2017 Ratner Gala Program

Dear Ratner Families and Friends,

I am excited to welcome you to the 2017 Kaleidoscope Gala: “What a Wonderful World!”

The Lillian and Betty Ratner School is a community filled with a deep commitment to the
education and growth of young children. We are blessed with a rich diversity that brings together
the full beauty of our region and the global community. Ratner is a place where children can feel
safe and secure in their own identity, surrounded by teachers who nurture and support them, and
a unique program that challenges them and provides unbelievable opportunities.

So many people have helped to make this celebration of our school community possible.
Co-chairs Sydnia Tcheurekdjian and Karen Powell, Development Director Megan Ullom, and
a host of energetic, creative and determined volunteers, have been tremendously generous with
their time and talents. With the guidance of consultant Mark Schroeder, the Kaleidoscope Gala
Committee has designed an unforgettable evening. To these individuals, and many others who
have helped along the way, we owe our sincere appreciation and gratitude.

Ultimately, tonight is about our kids! This event is an opportunity to support the diverse student
population that makes up The Ratner School community, and help to bring our students’ dreams
to life. Ratner faculty and staff are focused on developing creative learning opportunities in the
classroom, the Outdoor Learning Laboratory, and the Makerspace, as well as through travel to
The Island School in Eleuthera, Bahamas, to Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh and Gettysburg,
and a variety of other field trips. All of these experiences allow our students to experience a
truly unique learning environment where they: explore nature; develop a deep appreciation for
diversity; learn how to contribute to a sustainable environment; and work to design, create and
embrace new ways of learning. We are called to repair the world, and to become active stewards
of the world around us. The Ratner School promotes the kind of experiential, hands-on learning
that encourages our young students to live these values.  

This is your evening to celebrate our school community, and to support the students of The Ratner
School. So, come one and all, enjoy an evening with friends; perhaps find an auction item you
would like to purchase, or make a pledge to support student scholarships that will allow families
who would otherwise not be able to attend our wonderful school a chance to experience the many
opportunities that we offer. Let’s make this evening a gift to our extraordinary kids!

Mike Griffith
head of school

From the Board Chair

Dear Friends of The Ratner School,

Welcome to the “What a Wonderful World” 2017 Kaleidoscope Gala! It has been a whirlwind year
at Ratner, with a lot of work focused on enhancing our school’s visibility and programs. Thank you
to everyone who has contributed time and talent toward the betterment of our school community.

Mike Griffith, our terrific Head of School, has settled into his role as the person that will lead us into
the future. Speaking for the Board of Trustees, I’m happy to say we have been pleased and honored
to work diligently and very closely with Mike to serve and support Ratner students, faculty and staff,
and parents.

We would all like to thank Barbara Rudolph, who serves as the Board Development Committee
Chairperson, and all members of the Development Committee, for the work they put into all of
Ratner’s fundraising efforts and especially for their work on tonight’s extravaganza. We would
particularly like to thank Sydnia Tcheurekdjian and Karen Powell, our Gala Committee Co-chairs,
who together with all members of the Gala Committee, devoted a tremendous amount of time,
energy, and creativity to ensure tonight will be a very memorable evening.

Enjoy your evening, and thank you for supporting The Ratner School.
Richard Cahoon

From the Gala Chairs

Dear Friends,
When we sat down last year to come up with a theme for this year’s gala, we wanted it to reflect
what we as parents felt about Ratner—how its diversity, care for the individual child, and ability
to bring all kinds of families together was so special. We also wanted to celebrate that diversity.
We both felt that as parent co-chairs, there was nothing more wonderful than raising funds for
scholarships so students who couldn’t afford Ratner would have a chance to be a part of our
wonderful world.
Tonight we are at the Gala, with you, and we are grateful that you chose to be here. Giving for
student scholarships is truly a philanthropic act, and also a selfless one. Thank you for your
generosity and support!
Mostly, thank you for believing in the wonderful world of Ratner!

Warmly,
Sydnia Tcheurekdjian and Karen Powell

The Lillian and Betty Ratner School
Board of Trustees

Richard Cahoon, Chair
Errol Brick

Michael Caputo
Bruce Geier
Abe Miller
Barb Miller
Tom Muzilla
Robert Perry
Tawny Ratner

Barbara Rudolph
Mark Tepsich
Dan Ungar
Emilie Unkrich

Ex Officio
Michael Griffith, Head of School

Rabbi Joshua Skoff, Senior Rabbi,
Park Synagogue

KALEIDOSCOPE GALA COMMITTEE

Sydnia Tcheurekdjian and Karen Powell, Co-chairs

Joanna Barney Amy R. Lipson Megan Ullom
Dick Cahoon Hind Makdessi Dan Ungar
Alwyn Chao Barbara Miller Marci Ungar
Margaret Cohen Sarah Morin Emilie Unkrich
Barbara Davis Tawny Ratner Nadia Vinogradov-Carek
Patti Fields Barbara Rudolph Virginia Wagh
Michael Griffith Stacey Souther Mandy Walden
Lia Lachina Mark Tepsich
Marina Leydiker Becca Ucker

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Dick Cahoon
Mike Griffith
Barbara Miller
Tawny Ratner
Barbara Rudolph
Mark Tepsich
Megan Ullom
Dan Ungar
Emilie Unkrich

THE KALEIDOSCOPE GALA
What a Wonderful World!

