Headmaster’s Letter

Friends of Little Keswick School,

On a beautiful spring-like March evening on campus, I worked with our service dog, Mika, on her commands and watched as the boys and staff began their slow stroll toward the Depot and dinner. Even though it had been a long and tiring day, I remember thinking that this is LKS at its best. We were experiencing full enrollment, a stable financial condition, and increasing donor generosity. Exciting plans were underway for our Depot renovation, and we had the beginnings of a new campus master plan.

A mere two days later I was watching our last few students climb into the school van for their ride to the airport. By order of the Virginia governor, we had to immediately close the school over COVID-19 concerns across the state. We were suddenly thrown into uncertainty about how the school could weather this pandemic storm, yet our first concern was for our students and staff.

Under Jody Berkey, Assistant Head of School’s leadership, the academic, residential, and clinical teams developed an amazing and effective process to provide not only instruction online but emotional support and even Boy Scout meetings for our students. Even further behind the scenes we were dealing with the financial ramifications. The COVID-19 pandemic brought into focus the financial vulnerabilities of a small school. Having heard about the negative impact on morale at schools where employees were furloughed, we established a priority of keeping our core team together. Talk about a leap of faith! As Tom described in his letter, we tapped every option at our disposal to continue paying staff.

At the same time, we began planning for safely reopening. We met with epidemiologists and developed best practice plans for cleaning and social distancing in our classrooms as well as in dorms and during meals and leisure settings. Our plans were so thorough, they have now been used by other schools as a model.

I have learned much in 2020, not least of which is how to manage the “new normal.” We teach the boys to find the positive in every situation, and I had to remind myself many times to follow my own advice. We are confident now that even if we had to close again temporarily, we could continue our excellent instruction.

It may be a cliché, but I think I am a better Head of School now, and I think our school is very clear about what must be protected at all costs: our community and our culture that changes lives. We all dug deep and discovered the resilience that keeps LKS thriving, even in the face of unprecedented challenges.

With much gratitude,

Marc Columbus Headmaster