Yuba River Charter School

Annual Report 2008-2009

Annual Report 2008-2009 – 1 –

Letter from the Director

Across California the 2008-09 school year will be remembered as the year public education funding was obliterated. Throughout the year Sacramento sent down to school districts ever decreasing funds. Like the Rio Grande that used to pour out to the majestic sea like a tidal wave and is now a drip that can be turned off with a handle, so funding for public education dried up, and the schools that depended on it were left on shore. By year’s end, funding for students had been reduced to just $4,700 per student and the school year was shortened to 170 days. As you’ll see in this report, our school which pays over a quarter million dollars in rent, also has had its operating budget cut over 20%.

But something else was stirring at YRCS during the school year. Five of our teachers graduated from Rudolf Steiner College’s Teacher Training through a Community Learning Center established on our campus four years ago. Participation in our Annual Fund Drive increased to its highest level in the history of our school with 82% of our school families contributing. Student accomplishments in testing, sports, and music rivaled any previous year. Alumni graduated from UC Berkeley and UCLA and were admitted to Harvard University.

While the outside world fell into the Great Recession, the people of Nevada County drew closer to their community and together we became a true community of learning and of giving. In November, we opened our development office and held community meetings with our architects. Just as summer was ending, we learned that the state was sending us almost a million dollars to begin buying land and developing our new school.

Although employees had to give up health benefits, take a reduction in pay, and office hours had been cut, I firmly believe that great strength was harnessed in the contraction of our school. As the caterpillar tapers its diet and builds its cocoon, our school has pulled itself closer together and when we are finally ready to take flight, the colors will be brighter than ever.

Sincerely,Caleb BuckleyDirector

– 2 – Annual Report 2008-2009

School Finances

Yuba River Charter School received most of its income from state revenues based on average daily attendance of our students. This revenue is listed as Revenue Limit and State income. The State income also reflects stimulus funds received via the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) enacted in 2009. Local revenues were received from the Educational Foundation, our fundraising arm of the school and include funds from our Annual Pledge Drive, Capital Campaign and Moondance Auction as well as other fundraising activities. These revenue collectively pay for our program expenses which include staff salaries & benefits, all supplies, rent & utilities and other training, administrative and facility costs. During 2008-09 the school also had expenses related to the acquisition of a new school site. As we move forward our challenge will be to continue to maintain a balanced budget with the continued reductions in state funding.

Susan EganBusiness Manager

Annual Report 2008-2009 – 3 –

INCOME: Revenue Limit $1,256,896 Federal (ARRA) 85,582 State 225,121 Local 211,650 TRESD lapse of LEA 61,421Contribution from Unrestricted to Special Education (10,693.00)TOTAL: $1,829,976 EXPENSES: Certificated Salaries $455,087 Classified Salaries 386,630 Employee Benefits 227,365 Book & Supplies 63,028 Capital Outlay 38,313Services: Insurance 8,936 Rent & Utilities 269,269 Conferences, Mileage and Dues & Memberships 49,336 Legal 796 Fingerprinting, Advertising, Postage, Phone 8,050 Site Improvement, Facility Maintenance and Prof. Services 41,475Transfers-County Business Services 104,810 Transfers-Special Education, Nurse and County Administration 16,065 TOTAL: $1,669,159 EXCESS (DEfICIENCy) $160,818fuND BALANCE, BEgINNINg 122,746fuND BALANCE, ENDINg $283,564 COMPONENTS Of ENDINg fuND BALANCE: Unrestricted Revolving Cash & Reimbursables $5,095 Special Education & MAA Reserve 36,891 3% Uncertainty 46,930 Unappropriated/Other Designation 120,945 Restricted ARRA 73,703 $283,564

Distribution of Unappropriated Funds to the 2009-10 Budget $120,945 Transfer of Funds to 2009-10 Funding Deficit 94,075 Remaining Unappropriated Funds $26,870

Fund balance revenues came from an influx of one-time revenues. These monies will be used to offset the projected long-term picture of dramatic reductions in state revenue.

