Canterbury Communique May 2015

Canterbury Communiqué A monthly online newsletter for the friends of Canterbury School

May 2015

What Canterbury Has Done For Me

By Isabel Leigh ’15

After 14 years at Canterbury, it is difficult to define single moments spent at this school. IK through 12th grade seem to blend together in a stream of elated, anxious and fantastic consciousness. The only thing I know for certain is that I probably wasn’t learning differential calculus in Kindergarten, and that I think I traveled to Washington, D.C. with my classmates three times for different reasons.

When addressing what Canterbury has done for me, I really have to stop and think, to unravel the intertwining memories of my life so far. I must weed out the mundane, and reflect on the extraordinary. For me, the extraordinary has been my teachers. Though I cannot claim to remember my first days of school, I can remember the fifteenth, the hundredth, the five thousand, one hundred and thirteenth days (approximately) because those were days when I realized why I was at Canterbury. These were days when I learned something that I had never heard of before, and these moments inspired me to search for more. My teachers helped me discover that we are not learning for the grade or for the college acceptance, we are learning because we want to and because it is something we enjoy.

So, Canterbury has taught me to want to learn, it has provided me with the opportunity to feel comfortable speaking in front of large crowds (that’s what the last two trips to D.C. were for, Model United Nations), and to believe in myself. Yes, it’s sappy. Yes, it sounds like someone told me to “sell” Canterbury, but honestly, I don’t need to, because this school sells itself. Thanks for the memories.

Head’s Up In this, my final letter, I would like to reflect briefly on our past seven years together, provide a clear and present snapshot of where we are today, and offer two pieces of advice intended to help ensure a successful future at Canterbury School.

As I have reflected on our time together, it is clear to me that we have been involved in two distinct phases of organizational evolution: phase one was stabilization, while the second phase has been laying the foundation for a successful turnaround.

Let me take you back to fall 2008. Two and a half months after I became Canterbury’s Head of School, on September 15th, the global economic crisis was triggered, with Fort Myers at its epicenter. In response, we made some difficult decisions and “right-sized” our faculty and staff. It was also clear then that there was a good deal of parent unrest, and so we initiated the parent SWOT process. Midway through, when I asked our faculty facilitators what the feedback was, they told me that our parents were asking the most basic of questions, “What are you teaching, and why are you teaching it?” In response, we formed our Curriculum Committee and developed our curriculum templates. Today our curriculum is superbly articulated. A third indicator of concern was the percentage of parent giving to our Annual Fund, which was 26 percent. I was well aware that we would be able to apply for a special grant within three years, and so our rallying cry became, “Let’s position Canterbury School for the highly prestigious Edward E. Ford Foundation Grant Award.” In response to this challenge, the percentage of parent giving rose from a low of 26 to a high of 64 percent, and we received the grant.

Since then, we have created and implemented our Strategic Plan, Strategic Financial Plan, Strategic Advancement Plan, Technology Plan, Comprehensive Faculty Development Program and The Canterbury School History: 1964-2014. Together, they provide a wise and detailed road map as we start our second 50 years.

Canterbury’s core activity is providing an excellent overall PK3-12 education so our students are well-prepared for success in college and beyond. Our seniors have had multiple acceptances at many highly competitive colleges and universities. This year continued to be highly competitive with admission rates for the most competitive schools remaining below 10 percent including five to six percent at the Ivies.

Recently we received an accurate snapshot of our present with our FCIS/FKC/SACS/SAIS FiveYear Accreditation Report. Overall it was very positive with high remarks regarding our mission, faculty, students, athletics, House Program, technology, safety, and the recently published history book.

Finally, as we look to the future, I would like to offer two pieces of advice, which are simple to state but are difficult to enact. First, treat the position of Head of School with reverence. When I arrived at Canterbury School, the average Head tenure was 3.6 years. Early on I remember thinking to myself, “The Head of School is an endangered species.” This is my seventh year, the national average for independent Head of School tenures, and Canterbury’s average Head tenure has now increased to 3.8 years. It is my fervent hope that during the next 50 years, our Head tenures will range from seven to 10+ years, the time it takes to make the magic really happen.

Second, hold the school in trust and do so with trust. As I said in my introduction to The Canterbury School History: 1964-2014, “…certain themes have persisted throughout the School’s first 50 years. Most important is the unparalleled quality of the teacher-student relationship. In fact, above all else this constant seems to have been the ‘north star’ as Canterbury School has successfully navigated its first 50 years.” It is important for each of us to serve as trustees of our marvelous Canterbury School.

