Graland Country Day School 2015-2016 Annual Report Students who go further in life GOGRALAND CLIMBING MOUNTAINS: TAKING EXCELLENCE TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL Table of Contents Letters from Leadership Veronica McCaffrey - Head of School 1 John Gowen - President, Board of Trustees 2 Board of Trustees 3 Mission and Guiding Principles 4 highlights Pages 5-25 Annual Report Juan Botello - Financial Overview Letter 26 Financial Statement 27 Michael Miller - Letter to the Community 28 Introducing New Development Staff 29 The Perfect Fit: The Pearson Family 30 Giving to Graland Donor List 33 Prepared by the Marketing Communications Department Karyn Huberman, Director of Marketing and Communications Mimi McMann, Associate Director of Communications Brienne Jepkema, Visual Communications Coordinator Ruth Segal, Webmaster Dear Graland Community, his time last year, adults and students were staring at a desolate plot of dirt adjacent Tto Clermont Street. The first step in the construction process was to install the elevator shaft. Two first graders were overheard discussing the preliminary structure. “I dunno,” one boy said to the other, “Do you think we can all fit in there?” Today, we are anticipating the grand opening of a miraculous 24,700-square-foot building. The Corkins Center has emerged from the ground up in just one year...and yes, we ‘can all fit in there!’ Graland is approaching the summit of an unparalleled achievement. Not only has the school community created a magnificent space for great education to happen, but it is ensuring that the educators and the students will be prepared to make the most of this transformational gift through the creation of a $10 million endowment to support professional development and financial aid. I could not be more proud of how our community has come together to realize this ambitious vision. Graland never sits still. During the 2015-2016 school year, we also continued our strategic efforts in five major areas: program, personnel, community, financial sustainability and governance. Our theme for the school year was “inclusivity” in all aspects of life at Graland, including the academic, athletics and arts programs, student activities, professional development, and community life. For us, the term “inclusivity” means that every individual in our community, whether student, faculty/staff, or parent, experiences a welcoming atmosphere, and a sense of belonging and support as well as multiple opportunities to achieve his/her fullest potential. Finally, the Board of Trustees determined that the 2011-17 strategic plan essentially has been completed through the resolute efforts of trustees, administrators and faculty/staff. I look forward to joining Board President John Gowen in presenting the 2017-2022 plan when it is approved in early 2017. As a supporter of the ASCEND campaign and annual fund, you have opened a world of possibility for Graland’s students, their families, and the faculty and staff. Thank you! Sincerely, Veronica A. McCaffrey Head of School - 1 - To Our Community, The 2015-16 school year presented the Board of Trustees with several key projects and tasks to tackle that will ensure Graland’s continued success. Here are some highlights and key accomplishments. Facilities - Working with Haselden Construction, progress on the Corkins Center moved along smoothly and stayed on schedule all year. We will complete construction of this innovative building on October 13. Summer 2016 was a time to update the Middle School science classrooms and complete other facilities projects like replacing the roof on the Hamilton West building. ASCEND Campaign - The ASCEND committee worked all year in partnership with the development office to raise millions of dollars toward campaign goals. Thanks to all our donors, outstanding progress was made across the board in terms of funding Corkins Center construction, Middle School improvements and endowments for professional development and financial aid. As of June 30, we had raised $22.7 million towards our $24 million goal. Head of School Search - With mixed emotion, we announced the pending retirement of Head of School Ronni McCaffrey and launched a nationwide search for her replacement. Community members had the opportunity to provide guidance on the search and were kept informed of the process. Working with our search consultants, Wickenden Associates, the Board proudly announced that Josh Cobb, head of Middle School, was named Graland’s next Head. We thank everyone on the search committee and those who helped inform this process toward a successful end. Strategic Plan - After a review of the 2011-17 strategic plan, the Board determined that the goals had been largely met and the Strategic Planning Committee began work on developing a draft of the new 2017-22 