School Finances 2008-09

– 4 – Annual Report 2008-2009

Charter CouncilChARTER COuNCIL 2008-09

Barry Peake Chairperson & Community RepresentativeAllison Gjersten Parent RepresentativeTorrie Mudd Council Secretary & Parent RepresentativeJo Paden Parent RepresentativeJay Zellmer Parent Representative

Dan Martinez Faculty Representative Doris Dunning Faculty Representative Doris Rainville Faculty Representative Caleb Buckley Director & Ex OfficioSusan Egan Business Manager & Ex Officio

The Charter Council is the governing body which is responsible for the overall management of our school. This management involves the oversight of existing policies and the implementation of new policies related to budget, personnel, curriculum, facilities and other critical tasks. A fundamental aspect of this oversight is the assurance of accountability related to these policies. And the school is typically faced with what is sometimes referred to SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats).

The Council made significant progress in a number of areas. Major effort was directed toward the new school building project. As most of you know, the school was successful in applying for an $8.5 million grant and loan from the State of California for the purchase of land and the construction of the new facility. Much of our attention this year focused on locating property and commencing the construction of the new school. A task force dealing with the various activities was organized and quickly moved ahead. The overall mechanics of administering the grant was vested in the business manager’s office. A real estate agent, architect, project manager and construction firm were approved and hired by YRCS this past year.

Some unexpected and substantial challenges occurred this year. The U.S. economy moved into the present recession with two results: 1) Considerable pressure was placed on our annual operating budget and 2) the State of California was forced to suspend the funding for state-wide school construction. The Council faced some daunting challenges as we endeavored to deal with the budget and how to continue with the building project.

We are pleased to tell you that we made the necessary changes and adaptations to the school budget. Our school is still very strong and secure, financially. We feel the actions taken by the Council have placed the school on a very dependable footing. And we see light at the end of the tunnel ahead with respect to the construction funding for schools by the state. The will, fortitude and determination of the YRCS school community are truly astounding. The future is bright for YRCS.

Barron PeakeCharter Council Chairperson, 2008-09

Annual Report 2008-2009 – 5 –

Parent CouncilPARENT COuNCIL 2008-09

Dayna Baldwin Chairperson, Grade 8Veronica Morales-Combs Co-Chairperson & Festival Coordinator Melissa Seibold Preschool, OutreachBetsey Leach Rose K, Class FundraisingStacey Ward Lavender K, Sports TeamsGreg Wilker Grade 1, Afterschool Co-opLisa Gorbet Grade 2, HospitalityNicholas Cravotta Grade 3, Treasurer

Jeromy Laurin Grade 4, Volunteerism & School ServiceJean Remley Grade 5, Parent Council Fundraising Jo Paden Grade 6Teri Polcene Grade 7, Parent EducationTorrie Mudd Charter Council Representative & SecretaryRon Charles Faculty RepresentativeCaleb Buckley Director

The YRCS Parent Council is considered the “voice of the parents” as the council is comprised of community volunteers. The organizational structure consists of parent representatives from each classroom, one faculty member, one Charter Council member and our school administrator. Ideas, concerns and/or questions can be brought to Parent Council meetings, held the first Wednesday of the month, by the parent representative of each class.

The Parent Council supports and gives structure to individual class fundraising endeavors. We host the many social functions for the school, organizing the annual events such as the Back to School Night, Ice Cream Social, visiting Tibetan Monks appearances and Grandparent’s Day. Central to our Waldorf curriculum, the Parent Council also organizes and executes the fall Harvest Festival and spring MayFaire, as well as the all school Winter and Spring Assemblies.

Each member of the Parent Council holds a committee or representative position to oversee various additional school functions. For example, the Parent Education committee organizes and promotes educational talks with speakers on various topics related to Waldorf education. Our Parent Education highlight from the past year was Spanish teacher Patricia Montijo’s spring presentation on “Why Waldorf for the Middle Schooler?”

