lps leadership - learning prep school

Learning Prep School is fortunate to receive generous support from our

donor community, which includes parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff,

and other friends of the school. LPS provides its students with a supportive,

structured language-based program in a welcoming community thanks in part

to the financial support of this group. Thank you!

Your gift supports LPS’s Family and Friends Fund, which strengthens our

academics, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programming. We are pleased

to report that total giving to the school last year was $261,000. We continue

to improve our participation and total giving in order to further our work

transforming the lives of our community’s students.

We are incredibly grateful to all of those who have made a gift of their time

and their talents by volunteering at LPS. Some serve on the Partners in

Education (PIE) Committee or the Parents Advisory Group (PAG). Others

volunteer as members of the LPS Board of Directors or as a member of the

LPS Alumni Executive Committee. Thank you to everyone else who pitched in

and lent a helping hand when needed.

We are pleased to welcome 151 LPS students to our school this year. Every one

of these students -- from 5th grade to 12th grade -- has benefited from your

generous support of the mission of our school.

In gratitude,

Kurt Moellering Karen Kames

Head of School Board of Directors Chair

A message from

LPS Leadership

2 Our Culture of Generosity Annual Report of Giving 2019-2020

The annual tuition rate for LPS and other 766 schools is developed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, unlike other independent schools where the annual tuition rate is established by the school’s Board of Trustees. The revenue generated from tuition is not sufficient to meet all of the needs of the annual operations of the school. The budget of LPS is reflective of the operating budgets of the great majority of independent schools with funds allocated as follows:

In any given year, discretionary initiatives and projects include opportunities for students to enrich their learning experience by providing exposure to various cultural experiences in and around greater Boston and student activities, athletics, the arts, and other co-curricular engagements on campus. In essence, contributing to the LPS Family & Friends Fund enables us to provide opportunities for our students to engage in experiences designed to enrich their lives and broaden their horizons. 5Annual Report of Giving 2019-2020 Our Culture of Generosity

Board of Directors 2020-2021

Karen Kames, Board Chair ‘P17

Edward (Ted) Bunn ‘P24

Emily Derr

Christopher G. Govey

Zachary W. Heath

Carol Kinlan

Tracey McElroy ‘P26, ‘P27

Jennifer Motta

William Pannella

Alan Pisano

Anne Reenstierna

Jayshree Govender

Leadership 2020-2021

Kurt Moellering, Executive Director

Amy Davis, Middle School Principal

Jennifer Thorell, High School Principal

Dave Morrissette, Chief Financial Officer

Gretchen Petersen, Chief Operating Officer

Susan S. Powers, Dean of Students

Korina Martin, Director of Admissions

Alex Magay, Director of Development

Learning Prep School is able to deliver its mission with the help of philanthropic support. If you

would like to make a gift to help students aged 10-22 with complex learning profiles and mild to

moderate language-based learning disabilities, we would be most grateful.

Contact the Development Office at 617.965.0764 ext. 262 or [email protected]

6 Our Culture of Generosity Annual Report of Giving 2019-2020 7Annual Report of Giving 2019-2020 Our Culture of Generosity

Community of DonorsWe are grateful for the members of the LPS community who supported the school with their gifts between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Donors are listed in the giving society that corresponds with their total 2019-2020 giving. LPS is a 501 ©(3) nonprofit organization and accepts tax-deductible gifts and special financial support from our community.