April 22, 2017
The Westin Cleveland Downtown

Featuring Mark Schroeder, Auction brio

Evening Schedule

6:45 Registration Opens
7:00 Cocktails/Silent Auction*
8:15 Dinner
9:00 Live Auction
9:25 Passport to the Future Scholarship Introduction, Mike Griffith
9:30 Raise for Ratner
9:50 Thank Yous and Acknowledgments
10:00 Dessert/Music

*SILENT AUCTION ENDS AT 8:30

Musician
Nolan Juaire, alumnus

Video and Photography
Second Story Productions, LLC
Scott Morrison Discovery Photography
Jodi Richardson Photography

Printed Materials
Courtney Dolinar, AGC – The Creative Advantage

Lachina Publishing Services

We thank the following sponsors for their gracious support of the
2017 KALEIDOSCOPE GALA

PLATINUM SPONSOR ($20,000) DONORS
Gabrielle Miller $2,500 and above

GOLD SPONSORS ($10,000) Anonymous (in honor of Albert and Audrey Ratner)
Doreen and Dick Cahoon Randy Carver
Barb and Abe Miller
Albert and Audrey Ratner Jewish Community Federation
$1,000–$2,499
Charles and Ilana Horowitz Ratner
Mark and Nancy Ratner Tien-Li Chia and Jar-Chi Lee
James and Susan Ratner Force Sports

Ronald and Deborah Ratner Aaron and Lindsay Miller
Darlene Rebello-Rao and Sunil Rao

Turner Construction

SILVER SPONSORS ($5,000) $500–$999
Nancy and Gerald Goldberg Beth and Bob Brandon
Tawny Ratner
Michael Friedman
Gali, Inc.
Ganley Subaru
COPPER SPONSORS ($3,500) Marous Brothers Construction
BakerHostetler
Emily Mueller
Kareen and Michael Caputo up to $500
Resilience Capital Partners Lynn and Kevin Berner

VIPs ($1,250) Linda Bloomfield
Alwyn and Samuel Chao Joslyn and Reginald Coats
Debbie and Bruce Jarosz
Sheila McCarthy and Tom Muzilla Lavonne Cowan
Frank and Lynn Piunno Stephanie Hearey
Rabbi Joshua Skoff and Ilana Hoffer Skoff Alan Isenstadt (alumnus, 2001)
Dan Jaffe and Beth Hellerstein
Jill and Mike Stovsky Marc and Karen Jaffe
Dan and Marci Ungar Esther Meckler
Linda and Geoff Mendelsohn
Ellen Sabik
Reginald and Lynn Shiverick
Thyaonuk! Kim and Paul Singerman
Gunta Usis

Mr. and Mrs. Warren Wolfson
Gerald Zahler

Ticket Underwriters
Anonymous

Margaret Cohen and Kevin Rahilly

Live Auction

Cleveland Cavaliers COURTSIDE Tickets—2017 Playoff Game!

The Cavs made us all believe last season . . . just imagine being a part of it
live in 2017! These are the best seats you can get—courtside—where the
action happens! LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love—some of the
top basketball players of our generation—and YOU and three lucky guests.

These courtside seats are coveted by many. These courtside seats are for
believers. These courtside seats are reserved for the luckiest fans. These
courtside seats are so close to the action you can see the player’s sweat,
feel the court vibrate with their power and energy, and hear the roar of the
crowd from the best seats in town! These seats place you in the middle of
the game—down at the court.

To be used on a mutually agreed upon game in the 2017 Cavaliers playoff
season on a mutually agreed upon date.

Donor: Albert and Audrey Ratner

Spice Up Your Life with Chef Doug Katz!

Doug Katz, award-winning Chef/Owner of Fire Food and Drink (and
Ratner parent), will bring Fire to your house—and your taste buds!
This master chef will teach you and ten friends how to spice up your
food with his new collection of spices from Fire Spice Company. From
Thai pho to jerk chicken, your mouth will travel the world! Taste the
delectable Latin Coffee Cocoa Chocolate Brownies and savor the flavor
and aromas of Fire Spices! It will be an unforgettable evening with
friends, food, fun ... and Fire!

