Transform the lives of students with complex learning differences. Give families hope for their children’s future. Believe that every child is a learner.

Visit. Learn more. Volunteer. Donate.

Transform the lives of students with complex learning differences. Give families hope for their children’s future.

401-432-9940 WWW.THEWOLFSCHOOL.ORG

215 FERRIS AVENUE, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02916

2 0 1 3 | 2 0 1 42 0 1 3 | 2 0 1 4

DEAR FRIENDS OF THE WOLF SCHOOL:

You are part of an amazing story - a story about tenacity and entrepreneurship, a story about one family’s challenge and a community that rose in response. It started when Andrew Wallerstein and Mary Sloane reached out to a small group of professionals about their son, Otto. This founding group believed that children with complex learning profi les could best learn in an alternative educational environment, and they set out to create it.

What began as a leap of faith grew to a skillfully designed educational model serving over fi fty complex learners in grades K-8. Along the way, you became part of the story - you offered expertise, you volunteered, you donated, you spread the word. You made a real difference.

Today, our 2013-2014 Annual Report celebrates fi fteen years of The Wolf School and showcases the outcome of your support and efforts. We have a wonderful building, expert staff, sound fi nancial footing, amazing families, and extraordinary alumni. We have happy, successful learners facing their challenges with the same faith and tenacity that built The Wolf School.

In the coming year our Board of Trustees will take on a rigorous and inclusive strategic planning process, creating a roadmap for sustained success and future growth. It is an exciting time for Wolf as together we write the next chapter.

We are incredibly grateful for your involvement in the fi rst fi fteen years, and look forward to having you there as the story unfolds.

Scott DiChristofero Anna JohnsonChair, Board of Trustees Head of School

Wolf’s founding Head of School and devoted leader:Serving Wolf School students and families from 2001 to 2013

With expertise, thoughtful process, and extraordinary commitment, Jessica facilitated the growth of our school’s enrollment, programs, staff, and building, resulting in a premier educational organization for complex learners. Throughout her tenure Jessica maintained the original integrity of Wolf’s mission and vision, all the while setting the stage for future growth and success.

It is with deep gratitude and respect that we dedicate these pages to Jessica. She offered hope and possibility to Wolf students and their families, touched the lives of countless professionals and colleagues, and made a difference in the way we teach and honor complex learners in our world.

A N N U A L R E P O R T Dedicated to

W O L F by the N U M B E R S

40 Under FortyHead of School, Anna Johnson, was selected for this prestigious Providence Business News award!

8 Parent CafesParent Cafes were created this year to offer families information

sessions on relevant topics, including sleep, organizing the sensory child, and sibling dynamics.

10 GraduatesOur graduates are attending Providence Country Day, Bishop Hendricken, Forman, Riverview, New England Academy and LaSalle. We are so proud of them!

29 Cities & TownsFrom Wakefi eld, RI to Wellesley, MA, our students go the distance

to get the education that works for them!

167 GuestsDiscover the Difference, our fun and festive annual event, was held at the Rhode Island Convention Center and raised important program and scholarship dollars.

231,900 Financial Aid DollarsOver one-third of our families receive fi nancial assistance through the generosity of

individual donors and foundations.

3 Hip Hop InstructorsThe Wolf School Parent Organization supported visiting artists from Everett Company Stage & School to teach Wolf students hip-hop!

15 Fabulous YearsWe said thank you to families and donors at a 15th Anniversary

Celebration in the Pelson Center.

6 Basketball GamesParticipating in sports is new to most Wolf students. Winning is fun but learning to be part of a team is priceless.

1 OscarThe eighth graders took a special trip to Anthony Quinn’s home to view his

extraordinary artwork and as a bonus got to hold his Oscar! Inspiration fl ourished as students captured Mr. Quinn’s creative spirit in their own artwork.

142 RecipesThanks to The Wolf School Parent Organization, The Wolf Family Cookbook raises funds to support fi eld trips and other student activities. Yum!

