2019 Annual Report WMS_FINAL low res

Wilmington Montessori School
Today’s Learners; Tomorrow’s Leaders.
ANNUAL REPORT | September 1, 2018 – August 31, 2019

Cover art: Room 19’s 2019
auction gift — melted crayon and paint on canvas
OUR MISSION
Wilmington Montessori School is a collaborative learning community rooted in Montessori
principles, inspiring the joyful discovery of self and a passion for learning and independent
thinking. We empower children to be knowledgeable and responsible contributors to the global
community.

A MESSAGE FROM
Lisa A. Lalama & Ann Hriciga
Dear WMS Families and Friends,
The calendar has moved to a new decade, and WMS is
setting its sights on its future. As we began the final school
year of the 2010s, we welcomed our first middle-school
students to WMS for the 2018-19 school year. These seventhand
eighth-graders have added so much energy and
enthusiasm to WMS’s learning environment. They have
showcased their musical talents at new events such as a
coffee house and their performance of “A Rose’s Curse,” a
musical they wrote themselves. They have raised money and
beta tested a coffee shop for the WMS community, and they
have gone beyond our walls to participate in Math League
competitions throughout New Castle County, traveled on
expeditionary learning trips, set up an art space at the
Sunday Breakfast Mission, and joined teams from around the
world at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Michigan
after tying for first place in the state. They also serve as role
models for our youngest students, who greet them excitedly
in the hallways, walk with them to after-school child care, and
look forward to milestones and WMS traditions, like sharing
the cake at our annual birthday assembly.
The 2018-19 school year brought other new experiences to
the WMS community including participating in the Pacem in
Terris art exhibit, beginning an Eco-Student Council to
lead us in our environmental endeavors as a Green Ribbon
School, and hosting our very first eighth-grade graduation.
Every year brings “firsts” like these while also allowing us
to continue the time-honored traditions that make WMS
such a special place. We continue to embrace our mission
of peace and global citizenship by starting each September
with an assembly centered around the International Day of
Peace, sending our sixth-graders on an overnight trip to the
Global Citizenship Action Project (GCAP) in New York City
and honoring the school’s birthday each January. It is thanks
to all of the people who came before us that we have such a
wonderful school today.
Our commitment to the arts and technology is now in its
fourth year. Our students, from toddlers through middle
school, have performed in shows throughout the year with
students running the lights and sound, learning those skills
to support fellow students in their artistic endeavors. Along
with these performances, we were fortunate to host the
Twin Poets, Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha and Albert Mills, as
artists-in-residence who inspired both students and families
with their spoken-word poetry.
As the year came to an end, we began the process of
planning for WMS’s future with a large group of faculty, staff,
board members, past and current parents, alumni, and other
educators. All groups were represented at our first planning
session in June 2019. Since then we have done further work
with our community and look forward to sharing information
about our next strategic plan in the coming months. It
promises to keep us moving forward to meet the needs of
children and families into this new decade and beyond.
As we embark on our new strategic plan what we recognize
more than ever is our commitment to all that has led to
us being the best Montessori school in Delaware. We have
renewed our commitment to the Montessori principles that
have so clearly defined our school and contributed to our
annual report 2018-19 • 1

success. As Dr. Montessori knew, laying a foundation in a child’s early years
solidly prepares them for a lifetime of learning. We recognize the work that
you have put into the school, making us who we are today. Each of you is part
of the mosaic that forms Wilmington Montessori School. As our school song
so aptly states, “Right from the smallest, up to the tallest, this school was made
for you and me.” Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make
our school the best it can be. We could not do it without you and value your
contribution of time, energy and financial resources.
We’re looking forward to our future and all that it holds.
Best,
Lisa A. Lalama
Head of School
Ann Hriciga
Chair, Board of Directors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ann Hriciga, Chair
Calissa Brown
Israel Floyd
Richard Gulino
Lisa Hastings-Sheppard
Sharon Miller
Anna Quisel
Paul Sakaguchi
Stephanie Simms
Mayura Simon
Susie Ventresca
Zehra Wamiq
ADVISORY BOARD
Guliana de Grazia
Audrey Doberstein
Marie M. Dugan
Michèle LeFever Quinn
Nancy Karibjanian
Deborah Murray-Shepherd
William Ryan
2 • wmsde.org

