrates many subject areas, including the arts, technology, physical educa-tion, and outdoor education. This integrated approach to learning not only helps to meet the learn-ing needs of every student in the classroom, but furthers the mission of the school of “teaching to reach children.”

Erin Murphy Primary School Director


in addition to integrated curricu-lum, individualized instruction is important in providing children with a well-rounded education, and one of the many reasons i am at Marin primary & Middle School.

The word “modalities” is heard often, and many schools make efforts to teach this way. in the classrooms of Mp&MS, teachers know their students and group them according to specific needs on each given day. Children move in and out of groups rather than staying in one group for the entire year because their needs change. Teachers continually assess their students to be sure they are chal-lenged, provided with remediation, or instructed according to what each individual needs at the time.

That is true individualization, and it is seen on all levels from jun-ior kindergarten to fourth grade and beyond. Teachers work in teams with specialists and learn-ing resource staff and talk about individual students to come up with specific plans when a skill or concept needs strengthening, when a behavior has become a hindrance to learning, or when a child needs enrichment because he or she has mastered a skill. Marin primary & Middle School is built on this phi-losophy that we “teach to reach” children, and it is done every day by every person in the building.

our teachers know that children learn in many different ways and through many different modalities.

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getting Technical at MP&MS

When Mp&MS first became a school in 1975, television sets had three main channels (four if you count the educational channel,) we were sure to carry dimes for the pay phone, and an exciting day was one on which your photos were ready after waiting a week for them from the time you dropped them off at the neighborhood drug store. Two renegade kids were building computers from wood and electric typewriter parts, and music was blasting through the speakers of Ford Torinos via eight-track tapes.

To state the obvious, technology has moved at dizzying speeds since 1975. As adults, sometimes it’s all you can do to figure out how to pro-gram the TiVo. Conventional wisdom says, “if you can’t figure out how to do something on your (insert latest technology item or software here: digital camera, iphone, BlackBerry, Facebook,) ask your kid how to do it.” indeed, kids’ comfort with the latest technology is impressive. Even more impressive are the ways we’ve learned to adapt at Mp&MS to our rapidly-changing world in order to enhance learning. Far from replacing reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic, technology complements the proc-ess. Students learn to use the latest information-gathering and sharing techniques to give polished presentations, peer reviews, and classroom discussions.

Below are just a few ways we’re integrating technology into our classrooms:

• Second graders round out their library research on rainforest animals by utilizing links posted on the class web page, applying the information they’ve gathered to create walk-through exhibits in their classroom. As third graders, they put those same research skills to work, this time with a little more muscle, for the African Extravaganza. Along with creating slideshows on African wildlife, students present their online discoveries via costume, dance, and skits interpreting African folklore.

Yolanda EscandonTechnology Education SpecialistandJudy ZimolaCommunications Manager


At Mp&MS, we’ve adapted to our rapidly-changing world in order to enhance learning, make free time productive, and gain new perspectives from our youngest students.

• “Ning is the thing!” according to sixth grade teacher Daydra Bell. Young MP&MS authors are using Ning for writers’ workshop, in which students post writing samples and classmates critique in a private online forum. “The teachers can really see how students evolve as writers. From the beginning to the end of the year, it’s apparent that students have developed their unique writing styles. They pay more attention to their writing because they’re writing for an audience, not just for the teacher. And they learn to analyze and critique. Social networking for them has grown to a level beyond ‘hey, how ya doin’?”

• Armed with digital cameras and guided by their own curiosity, the Zoo class recently visited the Outdoor Education Center. The result was a gallery of photos mounted on construction paper and artfully embellished with sunflower seeds. The photos showed closeups of flowers, long shots of the arbor, and the play of light and shadows on the path. “i’ve used a camera before!” one student eagerly shared. The young photographers were proud to point to their works, and enthusiastic about future photo opportunities.

• More technology will soon be invading our classrooms. This year’s 2010 Fund-in-Need at the MP&MS 22nd Annual Auction raised more than $70,000 to support the Technology Committee’s Fast Start plan, which will provide more laptops as well as SMArT Board digital whiteboards, ipads, document projectors, digital cam-eras, and other high-tech tools for our classrooms.

Who knows what methods we’ll employ to teach our students by the year 2040? Maybe our technology lab will have plasma walls and we’ll look at images projected in the air. Maybe we’ll wear clothes made from soda bottles. Wait…we already wear those. one thing is certain: we’ll be here, ready to embrace whatever new developments come along.

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Time outwith Steve and donna

What is your favorite event?

Steve: That would be gradua-tion, because every single emo-tion you can possibly imagine just tugs at my heartstrings.