Ramon Alonso

Christopher & Rachel Busby

Brian & Rachel Clouse

Thomas & Joan Feeley

Christopher Gaffney & Karen Kames

The Village Bank

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $10,000 AND ABOVE

David & Jeannette Bloss

Michael & Adrianne Canning

Walter Kuhn & Lisbeth Alpern

Alan & Kristin Pisano

Eric & Jessie von Hippel

Stephen & Jane Williamson

LPS BENEFACTOR $5,000 - $9,999

John & Lauren Addonizio

John & Caroline Barrie

Edward & Amy Bunn

Allen Cavicchi & Lauren Lineback

Kevin Donius

Ryan Healey

Zachary Heath

Brian & Meredith Lopez

Alex Magay

David Morrissette

Jennifer Motta

William & Rebecca Pannella

Gretchen Petersen

Howard & Deborah Reef

Rhode Island Community Foundation

Robert Sands & Paula Johnson

Ted & Sharon Sharp

George & Shannon Tolis

Jane Wolfson

WASHINGTON STREET SOCIETY $1,250 - $4,999

AIG

George & Kathleen Bradish

Charles & Nancy Breslin

Chip & Kit Chamberlain

Asher & Gali Diamant

Jen Jurkiewicz & Family

Dave & Brandy Gill

Eric & Linda Kiefer

Carol Kinlan

Holger & Kristen Koehler

Vilangada & Sunanda Narayanan

Heather Nichols

Bruce & Joan Ozella

Lincoln K. Richards

David Silva & Family

John & Betsy Sisson

Ned & Kristi Snell

1970 CIRCLE $500 - $1,249

Maureen Austin

Robert Erskine

Doug & Beth Freeman

Howard & Sheila Galligan

Chris & Susan Herlihy

Barbara Hile

Bob & Jacquelyn Mandell

Jill McBride

Milton Police Department

James & Robin Moody

Anne Reenstierna

Liz Richard

Valerie & Carol Samuels

Kenneth & Jamie Smoller

Robert & Lois Stiles

John & Sheila Sullivan

Susanne Summers

Shawn & Lisa Szturma

Lisa Tatterson

James Wilbur & Timothy McNeill

Andy & Jeanne Wolf

Unitrans Worldwide Inc.

George & Mary Wybieralla

Isaac & Martha Young

BLUE & GREEN CLUB $250 - $499

Anthony & Susie Andruszkiewicz

Matthew & Jessie Brauer

Janine Brown-Smith

Joseph & Gail Bruno

Bob & Andrea Bullard

Neil & Mary Bullis

Laura Carney

Clara Caruso

Jeffrey Cavallo

Michael & Christina Chatalian

Elizabeth Chick

Marie Conway

Susan Cohen

Ryan Coburn

Ashley Connors

Lisa d’Almeida

Mark & Rose Davis

Fritz & Janice Dell

Courtney Dunn

Melina Engel

Michael Feloney & Lizbeth Kowalczyk

Kelley Foley

Jules & Mary Fiore Godes

Michael Goldberg & Carol Gerwin

Joshua Goldstein

Robert Griffin

Bob & Susan Haberman

John Hammel & Karen Buetens

Paraskevas & Marianthi Hatzigiannis

Robert Healey

Joshua Hebert

Allen & Joanne Hicks

Amanda Jurczak

Lisa Jurczak

Marilyn Kearney

Alexandra Konert

John & Susan Kowalczyk

Demetrios & Christina Katos

Gail Lamothe

Lisa Laskin

Chris & Suzanne Lazzaro

Jackie Lowney

Kari Lukovics

Sarah Lyberger

Carl Lundgren

Robert Mantell

Brent Markus & Emily Derr

Joth & Susan McConathy

Neal & Lorraine McGrath

Mark & Stephanie O’Neil

Sarah Risko-Perry

Margaret Randall

Edward & Christine Rank

David & Cynthia Raphael

Jason & Carrie Redi

Ciprion & Miheala Savin

Hui Liang & Jun Situ

Will Slotnick

Gerald & Gail Stodulski

Eleanor Sullivan

Liam Sullivan

Christina Sarmas

David & Marie Tracey

Stuart & Juliann Vose

Bernie & Florence Walsh

Mark & Michele Wentzell

Ed & Carrie Winchman

Deborah Worcester

FAMILY & FRIEND’S FUND PATRON $100 - $249

(DONORS CONTINUED)

Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this report of donations made to Learning Prep School during the fiscal year July 2019 through June 2020. Please report any errors or omissions to [email protected], as we would like the opportunity to correct our records.

