A Powerful Year - Westmark School

THE POWER OF WESTMARK > WESTMARK LEADERSHIP FLEX THEIR POWER > A POWERFUL YEAR > CLASS OF 2019 > THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
A POWERFUL EVENT > ANNUAL REVENUES & EXPENDITURES > THE POWER OF OUR DONORS > WAYS TO GIVE

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A POWERFUL YEAR

IN 2018-2019, THE POWER OF WESTMARK REVEALED ITSELF THROUGH:

participation • growth • finding passions • bright futures • community • support

Westmark’s mission is embedded in each classroom, at every school event, and throughout the entire community.

The impact of ANNUAL GIVING
is powerful. Thanks to
transformative student
programs & the investment
in unparalleled teacher
training, we watch our
students develop confidence
& independence as they grow
into fluent readers, athletes,
performers, lobbyists,
travelers, advocates, leaders,
& graduates.

THE POWER OF YOUR GIFTS

About 10% of Westmark School’s income comes from your philanthropic support.
Your participation ensures the health of these programs and support for our students.

100%

who apply to 4-year colleges have been accepted

97%

matriculate to 2-4 year colleges

3%

pursue gap year or vocational programs

800+

service hours performed annually

16

enrichment and electives offerings

21

clubs

48%

participate in athletics

15

CIF sports teams

Student participation is essential to their success at Westmark...and so is yours! Your participation helped enrich their lives everyday.

Our expert teachers fuel student growth everyday by helping them match the curriculum to their individual learning styles and supporting students strengths and affinities.

Westmark's faculty receive specialized training and professional development to help students find passions and inspire our students’ brilliance.

Westmark helps our students realize their bright futures by helping them find their strengths.

Westmark is a community of diversity and kindness. We do great things together.

Your support provides students access to research based methodologies and strength-based learning that sparks imaginations, ignites passion for learning, and illuminates bright futures.

THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S DONORS, INCLUDING
parents, trustees, faculty & staff, alumni & alumni parents, grandparents, foundations, local businesses, & friends.

You continue to make a difference to each and every student at Westmark School, everyday.
Through your generosity in the 201-2020 school year, 316 DONORS helped us raise $1.2 MILLION, supporting:

the development of new
Music & Digital Arts facilities

the enhancement of our
Science / STEM programs

additional Professional
Development & Training

the enhancement of our
Tuition Assistance Program

ACADEMICS

ACADEMICS
Individualized attention is fundamental to our philosophy of education. Westmark students have distinct learning styles, requiring an individualized learning program for each student. Our class sizes are small, allowing teachers to tailor the curriculum based on each student’s learning profile, needs, and strengths. We build relationships with our students and understand their learning profiles, and then we offer them research-based tools to target the areas in which they need support.

ARTS

ARTS
Westmark’s Arts programming provides a platform for many of our students to discover their passions and talents, develop confidence, and express their creativity in so many ways. Westmark students draw, they photograph, they sing, they dance, they act, they play instruments, and more. Funds raised this past year supported the expansion of these key art programs:

Artist in Residence for dance and movement
Performing Arts
Expanded Visual/Performing/Digital Arts offerings (WNN/Musical 'Grease'/ Arts Showcase)
Music electives such as band, keyboard, music theory, and music appreciation

ATHLETICS

ATHLETICS
Athletics at Westmark offers our students another vehicle to discover their talents, affinities, and passions. Whether an individual or team sport, athletics also offer our student-athletes the opportunity to build confidence, underscores the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship, and teaches responsibility.

Congratulations to Westmark’s 2018-2019 student-athletes:

Varsity Boys’ Basketball / CIF Omega League Champions
Varsity Coed Golf / CIF Omega League Champions
Varsity Coed Soccer / CIF Omega League 2nd Place
Middle School Girls’ Volleyball / SFCVAL Champions

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Westmark’s Experiential Learning activities offer students powerful opportunities outside of the classroom that promote camaraderie, leadership, and independence. This program extends across all grade levels and includes field trips, outdoor adventure trips, service projects, conferences, and hands-on learning opportunities.

