September 28, 2015

Dear Shipley Families:

I want to begin by thanking all of you who attended any part of Super Saturday earlier this month. Whether you were here for the fair in the gym, the ribbon cutting, the sports contests, and/or the dedication of the Chris Wagner Arts Center, I hope you enjoyed yourselves. It was a remarkable day! One parent who has been connected to Shipley for a very long time said to me, “This may be the best community day we have ever had. People were happy and involved and, moreover, the School’s mission was evident for everyone to see.” I could not agree more.

As I mentioned to a local reporter, when I went from the fair in the gym to the ribbon cutting, to the barbecue, to the games up on the field, and finally to the dedication in the evening, I noticed and appreciated both the number and exuberance of the people who attended. The importance of relationships in our community and the commitment to our mission – educational excellence, love of learning, and compassionate participation in the world – were evident everywhere. People were bleeding blue and green and were so proud! I couldn’t have asked for more.

I am thankful to all those who have contributed to this building and all of the other projects we have undertaken to promote an environment where our students can thrive. If you’ve been in the building and have observed our students having lunch or studying or learning in the new music, drama, or art facilities, you know how much they are enjoying the new space and how it facilitates the relationships that are at the core of our community.

One of the most gratifying aspects of Saturday’s event was the number of alumni who returned to campus. They were incredibly impressed, not just by the facility but by and with our students. One of them said to me, “It’s rewarding to know that the School is committed to becoming more diverse and to celebrating our students as individuals. The kids are really impressive. It’s a place I’m proud to call home.”

Robb Armstrong ’81, the creator of the syndicated cartoon Jump Start, came out from California with his wonderful wife, Crystal, a few days early so that they could spend time visiting the School. Robb is one of the funniest, most personable, and most thoughtful people I know. While here, Robb spent time in classes and talking with students, and he presented to students in each of the three divisions of the School. He is one of the few people I have ever known to be able to speak to students of all ages in an easy and effective manner.

In the Lower School, Robb emphasized the importance of students taking risks and believing in themselves. He told students that though they did not know it, their imaginations were greater than the size of their brains, and their creativity and abilities were beyond anything they thought they could do. To underscore his point, he drew a picture of a student’s head and brain, talked about how much the brain could do, and then drew a circle around the head to show the student’s capacity to be creative – the kids loved it! Robb explained that he always draws with markers on large pieces of paper, which frees him from worrying about making mistakes (no erasing), allowing him to take risks and offering him the space to fully express his ideas and creativity. Finally, he stressed the importance of persistence and always striving to do their best work. He let them know that as long as they were willing to keep drawing (or doing anything else), they would get better.

In Middle and Upper School, Robb’s ability to comfortably access a range of emotions helped him deliver his messages and allowed the students and adults to learn from his experiences; people switched between laughter and tears throughout his talks. He discussed the importance of developing an internal commitment to excellence, rather than simply aiming to get praise from peers. He underscored how important it had been for his art teacher (Chris Wagner) to tell him that his ability to copy other’s work was inhibiting his own development as an artist. He said it this way: “It was only when I began to believe her that I began to make progress. And although I hated hearing what she had to say, I knew she had my interests at heart. When I could finally take responsibility for it and for myself, I began to find my true niche as an artist and cartoonist and to grow as a person.”

Robb’s impact on our students and colleagues was profound. The standing ovations he received from many of our students will live on with him and with us. A parent who has a student in each division said it this way: “All three of our children were captivated by Robb Armstrong! They spent a lot of time recounting what he said with each other and with us; never have they been so impacted by a speaker. He spoke to Shipley and its mission in a profound way. Truly magical.”

When Robb shared his story, he brought a smile to my face. He noted that his best work and his life’s dream to become a syndicated cartoonist would not have happened had he not been pushed to do his best work, forced to create his own ideas, encouraged to learn from his disappointments, empowered to develop confidence, and emboldened to deal with the difficult challenges he faced at Shipley (and in his life). Because of this experience, his passion for art and cartooning became the deeply rooted learning that we speak of and believe in here at Shipley.

Robb stressed that the lessons he learned through art were (and are) applicable to all areas of his life. As he has reflected on his visit here, he wrote: "I have been fortunate and honored to return to Shipley several times as a speaker. In 1994, I addressed the graduating class at Commencement. However, this most recent experience for me was more emotionally impactful. The new facility named for my teacher and mentor, Chris Wagner, is a stunning work of art in itself. It is a testament to the way Shipley honors its own in their lifetime. It is a brilliant place to inspire young artistic minds. My invitation to be a small part of the celebration moved me and inspired my words. I love Shipley. It has never been a better place to grow and be appreciated.”

While we were incredibly excited to have Robb here, we were also thrilled that his wonderful wife Crystal came with him and got a strong sense of the School. Her description of her experience was most reinforcing and reassuring: “What a delight! From taking in a soccer match (which I am proud to say we won), to touring the new facilities, to meeting so many people and hearing Robbin address the students, I felt for the first time like one of the Shipley Family. The Chris Wagner tribute was wonderful and touching. What a good experience to share with my husband. I am so proud of him and his alma mater.”

As proud as we are of this past weekend, it is important to take Robb’s advice and continue to strive to do our best every day – as individuals and as a school. I’m grateful to be part of a community where our students, parents/guardians, and colleagues will do so by continuing to ask the questions and work through challenges together. And, I look forward to future similar celebrations of our community. Thank you for playing the role you will play in that process. Thank you for making us Shipley.

Warmest regards,

Steve Piltch
Head of School

P.S. You can learn more about Robb and his work with Jump Start, and you can follow Jump Start. Next spring Reader’s Digest is publishing a book about Robb’s life; it is entitled Fearless. When he comes to Philadelphia for a book signing, he will again return to campus to speak to our students, and we will host a reception for him. We will keep you updated on details.