Together We: The Power of Great People
By Tom Whitworth III - FF/S
I hope each and every family and student has adjusted to new schedules and routines brought about by the start of school. Today it is definitely beginning to feel like fall is in the air and ready to unleash some cooler, beautiful days on our fast-paced lives.
We are busily preparing for two days of Board of Trustees meetings on Thursday and Friday of this week. In preparing my report and listening to others who have responsibilities during these upcoming meetings, I have gathered together many items of interest that deserve special attention and I would like to share them with you.
Just minutes ago, I heard the absolutely wonderful news that each member of our faculty and staff has contributed to this year’s Annual Fund. What an incredibly positive illustration of their commitment to the rewarding and meaningful work they do here on a daily basis! The Annual Fund supports five percent of all student, faculty and alumni programs here at Darlington, so to have 100 percent of our faculty and staff give back speaks volumes about the love and dedication these adults have for their work and their students. I feel so very fortunate to work with such committed individuals.
This news came on the heels of another great moment for the Annual Fund. At this year’s first phonathon on Sept. 13, 19 parent and alumni volunteers raised over $100,000 in one night! I was proud to be a part of this historic event for Darlington and to see faculty, staff, parents and alumni come together to support this great school. If you were one of the donors who received a call that night, you deserve a pat on the back, too! Thanks for helping us gain the momentum we need to “fill the 5!”
By now you may have heard that Mrs. Rebekah Kinney, Mrs. Jody Deaton and Mrs. Julia Dodd are our first recipients of The Carla and Leonard Wood Faculty Professional Development Endowment, made possible thanks to a challenge issued by Trustee Leonard Wood. In just 10 months, 37 Second Century Campaign donors pledged $500,000 so that Darlington could claim a matching gift from the Wood family. Again, so many caring and committed individuals have come together to achieve success – this time by funding a program that will absolutely transform our teaching and learning, for a major component of the award is to share, in meaningful ways, with colleagues the benefits of their studies.
In other campaign news, our Athletic Booster Club recently presented the first $5,000 check toward their $50,000 commitment to the Faculty Endowment Fund, thus pledging to help Darlington attract, develop and retain great teachers in the years to come.
Additionally, the Parents Council, which is comprised of all those parent organizations that support our students and teachers through fundraising, have committed to working together to plan a major "One School" event that will generate enthusiasm and energy for our entire school community. The details are being discussed, and goals are being set so they can hit another homerun on behalf of our students and faculty. This is great news and a testament to the leadership of the many parent groups charged with supporting our students.
In short, I just want to give a heartfelt thank you to all of you wonderful people – faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends – who are making such a difference in the lives of each and every member of this great school community. Here’s to a great fall at Darlington!
