A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOOL Spring is such a beautiful, joyful season at Tatnall as the colors return to our trees and fields, flowers reemerge from winter's hibernation, and our campus is once again immersed in a chorus of scents and subtle sounds. It is wonderful to see our outdoor classrooms full of students, to hear the cheers on the playing fields, and to feel the energy of this community on full display. I look forward to seeing many of you in the weeks to come at upcoming events and activities. Over the past two years, the Administrative team made it a priority to collect data and feedback about Tatnall's program and value proposition. We examined the re-accreditation self-study and visiting team report, we asked for parent feedback about "the value of Tatnall" via a Wagg I survey last fall, and we leaned into many candid conversations with parents, students, alumni, faculty, and trustees. We are blessed to be surrounded by so many passionate advocates for Tatnall, whose collective goal is to strengthen and celebrate the programs, people, and traditions that makeTatnall one of the greatest schools on the East Coast. The feedback told a compelling story and we were able to draw powerful conclusions about Tatnall's value proposition. Most notably, Tatnall boasts dedicated, dynamic teachers who are committed to building a strong liberal arts foundation by engaging students regularly and intentionally in our three A's of Academics, Arts, and Athletics, while also developing students of character and purpose. I believe these elements are widely considered the bedrock of our educational experience and how our motto Omnia in Caritate is realized every day. Additionally, we heard copious feedback about how special it is to grow up in theTatnall community, especially the traditions, events, and shared experiences that bind us all together. We are determined to lean into these strengths and never waver from our commitment to sharpening this excellent foundation, both for the students in our care and for those who have yet to discover their Tatnall home. We were also able to identify a number of strategic opportunities for investment and innovation. These are a mix of grand ambitions, opportunities to build exceptional quality, and targeted enhancements - all intended to invigorate the experience of our students. We are grateful for our generous donors and our forward-thinking Trustees who have approved funding to bring these ambitions to life.Tatnall is already a fantastic school...we want to make it transcendent. In the following pages, I will share our collective ambition for specific elements of the Tatnall program, followed by targeted investments and new initiatives to begin turning this vision into reality.This communication will outline immediate program enhancements and points of strategic emphasis for the next three to five years. We believe strongly that these investments will bolster Tatnall's programs, curriculum, and reputation in this community. I hope you will take a moment to read on and join us in our excitement for this next phase of Tatnall's evolution! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • APRIL 2022
STEM & I nnovat i on
APRI L2022
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Grand Ambition
"Become an educational leader in Experiential Learning by continuing to build a best-in-class Environmental Studies and Technology Program. Invest in sustainable technology for campus improvements, engender a culture of environmental consciousness and student leadership through outdoor education, and provide interested students with opportunities for advanced learning and specialization."
Opportunities to Build Exceptional Quality Experiential Learning in Outdoor Classrooms
• Certified Outdoor Classroom in Early Childhood (only one in New Castle County) • Create a one-of-a-kind value proposition for Early Childhood by linking indoor and outdoor learning • Cross-grade collaboration to plant native species and improve apiary garden • Natural science, cross-curricular opportunities, integrated collaboration, and project-based learning
The University of Delaware Dual Enrollment Partnership
• Dual enrollment course Understanding Climate Change with the UD College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment will be offered Fall 2022 at no additional tuition cost to families • Additional partnership opportunities with UD Biden School of Public Policy
Student Leadership through Outdoor Education
• Hurricane Island Outward Bound (HIOB) Program will develop peer leadership within the student body • Two students will attend the HIOB Program in Maine each summer (at no cost) • HIOB students will then lead the 9th Grade Retreat at the opening of school
Targeted Enhancements
Environmental Science Curriculum
• Documenting wildlife on campus with new outdoor cameras • Enhancing meteorology education with the addition of new weather station • Developing or enhancing partnerships with Delaware Nature Society, Stroud Water Research Center, Ashland Nature Center, and the Delaware Museum of Natural History • Further developing Environmental Speaker Series through targeted and paid invitations • Apiary investments and improvements
Environmental Footprint • • • • •
Revamping and improving campus-wide compost, waste, and recycling Yearly campus-wide planting for each division Developing a maintenance plan to control invasive species Analyzing opportunities for investment in sustainable energy technology Environmental dashboard to measure energy usage by the School, weather, and apiary hive activity
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Grand Ambition
"Create new programming with real world significance to enhance the curriculum, encourage entrepreneurialism, and better prepare Tatnall students for exciting possibilities in their professional lives. Leverage the professional networks of our parents and alumni to develop personal connections, mentor relationships, and opportunities for entrepreneurial and professional experiences."