8 Our Culture of Generosity Annual Report of Giving 2019-2020

Linda Alves

Allison Amenta

Mark Araya

Shaul & Debbie Berechman

Russell Buckley

Alexa Burrows

James & Sarah Burke

Jennifer Burke

Jessica Burke

Jeff Cabral

Corey Chenevert

Christine Cocce

Robyn Cohen

Taylor Coli

DJ Collins

James Connelly

Lucas Escobar Cordoba

Emily D’Addario

Emily Denton

Staci Desatnick

John Dudek

John & Karen Dunn

Alexa Easton

Dale & Patricia Elliott

Robbie Elliott

Ashley Engel

Erin Foley

Nicholas Giorgio

Katy Hannon

Daniel Happe

Tee Thach Hasan

Marcia Healey

Abagael Heath

Irene Heffernan

Janice Howe

Marla Jacobs

James & Maureen Johnson

Kevin & Josephine Joyce

Marilyn Kearney

Laura Kopp

Jen Kracoff

Sean Lane

Holly Lee

Jack Loftus

Dianne Lombardi

Jamie Lin

Joy Liu

Remy Lupica

Jillian Lusk

Michael Maher

Ben Maricle

Dean Marr

Daniel Martin

Rachel Martin

Maureen Martin

Anne Masciovecchio

Barbara Moriarty

Geraldine McEachern

Molly McCann

Susan McConathy

Liam McLaughlin

Kyle Mitchell

William Mitchell

Matthew Morin

Holly Mui

John Antonetta Murphy

James & Penelope Murrary

Amanda Nardone

Robert Noaxk

Scott Norton

Ayanna Pearson

Jake Prah

Krishna Ramaswamy

Michael & Elizabeth Rivard

Wendy Rovelli

Jennifer Salerno

Jesus & Meg Salgado

Maryann & Juliana Sava

Jessica Scanlon

Dominic Serafini

Jennifer Schlubatis

Amy Zucker Schuman

Ariel Schuman

Gregory Stoller

Britta Thompson

Michael Trudel

Cory Tucker

Pamela Vaughn

Jennifer Villone

DeShun Wade

Katharine Weisenburger

Marla Wessland

Timothy White

Jessica Whittaker

Elaine Yellin

LPS SUPPORTERS $1 - $99

(DONORS CONTINUED)

Ron Lyberger ‘P 171946-2019

Ron resided in Brookline, MA, was an active and generous LPS parent. Committed to environmental sustainability, Ron also loved reading, music, politics, and was an avid Red Sox fan. We will miss his frequent visits to campus with a copy of the Boston Globe under his arm while wearing his signature Red Sox cap. His daughter Sarah had a great educational experience at LPS and proudly serves on our LPS Alumni Executive Council.

Bernie Wolfson ‘GP 171928-2020

Bernie resided in Waltham, MA, and proudly served our country in WWII while stationed in Italy. When he returned he studied pharmacy and would later open Wolfson’s Pharmacy in Beachmont, MA, which he ran for over 25 years. He loved golf, the Red Sox, and spending time with family. His grandson Billy attended LPS and found his stride here, and his daughter Jane served on our Board of Directors for many years.

Allan Glick ‘GP 191938-2019

Allan resided in Hastings on Hudson, NY, and was an enthusiastic and supportive LPS grandparent. His vision for LPS was transformational, and we are eternally grateful for his efforts in support of his granddaughter and Learning Prep School.

Jim Wilbur BOD1949-2020

Jim served as a member of the LPS Board of Directors for a number of years and lived in Cambridge, MA. Jim had been the director of the Threshold Program at Lesley University for 25 years where he proudly graduated 600 students and played a vital and very personal role in the lives of all of his students, their families, and their communities. Jim was a warm, gentle-hearted man with a passion for serving the underserved, and he will be greatly missed.

