2012-2013Annual Report

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Onwardan MCDS MAGAZINE

Fall 2013

Every child possesses an extraordinary capacity to learn.

— MCDS founding philosophy

GardenLibby Center ʼ13Acrylic paint on canvas paper

Thank you to Sara Riha P’20, ’18 and Madison Avenue Worldwide for designing this publication.Learn more about them at madisonavenueworldwide.com

Luke W. Felker Head of School

Onward ContributorsRobin Garcia Director of Development

Dana Asmuth Director of MarketingCourtney Comer Parent Volunteer

Ann Schwede Parent VolunteerKimberly Felker Marketing and

Development Associate Beatrice Jones School Secretary

Board of TrusteesKimberly Hazen, M.A. Chair

Sandra Fernandez, Ed.D. Vice-ChairErick Hallick, B.S. Secretary

Lynn Kaminski, C.P.A., B.B.A. TreasurerKathy Baus, M.D.

James Gallegos, J.D. Mark Louden, Ph.D. Patrick Riha, M.B.A.

Suzanne Rusch, B.B.A. John Schaffer, Ph.D.Eric Schmidt, M.B.A. Thomas Shorter, J.D.

Jerry VanKirk, M.Div., Th.M. Sheila Young, B.A.

Honorary Trustees Erica Christman, M.H.A.

Eric McLeod, J.D. Christopher Priebe, M.F.A.

Head’s Letter 2MCDS Moments 4In Focus with Faculty 6Teamwork & Triumph 12Character & Community 13Sustain & Thrive 14

Features

Special in This Issue

8 Oh, the Places You’ll Go!Next steps bring one alumni across the globe and home again.

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To add someone to the mailing list or to submit questions or comments about the magazine,email us at Onward@madisoncountryday.org

Campbell Comer ’25 examining worms in Science class, spring 2013.

Onward. One word … a mere two syllables … captures the very essence of human evolution. When faced with challenges great and small, whether it be the need for a stone age wheel or an effective process to pass along the accumulation of knowledge to the next generation, the human species has persevered. When faced with the everyday vicissitudes of life, with our courageous spirit we tackle what’s next, ideally with a sense of awareness and compassion for the people, communities, and world around us.

With this inaugural issue of Madison Country Day School’s first bi-annual magazine, the title Onward reflects so well the spirit of the many committed individuals who continue to build our school community. MCDS began in 1997 with a vision to raise the bar for American education. As the typical growing pains of a youthful institution ensued, those who believed so passionately in the strengths of both an MCDS education and our community persevered, never relenting on the promise of our mission. We stand here today at the start of the school’s 17th year at a record enrollment level celebrating the great successes of our students, of our seven graduating classes, and of our people, from passionate faculty to generous parents. As our community continues to thrive, expand, and ponder what’s next for an MCDS education, we will seize … and live … the best of what “onwardˮ represents. As you continue to join us on the school’s journey, take a few moments to peruse the features on the following pages, from stories of success from MCDS alumni and new faculty, to the value and exceptional outcomes of an MCDS education. Enjoy … and onward!

Warmly,

Luke W. Felker Head of School

Letter from the Head of School

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MCDS is thrilled to welcomeStacy Mattson as our new Head of Lower School. With a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.S. in Reading from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Ms. Mattson began her educational career as a third grade teacher before spending the past 15 years in administration, including six as a principal.Ms. Mattson has extensive expertise in literacy and reading/writing instruction. She also oversaw the Janesville district’s Gifted and Talented Challenge magnet program for students in grades three through five and led the implementation of a Mandarin language program at the elementary level.

“I am just so excited to be a member of the MCDS team,” said Ms. Mattson. “I am looking forward to building strong collaborative relationships with students, staff members, and families in order to benefit continued student learning and achievement in the Lower School.”

On weekends, Ms. Mattson can be found spending time with her daughter, son, and two stepsons, who are busy with activities including piano, baseball, tennis, and show choir.Ms. Mattson loves the color pink, the Milwaukee Brewers, and desserts! She also enjoys creative writing and hopes to write a children’s book someday.

When Head of Middle SchoolDevon Davis joined MCDS in January 2012, she brought boundless ideas to enhance our Middle School and High School student life and educational experience. With a B.A. in Psychology from the College of William and Mary and an M.Ed. in Counseling from Wake Forest University, Ms. Davis’ background as a school counselor and administrator gives her a deep understanding of the social and behavioral needs of students.

In her first year, Ms. Davis launched several significant new programs for MCDS including our House System, 9th Grade Academy, and Girl Power elective.

Ms. Davis said, “I’m so thrilled to develop stronger relationships with the Middle School students. I also see a huge opportunity to build on the leadership and educational benefits we offer students through our House System and 9th Grade Academy.”

On weekends, Ms. Davis can be found playing with her boys, Quinn and Sullivan, ages six and three. She also is passionate about soccer and plays in a weekly indoor and outdoor league.

Hannah Nelson expands her role as the Head of High School after teaching both math and science at the MCDS Middle and High Schools as well as working as a fifth grade advisor last year. Ms. Nelson brings both experience and her infectious enthusiasm for learning to her leadership role in the MCDS High School. After earning a B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.Ed. from the University of Vermont,Ms. Nelson taught both math and science for 10 years at schools in Vermont and, most recently, at the Watershed School in Boulder, Colorado, where she also served as the High School Team Leader.

Ms. Nelson said, “I am looking forward to strengthening the already stellar community culture at MCDS and building deeper and stronger relationships with all of our High School students and families.”

Outside of school, Ms. Nelson loves to bike, kayak, garden, walk her dogs, hang out with friends, and listen to live music. This summer she enjoyed many of Wisconsin’s summer music festivals. Ms. Nelson’s lifelong dream is to travel the world, using photography as a means to share and introduce people to new and unfamiliar cultures.

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CELEBRATING OLD TRADITIONS ... CREATING NEW ONES

Eighth Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.Sorting CeremonyEating Watermelon, Field DayTug-O-War, Field DayAll-High School Prom “On the Red CarpetˮRockyʼs Fun RunKindergarten GraduationLower School Musical, 101 Dalmatians

Spring 2013

MCDS MOMENTS

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CELEBRATING OLD TRADITIONS ... CREATING NEW ONES

A Conversation with Michelle LaudermilkOnward sat down with the school’s first Director of Educational Technology Michelle Laudermilk to discuss her new role and learn more about her vision for technology at MCDS.

