Meadowbrook Waldorf SchoolBuilding a Campus: A Journey Together

A Report on the Completion of Phase One

of the Master PlanSeptember 2007

MWS Board Mandate for the Land Committee

Description of Desirable Land

Requirements:• The land should be beautiful• The history of the land should be known• Character of neighbors and neighborhood provide an experience of safety, beauty and love• 25 buildable acres• Good perk, good utilities access• Buffered from highways• Free of environmental hazards• Direct access to main public roads• Good travel patterns for commuting families

Wishes:• Woods and wildlands • Hope for a pond or stream• Variety of vegetation and topography• Roads in and septic plans approved

Affordability Criteria:• Having no endowment, the school’s debt needed to be restricted to the replacement cost of rent service.

Land Committee Members:David Corvese, ChairDon WinebergJohn AssalonePhilip UrsoJennifer FarrellyLaura Holt

When Meadowbrook Waldorf Association was founded in 1979 by a group of parents and teachers who wanted Waldorf Education for their children, the immediate wish of all involved was to purchase a site and build a school. Since then, there have been many site committees, building committees and fi nancing committees who have struggled to fi nd that magical situation where everything would coalesce into a rooted stable home that could assure a future for Waldorf Education in Rhode Island. Beginning in Februrary 2002, that magical combination began to form. A land committee, chaired by alumni parent and entrepreneur David Corvese, began a directed search for land in RI. Letters were written to all land owners within the desired geo-graphic areas, visits were made to local political fi gures, contacts were made with land trusts; every large piece of property for sale was visited and every public event held by the school began with an announcement that the school was looking for “25 acres of buildable land”. To the delight of the Land Committee members, offers of land began to come forward. Many properties had wonderful attributes yet failed to meet the school’s criteria and vision for a permanent home. During this time, the Committee and Board of Trustees showed great courage and patience, by remaining stead-fast to the vision and continuing the search. Then in late winter of 2004, Meadowbrook parent, Lorna Persson, urged her parents, Patricia and Richard Millar, to talk to the school about 28 acres of pristine land which had been in Pa-tricia’s family for more than 80 years. The land included woods, pastures and hills, had great frontage on Rt 138 and was also bounded by a small burbling creek and the larger Beaver River; land with woods and pastures and hills. An historical cemetery, stone walls and groves of towering pines added to the beauty of this property. The school gratefully accepted the Millar’s offer of special terms on this very special piece of land. Meadowbrook purchased the land on January 13, 2005. Faculty, Board, Staff and the Millars celebrated hours later on the land with a meditative moment and a toast to the future of the school. Exactly 2 years later, the school moved in.

... ‘The Land Should Be Beautiful’

Signing the deed: Washington Trust of-fi cials join Margaret Laurence, MWS attorney, David Cann, MWS Treasurer, Charlotte O’Brien, MWS Administrator; Betty Merner, MWS faculty, Richard Mil-lar, and Patricia Millar, MWS grandparents and sellers of the land.

Toasting Ownership of the site; Shown: MWS Core Group mem-bers Betty Merner, 26 years with the school, Amy Lloyd Rippe, 14 years with the school, Judie Sky, 15 years with the school.

... Threads of the Master Campus Plan

Once the purchase and sales agreement was signed, the school needed to obtain the support and agreement of the Township of Richmond, the neighbors and the State agencies for its long range campus plan. Throughout the spring and summer of 2004, the school community prepared a site plan that would honor and respect the beautiful land and would provide for the school’s future growth and development. Zoning approval was received in October of 2004, with fi nal Master Plan approval in March of 2005. Professional and regulatory fees through Master Plan approval were approximately $250,000. Our personal and professional capabilities grew to meet the demands of developing our school site and building the new school. The Board of Trustees and School Administrator, Charlotte O’Brien, faced a steep learning curve as they successfully negotiated their way through the process of creating the site infrastructure. Building roads, water management systems, planning for utilities, phone and lighting, working with state and local regulatory bodies and with contractors, skills not normally seen on a School Administrator’s resume, were taken up alongside the regular day-to-day operation of the school.

The threads of a Master Plan for the campus were woven together in a school workshop on Consensus Design, led by noted Welsh architect and author, Christopher Day. Credited with founding the environmental architectual movement in Great Britain, Mr. Day has extensive experience with Waldorf school design. 32 parents, faculty and neighbors participated in the 1 week workshop. They were joined by RI architects, Stephen Rogers of St. Florian Architects, and Michael Abbott and Kevin Hill of Newport Collaborative Design.

