In this season of giving, I would like to thank this community for all you have given me. Despite all of the obstacles, this community has been a true blessing to my family and me. It was clear from the start that I was joining a group who had weathered a few storms together, and while the pandemic has challenged us all, it has forced us to have a little more patience, give a little more grace, and use a little more creativity than we might have otherwise. Children are resilient, and I am extremely proud of how they have adapted to our current circumstances. They are creative problem-solvers, and this semester, they have found unique ways to shine. One such moment was the Middle School play, We’re All in this Together. To see our young actors on stage authentically portraying school in a pandemic and thanking the teachers for their heroic work was heartwarming. Lessons and Carols looks and feels different, but the virtual version is a special holiday treat. Additionally, many of our athletic programs have completed successful seasons, despite the challenges. Every day our students bring joy to campus and give us much to celebrate. Episcopal is blessed with an incredible faculty and staff. I knew that coming in, but I’ve had the opportunity to witness their courageous, creative, and compassionate work. If you have not seen the Lower School version of The Knights Before Christmas, it is a must-see. Finding new ways to teach has been a daily challenge, but they have gone above and beyond to ensure student success. It is because of their dedication and leadership that we have been learning in person since August. While I have not met as many of you as I had hoped to meet by this point, I count you among my blessings. Thank you for your gifts of kindness, prayers, and words of encouragement. This amazing school would not exist without you and the time, treasure, and talents you share with us. You are a very special gift to Episcopal, and we are incredibly grateful. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season filled with love and as much togetherness as you can safely manage. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Dr. Carrie Steakley Head of School Lessons and Carols 2020The Knights Before ChristmasThe Night Before ChristmasThe Episcopal 2021-2022 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
0 Comments
On August 15th, Dr. Carrie Steakley was officially installed as the Head of School for Episcopal School of Baton Rouge. Dr. Steakley was selected after an extensive national search led by a committee of board members, parent leadership and faculty representatives. The search process was thoughtful and the transition seamless. With a pandemic as a backdrop, the installation was humble yet meaningful and powerful. In a pre-recorded message for Dr. Steakley’s installation, Reverend Katherine McQuiston Bush reminded event attendees of the power and strength of love. Reverend Bush, who is the Chaplain at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, also advised that to lead with love requires courage, respect, mercy and grace. After working closely with Dr. Steakley for nearly 10 years, Reverend Bush said these qualities are what defines Episcopal’s new Head of School. We encourage you to watch Reverend Bush's message below. Dr. Steakley begins her tenure as Head of School in unusual circumstances. However, she is prepared for the challenges ahead. With a quiet strength, she told attendees she feels inspired by the leaders of her former school as she takes on this new role. A look at that story can be an inspiration for us all. St. Mary’s was founded in 1847. In 1873 a group of Episcopal nuns began operating the school with a goal of providing a rigorous academic experience for girls. In the summer of 1878, the Memphis area experienced a yellow fever epidemic that impacted thousands and resulted in the relocation of a majority of the city’s residents. Sister Constance and her companions remained at the school to care for the sick and dying. They are remembered in St. Mary’s and Memphis lore for their commitment and sacrifice on behalf of their students and the community. More than 100 years later, Dr. Steakley now takes the reins of Episcopal as the school and the community deal with COVID-19. At the first staff meeting of the school year, which was conducted online, Dr. Steakley told the St. Mary’s story with pride and asked faculty and staff – How do we want history to remember us? How will our decisions bless future generations? A Head of School is traditionally installed before a standing-room-only crowd. The entire student body is often invited to participate, with student musicians and vocalists adding their talents to the celebration. Dr. Steakley’s installation had only a small number of attendees due to health and safety protocols. Attendees wore face coverings and practiced social distancing. However, the face coverings and the distance did not diminish the sense of hope, joy, peace and most importantly love. Those attending the installation will remember the occasion and the sense of community that reverberated through the Lewis Memorial Chapel