Onward: Describe your philosophy on technology in education.ML: Applying technology to any endeavor always has been a game changer and no less so in education. There is a lot of talk about how 21st century technology will create a “new era of learning.” But really, does this lead to a new way of teaching? Aren’t we just using new tools to solve the same problems? Yes and no. I think some of the problems we as teachers and learners always will struggle with are just human nature—how to motivate, how to give our best effort, how to be good citizens. However, and it’s a big however, the way we work in the 21st century will be radically different from the way we’ve ever worked in the past! Today’s most current technologies place a greater emphasis on effective communication and collaboration.

Onward: How do you envision technology having a larger role at MCDS?ML: Integrating technology into any organization is more than just having the latest and greatest devices. Technology integration is really about organizational

change and improvement. As with any school, we need to develop the essential conditions at MCDS to effectively leverage technology in learning, and that means everyone—administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students—has a role to play.

MCDS has taken some critical steps in the last few years, and I’m here to facilitate the next evolution of technology and education. It has a huge role to play at MCDS, and I’m excited to be a part of that.

Onward: What are your short-term priorities for implementing technology at the school?ML: As I think about a technology vision for MCDS,

In Focuswith Faculty

I know it’s more than just designing state-of-the-art network infrastructures or creating slick school portals or deciding whether B.Y.O.D. (Bring Your Own Device) is better for us than a 1:1 computer program. As always with technology, we have to have the right skills in order to use the right tools for the right job. It’s really about

teaching the teachers first.

One of the first priorities I’d like to set is to help teachers, parents, and students at MCDS understand some of the key trends in education technology and how technology is changing the way we teach and learn. From there, we can continue to create a shared vision of technology at MCDS and develop

strategies to implement the technologies and programs needed to bring the abstract into reality.

Onward: You’ve worked internationally, most recently in Guangzhou, China. What drew you to MCDS?ML: As soon as I saw the technology position listed at MCDS, I knew it was a great opportunity, both personally and professionally. I like that MCDS is an IB school and has an international curriculum. My own experiences in an international context have given me a deeper understanding of the world around me and the people in it. But more importantly they have shaped me in ways I am only now just beginning to comprehend.

“We need to develop the essential conditions at MCDS to effectively leverage technology in learning, and that means everyone—administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students—has a role to play.ˮ

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STACY BOLWERK, LS Physical EducationMs. Bolwerk officially joins the Lower School as a Physical Education teacher for grades two through five, as well as a Middle School advisor. Students will recognize Ms. Bolwerk from her work this past year at MCDS as a substitute teacher. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a B.S. in Physical Education, Adaptive Physical Education, and Health. Fun fact: The most weight Ms. Bolwerk has ever lifted is 360 pounds.

DREW CIANCIA, MS/HS HistoryMr. Ciancia joins the Middle School and High School History Department following six years at the Woodside Priory School in Silicon Valley as a high school history teacher and department chair. Mr. Ciancia graduated from Cornell University and completed his J.D. at the University of Pittsburgh Law School. Mr. Ciancia earned his first M.A. in Politics, Security, and Integration at University College London and his second M.A. in Educational Foundations and Policy at the University of Michigan. Fun fact: Mr. Ciancia is an avid follower of English Premier League soccer and travels to England twice a year to watch Liverpool and Wigan FC, his wife’s local clubs.

FRANK CONWAY, HS Math and PhysicsDr. Conway will lead the High School Physics program and also will teach Mathematics at the Middle School and High School levels. Dr. Conway earned a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For the past seven years he taught mathematics and physics, first in New Glarus and then most recently in the McFarland School District. Fun fact: Dr. Conway loves running and qualified for the Boston Marathon three times, competing twice.

KATHERINE DALLAND, MS HumanitiesMs. Dalland joins MCDS in sixth grade Humanities. A National Board Certified Teacher, Ms. Dalland completed her B.A. in Liberal Studies at Westmont College and M.A. in Initiatives in Educational Transformation at George Mason University. For the past 11 years she taught language arts at the middle school level in suburban Washington, D.C. Fun fact: By the time she was in sixth grade, Ms. Dalland had lost teeth on three different continents.

EVELYN LASKY, HS EnglishMs. Lasky joins the High School to teach ninth and tenth grade English. She taught high school English for four years, along with time spent as an instructor and consultant while working on her advanced degrees. Ms. Lasky completed her B.A. in English and Anthropology at Rice University, an M.A. in English at the University of South Carolina-Columbia, and doctoral courses in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition at The University of Texas-Austin. Ms. Lasky also is pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on adolescent literacy and creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Fun fact: In high school Ms. Lasky was active in drama, performing in several school productions, including 42nd Street.

KRIS WARNER, LS MusicMs. Warner joins the Lower School Music Department teaching Pre-K and Kindergarden music classes and piano lessons to students in grades one through four. She also will direct the MCDS Spring Play in the spring of 2014. With a B.A. in Music Education from University of Wisconsin-River Falls, she taught for nine years at The Colorado Springs School in addition to another nine years of music teaching in public districts. Fun fact: When Ms. Warner was 17 years old, she and her best friend sang the National Anthem at Lambeau Field.

SUSAN WHITE, LS ArtMs. White comes to MCDS as our new Lower School Art teacher. Ms. White has more than 20 years in the art field and began her education at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, earning a B.A. in Studio Arts. Later, she earned an M.A.T. in Art Education from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University and an M.F.A. in Studio Art from the University of California-Davis. Ms. White was a juror this year for Art Fair on the Square. Fun fact: Ms. White took guitar lessons over the summer with the guitar she has had for more than 20 years!

Meet the New Faculty

I also like the fact that MCDS is a growing school and technology is a relatively new initiative here. It always is exciting to implement new technology programs.

And I’m just as pleased now to be working and living in the Madison area. After three years in a concrete megatropolis, seeing blue skies and hearing birds sing is wonderful. I’m even looking forward to snow, I think?

Onward: What best practices in school technology did you experience in China?ML: The use of technology across China is inconsistent. Fortunately, my school in Guangzhou embraced the positive role that technology can play. As the IT Coordinator, I was able to implement many best practices, including a five-year strategic technology plan, an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), laptop cart policy and procedures, IT issue tracking system, resource booking system, resource utilization reporting, and IT Operations policy and procedures. I also managed the software selection and implementation of an integrated student information system.

Onward: When you are not focused on computers, what might we find you doing?ML: Sailing, anytime, anywhere!

First Grade Teacher Julie Waddell receives instruction from our new Director of Educational Technology Michelle Laudermilk.

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resh off a trek to India on his way back to Yale University, Fabi Fernandez ’11 shared with

Onward some of the incredible things he’s been up to since graduation.

