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January 2011 Headlines |
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Dear Friends,
Brooklyn Friends School is on the move - working together, we've completed significant goals of the Strategic Plan
for enrollment expansion, the strengthening of our academic program,
and the ongoing development and diversification of our school community.
Working from the Ground Up
These
efforts started from the ground up. Under the leadership of our new
Director of Physical Plant, Michel Rimpel, the dedicated BFS maintenance
staff upgraded the school's buildings mechanically and aesthetically,
enhanced school safety with new ID systems and security procedures, and
beautified our exterior and interior environments.
Community Connections
We've
also deepened connections to the immediate community, including the
business improvement districts, local police, and transit authority.
School administrators were honored guests at the Dec. 10 opening
ceremony for the expanded Jay Street MetroTech station that connects the
R train with the A, C, E and F lines. The project's completion means
that the Upper School at 55 Willoughby Street is no longer at the
epicenter of a construction zone, and other street improvements are
shaping up nicely.
Moreover, at the initiative of Head of
Middle School Martha Haakmat, we secured permission to use Pearl Street
on a regular basis as a play street, primarily for middle schoolers.
Faculty and Staff As the Heart of the School
Even
more important than the conditions of our physical facilities and
environment is the recognition and support that we as a school give to
the people whose daily work in the buildings makes the education of our
students possible -- our faculty and staff. This fall, we affirmed and
expanded the BFS commitment to professional development for faculty
through support for outside coursework, participation in conferences,
and productive collaboration with colleagues in other schools and
organizations. In addition, we have emphasized
improved recognition of, and compensation for, our cafeteria, building,
and maintenance staff. As an institution that has always celebrated
itself as a warm and welcoming community, Brooklyn Friends must
continuously work towards recognizing and nurturing the contributions
and spirit of all community members.
Director of Diversity
One
of the most significant professional development activities this fall
involved the participation of 13 faculty, the co-President of the PAT,
and 6 students in the National Association of Independent Schools'
(NAIS) People of Color Conference. It was my privilege to attend this
conference for the first time since 1996. A major reason for my
participation centered around my enthusiastic support for the
appointment of a BFS Director of Diversity. This individual will be a
member of the Administrative Leadership Team and have a school-wide
policy role. Having a Director of Diversity is a goal that several
school committees have worked on for many years. The search process for
the position begins this month.
Academic Success
All
indicators for academic success among our students have been very
positive this school year. Guided by commitment to continual progress,
we have begun planning for a three-year review of the Upper School's
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. This will take place during
the summer with the goal of strengthening both the IB and non-IB course
offerings and curricula in the upper school.
The transitions
from 8th to 9th grade and 12th grade to college are crucial; we have
reaffirmed the school's commitment to the Upper School merit scholarship
program, now in its sixth year, and have strengthened our outstanding
college office with a full-time second counselor. Tiffani Hooper is
supporting the excellent work of Director of College Counseling Lindsey
Berns. Both had key roles in the success of fifteen seniors who
received at least one early decision or early action acceptance to
college this fall. These early results are just the beginning of the
college process that will conclude when all decisions are received in
April.
New Home for Family Center
At
the other end of the age continuum at BFS, I'm pleased to report that
the Board of Trustees approved my proposal for an expanded Family Center
program for 2-year olds. Very soon, we expect to be able to announce
the location of a free-standing, completely new Family Center facility.
The Center will enroll three classes of 12 two year-olds in the
exemplary early childhood program for which BFS is so well-known.
An Invigorating Time
At
this point in the school year, 16 of the 22 neighborhood parent
receptions and two of the eight alumni gatherings are complete, and I've
had personal interviews with each member of the faculty and the entire
senior class. Taken together with the ongoing search for a new home for
the Pre- and Lower School and the very active admissions and annual
giving programs, it has been a busy, but ultimately enjoyable and
invigorating fall and early winter season.
It is a great joy to be part of BFS's forward progress. |
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