It was incredibly exciting to be in school this week when all of our students arrived back for the start of the year. The energy and enthusiasm were palpable in all three divisions. Our students are happy to see one another and are ready to make the 2005-06 school year the best ever.

Even though our students were focused on their return to school, in the midst of the energy we heard one conversation after another about the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. As they talked, many wondered openly about what we would do in this community to try to make a difference in New Orleans and in the surrounding area.

Over the past week, our Service Learning Team, led by Sandi Richards (our Director of Community Life) and Jay Jennings (our Director of Service Learning), has developed a three-pronged approach to assisting the communities of the Gulf Coast. It is outlined on the accompanying flyer. Our students are already working with the Service Learning Team and others to organize initiatives throughout the year.

As you will see in the flyer, we have decided to support Gulf Coast relief via two charities, the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. Initially, we will be raising money for immediate needs in Louisiana and Mississippi and collecting clothing for evacuees who come to Philadelphia. We expect that future efforts will support long-term reconstruction. As always, your children will be asking for your help in all these projects.
 
In addition, if you come across people who are relocated to this area and for whom Shipley would be a good school, please let us know. We will do whatever we can to accommodate those in need. Already, two families with a total of four wonderful children have relocated from New Orleans and joined the School. I am happy to say that they feel welcomed and supported by the community.

As I thank Sandi, Jay, and the other members of our Service Learning Team for organizing our efforts, I want also to thank all of you—our parents, students, faculty, alumni, and friends who make up the Shipley family—for the roles you play helping us to carry out not only our educational, but also our service mission. I am always amazed at and grateful for the generosity of Shipley families in all the School’s efforts, large and small, to help others. When we put our efforts together last year on behalf of the victims of the tsunami in Asia, the response was truly dramatic. Believing that we all need to continue to support other charities that are important to us, I hope that once again, our community will rally—this time to support relief efforts in the Gulf Coast. I invite you to get involved and make a difference. It is fundamental to our mission.

Warmest regards,

Steven S. Piltch
Head of School