We Can!

My dream is to have a school in which the large majority of students, parents and staff wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe, and at the end of the day feel filled by the connection they have to the school.

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You may have seen the banner as you drive on to campus proclaiming We Can!??

Annually, we develop a theme that we think captures our current zeitgeist. Although a phrase that will always be relevant for the Currey Ingram experience, I feel We Can is especially apropos now. We’re strong, we’re growing, and we’re ready to take intentional steps that could result in meaningful growth.

Today’s Mustang Message highlights our We Can strategic priorities.

The IDEA Center is certainly our most significant strategic priority. We have a vision for a program and facility that will add significant value to the Currey Ingram experience. The IDEA Center will combine the arts and technology in one state-of-the-art space. The program and space will be K-12 and inclusive of two-dimensional, three-dimensional, performing, musical and graphical arts opportunities, along with coding, robotics and maker space technology-related opportunities. Although we will always be a college preparatory environment, it is clear such a program is well-aligned with the affinities of a huge proportion of our students and will allow all of our students to be much more workforce ready.

The feasibility of developing this facility and the transformational, programmatic changes it would bring is being explored by the Board and Currey Ingram’s Leadership Team.?

We will launch an on-mission pre-K program in our Lower School next year. This will be a fascinatingly unique program. I cannot think of another school that has such a program, even though the research supports the development of such a program and it is absolutely clear early intervention is disproportionally effective.?

As in most other organizations, attracting, retaining and developing great people has been very much on our minds. Much work has gone into developing a Growth Plan. One point of emphasis is to develop specific ideas that build our staff’s connection to each other and the school. We have built these conversations around our theme for this year: We Can.?

1. Why…continue to lead with Why.
2. Everyone…involve and benefit loved ones.
3. Compensate…reward our staff.
4. Autonomy…support initiative and individual differences.
5. Nourish…feed souls.

We are also focused on expanding Community Outreach. The Pathways and CORE Programs continue to grow. Pathways is an intensive online science of reading course that has three components:

1. Required and very effective training for designated Currey Ingram teachers and administrators.
2. A fee-based course that Currey Ingram will offer to educators in the broader community.
3. A free course that Currey Ingram will offer to the broader community that cannot afford the fee-based course. A recent grant of $100,000 from the EE Ford Foundation and a 2:1 matching donation of $200,000 from a donor will ensure a good start for this initiative.

CORE provides intensive and targeted fee-based instruction to non-Currey Ingram students. We now have 10 students enrolled in the program.

Achieving our “right size” remains a priority. Our enrollment is growing to maximize the use of our space, academic opportunities, extracurricular opportunities and social opportunities, without compromising the staffing ratios it takes to provide the individual attention our students need.?

Enrollment in the Residential Life program is at a high-water mark. As I write, we have 15 students enrolled. More importantly, as with our day students, we are making that Currey Ingram difference in the lives of our Residential Life students and families. From an email a few ago…“I have to tell you that I think Charlie is having the time of his life. He keeps thanking us for sending him to Currey Ingram! Seriously! I’ve never heard him express that he loves school….and he does. He says he loves his classes, teachers and new friends.”

In an effort to keep parents engaged and informed, we will continue with our Annette Eskind Institute of Learning (AEIOL) education sessions. In fact, we will be adding a couple of “Signature” evening sessions that feature leading experts in the learning difference community. I will continue to offer New Parent education sessions that provide those parents who are new to the school an opportunity to hear what makes Currey Ingram special. Those who listen regularly know this, but the Currey Ingram Conversations Podcast is the best and most efficient way to get the scoop on the latest happenings at the school.?

We have added a new event this year called Community Night, which is all about having fun and building community. On the evening of September 23 the campus will be buzzing. All over campus we will have Division-specific activities happening. From an outdoor movie, to athletics events, to food trucks – we invite you to check it out (more information is coming soon).

Finally, I wanted to plug a new initiative called Gift Tix. The premise is simple. Rather than let tickets for events go unused, send an email to [email protected] indicating that you have tickets for an upcoming event you cannot use and we send an email to staff to see who is interested. This is a wonderful and easy way to do something extra for our staff.

I am inspired every single morning and at the end of the day my cup is filled. We Can do what we do because of…an amazing staff…supportive parents...wise Trustees and especially,? students who can be the best versions of themselves. There’s no doubt that, together, We Can.