2020-2021 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
BOARD CHAIR Patricia Murphy BOARD MEMBERS Sonja Bartlett Kate Benett Joe Burton Dana Fields Amy Jo Frischling, Vice Chair Tom Halsch Cathryn Johnson Brandon Lacoff Cliff Lanier, Treasurer Sloane Lederer Rob MacNaughton Derrel Mason, Secretary Kat Mattis, Asst. Secretary Chance Patterson Sonia Sandhu Lydia Soifer Kelly Thompson Molly Van Wagenen Roxanne Vanderbilt EX-OFFICIO Jim Heus, Head of School Sharon French, Parents Association President
Focus on the Inbox and the Outbox
L
ong ago I learned to train my sights on the youngest and oldest members of our student body—the “inbox” and the “outbox.” For both ends of the enrollment spectrum, the focus is finding the right ‘fit’: ascertaining if the newest members of our school community will be well positioned to take full advantage of all EHS has to offer and, at the other end, finding the appropriate school setting for our students who are ready to leave. Transitions to a new school can be complicated, but we have measures in store that should improve both experiences in the coming school year and beyond. FOUNDATIONS
EAGLE HILL NEWS Eagle Hill News is published two times a year (fall and spring) by the Development Office of Eagle Hill School. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Lisa Ferraro L.Ferraro@eaglehill.org DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Linda J. Miller L.Miller@eaglehill.org COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Phil Pineau P.Pineau@eaglehill.org DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT Maria Conforti M.Conforti@eaglehill.org PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY Phil Pineau Rhonda Smith Chris Taggart DESIGN Philofect/Sarah Fey
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EAGLE HILL NEWS
Now in its eighth year, Foundations is our entry-level, pre-school inspired program for children as young as five. Students spend 1-3 years preparing for the challenge of Lower School within an intimate setting of small class size with a student teacher ratio of 3:1 and a maximum class size of six students. The Foundations Team has shaped a full-day program that addresses the full range of language-based difficulties with careful regard for the social, emotional, and physical growth of each child. As we plan for next year, we are reviewing all the various support services offered to this important age group. Our Foundations Program also presents a growth opportunity for our school as more and more families recognize the importance and effectiveness of early intervention for their students. While the majority of Foundations students move on to the Lower School, it is not uncommon for students to move back into their public school or another appropriate setting having fully gained from their experience at EHS. Our plans include increasing enrollment in the Program by 25% for 2021-2022 and, should we reach that goal, we will be making improvements to our facilities to increase our ‘footprint’ in their current location. As we consider our “outbox” – although students can move on at any time when ready for greater challenges – about 75% of our students stay with us long enough to consider a high school