To be used on a mutually agreed upon date within one year of auction.

Donor: Doug Katz

Animation Adventure at Pixar Studios!

This is the final year that we will be able to offer this amazing Pixar
experience! You will be taken on an exclusive, private, behind-the-scenes
tour of Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California, followed by
lunch with Academy Award-winning director Lee Unkrich.

This is a behind-the-scenes tour of the inner workings of Pixar—the
studio behind Toy Story 3, Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and many, many
more of your favorite animated motion pictures. This private, two-hour
experience is limited to six lucky individuals who will learn how Pixar’s

movies are created and witness the inner workings of an animation studio.
Following the tour, guests will be treated to lunch with Mr. Unkrich—an
Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA award winner born and raised in Ohio.
Mr. Unkrich was most recently executive producer on Disney/Pixar’s The
Good Dinosaur and is currently directing Coco, which will be released in
theaters this fall.

Share lunch with him as he describes his creative process and the influence
his mom (current Ratner school board member Emilie Unkrich) has had
on his career. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to ask about his journey.
You and up to five guests will be amazed at what it takes to bring beloved
characters like Woody and Nemo to life! This is your chance to live Pixar
through the eyes of one its finest!

To be used on a mutually agreed upon date by April 30, 2018. Good for up
to six guests. This tour is best suited to adults and children ages six and
up. Includes private tour and lunch at Pixar studios in Emeryville, CA.

Donors: Emilie Unkrich and her son Lee Unkrich

Evolve Your Walls!

4Walls is an innovative company that creates high quality wall décor
products, combining design and manufacturing for both residential
and commercial wall coverings. Their work can be found in places like
the Cleveland Clinic, Google, and BP, as well as in private residences
throughout the United States and Canada.

Would you like the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the 4Walls
Design Studio and Manufacturing Facility in Cleveland? Would you like
to work with expert creative designers to develop a beautiful wall mural
for your home or office using exclusive content from their digital library?
Perhaps you’d rather use your own custom photo collage … or even create
a mural from your child’s own artwork? If so, this is your chance!

This auction package offers a chance to win a privately guided tour for
your family by a 4walls representative that includes the start to finish
process of developing a custom designed mural (150 square feet—
approximately a 12 × 12 room) that will be installed by professionals! You
will work one-on-one with one of 4walls’ outstanding creative designers
to bring your custom wall idea to life! Using a digital photo of your
current room, the designer will show you on a computer what your room
will look like with your new wall coverings before it goes to production
and installation. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that will show you a
fascinating process and leave you with a special, personalized product.
Experience the future of home and office décor, and evolve your walls!

To be used on a mutually agreed upon date within one year of auction.

Donors: Brian and Amanda English

Work AND Play: All in Your Child’s Day!

What child hasn’t dreamed of ruling the school? Of deciding something—
at least for a day—that would make school more fun? Here is your chance
to let your child experience being Head of Ratner School for a day! Your
child will get his or her own ID, sit in on an important meeting, make
announcements, greet students at the beginning of the day, and BE IN
CHARGE. Mike Griffith looks forward to this day of rest every year!

But that’s not all … you know the saying “all work and no play makes
Jack—or Jane—a dull kid.” So here’s the deal—during the day your
child gets to be Head of School for the day. And at night, he or she
gets to be a Cavs ball kid—on the court at a Cavs game, starting warm-
ups up by tossing a ball to one of the Cav players! After your child is
finished playing with the Cavs, he or she gets to sit with one lucky parent
in Section 111 for the rest of the game. And you get to take home the
basketball … and an unforgettable memory of a wonderful day!

This package includes two tickets to a Cavs game (one chaperone and one
Ball Kid) to be used on a mutually agreed upon date for the 2017–2018
season. It also includes being Head of School for a day at The Ratner
School on a mutually agreed upon date for the 2017–2018 school year.
(Experiences do not have to be used by the same child.)

Donors: Dick and Doreen Cahoon (Cavs Ball Kid experience) and The
Ratner School (Head of School for a Day)

Thank you to The Ratner School students, teachers, and room parents
for helping to create wonderful works of art and silent auction baskets.