Buildings of the approved Master Plan

• Grade School and site utilities• Early Childhood Center• High School • Performance Center• Adult Education Center • Small apartment building for a caretaker and faculty.

Some of the Special Qualities Woven into the Campus Plan

• Natural paths to preserve the landscape.

• Rain gardens to absorb and purify water run-off from buildings and roads.

• Septic sized for Early Childhood Center and Elementary School.

• Natural road surfaces to minimize water run-off and environmental toxins.

• Good neighbor low energy site lighting.

• Preservation of the local wild life habitats through use of native plantings and isolation of woodlands and water areas.

... Designing the first building

In planning for and designing a building for a mature Waldorf School, we fi rst analyzed and updated the work of past building committees. A phased building and design plan was created based upon the school’s fi nancial resources. The fi rst priority was to house the current programs of PreKindergarten through Grade 8 with room for enrollment growth. The school struggled to create an affordable design which honored the work of the consensus design process. The log jam around design and building costs was fi nally broken in November, 2005, when Meadowbrook parent and architect, Stephen Rogers volunteered his services. By December, 2005, the Architectural Committee, Faculty and Board of Trustees had agreed upon a design schematic and project budget.

Special Qualities of the Elementary School

• 15,100 sq. ft of fl oor space; 1000 sq. ft. base-ment• Capacity for 250 students• Energy effi cient designs, R40 ceilings, R19 walls, R12 windows• Cellulose insulation, low VOC building materi-als, low formaldehyde• Energy effi cient HVAC designs• Fresh air climate control meeting high perfor-mance school design criteria• External exit doors in all classrooms• 10 ft. ceilings in classrooms• 81 sq. ft. of windows and a skylight in class-rooms• Energy effi cient spectrum-balanced direct/indi-rect lighting optimized for the learning environ-ment• 3 multipurpose rooms, 2 tutoring rooms• Art centers with sinks in classrooms• Roof structure and membrane makes provision for roof gardens

Architectural Committee

Standing Members• Judie Sky• Charlotte O’Brien, project manager• Stephen Rogers, architect• Christopher Gray• Amalia Pretel-Gray• Sheri Weltman-Cavanagh• Michael Cavanagh• Kevin Rushton• Douglas Pearce

Consulting Members • Betty Merner• Su Rubinoff• Amy Rippe

Kindergarten

PreK 1 PreK 2

LibraryPractical Arts

Grade 8

Grade 7

Grade 6

Grade 5Grade 4

Grade 3Grade 2Grade 1

Faculty Room Offi ce

The Commons

Reception

Student Lounge

MeetingRoom

MeetingRoom

Meadowbrook Waldorf School planned carefully, in designing its new school, to spend its modest budget wisely. In creating the building and site plan, the Architectural Commit-tee considered not only the school’s current needs but looked toward the future to imagine a much larger school, fi lling an essential role in its community and in the broader Waldorf edu-cational movement. The building’s elements were planned so that each would serve several functional and educational needs and refl ect the school’s values of respecting our environment, conserving resources and creating an atmosphere of beauty in which to work and learn. Environmental and ecological conservation concerns were addressed through the use of energy effi cient lighting, heating and ventilation systems, the installation of rain gardens, and a roof which will accommodate a living roof in the future. Natural light fi lls each classroom through large windows and skylights, reducing the need for electrical light. High effi ciency heating, ventilating and air conditioning units provide fresh air, maintain comfortable temperatures and minimize air stratifi ca-tion. Both the heating and lighting systems qualifi ed for energy credits. Each classroom has a door to the outside and its own large sink and water supply. The school now has dedicated space for practical arts instruction, equipment and material storage in two large multi-purpose rooms, and ample grounds for gardening and farming. A larger multi-purpose room was designed to provide space for the performing arts, and is large enough for musical ensemble rehearsals and performances. This special space functions as a theatre for class plays and provides meeting and assembly space for the school and the wider community. This room also fea-tures a beautiful wooden dance fl oor appropriate for movement classes. The adjoining warming kitchen supports fund raising events and educational seminars such as the school’s annual Holiday Faire and Educating Through the Arts, a program of-fered for public school and other educators.