ALEX LINTNER (WMS ’09):
Empowered to Make the World a Better Place
Alexandra (“Alex”) Lintner (WMS ’09) will graduate from
Pomona College in Claremont, California, this year, with a
bachelor’s degree in biology. She can also add to her résumé codesigning
and co-teaching a course, completing an internship on
heritage seed-saving in New Zealand, working on a farm in Maine,
and trying her hand at artisan cheese making and beekeeping.
As an Evelyn B. Craddock McVicar Memorial Fund recipient, Alex was
chosen by Dr. Heather Williams, Professor of Politics, International
Relations and Environmental Analysis at Pomona College, to co-design
and co-teach a course on “The Global Politics of Agriculture.”
“I have been working on this project for the past year, talking with
lawyers, talking to farmers and activists, going to agricultural conferences,
and reading all sorts of books and papers,” Alex explained. “We
redesigned the course around the concept of public trust doctrine,
and its potential application to agricultural assets.”
Dr. Williams, who met Alex in the spring of 2018 when she was a
student in her class, described Alex as one of the most brilliant and
self-directed individuals she has ever met.
“I felt like I won a lottery with Alex as a student,” she said. “She has a
natural sciences background with a lot of organic chemistry and plant
biology, thus making it possible for her to wade through literature for
which I myself actually have no training. Her three-part research paper
‘Synthesized research on glyphosate and Roundup toxicity” (completed
with consultation of her professors in biology and chemistry) was
a graduate-level piece. In fact, it was so good that I think it could be
developed into a review piece in a peer-reviewed professional journal.”
Alex farming during one of her summer vacations.
“I felt like I won the
lottery with Alex as a
student.”
Dr. Williams said the work Alex produced that summer helped update
the course syllabus and unit plan for the following spring.
Alex says she has always been able to communicate with her teachers
and advocate for herself because of a solid foundation at Wilmington
Montessori School.
“WMS supports a creative zeal for learning and strong studentteacher
relationships,” she said. “The small classrooms encouraged
us not to be afraid to talk to adults and provided the opportunity to
make our voices heard.”
JOIN US!
We love to hear from our alumni!
Please send your news to alumni@wmsde.org.
annual report 2018-19 • 3

“WMS supports a creative zeal for learning and
strong student-teacher relationships. The small
classrooms encouraged us not to be afraid to talk
to adults and provided the opportunity to make our
voices heard.”
She also values the friendships she made at the school, the
peer-to-peer relationships devoid of competition for grades:
“WMS is a safe space to be who you are. Friendships made
there have resilience and authenticity. The students are diverse,
passionate and quirky.”
Having lived in Delaware most of her life, Alex chose Pomona
because of its excellent academic reputation but she also loved
the idea of living in sunny California and being close to her
grandmother.
“I think my initial interest in agriculture came from working with
my grandfather in his vegetable garden,” she explained. “I also
enjoyed working on farms during my summers off while I was in
high school.”
After WMS, Alex attended The Tatnall School where she
received recognition for excellence in environmental
science, writing and physics and was voted by the faculty as
the graduating senior who best embodied the ideals of the
school. “This school was very different from WMS, but thanks
to my time at WMS I was able to continue to cultivate curiosity
and intellectual independence,” Alex said. “I was also again
able to develop close relationships with teachers and peers.”
Perhaps a doctorate in plant or fungal ecology, environmental
law or even farming may be in her future.
“When I’m outdoors, I’m really happy,” Alex said. “I am aware
of the inter-relations of plants, microbes, minerals, insects
and agents of the more than human world guiding life to be
regenerative and self-supporting. I’m fascinated by the intersection
of biology and politics. Today, scientists must be political,
and politicians must be scientific. We need to design an agriculture
that is more equitable, that encourages the wellbeing of
all constituents. I am hoping to help facilitate symbiotic human
relationships to the land, and the intergenerational knowledge
transfer of right relationship to the land.”
Mature beyond her years and ready to make the world a better
place, Alex lives the WMS mission daily as a “ knowledgeable
and responsible contributor to the global community.”
In the words of Dr. Williams: “At this point, I don’t see Alex as
a student so much as a colleague and a kindred intellectual
spirit. I can’t wait to see what she does next!”
WMS Head of School Lisa Lalama taught Alex when she was a
student in the Upper Elementary (9-12) Program. “Almost 15
years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of being a teacher and
advisor to a curious and interested student entering the 9-12
classroom,” Lisa said. “Alex’s smile and enthusiasm for life
quickly infected the entire program. Her curiosity drove her in
academics and in the arts. Her writing portrayed not only her
ability to follow the conventions of writing, but also to use
her voice to share stories that begged to be told. Alex is an
advocate for change, an active participant in life and a curious
and engaged learner.”
Alex says that her WMS education helped her nourish her
destiny and has empowered her to take on challenges and
be unafraid of the unknown. At this point, she has so many
interests and projects that she is unsure what she will do next.
Alex resting during a hike in the California woods.
4 • wmsde.org