Parent Council also assisted in re-establishing the YRCS sports program during the 2007-08 school year and purchased the uniforms for the various sports teams during the 2008-09 school year. YRCS now has girls and boys basketball, girls and boys cross country and track, girls volleyball and co-ed flag football, all run by volunteer parent coaches. We look to establish more sports teams and engage participation from additional grades in the future.

One of this past year’s main goals for Parent Council was to streamline the school service and volunteerism efforts at our school. Parent Council revamped the way each class tracks its parent school service hours. Each classroom now has a binder for tracking and logging required parent and family service hours. We worked hard to find ways to make the school service and volunteer requirements easier to understand and more accessible. The results have been praised and our community is thriving. We endeavor to acknowledge those who give so much of their time and support to help make the Yuba River Charter School a success. The Parent Council itself has been a dedicated group of parents that have shown vision, leadership, will and amazing amounts of energy in their support of our school.

Respectfully Yours,Dayna BaldwinParent Council Chairperson, 2008-09

– 6 – Annual Report 2008-2009

I feel very fortunate to be serving as part of our Educational Foundation. We are a group of committed individuals dedicated to the mission of fulfilling the vision of the Ed Foundation by raising funds for Yuba River Charter School’s needs as set forth by the Charter Council.

The 2008-09 school year was a landmark year for the Ed Foundation. Our fall Annual Fund Drive reached 82% participation; greatest community involvement to-date. The Moondance Auction netted more money than the previous year. And, cooperatively, the Ed Foundation and the YRCS Development Office launched the school’s first-ever capital campaign. The Ed Foundation produced a beautiful “Growing our School” brochure, our YRCS capital campaign case statement. This informational brochure allowed the Ed Foundation and Development Office to promote fundraising efforts and access local and charitable foundations and media outlets to garner support.

The commitment and will of our school community is exceptional. Even in these economically challenging times, the Ed Foundation strives to keep the dreams for our school alive and healthy. The capital campaign’s family home visits have allowed the Ed Foundation to be more connected to the YRCS school community. We have listened to and heard from families. We have had many enriching conversations about our school. And we have come to learn how to serve the needs of our community better.

As an instrument for the YRCS community fundraising efforts, the Ed Foundation allows each family and community member to contribute to the school in a mutually sustainable way. The Foundation endeavors to facilitate the community’s spirit of giving. The fundraising successes of the Ed Foundation are the will and spirit of the Yuba River Charter School. Your input and participation are welcome.

Lastly, the Ed Foundation would like to recognize the contributions of our former president and school parent, Pierre Chatelain. Pierre temporarily relocated from his family this year to pursue a career opportunity. He played a great role in the inspiration and development of the YRCS capital campaign effort.

James RobinsonEducational Foundation Chairman, 2008-09

INCOME & EXPENSES JULY 1, 2008 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2009

The Educational Foundation initiates various fundraising initiatives in support of the School. These include the Annual Fund Drive to support our programs for the following school year. During November 2008 we accepted pledges for the 2009-10 school year. The timing of our Annual Fund Drive ensures fiscal and hiring responsibility by budgeting for the upcoming school year based on a realistic amount of income from the state and our Annual Fund Drive. YRCS is unique in proactively planning for the future year’s budget by fundraising in advance for that up-coming year.

The Educational Foundation receives and acknowledges donations which allow the donors income tax deductions. The Foundation transfers donations, grant and auction income to the Yuba River Charter School Business Office, retaining 10% for the Foundation’s pledge drive and operating expenses and 5% for future fundraising efforts.