of the Good Shepherd. The experience may have been somewhat different from those in the past, but attendees felt blessed to be present. There was a realization that while 2020 is filled with uncertainty, it is also an opportunity for new beginnings, innovation and collaboration. With her family by her side, Dr. Steakley will also ensure that there is love, joy and grace. Thank you to The Rt. Rev’d Morris K. Thompson, Jr., Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana, The Rev’d Katherine McQuiston Bush, Chaplain St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, The Rev’d Chris Duncan, Rector St. James Episcopal Church, The Rev’d Bryan Owen, Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, The Rev’d Kirkland “Skully” Knight, Chaplain (The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge) and Board Chair Chris Kiesel ’92 for joining Dr. Steakley in this celebration. Welcome to Episcopal, Dr. Steakley! We invite you to share a message of congratulations with Dr. Steakley in the comments below. The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
The 2019-2020 school year has been unlike any other. We successfully transitioned to Distance Learning and we rallied around members of the Class of 2020. Now, we are preparing to say goodbye to Head of School Hugh McIntosh on June 30th. With McIntosh at the helm for the past decade, Episcopal students have thrived. The continued commitment to academic excellence is evident in a consistently high number of National Merit Finalists reflecting the highest percentage of seniors earning such recognition in the region. Upper School students are also enjoying opportunities for university research through the ESTAAR program and Middle School students are earning Duke TIP honors. Curricular and teaching method changes instituted allow teachers to do more personalization of a student’s pathway through Episcopal, tailoring the program to a student’s strengths, interests and capabilities. In the Upper School, McIntosh was instrumental in launching the Distinctions Program which allows students to pursue specific interests in a range of academic areas, from French to Physics, and, in so doing, to identify their interests in the college admissions process. From the early years, McIntosh ensured that college counseling was expanded to three counselors, that LSU was placed in a “warm embrace” by Episcopal helping many families take advantage of TOPS and convenient location of the college experience for family life, and that a new emphasis was placed on finding new sources of college scholarships for graduates. Under McIntosh’s leadership the LAUNCH program has become an Episcopal tradition which honors student academic research and achievement in the arts. Closer coordination of STEM-related courses have produced a range of math and science closely coordinated learning experiences and more co-curricular outlets for STEM-oriented students. Closer coordination of students’ progress beginning in Lower School and running through Middle School have allowed acceleration and deepening of interests for many students with interests and talent in a particular subject area. To support this academic rigor, McIntosh has established or expanded partnerships with a range of institutions such as the Ogden Honors College and Math Department at LSU, Burkenroad Reports at Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, the Duke School in Durham, North Carolina, NuVu Schools, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Duke TIP, John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, Klingenstein Center at Teachers College Columbia University, Power Courses, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mastery Prep right here in Baton Rouge. In his Academic Points installments, McIntosh described such partnerships as allowing the school to “punch above our weight” or be “more than just Episcopal” for students and families. Episcopal faculty and staff have certainly done both. McIntosh has also ensured that Episcopal remains committed to a whole child philosophy, with more opportunities for multiple-intelligences to be recognized. Project-based and experiential learning units in all divisions have made learning more interactive and fluid. Encouraging this type of instruction has allowed teachers more freedom. For example, lessons about geography of the world in Lower School have been supplemented by student teams acting as travel agents presenting to parents and faculty the advantages of vacationing in countries studied in the classroom. Students in all divisions are encouraged to pursue their interests and reach beyond themselves whether it’s in the areas of academics, arts, athletics or service. As we bid farewell to McIntosh, there are also visible, lasting testaments to his time at Episcopal. As a result of the Spirit Mind Body Capital Campaign, students are worshipping in a renovated Lewis Family Memorial Chapel of the Good Shepherd and learning cutting edge science, math and technology within the Academic Commons. The new athletic field house is a monument to student health and well-being and will serve students in a variety