In Memorial

“Thank you, LPS - for the hope and transformation you have instilled in my grandson. I love him dearly but watched him go from a happy go lucky tot to a struggling and crushed young boy, bullied and unable to keep up with school, falling further and further behind, becoming lonelier, angrier, and more withdrawn as the years went by. But after the first week of school at LPS, the shell broke, and his true self began to emerge. The anger and dread were gone-simple as that! Once again, he talked, shared, and responded to others. He made new friends, and he has hope again. I cannot get over the wonder of it. I cannot thank you all enough for this gift you have given him-and to his family. Thank you for this gift you have provided to all who walk through your doors.”

- LPS Grandparent

“I would highly recommend Learning Prep School to others. I had an enjoyable experience during my five years at LPS because of the kind and caring staff and the many friendships I formed while there. LPS prepared me well for college and my future. I would not have made the National Honor Society without attending LPS! I am happy and proud to be an LPS alumnus!”

- LPS Alum

“I had the privilege to attend Learning Prep School from the time I was in fifth grade, and until I graduated in May 2019. Before Learning Prep School, I was not advancing like that of my peers and continued to fall behind. However, this changed upon my switch to Learning Prep School. I immediately began to improve, both academically and socially. The faculty at LPS are genuinely some of the most dedicated people I have ever seen. Each day, they ensure that every student’s needs are met. My time spent at Learning Prep School was honestly some of the best times of my life. Currently, I am a sophomore in college and am taking a full-time course load of five classes. Strategies and methods taught at Learning Prep School have helped me succeed in this environment, as I made the Dean’s List in the Spring 2020 Semester. Learning Prep School is genuinely a fantastic place, and I would not be able to share this success story had it not been for the school and the selfless faculty.”

- LPS Alum

“I have been at Learning Prep for five years now, and honestly, there is no other school that could accommodate my needs. Getting so much help from my teachers in my small classes is helping me achieve my IEP goals.”

- Current LPS Student

“My experience at Learning Prep School was extremely positive and even life-changing. The LPS staff honestly care about their students, and they do their very best to help them reach their highest potential.

Many current and former LPS students have a lot in common, especially when it comes to unique learning challenges and coping and working through them. I am grateful to have attended LPS for high school. I wouldn’t have come this far in my education without LPS.”

- LPS Alum

“While college is challenging, thanks to LPS our son is engaged in his education, and is looking forward to his future. We are very grateful to the teachers, counselors, and staff of LPS for putting our son on the path to realizing his potential.”

- Parents of an LPS Alum

“The teachers at LPS really do care about every student. Before I went to Learning Prep I was in a school that didn’t care if I understood the material or not and since I have a learning disability they didn’t help me. Learning Prep changed my entire outlook on school. My teachers motivate me to do my absolute best. Thanks to Leaning Prep I absolutely love school! I used to hate reading and now I can’t stop. My teachers are the reason why I now have more self-confidence. Because of them, I’m looking forward to seeing what my future holds!”

- Current LPS Student


Many companies will match the generosity of their employees who make donations. If your company maintains a Matching Gift Program, your donation to LPS could be doubled or even tripled. If you are interested, please see your human resources director for further information.

Help us help you. For more information about ways to make a gift, please contact Alex Magay, LPS Director of Development, at 617.965.0764 ext.262 or [email protected]

THANK YOU, LPS!

My son, Luke, began his early academic career in an integrated preschool in our home town. During the week, he received SLP and OT services scattered between highly structured and purposeful yet fun learning activities. We identified from a young age that Luke had learning challenges and was not developing typically compared to other children his age or compared to his older sister. Luke absolutely shined in this particular school. Much to our delight, he never objected to being dropped off, and he was always content when he was picked up. I believe his affinity for that school was due to the highly skilled and compassionate staff, but also in large part because he felt deeply accepted. As I recall, when attending the evening information session before Luke’s first day in the program, the director shared the school’s philosophy and mission with the attendees, which was loosely, “Whoever you are, wherever you came from, no matter what your struggles, we’re waiting for you.” The message immediately resonated with me, and I found myself choking back tears and trying not to be so overt about my reaction among the other caretakers in the room.