Now a junior and global health fellow at Yale, Fabi is majoring in Anthropology with a focus on medical anthropology, the applied study of the social, environmental, and biological factors that influence health and illness. Medical anthropologists take a holistic view and study an array of topics including the interactions between traditional medicine and biomedicine, patient-physician relationships in multicultural societies, and practices for birth, healing, and death.

Fabi’s studies include critical medical anthropology, which focuses on the political economy of health and concern for people who are often neglected or stigmatized by the health community, including indigenous peoples, racial minorities, immigrants and transgender individuals.

Oh, the Places You’ ll Go!Next steps bring one alumni across the globe and home again.

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Oh, the Places You’ ll Go!Next steps bring one alumni across the globe and home again.

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Onward: Fabi, where do you see yourself in 10 years?FF: After I graduate college, I want to go for a one-year Masters in Public Health and then, fingers crossed, get into an M.D./Ph.D. program for medicine and anthropology. Ten years from now I hope to be working in a university, teaching, practicing, and conducting ethnographic fieldwork over the summer. I would like to work with and advise international organizations like the World Health Organization or Doctors Without Borders to enact more lasting change. Onward: How do you feel your MCDS education helped prepare you for the rigors of college?FF: MCDS taught me how to fall in love with academics. Sure, you can go through school finishing problem sets, writing papers and taking exams, but MCDS has given me something more enduring. It’s given me the appetite to really learn material, discuss concepts with others, and initiate projects on my own.Onward: What can you say about faculty at MCDS? The teachers at MCDS are really passionate about the subjects they teach and that enthusiasm is imparted to their students. The small classroom settings and personal relationships between students and teachers at MCDS mean that every student has a voice. That early foundation has given me the courage to meet with professors and develop similar ties in college. Because of my MCDS experience, I can speak up during seminars and raise my hand in busy lecture halls at Yale. My heart always races, but I have the confidence to engage with my classmates and professors because I did that all through school.

Attending a ceremonial elephant blessing in Tiruchirappalli, India.

According to Fabi, “It’s medicine, but it’s also social justice. It’s compassionate and personal, but the approach employs a critical theoretical framework. Medical anthropology is changing the way we look at health and the inclusion of those living on the margins of society.”

Fabi knew that he wanted to work in medicine, but he didn’t know from which angle he would approach it. Yale offered an introductory class to Medical Anthropology, and he fell in love with it. He became inspired by the work of medical anthropologist and physician Dr. Paul Farmer. Chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Farmer is known for his humanitarian work providing “first worldˮ health care for people in the third world, most notably in Haiti.

Fabi’s interest further developed when he worked with the Yale-Ecuador HIV Clinic Initiative on the rural coast of Ecuador during the summer of 2012. That work inspired him to pursue the intersections in medical anthropology and public health, as he worked for populations who often don’t have a voice.

More recently, Fabi participated in the International Honors Program: Health Culture and Community. Through this study abroad program, Fabi spent time in New Orleans; Chennai, India; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Cape Town, South Africa, where he comparatively studied social determinants of health. In each location, Fabi lived with host families and took classes with traveling professors.

While the program was shaped like a traditional semester, the site visits and cultural experiences focused on experiential learning. Fabi said he won’t forget speaking with people from New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, visiting food kitchens and orphanages in India, and going to the Hindu temple with his host-father. All of these interactions have shaped his commitment to global health.

We wondered where this MCDS grad will go next and how he feels about the education he received on River Road.

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“Because of my MCDS experience, I can speak up during seminars and raise my hand in busy lecture halls at Yale.ˮ

Onward: Do you think receiving an IB Diploma from MCDS enhanced or better prepared you for college life? FF: The IB Diploma Programme is challenging, but once I finished writing the last exam, I felt such accomplishment. It was the cumulative effort of two years, and I’m so much better off because of it. I think that the rigors and expectations of the IB Programme really prepared me to handle the heavy coursework of college including a book a week, tests and quizzes every other week, and final projects. The Extended Essay prepared me to write longer research papers. The Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) outreach taught me to be an active participant in the community. And, most fundamentally, the Theory of Knowledge requirement taught me about epistemology, including how we know things and how to navigate circles of knowledge. Thanks to the IB Programme I was forced to compose a sonata, conduct an ecological study on the prairie, sift through 19th century newspapers, and initiate a number of service projects in the Madison area. In college, that drive and ability to handle independent projects is essential.Onward: What was your favorite class at MCDS and why?FF: English, because of all the great literature we read, including The Great Gatsby, Notes from the Underground and works from the Romantic poets. They were all really formative works for me, and our discussions of themes in class are still some of the best academic discussions I’ve ever had. Mr. Childs taught me how to think and write well, and for that I’m forever indebted.Onward: MCDS is in the midst of growing its High School. What thoughts can you share with eighth graders and current High School students about what differentiates the MCDS High School experience?FF: MCDS offers a unique experience. It’s a budding high school without the ingrained culture and traditions of other high schools. I imagine that a lot of kids may want

a more traditional experience. But if you stay, you’ll have the opportunity to create a new culture at MCDS. The Quest/Odyssey Houses, the exchange programs with Japan and Ecuador, and the Talent Show are all examples of traditions fueled by students. The High School is academically rewarding, but it’s also an exciting time to be a part of MCDS.Onward: What are some of your special memories of school life on River Road?FF: MCDS is blessed to have a beautiful campus and community. A lot of my best memories were in the great outdoors. When I was younger I used to escape onto the trails, play in the tall grass, and go canoeing on the Yahara River. When I was older, I rowed out on the water with the MCDS crew team and ran alongside the cross-country team. I’ll never forget all the moments when the entire school would come together for Field Day, Spirit Day, Homecoming, theater performances, musical events, and Science Appreciation Day. As an older student, it was nice to spend time with the younger kids. I’ll never forget when Ms. VanBrocklin had “Minus Manˮ fly in to teach her first graders subtraction (the kids knew it was me behind the mask!), or the times we’d go in to read Dr. Seuss stories to the preschoolers, or the moments in the hallway when the elementary school kids would recognize us older kids and wave. There’s something really special about a community like MCDS. Onward: Any words of wisdom you can share for next year’s graduates?FF: My sister, Fiorella ’14, is graduating next spring! So from a brother to a younger sister all I can say is, “Enjoy this last year of high school and get excited for college.” My sister has taught me more than she’ll ever know. And while the road through college is not an easy one, I know she and the rest of her MCDS classmates will do an excellent job wrestling with the challenges and finding what they’re truly passionate about.

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Did you know?MCDS now has 31 athletic teams and many club sports inspired by our active and interested students.

MCDS Teams:Basketball (10 teams), Soccer (8 teams), Volleyball (6 teams), Cross Country (2 teams), Track and Field (2 teams), Football, Golf, Ultimate Frisbee.