Patti Fields, Art Director
Ellyn Klein, Dani Ortiz, Kathy Peterson, Becca Ucker, Toddler classes
Pat Carey-Bell, Emily Hazzard, Jennifer Price Davis, Lindsay Rosenberg,

Linda Shapero, Aria Spraggins, Montessori Pre-Primary classes
Lela Gascoigne, Rachel Gluck, Dan Kalleres, 1st/2nd grade
Sarah Morin, Chelsea Rolen, 3rd/4th grade
Herb Ascherman, Jackie Chapnick, Meg Cull, Andy Persanyi,
Pat Schwab, and Molly Urban, Middle School classes

Room Parents: Alwyn Chao (coordinator), Joanna Barney, Harriet Bauer, Amanda English, Preeti
Gandhi, Amy Glesius, Jenice Godley, Michelle Hogan, Anna Khodyakova, Gunnur Karakurt
Koyuturk, Deb Lonzer, Cindy Merry, Nivi Mukherjee, Erin Namy, Seema Patel, Karen Powell,
Leonora Roth, Vaishali Shetty, Mandy Walden

Silent Auction Donors

THANK YOU to the many donors to our silent auction for their support of our student scholarship
program. We especially appreciate our anonymous donors, many of whom are Ratner parents.

We regret if any names were mistakenly omitted; each and every donation is deeply appreciated.

African Safari Wildlife Dino Palmieri Salon Lake County Captains Rag and Bone Bindery
Park Dominic Ianiro/Force Lake Metroparks Ratner Parent
Lela Gascoigne
Aimee Carlson Sports Leslie Dingeldein Organization
Albert and Audrey Ratner Dwayne Anderson Levine Architecture & The Ratner School
Alesci’s Ellyn Klein Rebekah McClelland
Aloft Cleveland Emilie Unkrich Design, Ltd. RMS Investment Group
Emily Hazzard Linda “Mishy” Shapero Rock and Roll Hall of
Downtown Emily Taylor Lindsay Rosenberg
Alson Jewelers Evie Lou Lynn Piunno Fame and Museum
Alwyn Chao Fowler’s Mill Golf Course M.U.S.I.C./Jodi Cantor Sarah Morin
Amanda English Funke Hair.Body.Soul Maltz Museum/Ellen Sarah Mowry
Amy Glesius Genevieve Keneally Seema Patel
Amy Lipson Goldfish Swim School Rudolph Sheri Parks
Andy Persanyi Grace Chin Mandy Walden Signature of Solon
Anjali Patel Greater Cleveland Mar-Lou Shoes
Aria Spraggins Megan Christopher Country Club
Atma Center Aquarium Megan Tettau Stacey Souther
Barb Miller Gunnur Koyuturk Memphis Entertainment Stephanie Pope
be.gallery Hands on Pottery Stone Oven Eton
Bed, Bath, and Beyond Harriet Bauer Group Stone Oven Lee Rd.
Bill Lehr Heather Ellmers Michelle Hogan Swedish Solution
Captain Rico Heinen’s Midas Sydnia Tcheurekdjian
Central Bark Hind Makdessi The Mid-Ohio School Tamsin Astor
Cherie Glassman Hugh and Jill Bascom Mike Griffith Tawny Ratner
Cindy Berkland Inspiralmotion Mike Walden Tim Lachina
Cleveland Browns Jacqueline Chapnick MOCA Trader Joe’s
Cleveland Cavaliers Jennifer Jarrett Molly Urban Trysa Shulman
Cleveland Cinemas Jan Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Ben Axelrod Vaishali Shetty
Cleveland Gladiators Jennifer Schwartz Music Box Supper Club Valley Art Center
Cleveland Independents Jill Azok Nancy Silverman, Victor Elin
Cleveland Metroparks Joanna Barney Village Auto Wash
Cleveland Monsters Jodi Chizek Plantscaping/Blooms Violette and Pablo
Cleveland Museum of Art Jodi Richardson Nicole Smyk
Cleveland Play House Joss Boutique Nidhi Maheshwari Recinos
Corky & Lenny’s Julie and Steve Gunzler Nilanjana Majumdar Vrashali Jain
COSI Juma Gallery On the Rise Western Reserve
Cynthia Merry Karen Powell Pat Schwab
Dan Kalleres Kim Ponsky Photography Perfect Ash Historical Society
Dani Ortiz Knuth’s Boutique Peter Shulman Westin Cleveland
David Berenson La Bella Vita Petti’s Pizza
Denise Falcon Ladies and Gentlemen Playground World Downtown
Playmatters Yours Truly
Preeti Gandhi Zenia Lis

Please show your support to our corporate donors
by visiting their establishments!