ANNUAL FUND
2016-17
Wilmington Montessori School would like to thank the following donors for their support of the 2018-19 Annual
Fund (as of August 31, 2019). With your help, we surpassed our goal and raised more than $90,000 to support
ongoing professional development, technology and arts enhancements, financial aid and many other operating
expenses that are not covered by the cost of tuition. Thank you to our 2018-19 Annual Fund chair Kevin Kahn and
Giving Tuesday coordinator David Kubacki for their leadership and commitment to Wilmington Montessori School.
World Globe Friend ($5,000 and above)
Anonymous
Christine and Garrett Moritz
The Quisel Snyder Family
William P. Roberts, III
St. Gabriels Lodge 2035 - Sons of Italy
Golden Bead Friend ($2,500 to $4,999)
Caroline Brown Lintner
Patricia M. Scott
Pink Tower Friend ($1,000 to $2,499)
Ann Hriciga and Mike Coughlin
Anonymous
Allan, Calissa and Laurel Brown
Laurent and Nastasha Chardonnet
Israel and Patricia Floyd
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Julian
Joe Nemecz and Nancy Karibjanian
Grace, David and Olivia Kubacki
Lisa Rong
Robert and Kathleen Siegfried
The Simon Family
Elizabeth W. Snyder
Geometric Solid Friend ($500 to $999)
Ford and Marie Downes
Rick and Esther Downes
Dr. & Mrs. Horatio C. Jones, III
Frank and Elizabeth Joyce
Laura and Ted Kirkpatrick
Ken and Mary Louise Kubacki
Lisa A. Lalama
Kathryn Tullis and Phillip Liu
Sharon E. Miller
John and Jonathan O’Brien
Pam and Jeffrey Politis
William T. Ryan, III
Paul Sakaguchi
Xiaoyang Shen
The Sultan Family
James Wake and Priya Bhatia
Trinomial Cube Friend ($250 to $499)
Anonymous
Paul and Leslie Bastianelli
Anette Darby and Shane Darby
The Delport Family
Family of Campbell Ebling
Jim and Helen Fath
The Huggett Family
The Kahn Family
Colleen M. Lamiet
The Reiters
Susan Ventresca and David Ropars
Zhen Xu and Shaorong Chen
Brown Stairs Friend ($100 to $249)
Joseph Abele and Sara Weymouth
Michael and Becky Allen
The Amin Family
Anonymous
Marybeth Auld
Trish Bradley
Peter and Patricia Brennan
Mr. Henry I. Brown, III*
Dr. and Mrs. Burks
Maggie Chevrier
annual report 2018-19 • 5

Lynda Coan
William and Carol Comegys
Chuck Connor
Noel Sarah Dietrich
Robert and Nancy Dietrich
Marie and George Dugan
Gary D. Finger
The Fox Family
Martin and Tiffany Harrison
Donna Bissey and Michael Hartman
Mr. Michael Heneghan
Mary and Henry Hirschbiel
The Wiggins & Huntoon Family
Jeannie
Augustus Jones and Christina Paez
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Kahn, Sr.
Neil, Joanie, Matt and Lauren Kalin
Judith and Tim Kane
Rosemary Killian
Alison Mack and Anthony Kinney
Richard and Lynn Koehler
Natalie Kress
Randy and Kathy Labar
Kelly and Jon Lambiras
J. Travis and Rebecca Laster
Matthew Lenza and Kateryna Karachun
Carol Lettich
Lewis and Deanna Levin
Mary and Matthew Lo
James and Nora Lober
Cindy Lober
The Honorable Jane P. Maroney
Barbara and Andy Miller
Elizabeth Monaghan
Andrew and Lisa Morris
Laurie Muhlbauer
Mark W. Murray
Nancy and Rick Oddo
Laurie Orsic
The Pachowka Family
David Paul and Kathy Klein
Ping Lai
Lorraine Pollert
Kent Quisel
Heather and Greg Russell
Murray Simon
John B. Slade
Sandy Dedinas Thomas
Barbara L. Trotto
Mary Maloney Huss and Benjamin Goldstein
Feng Wang and Hongmin Jiang
Brad Wason
Chenggui Wen
Sarah Williams
The Zankowsky Family
The Zogby Family
Friends of WMS (Up to $99)
Joe Ambrosino
Anonymous
Mandy Balanetsky
The Banks Family
Sandra and Basil Battaglia
Claude and Mary Beaty
The Surbrook Bowers Family
Ed and Marie Brown
Nola Brown
Bunnie Bryant
Patricia Callaway and Malcolm Christoph
Jill Campbell
Jeffrey and Monica Castellano
Lisa Chou
Lisa Cleveland
Hilde Colton
Brian and Johanna Comegys
Michael and Jessica Conlan
The Connelly Family
Brian and Megan Crawford
Carmen Crespo
Dad
William and Emily Davis
Jeffrey Donovan and Agueda Molina
Sharon Entzminger
Mary Falkenburg
Kirsti Forrest
Bobby and Judith Giddings
The Godowsky Family
Brian and Susan Greenberg
Becca and Rick Gulino
The Haas Family
Jocelyn Hall
Jill Hallissey
Harris Family
6 • wmsde.org

