2023-24 ANNUAL REPORT
LETTER FROM OUR LEADERSHIP
“True belonging doesn’t require
us to change who we are;
it requires us to be who we are.”
– BRENÉ BROWN
Groton Community School cheerfully started the new school year last month, and we are becoming a family. Our 2024-25 theme, “A Sense of Belonging,” also encourages GCS children, families, and staff to explore their personal identities. We are inviting them to explore what makes them feel comfortable and valued at school, at home, and in the world. Helping young children feel a sense of belonging promotes resilience, emotional well-being, selfesteem, acceptance and confidence, while also fostering the social and cognitive development essential for future growth and learning.
We are excited to support each member of our GCS community as they discover their own sense of belonging this year! As we move into the autumn months and the children and teachers settle into their school routines, please know that so much of what we do would not be possible without you. Your ongoing gifts to the annual fund are what make this critical early childhood education possible. As you read this Annual Report, you will see how you make a difference every day. I hope you enjoy the many smiles and stories that show the incredible ways you are shaping the future generation.
Your generosity enables GCS to hire and retain exceptional teaching staff, access the curriculum, equipment, and technology that support early childhood exploration and development, and continually enhance our building and grounds to create a safe, beautiful environment for our youngest community members.
I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support and commitment to our mission. At Groton Community School, we believe our donors are an essential part of our community, belonging here just as much as the young children whose growth and joy they generously support!
With my gratitude,
Linda Kosinski, Director
Groton Community School
HOW WE HELP CHILDREN SOAR
“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.”
– JOHN F. KENNEDY
AL STONE – A LEGACY OF QUIET GENEROSITY
Al Stone was the embodiment of the saying, ‘Generosity shines brightest when it is given without the need for recognition.’ His quiet, selfless gifts over his 95 years, enriched countless groups and organizations in his hometown of Groton and the surrounding region.
A longtime friend and a quiet champion of Groton Community School for decades, Mr. Stone’s connection to Groton Community School ran deep. As the father of GCS Alum and Trustee Debbie MacDonald, he had the privilege of seeing his grandchildren attend GCS as well. And while we are deeply grateful for his generosity in supporting the GCS Annual Fund every year since its inception in 2012, what we appreciate most is the wisdom he shared with our community.
Al taught us that helping others without seeking recognition brings true happiness. That uplifting others strengthens the entire community. He believed that investing in children is always a wise choice and that one should always embody the change that they wish to see to get the best results.
As one of Mr. Stone’s many selfless acts of generosity, he played a pivotal role in making the Forward Motion project a reality. He gave quietly, insisting on no public recognition, to ensure that future generations of young children and families would benefit from an exceptional first school experience. We are certain that without Al Stone’s investment in our community’s children, the beautiful, updated building that GCS calls home today would not exist.
GCS Director Linda Kosinski shared, “I truly valued our conversations and always walked away reflecting on the messages he conveyed and the lessons I learned. It was impossible not to feel inspired after speaking with Mr. Stone.”
Al Stone’s legacy is a foundation upon which our future will grow. We are profoundly grateful for his contributions, his wisdom, and his example. May his spirit of generosity continue to inspire us all to give with a heart full of joy.
FINANCIALS | 2023-2024
ANNUAL FUND SUMMARY
YOUR GENEROSITY IN ACTION
We are excited to share that thanks to your support of the 2023-24 GCS Annual Fund, we are well-positioned to outfit our future Community Room when the time comes!
This space will be the heart of Groton Community School—a hub for large motor and creative arts activities, classroom celebrations, school-wide gatherings, and community events. It will provide an environment where our children can gather together, explore, and thrive. From climbing and running to participating in creative games and arts activities, this room will fuel their gross motor skills, creativity, and social development.
GCS Director Linda Kosinski and the Board of Trustees are currently working with a general contractor to bring this important project to life. With some hard work and continued fundraising, our goal, though lofty, is to have our children and families enjoying this new space during the latter part of this school year.
THANK YOU. We couldn’t make this long-held dream of a Community Room— a catalyst for holistic development and a canvas for boundless possibilities— a reality without you.
Looking ahead, one of the most impactful ways your Annual Fund gifts support the children of GCS is by allowing us to hire, retain, and invest in the professional
development of our exceptional teaching staff. These highly qualified and experienced early childhood educators are the “secret sauce” that prepares our community’s youngest children for future education and for living authentic, compassionate lives.
For twelve years, GCS donors like you have contributed to our Annual Fund and made a tangible difference in hundreds of young children’s lives. The future is brighter because you have helped inspire thoughtful, kind, and helpful citizens that will go onto to do great things in our world. Please know how much we appreciate YOU.