... Construction Begins

May 2006: The foundation

August 2006: The walls

September 2006: Patricia Wolf, Ursula Leonore and Tabitha Jorgensen

December 2006: Rain gardens just planted in the back of the school

January 1, 2007: The front view of the school seen through the soft mist and the newly planted trees

... We Move In

When school began in West Greenwich in the fall of 2006, hopes were high that we would be in our new school by Thanksgiving. Playground equipment had already been relocated, and classroom materials for use later in the year had been stored at the new site. With moving dates continually pushed further out, operating in our crowded school became increasingly stressful. Finally, on January 9th, the school received its Certifi cate of Occupancy. The school parents and faculty implemented a well-orchestrated plan for moving coordinated by parent Matt Richter. At close of school on Friday, January 12th, parents packed all boxed goods and moved furniture, cabinets and shelving. Moving continued over the weekend, unpacking on January 15th, with a day of rest on January 16th. School opened on January 17th and the fi rst Open House was held on January 21st. The campus and building have continued to be lovingly developed as the school community lives into the new space. The school’s May Faire festival commenced with each child planting a fl ower for the school. Parents continue to enhance the beauty of the school realizing outwardly the inner beauty of Waldorf education and our school in particular.

June 2007: the building’s entrance as seen through the Ash trees

April 2007: lazuring the lobby

May 2007: 160 students planted fl owers at the May Faire

August 2006: Early Childhood play equipment in its new home January 2007: Matt Richter thoughtfully loads the moving van.

... Grand Opening Celebration and Community Welcome

On Saturday September 8, 2007, the school welcomed the community to its Grand Opening with leading thoughts from Dan Campbell, President of MWS Board of Trustees and David Corvese, alumni parent. The keynotes resounded with the school’s hope to be a source of beauty for the community and a partner in building a community life that strengthens the human spirit. Attendees included Governor and Mrs. Carcieri, RI State Senator Kevin Breen, and the President and Vice-President of the Richmond Town Council, Joe Reddish, III, and Erik Davis. Mr. Reddish presented a copy of the Council’s resolution welcoming the school and honoring the quality of the education. Governor Carcieri, spoke eloquently of his appreciation of the school’s work, presenting a citation from the State in honor of the school’s fi rst permanent campus. These honors were deeply meaningful to all who had labored for 24 years to build a school.

PHOTOS clockwise from top right: 1. speakers podium: Joseph Reddish, III, President, Richmond Town Council; State Senator Kevin Breen; Governor Donald Carcieri; Charlotte O’Brien, MWS administrator; Dan Campbell, President of the MWS Board of Trustees; David Corvese, alumni parent and entrepreneur. 2. Mr. Reddish reads the Resolution of welcome to Richmond; 3. Audience; 4. Mrs Carcieri, grandaughter Kayla and daughter Alison Cassidy. 5. Governor Carcieri presents the citation of welcome to MWS.

1

23

4

5

... Our Wonderful Volunteers

Building our new campus stretched our community well past what we had previously thought possible. We were called upon not only to make larger fi nancial contributions but to volunteer substantial amounts of our time. Volunteer effort reduced total project costs by $400,000 to $500,000 and brought beauty, heart and soul to the project. The scope of volunteer work included the professional services of parents, including architect, Stephen Rogers, and landscape designer, Michael Cavanagh, as well as the labor of many other community members. Volunteers have solicited fi nancial contributions, done carpentry, laid fl oors, installed cabinets, painted, dug and planted gardens, moved playground equipment, built fencing, installed specialized plumbing, created playgrounds, solicited building materials and furnishings; in short, anything and everything they could do to transform the land and building into a beautiful home for the school.

Bob Torphy and Paul Gamwell laying subfl ooring in The Commons

Parent Jill Buckley packing the offi ce

Steven Theroux sets cabinets in PreKindergarten

Parents, teachers, and students clear the land

Lazure volunteers Ursula Leonore, Amalia Pretel-Gray, and Amy Rippe, directed by James Hildreth

