Annual Report 2021-2022
Letter from the Incoming Board Chair
by David ZeBrack
(above) David ZeBrack, Board Chair 2022-2025
(above) Ben and Chloe as sixth-graders.
Over the years, a lot of people have asked me, “David, why do you serve on the Board of Trustees for a school your kids no longer attend?” This year, the question gets even tougher: “David, why would you be PRESIDENT of that board?” Believe it or not, I’ve given it a lot of thought. There’s one reason and one reason only: Los Encinos School is worth it!
My children, Chloe and Ben, graduated some time ago (2013 and 2015, respectively), and there hasn’t been a year that’s gone by that I haven’t been grateful for the foundation they received at LES. Today, Chloe is 22 years old and she attends Cal Lutheran University. She has all the kindness, perceptiveness, confidence, and critical thinking skills that I know can be directly attributed to Los Encinos School. Ben is 20 and attends the University of Chicago. For him, I can also see an almost straight line from his kindness, perceptiveness, confidence, and critical thinking skills to the education he received here in elementary school.
(above) The ZeBracks today. Ben, David, Christine, and Chloe.
I remember the day Ilene invited me to join the Board as if it were yesterday. She knew I had experience managing small businesses and property, and she told me the school could use a voice of leadership with my perspective. I remember thinking what an honor it is to give back to people who may never know me…the children. To me that was special…they are special! That was nine years ago and I’ve never regretted it.
Our first big project was the purchase and remodel of the new building on Ventura Blvd. It was an adventure, to say the least. I’m very proud of the fact that we completed it on-time and under-budget. As we strategically expand further, we’ve just signed a three-year lease to occupy the office space in the building directly adjacent to the tunnel that we’re calling “the annex.” Our plan is to use it for administrative offices and a Parents Association base camp in order to free up two new breakout rooms upstairs…for the children.
Ilene is a big proponent of small-group instruction which is one of our goals in the new Strategic Plan. For us, that means regularly splitting a class of 24 into two groups of 12. She points out that smaller groups foster greater participation and learning. As a kid who, once upon a time, sat in the back of a huge class, happy to never raise my hand or get called on, I can attest to the truth of that! To be honest, I didn’t know where we could expand to, so I feel fortunate that Jonathan noticed when the space became available.
Yes, we’re a small school, but that doesn’t mean we have to be hobbled by a lack of resources. We can remain small for all the right reasons: individual attention, community bonding, and nimble stewardship. Seats that become available are now quickly filled with children (and their families) who support our mission. We are a school of choice.
I see the Board of Trustees as having one job: Serving the students in the best way we can. As incoming President or Chair, I know we are already far along that path, and I am thankful for the wise stewardship of our past Board members. As we look to the future, with the support of our outstanding Board of Trustees and very much mission aligned community, I know we will go much further than ever for our children. As we enter our Annual Fund campaign this year, please remember that your personal philanthropy (tax-deductible donations) and support of Ilene and the school’s initiatives pay dividends for your children, helping to support our mission, and our outstanding teaching professionals.
Believe me when I tell you… it’s worth it.
Respectfully,
David ZeBrack
Chair, Board of Trustees
Los Encinos School
(above) The building before the remodel. The newly-leased annex for LES can be seen on the left. It was a Suits Outlet back then.
(above) Asst. Head of School, Jonathan Beckmann, surveys the work (ca. 2013).
(above) The 2022-2023 Los Encinos School Board of Trustees
Top (l-r): Jill Namm, John Rubeli, Angie Adinamis, Joe Scheier, Ryan Glenn
Middle (l-r): Stewart Bloom, Ilene Reinfeld, Caitlin Foito-Bleiweiss
Bottom (l-r): David ZeBrack, Meena White, Tara Piper, Jamie Urman, Nick Rich
Not pictured: Luthern Williams