TUITION ASSISTANCE

TUITION ASSISTANCE
Thanks to many generous donors, we are able to provide tuition assistance to families who otherwise might not be able to afford a Westmark education.

THE WINDSONG TRUST
At Westmark School, we believe all students deserve an equal opportunity to learn and grow. The Windsong Trust, an independent foundation dedicated to advancing children’s education, is an indispensable partner in building and sustaining the Westmark School community to welcome students from all financial backgrounds.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Sharon D Lund Foundation – Empowering Faculty through Professional Development so Critical to our Students’ Success

We continue to be deeply indebted to Michelle Lund, an alumna of Westmark School, and the Sharon D. Lund Foundation for their continued support and collaboration of our faculty Professional Development program.

We believe that “at the heart of any school are its teachers.” Thanks to the investment and continued support of the Sharon D. Lund Foundation, our faculty receives ongoing training in specific areas that directly translates into student growth, achievement and success. Professional development at Westmark is even more important in order to address individualized student needs. Our expert and specially- trained teachers are what empowers Westmark. They are not only experts in their core content areas (e.g. Math, Science, etc.) but are also masters in special education and trained in research-based teaching methodologies specific to teaching students with language-based learning differences.

Some of the conferences attended by faculty included:

International Dyslexia Association Los Angeles (IDALA) Great Minds Don’t Think Alike in October 2019
International Dyslexia Association Los Angeles (IDALA) Language and Learning in March 2020

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TEACHER TRAINING

Westmark's specialized training and professional development is crucial to finding our student's strengths and sparking a passion for learning. Teachers help students understand their learning style and strengths to become self-directed learners and self-advocates. A key differentiating factor in a Westmark education is the specialized research-based instruction that our expert faculty provide everyday. This expertise is a direct result of the extensive professional development that our teachers receive every year through the support of our annual fund. Our teachers are trained to use critical assistive technology and other methodologies that offer students access to content and curriculum in ways that work with their individual learning styles. Below are just a few of the training sessions and conferences that our faculty attended in 2018-2019, establishing them as specialists and leaders in their content areas.

The Dyslexia Foundation (TDF) Annual Conference/UCLA
Slingerland Reading program
The Lindamood-Bell Seeing Stars (SI) Workshop
The Lindamood-Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing Workshop
UCLA Math Links Training
Read Naturally Live Workshop
Saxon Math Training
University of Kansas, Strategic Instruction Model (SIM)

THE SHARON D. LUND FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE POWER OF FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

We continue to be deeply indebted to Michelle Lund, an alumna of Westmark School, and the Sharon D. Lund Foundation for their continued support and collaboration.

Thanks to the investment and continued support of the Sharon D. Lund Foundation, our faculty receives ongoing training in specific areas that directly translates into student growth, achievement, and success and are trained in the use of critical assistive technologies.

Additionally, the Foundation’s support allowed Westmark faculty to partner with the University of Kansas Center for Research and Learning, Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) program. This allowed our curriculum and literacy coordinator along with other SIM professional developers to then train other Westmark faculty in how to provide students with tools to solve problems independently and emphasize teaching routines that allow teachers to organize and present curriculum content in straightforward, easy-to-learn ways.

Our expert and specially-trained teachers are the Power of Westmark. They are not only experts in their core content areas but are also masters in special education and trained in research-based teaching methodologies specific to teaching students with language-based learning differences.

Some of the conferences attended by all faculty included:

IDALA Language and Learning in March 2019 where our literacy coordinator assisted with the facilitation of the Experiencing Dyslexia Breakout Session;
International Dyslexia Association (IDA) annual Reading, Literacy & Learning conference in Connecticut;
CAL-SIM workshop held at Westmark to train faculty in Focus on Writing Part 2, where our literacy coordinator was also one of the facilitators.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

At Westmark, students benefit from individualized instruction, small class sizes, and dedicated teachers. Our specialized curriculum is customized for each student according to their needs and learning profile. Westmark's specialized training and professional development is crucial to finding our student's strengths and sparking a passion for learning. A key differentiating factor in a Westmark education is the specialized research-based instruction that our expert faculty provide everyday. This expertise is a direct result of the extensive professional development that our teachers receive every year through the support of our annual fund.

