Back to School Welcome (2016-17)


Dear Collegiate School Community,

I hope this letter finds your family enjoying the summer months, savoring time with family and friends. It is hard to believe that the start of the 2016-17 school year is right around the corner, and we are weeks away from launching another meaningful school year.

As we prepare for what’s to come, campus continues to bustle with life and energy. Our Summer Quest program is again enjoying record enrollment, with approximately 1,300 campers participating in more than 175 camps, classes and enrichment courses. Also, as usual during summer, our physical plant is executing a number of important projects. I am again pleased to report that all of our campus initiatives are on schedule.
Highlights include:
 
Mooreland Campus
Renovations to McFall Hall have begun. This expansion of the current Middle and Upper School cafeteria and kitchen will increase the seating capacity from 300 to over 400. The serving lines, salad bar, drink stations and dish return will all be revamped in order to improve the flow through the space and efficiency of our operation. The cafeteria will remain open while work is underway, and the renovation is scheduled to be completed in August 2017. The renovation to McFall Hall is made possible by the generosity of several significant donors.

Areas of Flippen Hall, Nunnally Hall and the Hershey Center for the Arts have received new carpet and fresh paint. The roof has been replaced on Hershey.
Lansing Lane and all parking lots have received fresh topcoat and striping.

Seal Athletic Center has been renovated. In addition to the backboards that were installed in March, new grandstands, a new AV system and new scoreboards were installed this summer. Also, new restrooms for public use and improvements to the Training Room work and rehab space have been completed. Renovations to Seal are supported by a generous bequest.

After serving the School well for many years, Grover Jones Field has been updated, and renovations to Jim Hickey Track are scheduled to be complete by mid-September. Outdoor lighting has also been added around the perimeter of the field and track to more safely connect the campus at night.

Robins Campus
Walkway and parking lot lighting installation on the north side of the Saunders Athletic Center has been completed.

An open-air pavilion was constructed at the northwest corner of the Robins Campus, accessible via Pagebrook Drive. The pavilion will be used by various Collegiate outdoor education programs, consistent with the wishes of the generous donor.

Back to School Reminders
To maintain a safe environment for our young people, it is imperative that we continue to make campus traffic safety a priority. Please take a few minutes to review our traffic patterns and schedules.

Looking Ahead
My September Headmaster’s Report will provide you with a summary of the key strategic initiatives we will be undertaking over the next several years. These initiatives serve as the basis of our 2016-19 Strategic Plan. In addition to serving as a roadmap for the School, our Plan supports the important accreditation work that we have been engaged in for 18 months. (As part of the accreditation process, we will welcome to our campus representatives from our two accrediting associations, SAIS and VAIS in November. More information on their visit will be coming soon.) I also look forward to sharing with you the positive results from our Interim Parent Satisfaction Survey. As we look forward to our own Opening Day, I have no doubt that the Collegiate story will continue to be one brimming with optimism and hope.

I thank you for your continued support of and commitment to Collegiate School.
 
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