Donna: The heavy admissions sea-son when i’m giving tours because that’s my favorite part of the job. i just feel so strongly that Mp&MS is an amazing place for students to be. i also like the holiday time, because we’re quite a family here.

What’s the single big-gest change you’ve seen take place at school?

Steve: i’ve been here for thirty years, and the biggest change is a true understanding for the founding philosophy. i think in the last four years especially, people have come to truly acknowledge and respect what we’re doing for the kids, for all types of learn-ers. We were talking about the “whole child” years ago, when no one else was, and now everyone is. That makes me feel proud.

Donna: We’re starting to look on the outside the way we are on the inside, with the new rugs, the new lighting, and the skylights. We look as special as we are.

What would you most like to see in the way of physical improvements?

Steve: Well, what i would really love to see next are two things: the first is a Multi-purpose room or gym or combination of both. The second would be Dave (De-Martini) actually getting some gray hair. i’m really questioning how he can still have brown hair after being at Mp&MS as long as i have.

Donna: Steve kind of took my idea, because i’d like to see a better Multi-purpose room so we could have a place where all of the families of the school could be together. The other one is a certain mid-dle school teacher wearing long pants and closed-toe shoes when i have admission tours.


Can a relationship survive when both parties work in the same place? if those parties are enthusiastic, committed, and have a great sense of humor, the relationship not only survives, it enhances the workplace. Eighth grade teacher Steve and Admissions Co-Director Donna Fanfelle bring the spirit of george Burns and gracie Allen to Mp&MS.

If you could have anybody else’s job at MP&MS, whose would it be?

Donna: That’s a good ques-tion, because in all my years here, i’ve done just about everything. i like my own job. i don’t want to trade positions with anybody else. is that oK?

Steve: i definitely would not want to be in any type of administrative position because i do better deal-ing with the fourteen-year-olds, hence, teaching children for thirty-three years. if i had to choose one other area, i would love to be a drama teacher like Charlie . . .

Donna: You’d be good at it.

Steve: . . . i would love to do that.

If a TV show were to be made about MP&MS, what do you think would be a good theme song?

Steve: “What a Wonderful World” by louis Armstrong, and to coincide with that, “go Your own Way” by Fleetwood Mac.

Donna: Mine would be “it’s a Small World,” the Disneyland song, because i love that, and “We Are Family.”

Steve: What happened to “Fol-low the Yellow Brick road?”

Donna: And i like “Follow the Yellow Brick road,” too.

Steve: i was gonna use that!

Donna: You’re arguing with me . . .

Steve: “Follow the Yel-low Brick road” . . .

Donna: . . .oK, but you’re arguing . . .

Steve: . . .this is what i tell the graduates. it’s a Wonderful World, Follow the Yellow Brick road, but go Your own Way. There. That’s me, in a nutshell.

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liz Brown: Teacher/Traveler

As told to Judy Zimola

My family moved from Colorado to California when i was two years old. Both my parents were teach-ers there but took the opportunity to move out to a farm on the coast of California near Fort ross to take over running a ranch and summer camp for children that had been in existence from the 1950’s. i grew up on the farm in the redwoods with my parents, twin sister, and older brother in a very small community.

i attended an elementary school very similar to Mp&MS and loved grow-ing up in rural northern California. My parents have always opened our eyes to different cultures and my family went on a trip to Europe when i was nine years old. My parents took us out of school for two months and we travelled to eight different countries. This was a very memorable trip for me. it gave me the passion, curiosity, and yearning to further experience the world in various ways. For example, i volunteered in Costa rica, working at an orphanage, taking care of children of all ages. i also worked at an elementary school part-time, helping teach English to kindergarten through sixth graders while there. At the same time, i was practicing my Spanish and learning about life in Central America.

i moved to new Zealand in 2005 with a year-long work visa to ex-perience yet another culture and way of living. i took on many jobs including working in preschools; various agriculture jobs in vineyards, kiwi and apple farms; and hospitality jobs while exploring the incred-ible outdoor education of both the north and South islands.


Travelling, experiencing and seeing other cultures makes me real-ize that my world and culture are just a small part of the big picture. My experiences abroad have opened my eyes to different ideas and ways of living and have made me feel more connected to humankind. Understanding various cultures and histories makes me want to learn more about the world around me and has given me a broader frame of reference in which to live. My travel experiences have humbled me and i feel very fortunate to have had the chance to interact with a diverse range of people, and experience other parts of the world with my own eyes and not just through the media of America. Furthermore, travel has made me appreciate my life here in California all the more!