MCDS Club Sports:Crew, Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding, Badminton, Girls on the Run.

Our First State ChampionLast May, Aidan Campbell ʼ16 captured the 2013 WIAA Division III Track and Field State Championship in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:19.88 as a ninth grader.

Kick It!More than 90 students participate on MCDS soccer teams.

Historic HoopsThe first All-MCDS Junior Varsity Basketball team

played an outstanding first season during the winter months of the 2012-2013 school year.

MCDS athletics

Teamwork & Triumph

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First graders Adrien Gallegos ʼ25, Voula Flessas ʼ25, Owen Luedtke ʼ25, Agapi Gialamas ʼ25 working together in the garden.

In the spotlight

At MCDS, character education is a part of everyday student life. From all-school assemblies and classroom meetings, to advisory sessions and mentor relationships, MCDS students are surrounded by examples of good character traits, models for effective communication and conflict resolution, and positive peer interactions as they develop into outstanding community members. The character education program at MCDS received exceptional marks in the schoolʼs recent accreditation study by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

The MCDS school garden is an example of character education in action. Under the love and direction of Ms. Deakman, Pre-K teacher and garden caretaker, students learn to grow and harvest vegetables and flowers in the school garden.

Each year, MCDS donates more than 50 pounds of its school-grown vegetables to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.

Character & Community

My daughter asked me towards the end of last school year what I thought the greatest moment at MCDS had been since arriving last January. I couldn’t say. But then I remembered Mr. Rogers, a hero of mine, and something he taught me. The greatest moments in life are the simplest and most quiet. The great things are rarely center stage but they make all the difference.

And then I thought of the people standing in the wings at school. Committed. Enthusiastic. Encouraging. As caring for the experiences of their own children as they are for every student and faculty member at MCDS. I thought of our volunteers.

Volunteers have different ways of sharing their time and talents, but what I have noticed is that our school community truly shines when they are working alongside us. Their time, however much, is a bright example of philanthropy at its best.

I was asked to join the administration to build a philanthropy program at school. Of course this means

that I will ask families to consider gifts to the school through the Annual Fund or in support of our endowment, or perhaps even in the building and renovations of our beautiful campus. But I will focus equally on volunteerism, tracking as much of the time contributed as I would a financial gift to support the school’s mission. Visit us online at www.madisoncountryday.org/Support-MCDS/Volunteerism to discover the abundance of volunteer opportunities at school.

We have a friend at MCDS, a three-year-old waiting patiently for his turn to enroll, whose preference it is to be adorned at all times by his cape. I believe he is a superhero at heart, mighty and formidable, flying through the air to save the day at a moment’s notice. I bet if he looked closely, he would find a legion of heroes all around him: MCDS volunteers who would do anything to help a child and who contribute, immeasurably, to this exceptional school community.

I hope you’ll join them.

— Robin Garcia P ʼ18, ʼ22

Director of Development Robin Garcia and her daughters Lilith ’18 and Mae ’22 joined MCDS in January 2013.Reach her at rgarcia@madisoncountryday.org

“Volunteers have different ways of sharing their time and talents, but what I have noticed is that our school truly shines when they are working alongside us.ˮ

Giving back within our communitySustain & Thrive

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2012-2013 Annual Report of Giving

Thank you.

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What motivates individuals in education to dedicate so much of their lives to their students and their school? When asked about their career choice, many in education refer to it as a calling, a desire to serve a need and a good greater than oneself. As a teacher myself, I appreciate beyond words what a powerful learning relationship between student and instructor can accomplish within a classroom, as well as the infrastructure that must be in place to support these students and teachers.

This same calling can be attributed to the many generous donors who give of their time, their spirit, and their resources to Madison Country Day School. This year’s Annual Report features the many groups of exceptional individuals, from parents to grandparents to faculty, who donated to sustain an exceptional MCDS education. To give of oneself to a cause greater than one’s own is powerful, bringing a sense of purpose to our complicated world and engendering the school community’s deepest appreciation and respect.

Each and every story featured in both Onward and this year’s Annual Report is ultimately made possible by the philanthropic support of our community of donors. Put simply, the Annual Fund sustains the MCDS experience. Together we raised over $275,000 in the 2012-2013 school year, an accomplishment that serves as both a cause for celebration and a call to future action. The educational programs, passionate people, and enriching experiences, which the Annual Fund supports, make MCDS the home it is to all of us. Let’s work together to contunue sustaining and building our community.

On behalf of the faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, and student body, we appreciate our committed supporters for preserving and building our mission and the promise we make to each family.

Thank you, Gracias, and (Arigatō),

Luke W. FelkerHead of School

Letter of Gratitude

2012-2013 MC

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Ms. Stevens with Evi Yee ’21.

The Annual Fund: Preserving a PromiseThe Annual Fund preserves our promise to nurture the extraordinary capacity that every child has to learn. Meeting this promise is expensive, and as is the case at all independent schools, tuition alone does not cover the entire cost of educating each student. A successful Annual Fund fills the 9% gap that is essential to balancing the budget, making this the school’s most important fundraising priority.

The Annual Fund impacts everything that happens at MCDS. It supports a community where every child is truly known by our talented and dedicated faculty. It advances a curriculum, demonstrating great promise through articulate, confident graduates and exceptional test scores that often exceed national, international, and independent school norms. It nurtures robust programs in the visual and performing arts, athletics, and student life. And it sustains our beautiful campus and facilities.

Rocky and MCDS athletes celebrate!

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On the Rise(rs)Thanks to the combined generosity of the Parent Guild and anonymous contributors, MCDS replaced its choral risers, an important tool in our musical education and performance. Their replacement has an enormous effect on the education of students of all ages at MCDS.

MCDS has long believed in the integration of music and the visual arts with standard academic subjects.In addition to nurturing the joy of learning with creativity,

the arts also refine invaluable cognitive and creative skills and have a tremendous impact on the development of every student, Pre-K through 12th grade. At MCDS, the arts strengthen problem-solving and critical-thinking, imagination, and respect for alternative points of view. The new risers reinforce this commitment and enhance the feeling of self-confidence that comes from performance.

Athletics Continue To DevelopThe MCDS athletic program is essential in the development of the whole child. Teamwork,self-confidence, sporting behavior, and a lifelong love of physical endeavor are nurtured by our ever-expanding sports offerings. The 2012-2013 school year welcomed two new programs. Junior Varsity Boys Basketball (and its inaugural run in the Trailways Conference) and High School Girls’ Soccer, a cooperative with area schools. These additions were made possible by a healthy Annual Fund.

