Over the years I have felt incredibly fortunate to be the Head of School here at Shipley. Our students, parents, colleagues, and alumni have continually reached out to one another and to others in ways that strengthen our community and allow us to make a difference in the greater world. Along the way, they have demonstrated the values that are at the heart of our mission.

This fall, I have found myself particularly proud and pleased. We began the year with great energy and enthusiasm when the devastation of Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Students, families, faculty, and staff here all rose to the occasion and did whatever they could to be of help. Subsequently, as they have continued to work on behalf of the victims of Katrina, they have also found ways to make a difference in other service-oriented events and activities, reinforcing for me that compassionate participation really is a fundamental part of our mission.

Similarly, I’ve watched the same students excel in the classroom, on stage, in the art room, on the field and courts, and in other areas in ways that show their tremendous abilities as students and people and that reinforce the importance of educational excellence and love of learning in this community. Seeing all of these things come together is a Head of School’s dream come true.

One of the questions that surfaces regularly revolves around the amount of spirit that exists across our different areas and divisions. I got to see this first hand on November 3rd, when our Shipley Today open house that attracted about 150 prospective parents to the School coincided with championship games in boys’ and girls’ soccer and field hockey. The energy during the day was palpable. Parents, faculty, and students interacted in such a way that those visiting knew that the sense of community defines the school. In fact, one parent of a prospective student said to me, “I knew the School had an excellent academic program; I had no idea that you had such a strong sense of community. People really like being here. It’s what makes Shipley unique.” While I love what she had to say and would like to think that she is right, it was the events of the afternoon that made me as proud as I’ve ever been as Head of School.

As I went to our boys’ soccer game at Friends’ Central and our girls’ soccer and field hockey games at the Farm, I found myself in awe. There were hundreds of students and parents at both places, and although they were hoping to see victories, it was clear that they were there to encourage their fellow students, children, and each other. The sportsmanlike support and enthusiasm they provided, regardless of the outcomes, was truly incredible. The afternoon captured everything that Shipley is about. The fact that two of the teams (girls’ field hockey and boys’ soccer) won championships and the third (girls’ soccer) finished second that day is a testimony, not just to the talent on the field but, to the inspiration that the players received from others. Congratulations go to all three of these teams as well as our girls’ tennis and cross country teams, both of which finished second in the league, and our boys’ cross country team. They all had fabulous seasons!

While it was nice to win those championships, I came away from the day realizing that the process and clearly defined values that we talk about so often do make a difference. If we set our expectations high, challenge our students and each other in the process, and demonstrate our care for them, good things will happen; and good things did happen that day. Of course there was extra excitement because this was the culmination of our first season in the Friends Schools League, a league we joined to find balanced and competitive play and common opponents for all of our teams. Clearly, our decision to join the league was affirmed in a special way this fall.

As many of you may know, the decision to join a common league evolved partially through feedback we received from people participating in a survey that we undertook a few years ago. In order to learn about more improvements to help meet the needs of our students today, we are now administering a similar survey to all of our parents/guardians, students, and faculty. You will by now have received via email a letter explaining the survey. I would appreciate it if you would fill out the questionnaire and submit it as soon as possible. (The letter is also posted on our website at www.shipleyschool.org/wholet_survey.html.)

As Thanksgiving approaches I am thankful for all the things I have mentioned (and many more) and look forward to a few days to spend together with family. I hope you, too, will find time this Thanksgiving to enjoy your family and friends. I also hope that you will be able to join us after Thanksgiving for some part of our two Shipley Serves basketball weekends, December 2 nd, 3 rd and 9th, 10 th. You should receive full information on these events if you haven’t done so already.

Finally, I want to thank all those people who have sent me emails and have spoken to me about the loss of our dog, Brooklyn. Brooklyn had been part of our family for almost eleven years. Frankly, having not ever had a dog before, I had no idea of the kind of impact he would have on us. He was a wonderful friend and companion to every member of our family, and he is sorely missed. Knowing the effect that his loss has had on us and the similar influence that pets have on other people, my thoughts go out to all of you who have experienced (or will experience) a similar loss. They make a difference in our lives. (I took the time to record some reflections as we prepared to put him down. They are posted on the website at www.shipleyschool.org/wholet_brooklyn.html)

My thoughts and wishes are with all of you.

Warmest regards,

Steven S. Piltch
Head of School