05.15.20: Friday Update

From: Julie Smith, Head of School
Subject: Friday update; Prom tonight; Summer School enrollment; Annual Fund

Dear Stanbridge Parents and Guardians,

In just a short time, many of our high school students, along with their teachers and other staff members, will login to our Fantasy Forest for this year's virtual Spring Prom. As I will be joining them, tonight's update is fairly brief—here's the news to know as we countdown the final three weeks of the school year:

Summer School enrollment is open. As we noted last week, the updated Summer School course guide has been published (click here to view). All summer classes have been designed (and in some cases, re-designed) for a distance-learning, virtual summer session. For planning purposes, the enrollment deadline is Monday, June 1. Please contact Linda if you have any questions; starting next week, she will be posting updates on the enrollment status for each class.

Given that our summer program will be exclusively online, and a number of other summer schools and day camps have been cancelled this year, we will be opening up most of our Summer School courses to non-Stanbridge students for the first time ever. The final details on this process are being worked out, and we hope to have something to share publicly within the next week. Opening our Summer School to a broader audience is a great way for current Stanbridge students to (virtually) meet prospective new classmates, share some structured time online over the summer with a close friend or neighbor, or work together with a non-Stanbridge sibling. A number of parents have inquired about that last point in the past, and the distance-learning model provides a unique opportunity to expand the Stanbridge community in a thoughtful, meaningful way. Look for more details coming soon, and help us spread the word!

We have launched a special Spring Appeal for this year's Annual Fund Campaign. All parents and guardians should have received an email earlier tonight from our Board Chair (and Stanbridge parent) Chris Mak announcing this endeavor. We have been proud to share the many ways Stanbridge has adapted so quickly and nimbly to the COVID closure situation, but as Chris notes in his letter, a number of Stanbridge families have been severely impacted by the economic fallout from the pandemic, experienced job loss, or have had their health and living situations significantly compromised. The need for financial aid next year is greater than ever, and we are hoping that the strength of our Bulldog community will shine through during these dark times.

Our trustees have set a $60,000 fundraising goal to help ensure that all students and families who need the structure, support, and community that Stanbridge provides can access our program. A number of trustees and outside donors have already donated $25,000 toward this goal, and have pledged to match—dollar-for-dollar—all contributions received now through the end of the school year. If you have not yet made your donation to the Annual Fund, your gift is essentially doubled when you give. And if you have already donated and have the capacity to give more, know that your contribution now means more than ever—you are truly giving hope to our families and their children. More information, as well as the form to donate online, is available on our Support Us page. I thank you in advance for giving what you can to keep our community #StanbridgeStrong.

And I look forward to seeing many students from our community shortly, as our prom's virtual dance party is about to go live online. A huge Thank You to our Prom Advisor Kenny Katz, and Music & Drama Teacher (and tonight's DJ) Matt Robidoux for coordinating this special event. As we detailed prom preparations with staff today, a number of faculty members shared photos from their proms, providing a steady stream of smiles throughout the afternoon. Smiles, and many fond memories as well (not to mention some blast-from-the-past time capsule hairstyles and fashions that should probably stay in said capsules). Regardless of the era, though, prom is a memorable event in the life of a teenager, and tonight's will be no exception—sincere appreciation to everyone participating to make tonight's prom a fun night of music and dancing. Linda will be sharing some of tonight's photos on social media in the days ahead, so be sure to look for them on Facebook, Instagram, etc. before closing the lid on Prom 2020's time capsule.

And with scant time to spare before prom goes live, I will put a lid on this update. Hope to see many of you at our Wednesday morning Zoom check-in. Until then, enjoy the weekend, stay positive, and Stay Strong, Bulldogs!