39 GolfersOur fi rst annual Golf Outing took place at Valley Country Club

with beautiful weather and a great group of supporters.

142 RecipesThanks to The Wolf School Parent Organization, The Wolf Family Cookbook raises funds to support fi eld trips and other student activities. Yum!

Meet Wolf graduate Eliza Graff: high school senior, artist, and entrepreneur. Eliza came to Wolf in fi rst grade and over the years discovered that she loved to draw. From stick fi gures and shapes, to favorite cartoon characters, to realistic sketches of animals, her talent grew. Eliza’s parents loved her drawings and decided to put some on note cards. Soon other people were requesting them and a business was born! Eliza creates designs for onesies, beach towels and note cards. She will even make customized cards featuring your pet!

Eliza loved her years at Wolf and believes there is no other school like it. “Wolf helped me overcome a lot of my sensory, organization and coordination problems.” According to Eliza, “If you send your son or daughter to Wolf, he or she will be the luckiest kid in the world!”

Check out Eliza’s designs at www.etsy.com/shop/ElizaGraphics.

When the Lorber family discovered The Wolf School they were living in Vermont. Feeling they had no other options they packed up and moved to Rhode Island, enrolled Ben in Wolf’s third grade class and hoped against hope he would learn to read. Today, Ben is a sophomore at Bard College studying Journalism. Not only does he enjoy reading - his goal is to become a writer.

Ben believes that without Wolf he would be in a different place academically. “Wolf helped prepare me for the transition to greater challenges. I was able to leave Wolf before eighth grade, ready to step up my game.” Ben attributes much of this success to the small classes and the ability to take the time he needed to learn. He appreciates the teacher relationships he had and the tight knit group of kids that made up the Wolf community.

The way Ben sees it, “Wolf did wonders for me.”

Otto was seven years old when his parents started The Wolf School. Today he is a high school graduate working towards his life-long dream of becoming a fi refi ghter by getting his EMS certifi cation. He also works at Middlebridge School doing landscaping and maintenance and is a volunteer fi refi ghter in South Kingstown.

“At Wolf I opened up and found it was okay to express myself. I wasn’t afraid to ask questions. If I didn’t get something, the teachers would have three other ways for me to try until I did get it.”

On a recent visit to Wolf, students were excited to meet Otto, bestowing celebrity status on him as the school’s founding student!

Otto has a lot of great memories of Wolf and felt connected to students and staff. “This is a school that will focus on what the issue is. People will do whatever is necessary to help an individual child succeed.”

As a member of the fi rst graduating class of Wolf, Grace Suttell now has a BA degree in sociology from Hartwick College and just secured a full-time job as a residential counselor working with at-risk youth. She also volunteers at Adoption Rhode Island and is contemplating options for getting her master’s degree.

Grace believes that she wouldn’t be where she is today if it wasn’t for The Wolf School. “I learned test taking skills, how to study and how to take notes – things that helped me pass courses I never thought I could pass.”

Beyond the academic benefi ts, a Wolf education taught Grace life lessons. “I learned to accept people for who they are. I learned how to listen and talk to kids.”

These skills will be an advantage for Grace in her new position. “I know what it’s like to struggle. Wolf taught me to open my eyes, to be understanding, and most importantly, to face my challenges.”

CLASS OF 2011 WOLF STUDENT FROM SEPTEMBER 2003 TO JUNE 2008 CLASS OF 2006 CLASS OF 2005

Platinum SponsorsAnonymous

Gold SponsorsBankRIDiabetes & Endocrinology Association of RIThe Mardo & Sisto Families & SAF Properties

Silver SponsorsAnonymousAvalon Trust CompanyBank of America Corp.Mr. & Mrs. Russell BossMr. & Mrs. Allyn CoppMr. & Mrs. Larry GoldsteinHowland, Evangelista, Kohlenberg, LLPMr. Mark Pelson & Mrs. Katherine Harrison Pelson Somerset Donut Express Inc.Superior Electric Co., Inc.Mr. & Mrs. Al Verrecchia