Travel has also influenced my ideas and theories on teaching. i more deeply understand the true importance of opening students’ eyes to other ways of living. learning about the greater world is vital, even from a young age, and i do my best to incorporate this into many aspects of my teaching as well as sharing my world experiences with students who may have not yet had the opportunity to learn as much first-hand about other cultures. i hope this will inspire them to appreciate diversity, be open to new worldly experiences, and accept others even more.

a world traveler, first year MP&MS teacher elizabeth Brown brings a depth of experience to the fourth grade class-room.

“i enjoy teaching at a place where stu-dents are exposed to the greater world around them. com-munity and global service projects including Pennies for Peace, helping students in the local canal district, and providing relief aid for those devastated by natural disasters really enhances kids’ knowledge base.”

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MP&MS 2008-2009 annual report

nine months after joining Marin primary & Middle School as Director of Development, i am thrilled to be a staff member of this special school. i am continually impressed by our dedicated faculty, bright and eager students and the amazing community generously supporting our efforts.

2008-09 was a challenging year for our country and for many at Mp&MS, and we are grateful for the hundreds of donors listed on the following pages who supported the school. Every gift truly made a difference.

The 2008-09 Mp&MS Annual Fund campaign, chaired by Mark Sla-vonia, raised $344,763 for the school’s operating budget. Mp&MS’s parent Association, under the leadership of larie Flaherty, made an additional contribution of $148,000 to the school, in part as a result of the success of Mp&MS’s 21st Annual Auction, “Club Magnolia.” We are also so thankful for our hardworking capital campaign com-mittee, chaired by John Stobo and Sue Whitaker, for leading our school through its first major capital campaign. The sparkling new hallways are just a taste of what’s to come with this project!

if we haven’t yet met, please stop by and introduce yourself—my office is two doors down from Julie’s. i look forward to work-ing with you to accomplish wonderful things for Mp&MS!

rising to the challenge

by Meredith Clark Development Director


Donations to Mp&MS play a critical role in ensuring the quality of the school’s programs and facilities. Thank you to all the current and former Mp&MS parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends who help sustain the financial health of our special school.

Annual FundThe Mp&MS Annual Fund raises unrestricted money to supplement the school’s operating budget. Annual Fund donations help bridge the difference between what tuition covers and the actual cost of educating each child. items the Annual Fund helps support include teacher salaries, the school’s innovative curriculum, and the best student services. Annual Fund donations for the 2009-2010 campaign are being accepted through June 30, 2010.

Major Donor and Foundation GiftsMp&MS seeks ongoing support in the form of major gifts and foundation grants to fund specific programs, special projects, and the school’s endowment. Major gifts the school has received in recent years have helped fund the learning resource Center, the Tuition Assistance program, and the outdoor Education Center.

Building for Their Future over the last few years, Mp&MS has raised more than $2 million through the initial quiet phase of the Building for Their Future capital campaign. These funds helped the school complete a major hallway renova-tion and other important improvements in the summer of 2009. Funds are currently being raised for addi-tional campus updates, including a new Multi-purpose room and a renovated playground area.

MP&MS Parents Associationin addition to its role in strengthening the Mp&MS community, the school’s parents Association is crucial to fundraising. proceeds from the Mp&MS Annual Auction and other volunteer-driven parents Association events support the school’s operating budget, helping ensure excellence and quality beyond what tuition alone will cover. The Mp&MS 22nd Annual Auction took place on March 27, 2010 at the Julia Morgan Ball-room in San Francisco.

For information about making a gift to Marin primary & Middle School, please contact Meredith A. Clark, Director of Development at (415) 413-9046 or [email protected].

giving at Marin Primary & Middle School

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Board of Trustees 2008-2009

Officers

Chair

Eliot Holtzman

Vice Chairs

Therese lawless

John Stobo

Treasurer

laura Tauber

Secretary

Fred lange

Head of School

Julie Elam

Board Members

Chris Albinson

John Battelle

rick Bernard

Jayme Canton

george Carver

Tom Dietz

larie Flaherty

Cathy Hunter

Susan Kan-Whitaker

rory little

Stephanie Mellin

Melanie nichols

Tom restaino

Joe rusbarsky

Mark Slavonia

Kerry Tepperman

Parents association 2008-2009

Officers

president

larie Flaherty

Vice president

Kristen powell

Treasurer

Carol DeMuth

Secretary

Sam Cross


annual fund 2008-2009

Founder’s Circle

$25,00+

Mark and Catherine Slavonia

Head’s Council

$10,000 to $24,999

Ed and Susan Catmull

garry rayant and Kathy Fields-rayant

Tom restaino and Jan Becker

Magnolia Society

$5,000 to $9,999

Anonymous

John and Janet Bent

george and Kathy Carver

Tom Dietz and leslie Ferguson-Dietz

Bob and Myra Fairchild

Eliot and Margot Holtzman

Donald and Donna Kelleher

(in honor of Bari Kelleher Williams)

