Welcome Back to School Letter to Parents 2016
September 29, 2016
Dear Parents,
On behalf of the faculty and staff, warm greetings from the Hilltop. I’m writing with a few general thoughts and highlights of the first few weeks of school, and I look forward to many conversations during Family Weekend when I’ll share more information about the state of our school, and our thinking about capital and curricular plans for the future.
Each year, the opening of school brings new opportunities and excitement about what lies ahead. For our faculty, it is a favorite time of the year, one of renewal and visible growth. Whether you are a family returning to KUA or have just joined our community, I am certain you can feel the excitement of the school year.
I have to say – and I don’t say this each year – from the students’ arrivals, through orientation, convocation, and now fully into classes, the 2016 opening of school has been exceptional in every way. For new and returning students, and from our most veteran staff to the newest faculty, the transition from summer to school has been filled with boundless energy, purpose, and positive transitions. We are now well into the academic season, and the shared leadership and commitment on display are fueling our learning community. If you have not had a chance to watch live video streams of our student-led all school meetings and other events online, I encourage you to observe our school in action in real time, or at any time through the archived events. These avenues provide a wonderful insight into the day-to-day life and culture of Kimball Union.
Legacy, this year’s theme for the school year, has presented itself in a myriad of ways. More than simply a backward view of what we may leave behind, I think of Legacy as allowing students to learn by example as they develop as learners by providing avenues to grow. We help students acquire skills and cultivate values. By reflecting on these experiences, we encourage students to navigate their own directions and develop confidence, meaning, and purpose for their years here and long after graduation. These formative years of preparation and inspiration help students successfully negotiate the challenges they will face as they leave the Hilltop and seek opportunities to become contributors and leaders in other communities.
As a faculty, we recognize that our legacy is the visible distance that students travel as a result of their time here. We see potential and growth in each and every student – the student who consistently hits the mark, the student who is turning a corner, and even the student who has yet to learn self-advocacy. As adults, we know that their personal development is formulated through success and failure, moments of intensity and challenge, and that their progress is rooted in the casual and formal programs of our diverse, residential community.
We also know these are dynamic times for our students, the school, and education as a whole. As we work with our students, we strike a delicate balance between change and innovation, and the tradition and “tried-and-true” of an historic school. We are aware that students become most engaged when dealing with real issues that are relevant to them, and that they are naturally disposed to dig deeply into areas of their greatest interest. We ask students to cover a breadth and depth of subjects, to stretch beyond themselves and what is known and familiar. Our focus is on the effort, as well as the outcome. We recognize that true and meaningful growth occurs when students are faced with challenges in areas where they are less inclined, interested, or comfortable. Hard work spans aptitudes and inclinations, likes and dislikes. So that we can adapt to new learning styles, and adopt best practices in education, our Curriculum Committee continually evaluates how and what we teach, and what will motivate and inspire students as they move confidently into the future.
An early highlight of the year, our Convocation celebration included a beautiful piano performance by Gus Jaynes ’17, followed by honest and inspiring speeches by our own Kay McCabe and Joshua Hunnewell that led the school into a period of reflection on the all school read, Between the World and Me. As we worked with Kip Bordelon from the Picardy Group, our students participated in workshops that discussed race relations and current issues around diversity. Taking on such a challenging topic at the outset after orientation hikes and goal setting exercises, meant that both new and returning students had to deal directly with complex issues, as well as others whose perspectives are different, in small groups. On hand as observers and facilitators, the faculty and our outside presenter could not have been more optimistic about our informed, inquisitive, and purposeful students.
In the classrooms, schedules have finalized and students are equipped with their new hardcopy and electronic books. A variety of individual student projects have been designed and initiated, and members of our first Global Scholars group have begun to design their Capstone projects. One of our newest courses, The Fall of the Wall, has already opened the eyes of its participants.
In the arts, theater activity students are working closely this trimester with Barbara McAdams, a professional playwright from the Tectonic Theater Project, to create an original play for our school. The Tectonic Theater Project, a highly acclaimed New York company, also worked with KUA in our production of the award-winning The Laramie Project (written by Tectonic) several years ago. We encourage you to join us October 26-29 for performances. Our community chorus, The Concordians, and a Capella group, The Selects, are busy rehearsing with new faculty member Jon Abrams, who rocked the Flick with his Billy Joel-themed concert to several standing ovations. Classical Ensembles, Art Openings, and student works are filling the halls in Flickinger.
Our athletes kicked off their interscholastic season to the sound of Elva’s Bell ringing with each victory - we are in the midst of another competitive season of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Thanks to enhanced technological capabilities, we will be streaming games weekly. If you can’t make it to a game in person, be sure to check out the live-streamed games.
In campus residences and houses, dorm life is fun and focused. Living alongside one another is purposeful, and creates a harmonious and happy community. The new later start to the school day has had its desired effect on the pace of life and has addressed the sleep needs of our students. Everyone who visits campus experiences firsthand the warmth and care of the school, the pride we take in our surroundings, the friendliness of our students, and the healthy and supportive interactions between students, faculty, coaches, and advisors. An acute observer sees a vibrant school, a faculty committed to expanding the opportunities for each student, and staff who work tirelessly to create the best environment for learning we can envision and provide. The combination of talent and passion emanating from the people of KUA, the program that realizes our mission, and this exquisite campus form the backdrop of a legacy of which we can all be proud.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus during Family Weekend. If you haven’t RSVP’d already,please do so here.
As always, we extend our gratitude to you for entrusting your children’s education to our care. I personally welcome your thoughts and feedback at any time.
Sincerely,
Mike Schafer
