Blessings of 2011

January 9, 2012 by Steve Harrison

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The end of one year and the start of another often signals a time for reflection and planning.  It’s a time to celebrate what we accomplished in 2011 and to ratchet-up our hopes for 2012.  As we review what was accomplished in 2011, the list is both long and impressive.  Below is an overview of some of these items:

 

Program/Governance

AIMS report completed in spring followed by Evaluation Team Visit and Report – school sent Plan of Action in September and AIMS conferred full accreditation to St. John’s in November

EC Daily schedule revised for 2011-2012 to lengthen the day for partial-day classes and the school year for all EC (at little or no additional tuition cost)

Kindergarten received new, updated reading program

LS Language Arts curriculum reviewed and revised

Professional development emphases on gender differences in education and other differentiation in the classroom continued

Strategic Orientation Plan formulated by Board of Trustees

 

Technology

LS classrooms received new computer projectors

Faculty website pages developed and launched

 

Facilities

Media center was flooded and fully restored

New paint/colors in EC classrooms

New play equipment purchased and installed for the EC Playground

New white boards purchased and installed throughout LS

Slate roof on CME repaired

 

Finances

Fiscal Year 2010-2011 ended over $105K better than original budget

Gala brought in highest total ever at $105K, over $15K better than 2010

School/Church relations improving – Vestry voted to take on 20% of debt service (retroactive)

6^th Gift Campaign raised around $100k and (church’s) Quiet Campaign raised $150K for matching $450K gift to provide $700K for debt service principal pay-down

Debt service 10-year interest reset lowered interest from 5.25% to 2.02% annually – along with $700K principal pay-down - reduced PDS portion of debt service from $370K to $204K

 

Admissions/Enrollment/Marketing

EC Enrollment targets were met for 2011-12 with full enrollment

LS net attrition was reduced from 7.5% in 2010 to 5% in 2011

 

Personnel

4 respected members of our faculty and staff retired: Deb Abel, Liz Coolahan, Trisha Heath, and Anne Schoenhut, and 3 others left for personal reasons: Pam Funk, Damita Robinson and Joe Wood

Wonderful, new faculty/staff were hired: Dani Boarman, Claire Connor, Beth McClung, Patty McGeehan, Kristin McTague, Kerri Miller-Mercer, Kelly Mintzer, and Janet Self

 

 

            The St. John’s community has much for which to be thankful!  Still, we fully realize that there is still more to achieve.  As we look ahead, we will continue our emphases on LS curriculum review and development, opportunities for on-going faculty professional development, technology enhancements throughout the building, and much, much more.  As we count our blessings, we plan for a wonderful future!

 

Grace and Peace,

Steve Harrison