2014-2015 fwfs annual report

Friends of the Waltham Family School, Inc.

Annual Report 2014‐2015

Annual Report 2014 – 2015 It is a joy to be celebrating the completion of our first official year as the Friends of the Waltham School, Inc. But the story starts in 2003 when, thanks to several community organizations led by the vision and nurture of the Waltham Partnership for Youth, the Waltham Family School (WFS) was founded with a federal Even Start Family Literacy grant. The goal of the WFS is to provide educational opportunities for Waltham families that prepare children for success in school, empower parents to be partners with schools in the education of their children, and strengthen the parents' skills necessary for parenting, workforce, and community life.

Since then the WFS has been rated one of the most successful

family literacy programs in the state as measured by attendance,

retention, and gains in adult English language learning and in

children’s vocabulary development and reading readiness. Yet

there came a time of great uncertainty when in 2011 Congress

unexpectedly defunded the Even Start program. Thankfully, as

part of a collaboration, the superintendent of the Waltham

Public Schools, the Waltham School Committee, the Mayor and

WFS agreed in 2012 to include a line item in the Waltham Public

School budget to partially cover WFS’s expenses. This became

the beginning of the Friends of the Waltham Family School, Inc.

(FWFS) who developed a sustainability plan to fill the remaining

finances needed to fully fund WFS’s operating budget.

The Friends of the Waltham Family School’s mission is:

To raise financial support

To raise awareness of the WFS in the community, and

To recruit volunteers.

Here are some key moments in our new organization:

In January of 2014, FWFS hired Anne Dugan of AMD

EventWorks, LLC as Development Coordinator to work with

the board to bring ideas and events to life.

In June of 2014, thanks to the great support from Boston

College Legal Assistance Bureau, the FWFS received official

non‐profit 501(c)(3) status.

In January of 2015 the role of WFS fiscal sponsor was passed

from the Waltham Partnership for Youth to FWFS.

My favorite activities were when we read and talked about healthy living because it is important for my family and me; because healthy eating prevents diseases. My proudest moment was when I was accepted in WFS because it is very difficult to be selected. Thank you WFS for helping me. Rotzana

My goal for the future is I want to learn how to write and read better. I need to speak English at work, at school, at the doctor and with friends. My daughter learn to write her name and the ABCs. My goal for my daughter is I want her to learn more and go to college. Estela

Over the past fifteen months, we have made great strides in addressing our core mission. The following are

some highlights from our first full year:

Engaged over 50 community members through the

Coffee and Conversation Series as a way of initiating and

strengthening connections by inviting donors,

community leaders, Brandeis and Bentley supporters,

and corporate sponsors to talk with current WFS students

and see the school in action.

Grew our online network and support base and increased

financial support through well‐planned appeals,

increased corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Hosted a successful annual fundraiser Fiesta! for WFS at

a new location, Solea Restaurant in March 2015.

Increased sponsorships and tickets sales resulting in

raising over $15K.

Encouraged WFS alumni support through alumni

participating in the “Books in Bloom” event at Waltham

Public Library in May and the annual Family Fair held in

June. Parent and alumni fundraising events in support of

WFS raised over $5,000.

In the year ahead we are looking forward to the addition of

the new Advisory Council through whom we hope to expand

our ability to continue to raise awareness and increase

financial support. We will be working with a coordinated

annual calendar that will provide a rhythm to our appeals,

major events, and outreach activities. We will seek to

continue to grow our media presence, and we will be

encouraging alumni in their continued efforts to support the

school.

I give thanks for the FWFS Board for their great efforts in the past year, in particular to David King for his

diligent work overseeing the finances. I offer my thanks to the Waltham Partnership for Youth and their

Executive Directors Marina Bartley and Beth Toolan for their strong support in the creation of the FWFS and

to the leaders of the Waltham Public Schools for their steadfast support of WFS. Lastly, on behalf of the board,

we give thanks for the many advocates, donors, and volunteers, the true Friends of the Waltham Family School,

who are making a great difference in the lives of children and families in the Waltham community.