of exciting ways. Foster Hall is under renovation and will open in August 2020 as the QUEST Center in Foster Hall, which will be an innovative and hands-on Lower and Middle School math, science and technology space. In addition, McIntosh’s tenure has included the renovation of the Webster Refectory, the creation of the Coach Dupe Trail and the improvement of athletic facilities such as the baseball field and scoreboard. McIntosh has led the school through challenging times. He has ensured that Episcopal is financially prudent even in the face of events such as the flood of 2016 and the global pandemic. He has met the demands of an evolving world by preparing the school with new technology and school security measures. He has led a team that has adapted and found ways to serve students in line with Episcopal values. Episcopal School of Baton Rouge is prepared for the next decade thanks to the leadership provided by McIntosh. At the April board meeting, the trustees shared with McIntosh the Academic Excellence Futures Fund Endowment that was recently created in his honor. When McInosh first arrived 10 years ago, he saw a need to boost academic excellence and build the school’s endowment. During his tenure as Head of School, academic performance and available resources for all students have grown tremendously. The Academic Excellence Futures Fund Endowment in Honor of Hugh McIntosh was created to help achieve both visions for the next generation of Episcopal students.The Fund will allow the next Head of School, Dr. Carrie Steakley, to direct additional resources to academic areas such as new programming, enhance existing programs, teacher development or special projects all resulting in a stronger Episcopal experience. The Episcopal community gathered recently to thank McIntosh for his leadership and to wish him a fond farewell. The social distancing car parade was a festive occasion celebrating 10 years of success. We invite you to share a message of congratulations in the comments section below. The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
I am confident that you will join me in welcoming Patrick Hundley as Episcopal’s interim Director of Advancement. Patrick joins us during an exciting period in our development efforts as we prepare Episcopal to meet the needs of the next generation of leaders. The Academic Commons, the new athletic field house and the Quest Center in Foster Hall are all examples of our progress. Identifying an experienced development leader was imperative for ensuring that Episcopal’s commitment to excellence continues. To secure the very best candidate, we partnered with the executive placement firm, The Registry. The Registry is the nation’s gold standard for interim administrative placement and has placed approximately 600 senior leaders at nearly 400 institutions since the firm was established in 1992. The Registry typically works with colleges and universities to provide the proper placement of senior leaders. With their trusted tenure in administrative placements, we felt The Registry was the right choice to identify Episcopal’s interim Director of Advancement. With nearly 40 years of experience in development, Patrick will be a catalyst for the completion of our Spirit • Mind • Body Capital Campaign. Over the course of his career, Patrick has established major gift campaigns for colleges and universities across the country. He has a proven track record of boosting annual giving and coordinating development efforts in a way that is sustainable and impactful for the institutions he serves. A few examples of his recent success include raising nearly $7.5 million in just 13 months at Delta State University, re-energizing Delta State University alumni chapters and establishing an annual giving program that doubled annual gifts at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Patrick is a strategic thinker and we look forward to supporting his success here at Episcopal. Patrick will work closely with Development Committee members and Capital Campaign Director, Mellie Bailey. He has already begun efforts to support the new Episcopal athletic field house. Please look for a big announcement coming soon regarding new recognition opportunities for the facility. These opportunities will provide additional ways for Episcopal families and friends to be a part of this historic project. Under Patrick’s leadership, you will see a renewed focus on alumni engagement. Patrick will also lend his expertise to additional development efforts as he directs the development department going forward. Patrick, a Tennessee native, and his wife, Susan, are already enjoying Baton Rouge. I am certain that your hospitality and suggestions for exploring all that the area has to offer will be welcome. Patrick and Susan have three children, Sarah Ruth McCracken, Patrick, Jr. and David Norton. Patrick and Susan recently celebrated the first birthday of Sarah’s first child, Cooper Alan McCracken. (No direct relation to “our” McCracken's.) Cooper joins three other grandchildren, Carter, Hudson and Campbell Norton. Please lend your support and encouragement to Patrick and his team. This is a rewarding time to be a part of the Episcopal community as we continue to celebrate new campus developments, exceptionally talented students and highly qualified, dedicated faculty and staff. Hugh M. McIntosh Head of School The Episcopal 2019-2020 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