A successful budget also contributes to equipment needs, referee payments, contest fees, coach stipends, and improvements in our outdoor facilities. In addition to investments made in our fields, MCDS also made improvements to its trail system used by our cross country and track teams, Rocky’s Fun Run, and the school community at large.

Your Generosity Positively AffectsOur Students Every Day.

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Campus Embraces Renewable Energy, Thanks to Special DonorsLast fall marked another evolution for MCDS: the installation of the largest solar panels at any school in Dane County, thanks to a generous gift from a current MCDS family. The system includes 216 Helios USA solar panels that were manufactured in Milwaukee.

At Solar Day last May, Head of School Luke Felker said, “This is a great opportunity for us to lower our electrical costs while teaching a valuable lesson to our students about renewable energy.”

Power from the 88.56 kilowatt system is used by the school and any excess power feeds back to our energy company, Madison Gas & Electric. The MCDS system produces an estimated 100,000 kilowatt hours per year. That amount is equivalent to usage of 10 to 13 average homes, or 10% of the school’s electrical usage!

The environmental implications are significant, but the solar electric panels have enormous potential in educational applications as well. The new system already is connecting to topics in science classes in the Lower, Middle, and High Schools.

Aerial view of the new solar panel installation.

For example, second grade students are learning to recognize how energy is expressed as heat, light, or movement and that it can be changed from one form to another. They relate this to the ways that solar installation works. Fourth graders study renewable versus non-renewable energy sources and specifically how the solar energy becomes electricity for our building.

In the Middle School, students study more complex topics beginning with Atomic Theory in Earth Science in sixth grade. They learn how electrons are liberated from the panels and that the direct current is turned into an alternating current. Eighth graders are focused on meteorology, analyzing the effect of seasonality, latitude, temperature, cloud cover, and atmospheric pollution on the power output of the solar panels.

Ninth grade chemistry students study the chemical basis behind the function of a monocrystalline solar panel structure. Eleventh and twelfth grade students in IB Biology utilize the panels to compare the harvesting of light energy through chemical processes in photosynthetic organisms with those processes used in solar arrays.

Gifts like the solar panels are exceptional opportunities for students and the entire school community.

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Connie Hegerfeld GP ’21with her granddaughter Olivia.

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Parents and Grandparents who support our students demonstrate confidence in our school. MCDS is grateful for the extraordinary support of its parent and grandparent community. It is with appreciation that we acknowledge this special group of engaged and

caring contributors.

up to $49Jose Maria Donoso & Ana Banomera P’20, ’22Jennifer Brixy P’19Aaron & Marcia Field P’22Martin Gaspar & Nirvana Tanoukhi P’23Thomas & Penelope Gialamas P’25Mark & Deborah Grunwald P’19Kristine Heimerl GP’24Santiago & Hilary Hernandez P’24Mr. & Mrs. Peter C. Maier GP’21, ’19, ’17, ’16Joseph McCance & Jeanne Knickerbocker-McCance P’18Matt & Michelle Mulder P’22

“MCDS provides my granddaughter with an educational experience tailored to meet the needs of her personal development. I see her capacity to learn is expanding because she is in a supportive environment. The MCDS staff encourages her willingness to try new opportunities even if they are outside her comfort zone.

Overall, the inner strength my granddaughter is developing at MCDS is setting her up for a positive future! It’s important to support MCDS so that future generations can benefit from this educational experience like my granddaughter.”

— Connie Hegerfeld GP ’21

Mark & Debbie Millman P’19Erin Mueller P’12Jeff Oakley P’22David & Shelly Petzold P’24, ’21, ’18Lee & Danika Rzentkowski P’25David & Alice Schneiderman P’21Syrus Soltaninassab & Maryam Mirkamari P’19Caitlin Stade P’17Mario Trujillo & Natalia Navarro-Albaladeju P’26, ’25Par Winzell & Karen Meisner P’19An anonymous donor

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¬ P Parent ¬ GP Grandparent ¬ G-GP Great-GrandparentWe have made every effort to properly acknowledge our contributors. Please contact Robin Garcia at 608.850.6000 with corrections.

$50 - $249Joy B. Anderson G-GP’26, ’23John & Laura Ashworth P’22, ’19Steve & Nancy Books GP’13Mary Bosben GP’26, ’24, ’22, ’20Kathi Callahan P’24, ’21Sarah & Peter Cherchian P’27, ’24Mark Childs & Amy Bradshaw P’20, ’22Luke & Stephanie Christenson P’22Ronald & Julie Christofferson P’23Brian & Kayte Cunningham P’18, ’17Duane & Jeanne Dederich GP’19Jim & Karen Dreyer P’19, ’16Peter & Mary Duff P’26, ’25Dave Dwyer & Joan Bartel P’16Jean Fawcett GP’18, ’17Margaret G. Fawcett GP’18, ’17Roberta Felker GP’11Lisa Gallagher P’16Kyle & Carol Green GP’19James & Chulee Hallick P’24, ’22Mark & Sarah Harrison P’25Bret & Diana Hause P’18John & Karen Hendrickson P’19Susan & Jack Hendrickson GP’19Paul & Emma Henke P’24, ’22Armando Hernandez & Tara White

P’23, ’20Les & Diana Howles P’23John & Janice Kaminski GP’22, ’21Abdul & Asmina Khan P’18Tom & Hope Koprowski P’19John & Linda Kuo P’25, ’23Edward & Tammy Krez P’26, ’25, ’24Frederick & Carol Krez GP’26, ’25, ’24Christine Lidbury P’19Brian & Tammy Linaberry P’17Mark Louden & Jeanne Schueller P’21Lucian & Ioana Lozonschi P’24, ’15Melissa Lucarelli P’21, ’17Eric & Kristina Luedtke P’26, ’26Mark & Amy Maier P’21, ’19, ’17, ’16Gregory & Sara Melotte P’18Scott & Kathy Miller P’23Melita Mullen Schuessler P’26, ’20Pavitra Misra & Preeti Ojha P’26, ’25Kevin & Mona Muldowney P’20, ’18, ’14John Norback & Kathy Ley P’14Amish & Nilam Raval P’25, ’22Kartik & Preeti Reddy P’24, ’20Dan & Gretchen Rodefeld P’20Stephen & Jackie Rose P’22, ’19Martin & Katrin Salva P’22, ’21Laurie Sanford P’18James Schuessler P’26, ’20Roger & Shannon Seip P’24, ’22Judge & Mrs. Shelvin Singer GP’18David & Vera Skinner GP’20, ’16Mark & Anne Marie Streeter P’12, ’08Ray Tenebrusso & Margy Newton P’19Geri Torti GP’18, ’20Arthur & Kimberly Wagner P’22, ’18Nicholas & Jessie Wurzel P’19Robert & Elizabeth Zimmerman