Robert Logsdon demonstrates techniques to the lazure work-shop volunteers

... Walking Home

Three cheers for MWS parent, Lisa Fertik, who dreamt of creating a fund raising event which would join the MWS community in creating a spiritual as well as physical transition from the old school in West Greenwich to the new site in Richmond. Lisa’s enthusiasm for the project drew together a committee who worked over the summer to create “Walking Home”, a 12-mile walk between the two school sites which was held on September 30, 2006. This grass-roots fundraising event captured the excitement and support of the entire community. When MWS parents Lisa and Philip Urso offered to match School Administrator, Charlotte O’Brien’s pledges up to $12,000, or $1,000 per mile, Charlotte began training for the walk and calling and writing to potential sponsors. Charlotte’s efforts and those of over 60 other walkers raised more than $48,000 for the Capital Campaign. After warm-up exercises in West Greenwich participants walked or ran the route to the new school under gloriously sunny skies wearing vibrant green and purple t-shirts. They were met at the school site by hundreds of other community members including MWS students, faculty, alumni, families, friends and the press for a moving and memorable Foundation Stone Ceremony and reception. Meadowbrook was honored to have two of the school’s founders and signatories of its Articles of Incorporation, Heinz Grotzke and Anne Marshall attend the festivities.

Walking Home CommitteeLisa Fertik, chairYolanda BattistaSusan BosworthKara CurtisJennifer FarrellyUrsula LeonoreJulia McKayDonna Mirza

Support TeamBernadette GoldenSusan CorkranMeredith CannTaylor CannJasper RomeroCindy Brooks & Tom ChaceThe O’Brien FamilyJanet CannScott FertikStephen MossJohn Simkevich Hank Wu

Tee Shirt DesignLinda Klein

Event WalkersCara Mia BarryYolanda BattistaSarah BlodgettJoy BonsignoreSamantha BonsignoreKristina BovingDavid CannJanet CannMeredith CannMoises Cocchini-BeckJacquelyn CokerElizabeth ConwayKara CurtisCamilla de RochambeauJohn DonahueJohn Evans

Event Walkers Cont.

Jennifer FarrellyLisa FertikBridget FonsecaIgnacio HwangTrish JonesNicholas JorgensenTabitha JorgensenJayashree KalmathSam KernLinda KleinHope LeesonUrsula LeonoreAmy Lloyd-RippeTracey MaronJennifer McCannJustina MendersBetty MernerPatricia MillarDonna MirzaCharlotte O’BrienPatrick O’BrienDoug PearceLorna PerssonPelle PerssonAmalia Pretel GrayLen RaymondLisa RichterMelanie SieversElizabeth SoaresJoan SpencerBecky SpragueEli SpragueScott SpragueNancy St. VincentLisa SussmanGabrielle TorphyDonna UrsilloJorge VillafuerteSheri Weltman-CavanaghPatricia WolfBenjamin WolfgangLilly WolfgangHank Wu

Lisa Fertik and John Simkevich with Scott Fertik behind

Stretching at the starting line with Donna Mirza

At the fi nish line with Moises Cocchini-Beck and Patricia Wolf

... Gifts and Donations

Over a two year period, the Finance Committee chaired by Philip Urso, inspired board, parents and staff to raise $1.7 million dollars in gifts for the school and many small businesses to donate goods and services to the new building fund.

ALUMNI

Hans CokerJosh DevineAustin JohnsonIris and Ross MacLeanIan O’BrienAndrea PorterMartin, Matisse and Alejandra SilvaMrs. Rippe’s Eighth Grade

FOUNDERS

Lisa GouldHeintz GrotzeBarbara and Richard HeaversAnne Marshall

BOARD AND EMPLOYEES

Emily Anthony Kristina and Thomas BovingKathleen Trimmer and Dan CampbellDavid and Janet CannMargaret ChambersJacquelyn and Peter CokerPatricia Wolf and Paul DresselAnne and Jacek Duda Jennifer and Stephen FarrellyAmalia Pretel and Christopher GrayTabitha and Ray JorgensenJayashree and Sree KalmathUrsula LeonoreBetty and Michael MernerDonna and Jim MirzaCharlotte and Patrick O’BrienLorna and Steve PerssonBrian ReillyAmy Lloyd and Mark RippeSu RubinoffHeather and Ray SchneiderJudie and Andrew SkyBonnie and Joseph SmithNancy and Kenneth St. Vincent

CURRENT FAMILIES

Maureen Armonies and John AssaloneJoan Spencer and Thomas AnthesBruce and Linda BarrettSarah and David BlodgettJoy and Michael BonsignoreSheri Weltman and Michael CavanaghCindy Brooks and Tom ChaceBrian ClarkElizabeth and Anthony ConwaySusan CorkranKara and Mike CurtisTucker CurtisCamilla and Eric de RochambeauJohn DonahueLynne Donahue

