Celebrating50 YearsANNUAL REPORT 2016-172016-17ANNUAL REPORTMISSION STATEMENT THE URBAN SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO SEEKS TO IGNITE A PASSION FOR LEARNING, INSPIRING ITS STUDENTS TO BECOME SELF-MOTIVATED, ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR EDUCATION – BOTH IN HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND.2016-17 BOARD OF TRUSTEESScott Sklar, CHAIRPeter Ross, CHAIR EMERITUSAnn Fischer Hecht, VICE CHAIRGeoff Sears, VICE CHAIRDan Springer, VICE CHAIRSerina Lopez, SECRETARYClaire Solot, TREASURERAnthony ArmstrongStephan Ciulla (’17), Student RepresentativeShannon CogenSejal DesaiSteven Dinkelspiel (’74)Scott DrummondChristina Fox (’87)Renee Richards, Parent/Guardian Association RepresentativeTamara HicksRick HoskinsKate Jessup (’95), Alumni Council RepresentativeJonathan Kropf (’99)Susan MastoBrian MaySteve MorrisEve NiquetteMisha Olivas (’94)Warrington ParkerRegan PritzkerBrooke Roberts, Faculty RepresentativeBob RosnerParisa Safa, Faculty RepresentativeMark Salkind (’70), Head of SchoolGretchen SandlerCatherine Silvestri (’18), Student RepresentativeTara Wilson (’95)Deann WrightThank you to our outgoing trustees Anthony Armstrong, Sejal Desai, Tamara Hicks, Rick Hoskins, Kate Jessup (’95), Brian May and Steve Morris.THE URBAN ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 | 3URBAN’S 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR WAS A TIME OF TREMENDOUS GROWTH AND CELEBRATION! We honored the school’s first 50 years with special events throughout the year and cut the ribbon on our brand-new academic and athletics center. There is so much to look back on, and we are excited to share more about the opening of The Mark Salkind Center and our 50th Anniversary Celebration within these pages.In 1966, the school started with seven faculty members, 22 students and a goal to ignite a passion for learning that would last a lifetime. Through many growth spurts and changes over the last five decades, Urban has retained that early commitment to sustaining students’ curiosity and building relationships while recognizing their individuality. In November 2016, we were delighted to celebrate all that Urban has been and will become as we welcomed 1,000 attendees to campus to honor Urban’s history over the course of our Anniversary Weekend Celebration. At the same time, we were excited to begin our next chapter with the long-awaited opening featuring a stunning tournament-sized gym, seven classrooms and gathering spaces that create new opportunities for collaboration and connection in myriad ways.So many Urban families, both past and present, rallied together to make The Salkind Center a reality, and we could not be more grateful for your commitment to our students, our school and our community. The next phase of our building campaign will raise funds to complete our campus by converting the current St. Agnes Gym into a 300+ seat Performing Arts Center, fulfilling our Vision 2017 strategic plan goal.The 2016-17 year was truly historic for Urban, and we hope you enjoy reading about our many landmark events in this Annual Report. Our thanks go out to the extraordinary volunteers who give so much of their time and talent to Urban. In addition to all of our Trustees, we would like to thank Parent/Guardian Association Co-Presidents Renee Richards and Lexi Olian, Capital Campaign Chair Eve Niquette, Alumni Council President Kate Jessup (’95) and Auction Chair Kim DiNapoli. Special thanks also are extended to our Annual Fund Co-Chairs Stephanie Galinson and Tom Levine, whose leadership helped the campaign surpass $1.3 million for the first time in our history.We are profoundly grateful to all of our donors who supported Urban during 2016-17. As we celebrated our school’s 50th Anniversary throughout the year, it was especially rewarding to look back at all who laid the foundation of our extraordinary community. We look forward to Urban’s next 50 years, and hope to see you at an Urban event soon.REPORT FROMHEAD OF SCHOOL & BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMark Salkind (’70) Head of SchoolScott Sklar Chair, Board of Trustees Emily Sklar (’16)4 | THE URBAN ANNUAL REPORT 2016-172016-17 PARENT/GUARDIAN ASSOCIATIONCO-PRESIDENTSLexi OlianRenee RichardsSECRETARYLisa AuerTREASURERJaemie AltmanADMISSIONS CO-CHAIRSKristin BaronWing ChanElise Marie CollinsLisa HartwigInga LarsenDavid MagidsonALL-SCHOOL PICNIC CO-CHAIRSChuck CarletonDanny De LeonInga LarsenKevin O’ConnorJim SarrailAdam SchneibergLizzie SchneibergMary Walsh-GorskiAUCTION CHAIRKim DiNapoliDIVERSITY COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRElise Marie CollinsJessica MartinesLeila Minerva-RiversFACULTY/STAFF APPRECIATION CO-CHAIRSBeth Armstrong Jamie FeuermanJulie MayerErinne MorseGina PetersonDebra ShapiroBeth SilvestriNOMINATING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRSRobert ChanMeg HartWalter Van RielPARENTS’ COALITION OF BAY AREA HIGH SCHOOLS CO-CHAIRSAllison