The Harris Family
Shazia Hashmi
Joyce and Don Hutchison
Shelby and Brian Kaufman
Samia Khan
Lilah Kleban
Eugene and Mira Klein
Rajesh Kurpad and Sarina Pasricha
Kevin and Kim Lafferty
The Lavelle Family
Beverly Lewis
Ben Loder
The Long Family
The Lyons Family
Carolyn Malatesta
Lisa and Joe Martin
Hillary McDonald
Farah Memon
Mr. Elan Moritz
Emma Mulrine
Venkata Narayana and Divya Keerthi Malineni
Yvonne Nass
Alyssa Novello
Himani Divatia
Linda Pirlot
Emmy Pittarelli
The Ranji Family
Elaine and Michael Reilly
Kelly and Bill Rhodunda
Saadia Riaz Khan
Shelley Robyn
Chris and Krista Rossetti
Samantha Russell
Luke Scheuer
Loretta Schneider
Paula Anne Sharpe
Tobi Sheiker
Jennifer Shellem
Lisa and David Sheppard
The Shweiki Family
Yasha and Jaron Simms
Zac and Sara Stevenson
The Strouds
Enaas Sultan
Juan Summers and Danika Robbins-Summers
Pat Sumner
Richa Thakkar
Lamont and LaKeetra Josey
Mike and Stephanie VenDouern
Hans Vermeersch and Rosie Grayburn
Rosío Viscarra
Elaine H. Walsh and the Walsh Family
WMS Staff
Erin Facciolo Wehler
Erin Winner
In Honor of the 9-12 Teachers, Students, Porkchop &
Chester Bacon
Anand Simon
In Honor of the Dedicated Teachers
Jim and Thelma Dooley
In Honor of Marie M. Dugan
Robert and Mary Anne Grenfell
Abigail Quandt and Don Potter
In Honor of Sophia and Skylar Holbrook
Christopher and Kay Holbrook
In Honor of Augustus L. Jones III
S. A. Jones
In Honor of Thomas and Noelle Jordan
Daniel Jordan
*Deceased
We deeply regret any errors or omissions. Please notify Lori Oberly, Development Assistant, of any
corrections at 302-475-0555 or giving@wmsde.org.
annual report 2018-19 • 7

In Honor of Addie Laster
Drs. James and Madlon Laster
In Honor of Emma and Evan Lewis
Amanda and Rick Lewis
In Honor of Zollie McClary XXIV
In Honor of Jaycion Mitchell
Tina Betz
In Honor of Ava Padovani
Mom Mom & Pop Pop
In Honor of Room 17
Sam Stubblefield and Liz Muth
In Honor of Sophia Russial
Anonymous
In Honor of Katrina, Arielle and Nicky Sotiropoulos
Nick and Sue Sotiropoulos
In Honor of Ava and Ella Walsh
Marilyn Faralli
In Honor of Aiden Widdoes
Fallon Gilbert
In Memory of Helen Gadsby
John and Sherry Goodill
In Memory of Kimberly Sullivan Giles
Dave Giles
In Memory of Jane Miner
Trish Harkins
Cathy Simon-Cord
In Memory of James C. Schneider (PopPop)
The Oberly Family
Corporations, Foundations and Government
Facebook
Network for Good
United Way
Wells Fargo Matching Gift Program
Your Cause, LLC
W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.
Matching Gifts
Amazon
General Mills Box Tops for Education
Lifetouch
PayPal
Tea Collection
In Honor of Zane D. Wilson
Darla F. Wilson
In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Shew Him Louie
Anita Louie
In Memory of Grace Cauffman
The Farabaugh Family
In Memory of Richard Coyle
Susan Coyle
8 • wmsde.org