Byron Kuth and liz ranieri Kuth

Tibor laczay and Julia Zhen

rory and Jan little

Bill and Stephanie Mellin

John and Diana Stobo

Jim Sturdevant and Therese lawless

The lEF Foundation

lars Ulrich and Connie nielsen

Patrons

$2,500 to $4,999

John and Michelle Battelle

Stephen and Christine Bent

phil and Christine Bronstein

Kurt and Jane Burkhard

Craig and Vida Campbell

Alex Cobb and Melissa norris

leonard and Margaret DeSomma

Mark and Maria Forney

Chris and Allison Fragakis

Eric and Kimberly Johnson

Jon Myers and Bonnie Seto-Myers

Jeremy and Amy noblin

liz palacios

rich and Tanya peterson

pg&E

Todd Schneider and Devin Dixon

Daniel and Elizabeth Traub

Craig and gia Wallace

John Whitaker and Susan Kan-Whitaker

Erik and Ali Witte

Benefactors

$1,000 to $2,499

Chris and Debra Albinson

Mark and Victoria Anderson

Anonymous

Jason and negissa Araghi

Clint Bajakian and Deniz ince

rick and Sarah Bernard

Scott and pam Bohner

ned and Catherine Brown

Jayme and gayle Canton

Will Costa and Kitty King

Stuart and lois Coven

Shawn and Samantha Cross

Adam Cummings

Deborah J. And peter A. Magowan

Family Foundation, inc.

Julie and Jon Elam

Fidelity Charitable Fund

Jim and larie Flaherty

Christopher and nerida gallagher

genentech Employee giving program

Andy and linda gordon

Jeff and Claire Haggin

Tyson and Kristen Harper

Mark Henderson and laura Tauber

Thomas and Tinsley Hutson-Wiley

Joe Keene and Susan Andrus

robert and Sloan Klein

Marco Krapels and Moira Hanes

Fred and lynn lange

Cortland and Elizabeth larned

levi Strauss Foundation

robert and Maribeth Marchi

robert and Karen McHugh

Michael McTiernan and Jeong-Ae Yoon

luke Moix and Andrea Derochi

Martin and Carol neville

paul and Melanie nichols

Steve and Cindy patrizi

philip and Cynthia pillsbury

Jeff and Kim Qvale

Josh and Angela rafner

Su ranft

Darrell rosenstein and liesel Walsh

Joe rusbarsky and Margaret Warner

peter and Diana ryan

greg Schilz and Kim Kihara

Alexei and Elena Sorokine

Matthew Spotswood and

Shannon parrott Spotswood

leonard Stecklow and Karen Steiner

Sharon Stone

Dennis and nancy Thompson

John and Barbara Treat

Kirk and Mindy Uhrlaub

patrick and Caroline Wabl

Jimmy and leAnn Wanninger

Marc Watrous and

Kimberly Kraemer Watrous

Adam Wolfson and Dana oliver

Heroes $500 to $999

4Charity Foundation, inc.