In closing, I would like to thank you all for your support of Canterbury School, and for Marnie and me, and we want to wish all of you the very best of luck next year as you begin your partnership with Canterbury School’s 14th Head of School, Rick Kirschner. Thank you.

Canterbury in Pictures

This month’s photo gallery provides a wrap up of photos from various events including Extravaganza, Faculty Appreciation Luncheon, Volcano Eruptions, Band Concert and Leadership Donor Dinner!

To submit your photos, please send them to socialmedia@canterburyfortmyers.org.

Staff Spotlight: Melissa Wilson, Director of College Guidance Professional Background I really got into counseling at an early age. I loved psychology, writing and helping people.

After high school, I attended Pennsylvania State University and pursued a bachelor’s degree in individual and family studies. In 1992, I received my Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University. During that time, I began interning in the counseling office of a local high school. I went on to create their College Career Center and paved the way for the school to host college representatives, offer career field trips, and I helped train staff members on career assessment. For me, this year marks 25 years I have spent in this field.

Why Canterbury?

Growing up, my family and I spent many vacations on Sanibel. Eleven years ago, my husband and I decided to make the move from Connecticut to Florida. I had been emailing with Jo Marie De Angelo about jobs at Canterbury for years and sent her my resume. Once we arrived in Florida, I began working as the IB Counselor at Cape High School. I remember receiving an email from Jo Marie saying that the position was available, so I applied seven years ago and here I am!

Passion for Canterbury I am given the opportunity to work with amazing students who are provided a well-designed curriculum that is timely and appropriate for preparation in college and the workplace. Since Canterbury is so small, it is such a joy to see the students develop and obtain leadership skills, research, strengthen public speaking skills and create relationships with teachers and staff. It is an honor to be here and be a part of their lives.

Class of 2015 ‘Gratitude’ is the word I would use to describe the Class of 2015. This class has expressed so much gratitude toward their teachers, the administration, their counselors and to each other.

They support one another and there is a true sense of unity among them.

Outside of Work I am a firm believer in ‘work hard, play hard.’ I am passionate about my dog, Sunshine, who is a yellow Labrador. I also love being outside – traveling, on the beach, kayaking and boating.

I have an investment in my family and my husband and I will be celebrating our 21st wedding anniversary in July.

Alumni Spotlight: Lea Pascotto ’95, Alumni Board president What is one of your fondest memories of Canterbury School?

This is a really difficult question...

Actually, many of these questions are because I could write a book about each one after spending 14 years (PreK-12th grade) at Canterbury but here we go...

My fondest memory is more of a feeling rather than an event. It is the feeling that multiple events created – the feeling of belonging and togetherness, the feeling of being part of a community, the feeling of being part of something bigger. I loved Canterbury because it was not just an elementary, middle and high school. The divisions are called Lower, Middle and Upper School because everything is part of the whole of Canterbury School. As a Lower School student, I loved that my older sister and brother were in high school and got to see them throughout the day. I was friends with the “big” kids in Upper School. This community nurtured me as I grew. The culminating event of this entire feeling was during my senior year on my birthday. During the last day before Christmas Break, the whole school used to get together for a Big Sing. We would kick off the Christmas Break by getting together and singing Christmas carols. On December 17, 1994, we all were in the PAC for our Big Sing. I started playing the tuba that year because it was donated to the music department and Cathy Truesdale thought of me when choosing someone to play it. It was this sort of empowerment that I appreciated from the teachers at Canterbury. As you know, the tuba is not really an instrument to be played alone; it is meant to support other instruments. However, on my birthday, in the PAC that afternoon, I played a solo of “Jingle Bells.” As I was playing this awkward installment, the PAC erupted with students yelling, “Lea, Lea, Lea.” It is kind of funny when you think about it. The tuba is not a nice sounding instrument by itself and I was more of the cheerleader and not the person being cheered for in high school, but yet, here I was playing “Jingle Bells” while what sounded like the whole school was cheering my name. Now THAT is community.

Which teachers had the greatest impact on you during your time at Canterbury?

I had so many teachers who have impacted me. Everything started with Debbie Blue. Mrs. Blue babysat my brother and sister when my mom was in the hospital giving birth to me. She made learning fun.

Julie Peters was my fourth grade teacher. She continues, to this day, to have a major impact on my life. Every day, there would be a puzzle on the board for us to solve. She tutored me in math-- I will never forget what 7 X 7 is! One of the most remarkable things about Canterbury is that even though you have one teacher for one year, they remain mentors throughout your life. I guess the biggest lesson she taught me, and continues to teach me, is to be myself and to embrace this person.