Friends SponsorsCapstone PropertiesChapel Building Corp.DarrowEverett LLPEasy Entertaining, Inc.Flood Auto GroupHareld Glass Co., Inc.Kitchen & Bath Gallery, Mr. & Mrs. James ReardonRoberts, Carroll, Feldstein & Peirce Inc.Mr. & Mrs. Charles TownsendThe Wolf School Board

PatronsMr. & Mrs. Keith GoldsteinMs. Leslie GoodwinMr. & Mrs. Peter GranoffMs. Marie Esposito & Ms. Timi Ann NeriMr. & Mrs. Eleftherios PavlidesMr. Ralph PosnerMs. Jessica Robins MillerMr. Bill Shuey

Donors Mr. & Mrs. Gregory ArnoldMr. Dan Bailey & Mrs. Nancy DempzeMs. Laurel BowermanMs. Florence CandeeMr. & Mrs. Dan CaminsMs. Audrey CarnevaleMs. Pam CarrollMs. Hilda Conner

Ms. Bonnie DiMeoEast Side ConstructionMs. Kathryn FisherMr. & Mrs. William FoulkesMr. & Mrs. Harley FrankMs. Tanya GaudiosoDr. Karen HollerMr. & Mrs. Erik HoskinsKelly, Kelleher, Reilly & SimpsonMr. & Mrs. Nathan IdeMr. & Mrs. Lukas IngendahlMr. & Mrs. Karl KrikorianDr. & Mrs. Anthony MechrefeMr. & Mrs. Donald NolanMs. Carolan NorrisMr. & Mrs. John NorrisMr. & Mrs. Phil RitchieDr. & Mrs. Jay RittMr. & Mrs. Alfeo RodriguezMr. & Mrs. Harvey RudnickDr. & Mrs. Ronald SchotlandMr. & Mrs. Bernard TrinkleMr. Michael VerrecchiaMr. & Mrs. Stanley WachtenheimMs. Grace WilbourMr. & Mrs. David Winterhalter

2014 In Kind Donors Norm AlberigoEd Allcock, Esq.Judy AntonelliA.T. Cross CoAvenue NOliver & Martha BennettAlison BolognaMelissa BotelhoBrick Alley PubJennifer & Daniel CaminsThe Dr. Oz ShowAmanda DairDan’s Management Co., Smith Street Dunkin’ Donuts, ProvidenceDavid DadekianEd DectorThe DelPonte FamilyKelly DiNittoDiSanto Priest & Co.Thomas Disanto- Gallo Thomas Insurance Co.Easy Entertaining, Inc.John ElkhayMarie EspositoFelicia’s CoffeeFred & CompanyThe Gamm TheatreGeneral Fabrics Co.Keith & Sheryl Goldstein

Hasbro Inc.Matt HayesHope Street PizzaHotel IndigoThe Humble Pie Co.Keri KingLori LalloStephen & Diana LewinsteinMarcus, Errico, Emmer, BrooksThe Mardo FamilyMastery Martial ArtsA Maureen McCarthy SalonThe McKenney FamilyMohegan SunNewport Comedy SeriesThe Newport ExperienceDavid & Tina OdessaThe Olive TapPapillion Juane a boutique salonpatemm, inc.The Pawtucket Red SoxPeaceLove StudiosPean Doubulyu GlassKait RobertsRoger Williams ZooSharon RustSky ZoneLou SchwechheimerThe Scoliard FamilyStowe Mountain ResortKen & Jessica ThompsonTrattoria RomanaTrinity Repertory CompanyVenda RavioliMichael VerrecchiaGrace & Marty WelchChris WhirlowAlayne White SpaWith Heart & SoulWolf School Lower School FamiliesWolf School Middle School FamiliesWolf School StudentsWolf School Teachers

