As I look at our Poly calendar—already brimming with events, games, performances, and the day-to-day discovery and exploration in our classrooms—I’m very excited. David Harman, our Headmaster, noted in The Poly Pulse, that Poly has never been better. I agree. Our faculty, campuses, and students are primed for another year of excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, community service, and co-curricular activities. But we can’t afford to rest on our laurels.
As we enter our 155th year, Poly faces an increasingly complex, global, and competitive world. We must be able to continue to educate our students for college and life as courageous leaders, incisive thinkers, and exemplary citizens.
As the Associate Head of School for Advancement and Operations, I must help the school look ahead. Advancement must shepherd the school's strategic plan, communicate the unique and extraordinary benefits of a Poly education, and obtain the resources we need to enhance teaching and learning for the next 150 years of the school’s existence. (Having been founded in 1854, Poly intends to stay around a while longer.)
Indeed, Poly’s Advancement Office seeks to promote the school’s mission by fostering strong relationships with alumni, parents, students, faculty, administration, and other friends — through fundraising, communications, marketing, and special events.
These are ambitious goals, particularly in this economy. But our students (your children) deserve the best. Poly teaches excellence, so we must model it, too. Advancement’s team will work very hard and very “smart” to help the school meet this agenda. We can’t do it alone, however. Poly needs you.
Without you, Poly would not be able to fund on-going faculty development, and assist our teachers to acquire more advanced degrees and training, expand knowledge in their fields, explore best practices, and bring new ideas and teaching tools to the classroom. Really, your gifts to Poly are for you and your child.
So, when you receive our solicitations, please give as much as you can. Each gift counts. We can’t meet our students'
needs without 100% participation from parents, alumni, and friends of Poly.
Having enjoyed pretty much every role you can have at Poly (student, alumnus, coach and teacher, administrator, and parent), I’m eager to work with you. I look forward to partnering with you as we sustain the school this spring.
But, let’s also remember Poly’s guiding idea: as parents, alumni and educators, we work together to train the mind, body, and—above all—character of each of our students.
Help us keep these core Poly values—which are even more important today than in 1854—burning brightly this year and in the years to come.