2016–2017 Ratner Annual Fund

The Leadership Circle

Circle Society ($10,000 & Up)

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cahoon* Deborah and Ronald Ratner*
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Colleran Ilana Horowitz Ratner and Charles Horowitz
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Katz
Mr. Thomas A. Muzilla and Ms. Sheila M. Ratner*
Nancy and Mark Ratner*
McCarthy* Susan and James Ratner*
Mr. and Mrs. Abraham C. Miller*
Ms. Tawny R. Ratner*
Gabrielle Miller* Seedlings Foundation* (in honor of Albert and
Audrey and Albert Ratner*
Audrey Ratner)

Director's Club ($5,000–$9,999)

Mr. and Mrs. Abraham C. Miller* Tawny Ratner*
Nancy and Gerard Goldberg*

Benefactor ($2,500–$4,999)

Mr. and Mrs. Errol Brick Ms. Amanda English
BakerHostetler* Mr. and Mrs. Bruce J. Geier
Resilience Capital Partners*
Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Caputo*
Margaret Cohen and Kevin Rahilly Mr. Mark Tepsich

Patron ($1,000–$2,499)

Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. John Rahilly
Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Chao* Ann Rosenbluth

Mr. Keith Eggeman Dr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Rudolph
Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Hellman Dr. Mark Rudolph
Dr. Tien-Li Chia and Mrs. Jar-Chi Lee
Dr. Andrew L. Altman and Ms. Amy R. Lipson Mr. and Mrs. Reginald C. Shiverick
Ms. Emilie Unkrich
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Miller
Leon and Gloria Plevin Family Foundation Dr. Aric W. Greenfield and Dr. Nancy Wolf

*Denotes VIP-level sponsor or above of 2017 Kaleidoscope Gala

THE RATNER LIGHTS CIRCLE

SUPPORTER ($500–$999)

Dr. Joseph Azok and Dr. Jill Azok Mr. Allen Kinsler and Mrs. Ajita Prabhu Dr. Paul Poommipanit and Ms. Sarah E. Mowry
Donald and Marie Calabrese Dr. M. Deborah Lonzer and Mrs. Jennifer Lonzer Mr. and Mrs. Harris Roth
Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Gilman Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Napoli Mr. and Mrs. Jack Staph
Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon B. Guren Mr. Tod Oliva Dr. and Mrs. Haig Tcheurekdjian
Ms. Patricia Guthrie Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Parks Mr. and Mrs. Dale E. Veres
Robin Heiser Mr. Robert G. Perry and Dr. Amy Stephens

FRIEND ($250–$499)

Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. John S. Larson Mr. and Mrs. Theron Russell
Mr. and Mrs. Joshua J. Barney Dr. Frederic J. Levine and Dr. Janine R. Martyn Pavithra Simh
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bauer Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Liffman Ms. Anna Smith
Mr. Randy N. Carver* Ms. Eliesha Nelson Dr. and Mrs. Mark Souther
Mr. and Mrs. Grover Coats Park Synagogue Mr. and Mrs. William P. Souther
Mr. and Mrs. Himanshu Dubey Dr. Lee Kirksey and Dr. Seema Patel Mr. Jon M. Statler
Mr. Michael Griffith and Ms. Donna Prots Mr. and Mrs. Frank Piunno* Dr. and Mrs. David Steinweg
Dr. Stefan Dupont and Ms. Emily Hazzard Mr. and Mrs. Shawn M. Riley Ratner Family Club
Michelle Hogan Ms. Ellen Rudolph
Mrs. Sally L. Weinberg Isenstadt Shul Boys, Inc.

CONTRIBUTOR (UP TO $249)

Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Jason Downey Edward Koehl Mrs. Pat Schwab
Mark Abramowitz and Rivki and Michael Ebner Anna Kondratova Ms. Jennifer Schwartz
Ms. Heather Ellmers Mr. Jeffrey A. Lachina and Ms. Linda Shapero
Stephanie Pope Abramowitz Ms. Awilda Emord Johnathan M. Sheele
Mr. and Mrs. Ian Abrams Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Everett Ms. Mandy G. Walden Ms. and Mr. April Shepherd
Mr. Scott Adair and Ms. Jessica Cahoon Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Falcon Mr. James Lader Dr. Peter Shulman and
Ms. Melanie Alban Mr. Ray Juaire and Ms. Patti L. Fields Ms. Sylvia Lader
Ms. Sherreé Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ford Mr. and Mrs. William Lehr, Jr. Dr. Trysa Shulman Shy
Eric Anderson, Jr. (alumnus, 2008) Mr. and Mrs. James Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Howard Leon Mr. and Mrs. Paul Singerman
Mr. and Mrs. Herb Ascherman Dr. and Mrs. Avrum I. Froimson Ms. Marina Leydiker Fabiana Silva
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Axelrod Mr. and Mrs. Alon N. Gabay Bruce and Sherry Lieber Drs. Charles K. and Patricia M. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Bascom Preeti A. Gandhi Nilanjana Majumdar and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smyk
Mr. Timothy Beckette Ms. Lela Gascoigne Mr. and Mrs. Michael Solomon
Mr. David Berenson and Mr. and Mrs. Shahab Gerami Sudipto Mukherjee Aria Spraggins
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Glassman Mr. and Mrs. Rabih Makdessi Mr. and Mrs. Daniel N. Steiger
Ms. Beth Steinberg Ms. Rachel Gluck Mr. and Mrs. Adam Mandell Mr. and Mrs. Howard A. Steindler
Mr. and Mrs. Marty Berg Dr. and Mrs. Andrew R. Godley Mr. Aaron Manela and Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Stellato
Kate Bergman Mr. Balaji Govindachari and Ms. Evgenia Tararova
Mr. and Mrs. Doug Berkland Mrs. Sara Prentice Manela Mr. Gene Troiano and
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Berner Mrs. Vidhya Narayanan Ms. Marguerite D. Manny
John Blair Mr. and Mrs. Fred Goyzman Mrs. Esther Meckler Ms. Valerie J. Smolik-Troiano
Mr. Roger F. Buelow and Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Green Mr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Meloon Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Ucker
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Greenberg Dr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Mendelsohn Dr. and Mrs. Robert J. Ullom
Ms. Amy S. Glesius Mr. and Mrs. Gene Groys Dr. Shalini Sood-Mendiratta and Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Ullom
Mr. and Mrs. Mark L. Bogomolny Drs. Steven and Julie Gunzler Ms. Marcie Unrue
Iris Bornstein Mrs. Kathleen Hannibal Dr. Prateek Mendiratta Mr. and Mrs. David Urban
Ms. Marcia Winter-Bowles Ms. Krystal Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. Michael Milgrom Mrs. Gunta Usis
Ms. Elinor L. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Hazzard Mr. and Mrs. James C. Miller Dr. Paula Usis
Ms. Renèe Brozè Heights Offset Printing, LLC Mr. T. David Mitchell Mr. Michael P. Vender
Dr. and Mrs. James M. Cantwell Mr. and Mrs. W. Martin Hiller Eiichi Miyasaka Dr. and Mrs. Eugenio Villaseca
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Caputo Mr. Michael F. Hirshman Mr. Ray Montalvo Mr. Mark Wachter
Mr. Rick A. Carek and Mr. George Holt and Ms. Sarah Morin Mr. and Mrs. Ganpat V. Wagh
More Customers Cleveland Ms. Harriet K. Wallach
Ms. Nadia Vinogradov Ms. Andrea Clark-Holt Dr. and Mrs. Milton J. Moss Mr. and Mrs. William J. Walsh
Dr. Steve E. Bell and Sally and Fred Isenstadt Mr. and Mrs. Eliesha Nelson Ms. Karen L. Walsh
Mr. Marc and Dr. Karen Jaffe Ruth Nelson Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Walsh
Mrs. Patricia Carey-Bell Ms. Jennifer Jarrett Ms. Dannielle Ortiz Mr. Fred Weisman and Ms. Marcy Bern
Dr. Jeffrey Chaitoff and Ms. Margo Vinney Janet Jones Mr. and Mrs. David B. Ostro Shelli Wessler
Mr. and Mrs. Billy Chapnick Mr. Daniel Kalleres and Anjali Patel Mr. and Mrs. Douglas M. Wieder
Mr. Robert Walters and Ms. Grace Chin Mr. and Ms. Scott A. Patterson Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. White
Mr. and Mrs. David Chizek Mr. Bruce Contino Mr. Andrew Persanyi Dr. and Mrs. David Willen
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Chudakoff Yana Katsevich Mr. and Mrs. Jack Peterson Mr. and Mrs. Warren L. Wolfson
Dr. and Mrs. John D. Clough Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Katz Mr. William Poynter and Ms. Liz Wollaeger
Joslyn and Reginald Coats Mr. and Mrs. David Kaufman Mr. and Mrs. Gary Yarus
Ms. Laurel Cohen Dr. James Kazura and Ms. Patricia Harpring Mr. Aleksey Yudushkin and
Mr. and Mrs. Randy C. Consolo Dr. J. Sunil Rao and
Ms. Meg Cull Ms. Helen C. Foley Ms. Elena Eremenko
The Davis Family Mr. and Mrs. Tim Kenealey Ms. Darlene Rebello-Rao
Harlan Diamond Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Klein Mr. and Mrs. Stan Richardson
Drs. Michael and Leslie Dingeldein Mr. and Mrs. Carl N. Klotzbach Ms. Chelsea Rolen
Ms. Nancy Diulio Mary Ann Kocher Ms. Lindsay Rosenberg
Ms. Nichole Diver Mr. and Mrs. W. Ferrell Sanders
Mr. and Mrs. David Schafer

The Outdoor Learning Lab: An Update

“The child who has felt a strong love for his
surroundings and for all living creatures,
who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in
work, gives us reason to hope that humanity
can develop in a new direction.”