Steve and Christine Berkley

george and Sheila Bertram

Sandy and Carol Boone

Clif Bar Family Foundation

peter and Jeanne Conklin

Jeremy and Wendy Coon

Andrew and Michelle Foster

gap Foundation gift Match program

Jewish Communal Fund

John and Anne gilchrist

Alan and Elsie gregson

Mitch and linda Hart

Kurt and Julie Houtkooper

Tom Johnson and Jennifer Barry

Michael Joy

roger and Sally Kirk

20

David and penny Kweder

Michael and Tracy lauterman

Don lesser and Maria Whitaker

rick and leslie limpert

Mark and ingrid lin

Donna Maier

Brian and nicole Mott

oracle Corporation Matching gifts program

Marcy pattinson

Michael and linda perrella

Desmond and Teresa pollock

Carol pott

peter and leila poutiatine

Ethan russell and Shannon Mong

Eric and ingrid ryan

Edward and Michelle Sarti

Dan Schlager and Donna Wiggins

Michael Schon and Tara Himler

Scott and Jane Stiteler

Craig and gia Wallace

David Wilson and Belle Cole

Friends

$1 to $499

Sarah Abbey

Joy Abesamis

Ellen Abrams

raymond Ahearn

Dorie Akka

Mark and Susan Anderson

Mia Andler

William and georgeann Andrus

Anonymous

ian Arthur

nora Bailetti

Knud and lynda Balslev

Christopher and Maryam Barrett

Jacob Bastacky and laurie roth

Kirsten Bauer

Michael and Kirsten Beckwith

Daydra Bell

Derek Berka

Arlene Birkhahn

Kurt Birkhahn and

Christienne DeTournay Birkhahn

Wendy Bolker

Juliana Carlsen

raquel Carrillo

Claire Charbonneau

robert and Kimberlee Chase

roy and renee Chernus

Chris and nancy Connery

Kevin and Deborah Cook

Kevin and Katherine Cope

rick and paula Coven

Chris and Sonya Danne

Christopher Dean and Wesley Hudnall

David DeCotis and

paige Missamore-DeCotis

Dave and Chris DeMartini

Carol DeMuth

Mark Derango

Joel and Jolie DeVilbiss

Ferenc and Karen Dobronyi

David and Karen Dold

Kristi Durst

Steve and Elizabeth Dveris

Sherrie Dye

Andrew Eldredge

peter Eldredge

Mia Elsberg

Yolanda Escandon

Douglas and Julia Evans

gayanne Fambrini

Steve Fanfelle and Donna Fanfelle

Donna Firenzi

Ward Flad and Jennifer Feigal

geoff and Karyn Flynn

lassa and Kristel Frank

Drew Freeman and irene Kanehiro

David goray and Jana Wondriska

David and Dana gottlieb

Johnny and Jordonna grace

laura greenfield

Tanako Hagiwara

Jason and Johanna Hall

Celine Hamel

Tim and Carolyn Harrington

Dan Harrison

Carl Hawk

Jennifer Henzi

Tika Hick

paul and Victoria Hinks

Joseph and Barbara Hinman

Jon Hull

Susan Humphrey


Cathy Hunter

Jennifer ingrassia

Jacob Jackson

Alan and pam Jarrett

Jeff and Alex Jennings

Jewish Communal Fund

Eric and Heather Johnson

Jason and Angela Jones

rhonda Jones

Warren and Diana Karlenzig

Daniel and Valerie King

Jennifer Klem-Clarke

Claudia Knaack

Margot Koch

Alessa Kutten-Cottrell

Heather Kweder

Michael laine and Kim roberts

Jeanne lawless

Jerry and Cici lee

leon lepyansky and

Mary Hope McQuiston

Jerry and Kathy lewis

Heather liston

Michael lorusso

Stephanie lyle

paul and Jennifer Maes

Jonathan and Jane Maier

Michael and Jodi Manning

Mrs. glenn Martin

nancy Matthews

Al Mayberry

Sheila McBroom

Joe Mcgovern

robert and Missy McQuiston

Mitzi Medrud

Madeline Mendelsohn and Steve Shakin

Stephanie Mink

Stephen and Barbara Moran

Mario Moran

David and Mia Munson

Erin Murphy

Molly Myerson

Cristy norian

Tom norian

James and Katja o’Brien

Jim parton and Maureen Brown parton

Matt and Amie penwell

peter pfau and Kimberly Starr

David and Mary phillips

Kyle polite

Meghan polite

Michael polite

Jeff and Kristen powell

rick pozzo

Charlie Queary

Jeffrey and Adriana rabkin

lisa ramezzano

Violet ramezzano

Judy regalia

William and Betsy richardson

David and Annie riedel

lori rifkin

Jim and Kim rizzo

John and Julie rootes

Agustin rosas-Maxemin

Tom rosko

Todd and Camille roth

Tom and nan ryan

Charles and Susan Schaefer

Winston and Ann Searles

Al and Ann Seidel

Amrick Singh Virk

Julia Smith

Avery Stout

luzMaria Strohm

Douglas Styles and Deborah pearl-Styles

Whitney Sutak

Sean and nancy Svendsen

Craig and Marylou Symonds

Jeff and Amy Taylor

Kerry Tepperman

Marianne Thomas

Craig and Stacey Tupper

Skylar Ulrich and Mario Moran

University of illinois at Chicago

Tony and rita Vierra

Meike Wanberg

linda Warren

Suzanne Warren

Jeremy and Heather Wenner

Klaus and Ellen Werner

Sarah Westmoreland

rob and gerri Wilkinson

Sean Williams

Stephen Wilson and Corinne Wong

Ted Wilson and Darcy Sears

Ted and Shauna Witt

Tim and Ashley Wood

Jeff and laura Woodhead

Michael Wray

rebecca Wunderlich

Brooke Young

Bradford and lisa Zampa

Judy Zimola

22

endowment, capital, and other restricted gifts 2008-2009

Endowment John and Michelle BattelleMichael and linda perrellaScott and Jane StitelerJeff Symonds and Susee Wittlouis Weller