DONATIONS | BY GIFT CLUB
Groton Community School is tremendously grateful for the following individuals and corporations who supported the Annual Fund in 2023-24. Your gifts help GCS children to soar!
1930s CIRCLE $10,000+
Deborah and Scott MacDonald †
David Moulton †*
The Family of Albert Stone †*
LEADERS $5,000+
John and Diane Amaral †*
David & Pamela Stone †*
Steven and Jennifer Stone †*
PARTNERS $2500+
Randy and Kathleen Barron †*
Jon and Lorrie Morgan †*
Mark and Stephanie Morrison †
Steven Onishi and Dawn Alling †
ASSOCIATES $1000+
Dan and Alisa Barton
Rick and Lindsay Guaraldi †>
The Kehoe Family †*
Mr. Stephen Lane †
Charles and Rhenise Lucot †>
Raj and Priya Palakkal †*>
Bryan and Natina Perrotti †*
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE $500+
Tod and Caroline Bouris
Lori and Jim Herberich
Tim and Rowe Luca*>
Andrew and Katherine Maroney
Peter and Andrea Myette*
Paul and Inga Nuccio*>
The Riggert Family
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rizzo
The Kehoe Team
Alfred and Kristen von Campe*
BENEFACTOR’S CIRCLE $250+
John Ellenberger and Patti Thompson
The Gagnon Family*
Monty and Laura Hankin
Tom and Christine Horsman
Rick and Noreen Keras
Linda Luca and Gerard Tarpey*
The Moeser Family*
Rob and Laura Moore*
Michael and Colleen Neff
John and Janet O’Brien*
Andrei Peters and Fay Raynor>
Mary B. Wills*
Clay and Susan Yost
RED & BLUE CIRCLE $100+
Jonathan Blandford and Rosanna Yuen>
Caroline Bouris
Jean Brady
The Brokaw Family>
Brendan and Ashley Collins
Tom and Jennifer Delaney
The Doherty Family
David and Mara Edgar
David and Sarah Eisenklam
The Ellerkamp Family
Steve and Jennie Fitzkee*
Robert and Donna Halloran*
Mark Haman and Lee Muir Haman*
Pete and Kelly Hnath
Stephen Janes
Mihirraj Joshi and Priyanki Thakore
Karen Keogh
Joshua Kosinski*
Linda Kosinski*
Anna MacDonald
Chris and Justine Mannix>
Ned and Mary Mitchell
Mr. and Mrs. George Moore
David and Kathryn Niose
The Nitti Family
Barton and Kaitlin Phinney>
The Pugh Family
The Roberts Family
Jessica Ross
Ellen Sanchez
Lisa Stafford*
The Sulprizio Family
Juliana Perrissinotto
Andrew and Mai Tirella>
Caitlin and Virgil Vaillancourt>
Bruce and Jolene Zukauskas
FRIEND’S CIRCLE up to $99
Jessica and Daniel Barie
Brian and Brianna Borek
The Buck Family
Beth and John Christoforo*
Michael and Kristen Dagle
Joe and Tracy Guth
The Hackney Family
Sandy and Dan Irvin
Ryan Kosinski*
Jason and Abbey Lambert
Rocco and Molly Laurano
Clifford Maxwell*
Jared and Maggie Miller
The Moncoeur Family
Michael and Martha Resch*
Bonnie Stanton and David Quintin*
Jennifer Tramontozzi
The Weider Family
Catherine and Seth West
Steve and Meghan Zocchi
* Have given to Annual Fund 5 consecutive years
† Members of the Adelaide Luca Giving Society
> Matching Gift
DONATIONS | BY AFFILIATIONS
TRUSTEES 23-24
John* and Diane Amaral
Randy* and Kathleen Barron
Tom* and Jennifer Delaney
Stephen Janes
Scott and Betsy* Kehoe
Deborah* and Scott MacDonald
Mark and Stephanie* Morrison
David Moulton
Bryan and Natina* Perrotti
TRUSTEES EMERITUS
Dan* and Alisa Barton
Peter* and Andrea Myette
Steve Webber
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 23-24
Jessica* and Daniel Barie
Brian and Brianna* Borek
Scott and Kaitlyn* Brokaw
Beth* and John Christoforo
Monty and Laura* Hankin
Jason and Abbey* Lambert
Chris and Justine* Mannix
Ronald and Otonye* Braid Moncoeur
Barton and Kaitlin* Phinney
Steve and Melissa* Sulprizio
Andrew and Mai* Tirella
Evan and Brianne* Weider
STAFF 23-24
Steve and Jennie* Fitzkee
Rick and Noreen* Keras
Linda Kosinski
Jon and Lorrie* Morgan
Paul and Inga* Nuccio
David and Katy* Niose
Jessica Ross
Lisa Stafford
Bonnie Stanton* and David Quintin
Steve and Meghan* Zocchi
ALUMNI
Joshua Kosinski
Ryan Kosinski
Anna MacDonald
Jennifer Tramontozzi
John Ellenberger* and Patti Thompson
PAST TRUSTEES
Rob* and Laura Moore
Steve Lane