Living is not thinking. Thought is formed and guided by objective reality outside us. Living is the constant adjustment of thought to life and life to thought in such a way that we are always growing, always experiencing new things in the old and old things in the new. Thus life is always new. Thomas Merton Many schools contend to serve the “whole child.” The Episcopal Mission and Ministry calls for developing the “whole child.” Every now and then in a meeting of faculty or administrators, someone asserts that “whole child” is trite. That can lead to a discussion of what the term -- “whole child”—actually means to us. As the discussion deepens, typically we all come to a new realization of the term’s importance and centrality to all that we do. The alternatives to developing the whole child, when one thinks about it, are neither feasible nor attractive. Would a parent send a child to a school that offered to develop “most” of a child or, perhaps, “a portion”? To me, even highly specialized schools with narrow curricula seek, in most cases, the full human development of their students. Not everything that has been around for a long time in education has lost its usefulness. For me, keeping in mind the “whole child” is one of the “oldies but goodies” that should be played and replayed. As a disc-jockey friend of mine used to say on his late night college radio show, “Here is one from the groove yard.” (Note that this prior reference requires awareness that once d-j’s played records with grooves in them.) Even the official, dictionary definition of “trite” has an exception for old things that remain effective and have not lost their meaningfulness. If something remains effective, it is not “trite.” When the Episcopal Board of Trustees engages in strategic planning, every five years or so, the Mission and Ministry always gets a once over. After many thoughtful discussions during my time here, the Board has kept the Mission and Ministry of Episcopal “as is.” Plenty of running room can be found in the Mission and Ministry and in the concept of the “whole child.” Changing times and changing contexts may call for adjustments in emphases, but the overall concept of the “whole child” remains valid. We have adjusted internally the “whole child” concept to make it more individualized or personalized. A while ago, Howard Gardner brought to public attention an educational analysis of “multiple intelligences.” In short, his research showed that reaching any group of students in the most effective way involves employing a range of teaching styles, tailored to the “intelligence” of each child. We have adjusted our teaching modes at Episcopal to suit better the “multiple intelligences” (i.e., the various ways a range of students get interested and performs). In effect, we have applied the “whole child” concept individually and, by that, use modes personalized to all. Episcopal today offers a broader range of developmental experiences than before, including more age-appropriate student choices. Many of these offerings produce student recognitions. A long list of these offerings can be reviewed at the end of this blog. My point is that in the academic arena, Episcopal is addressing the “whole child” --- and our children’s multiple intelligences – through a range of opportunities for motivated students. We are far from a “one size fits all” school. An Episcopal student today --- male or female --- can decide to develop and compete in a broad range of sports, for example. That is a strong “whole child” point, noting that over 80% of both our Upper and Middle School students participate in a school-sponsored sport. Our PE program is second to none, with the vast majority of instruction given by Episcopal’s varsity coaches, including PE classes in Lower School. Choir, band, drama, stage productions, ceramics, dance, and instrument instruction are parts of students’ lives from Lower School through Upper School. We encourage experimentation in the early stages and specialization later. The artistic talent within each child is addressed through these deep and comprehensive programs. Student spirituality is developed both inside and outside the Chapel. Father Knight’s leadership, with advice from the Student Vestries in Middle and Upper School, in worship is apparent in the lives of all students. We provide first-rate academic classes for Bible and religious studies. The Center for Service Learning represents another need and outlet for our students to learn through service in their hometown. For those of you familiar with the Class of 2017, I know that you see, along with me, the benefit and the reality of the “whole child” approach. Student choice could be said to have defined that class, as each student found an almost unique set of opportunities to take up. But, there was an underlying unity and respect