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Advisory Board Notes

Welcome to the Lesley Ellis School Advisory Board (LEAB) Notes Page.

Here you will find highlights from the LEAB throughout the school year…
 

At the March, 2012 Advisory Board Meeting:

  • Deanne Benson shared that all of our sixth graders have been accepted to area independent schools for seventh grade.
  • Susan Santos gave a brief summary of the recently held parent Focus Groups. Themes from the discussions included an overall positive feeling about the purchase of 19 Foster Street, as well as curiosity about how we will use the new space. Parents were also anxious for the school to have a science lab. In thinking about having the school in two buildings, there were questions about how we create a connection between 19 Foster Street and the Gibbs Building.
  • Ted Wilson reported that the bids for the Crosby Building are due. SFC is submitting a bid.
  • Diane Lewis shared that planning for the auction is well underway, and she noted that the Annual Fund is now at $82,000. 
At the February, 2012 Advisory Board Meeting:
 
  • The Program Committee shared their plans for parent Focus Groups to be held later in the month. The purpose of the Focus Groups is to give parents an opportunity to give input about space use for whole school, as LES expands its program from Preschool to 8th grade.
  • Diane Lewis, Director of Development, reported that the annual fund is at $78,424, which is 87% of our $90,000 goal.
  • The Marketing Committee is working on a plan to market our new middle school.
  • Deanne Benson gave an enrollment update and preliminary indications are that Preschool, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten will be fully enrolled. Grade 1/2 will be close to fully enrolled, and there be two Grade 3/4 classrooms next year.
At the January, 2012 Advisory Board Meeting ...
 
  • The vision, mission and core value statements of the school were unanimously reaffirmed by the Advisory Board as continuing to be relevant as we add older students to the school.
  • Ted Wilson presented an overview of the new Schools for Children Initiative—National Institute of Student Centered Education (NISCE).  The overarching goal of NISCE to encourage every adult to take part in supporting student-centered education for every learner.
  • 19 Foster Street: A meeting with a code analyst is planned for this month to assist us in determining the range of options for utilizing the space.
  • The Program Committee is finalizing its plans for focus groups around facility use.

At the December, 2011 Advisory Board Meeting ...

  • Tuition and salaries for the 2012/2013 school year were discussed.
  • A draft timeline for moving forward with plans for 19 Foster Street was distributed with a goal to decide how the space will be used by the end of this school year.
  • To date the Annual Fund has raised $50,000.
  • The Marketing Committee is focusing on marketing the addition of grades 7 and 8.

At the November, 2011, Advisory Board Meeting 

  • There was an enthusiastic and extended discussion about the acquisition of 19 Foster Street and the process for moving forward! A top priority is to gather input from the community regarding use of the space.
  • The Program Committee will facilitate the process of gathering community input, which they expect to begin sometime in January or February.
  • A timetable for all aspects of “19 Foster Street” is being established. Many tasks will be on that timetable, including the Development Committee continuing to plan for fundraising for needed renovation.
  • Ted Wilson shared that the Schools For Children Board of Trustees enthusiastically and unanimously support the purchase of 19 Foster Street.

 Lesley Ellis School Annual Meeting - October 27, 2011

  • Members of the Lesley Ellis community gathered to learn about some exciting future plans for Lesley Ellis School. After enjoying dinner in the Wing, the community heard presentations from Rebecca Trachsel, LEAB Chair (pictured above), Deanne Benson, Head of School and Ted Wilson, Board Member and SFC President, about plans for complete a middle school program offering in 2015, the amount and kind of space needed to accommodate preschool through eighth grade, and the cost of various facility options.
  • There will be a Community Conversation on December 6th at 8:30 am to provide another chance for parents to hear this important information. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact Deanne Benson.

 At the October, 2011 Advisory Board Meeting:

  • Finance Committee Chair Dale Lemke reported that revenue for summer 2012 was over budget. He also distributed the FY12 budget, which includes approximately $3.5 million in revenue.
  • Diane Lewis announced that Oona Metz and Kirsten Meisinger are co-chairing the Development Committee this year. One of the goals of the committee is to plan an alumni event for the school, as well as identify significant and meaningful interactions to keep alumni, alumni families, and grandparents connected to Lesley Ellis.
  • The Program Committee is focusing on the school’s expansion to grades seven and eight by being prepared to analyze and evaluate potential sites for expansion, as well as consider various ways the school’s mission statement can be articulated in the context of these two new grades.
  • Jackie Robinson shared the Marketing Committee goals for this year which include developing a community liaison program; developing a new profile of Lesley Ellis families; administering a parent survey; developing a strategy for marketing middle school; and maximizing the use of the school’s website. 

At the September 2011 Advisory Board Meeting:

  • The Lesley Ellis Advisory Board reviewed goals for the year and welcomed new board members.

At the May 2011 Advisory Board Meeting:

  • The budget presented by the Financial Committee for 2011-2012 was approved and all Committees reported on their progress during 2010-2011.
  • Susan Santos (Kimberly, Grade 5) was recognized for her outstanding leadership as Advisory Board Chair during the last six years, and Rebecca Trachsel (Rosie, K-Orange and Grace, PS-Blue) was thanked for her willingness to assume the role of Chair beginning in September.
  • Departing members Alyson Gounden Rock (Louis, Grade 5 and Zara, 3/4), Sarah White (Dante, K-Yellow) and Gina Yarbrough (alumni parent) were thanked for their exemplary service over the years.
  • Jackie Robinson (Genevieve, TK) was welcomed to the Board beginning in September.

At the March 2011 Advisory Board Meeting:

  • Deanne Benson Head of school reported that LES anticipates continued full enrollment in Preschool and Prekindergarten, increased enrollment in Transitional Kindergarten and most of the elementary grades. The most accurate enrollment numbers for next year will be available after April 11, the deadline for new families to respond to their acceptance letters.
  • The Program Committee has updated the facilities needs document which identifies program space needs including sports, classrooms, science and technology labs, and assembly space to accommodate our continued growth.
  • The Marketing Committee reported on work in progress with an outside design team to create a new view book brochure for the school. The project is scheduled for completion in June.

 At the February 2011 Advisory Board Meeting:

  • Deanne Benson, Head of School, shared the most recent admission statistics with the Board, reporting that the number of applications Lesley Ellis received is up this year. At the time of the meeting, LES was in the process of receiving re-enrollment contracts. Deanne Benson reported that several grade levels in the school would be at capacity next year.
  • Ted Wilson, Executive Director of Schools for Children, reported on the continuing search for available property in the Arlington area to support the school’s future growth.
  • The Board finalized plans for their auction donation.

 At the January 2011 Advisory Board Meeting:

  • Upper elementary teachers Shannon Jockel, Jon Pfeifer and Brian Binkowski demonstrated how they use Lego Robotics with their students.
  • The Lesley Ellis School Finance Committee presented their first draft of the 2011-2012 budget.
  • Head of School, Deanne Benson, shared admission statistics highlighting the dramatic increase in the number of applications for next year.
  • Board reviewed the school’s new Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy.