Dear CSS Families,
As our end-of-year celebrations have drawn to a close, we have turned our attention to planning for August. The Colorado Springs School Leadership Team, with input from our incoming head of school, Ms. Tambi Tyler, and me, have reflected upon our e-Learning platforms and we are planning the best way to deliver our mission and maximize safety in light of the COVID-19 public health crisis and emerging guidelines from local and national health authorities.
Please review the Colorado Department of Education and CDC's recommendations for schools. We know that the CSS faculty and staff can deliver an educational experience second to none even in light of these constraints.
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We are ready to implement health and safety practices for employees and students when we physically return to campus.
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We are researching and designing schedule innovations that would allow us to reopen with social distancing.
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You should expect to receive regular communication and updates on unfolding plans by mid-July.
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Other announcements:
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Decisions about the Upper School musical,
Fiddler on the Roof
proposed for July 31 & August 1 and a public Commencement Exercise for the Class of 2020, proposed for August 8, will be made in the next several weeks based on the current state of restrictions on public gatherings.
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The asbestos mitigation and roof repairs in the Children's Academic Center (CAC) are proceeding on schedule and to a high standard. The building will be completely free from any contamination well before the beginning of school.
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In the spirit of gratitude, I'd like to take a moment to thank faculty and staff who will not return for the 2020-2021 school year for their service to our students and families. Faculty and staff members are listed in reverse order of their tenure at CSS; Hunter Hall, Advancement and Communications Assistant; Shanie Holman, 8th Grade Science and Computer Science teacher; Kathryn Sieminski, 5th Grade teacher; Jolly Cunha, Kindergarten teacher; and Sandy Bray, Theatre Director. During an end-of-year faculty/staff awards ceremony, Jolly Cunha was awarded the 2020 E.E. Ford Excellence in Teaching award. Congratulations to her for this well earned recognition. We wish all the best in their retirements and respective professional and life transitions.
Sandy Bray, this year's recipient of the Et Apres yearbook dedication and Mary Wicks Award, deserves a standing ovation for her 24 years of service to CSS. She has inspired generations of actors to be their best and made productions in the Louisa Performing Arts Center the best show in town.
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New Faculty and Faculty Assignments
- Jonathan Andujar joins CSS to teach Middle School Spanish, support Middle School theatre productions, and direct Upper School drama productions. Jonathan is an experienced educator and native Spanish speaker who brings a wide range of experience from local theater companies to our classrooms and stages.
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Peter Wade, an experienced independent school educator joins our Middle School faculty as an advisor and 8th-grade science teacher, and he will teach computer science and Robotics in all three divisions.
In keeping with the spirit of preparation, we've devoted a great deal of thought to teacher assignments in the Children's School. As always, we give careful attention to teacher strengths, academic challenges, themes, class sizes, and the developmental needs of a particular group. In this process, we are also mindful of our low-class ratios of 1:16 in kindergarten and 1:18 grades in grades 1 to 5. In many instances, our actual ratios are lower than these maximum caps. Due to the continuing admission process, the evolving nature of COVID-19 restrictions, and their possible impacts upon our e-learning, hybrid, and bricks-and-mortar schedules, please expect to hear more information about Children's School teacher assignments later in the summer.
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Board of Trustees
I would also like to express my gratitude to a small group of trustees rolling off of the
Board at the end of their terms. This stellar group of leaders have served CSS with distinction. Thank you to
Eva Stefanac '00 and
Lorraine Leist '88, both graduates of the school, and to past parent,
Tia Ferguson P'08, P'11. Three new trustees, all current or alumni parents, will join the CSS board at our retreat this week. Thank you and welcome to
Sanjay Bhatnagar P'28,
P'31,
Ben Ralston P'30, and
Andy Sabin P'16.
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Personal and Professional Gratitude
This is my last communication as Head of School. Thank you for the special notes, honks and waves, and the many kindnesses that have been extended to me and my family during the close of the school year and my entire time here, for that matter. It has been a privilege to serve CSS for 13 years, seven in the classroom, and six as Head of School. My life has been incalculably enriched by the laughter, the authentic conversations, and the ambition and heart of this fine school. I'm grateful to have made deep connections with our students, teachers, and parents. I have a special word of gratitude for Anna Sass, my spouse and support system for the last 23 years. Her efforts with our children, Ben '25 and Henry, made my work at CSS possible, and her intelligence and good sense made me and my work better at every turn.
The CSS Leadership Team and Board of Trustees have led the school with skill, vision, and grit. It has been a pleasure learning and leading with this fine team. Pio Hocate, our President of the Board is an inspirational leader who understands CSS, the culture, and the many opportunities, better than anyone I know.
Thank you for reading this lengthy letter. It is my privilege to warmly welcome Ms. Tambi Tyler to CSS, she will assume her duties on June 15th. The CSS community is in very good hands.
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Aaron Schubach
The Colorado Springs School
Head of School
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