Sincerely,

Thomas Maehl

President, Board of Directors

The Coffee & Conversation series offer parents and guests a chance to interact and learn about WFS’ work.

The Fiesta! For WFS invited guests to support WFS’s work in March, 2015. The annual fundraiser was held for the first time at Solea Restaurant.


Board of Directors Tom Maehl, President

David King, Treasurer

Bonnie Newman, Clerk

Members‐at‐large

Marina Paige Bartley

Mary Beth Kirsch

Elaine Wong

Dr. Drew Echelson, Waltham Public Schools *

Britta McNemar, Waltham Family School *

Beth Toolan, Waltham Partnership for Youth, Inc. *

* Ex Officio

FWFS Contractors Patricia Deveaux, Koundakjian & Company, P.C.

Anne Dugan, AMD EventWorks, LLC.

Advisory Council Larry Bailis, Brandeis University

Elizabeth Brach, Educational Consultant

Debra Brush, Family Access of Newton

Gabriela Canepa, Breaking Barriers

Anne Marie Carr‐Reardon, WPS, retired

John Cloninger, Running Brook Day Camp, retired

Kaytie Dowcett, School Committee

John Frassica, School Committee

Keith Gilbert, Park Lodge Hotel Group

Rachel Kramer Theodorou, Brandeis University

Kelly Linehan, Waltham Public Library

Kristen Lucken, Brandeis University

Jeannette MacInnes, Bentley University

Bob Marcou, Marcou Jewelers

Marie McKenzie, WPS, retired

Marci McPhee, Brandeis University

Mithra Merryman, Greater Boston Legal Services

Amy Schaffer, Community volunteer

Delia Soza, WFS Alumna

Mary Sprogell, Whittemore Elementary School

Tom Stanley, Massachusetts State Representative &

Waltham City Council

Nadene Stein, Waltham Public Schools

Kate Tranquada, Lincoln Public Library

Pat Vasquezi, WPS, retired

Khine Win, WFS Alumna

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, City of Waltham*

* Ex Officio

Waltham Family School Staff Britta McNemar, Program Coordinator

Susana Saldaña Sanchez, Assistant Program Coordinator

Kathleen Atwood, Interactive Literacy Teacher

Teresa Guzman, WFS Preschool Assistant

Diane Haley, ESOL Teacher

Mary Beth Kirsch, Spanish Literacy Coordinator

Meg Maehl, WFS Preschool Lead Teacher

Jennifer Stephens, WFS Preschool Teacher

Maria E. Vaquerano, Administrative Assistant

Susan Viskin, ESOL Teacher

Mrudula Gadgil, Intern, Brandeis University WFS is very important for me and my child because

it is my opportunity for a better life. Marta

Statement of Financial Position 2014 ‐ 2015

ASSETS:Unreserved Bank Account $65,668

Reserved for Development $35,022

Reserved Jones Fund $1,332

Technology Grant $3,600

TOTAL ASSETS $105,622

LIABILITIES:$0

NET ASSETS: $105,622

Statement of Activites 2014 ‐ 2015

INCOMEGeneral Donations $27,484

Donations restricted for Development $30,000

Family Fair Income $1,653

Fiesta Income $20,447

Grants * $27,500

Parent Fundraising $3,785

Partnership for Youth Transfer $76,421

TOTAL INCOME $187,290

EXPENSESDevelopment Expenses $20,478

Event Expenses $4,967

Educational Programs $7,968

Administrative expenses & general $2,019

Waltham Public Schools Supplement $49,858

TOTAL EXPENSES $85,268

NET INCREASE IN ASSETS $102,021

* Grants Received 2014‐2015:

Alice Willard Dorr

Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston

City of Waltham Community Development Block Grant

Foundation For MetroWest

Jones Partnership Fund First Parish in Waltham

2014 ‐ 2015 Financial Statements


2

0

0

3

WFS founded with Federal William F. Goodling

Even Start Family Literacy grant with 5

community partners and Waltham Partnership

for Youth, Inc. (WPY) as fiscal sponsor. WFS one

of 22 Even Start Programs in MA.