Scholarship GiftsDr. & Mrs. David BeitleMr. & Mrs. Oliver BennettMr. & Mrs. Edmund Burke, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Louis CampisaniMr. & Mrs. Michael CarnevaleMs. Joann CicatielloMr. Thomas CicatielloMr. & Mrs. Christopher ColemanMr. & Mrs. John CreanMr. & Mrs. Robert DiLeonardoDr. & Mrs. Robert DobrzynskiMr. & Mrs. Jason Dumke

Mr. & Mrs. Jose GomesMr. & Mrs. Peter GranoffMs. Olivia HoeppnerMr. Kevin & Mrs. Anna JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Neil KellyMr. & Mrs. David KohlhammerDr. & Mrs. Dennis KraussMr. & Mrs. Chris LevyMr. & Mrs. Bryan LorberMr. & Mrs. David MalkinMr. & Mrs. James McKenneyMr. & Mrs. Chris MentonMs. Jessica Robins MillerDr. & Mrs. Robert OrtizMr. & Mrs. Eleftherios PavlidesMr. Mark Pelson & Ms. Katherine Harrison PelsonMr. & Mrs. James ReardonMr. & Mrs. Carl RomanoMr. Todd RudermanDr. & Dr. Evan SchumerDr. Aeda Shamirian & Mr. Paul ShamirianDr. Valerie ThomasDr. David Tinklepaugh & Dr. Kimberly LargayMr. & Mrs. Al VerrecchiaMs. Melissa VerrecchiaMr. & Mrs. Martin WelchMr. & Mrs. Joshua WheelerMr. & Mrs. Eric ZarskiMr. & Mrs. Alexander Zeuli

GOLF OUTING 2014SponsorMr. Jason Krikorian/Mars Plastics

DonorsMs. Nancy Catauro ColucciFleetlineNathan MeyerMr. & Mrs. David OdessaPrimary Colors, Inc.Riperian, Inc.

GRANTS100+ Women Who CareThe Partnership FoundationDr. Robert F. Roberti Fund

DONATIONS TO ACCESSAnonymousAmica Empire LoanKellogg Associates

ANNUAL FUND DONORS 2014 DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE 2014

Investors $10.000+Mr. Chris S. Gaffney & Ms. Karen A. KamesMr. Jonathan KentMr. & Mrs. Stephen SchweichMr. Andy Wallerstein & Ms. Mary Sloane

Partners $5.000+AnonymousThe Elms FoundationThe Lorber FoundationMr. Mark Pelson & Ms. Katherine Harrison PelsonMr. & Mrs. James ReardonMr. & Mrs. Robert J. Schweich

Champions $2,500+Mr. Albert BenmayorMr. & Mrs. Oliver BennettMr. & Mrs. James McKenneyMr. & Mrs. Bruce E. RogoffLouise A. Shuster FundMs. Rebecca Tayler

Advocates $1,000+Mr. & Mrs. Edmund BurkeMr. & Mrs. Edmund Burke, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Allyn CoppMr. & Mrs. Richard EtzoldDr. & Mrs. Steven GraffMr. & Mrs. Karl KrikorianMr. Jason Krikorian/Mars PlasticsMr. & Mrs. Joseph MardoMrs. Helen SloaneDr. Jonathan UriMr. & Mrs. Al VerrecchiaMr. & Mrs. Willard Wood

Patrons $500+Mr. Dan Bailey & Ms. Nancy DempzeMr. & Mrs. Michael BaldwinMr. & Mrs. Michael CarnevaleMr. & Mrs. Murray Danforth IIIMs. Marie Esposito & Ms. Timi-Ann NeriAnne S. Howells Charitable TrustMr. & Mrs. Malcolm KentMs. Carolan Norris