GP’22, ’21

$250 - $499Todd Anderson & Wangdue Tsomo P’23Ken & Laurel Cavalluzzo P’25, ’22, ’20Joe & Karen Fries GP’24, ’23Thompson & Robin Garcia P’24, ’22, ’18Mr. & Mrs. James W. Greer P’25Melanie & Jeffrey Lee P’21Mickle Maher & Jean Keleher P’21Christopher & Heide Mallon P’24, ’21Thomas & Mary Ann Mallon GP’24, ’21Paul & Jana Martin P’22, ’18, ’16Rowena Root GP’16, ’13Dusan Szudor & Flower Janesova P’24Owen Gwynne & Maria Welch P’16, ’13

$500 - $999Eric & Kelly Ayala P’26, ’23Michael & Jane Banks P’20Tom Barnet & Susanne Thiede-Barnet

P’26, ’23Andy & Elizabeth Benson P’21, ’18Jeff & Freya Bowen P’26Guilherme & Adriane Campos P’18, ’17Jie Dai & Mingju Sun P’22Prasad Dalvie & Preeti Raman P’24Beth DeLair & Salli Ball P’21Luke & Kimberly Felker P’11Ron Guiao & Michelle Gleeson P’22Ding & Chia Lin P’26Lynn & Helen Louden GP’21Alan Lozier & Ann Schwede P’24Keyang Luo P’17Heidi & Jeff Meyer P’20Robert & Alice Mullen GP’26, ’20Terri & Richard Reda P’16Dennis & Sheri Rodefeld GP’20Christopher Romes & Angela Jaenke

P’22David & Judith Ruch P’17Robert & Dea Schaller P’13Judith Schueller GP’21Mary Alice Streeter GP’12, ’08Deloris Warren GP’26, ’25, ’24

$1,000 - $2,499Brad Astor & Rhonda Vosdingh P’19The Boyes-Hunt Family P’24Peter & Erica Christman P’11Nicha Chowpaknam P’25Scott & Amy DiFiore P’21Donna & William Dusso GP’20, ’17John & Mary Erpenbach P’18, ’15Anthony C. Evans & Suzanne Welsch

P’21, ’18Judith Green & Margarita Zamora P’15Kimberly Hazen, P’20, ’16Vicki & Connie Hegerfeld P’21, GP’21Peiman Hematti & Shirin Malekpour

P’21, ’17Robert & Meg Hopton P’20John Kao & Nicole Huang P’24, ’22Daniel Manke & Catherine Lee P’24, ’24Shawn & Colleen McGuire P’24

Eric & Jenner McLeod P’17Christopher & Tina Nielsen P’25, ’23Bob & Suzanne Rusch P’22, ’20Troy & Ariel Shibilski P’23 Kathy & Alan Singer P’18Daniel & Kristine Sperling P’24Gregory Thain & Miriam Levinson P’21Alice & Obasi Torti P’20, ’18Jerome & Tanya VanKirk P’22Alexander Yevzlin & Paola Fliman

P’26, ’23, ’20

$2500 - $4999Troy Alton & Marmar Miar-Alton P’17Mark & Mary Jo Ashby P’17Todd & Dana Asmuth P’25, ’22, ’21Edo & Rebecca de Waart P’21, ’19Erik Kimble & Annette Chen P’18Richard & Michelle Oster P’20Patrick Riha P’20, ’18Charles & Elizabeth Wallman P’21Anne Weiss & Peter Erk P’18

$5,000 - $9,999Tony & Kathie Asmuth GP’25, ’22, ’21Guy & Courtney Comer P’26, ’25Muhammad Itani & Nadine Fakhran

P’24, ’22Luis & Sandra Fernandez P’14, ’11James Gallegos & George Anglin P’25Nathan & Sarah Herbst P’27, ’25, ’22Steven & Lynn Kaminski P’22, ’21Craig Kent & Lisa Viscardi P’22, ’16Bruce Meier & Wendy Fearnside P’09Myron Pozniak & Kathleen Baus

P’14, ’10Patrick & Elizabeth Rollins P’22, ’19An anonymous donor

$10,000+Three anonymous donors

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“Our family gives to MCDS because we believe in its mission. We want to afford MCDS the opportunity not only to sustain the high quality of education it provides, but also to develop its programs even further.ˮ — Rick and Michelle Oster P’20

Rick and Michelle Oster P’20with their daughter Lizzie.

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Madison Country Day School’s Yahara Society members demonstrate the power of

leadership and a desire to sustain wonderful educational opportunities at Madison

Country Day School. They invest in the continuing development and growth of our school.

The Yahara Society recognizes with special appreciation those donors who make leadership

level gifts to Madison Country Day School of $1,000 or more annually. Membership is based

on the individual’s personal gifts and matching gifts during the fiscal year, July 1, 2012–

June 30, 2013.

2012-2013 MC

DS Annual Report of Giving

Troy Alton & Marmar Miar-Alton P’17Mark & Mary Jo Ashby P’17Todd & Dana Asmuth P’25, ’22, ’21Tony & Kathie Asmuth GP’25, ’22, ’21Brad Astor & Rhonda Vosdingh P’19The Boyes-Hunt Family P’24Sarah & Peter Cherchian P’27, ’24Peter & Erica Christman P’11Nicha Chowpaknam P’25Guy & Courtney Comer P’26, ’25Edo & Rebecca de Waart P’21, ’19Scott & Amy DiFiore P’21John & Mary Erpenbach P’18, ’15Craig Evans & Suzanne Welsch P’21, ’18Donna & William Dusso GP’20, ’17Luis & Sandra Fernandez P’14, ’11Ron Guiao & Michelle Gleeson P’22James Gallegos & George Anglin P’25 Judith Green & Margarita Zamora P’15Erick & Barb Hallick P’20, ’17Kimberly Hazen, P’20, ’16Vicki & Connie Hegerfeld P’21, GP’21Nathan & Sarah Herbst P’27, ’25, ’22Peiman Hematti & Shirin Malekpour P’21, ’17Robert & Meg Hopton P’20John Kao & Nicole Huang P’24, ’22Muhammad Itani & Nadine Fakhran P’24, 22