plan. The community-wide survey is informing the committee’s work and the Board will review the plan in January 2017 before voting it into action in February 2017. Board and Committee Nominations - To create more transparency and improve our inclusivity, the Board continues to re-evaluate our process for nominating members to the Board and the Board’s committees. Watch for more about new nomination processes in 2017. At the end of 2016 fiscal year, we said goodbye to outgoing Trustees Greg Goldberg (2008-16), Geoff Lord (2011- 16), Carol McDermott (2010-16) and Scott Reiman (2007-16) who have served a collective 28 years on the Graland board. At the same time, we welcomed new faces to the table. Jon-Erik Borgen ‘92, Anne Boris, Michelle Eidson and Ben Walton have been elected to serve for 2016-19. Reflecting back on our accomplishments in 2015-16, I have a deep sense of pride in the expertise and commitment to excellence shown by our teachers, staff, administration and board members. Our parent body is second to none in their dedication to ensuring a solid future for Graland. It is truly an honor to work with such an outstanding group of leaders. Sincerely, John Gowen President, Board of Trustees, 2015-18 - 2 - Board of Trustees Officers Members President John Gowen Kathryn Albright 1st Vice President Geoff Lord* Eleanor Caulkins, Life Member 2nd Vice President John Kechriotis Max Caulkins ‘87 Treasurer Valeria Alberola Sureel Choksi Secretary Sarah Alijani David Decker ‘81 Bernie Dvorak Greg Goldberg ‘83* Crawford Hamilton ‘75 Frederic Hamilton, Life Member Sarah Harvey Sarah Hunt Carol McDermott* Mike Pardun Scott Reiman* Seth Terry ‘83 Dick Weil ‘78 *These members had terms ending June 30, 2016, and we thank them for their service to Graland. - 3 - MISSION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES Mission To achieve intellectual excellence, build strong character, enrich learning through the arts and athletics, and prepare our students to be engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders. Guiding Principles Pursue Excellence Guide Critical Thinking Instill Integrity Inspire Leadership Promote Independence Stimulate Innovation Honor Individuality Cultivate Compassion Embrace Experiences Celebrate Perseverance Value Tradition Build Community - 4 - HIGHLIGHTS Graland in the News raland’s academic and leadership excellence was March 2016 Grecognized throughout the year as local and national CPR story on Alzheimer’s airs nationally on NPR news agencies highlighted our unique program. (“Here and Now” segment) Grade 7 croquet with seniors (Denver Post) July 2015 Gates program supports design thinking Art buying excursion to Cherry Creek Arts Festival (Denver Business Journal) (9News) April 2016 August 2015 Alumni appear on Shark Tank with their Gates invention Launch of ASCEND campaign (Denver Post/television section) (Denver Post/business section) ASCEND campaign (Denver Business Journal) May 2016 Student champions Lyme disease awareness January 2016 (Denver Post/Your Hub) Emotional intelligence, article by Josh Cobb Alzheimer’s curriculum (National Science Teacher’s (Independent School Magazine) Association magazine - see page 8) Putting teachers first (Independent School Magazine) Sam Loewi Unified Neighborhood Games (9News) February 2016 Alzheimer’s service learning project Monthly (Colorado Public Radio) Articles and photos in the neighborhood magazine (Hilltop Sundial) - 5 - INTELLECTUAL EXCELLENCE Student Support Team Plays Vital Role raland continued to develop the Student Support Middle School Strategists GTeam (SST) to offer students guidance in managing Equipped with extensive knowledge of how students learn, and overcoming learning differences as well as supporting five learning specialists support Middle School students all students’ social, emotional and academic progress. using techniques and strategies to level the playing field for Thanks to funding from the ASCEND campaign, the those with learning differences. Middle School team is now making an impact in the Another service of the SST is working with teachers to new Student Support Center located in the Gates implement strategies to differentiate for all students and Middle School Building. Coming soon, the Lower School to accommodate varied learning styles in the classroom. specialists will have a new center in the lower level of the A learning specialist might offer tips to individualize an Georgia Nelson Building. assignment or to make a test accessible to an auditory learner. They use the universal (or inclusive) design Literacy Leaders approach to provide students with equal opportunities to Beginning in Lower School, reading specialists focus learn. on developing the foundational literacy skills that affect all other areas of instruction. This early intervention