David R. Heath Outdoor Education Center george and Kathy CarverBerenice Spalding

Gifts in Kind Judith BebiannoJohnny and Jordonna graceStan HoffmanEliot HoltzmanMarin r/C Hobbies Morrie and inna MinkSteve and Mattie MorganKerry Myers and Cathy Myerspeter pfau and Kimberly StarrSharon Stone

Fund-in-Need Suzanne Abele-Ebanks and Kenneth EbanksChris and Debra AlbinsonJulia Banningnicholas and Jennifer BartleJohn and Michelle BattelleVinit and Hilarey BhattBrad and liz BirdScott and pam Bohnerphil and Chris BronsteinKurt and Jane BurkhardCraig and Vida CampbellJayme and gayle Cantongeorge and Kathy CarverEd and Susan CatmullWill Costa and Kitty Kingin Honor of Chris DeMartini, Joy Abesamis and Claire CharbonneauJoel and Jolie DeVilbissTom Dietz and leslie Ferguson-Dietz

Ferenc and Karen DobronyiJulie and Jon Elamrobert and Michele FieldJim and larie FlahertyAndrew and Michelle FosterChris and Allison FragakisJeff and Claire HagginEliot and Margot HoltzmanDana Johnsonrobert and Sloan KleinJoel and Jennifer KleinfeldByron Kuth and liz ranieri KuthCortland and Elizabeth larnedBill and Molly lawrenceJustin and nicole MacnaughtonJonathan and Jane MaierAlex and Aimee Mandossianrobert and Karen McHughBrian and nicole Mottliz palaciosMichael and linda perrellaCarol pottSu ranftJoe rusbarsky and Margaret WarnerTodd Schneider and Devin DixonMark and Catherine SlavoniaJim Sturdevant and Therese lawlessMark and Samara TooleDaniel and Elizabeth TraubSkylar Ulrich and Mario MoranJohn Whitaker and Susan Kan-Whitaker

Learning Resource Center Byron Kuth and liz ranieri KuthThe lEF Foundation

Library Media CenterSalesforce.com Foundation

Building for Thier FutureAnonymous Chris and Debra AlbinsonJulia BanningJohn and Michelle Battellerick and Sarah BernardJayme and gayle Cantongeorge and Kathy CarverEd and Susan CatmullWill Costa and Kitty King

Tom Dietz and leslie Ferguson-DietzFerenc and Karen DobronyiJulie and Jon ElamJosh and Kara FisherChristopher and nerida gallagherAndy and linda gordonJeff and Claire HagginMark Henderson and laura TauberEliot and Margot HoltzmanCathy Hunterpeter Joseph and Marcy levineTibor laczay and Julia ZhenFred and lynn langerick and leslie limpertrory and Jan littleDeborah J. And peter A. Magowan Family Foundation, inc. peter and Deborah Magowanlaurentius Marais and Susan Hendrie-MaraisBill and Stephanie Mellinpaul and Melanie nicholsJim parton and Maureen Brown partonpeter pfau and Kimberly StarrWick and Karen politegarry rayant and Kathy Fields-rayantTom restaino and Jan BeckerMark and Catherine SlavoniaJohn and Diana StoboJim Sturdevant and Therese lawlessKerry TeppermanJohn Whitaker and Susan Kan-Whitaker