for each other in that class that was an even more important vote of confidence in the “whole child” approach. Our approach is effective as each year more and more selective and highly selective colleges seek Episcopal’s graduates. I think Thomas Merton would agree: Living is the constant adjustment of thought to life and life to thought in such a way that we are always growing, always experiencing new things in the old and old things in the new. Thus life is always new. Whattayasay, let’s keep the old “whole child” approach and continue our efforts to seek feasible personalization of our learning experiences and come out with something that is “always new”? ![]() Hugh M. McIntosh Head of School Here are just a few examples of how we address the “whole child” with multiple approaches to learning:
But he could no longer disbelieve in the reality of love, since God Himself had loved his individual soul with divine love from all eternity. Gradually, as his soul was enriched with spiritual knowledge, he saw the whole world forming one vast symmetrical expression of God's power and love. (4.1.9) -- Students as Artists of Life -- Over the last few months, I have experimented with the thought of striving to be an artist of my own life. This is working well for me. Along the way, I have realized how important this concept is to life at Episcopal. Now as we begin a new school year together, I want to share that message with you. Talking (or writing) of artistry and love in public does not come naturally or quickly to guys like me. Whispering and low tones are the venues for most of us when love is called forth. Here, in my eighth year at Episcopal and 16th year working in education, the love of God that is palpable at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge pushes me to overcome my “bro-ness” and bring love to light. In the quote above, James Joyce reminds us that we can “no longer disbelieve in the reality of love, since God Himself” has loved our “individual soul with divine love from all eternity.” Making a commitment to conduct myself as an artist in my daily work never fails to bring me my most enjoyable, productive and kind days. There is something about thinking of myself as an artist of life—or artist of the day--that naturally uplifts my spirits and my conduct. A day seems to go better when I say to myself “Be an artist today” as I leave the car. Being at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge among our students, colleagues, parents and community members has engendered my thinking about the artistry in us all. In no small way, the Arts Department at Episcopal has brought me closer to the importance of artistry in general. What I used to see as a moat between artists and the rest of us, first became a thin line and, now, has dissolved into a boundary-less, free flowing appreciation of the artistry of life in all of its forms. As I deepen my focus on this concept, I have come to see the artistry of teachers, coaches and the rest of us on campus expressed in the caring necessary to help students develop well. Through the self-reinforcing stance of my colleagues, I see standards of academic rigor blending completely with student satisfaction in co-curricular activities from the English classroom to the stage and from the athletic field to the robotics lab and the ceramics studio to the Chapel. As the quote above from James Joyce implies, as our souls are “enriched with spiritual knowledge” the world around us becomes “one vast symmetrical expression of God’s power and love.” In each of the past few years, the school has purchased three works of art from three students - - one from each division. These masterpieces, which are bargains for the school, now hang in the VPAC entry ways, reminding me that all Episcopal students are, in the narrow interpretation of the word, real artists. But, here is the broader motivating thought: Perhaps without thinking of it in just these terms, we are called not only to be artists of life ourselves, but to nurture each student to become the artist of his or her own life. I believe that, the more adults model artistry in their own lives, the more meaningful the students’ experiences at our school will be. For most of us, art comes from rising above the ordinary and mundane to express a unique and significant point of view. Drawing it, saying it, doing it, making it, reacting to it in just the right way is part of artistry. Artistry changes with the artist. Art is cumulative with each piece building upon the past productions. Working on our lives, as an artist might work on a canvas or a song, allows our souls to be “enriched with spiritual knowledge,” that is both uplifting and rewarding. What more accurate description is there of our Episcopal School of Baton Rouge community? Parents, students, teachers, coaches, “admins” (as people like me are so respectfully called), Board members, friends, donors, and alumni---please join me in embracing your own artistry. In particular, please join in helping our students become artists of their own lives. What a worthy cause! And, guys, every now and then talk of love in public. It is okay.