CURRENT FAMILIES cont

Liz and Russ DufresneLisa and Dr. Scott FertikSusan and Mark FonsecaCynthia GlinickJane Francis and Jonathan GordonTerese and David GreggSusan and Burr HarrisonTodd HartLiz HassingerEllen and Wil HernandezTrish and Cameron JonesCarolyn Rodia and Edward KingSusan and Jason KolbenheyerJoseph LobertiJuli and Jason ManciniNancy and John ManockTracey and David MaronJulia McKayJustina MendersNancy Brittain and John MensingerNancy MetzJennifer McCann and Armand MichaudCorinne Cabot-MillerLisa Sussman and Dr. Steven MossRebecca and Edward NelsonJonathan O’ConnorsKim and Patrick O’CallahanAnne and Doug PearceAdele PeterleLen RaymondSusan Bosworth and Douglas ReillyLisa and Matthew RichterSharon and Carlos RiosHeidi Henderson and Stephen RogersJane and Dr. Louis RubensteinCarol Cohen and Richard ShippeeKathryn and Dr. John SimkevichMarne and Bob SnyderCaroline SombergDr. Jane Gerhard and Dr. David SternNancy and Steven TherouxGabrielle and Bob TorphyLisa and Philip UrsoLaurette and David VitelloKate Brady and Hal WalkerBevan Linsley and John WeaverAmy WilhelmDr. Lilly and Dr. Robert WolfgangLouisa Chen and Dr. Hank WuMiquette Bishop and Peter Zuerner

FAMILIES OF ALUMNI Yolanda and Richard BattistaMarianne Cocchini and Sam BeckMarie BennettKate and Michael BusseyMichelle and Rob CampanaleYi-Mei Cheng and Gary Card

Susan BosworthDan CampbellDavid CannDavid CorveseLiz DufresneJennifer FarrellyAmalia Pretel-GrayTabitha JorgensenRay Jorgensen

Ursula LeonoreBetty MernerCharlotte O’BrienLen RaymondAmy Lloyd RippeSu RubinoffJudie SkyDon Wineberg

Finance Committee MembersPhilip Urso, Chairman

Philip Urso, Finance Committee Chairman

Board Recognition Dinner honoring extraordinary volunteer efforts; shown: Amy Rippe presents a gift to Charlotte O’Brien

The Alumni Quilt Project

Current staff, faculty and parents were not the only ones working to raise money for the new school. Guided by Donna Mirza, the mothers of MWS’s fi rst eighth grade graduating class (1996) joined together to create a beautiful “Meadowbrook Star” quilt for a raffl e. Tickets were sold throughout the year raising nearly $1,000 to benefi t the Capital Campaign. Many Thanks to Donna Mirza, Su Rubinoff, Sally Olsen, Betty Merner, Amy Rippe, Judie Sky, Debbie Barber, Cathy Hill, Elsie Swonger, Margaret Johnson, Pat McGauren, Cindy Siegel, Ginny Kenny, and Linda Klein for their contributions of time and artistry on behalf of the Capital Campaign.

Families of Alumni cont

Laura and Scott CarlisleDeborah and William CatoneNancy and David CorveseBeth and Andy CurtisKristin and Michael Della GrottaWendy Stewart and Ed EverichKim and Robert FalconeLin Johnson and Dave FinneganMarjie Stevens and David FloydBernadette GoldenCindy and Philip Hallowell Cathy and George HillMargaret and Mark JohnsonVirginia and Paul KennyDee Anne LambKim and Duncan LaurieMadge Evers and Eliot LevinePasha and Dr. Ron LippittLinda MacLeanElaine and John MangianteSandy McDougallPatricia McGauran and Ken RichmondAstrid MurreLinda Atamian and Brian O’ConnorSally and Stephen OlsenAri Pall PalssonDavid and Kate PaquinCarol PilkingtonNina Berry and Dieter PohlMaryAnn and Paul PontarelliCindy and Dan SiegelNatalie and John SilvaMarlisa Jona SmithDavid StallmanAl and Elsie SwongerHeidi ToppelDennis and June VinhateiroDavid and Jean VolpeElizabeth Wright