Dr. Maria Montessori

Last year’s Kaleidoscope Gala helped raise
funds for the first phase of our Outdoor
Learning Lab, which includes a labyrinth,
raised garden beds, a willow tunnel, a
bean teepee, and areas for a flower garden.
The vision of this project was to provide
a space for children to connect to Ratner’s
Montessori roots in the most authentic
way possible: to create a space where the
outdoors could truly become an extension
of the classroom. We’ve seen this come
to fruition in numerous ways, from our
youngest students creating a salad meal for
teachers and classmates from ingredients
grown in the raised beds, to middle school
students using the labyrinth to perform
trust exercises. Students have embraced the
responsibility to plant and tend the garden—
it has become a favorite recess activity!

Maria Montessori held in deepest
reverence the natural world, and stressed
the importance of grounding children
in an understanding of themselves as a
part of the universe. She felt that we best
develop a sense of ourselves through the
interconnectedness of all things—that true
respect of self grows together with respect
for others and for nature. In the Outdoor
Learning Lab, Ratner students experience
hands-on lessons that promote a sense of
environmental stewardship.

To the generous donors who made the
Outdoor Learning Lab possible, our deepest
thanks. To tonight’s guests, we thank you
also for your commitment to and support of
The Ratner School and its students!

Thank you, Audrey Ratner, for inspiring our kids
to get their hands dirty!

Acknowledgments

Gaby Miller
To one of Cleveland’s most

astute educators and The
Ratner School’s most avid

cheerleaders—
We are grateful to have you on
our Ratner Raptor Team!!!!!

Jan Lewis
Thank you for the incredible

support you have shown
The Ratner School.

With your generosity, you’ve
helped put us on the map!

Albert and Audrey Ratner
We thank you for your unwavering
support for the mission and vision
of our school, which has served
the greater Cleveland community’s
children for more than 5 decades.
What a wonderful world with
The Ratner School’s alumni in it!!!!!

Barb and Abe Miller
You brought your sons, Max and Jacob, to

The Ratner School, and you never left!

We are so grateful for the role you’ve played in
securing the future of The Ratner School for new
generations of diverse, creative, social-minded,

and free-spirited world leaders and travellers.

Ratner Parents Charles and
Your kids mean the world Ilana Horowitz Ratner
Mark and Nancy Ratner
to us! James and Susie Ratner
Thank you for entrusting them Ronald and Deborah Ratner

to us and for your unending Your involvement and support throughout the years
support of our school. has meant the world to our school.

Thank you for carrying on the Ratner legacy.
You’ve touched the lives of so many.

Tawny Ratner Sydnia, Karen,
Stacey, Mandy, Megan,
Thank you for all the hats you’ve
worn at Ratner: parent, board Nadia, and the Gala
member, phonathon chair . . . Committee
We think the world of you!
Thank you for making the
2017 Kaleidoscope Gala a
wonderful night to remember
and for helping Raise for

Ratner scholarships!

Tom Muzilla and Sheila McCarthy

Your generosity and support has made a world of difference to
The Ratner School and its curious, engaged, and self-
confident children—the Muzilla kids among them.

Scott Morrison
Discovery Photos

and
Jodi Richardson

Thank you for recording
every Gala and important event
in the life of The Ratner School

over so many years!

Dick Cahoon and the Barb Miller
Board of Trustees
How on Earth did you hang
The gavel has been passed in so long as Board Chair?
to you, Dick, and we know
that The Ratner School is in your ’Cause we wouldn’t
let you go!!!!!
very capable hands. To
you and the Board of Trustees, Your devotion and love for
The Ratner School
we thank you for giving has no parallel!!!!
your time and expertise to
our staff, school children,

and their families.

Mark Schroeder Michael Griffith, Head of School,
and our World-Class Faculty
We appreciate your and Staff
expertise and enthusiasm
Thank you for your leadership
to Raise for Ratner! and your caring hearts.

You all embody our mission and values.

Lee Unkrich

Academy Award-winning director and world-
renowned, innovative, wholesome, and thought-

provoking childrens’ storyteller—

We appreciate your and Pixar Studios’ support of
our Gala for the fourth time.

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Colleran

On the occasion of The Ratner School’s 10th year on our Pepper Pike
Campus, we thank you for your generous support, which allows us to

continue to enhance the educational opportunities of our students.

Westin Cleveland Dick and Doreen Cahoon
Downtown
Grandparents of four—
Thank you to Event Manager Stella, Ava, Parker, and Shabree.
Melanie O’Donnell for your
With your leadership and love of kids at our school,
hospitality and excellent It’s clear that generosity is your golden rule.
food and drinks!
THANK YOU!