The 27,000 square foot Academic Commons building will be home to 17 new learning spaces. It was designed by Bobby Boudreaux and a team from Crump Wilson Architects. Cangelosi Ward General Contractors, led by Robert Ward, has already commenced construction. In addition to classrooms, suites and project spaces, new modes of teaching and learning, balanced with traditional classroom instruction, will be incorporated as part of innovative learning in the Academic Commons. Math and science offerings with creativity and entrepreneurship will also be added. Episcopal students will benefit from interactions with visiting teachers and lecturers, as well as strategic relationships with outside specialists throughout the community. The Academic Commons will be located on the east side of campus between the Chapel and the Aldrich Library. Construction is slated to begin immediately, with a targeted completion date of August 2018. It is the overall health and strength of our school community that makes it possible now to consider this capital investment. Everything you have done over the years to support the school - participation in the Parents’ Guild, Squires, serving lunch, feeding teams, supporting The e-Fund and the Campus Bounce Back Fund, volunteering, partnering with our faculty and staff, referring mission appropriate students, sacrificing to pay tuition, active Board service, and on and on - has helped us get to this sanguine point. The school is strong because of your ongoing support. Now, your help is needed to fund completion of the Academic Commons through cash gifts or through pledges over three to five years. Investments to the “Spirit, Mind, Body” campaign will help fulfill the mission and ministry of our school and will positively affect the life of each student. To learn how you can support this campaign and to explore giving opportunities, please visit the Capital Campaign website at www.spiritmindbodybr.org. If you are in need of additional information or if you have questions regarding ways you can support Episcopal and honor or memorialize someone of importance to you, I invite you to reach out to me directly or contact a member of our Development Team. Now is the time, friends, for us to ensure Episcopal’s continued educational leadership in Baton Rouge. Please consider a gift to help build momentum. Sincerely, Hugh M. McIntosh Leading the groundbreaking ceremony were community members Scott Berg, Episcopal alumnus ‘94 and parent; Robert Ward of Cangelosi Ward, General Contractors; Bobby Boudreaux, Architect at Crump Wilson; Jennifer Eplett Reilly, Former Board Member and Episcopal parent; John Kojis, Director of Operations; Hugh McIntosh, Head of School; Michael Ferachi, Former Board Chair; Jewel Reuter, Associate Head of School; and Sean Reilly, Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign Cabinet, Board Member, Episcopal alumnus ‘79 and parent. Not photographed: Todd Graves, Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign Cabinet, Episcopal alumnus ‘90 and parent.
![]() Dear Episcopal School of Baton Rouge Community Members, Many individual life lessons could be extracted and commented upon in a year-end letter such as this one. For me, there is one unifying thread, however, that ran through the unique blend of challenges and opportunities of the 2016-2017 school year: This year revealed our community’s massive, positive strength, and our unwavering dedication to putting students first. Heroes and heroines emerged in the face of the flood. Students led the way, discovering their collective strength and goodwill toward others. Donors responded before the rain stopped with Bounce Back funding necessary for the early supply of needed things from football helmets to volleyballs to mowers. Faculty and staff members re-discovered the strengths of their colleagues as more and more co-operation was called for to get the school open and to share classroom spaces. The Knights’ coaches and PE instructors rallied again and again to put together practices and games. The parents were more attentive than ever in handling all the schedule changes and in looking out for the well-being of students. No Board of Trustees at this school has worked harder than our Board did during this school year to manage campus repair with financial prudence. I feel privileged to have seen it all happen and come together. What unity, focus, strength and dedication from all corners of the community! The flood, however, fairly quickly lost dominance of the scene to student accomplishment. Throughout the year, the strength and goodness of the student body provided evidence that it would take more than the August flood to weaken the ethos of this school. The year-end academic and athletic accolades were confirming like no other year for me. Perhaps the best comprehensive example lies in our Class of 2017’s college admission success, reflecting a new degree of hard work of so many bright and motivated students. In reviewing this year’s college admissions results, you will marvel at the list of selective and highly selective colleges that have re-discovered Episcopal through the achievements of this great graduating class. The 2016-2017 school year was not, after all, the year of the flood; it was the year that student achievement abounded in new degrees and with greater breadth. With the Main Gym's return to use in February, flooded buildings including the Phillips Gym, the Lower School building, Penniman Hall, and all flooded courts and fields were fully repaired. All the flooded facilities are in markedly better shape than they were in before the flood. The flood is no longer the story. On Tuesday, May 30, construction will begin on the Academic Commons - the school’s first new academic building