Opportunities to Build Exceptional Quality
Interim Term or J-Term • Explore the feasibility of a one or two week Interim Term or "J-Term" in which students can take special interest classes, pursue internships, develop projects and entrepreneurial endeavors, or learn from mentors • Utilize parent and alumni networks to create opportunities for targeted professional shadowing and/or internship opportunities
Academic Concentrations • Introduce "Concentrations" as an addendum to the Tatnall diploma to denote interest/specialization • Each subject area concentration tied to special projects or experiences in a discipline • Concentrations will inspire curricular enhancements Entrepreneu ria I ism • Diamond Challenge sponsored by UD Lerner College of Business & Economics • Create a "Tatnall Entrepreneurs" club/activity to encourage ideation and business development • Lean into the Tatnall Alumni Network for entrepreneurial speakers, mentors, and guest lecturers • Use the renovated Ederic Library as the focal point of this effort
Targeted Enhancements
Early Childhood and Lower School • Evaluate beliefs about teaching and learning mathematics to set clear and compelling goals for curriculum • Use outdoor classrooms and cross-curricular projects to link math curriculum with real world applications Middle and Upper Schools • T hree additional Upper School arts elective trimester courses for 2022-23: 2D Digital Design, 3D Digital Design, and Advanced Drawing/Painting • In conjunction with the Alumni Council, developing a robust alumni networking platform on Wavelength to promote mentor relationships between alumni and students
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Grand Ambition
"We want our 110 acres to be known as the most beautiful day school campus in the region, one that is infused into the curriculum and a place where our community loves to gather and celebrate our students. From the best early childhood playground and outdoor classroom facilities around, to the best-in-class environmental studies program, to our state-of-the art athletic fields and courts- our campus is the heartbeat of this community, and we love spending time in every nook and cranny."
Opportunities to Build Exceptional Quality
Campus Dining Center (Concept Stage) • Continue exploring a new Campus Dining Center with emphasis on LEED certified construction, sustainable energy sources, and designated space for Environmental Studies & Technology program • Locate the Dining Center between Sedgely and Beekley to encourage collaboration and combined meal times between Lower and Middle/Upper Schools • Capitalize on the support from Foundations and individual philanthropy to fund construction Reawakening Traditions • Celebrating the signatureTatnall traditions post-pandemic (May Day, Founder's Day, Spring Day) • Inviting alumni and past parents to reconnect withTatnall roots to improve relationships and explore opportunities for philanthropy • Reintroduce a Spring Gala to celebrateTatnall and raise money for targeted initiatives
Targeted Enhancements
Athletics • Adding Athletic Department personnel Fall 2022 to enhance programming and promote student leadership • Invest in professional development for coaches and improve internal and external communications Campus • Bringing a Campus Master Plan to fruition to guide the School through necessary upgrades to ensure that our facilities meet the needs of our program • Market the upgrades made to our athletic facilities over the past ten years to attract athletes and positionTatnall as a state-of-the-art athletics school (Track Renovation, Locker Rooms, Turf Field, Tennis Courts, Baseball Field, Football tower, Beekley Gym) • Creating a more attractive gathering space through the Ederic Library renovation Community • Strengthening engagement by growing our base of parent and alumni volunteers • Continue building upon existing Diversity, Equity, and Community (DEC) efforts to create a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive school community.
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Grand Ambition "In a competitive Wilmington market, we wantTatnall to be an imperative for prospective
families. We want our Early Childhood to be considered the best place to grow up, so that these youngest learners will become lifers and have an excellent experience throughout their time in Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. We also want the marketing, open house, and campus tour experience to be commensurate with the quality we are promising to prospective families."
Opportunities to Build Exceptional Quality
New Tatnall website via Interactive Schools • Contracted with Interactive Schools to refresh branding and overhaul www.tatnall.org • Click here to see Interactive Schools' Portfolio • Use new website to engage current and prospective parents • New videos launched to highlight curriculum and celebrate each division
Marketing Early Childhood (EC) program as the most desirable destination in Wilmington • Over $100,000 of facility renovations approved for summer 2022 • New EC LookBook launched Spring 2021 • Investment in our Playground and Outdoor Classroom as hallmarks of the EC experience • Curriculum modifications to create and develop Authors, Illustrators, Mathematicians & Scientists! The Campus Tour • Purchasing a new, branded golf cart for campus tours to showcase the entire Tatnall campus experience • Creating a "storyboard" for the Tatnall experience to view along the tour route • Utilizing student and parent ambassadors to assist with showcasing Tatnall • Feeder School specific events in 2022-23 to attract mission appropriate families
Targeted Enhancements
• Targeted marketing campaign that will utilize video, social, email, and print marketing to promote the strengths and desirability of Early Childhood atTatnall • Creating an Admission Office position dedicated to Early Childhood and Lower School admissions • Heavily marketing quality of Athletics and Arts to attract prospective families and increase competitiveness. • Embracing demographic segmentation, word-of-mouth referrals, and innovative social media marketing
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Finally, I cordially invite you to join me at a Food for Thought session in the Beekley Lobby. We will enjoy refreshments, discuss new curricular initiatives and upcoming renovations, and take a behind-the-scenes look at some of the recent improvements to our facilities. No RSVP needed-please just come to school at one of the following times: • • • •
Monday, Monday, Tuesday, Tuesday,
5/2, 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. 5/2, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. 5/10, 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. 5/10, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Tatnall has more than 90 years of tradition and success, and we will use that strong foundation to springboard the School into a bright and dynamic future. Thank you for entrusting us with the education of your children. Growing up at Tatnall means they will always have a special home in this world, and we are committed to making that experience an impactful and joyful one. We are excited to have all of you with us for the journey ahead! Sincerely yours,
Andrew D. Martire, Ed.D. Head of School
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