The Children's House An Independent Montessori School

Annual Report 2008

Welcome Dear Friends and Families, Every September, the children return to The Children’s House campus to begin another year of exploration, collabora-tion and learning. Children ranging from three months to twelve years are supported by a professional group of staff and experienced faculty to guide them in their path to independence. Our current families, grandparents, alumni and friends also come together each fall in support of these important endeavors by making an annual gift. This important fund is vital to maintaining the highest quality program that you have come to expect and appreciate at The Children’s House. Sup-porting the education of our students will benefit us all in the years to come. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to The Children’s House and your belief in us to affect positive change. Your gift allows us to: • Attract and retain the best faculty in the area who are

trained at highly regarded International Montessori train-ing centers.

• Equip every classroom with a full set of the highest quality Montessori didactic materials

• Maintain our commitment to daily physical education and healthy living programming for our students

• Care for our beautiful 8.5 acre campus specifically designed to support our Montessori mission

• Support continuing education for our staff and faculty through professional development opportunities

• Support educational enrichment including music, performing and visual arts and foreign language

• Continue to enhance our efforts to educate all children in the importance of responsible global citizenship

With your generous support of The Children’s House Annual Fund, you are enriching the life of every student who attends this school and preparing them for a bright and productive future. On their behalf, we are grateful. Very Sincerely, Michele Shane

Head of School

Annual Fund 2007-2008 Contributors

Bonnie Adams

John & Liz Ammond

Lois Anton

Mike & Jill Anton

Rob Bacigalupi & Leslie Sickterman

Thomas & Tina Beatty

Mark & Jennifer Bishop

Yancy & Heather Boivin

Marcia Borell

Glen & Elizabeth Borre

David Brock

Chris & Angie Butz

Michael & Maria Carroll

Colleen Christensen

William & Karin Church

Mildred Church

Ben & Tracy Coe

Lyn Conlon & Noma Stewart

Chris DeGood & Katherine Marciniak

Rick & Connie Deneweth

Betty Donahue

Russell & Ann Edens

David & Nadine Elmgren

Kevin & Susan Empson

Tim Esser & Linda Blakkan-Esser

Chris Fifarek & Melissa Russell

Bob & Nancy Flowers

Pamela Fortune-Werbe

J. Carl & Eileen Ganter

Patricia Ganter

Stanley & Sandi Gravis

Stephen & Beverly Gravis

Green Island

Mary Hagan

McKeel Hagerty

Joseph G. & Carol K. Hamel

John & Jacquie Harding

Donald & Barbara Harmer

Jen Harris

Anne Harris, Ttee

Stephen Hayward

Victor Herman & Amy Reynolds

Wayne & Janet Hintz

Rex & Jill Holden

Steven & Kathryn Holl

Rose Hollander

Rose Hutchinson

Jill Jennings

James & Janet Johnson

Charles Johnson

Alan & Lori Kostrzewa

Kraft Foods

Norm Licht & Joan Griner

Michael & Stephanie Long

Bruce Luoma & Tammy Hagerty

Albert & Helga Martin

Barbara McCabe

Enda McGonigle & Melissa Johnson

Michael & Paula McIntyre

John Henry & Beth Melcher

Peter Meyer & Lisa Del Buono

Judith Miller

Raymond & Christie Minervini

Jon & Kristy Mohrhardt

David & Nicole Moore

Lori Mucherino

Barry & Laura O'Brien

Joe & Jennifer Patanella

Frank & Angela Petty

Mark & Carrine Pomaranski

Doug & Hillary Porter

Charles & Joyce Roehl

Roehler Solutions

Bob & Marion Rorich

Rotary Charities of Traverse City

Gary & Susan Ruoff

Dodd Russell

Kurt & Cecily Sanford

Tom Sargent & Frances Petty Sargent

Steve & Michele Shane

Julie Shearer

Charles & Barbara Skarshaug

Sean & Blythe Skarshaug

Brian Slawnik & Stephanie Rorich-Slawnik

Eric & Nancy Stehouwer

Alexander & Carmen Stevens

Herm & Laurie Thomas

Terence Thomas

Rich Odell & Gretchen Uhlinger

Andre & Mary Villoch

Cory & Britny Wade

Hazel Wade

Chris & Julie Warren

Ronald & Barbara Whaley

Kurt & Mark Wilkes

Peter & Michele Worden

Karen Circle Shannon Beia

Angie Butz

Maria Carroll

Ginny Deisler

Amy Ferguson

Joan Griner

Kim Hagerty

Joan Gilhooly

Tammy Hagerty

Rose Hollander

Eileen Mikulski

Christie Minervini

Carrine Pomaranski

Becky Tester

Gretchen Uhlinger

• Debt Reduction—The Children’s House has contin-ued its commitment to debt reduction. At fiscal year end 6/30/2008, The Children’s House carried no short term debt and reduced its total debt position by $157,742 from the prior fiscal year end.

• Strong Operating Income—Total revenues less fundraising income improved during this past fiscal year to 88.6% of total expenses less depreciation and amorti-zation. The school has made great strides to improve this measure of its operational strength. It continues to be a key component of the school’s long-term strategic plan.

• Scholarship Allowances—The tuition assistance program supported 51 students with total funding of $211,913.

• Fundraising—Contributions for the 2007-2008 fiscal year totaled $313,989. Your generous gifts allowed TCH to close the gap between income and expenses, yielding a net positive change in assets for the year.

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