Mr. & Mrs. Phil RitchieMs. Jean Tye

Associates $250+Mr. Peter BennettMr. & Mrs. Jay BurnettMr. Thomas J. CicatielloMr. & Mrs. Dan CusterDr. & Mrs. Angelo DiCensoDr. Gary Frishman & Ms. Meredith CurrenMr. & Mrs. Jonathan GewirzMr. & Ms. James J. Goodwin IIIMr. & Mrs. Peter GranoffDr. Karen HollerMr. Kevin & Mrs. Anna JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Paul KrasinskiMr. & Mrs. Chris LevyMs. Tammi McCarraherMr. Steve MerkelMr. & Mrs. Terrence MurrayMr. Burt PriestMr. & Mrs. Sandy StoddardDr. David Tinklepaugh & Dr. Kimberly LargayMs. Grace WilbourMr. & Mrs. Eric Zarski

Members $100+Mr. Chris Alviar & Mrs. Faith RobinsonMs. Audrey CarnevaleMr. Richard CarolanMr. Richard C. Crable & Ms. Tamar OssowskiMs. Patricia D’AmbraMr. & Mrs. Joe DewhirstMs. Jody Fazzano & Mr. Joe GibsonMr. & Mrs. Dominic FerranteMr. Bernard & Mrs. Diane FlatemanMr. & Mrs. Barry GilliamMs. Maura Goodwin & Mr. Andrew PrescottMr. & Mrs. Neil KellyMr. & Mrs. William LehouritesMr. Petros Linardos & Ms. Holly Nesbeitt

Mr. & Mrs. James McKennaMr. & Mrs. William McPeakMs. Bernadette Means-TavaresMr. & Mrs. Chris MentonMiddlebridge SchoolMr. & Mrs. Jim NagleMr & Mrs. Michael NorklunMr. & Mrs. John S. NorrisMr. & Mrs. David OdessaDr. & Mrs. Robert OrtizMr. & Mrs. Robert PalmerMr. & Mrs. John E. RustMs. Joanna ScocchiMr. & Mrs. John ScoliardMs. Suzie ShawMr. & Mrs. Kenneth M. SoaresThe Honorable & Mrs. Paul SuttellMr. & Mrs. Rodney Zarski

SupportersMr. & Mrs. M. Charles BakstMs. Ellen BensusanMr. Matthew CaplanMr. Russell Carey & Ms. Rebekah HamMs. Anne Childs & Mr. Chip CollinsMs. Colleen CoffeyMr. & Mrs. John CreanMs. Sarah CroteauMr. & Mrs. James DiMeoMr. William EymanMs. Paula FarleyMr. & Ms. Keith FisherMs. Taylor FrazierMr. & Mrs. Paul GagneMs. Leah GarveyMr. & Mrs. Robert GromanMs. Kendal GroweMs. Marci HainesMr. & Mrs. Glenn HalvarsonMs. Olivia HoeppnerMr. & Mrs. Drew HorganMrs. Lauren HuntMs. Megan JacksonDr. & Mrs. Larry JohnsonMs. Lisa JonesMs. Lauren Karlsson

Ms. Bess KarnerMs. Anissa KhouriMs. Keri KingMs. Sally KingsburyMr. & Mrs. Michael LaRoseMr. & Mrs. Neal ManchesterMs. Eunice MarkmanMs. Keely McDonaldMr. & Mrs. Joseph McDonaldMs. Jillian NantaisMs. Nicole Newby CrossleyNorth Kingstown Rotary ClubMr. & Mrs. Charles O’CoinDr. & Mrs. Marc PageMs. Tricia PhillipsDr. & Mrs. Jay RittMs. Rebecca G. RobinsonMr. & Mrs. Alfeo RodriguezMs. Megan RoyMr. & Mrs. Richard SantanaDr. & Mrs. Ronald SchotlandDr. & Dr. Evan SchumerMr. & Mrs. Greg SealMr. & Mrs. Christopher SequeiraMr. & Mrs. Mark SperdutiMs. Amy TaftMr. Alex TaylerMr. & Mrs. Kenneth ThompsonMr. & Mrs. Steven ValentineMr. & Mrs. Howard W. Weaver