Community partners included:

Waltham Public School (WPS), Waltham

Partnership for Youth, Inc. (WPY), Breaking

Barriers, Parent Child Home Program, The

Power Program.

First 19 families participated.

2

0

0

7

Federal grant reduced. Work to create

sustainability plan started.

WFS one of 7 programs to continue in MA.

WFS infant‐toddler program eliminated.

2

0

1

1

Federal Even Start program unexpectedly

defunded.

Sustainability plan set into action as a

collaboration with WFS, community advisors,

WPS, School Committee and the Mayor.

2

0

1

2

WPS funded 20% of WFS' operational budget.

The remaining finances were raised by

volunteers and the WPY.

WFS received remaining Even Start funds from

DESE.

2

0

1

3

Community & advisors worked to form Friends

of the WFS (FWFS), a nonprofit focused on

building community awareness and fundraising.

With help of Boston College Legal Services

501(c)3 application submitted to IRS.

WFS celebrated its 10th birthday at the Fiesta!

For WFS at Hobbs Brook.

2

0

1

4

FWFS received non‐profit status.

Hosted Coffee & Conversation series to connect

the community with WFS.

First Alumni fundraisers held.

School Committee approved fund increase.

FWFS fundraising efforts allowed adding a third

English parent class to include a total of 40+

families.

2

0

1

5

January 1, 2015: WPY transferred fiscal

responsibility to FWFS.

March: Raised over $15K at Fiesta! For WFS at

Solea Restaurant.

October 27, 2015: First Annual FWFS Meeting.

Election of Board of Directors and FWFS

Advisory Council.

2

0

1

6

January 1: First term of new Advisory Council to

begin.March 10: Fiesta! For WFS at Solea Restaurant.

Waltham Family School Timeline

2003 ‐ 2015

Annual Meeting Agenda

October 27, 2015

7:00 – 7:15 PM Light refreshments

7:15 – 7:20 PM Welcome

Tom Maehl, President, Friends of the Waltham Family Schools, Inc.

7:20 – 7:30 PM Annual Report

Tom Maehl, FWFS

Election of FWFS Board Officers and Directors

Vote to create Advisory Council

Election of Advisory Council members

7:30 – 7:40 PM Financial Report

David King, Treasurer, Friends of the Waltham Family Schools, Inc.

Vote to accept the CPA reviewed 2014‐2015 Financial Statements

Vote to accept the FY16 budget

7:40 – 7:45 PM Waltham Family School Update

Britta McNemar, Program Coordinator, Waltham Family School

Teresa Guzman, WFS alumna

7:45 – 7:55 PM Presentation

Dr. Drew Echelson, Superintendent, Waltham Public Schools

7:55 – 8:10 PM Q&A

with Dr. Echelson

8:10 – 8:25 PM Open Forum

8:25 – 8:30 PM Thank you

Tom Maehl, FWFS

I can help my daughters with their homework and I

can communicate better anywhere I go. Delmi


WFS Calendar of Events

Back to School Appeal Campaign

September 2015

FWFS First Annual Meeting

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Giving Tuesday Email Campaign

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Coffee & Conversation

Thursday, December 10, 2015


Thursday, February 4, 2016

Fiesta! For Waltham Family School

Thursday, March 10, 2016


Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Mother's Day Appeal Campaign

April 2016

WFS Showcase

Thursday, June 2, 2016

WFS Alumni Family Fair

Saturday, June 11, 2016

WFS Graduation

Friday, July 29, 2016

CONTACT

Friends of the Waltham Family School, Inc. 510 Moody Street Waltham, MA 02453

781‐314‐5696

[email protected]

CONNECT

walthamfamilyschool.org

WalthamFamilySchool

@Wal_Fam_School

I like practicing conversations with my classmates.

I love WFS. My son likes school and playing with

everybody. Veronica

WFS helps me to feel confident and not be afraid

when I go out in the community. Norma

2014-2015 fwfs annual report

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