FRIENDS

Bette AaronsonMarsha and Philip AaronsonKathleen AbelDee and Bob AllardErin AndersonStu AnsenLeah ArsenaultHeide and Hugh AtkinsVictoria BallAbigail BarberDeb BarberBill BarettaBruce BartelsJoseph BeatriceSheila BeattieKaren BentonMary Lyons BergerCheryl BertramPatricia Bessey

FRIENDS cont

Liz BigleyBeatrice BirchSheridan Bishop Gail BonsignoreNancy and Kenneth BosworthStacy BraymanJohn BroderickCheryl BrooksMarilyn BrooksJudy BucklenCharles BuckleyPhong Bui DaoAlfred and Olga BulpittNancy BurchellIndia Mars and Roger BurkeNarda ButlerElena CabotHelen CamilleGerald CannJeff CannAntonio and Dolores CapelRobert CardosaAngela CarellaDina CarellaMr and Mrs Angelo CarellaPaul CarellaSelena CarellaAllan CarlsonRosemary CarlsonPaul CasavantGuy CassadayChristine and Cornelius CawleyJames ChenNorman ChevillePatricia ChewFoo ChinDave ChurchBobby ClarkMartin ClarkMoises Cocchini-BeckSusan CogginsLoraine and Bob CokerDavid CokerHeidi ColemanKatherine CondonTara ConiglioPeter ConveryJohn and Toni CorkranJohn CoughlinLinda CoulterLynn CovelloTandy CronynJim CuhnaScott CultonSue CunninghamPaul CyrDonald De CiccioEugene De CiccioMargaret De SantisDiane DeMichele

The alumni quilt hangs over the Michaelmas Dragon and the foundation stone chest. The Michaelmas Dragon was made by students in the class of 2002 and the foundation chest by Chace Springborn.

... Gifts and Donations Cont

FRIENDS cont

Else JacobsSusan JensonRonald JessopBenjamin JohnsonHelen JonesCaryn and Brian JorgensenWendy and Doug JorgensenKathleen JorgensenRubi and Ray JorgensenSebastian JungerJohn KaplanVioleta and Julius KelertasGregory KenneyDiane KlotzPat and Neil KluepfelGloria and Glenn KnierimPaul KnierimElizabeth KomorowskiBryan KoplowEdna KotrolaJulie KramerFred KramerElizabeth KrollDanny KrotzerPankaj KumarCindi and Roy LaCroixCharles LangfordDenis LaplanteDave LavineMr. and Mrs. Robert LeesonRaymond LelandBarbara LidikazRobin LipmanCarol LloydAstrid and Dieter LoeberNancy LogMarsha and Bob LordEva LorencDavid LummisJoseph LynchSusan LynchMay and Dr. Larry MamiyaRichard ManciniBarbara Mansfi eldBarbara MartinVincent MascaroTammy MatsonAndy McCannDonald McCannMartha McCannLori McGrathClaire McIntyrePatricia MendersElinor MernerMichelle and Patrick MernerPatrick MernerPeter MigDennis MigneaultPatricia and Richard MillarMeg Miller

FRIENDS cont

Daniel DecesareAnnMarie DenelleJasmine DevineJoan and Richard DiChiaroScott DiDonatoDonna DiGiuseppeJill Merner and Chris DockrayLori and Robert DolnickBetty Ann DonahueMr. and Mrs. Joseph DonahueEleni DresnerDonald EddyJessica EganEricka EmersonMary Stuart EmersonKevin EnglishAllyson EtzellJohn EvansKenneth FarrellyWilliam FeldmanGregory FertikHarry FertikVicki Flucard SmithKathryn FoxKaren FrankoSusan GaraKathy and Roo GardnerJeri and Tom GarrityLaurie GelbMrs. Robert H.I. GoddardLucille GoldenbergAnthony GrahamClaudia GrahamSharon GrayBarbara Dailey and Tom GreeneBarbara GriswoldJenessi and Adam GwaltneyMike HaasRichard HaleJoseph HaleyMary B. and Rev. John HallBetsy HarlingElizabeth HarlingLisa HarlingOtto HarlingMaura Harling Stefl Howard HaronianHeidi HartDoris and Herman HassingerGeorge HazeltonKathleen Heinchon-ZajacJimena Martinez & Michael HirschhornRichard HodgsonCatherine and Charles HopkinsSally and John HoyleTina HuardRachel Godwin and Linda HubertIgnacio HwangMichael HwasPride Iselin

ARTISTS, ARTISANS AND

PROFESSIONALSEmily AnthonyMichael BonsignoreMichael CavanaghWalter ChaceJason ClemencePeter CokerMike CurtisCamilla de RochambeauChris GrayWil HernandezRick KrukowskiMargaret Laurence, Esq.Philip MartorellaIan O’BrienMatt RichterMark RippeStephen RogersHans SchepkerAndrew SkyChace SpringbornSteve TherouxBob TorphyDonald Wineberg, Esq.

FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS

ABR TransportAlan G. Hill, Inc.Alchemie InvestmentsAnonymousArnold LumberBay State Drywall Co., Inc.Brunca Waterproofi ng Corp.The Bosworth CompanyCleri Construction Corp.Delta ConsultantsF.P. Duffy, Inc.Earthcare FarmLiberty CedarM & L Power Service Inc.Mary Chew MemorialMCF Communications bg Inc.Minnow Lake Foundation, Inc.National GridThe Nordson Corp. FoundationPfi zer Pharmaceutical Corp.Providence Waldorf Assn.Rudolf Steiner FoundationSouth County Post and BeamZuerner Designs

Professional Donations

... Gifts and Donations Cont

FRIENDS cont

Johanna SparlingDeborah SpatidolChace SpringbornCindy St. JeanJanice SuorsaLorraine and Sy SussmanOlive SutcliffeCharles TapperoCharlotte and Sandy TaylorDonna TschutaTroo TuckerHope TyrellDon VadeboncoeurLouise VadeboncoeurLydia VadeboncoeurRay VadeboncoeurChristian VardalaJeffrey WallaceAlane WallisJeanne WettlauferJoy and Charles WhartonDonna WhiteMary Robin WhitneyHarry WigginsKate WolfJoseph WolfLance YoungPeter YoungRima Zydel

FRIENDS cont

Susan MischlerM.E. MoltumyrJacquelyne MorrisonElizabeth and William MoylanEileen MullenDeb MunroeHelen and Michael NavascuesBrian and Nancy NeffHarold NomerNorma OberlySarah O’BrienMarci O’KeefeLeslie OltonCathy OrloffLinda and Rick OsborneDave OwensHeidi OwensRobert OwensJoe and Kathy PariJoey PariDavid PearceLaura PearceGudny PerssonDonna Timchak and Gary PetersonAndrea PetronioJames PewthererJames PranskyCindy RayNathaniel ReadeGabrielle ReedLinda Reilly, MDJuliet and Peter Rice Jeanne and Wilson RichKaren RichardsonAnneliese RingstadSharon and Lenny RiordonNathan RitterF. RodriguezDeborah RogersWendy RothbergHelen Rowe-DrakePam RubinoffMercedes RuehlBelardina RuggieriSherry and John RuppJill SapersteinArthur SchorAngela SchulzPam SharpeWard ShawIrene ShinsecMelanie Bishop SieversNancy and Quinn Silva-BragaPaul SimonLisa SingletonBetty SmithDaniel SmithSolveig and Arthur SmithElizabeth SoaresJerome Soloway

PHOTOS: Opposite page: Top: Emily Anthony. Bottom: treasurer David Cann and Michael Cavanagh receive a grant from the Nordson Company Foundation for the school rain gardens;

This page from the top: Architect Stephen Rogers rules the roof; Nancy and David Corvese; Bob and Gabrielle Torphy; Chace Springborn; Josh Bouvier of South County Post and Beam graciously donates a fi ne cedar sign post.

... Gifts and Donations Cont

... Fundraising, Financing and the Future

Meadowbrook has demonstrated responsible budgeting and spending practices through a decade of operating surpluses. The same prudence has been refl ected in the fundraising and fi nancing activities of the school. Phase I of this project, including fi nancing costs, was $3.6 million. Engineering work needed to obtain the necessary permits and early site development work was funded through a founding capital gift received in June 2002. A Finance Committee was formed under the leadership of MWS parent and entrepreneur, Philip Urso. This small group of parents, faculty and staff members worked together to raise $1.7 million in gifts and grants and $2.7 million in permanent fi nancing and temporary loans. Through new fundraising and pledge redemptions, the Finance Committee plans to reduce the debt level of the school to under $1.2 million by 2009. Debt reduction is necessary to reduce fi nancial risk, improve salaries and benefi ts and enhance the pedagogy. Further fi nancial information is found in the school’s Annual Reports. The school’s Master Plan represents the vision of today’s school community. It will be implemented and funded parallel with the school’s future growth. To realize the potential of the Master Plan, the community must raise between $10 and $20 million in phased development over the next two decades.