MusicByron Kuth and liz ranieri KuthThe lEF Foundation

Social CurriculumAnonymousBell & Anderson, llC

Tuition Assistance ProgramS. Mark Taper Foundation


auction donors 2008-2009

a line

Sarah abbey

Joy abesamis

ellen abrams

chris and debra albinson

Susan anderson

nicole apostoli

arrowood Vineyards

autodesk

azul design gallery

Knud and lynda Balslev

Maryam Barrett

nicolas and Jennifer Bartle

John and Michelle Battelle

Vesa and gwenael Becam

Benefit

Benissimo ristorante & Bar

derek Berka

Berkeley repertory Theatre

rick and Sarah Bernard

Brad and liz Bird

Bistro 333

Mariko Blakemore

Scott and Pam Bohner

Book Passage

Phil and chris Bronstein

Buckeye roadhouse

Buoncristiani Photography

Jeff Burke

Kirby Burke

Jane Burkhard

cafe of life chiropractic

calistoga ranch

Camp K-9 of Marin

Jayme and gayle canton

Juliana carlsen

raquel carrillo

ed and Susan catmull

erika chapman

claire charbonneau

rob and Kim chase

chateau St. Jean

children’s fairyland

Stacy ciauri

Kelle clark

classic Kids Photography

clear center of health

connexion Tutoring

Wendy coon

cooper raphael

Katherine cope

cote consulting

Marcia cote

country club Bowl

rick and Paula coven

dJ chinese cuisine

dagaz Salon

david fromer’s Soccer camp

dave and chris deMartini

Mark derango

Jolie deVilbiss

devin dowd

diPietro Todd Salon

Tom dietz and leslie ferguson-dietz

ymke dioquino

devin dixon

MP&MS drama department

Kevin V duncan

elizabeth dveris

Julie elam

andrew eldredge

Peter eldredge

leslie ferguson-dietz

Kathy fields

firefly restaurant

Jim and larie flaherty

Karyn flynn

allison fragakis

frame crafters gallery

Marie france

lassa and Kristel frank

golden gate fencing center

david goray

Jeff and claire haggin

amelia haimovitch

Moira hanes

Tim and carolyn harrington

francesca harris

dan harrison

harvest Moon Winery

heitz Wine cellars

Karen hensley

Jennifer henzi

Tika hick

eliot holtzman

Scott howard

Jon hull

Tinsley hutson-Wiley

il fornaio

Jennifer ingrassia

lin ivice

Jarvis conservatory

eric and dana Johnson

Jack Johnson

Kimberly Johnson

Kevin Jones

Joseph cozza Salon

Susan Kan-Whitaker

Warren and diana Karlenzig

don and donna Kelleher

debbie Khalilifah

Jonathan Kleid

Sloan Klein

Joel and Jennifer Kleinfeld

Jennifer Klem

heidi Krahling

heather Kweder

la Jolla Shores hotel

lambert Bridge Winery

lark Theater

cort and elizabeth larned

las camelias Mexican restaurant

Michael and Tracy lauterman

Bill and Molly lawrence

edward leaman

nathalie leiseing

clare lightfoot

rory and Jan little

Michael lopez

Susana lua

lulu designs

Stephanie lyle

24

M clothing

Mega gymnastics

MP&MS

Paul Maes

Jonathan and Jane Maier

Marin Brewing co.

Marin rowing association

Marin Shakespeare company

Marin Symphony

Matanzas creek Winery

al Mayberry

Karen Mchugh

Melons event catering

Timothy and Jennifer Merrill-Palethorpe

erika Michelis

Stephanie Mink

Shannon Mong

Barb Moran

dawn Morgan

Brian and nicole Mott

Mountain camp

Moylan’s Brewery and restaurant

nancy alcott Photography

navarro Vineyards

nicolette

amy noblin

noodle Soup

Tracy novick

Katja o’Brien

dana oliver

Pacific Tan

Painter’s Place

liz Palacios

Matthew Spotswood and

Shannon Parrott Spotswood

cindy Patrizi

carl Pearl

deborah Pearl-Styles

Peggy Parks Photography

Peju Winery

Matt and amie Penwell

Mike and linda Perrella

Peter Pfau

Pier 39

cynthia Pillsbury

desmond Pollock

robyn Pope

aaron and carol Pott

leila Poutiatine

Jeff and Kristen Powell

charlie Queary

Jeff and Kim Qvale

Josh and angela rafner

ravenswood Winery

ristorante la Toscana

Julie rootes

linda ross

laurie routhier

ethan russell

ingrid ryan

Samantha howe Photography

dan Schlager

Schug carneros estate Winery

Peter and elizabeth Schumacher

darcy Sears

Missy Silver

Mark and catherine Slavonia

Julia Smith

Kim Starr

leonard and Karen Stecklow

Stellar Spa

John and diana Stobo

Sharon Stone

Jim Sturdevant and Therese lawless

Whitney Sutak

Swing

TJ’s gym

anna Tapay

laura Tauber

Tavern at lark creek

The 2 Brothers Spotless Windows

The Melting Pot

The Pelican inn

The San remo hotel

Theatre rhinoceros

Sam Toole

Twin cities Market & deli

lars Ulrich

Vintner’s collective

Patrick and caroline Wabl

Meike and richard Wanberg

leann Wanninger

Ward Street cafe

nathan Washburn

Marc Watrous and

Kimberly Kraemer-Watrous

nirmal Watson

John Whitaker

Wipeout Bar & grill

adam Wolfson

Jana Wondriska

Jeffrey and laura Woodhead

Michael Wray

rebecca Wunderlich

Jeong-ae yoon

Brooke young


Parents association committee chairs 2008-2009

Auction

Devin Dixon, leslie Ferguson-Dietz,

Francesca Harris, Jane Maier, Angela rafner

Book Fair Coordinators

Sonya Danne and lori Docherty

Eighth grade graduation and reception

Karen Dobronyi and Claire lightfoot

Emergency phone Tree

leila poutiatine

Friends of library (Fol)