PAST BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tod and Caroline* Bouris
David and Sarah* Eisenklam
William and Susan* Ellerkamp
Michael and Eileen* Hackney
Ned* and Mary Mitchell
Geoffrey and Stacie* Moeser
Michael and Colleen* Neff
Paul and Hannah* Pugh
David and Karen* Riggert
Kelly and Susan* Roberts
Clay and Susan* Yost
PAST STAFF
Jean Brady
Sandy* and Dan Irvin
Bruce and Jolene* Zukauskas
CURRENT FAMILIES 23-24
The Doherty Family
Rocco and Molly Laurano
Charles and Rhenise Lucot
Andrew and Katherine Maroney
Jared and Maggie Miller
The Nitti Family
Ellen Sanchez
Catherine and Seth West
PAST FAMILIES
Steven Onishi and Dawn Alling
Jonathan Blandford and Rosanna Yuen
The Buck Family
Brendan and Ashley Collins
Michael and Kristen Dagle
David and Mara Edgar
The Gagnon Family
Joe and Tracy Guth
Mark Haman and Lee Muir Haman
Lori and Jim Herberich
Pete and Kelly Hnath
Tom and Christine Horsman
Mihirraj Joshi and Priyanki Thakore
Clifford Maxwell
Mr. and Mrs. George Moore
Raj and Priya Palakkal
Andrei Peters and Fay Raynor
Michael and Martha Resch
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rizzo
David and Pamela Stone
Steven and Jennifer Stone
Caitlin and Virgil Vaillancourt
Alfred and Kristen von Campe
GRANDPARENTS
Robert and Donna Halloran
John and Janet O’Brien
Juliana Perrissinotto
Albert Stone
Mary B. Wills
FRIENDS
Karen Keogh
Linda Luca and Gerard Tarpey
Tim and Rowe Luca
MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES
AbbVie
Agilent
Apple Inc.
BAE Systems
Google, Inc.
Microsoft
Salesforce.com, Inc.
Thermo Fisher
Viasat
Z. Zurich Foundation
* Denotes persons applicable to the designation
WHY I GIVE | STEPHANIE MORRISON
Stephanie Morrison’s journey with Groton Community School began in 2015 when she and her family moved to Groton. GCS quickly became an integral part of their lives. “When our daughter Savannah was born and we started looking at preschools, we visited GCS,” Stephanie recalls. “Savannah immediately joined a group of kids playing. They were so welcoming. It just felt right.”
Savannah attended GCS from her Toddler years through Kindergarten, creating a transformative experience for the entire family. Stephanie fondly remembers the “little bubble of happiness” GCS provided. “We felt part of a close-knit community,” she says. The relationships they formed were lasting, with many families becoming friends they reconnect with easily. Even now, as a trustee, Stephanie sees the same welcoming environment that originally drew them to the school.
Serving as a trustee, Stephanie’s commitment to GCS has deepened. She emphasizes the importance of giving back, not just for the education but for the foundational values it instills in children. “GCS fits into the ‘purposeful’ category of giving,” she explains. “It was our daughter’s first experience in education and life. GCS taught her kindness, friendliness, and the importance of community—things that go beyond just education.”
Stephanie feels proud to support GCS and sees firsthand the impact of donations. “Whenever I visit the school, I see the improvements that our donations have contributed to,” she says. “It’s not just about the money. It’s about helping make the school better for everyone.” She encourages others to give what they can, emphasizing that contributions of any size make a difference. “No matter how much you give, it will go toward something that improves the school. It’s worth it to support the experience that GCS provides.”
Outside of GCS, Stephanie is an executive at a medical device company and the treasurer for the Groton Dunstable Education Foundation. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family.
Stephanie’s journey with GCS reflects the lasting impact of a nurturing early childhood environment. Her advice is clear: the GCS experience is about more than education; it’s about building a foundation for life.