AUCTION 2019
A dedicated committee of parents and staff, led by WMS mom Jenna Bigas,
staged Music Through the Ages at WMS on April 30, 2019. Families and friends
of the school enjoyed competitive bidding, and music and entertainment from
Cher impersonator Holly Faris. The 2019 auction raised more than $30,000
toward the school’s operating budget. WMS appreciates the support of the
many volunteers that made this night a success, the generosity of our donors,
and the talent and effort of the student artists who created so many exceptional
class gifts. We warmly thank all contributors to the auction listed below:
Adrien Padovani
Aflac
American Karate Studios
Ann Hriciga
Anna Quisel
BBC Tavern & Grill
Becky Laster
Blo Wilmington
Bob’s Discount Furniture
Brad Oberholzer
Brandywine YMCA
Brown & Brown
Bryce Johnson
Building Systems & Service, Inc.
C & C Cookie Factory
Camp Montessori
Charity Fundraising
Chef Ryan Marchetta
Comic Book Shop
Currie Hair, Skin and Nails
Delaware Children’s Museum
Delaware Theatre Company
Delaware Today
El Diablo Burritos
Elk Mountain
Gary Finger
Girl Scout Troop 5
Goat
Gunnip & Company LLP
Hagley Museum & Library
Harry’s Hospitality Group
Harvest House
Heather Siple
Joe Ambrosino
Judith and Tim Kane
Kramer Portraits
Lisa Cleveland
Little Blooms Photography
Longwood Gardens
Loretta Schneider
Lori and John Oberly
Luke and Therese Scheuer
Margo Long
Marie Downes
Mathnasium
Mayura Simon
Metro Diner
Michèle LeFever Quinn
Moore Brothers Wine Company
National Constitution Center
O.K. Video, LLC
Painting With a Twist
Pam and Jeffrey Politis
Parent Education Consulting Services
Paris Pizza
Philadelphia Union
Priya Bhatia
PSU TixMan
Pure Yoga Pilates Studio
Reading Fightin Phils
Retro Fitness Concord Mall
Ron’s Tree Service
Rosie Grayburn
Sanctuary Spa
Serenity Spa
Sharon Entzminger
Soccer Shots
Stephanie Simms
The Back Burner Restaurant
The Couch Tomato
The Melting Pot Restaurant
The Oasis Family Fun Center
Timothy’s of Newark
Trader Joes
University of Delaware Ticket Office
ViaDel Consulting Group
Wegman’s
Wilmington Police Department
Winterthur Museum Garden and Library
WMS Administrative Team
WMS Board of Directors
WMS Classrooms and Extended Day Rooms
WMS Maintenance Team
Yetter’s Discount Liquors
Zindler’s Sports Collectibles
We deeply regret any errors or
omissions. Please notify Lori Oberly,
Development Assistant, of any
corrections at 302-475-0555 or
giving@wmsde.org.
annual report 2018-19 • 9

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2018-19
Wilmington Montessori School’s 2018-19 fiscal year was strong. The administration and board worked together to
balance revenue and spending and generated a modest operating profit. Our goal every year is to have our campus
operate in an efficient manner, without compromising the educational experience at WMS.
We spent $41,000 on capital purchases to maintain and enhance our facility. These improvements would not be possible
without the support of our donors and supporters. We are thankful to everyone in our community and the many ways they
provide support every year.
SOURCES OF FUNDRAISING REVENUE: $374,693
$24,451
Community Gifts
$33,775
6%
9%
Annual FundAuction
Other
$91,967
25%
60%
community gifts
annual fund
auction
other
$224,500
10 • wmsde.org

EXPENSES: $4,176,234
Salaries & Benefits
65%
facilities, Maintenance
& Operations
18%
Financial Aid
11%
Classroom &
Educational Expenses
6%
0 16 32 48 64
REVENUE AND SUPPORT: $4,428,914
Tuition & Fees
71%
Other Programs
17%
Contributions
8%
Investment Income
4%
0 10 20 30 40 50 annual report 602018-19 • 11 70

2018-19
Highlights

Class of
2019

Today’s Learners; Tomorrow’s Leaders.
1400 Harvey Road, Wilmington, DE 19810
www.wmsde.org