Welcome back...almost!

8/5/2022

The Opening of the 2022--2023 academic year is upon us. Summer Break is drawing to an end, as we enter August and inch closer to our upcoming Faculty/Staff Professional Days, August 8--16. Hopefully, you have enjoyed a healthy and happy respite and found many moments to relax, disconnect and be away from the normal routine. Here on campus, we have been busy, preparing new learning spaces, completing a number of maintenance projects, and even putting a "fresh coat" of paint on every building. As I write to you today, I have just come back from "strolling" through campus, admiring our beautiful grounds and the smiling faces of our Breakthrough Miami students. We are well on our way to our official opening in just a few weeks, and I could not be more optimistic and eager to begin!

As we prepare for our return, I share with you today only a few of the highlights since our departure in June. Most importantly, I say "Thank You" wholeheartedly, to all of the individuals involved in helping our School be ready for Opening on August 17. Please know that I have not listed every single person involved in all the wonderful work that has happened these last couple of months. I could easily spend hours thanking everyone, but I hope this brief Missive will suffice for now. As you know, we will also have a chance to celebrate our Return together, in person, very soon. Again, these highlights attempt to capture a glimpse into some of our major moments since June.

Thank you to our Operations/Facilities/Maintenance Team. As you well know, each Summer every classroom is cleaned, inspected, and made ready for any scenario come August. A number of individuals have moved into new offices/learning spaces during these last couple of months, and the Team has worked diligently to address any special requests. You'll notice a number of areas that have been freshly painted and adorned with new decor, and we are nearly complete with the creation of a new Outdoor Classroom (next to the Falcon's Nest). This group has also worked incredibly hard to deep clean each learning space, and ensure the highest level of safety across the campus.

Thank you, Sage/Food Operations Team, for feeding everyone so well, on campus, with delicious options throughout the day! This Team helped to serve our Teachers and Coaches engaged in Summer activities, as well as our Breakthrough Miami Scholars and Counselors.

Thank you, Business/Human Resources Team, for the all important work in keeping our finances in good order, and to ensuring our outstanding overall Benefits. We'll take time upon our Return to review our Benefit options, as usual, and in this challenging financial environment, I am most grateful for the excellent due diligence by this Team.

Thank you to our Tech Team for their "quiet" work, and ongoing efforts to prepare us for Opening Day. As part of our tradition, we will also begin Student Laptop training this coming week, and the Team will be busy addressing both student and Faculty/Staff needs in the coming days.

Thank you to our Communications Team for the steady and excellent updates to our Community, and for the successful completion of the "normal" projects, which include, but are certainly not limited to: Student/Handbook/Directory, Aerie magazine, PTS website, and numerous social media posts throughout the Summer.

Thank you, Development Team, for an outstanding, record-breaking conclusion to our Annual Fund on June 30. As announced in early July, our Annual Fund raised over $1.26 million dollars, with 100% participation from Faculty/Staff, the Board of Trustees, and an incredibly impressive 90% mark from Parents. For what it's worth, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) notes that strong parent participation is in the 60--65% range. Also, we completed in fine fashion our Soaring to Greater Heights Capital Campaign, eclipsing the $13 million dollar goal. This historic campaign helped to transform our entire campus, and added valuable support to our overall Endowment. The Soaring Campaign is now the largest and most successful in School history.

Thank you, Academic Team, for all your efforts to prepare for our Falcon "Launch", and for the thoughtful (and time consuming) preparation of all Student Schedules and Class Assignments. Countless hours go into this thorough process, led by our Division Heads and Registrar, and I am truly grateful for such a Herculean effort! All students received schedules by July 15, and it is a major undertaking each year.

Thank you, Admissions Team, as we prepare to open the new year with a total enrollment of 782 students---our highest enrollment ever! We will also welcome 179 New Students who are "Wait List" at every grade, and have been since early Spring. We have "held the line", ensuring small, manageable class sizes, and our commitment to admitting Mission appropriate students and families. We have had the "good challenge" of increased interest in our School, with a number of families already "knocking at the door" for next year!

As has been our tradition, Breakthrough Miami has just completed another highly successful Summer on campus. With 120 Breakthrough Scholars, our School is proud of our ongoing partnership, and the months of June and July were quite busy with these Scholars engaged in a variety of wonderful learning activities.

Finally, I give a hearty "Welcome" to all of our new Faculty and Staff members! We will have a more formal introduction soon, but I am most honored and feel quite privileged to have such incredible individuals join our Community.

As I begin my ninth year at Palmer Trinity School, I could not be more proud of just where we stand. We have accomplished much, and truly have so many reasons to celebrate. In this coming year of RESET, I am eager to return with a rededicated focus on our Mission, and with renewed energy to our overall professional commitment. Whatever challenges come our way, I take great comfort in knowing that I am surrounded by the very best and most dedicated colleagues in this noble profession. I also take great heart in the simple fact that I believe the work we are doing is life-changing. Thank you, in advance, for committing to be part of this amazing School Community, and to help ensure that we achieve our lofty Mission:

Palmer Trinity is an Episcopal school dedicated to promoting academic excellence and inspiring students to lead lives of virtue, humanity, and spirit.

All the very best for a relaxing remainder of the Break, and I look forward to seeing you, on campus, very soon! As always, thank you for your Passion, your Professionalism, and your Positive Attitude

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