Tom & Lisa FitzgeraldSteven & Lynn Kaminski P’22, ’21Craig Kent & Lisa Viscardi P’22, ’16Erik Kimble & Annette Chen P’18Daniel Manke & Catherine Lee P’24, ’24Shawn & Colleen McGuire P’24Eric & Jenner McLeod P’17Bruce Meier & Wendy Fearnside P’09Christopher & Tina Nielsen P’25, ’23Richard & Michelle Oster P’20Myron Pozniak & Kathleen Baus P’14, ’10Patrick Riha P’20, ’18Sara Riha P’20, ’18 Patrick & Elizabeth Rollins P’22, ’19Bob & Suzanne Rusch P’22, ’20Troy & Ariel Shibilski P’23Kathy & Alan Singer P’18Daniel & Kristine Sperling P’24Gregory Thain & Miriam Levinson P’21Alice & Obasi Torti P’20, ’18Jerome & Tanya VanKirk P’22Charles & Elizabeth Wallman P’21Anne Weiss & Peter Erk P’18Alexander Yevzlin & Paola Fliman P’26, ’23, 20John & Sheila Young P’22, ’19, ’17 Four anonymous families

“Our family gives to MCDS because we believe in its mission. We want to afford MCDS the opportunity not only to sustain the high quality of education it provides, but also to develop its programs even further.ˮ — Rick and Michelle Oster P’20

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The Board of Trustees feels deep responsibility for the educational growth and financial

stability of Madison Country Day School. MCDS is honored to recognize that 100%

of its Board contributed to the 2012-13 Annual Fund.

2012-13 Board of TrusteesKimberly Hazen, M.A., ChairSandra Fernandez, Ed.D., Vice-ChairErica Christman, M.H.A., SecretaryLynn Kaminski, C.P.A., B.B.A., TreasurerMark Ashby, Ph.D., TrusteeKathy Baus, M.D., TrusteeErick Hallick, B.S., TrusteeMark Louden, Ph.D., TrusteeJim McNulty, B.S., TrusteePatrick Riha, M.B.A., TrusteeThomas N. Shorter, J.D., TrusteeJerry VanKirk, M.Div., Th.M., TrusteeLuke W. Felker, Ex-officio

Honorary TrusteesEric McLeod, J.D., Honorary TrusteeChristopher Priebe, M.F.A., Honorary Trustee

Madison Country Day School gratefully acknowledges the service of its retiring trustees Erica Christman, Mark Ashby, and Jim McNulty.

Welcome to the newest members of the MCDS Board of Trustees, 2013-2014: James Gallegos, Suzanne Rusch,John Schaffer, Eric Schmidt, andSheila Young.

As a member of this school community for nearly 12 years, our family has had front-row seats to amazing happenings at our school. We have seen the high school take shape, attended the commencement exercises of its inaugural senior class, danced to the first of many Jazz Showcases, drove our daughter and her date to the first MCDS prom, and cheered as our kids played soccer, basketball, and ran cross-country in an ever-growing athletics program. It has been a remarkable journey.

My involvement as Chair of the Board of Trustees is a continuation of this journey. When I look back on where we have been as a school, I am so proud of what we have accomplished. And, while our school is not the same school as it was when I first came to campus, I can promise you that the core strength and the mission of MCDS has remained unchanged. The Board of Trustees is entrusted with that mission, and it is not a responsibility we take lightly.

For many years, I have helped coordinate the school’s Annual Fund, and my first job was to ask the Board of Trustees for their financial pledges. My logic was simple: as a board, we show our commitment to the school by first financially committing to the Annual Fund. In addition, we know that MCDS Alumni and their families have devoted countless hours to this community, and it is the promise of our Board of Trustees that we will ensure its future. We look forward to celebrating this community for many years to come.

Thank you for helping us to build the legacy of MCDS for our children.

— Kimberly Hazen, P’20, ’16

Board of Trustees Chair Kimberly Hazen with her daughters Ada ’20 and Zoe ’16.

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Faculty and staff giving demonstrates school spirit and pride. Years of study, training and classroom experience puts the curriculum into action for learners of every age by a faculty and staff with a boundless passion for education and a true love of children. 100% of the MCDS faculty and staff generously added their contributions to the 2012-2013 Annual Fund.

Dana AsmuthAna Banomera

Kay BauerleRobert Camosy

Mark ChildsJeremy Clements

Devon Davis Sue Deakman

Jake EatonKimberly Felker

Luke Felker Lianne Fish

Kathleen FranzenRobin Garcia

Randy HackbertBeth Hall

Kriss HamiltonSuzanne Harp

Karen HendricksonPatricia JaumeBeatrice Jones

Brian Kerska Kelly Kramer

Kristina LuedtkeAmy Maier

Hannah McNeillFaith Morledge

313461132653121512126785121312211

Ms. Rose working with her student Eric Kent ’22.

¬ indicates years of service to MCDS

“Over the fourth of July holiday my son helped set up and run several game stations at a celebration organized for our neighborhood children. People went out of their way to share with me how helpful, polite, and good with the younger children my son was. Always good news as a parent. I asked him afterward, if he thought attending MCDS had anything to do with how he conducted himself at this event. His answer was ’absolutely.’ I couldn’t agree more.

Much of what life is about is finding your purpose, developing skills, and discovering the joy in service. This is what we do day in and day out at MCDS. This balance of developing the self and the community is just one of the reasons why I give to the MCDS Annual Fund.” — Jackie Rose, P’22, ’19 and MCDS faculty member

Emma MurphyKathy Murphy

Natalia NavarroMarshall Onellion

Maheen OttShelley Petzold

Kelly KirshSuzanne Porath

Dan ReinkeJackie Rose

Danika RzentkowskiJon Schipper

Heather SherryRoger Solie

Barb SpurlinCaitlin Stade

Maggie StansfieldAaron Steffes

Elizabeth StevensJeff Stenroos

Julia TaylorRay Tenebruso

Carol Van DeelenKim VanBrocklin

Julie WaddellBarbara Wolfman

Cindy Wotruba

15128148163135179721222126123311

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At Madison Country Day School, we have a community of believers on our side. MCDS is pleased to acknowledge the Special Friends, Foundations, and Corporations who made gifts to support our school during the 2012-2013 school year. Their belief has an invaluable effect on our students and their success.

Friends of MCDSKerry & Randy AhrensStephanie CohenMichael DolanTom & Lisa FitzgeraldDiane & Kevin FlynnPeggy HedbergMarsha LiebsonAlice McPeekBill RafteryBarry & Nancy RichMichael Kaplan & Beverly RicheyRod SchlimpertMsg. Charles SchluterNan W. ThompsonDorothy TwitonDaniel & Jeanne WendtlandAchilles & Mary ZurawskiAn anonymous friend

Foundation SupportAlliant Energy FoundationCherchian Family FoundationGreater Milwaukee FoundationHooper FoundationJohn A. Johnson Scholarship FundMattel Children’s Foundation

Corporation SupportAlliant Energy CorporatonAmerican Transmission CompanyCommunity ChangeCPM/HealthGradesDentistry WestGood SearchGreat Big PicturesKraft FoodsLands’ EndMadison Avenue WorldwidePro RoofingSC JohnsonTarget

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Rizvan Moe ʼ17 joined MCDS last school year as a Prairie Hawk scholar. He addressed 265 Gala attendees with his thoughts about what MCDS had come to mean to him. The following is a reprint of his remarks from last March.