BloomLucy de AndaGeorge DuranATHLETICS BANQUETCynthia RickertMary Walsh-GorskiSara WittURBAN SCHOOL FOR PARENTS 101 CO-CHAIRSEve LynchMaryam MohitURBANWEAR CO-CHAIRSJennifer BalzerJim HansenJessica MartinesGretchen McDougallAmanda RichardErica SandbergJaimie SanfordVOLUNTEER COORDINATOR CO-CHAIRSStephanie FlanaganKatie HansenYvonne KeeneMaureen McAvoyFRESHMAN CLASS 2020 REPRESENTATIVESTanya AlyScott CaseChristine FitzpatrickRena LambertChristina MurphyDana ReinhardtMaria SanchezSandy SloanDenise SrivastavaSOPHOMORE CLASS 2019 REPRESENTATIVESNancy BlachmanElizabeth de BordLaura HillMinouche KandelJanice MaloneyStephanie RappClaire SolotHong TadaJUNIOR CLASS 2018 REPRESENTATIVESSusan BakerKen BukowskiGina EdwardsWilliam FleishhackerTaly JolishMary PhillipsSENIOR CLASS 2017 REPRESENTATIVESNaomi GalleyKristy LeffersJenny Van HornSENIOR GRAD NIGHTCOMMITTEEEd CortesNaomi GalleyNatalie GottsSusan MastoTara MeehanShelli MeneghettiRobin NakaoJennifer RisherPILOT MENTORING TASK FORCECarlin DeCatoTHE URBAN ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 | 5OVER THE PAST YEAR, I FREQUENTLY AND FONDLY THOUGHT about Urban’s influence on our son and on our family. A core value at Urban is to encourage self-reflection and self-reliance in its students; by my observation, Urban is dedicated to making this core value a reality. Urban has helped equip our son not only with the necessary skills for the academic and creative challenges he will face in college, but also with the personal skills necessary to navigate the social terrain of college life in a distant city. The dedication of Urban teachers, administrators and staff and their support of our students through the metamorphosis from wide-eyed and energetic Freshman, to capable and inspiring Seniors, to fresh-faced yet exceptionally well-prepared college first years is impressive. We, as parents, also benefit from that dedication and support.I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with many enthusiastic, committed and fun parent and guardian volunteers who have generously given of their time and talent. Special thanks go out to my fellow Executive Committee members whose engagement and insight were inspiring and appreciated: Co-President Lexi Olian, Treasurer Jaemie Ballesteros Altman and Secretary Lisa Auer. Looking ahead, the PGA has a strong leadership team in place ensuring continued outstanding service to (and fun for!) the Urban community.Two things the PGA undertook during my tenure of which I’m most proud are the launching of the UrbanReads event and the revising of the PGA bylaws to reflect National Association of Independent Schools best practices. UrbanReads, an event co-sponsored with Urban’s Alumni Relations program, invites current and alumni parents and alums to read topical books by authors who have a connection with Urban and then attend an event featuring the selected book and author. The inaugural event in fall 2015 featured Urban alum Frances Dinkelspiel (’77). In 2016-17, we featured alum parents Mary Wiss (James Powell ’14) and Arlie Hochschild (David ’89). Neither the launch of UrbanReads nor the revision of the bylaws would have been possible to undertake and complete without the support, time and dedication of PGA volunteers and Urban staff and administration.I thank everyone at Urban for their commitment to the school’s core values, their work on creating a sense of community and belonging, and their determination to stimulate intellectual curiosity. In my experience, being active in the PGA—whether by chairing a committee, attending UrbanConnect meetings or volunteering at a school event—gives you an opportunity to meet other parents and share in the Urban experience, and I hope you’ll join in.All my best,Renee A. Richards2015-2017 Co-President, Parent/Guardian AssociationJames Hill (’17)REPORT FROMTHE PARENT/GUARDIAN ASSOCIATION6 | THE URBAN ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17FINANCIAL REPORT 2016-17 OPERATING REVENUE AND EXPENSESEXPENSES $ 16,898,392Salaries and Benefits $ 9,957,327Operating and Facility Expenses $ 3,514,247Instructional Program $ 1,189,604Debt Service $ 666,988Capital Reserves $ 435,084Restricted Reserves $ 158,951Transfer to Reserves and Board Designated Endowment $ 976,190 SALARIES AND BENEFITSOPERATING AND FACILITY EXPENSESINSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMDEBT SERVICECAPITAL RESERVESRESTRICTED RESERVESTRANSFER TO RESERVES AND BOARD DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT4%1%59%7%6%21%3%REVENUE $ 16,898,392Tuition and Fees (net of financial aid) $ 14,345,213Annual Fund $ 1,336,242Miscellaneous Revenue $ 730,132Auction Income (net) $ 193,491Endowment Draw $ 293,314TUITION AND FEES (NET OF FINANCIAL AID)ANNUAL FUNDMISCELLANEOUS REVENUEAUCTION INCOME (NET)ENDOWMENT DRAW2%85%8%4%1%THE URBAN ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 | 7THE URBAN ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 | 78 | THE URBAN ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17Urban’s history is filled with stories of our founding values, our dedicated faculty pioneering new ways of teaching and many groundbreaking innovations in the field of education. Here, we share a few of our school’s defining moments during the last 50 years.URBAN AT 50:THE STORY OF URBANURBAN LEGENDS: FACULTY INSIGHTSOver your time at Urban, what has remained the same?MARK SALKIND (’70), HEAD OF SCHOOL: This is a school that doesn’t rest on its laurels. It’s self-critical. It’s always reflecting on what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how we might do it better. And....when you think about it, that’s what characterizes Urban: that kind of surging, restless, creative energy.DAN MURPHY, HISTORY TEACHER: In the ConLaw class some years back, we were in Judge Thelton Henderson’s courtroom. When I got back to school, a lawyer who was in that courtroom called up. He said, ‘Those kids asked amazing questions, what’s the story on this school?’ That has been true I think for my years at Urban. There is something fresh and real, a kind of engagement.1966Urban is founded by a group of parents on Washington and Divisadero Streets with 22 students and seven faculty members. Urban’s early principles – to sustain students’ curiosity and engagement while recognizing their individuality, to use city and outside resources for hands-on learning, and create supportive relation-ships between students and teachers – all remain as core values of the school 50 years later.1989Board of Trustees states in its Strategic Plan that Urban will commit to no less than 25% students of color. In the coming decade, Urban focuses its efforts on creating a more diverse and inclusive student body, and expanding opportunities for students to learn about and discuss issues of race, gender and culture. The school had a total of 174 students.19661972The first block scheduling plan is instituted dividing the school year into six five-week blocks, with one morning and one afternoon class each day. Over the years, Urban has introduced other pioneering programs that are now widely emulated both in San Francisco and across the country, such as our integrated community service project, outdoor trips, field education and our 1:1 laptop and integrated technology program.1990Students work with faculty member Stephen Thomas to create the Intercultural Student Union, Urban’s first affinity group.1973Urban faculty members take students on a bus to Baja for a six-week educational trip. The trip is so successful that it launched Urban’s unique, annual California Studies (Cal Studies) class.THE URBAN ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 | 9What is your favorite Cal Studies memory?ALLAN RIDLEY, FORMER SCIENCE TEACHER: The San Francisco Water Supply was the focus of the class. So we actually backpacked all the way to the snow in Yosemite, and we followed the water all the way down to the city, driving around, camping and interviewing people who controlled the dam…and then we’d go to the sewer plant and see what happened to the water afterwards. So coming to Urban was like out of the lab and into the world.How do you impart Urban to your students?CLARKE WEATHERSPOON, DEAN OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION: I’ve had conversations with Mark about this and one of the things Mark said to me which I think is really true: there’s a difference between being the boss or being at the top of the org chart and being a leader. A leader is really someone that understands problems and listens to people and should care. And so when I teach my classes, when I talk to kids, when I talk to parents, I would like them to have that orientation around why they come to school here each day.2013Urban signs a 95-year land lease with the San Francisco Archdiocese and St. Agnes Parish to build a new academic and athletics facility over the parking lots on Oak Street. Also, this year Urban receives a LEED EBOM (Existing Buildings; Operations and Maintenance) Platinum rating, the first school in the nation to receive this distinguished award.20161994 Urban grows with a campus expansion that allows for 215 students and 30+ faculty.2000Urban’s 1:1 laptop program launches first for teachers, then in 2001 for students. This unique program continues to attract the attention of educators and scholars from around the world, including past visitors from China, Russia, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Singapore and more.2006The Board of Trustees develops and approves Urban’s Core Values made up of seven statements of belief that build upon the school’s 1981 statement of educational philosophy. The values serve as a foundation and guide as the school launches its strategic planning process, ensuring that it preserves and strengthens the distinctive aspects of its programs.2016Urban opens The Mark Salkind Center, expanding our campus, and celebrates 50 wonderful years at the forefront of education.Next >