Educational foundation

$1,676.00 $13,947.00

$43,960.00

$3,475.00

$37,700.00

$43,304.00

RSF Grant Income

Moondance 2008 Income

Capital Campaign Income

Ed Foundation Interest Income

09/10 Annual Fund Drive Income

08/09 Annual Fund Drive Income

Educational Foundation Income Break-Out

Educational Foundation Income Total: $144,062

Annual Report 2008-2009 – 7 –

INCOME:2009-10 Annual Fund Drive $37,7002008-09 Annual Fund Drive 43,304Total Annual Fund Drive Income 81,004

Capital Campaign (began 2-27-09) 43,960

RSF Grant Income 1,676Moondance Auction 13,947Interest Income 3,475TOTAL MISC INCOME $19,098

TOTAL INCOME $144,062

TRANSfERS TO yRCS:2009-10 Annual Fund Drive $23,0362008-09 Annual Fund Drive 39,159Capital Campaign 32,733Moondance Auction 9,048Grants 3,279TOTAL TRANSfERS TO yRCS $107,255 EXPENSES:Annual Fund Drive Expenses $1,250Annual Report Expenses 2,273Moondance Auction Expenses 4,432Administrative Asst./Consultant 15,741 Accounting/Tax Preparation 600Capital Campaign 7,747General Operating Expenses 5,516TOTAL EXPENSES $37,559 TOTAL TRANSfERRED OR EXPENDED $144,814 INCOME MINuS TRANSfERS & EXPENSES (752)RESERVES ON hAND 16,167ENDINg RESERVES $15,415

Educational foundation finances

EDuCATIONAL fOuNDATION 2008-09

James Robinson Chairman & Community RepresentativeDenise Reynolds Chief Financial OfficerCaleb Buckley DirectorSusan Egan Business ManagerErik Bell Faculty Representative

Pierre Chatelain Parent RepresentativeKwong Chew Parent RepresentativeMelissa Seibold Parent Council RepresentativeAllison Gjertsen Charter Council Representative

– 8 – Annual Report 2008-2009

A sincere ‘Thank You’ to the contributors to the YRCS Educational Foundation Annual Fund Drive 2008-09.

Proceeds raised during this fund drive effort are applied to the 2009-10 operating budget.

A special ‘Thank You’ to our generous grandparents indicated below by an “*”.

Annual fund Drive Donors

Anonymous Donor Emily Adams

Nataleigh Alvarez Mary Allred*

Leila & Mike Barber Natalie & Nichols Baughman

Laura Belk Erik Bell

Anne & Steve Berreman Alexis Blair & Andre Hudon

Thea & Roger Blair Lee Bolger*

Sara & Jeff Brownwood Pamela Bryant

(in memory of Barry W. Bryant)Angela & Caleb Buckley

Ruth Caldwell* Shannon & Ed Casey-Welch

Amy & Bryan Cassidy Dyann & Frank Castro-Wehr Mrs. Gordon E. Chamberlin* Laurie & Russell Chamberlin Barbara & Pierre Chatelain

Katie & Hugh Coffin* Krissa & Brian Connelley

Kaye Conners Fran Corbitt*

Elizabeth & Howard Cowles* Linda & Tom Cox*

Carolyn Crane Rebecca & Nicholas Cravotta-Bleu

Barbara CretilliSheri & George Cutter

Keri & Mark Dahlstrom Danna Dightman*

Joiex Duncan & Ingo ZirpinsLiz & Greg Dunkel-Wilker

Doris Dunning Jacquie & Holt Durham

Claudia & Ersel Edwards* Susan Egan

Brenda English Joe Fajen

Margaret Fincham* Laurence & Mark Fogiel

Julie Franklin & Mark FollansbeeAnnette Fuchs & Sean Duggan

(in memory of Helga Fuchs)Shannon & Paul Frederickson

Meg Gallant Sally & Gary Gardner

Genevieve GartinKaren & Richard Geisler

Marion Gilbert Prajna Ginty

Allison & Todd Gjertsen Jilan & Joe Glorfield

Lisa Gorbet & Joe HashJenny Gray & Kwong Chew

Sue Haddon Annica & Raymond Hagadorn

Savannah & Georg Hanson-KickingerCathy & Doug Harmon

Kateri & Chuck Harrison Carol Harrison*

Elisa & Larry Hierman (in memory of Sidney Tepperman)

Lisa & Charles Hooper Virginia Hooper*

Julie Hunn & Mark GoehringJennifer & Mark Iams-McGuire

Kim Iverson-Lee Amy Jones & Mike Mobley

Brian Jordon

Annual Report 2008-2009 – 9 –

Annual fund Drive Donors

Migiwa Kawasaki Dorothy & Don Klein*

Meri Knadjian & Estevan AbilaAndi & Graham Krause

Alicia Lacoste & Eric SturgeonBonnie Lang

Betsey & Kyle Leach Jonathan Lee

Ryan Love Michelle Maro

Jerilee & Dan Martinez Angela & David Masker

Ceirhra Masters Casey & Thomas McCormick

Trish McPhee Pat & Wally Mitchell*

Veronica Morales-Combs Bill & Torrie Mudd

Manuela Musolf & Phil MasonJustin Napier

Anne Nielsen* Marianna Nielsen & Fred Tilton

Rachel NobleRaelynn & Matt Noel

Anna O’Neill & David SmithJo & Greg Paden

Heather Peery Teri Polcene & Roland King

(in memory of Barbara Polcene & Gordon King)Janice Polucha

Marjorie L. Pratt* Doris Rainville

Rhiannon Redican Justin Reinholz

Anna & Matthew Reischman Mrs. & Joseph Remley*

(in memory of Corey Hofland) Jean Remley & Chris Hofland

Bev Reynolds* Denise & Brad Reynolds

Dolores & Rodney Reynolds* James Rice* Leslie Rivers

James RobinsonDeanna & Keith Ronningen Donna & Ken Ronningen*

Elaine & Ray Rossie*

Alma & Adam RoweJane & Stewart Rowe

Terry Rusboldt* BJ Schmitt & David Brownstein

Jan & Hugh Schmitt* Katrina Schneider & Gary Reedy

Steve Schommer Susan Schreiber & Jerome Verhasselt

Nikiya Schwarz & Kevin Pachman Kenneth D. Seibold*

Melissa Seibold & Courtney CookKristi Shank

Bertha & Worth Shaw* Denyse & Bob Shaw

Jennifer Sheffield Baruch J. Simon

Shea & Brandon Smith Vladimir Strugatsky

Indira & Bishnu SubediDoug & Martee Suess

Laura & Charles Svoboda Mrs. & Donald Terrell *Nancy & Robbert Trice

Cindy & Gary Upton Stephen Van Valkenburg

Natasha Vinson Vilnis Vulfs

Benji & Robert Wallis Sarah & Matthew Wilson-Daley

Sharon & David Yonenaka

– 10 – Annual Report 2008-2009

This fall marks the first anniversary of the establishment of the Yuba River Charter School Development Office. And I am fortunate to be the first person to occupy a development position with our school. I am grateful to be able to learn and grow as a person, and parent, within this amazing community of children, families, faculty and administration.

I feel particularly blessed to have the opportunity to support our remarkable school, and the Waldorf curriculum, at such a crucial time in the school’s history. While the road to building our new school and campus seems to be long and winding; we will be successful. Our new school, the first publically-funded Waldorf charter school in this country, will be built with the dedication and support of this community.

I encourage you to come into the “Development Center-Community Lounge” to learn about the progress we are making with the building project. Stop in to inquire about the Educational Foundation fundraising efforts (Annual Fund Drive & Capital Campaign) or receive information about the annual Moondance Community Celebration & Auction.

The Development Center is available to receive information and share thoughts, ideas and possibilities. Please get involved with your school in any way you feel compelled and inspired. The Development Office is available to facilitate the will and potential we create as community.