Doug and Karen Katz
Thank you for providing
Cleveland with a delicious

taste of diversity and for being
great teachers and parents.
Your consistent support of

The Ratner School means the
world to us. Congratulations to
you and Abe on his upcoming

graduation, Class of 2017!

Nancy and Gerald Goldberg
With sincere gratitude for your

generous support of The Ratner School
where inspiring children to love and
appreciate the diversity of our world
and its people, as well as to become

enlightened citizens, is our lofty mission.

Seedlings Foundation

Thank you for making our world stronger by
supporting programs that nourish the physical

and mental health of children and families.
We are privileged to receive your generous
gift in honor of Albert and Audrey Ratner,
who share with you this essential mission.

Our heartfelt thanks
to The Ratner School
Community for teaching
and taking care of our

children.

Lachina
Publishing

Services

Content development and
production services supporting:

• Employee training and skill development
• Multi-media promotional material creation
• Technical writing, art, and illustration

Media creation for:

• Publication design and product demos
• Interactive 3D visualizations and animations
• Mobile app creation and game development

800.966.7154 • [email protected] • www.lachina.com

W W W. M A R O U S B R OT H E R S . C O M

CELEBRATING BUILDING EXCELLENCE
COMMITTED TO OUR CLIENTS,
EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY
FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS

DESIGN/BUILD SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

HISTORIC RESTORATION SERVICES

CARPENTRY & INTERIOR FINISHES SERVICES

SITE SERVICES Cong ratulation s
SPECIAL PROJECTS GROUP

ON 10 YEARS IN YOUR BUILDING!

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[[Per company owner, it is fine to darken logo if necessary for bett
printing, and to design text however would look nice.]]

What a Wonderful Faculty and Staff
of The Ratner School

Michael D. Griffith,
Head of School

Rivki Ebner,
Director of Admission

Molly Urban,
Upper Primary and Middle School Division Director

Becca Ucker,
Montessori Pre-Primary and Lower Primary Division Director

Megan Ullom,
Director of Development

Marina Leydiker,
Business Manager

Ray Montalvo,
Director of Facilities

MONTESSORI PRE-PRIMARY DIVISION
ADDITIONAL FACULTY AND STAFF
Ellyn Klein,
Montessori Pre-Primary Toddler Assistant
Tim Beckette,
Assistant Custodian
Dani Ortiz,
Montessori Pre-Primary Toddler Assistant
Cindy Berkland,
Spanish Teacher – Primary Grades
Kathy Peterson,
Montessori Pre-Primary Toddler Denise Falcon,
Middle School Learning Specialist
Patti Fields,
Art Teacher
Teacher
Rose Finnerty,
Physical Education
Pat Carey-Bell,
Montessori Pre-Primary Teacher
Erin Gabay,
Middle School Math Teacher and Cultural
Emily Hazzard,
Montessori Pre-Primary Assistant

Jennifer Price Davis,
Montessori Pre-Primary Assistant
Celebrations Coordinator
Lindsay Rosenberg,
Montessori Pre-Primary Teacher
Nicole Gerami,
Speech Pathologist
Linda Shapero,
Montessori Pre-Primary Teacher Cherie Glassman,
Hall Monitor and Arrival/Dismissal
Aria Spraggins,
Montessori Pre-Primary Assistant
Assistant
PRIMARY SCHOOL DIVISION Mike Griffith, Jr.,
Custodian Assistant
Lela Gascoigne,
Primary Teacher – Grades 1 and 2
Dominic Ianiro,
Physical Education
Rachel Gluck,
Primary Teacher – Grades 1 and 2
Jennifer Jarrett,
Music Teacher (Montessori
Dan Kalleres,
Primary Teacher – Grades 1 and 2

Sarah Morin,
Primary Teacher – Grades 3 and 4
Pre-Primary, Primary, and Middle)
Bill Poynter,
Primary Teacher – Grades 1 through 4
Jan Meloon,
We Care Coordinator
Chelsea Rolen,
Primary Teacher – Grades 3 and 4
Anjali Patel,
Science Specialist
Jodi Richardson,
Lunch Program and
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
Herb Ascherman,
Middle School Teacher
Library Supervisor

Jackie Chapnick,
Middle School Teacher
Kevin Rolli,
Physical Education

Meg Cull,
Middle School Teacher
Nicole Smyk,
Primary Learning Specialist
Andy Persanyi,
Middle School Teacher
David Steinweg,
Consulting Psychologist
Pat Schwab,
Middle School Teacher Patricia Villaseca,
Middle School Spanish Teacher
Nadia Vinogradov-Carek,
Communications Coordinator
Virginia (Ginny) Wagh,
Executive Administrative

Assistant
Liz Wollaeger,
Administrative Assistant