The Master Plan Schedule

Phase I Project Expenses = $3.6M

Land, $.3M

Site Work and Utilities, $.6M Building Construction, $2.1M Architectural,Engineering & Permitting Fees $.3M MWS Operating & Relocation Costs, $.2M Financing Costs through Construction, $.1M

Cost Completion Goals

Phase 1: The Land, Utilities and Grade School Building $3.6M Winter 2007

Land AcquisitionConstruction of Campus Site InfrastructureConstruction of Grade School Building

Phase 2: Early Childhood and Special Subject Buildings $3.5M - $5.0M 2010 - 2012

Construction of Early Childhood BuildingConstruction of Woodworking, Movement Buildings, and a Small BarnNatural Trails and Playing Fields

Phase 3 : Expansion of Programs and Services $5.0M - $10.0M 2012 - 2017

A High School and an Adult Education CenterSmall living complex for caretaker’s family and up to 3 faculty apartmentsA Performance Theater/Gymnasium capable of seating up to 500 persons

... Founding Wishes for the New School

As the conclusion of its September, 2006, Michaelmas celebration, the school held a community picnic during which a “foundation stone” chest was placed into the foundation of the building. The chest, made for the school by Chace Springborn, alumnus parent and former faculty member, was formed from oak cut from the property and milled by volunteers during the road clearing. Inside the chest were placed objects of special value to the school and inscribed wishes from the Board, Collegium, Faculty, and Meadowbrook Parents Association. Each class of children created and included a wish as did the parents of the class. A sampling of those inspiring wishes is captured below.

First Grade Children: The fi rst graders wish for the new school is that gnomes and fairies and chipmunks and squir-rels will live there. We hope that the new school will be like our old one with sand fi elds, toys, lots of forests and paths, honey and a kitchen. We would like a snail and a tree to grow in our classroom. We hope that the whole school will be a good place, that it will bring peace and will always be the best school. We hope that we will all be friends for the rest of our lives.

The Board of Trustees of the Meadowbrook Waldorf School expresses its wish that the future leadership of the School be those persons whom destiny has called and who are inspired by the sacrifi ces and gifts of the past leaders of the School. The Faculty and Staff of the Meadowbrook Waldorf School wish that intuition and inspiration, born of study and meditation, weave enlightenment into our relationships with the children and the adults of our community, bringing clar-ity to our perceptive senses and joy in the wonder of each human being.

Grade 3 Parents: Like the monarch cocoons that are in our classroom now, we hope that our children will always grow and change. We wish for this new school and its community to provide the spiritual, physical and cognitive lessons that will teach our children to seek peace, to cultivate openness, to nurture our earth and to express themselves creatively for their whole lives.

Grade 5 Parents: wishes and intentions are that this land that has fl ourished in Nature’s Grace will continue to thrive as it nurtures the souls of the Meadowbrook Waldorf School’s students, families and wider community for genera-tions to come

Some contents of the foundation chest

Foundation box guarded by the Michaelmas dragon

Carrying the foundation chest into its resting place: Dan Campbell, President of the MWS Board, original founders: Anne Marshall and Heinz Grotzke

... About the School

Incorporated in 1979, Meadowbrook Waldorf School is an independent school, licensed by the State of Rhode Island for PreKindergarten through Grade 8. Continuously operating since 1984, the school currently has over 170 students and 30 faculty and staff. It is a 501(c)3 non-profi t institution as defi ned in the IRS code. Gifts to the school are tax deductible as determined by tax professionals.

Meadowbrook Waldorf School would like to thank the following people

Stephen Rogers - MWS parent and building architect

Michael Cavanagh - MWS parent and landscape architect

Commonwealth Engineers - Site Engineers

Austin Ross Construction - Builder

Atlantic Control Systems - Site Construction

Meadowbrook Waldorf School 300 Kingstown Road, West Kingston, RI 02892 401/491-9570 Fax: 401/539-6003www.meadowbrookschool.com info@meadowbrookschool.com

And every parent, friend and colleaguewho helped build our new school