With Gratitude,Melissa SeiboldDevelopment Associate

Development Office

Annual Report 2008-2009 – 11 –

August 13 - 18 Teacher In-service August 19 first Day of School & Opening CeremonyAugust 19 - 21 All Minimum DaysSeptember 1 Picture DaySeptember 7 Labor Day holidaySeptember 25 harvest festival Minimum DayOctober 5 Picture Make-up DayOctober 16 Minimum Day October 19 - 23 October BreakOctober 30 halloween festival Minimum DayNovember 7 Moondance Community Celebration & AuctionNovember 11 Veteran's Day holidayNovember 17, 18, 20, 23, & 24 Parent Conferences Minimum DaysNovember 25-27 Thanksgiving BreakDecember 21 - January 1 Winter BreakJanuary 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. holidayfebruary 1 Teacher In-servicefebruary 12 & 15 President's holidayMarch 9, 10 & 12 (Optional) Parent Conferences Minimum DaysMarch 11 Staff/Teacher Appreciation TeaMarch 19 Teacher In-serviceMarch 27 Day in the Life of KindergartenApril 2 & 12 Snow DaysApril 5 - 9 Spring BreakApril 17 Day in the Life of KindergartenApril 19 - May 7 STAR TestingApril 30 grandparent's Day - Minimum DayMay 1 MayfaireMay 7 PentathlonMay 14 Medieval gamesMay 31 Memorial Day holidayMay 24-28 All Minimum DaysMay 27 Last Day of School & graduationJune 1-4 Teacher In-service

2009-10 School Calendar

fIRST TRIMESTERTrimester Ends: October 30Report Cards: November 5

SECOND TRIMESTERTrimester Ends: February 19Report Cards: March 1

ThIRD TRIMESTERTrimester Ends: May 21Report Cards: June 14

– 12 – Annual Report 2008-2009

Our Community

“Yuba River Charter School is “the gold” of Nevada County. It is an education that enriches and supports the spirit and mind of our growing children.”~ Greg Wilker (Jonah, 2nd grade and Robyn, 5th grade)

“I cherish Yuba River Charter School because it values the whole child. The essence of the individual is held sacred. The experiences of life are valued at least as much as the academics. If we are to raise a community of children to embrace today’s challenges, we must allow them to experience the success of community as children. YRCS fosters this collaborative cooperation.” ”~Trish McPhee (Shermariah, 3rd grade)

“At the intake meeting for our son, our family experienced compassion, consideration, wisdom and good judgment from four teachers, the school director and the school psychologist. We feel assured that YRCS has embraced our son at several levels: social, psychological, academic and the level of the soul. Thank you, YRCS, for the care you have shown our children and our family.”~Sally Gardner, (Clara, 2nd grade and Sam, 7th grade)

“We love YRCS and it is very important to us for many reasons. We appreciate the rich and multi-layered quality of Waldorf education offered here. It’s a very unique school with a strong sense of community, a dedicated caring staff, and actively involved parents.

When we think of YRCS we always think of the ‘Skin Horse’ in the story of the Velveteen Rabbit. It is not shiny or flashy, not new. It is soft, comfortable and worn. It is loved so much that, like the ‘Skin Horse,’ it is so very real to those who have the opportunity to experience it.” ~ Joe Hash and Lisa Gorbet (Soleil, 3rd grade)

“We moved to the area for this school and are so very grateful that we did. Every year at opening ceremony we know we made the right choice. This is our eighth year.” ~ Wendie & Doug Huntington (Jentry, 7th grade)

“YRCS provides our children with such an incredibly sweet, curious, safe and inspiring experience. I feel like my son is in paradise each day he gets to walk into his classroom to be held so lovingly by his teachers. The sense of protection and nurturing is paramount to me as a parent.”~ Melissa Seibold (Aiden, Lavender Kindergarten)

Our Community

Annual Report 2008-2009 – 13 –

13026 Bitney Springs Road, Building 3Nevada City, CA 95959

Phone (530) 272-8078 Fax (530) 272-1952

Websites: www.yubariverschool.orgwww.yrcsedfoundation.org/capitalcampaign

Email: director@yubariverschool.org

Yuba River Charter School

Many of the school’s photos were graciously taken by Sean Duggan.