Head of School
Kim Samson
IN THIS EMAIL
COVID update | Summer work | Big picture thinking
Dear Beaver families and students,

It’s officially August and I'm writing this letter to welcome you to the upcoming 2021-22 school year.

The summer seems to be going by so quickly as we have been more able to resume our normal activities. I’ve been enjoying time out with friends, hiking, biking, and paddling as my way of recharging after my first rather full year as Head of School at Beaver.
As the start of the year approaches, I am enthusiastic about a new and hopefully quite different school year. 
That said, I know Covid protocols are on many of your minds, so let me start there.

I am thrilled to be kicking off this school year with everyone fully in person every day.

We will continue aligning our policies with CDC guidelines as well as state and local requirements. As of last week, CDC guidelines have been updated to recommend universal masking indoors for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status (see "update" at the top of the page here); local and state guidelines are forthcoming.

The Delta variant and emerging number of new cases, ongoing data about vaccine efficacy, and vaccine access for children under 12 are variables that are still shifting. I urge all of us to remain flexible on this topic as there may be changes throughout the year.

Please trust we will continue to prioritize the Beaver educational experience and our community’s safety. We will do this by looking at the latest data, recommendations, and consulting with our scientific and medical experts. You will receive additional communication about start of school protocols in late August.
Now on to what’s been happening at Beaver this summer! 
  • I’d like to once again welcome Zaira Santiago, Associate Head of School for Special Projects, and Chai Reddy, Director of Upper School. They joined us in July and have jumped into the fast lane when it comes to learning about the Beaver community. Zaira is spending many hours with me learning about the work we will share under the umbrella of the Head of School’s Office. Kader Adjout and the rest of the Upper School Team are participating in onboarding Chai. At our recent leadership retreat, we felt the impact of the experience and new lens each of them brings to our leadership team.

  • I’m excited seeing Kader transition into his new position as Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, focusing on advancing our next practices in teaching. The work he and his team do will support teachers in expanding the very nature of school for your child. 

  • I’m looking forward to introducing new faculty and staff when they return from their summer break. Our Teaching at Beaver orientation kicks off on August 24, and returning faculty will join for opening meetings during the week of August 30. We will also welcome 499 students to campus for the first day of school on Thursday, September 9. 

  • Speaking of the first day of school, the Back to School page on our website is where you can find the latest information for the start of the year. In addition, keep an eye on your email later this week for an invitation from Tiffany Smith, Director of Middle School, and Chai Reddy, Director of Upper School, for an on-campus event for MS and US parents/caregivers. We are eagerly anticipating having our parent community back on-campus! 
Summer is a great time for me to read and think about topics I’m passionate about. 
I hope you’ll indulge me and head over to the BVR blog to read more about what that looks like in my preparation for the start of a new year. In the post, I share thoughts about the Beaver mission and mindset as it relates to the current state of education in this nation.
I want to reiterate how happy I am to have all students, faculty, and staff back on campus in September.
I look forward to seeing everyone working together in the hallways, eating lunch together, donning safety goggles and getting to work in the R+D Center, recording in the studios, and gracing our stages again.

We are excited to be BACK! 

I can't wait to celebrate how far we’ve come and where we are going at Beaver throughout this school year—especially as we are able to commemorate our centennial! For now, enjoy the rest of your summer.

I will see you soon,

Kim