My name is Rizvan Moe, and I’m a new eighth grader here at MCDS. If I were to say the one thing that matters to me most at this school, it would have to be the people that make up the community. But what is a community? Well, a community is when my classmate Crystal tried to help me with practicing piano even though she had only known me for two days. A community is when I’m having a difficult time writing a research paper and Ms. Davis calls me into her office just to see how I am doing. A community is when Mr. Camosy tells us vibrant stories about his adventures backpacking across Europe. A community is when I say, “Hey!” to my older sister in ninth grade as we pass down the hallway. A community is when I go to “Open Gym” on Saturdays and play basketball with Mr. Stenroos. A community would be where these things take place. A community is MCDS.

This community that I just described was very new to me at the start of the year. It was more intense than just switching from one public school to another. I was told that many of the kids here had been going to MCDS from a very young age and had known each other for a long time. I was terrified. Terrified I wasn’t going to fit in. However, when I got here all the students and teachers welcomed me graciously with open arms. They were expecting to be friends with me, and that made a huge difference.

Here at MCDS I’ve learned that learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom. It can happen anywhere with teachers or friends. I love that I can actually talk to my teachers outside of class without making an appointment. I hear their stories, and I feel like they are actual people with whom I can connect. Just this week I talked to Mr. Eaton about a new battery system that can hold a huge number of electrons. I might be able learn about algebra, World War II, and the phases of the moon at another school, but there’s something about MCDS that makes learning just a part of what we do every day—not behind a desk—and it’s all due to the people here, which is why MCDS is so special to me.

— Rizvan Moe ’17

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“I love that I can actually talk to my teachers outside of class without making an appointment. I hear their stories, and I feel like they are actual people with whom I can connect.ˮ

Gwen Bosben Pʼ22, ʼ20; Jerry VanKirk Pʼ22; and Chulee Hallick Pʼ24, ʼ22 volunteered at Field Day, May 2013.

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¬ Denotes 10 years of teaching or administrative service to the school

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From five minutes to 50 hours, gifts of time and talent have a great impact on thewarm and supportive community that makes Madison Country Day School such a wonderful

school. Each year MCDS honors volunteers

who have made special and lasting gifts

of time to the school by welcoming them as Stepping Stones recipients.

2013Erica Christman Kayte CunninghamBarb Hallick Suzanne Harp Lynn Kaminski Jenner and Eric McLeodSheila Young

2012Salli BallAndy and Liz BensonMark Childs* John and Cynthia EverittJay Hazen Cindy Wotruba*

2011Jason Anderson* Gwen Bosben Kimberly Felker Luke Felker* Beth Hall*Beatrice Jones* Kathy LeyKristina Luedtke* Chris and Mary Priebe Ray Tenebruso* Kim VanBrocklin*

2010Ana Banomera* Danika Rzentkowski*

2009Rachel Kiser* Shelley Petzold*

2008Diane Flynn* Heather Raabe* Helga Swatzak*

2007Laura Prichard*

As the financial stewards of Madison Country Day School, the Board of Trustees and administration conservatively budget and plan to ensure that each dollar creates the maximum impact on the student experience. To hold the school’s future in trust is a charge we take to heart. As a young institution, we have guided the school's evolution while staying true to our mission. Most recently, the school enjoyed a period of sustained growth that continues to strengthen the school’s financial position, opening a world of possibilities for what’s next at MCDS in both programming and facilities.

Like virtually all independent schools, MCDS charges a tuition that only covers a portion of the total cost of educating a student. The remaining “gap” is made up through a variety of means, including a robust annual fundraising program. In fact, the Annual Fund supports the very core of a MCDS education: a comprehensive liberal arts education from Pre-K onwards to specific science and arts programs, professional development for faculty and staff, and the expansion of extra-curriculars. As we continue to grow, a successful Annual Fund will pave the way for the implementation of the school’s second Strategic Plan this fall as well as the renewal and expansion of our current facilities in the coming years.

You can count on the school’s conservative stewardship. Since the school’s inception, the “gap” has decreased steadily from over $5,000 per student to approximately $2,000 while further building the student experience. We continue systematically to seek out revenue apart from tuition, such as contributed donations from the wider community and the creation of MCDS’ first endowment fund. We look to moderate future tuition increases with these additional funding sources, including the ongoing judicious rental of facilities and our first planned giving program that allows for community members’ long-term financial planning to impact future generations of MCDS students.

Ultimately, it’s the people of MCDS that make us a successful community: faculty and staff who care passionately for their work and our students; parents, grandparents, and friends who give of their resources and time; alumni who return to campus to reconnect with stories to share. The resources to sustain this core of MCDS, our people, are critical. As you can see in the financial charts, the vast majority of funds go directly to the people and classroom materials that bring to life an MCDS education for your children. With your ongoing support we will continue to sustain the best of MCDS while expanding for the future.

Please note that these results are unaudited. Fiscal year 2013 Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and Consolidated Statements of Activities are being audited by Smith & Gestland, LLC. Copies of the complete report will be ready by winter 2014 and will be furnished upon request.

Annual and financial statements are one way that we report our annual achievements to you—the people who support us and make our work possible. But the work we do is deeper than the capacity of these reports to tell our story. Our ability to educate is our highest priority, and a balanced budget is essential to this mission. Fiscal 2013 balanced with revenues and expenses distributed in the following way:

Revenue:

Expenses:

Tuition & Fees — 86% Annual Fund — 9% Other Income — 5%

Compensation and Benefits — 70% Instructional — 6% Administrative — 4% Physical Plant — 12% Finance — 5% Capital Expenditures — 3%

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Statement of Financial Position

Mischa Lewis-Norelle ’11 returns for “Mischa Madness,” a term lovingly coined to describe the joy our youngest students feel when they see their friend back on campus.

5606 River Road | Waunakee, WI 53597 | 608.850.6000 | madisoncountryday.org

Mark Your CalendarOctober 4, 2013November 1-3, 2013December 11, 2013December 12, 2013January 27-31, 2014January 31, 2014

Grandparents’ DayMiddle/High School MusicalLower School ConcertMiddle/High School ConcertFine Arts WeekJazz Showcase