Below are just a few of the training sessions and conferences that our faculty attended in 2019-2020, establishing them as specialists and leaders in their content areas.

The Dyslexia Foundation (TDF) Annual Conference/UCLA - Dyslexia & Literacy
The International Dyslexia Association Los Angeles Language and Learning Conference
The International Dyslexia Association Conference, Portland, Oregon
Nikki Elliot- mindfulness and emotional regulation
The Lindamood-Bell Seeing Stars (SI) Workshop
The Lindamood-Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing Workshop
UCLA Math Links Training
Kendore Learning Multisensory Instruction Remotely
Saxon Math Training
University of Kansas, Strategic Instruction Model (SIM)
National Association of Independent Schools Conference
Facing History and Ourselves: Teaching for Equity and justice

SERVICE & DIVERSITY

SERVICE & DIVERSITY
A key emphasis of the Westmark education is on the development of responsible members of society who contribute their time, energies, and talents to improving the quality of life in our school, community, nation, and world.

Service to our community helps develop our students’ realization of their ability to act as contributing and positive members of their community, both within and outside of Westmark. In addition, service learning provides opportunities to build leadership experiences, develop creative talents, and increase awareness of the world at large.
Similarly, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are at the heart of Westmark's mission. Our commitment is to embrace this diversity and to ensure that everyone in our community is welcome and has access to the best we have to offer.

Westmark's Service and Diversity programs are integrated into our classrooms, and overall school culture. From Lower School’s Food Drive in support of LA Family Housing and placemat art project for Meals on Wheels, to Upper School’s Maud Booth and service in Thailand at a local children’s home during the Spring international trip...and from our Eye to Eye Mentoring through Art program, to Big Lion, Little Lion, and participation in the PoCC (People of Color Conference) and the SDLC (Students of Diversity Conference), this year's work in these areas had a powerful impact, as our students experienced the joy of both giving and receiving.

TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY
Helping our children discover their talents and affinities is part of Westmark’s commitment to strength-based education. For many of our students, technology and the arts provide forums to discover their passions and talents, develop confidence, and express their creativity.

Over time, technology needs to be replaced and/or upgraded to provide our students with the tools that will provide them with real world experiences. This year, Lower School iPads were replaced and our WNN Digital Studio received a major overhaul with upgraded equipment and tech capabilities.

UPGRADE TO WNN DIGITAL STUDIO
Upgrades to the Digital Arts Studio will allow our students to broaden their ability to film, edit, and report on campus and broadcast the reach of Westmark News Network. WNN provides our students with real world production experience. Because of the generosity of our donors, WNN studio upgrades took place during Summer 2019. Thanks to your support, our talented students now have enhanced production capabilities at their fingertips!

upgrades include:

Complete Upgrade of Broadcast Equipment including:
- 2 Panasonic HD Broadcast Cameras
- 2 Panasonic Camera Control Units
- 2 Panasonic Remote Operation Panels
- 2 Panasonic Hi-Resolution Studio Viewfinders
- 2 Fijinon 20X Zoom Lens with 2X Tele-Extenders
- NewTek Tricaster TC1 complete Video Production System
- Avid Artist Mix Audio Equipment
- 2 LG 55-inch 4K UHD HDR Smart LED TV monitors
- 4 LG 24-inch 1080p Smart LED TV monitors

Classroom and Former Studio Switch
Broadcast will now be Live Streamed to reach a larger audience
Video Production Curriculum, creating student roles reflected in industry professions with a 6 person minimum crew
Virtual Studio Set including Green Screen and Virtual Set Designs

THANK YOU TO THE
BRENDEN MANN FOUNDATION
Thank you to the Brenden Mann Foundation for their support to purchase 12 iPads for the Lower School. Technology is used everyday in and out of the classroom and in order to stay at the forefront of new technology and innovation, iPads need to be replaced over time. This opportunity allowed us to replace old and outdated equipment immediately so our students could get back to what they love...learning.