roz lewis, Shannon Mong, Margot Holtzman

Halloween Celebration

Ali Witte, Samantha Cross

Homeroomless giving

Susan Andrus

Homeroom parent Coordinators

preschool

Julie rootes

primary School

leila poutiatine

Middle School

Debra Albinson

Hospitality Coordinators

liz palacios, lisa Christensen

literary Day

roz lewis, Shannon Mong

Merchant program - eScrip

Kim Kihara

outdoor Education Center

Margot Holtzman

parent/Faculty green initiative group

Stephanie philipp and Kirsten Beckwith

Safe routes To School

Allison Fragakis

Sock Hop/Bunny Hop

larie Flaherty

Speaker Series

garry rayant, David gottlieb

Teacher Appreciation luncheon

gayle Canton, Diana Stobo

Volunteer Hour Coordinator

irene Kanehiro

Welcome Coffee

Margot Holtzman, Karen Dobronyi

Welcome picnic

larie Flaherty

26

Exhibit I1I: gifts to Marin Primary & Middle SchoolFiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009

Unrestricted Funds $455,510 includes funds raised by annual fund and Parents association

Temporarily Restricted Funds $1,503,018 includes capital campaign donations and other restricted gifts

Permanently Restricted Funds $2,100 includes endowment donations

Total Gifts $1,960,628

financials

Exhibit 1: 2008-2009 School Revenues

Tuition 90% Fundraising 9%Interest and Other 1%

Exhibit I1: 2008-2009 School Expenditures

Salaries and Benefits: 70.5%Building and Grounds 9%Tuition Assistance Program 8.5% Educational Supplies and Field Trips 5% other (fundraising, Marketing, Insurance, Telephones, Postage, Printing) 3%Professional Services 1.5%Parents Association 1.5%Professional Development 1%


demographics 2008-2009

Founded May 1975incorporated not-for-profit, coeducational, non-sectarian.

Student enrollment 338Preschool 112JK-4 1155-8 111

Student:Teacher ratioPreschool 5:1JK-8 7:1

Total number of Staff 73

disclaimerMP&MS has made every effort to check the accuracy of the lists in this report. acknowledgment lists include gifts received during the 2008-2009 fiscal year and names appear as listed on school forms. We sincerely regret any errors or omissions. MP&MS values every contribution and greatly appreciates your support. Thank you.

faculty and Staff 2008-2009

Division Directorspreschool Director Marianne Thomasprimary School Director erin MurphyMiddle School Directordave deMartinilearning resources Center Director david gottlieb

Administrative DirectorsHead of School Julie elamCo-Directors of Admission donna fanfelle, erin MurphyDirector of DevelopmentJudy regaliaDirector of Finance and Human resourcesheather liston

Administrative Office

Assistant to the Head of School

Sherrie dyeAdmission office Coordinatorceline hamelCommunications Manager Judy zimola Development Assistant laura greenfield Facilities Managerdavid MunsonFinance Associate Sarah Westmoreland Maintenance Assistant carl hawknetwork Administrator Michael lorussonurse Stephanie Mink

office Manager

lisa ramezzano

David Hale Library Media Centerlibrarian, ellen abrams

outdoor Education CenterMia andler, Molly Myersonprojects labal MayberrySocial curriculumJoe Mcgoverm

Learning Resources Centerlearning Specialists: Mia elsberg, Madeline Mendelsohn, Tom rosko, Melissa Silver, amy Taylor, Junia ziblay

After-School program Manager Matt Penwell After-School Staff: ian Arthur, dan harrison, amie Penwell

Summer Camp Director: Jason hull

PreschoolMeadowclaire charbonneau, chris deMartiniForestStephanie lyle, Mitzi MedrudSeashore,Julia Smith, Brooke young Jungleraquel carrillo, Tika hickZoorhonda Jones, leila Poutiatine, camille roth, linda WarrenBarnJoy abesamis, Mark derango

Primary SchoolJunior KindergartenMia Munson, alessa Kutten-cottrellKindergartenPaige Missamore, Mario MoranFirst gradeJennifer ingrassia, heather KwederSecond gradePeter eldredge, Jennifer henzi Third gradeSarah abbey, Kristi durstFourth gradeSusan humphrey

Middle SchoolFifth gradeMeike Wanberg, rebecca WunderlichSixth gradedaydra Bell, andrew eldredgeSeventh gradederek Berka, Jennifer KlemEighth gradeSheila McBroom, Steve fanfelle

physical EducationJon hull, Whitney Sutak

SpecialistsArtMargot Koch, Paul MaesDramacharlie QuearyEducation Technology yolanda escandonSpanishnora Bailetti, luzMaria Strohm, Julieta zuniga MusicJason Jones, Michael Wray

28

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