Matching GiftsMicrosoft Matching Gifts ProgramState Street Foundation, Inc.Nordson CorporationRaytheon Company

Gifts In HonorMr. & Mrs. Carl Romano In honor of Robert DiLeonardoMs. Mamie Wakefi eld In honor of Scott DiCristoferoMs. Jean Tye In honor of Burt Priest

Gifts In MemoryMr. Morton A. Rothschild In Loving Memory of Henrietta Wolf

AdministrativeAnna JohnsonHead of School

Marie EspositoDirector of Institutional Advancement

Rosaline Granoff Director of Admissions

Lynne ManchesterBusiness Manager

Mara Scoliard Admissions/Development Assistant

Judy MentonAdministrative Assistant

Cheryl Johnson Director of Special Education

Lauren Karlsson Educational Supervisor

TeachersPaula Farley

Maureen Gagne

Marci Haines

Susan Halvarson

Lisa Jones

Karen Seal

Amy Taft

Leah Valentine

Occupational TherapistsKelly McDonaldOccupational Therapy Supervisor

Andrea Horgan

Kristin Norklun

Speech/Language TherapistsAnissa Khouri Speech and Language Supervisor

Rachel Best

Leah Garvey

Kendal Growe

Teacher AssistantsLindsey Brisson

Nicole Newby Crossley

Sarah Croteau

Taylor Frazier

Olivia Hoeppner

Lauren Hunt

Megan Jackson

Bess Karner

Carol O’Coin

Maureen Quinn

Megan Roy

SpecialistsEllen Bensusan Learning Specialist

Matthew CaplanMusic

Bonnie Dimeo/Amanda DairSocial Emotional Educator

Keri KingArt

Michael LaRosePhysical Education/Health

Maintenance & HousekeepingPatricia Phillips

Mark Sperduti

The Wolf School is dedicated to providing an educational environment where children with learning differences become successful, secure learners. Our intensive and integrated model enables children to discover and utilize their strengths and challenges by meeting their academic, social and emotional needs.

Scott DiChristoferoBoard Chair

Maureen KellyCo-Vice Chair

Rebecca TaylerCo-Vice Chair

Thomas CicatielloTreasurer

Mary CoppSecretary

Mark PelsonImmediate Past Chair

Anna JohnsonEx offi cio

Walt Buteau

Marie EspositoStaff

Maura A. Goodwin

Leslie Goodwin

Rosaline Granoff

Karen Holler, M.D.

Joseph Mardo

Tamara McKenney

Jim Nellis

Suzie Shaw

Mary Sloane

Andrew WallersteinPast Chair

THE WOLF SCHOOL FINANCES

REVENUE

■ Tuition & fees $2,303,200 ■ Development $370,021 ■ Auxiliary Programs $52,981

■ Other Revenue $8,880 TOTAL REVENUE $2,735,082

DEVELOPMENT

■ Annual Fund $147,536 ■ Special Events $76,929 ■ Scholarship Donations $133,411 ■ Other $12,145 TOTAL DEVELOPMENT $370,021

EXPENSES

■ Salaries $1,419,918

■ Benefi ts $341,408 ■ Building $262,107 ■ Financial Aid $231,900 ■ Program $151,275 ■ Other Expenses $104,816 TOTAL EXPENSES $2,511,424 CHANGE IN NET ASSETS $223,658

THE WOLF SCHOOL FACULTY & STAFFOUR MISSION

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Transform the lives of students with complex learning differences. Give families hope for their children’s future. Believe that every child is a learner.

Visit. Learn more. Volunteer. Donate.

Transform the lives of students with complex learning differences. Give families hope for their children’s future.

401-432-9940 WWW.THEWOLFSCHOOL.ORG

215 FERRIS AVENUE, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02916