Words cannot express how much she has impacted my life over the past 30 years. I am lucky to have her in my life and Canterbury is lucky to have her as one of its biggest cheerleaders!

Phyllis Hatcher was an extraordinary teacher and taught us to have role models, but also to be a role model for the younger students. Mrs. Hatcher taught us to have school pride, school spirit, and to be active participants in this community.

Tina Veale made us learn responsibility, Mr. Nick Grey was new when I was a yearbook editor, so I got to teach and train him on producing a yearbook, Mrs. Truesdale asked me to learn to play the tuba, and Dr. Gluhm saw something in me by how hard I worked in anatomy class. Mrs. Betsy Glass taught me that one’s character is more important than one’s grades. Mrs. Laura Gizzi taught me how important it is to belong to a greater community. Mr. John Armstrong helped me to be my own person. Mrs. Kathleen Belcastro helped me to get ready for the next phase of my life. The teachers at Canterbury treat their students as human beings. The teachers at Canterbury taught us, through their actions, how to be part of the community. You had a sense that they all liked working with one another. It was kind of like one big team-- each person doing their part.

You are a “Lifer.” How did Canterbury play a role in your life after graduation?

My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic and Canterbury helped me to develop and enhance this work ethic. I do not accept anything but the best from myself and Canterbury has helped me to see what this “best” is while also accepting my limitations.

As Alumni Board president, why do you feel it is important to be involved with your school?

Simply because you have to know where you came from to know where you are going. We have all had the same foundation -- Canterbury. So let’s come together in our community to make our school succeed in the next 50 years. I personally want to give back to the school that has given so much to me.

What is one piece of advice you would give to graduating seniors about getting involved with the Alumni Board?

Do it. Get involved. Take your time, go off to college, have your time away from Canterbury to develop yourself. Come back to the reunions. Stay in touch. Visit your teachers. Then when you are ready, give back. Serve on the board. Keep on enhancing the community that has helped build your foundation. We need recent alumni to serve on the board. One of the main reasons why we have the all-school reunion around Christmas time is to give recent alumni an opportunity to see each other when they come back for the holidays. Come and socialize -- the Friday before Christmas is the all-school reunion.

Upcoming Events Baccalaureate This special event showcases the talents of Canterbury’s graduating seniors.

When: Thursday, May 28, at 7 p.m.

Where: Temple Beth El Commencement You’re invited to attend Canterbury’s 2015 Commencement. Help us celebrate the Class of 2015!

When: Friday, May 29, at 10 a.m.

Where: Murphy Sports Center Parent-To-Parent Book Sale Do you want to save money on your children’s books for next year? If so, you’re in luck!

Canterbury’s Parents’ Association will host its annual Parent-To-Parent Book Sale on Thursday, June 4, from 9 a.m. – noon in the IS Commons! This sale is for parents of rising 7th-12th graders who wish to buy and sell their child(ren)’s class books for the upcoming 2015-16 school year!

When: Thursday, June 4, from 9 a.m. – noon Where: IS Commons Summer Camp 2015 The Canterbury School is dedicated to academic excellence within a caring and supportive community emphasizing character, leadership and service. We offer a wide array of academic programs, athletic and specialty camps. All Canterbury summer programs are open to the community.

Now is a great time to explore the resources that Canterbury School has to offer your child. Register online today at www.canterburyfortmyers.org.

Why I Volunteer and Give to the Canterbury Fund – The Hall Family and The Osterman Family Joe and Carla Hall We give because we believe investing in our children’s education is the greatest gift you could give them. We give because we support the Canterbury mission and our dedicated faculty, staff and administrators. We give because over the years we have built a partnership. We are all part of the Canterbury team and there’s no other team we would want to be on.

John and Rozzi Osterman My husband and I have been Canterbury parents for 22 years and we have given to the Canterbury Fund every year. Elan (2002), Maya (2005) and Ben (2015), while very different in personality and approach, have all experienced a rigorous academic life, but also enjoyed diverse interests in sports, art, music and theater. Canterbury has given them the confidence and tools to challenge themselves as they mature into accomplished adults.

Want to make a difference in your child’s education? You can by making a donation to the Canterbury Fund! Every gift turns possibilities into realities, so donate to the Canterbury Fund today!

Stay Connected As students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni, we know it is important for you to stay connected to Canterbury. From class projects to sporting events, to science experiments and theater plays, our students are always on the move and you want to know about it! Whether you “Like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, watch us on Instagram or connect with us on LinkedIn, we’ve got you covered when it comes to Canterbury news, contests, events and much more!