in quite some time. Plans are also underway to invest in expanding athletic facilities as promptly as prudence and funding allow. We are excited to share detailed information with you after Memorial Day regarding these new building initiatives. From my vantage point, Episcopal has entered a new era of unity and strength around its Mission & Ministry. This community showed itself, in 2016-2017, to be populated with an abundance of natural leadership and strength in students, faculty, coaches, parents, administration, and Board. It was a year for the “strong silent types” to carry the day and not be deterred by distractions and those who lost their way. Episcopal is not the “school that flooded.” Episcopal is stronger for facing these challenges - from nature and from within - and putting first our sacred duty to nurture and educate our students. Thank you. It is my privilege to be among those with such positive, reaffirming strength and the willingness to work hard on behalf of this worthy institution. May we each use these precious days of summer wisely and return in early August to answer the call: Let’s Go! Sincerely, Hugh M. McIntosh He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8 Dear Episcopal School of Baton Rouge Community Members,
Last night in the Lewis Memorial Chapel of the Good Shepherd, two things became clear to me:
Mr. Carter Smith, Episcopal’s Director of Choral Activities, conducted our Select Choir (with orchestra accompaniment) in the “Seven Last Words,” a recent composition by Dr. Michael John Trotta, a former student at LSU. The work features seven groups of words from Scripture involved in the Passion of Christ: “Father, Forgive Them” and “My God, Why Have You Abandoned Me?” are among the better-known examples. The four solos were each beautiful. As all The Select Choir voices unified in a moment of crescendo, the presence of the Holy Spirit and Divine inspiration suffused the Chapel. Only the purest truth can unite individuals in such concert and inspire the artistry I witnessed last night. Contemplating, during that concert, the great and indescribable love God has for us, this verse from the Book of John came to mind. It reminds me, in Jesus’ own words, that this is the least I can do in response to the gifts of love from God: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34.” Best wishes for a meaningful end to Holy Week and a safe, enjoyable break. Sincerely, Hugh M. McIntosh On February 12-14, Episcopal will welcome the visiting accreditation team from SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and SAES (Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools). During their stay with us, they will take a deep look at our program and offer an outside perspective on what we're doing well and where we have room to improve. The following letter is included in our report and I wanted to share it with you. Thank you for making Episcopal what it is today. ![]() There are many answers and initiatives in the pages that follow categorizing the work of the past five years, but more foundational than any of the information conveyed is the understanding that Episcopal is, first and foremost, “Episcopal.” In other words, our approach to education, governance, fundraising--you name it--is guided by our uniquely Episcopal identity. It’s in our DNA. You will see it on the football field, in the physics classroom, and, most assuredly, in our worship experience. It guides our decisions and frames our most difficult discussions. It allows us to be open to new ideas and the freshness of the Spirit’s guidance. It sustains us and reminds us of our common, shared humanity. We do not always meet the mark, but we continue to strive toward the goal of understanding and love. It’s a lofty ambition, but one we take seriously as a community. Because of the deep roots in our Episcopal identity, I can, with confidence, state that: Episcopal is StrongStudent Experience Students at Episcopal are benefitting from an ever expanding menu of opportunities:
College Admissions Our college admissions office has seen a 6% uptick in selective applications and admissions over the past three years. The college counseling staff continues to educate our students and parents, beginning in the eighth grade, raising awareness of the possibilities of study both inside and outside the state of Louisiana. Episcopal continues to track the changes occurring on the college admission front, particularly in the area of the Coalition for Access & Affordability and has taken steps to insure that our students, regardless of application format, are prepared and competitive for the college admissions process. Faculty and Staff Professionalism We have been fortunate to attract teachers and staff members with impressive credentials and experiences in the past five years, but beyond their qualifications lies a new sense of emotional intelligence and “fit” within our community that has afforded an awakening of curiosity and joy throughout the campus. Episcopal Is GrowingAdmissions growth We’re popular! After the initial decline in enrollment after the economic downturn, it’s nice to say that with confidence. Positive word of mouth within the Baton Rouge community and an increase in current family referrals yielded a greater interest in tours and open houses from prospective families. As a result, the Admission Office has seen steady growth in both the applicant pool and in new student enrollment. Along with new student growth, our annual attrition rate has decreased slightly, resulting in increased overall enrollment. We are not resting on our laurels and continue to research new markets and methods to insure a continued pool of qualified applicants for the future. Academic Commons As enrollment