Encouraged by Luke’s experience in preschool, I was cautiously optimistic for continued progress in the public elementary school. Despite the teachers’ respectable efforts, Luke wrestled immensely with the curriculum’s content and pace, and he struggled with daily social interactions. Even with periodic small group instruction, Luke quickly fell behind his peers, and his confidence and enthusiasm for learning rapidly declined. Even more disconcerting, Luke’s self-confidence was slipping away daily. Every morning involved an argument about going to school. During the short walk to the school, Luke would not look me directly in the eye, but he would stare straight ahead with a discontent expression, a heartbreaking sign that he was unhappy in school. Consistently, every afternoon was a follow-up argument about how disappointing and upsetting his day was, further reinforcing his antipathy toward school.

By second grade, after several contentious battles, we had Luke placed at Learning Prep School. Once again, I fought back the tears when the admissions liaison informed me that my child was accepted into the school. I felt at ease that Luke would be in capable hands among comparable peers.

Before his first official day at Learning Prep School, Luke attended a two-day trial there. After day one, when I picked him up, I anxiously asked him in the car how his day went, and without hesitation, he replied, “Good! Can I go to that school?” There was a genuine sense of relief and optimism in his voice. A tone I had not heard or detected in Luke in years! Needless to say, my heart was full that day. My sense of hope and encouragement also returned. A career of distaste for school was no longer Luke’s fate.

Luke began second grade at LPS and quickly established a comfortable and collaborative relationship with his primary teachers. To our relief, he left willingly every early morning without debate. Every afternoon, Luke returned home content and enthusiastic about his day as he ran out of the van and blew through the front door to yell with excitement, “Hi Mom! I’m home!” As a child with ADHD and learning disabilities, Luke has endured a

fair share of medication trials with undesirable side effects, and he has been forced to ride those waves at school. His empathetic teachers have always monitored his presentation and communicated their observations to us. Frequent feedback is valuable both in determining how to proceed with Luke’s medical care, and it is reassuring to Luke. Our son will see himself as a “whole child,” treated with dignity.

Naturally, Luke has had typical and expected difficulties and adjustment curves, but his transition to Learning Prep School, and ours, continues to be overwhelmingly positive. As a child with dyslexia, what used to leave Luke and us feeling discouraged and drained when engaging Luke in reading is now a mostly pleasant and sometimes humorous experience. This is undoubtedly attributed to the knowledge, talent, patience, and positivity of the LPS staff. At Learning Prep School, there is no tolerance for negative self-talk, and that has fostered Luke’s improved self-worth. Although still struggling, Luke is making slow, incremental gains in his skills; what Learning Prep teachers have taught Luke and us as his parents is that there is great value and strength in those seemingly small victories. Given his learning profile, Luke’s day is arduous, but he persists. That is brave. Luke has undeniably grown since attending LPS and thrived in the areas of courage, resilience, humor, and grit. At Learning Prep, Luke is respected, and not only fully accepted, but he is celebrated.

Luke’s participation to date at Learning Prep School has not only enriched him, but it has equally benefited us. Our family has evolved, and our perspectives regarding progress and success have shifted. We appreciate Luke’s grace despite and because of his limitations. We view struggles and persistence as a sign of great fortitude and courage. As Luke’s teachers continue to support and guide him through his years of formal education, we look forward to the journey. We find serenity in knowing that our son will be embraced throughout his formative

years. We are forever grateful.

Thank you for everything LPS! - Anne Ciasullo ‘P29


Learning Prep School | 1507 Washington Street | West Newton, MA 02465 | 617.965.0764

lps leadership - learning prep school

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