continued to grow it became evident that new academic space was necessary to accommodate growth. After our initial success with the Chapel renovation project, we are now pivoting to fundraising activities focused on a multi-use Academic Commons that will house science, math, engineering, and entrepreneurial classrooms. We then intend to repurpose Foster Hall (the current science and math building) to serve as an innovative learning center with flexible spaces for the Lower and Middle School. Episcopal is Resilient![]() 2016: a Summer of Unrest and Disaster The events of the Alton Sterling shooting in Baton Rouge had a profound effect on our community. We returned from the summer break and immediately began a process of dialogue, equipping our teachers to deal with the first few days of class and the resolution of conflict that could arise. Then, on the first full-class day into the school year, a rain event of unprecedented proportions blanketed the Baton Rouge area, causing catastrophic flooding in the community and damaging multiple buildings and all of our athletic facilities. Because of the resilience of our community, particularly our resourceful maintenance staff, and the steady, meaningful communication we were able to provide to our constituents, Episcopal was back up and running in less than a week. The Lower School was relocated to the VPAC and World Language, P.E., and Arts classes were scattered about campus. Within a month, we had returned to normal facilities and operation, with the exception of our athletic program. Throughout our ordeal, parents, donors, students, faculty, and staff maintained and increased their support, allowing us to “bounce back” to normal operations faster than any educational institution in Baton Rouge affected by the flood. Further, the powerful example of Episcopal students mucking houses and stripping sheet rock in the homes of those displaced by flooding cemented the broader community’s understanding that Episcopal students give back. Episcopal is RelevantPreparing the Student for the Path We continue to maintain a balanced approach to academics, arts, athletics, and spirituality while exploring and implementing new programs that draw us to the edge of current pedagogy. We carefully balance our approach to teaching, cognizant of the fact that we are preparing students for their college experience. Examples abound:
Graduation Distinctions Recent collaborations in the Upper School between Department Chairs and Administrators has set in motion a path to distinction in each subject area for the 2017-18 school year. Students with passions that might not include a traditionally recognized strengths in the Humanities or Sciences will soon receive graduation distinctions for other areas of academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular work. Service Learning The past five years have been marked by a deepened and reflective transformation in the Service Learning area of school life, with an emphasis on extended relationships with area organizations and student created service experience. As our students connect to and support service areas in which they see need, we believe they are intrinsically motivated to go beyond our requirements and form lasting relationships. Episcopal is Planning for the FutureBoard Leadership Episcopal’s Board of Trustees maintains its strategic focus, aligning its function closely with NAIS best practices. With the recently adopted five year strategic plan, a framework for growth through 2020 has been outlined. The recent, catastrophic flooding in Baton Rouge and on the Episcopal campus has necessitated a few course corrections, but the engagement and care the board has demonstrated “after the flood” has allowed Episcopal to recover quickly and turn its attention, once more, to strategic needs. A New Approach to Fundraising The flood altered our plans for a capital campaign to address both future academic and athletic needs. As philanthropic focus shifted, for many of our donors in the Baton Rouge area, to local flood recovery, it was evident that a major capital campaign would not fit with our new reality. We have shifted to a more project and interest-based approach, which has seen the successful completion of the chapel renovation and a good start to fundraising for the Academic Commons. Athletic Transitions and Task Force 2017 marked a transition in leadership for the Athletic Program at Episcopal. Myra Mansur, who served as Episcopal’s Athletic Director for many years retired and Randy Richard, former Dean of Students, Coach, and long time employee took the reins in a seamless transition. Then the flood came. Episcopal’s Athletic Program was, by far, the most deeply damaged area of school life. Randy and the Athletic Department rose to the occasion, rescheduling events and finding practice venues all over town. Our athletes lost very little field time, and, indeed, demonstrated the values of Episcopal by gutting houses in the community. Knowing the program was in good hands freed me and the Board of Trustees to work on the replacement of athletic facilities while at the same time imagining their improvement. From these conversations, the Athletic Taskforce was born. I look forward to its findings and our new plan for athletic facilities at Episcopal later in the spring. Episcopal is ReadyWe are ready to listen and inwardly digest the suggestions and observations resulting from this accreditation process. Our campus culture is geared toward questioning what we do, tweaking things that could work better and seeking out new understanding that will serve our students. We welcome you to our campus and look forward to engaging in a productive dialogue about what Episcopal is. |
Categories
All
Archives
January 2021
|