As you know, Brimmer has a rich history as
a PK-Grade 12 school and we expect this year to be a continuation of reinforcing our guiding principles: creating lifelong learners who are inspired to learn, encouraged to explore, and empowered to lead. We are aware that the continued excellence of fulfilling Brimmer’s mission is a direct result of the generosity of all of our donors— past, present, and future. Thank you for your continued confidence in our programming and commitment to
providing a strong, healthy school today and for future Brimmer students.
Judith Guild Head of School
David P. Kreisler President, Board of Trustees
Message from the Chair of the Development Committee
L
ast year’s School theme, Responsible Leadership and Student Voice, reinforced Brimmer’s commitment to its mission to educate our students PK-Grade 12 through opportunities in the classroom, on the field, onstage, and in our global community. Our faculty was purposeful in teaching students how to find and use their voice in individual and collaborative settings. The closing few months of the academic year took an unexpected turn globally with COVID-19, requiring us to move to a remote teaching and learning environment. Our faculty and students pivoted quickly to design a creative, stimulating learning experience for all of our students. The pandemic also brought out student voice and responsible leadership in helping those in need within our community.
The School created a special fund within the Annual Fund called the Brimmer Community Fund. With all the fundraising efforts throughout the year and the challenges of living in a new normal, I am proud to report that we had an overwhelming response from the entire Brimmer and May community for the 2019-2020 Annual Fund. With the success of surpassing our goal, we were once again able to ensure continued excellence for today’s students, provide our teachers with educational materials, fund professional development, fund financial aid, support the arts and athletics, and maintain a first-rate physical plant for teaching and learning. As a Board member and proud alumna of the School, it is an honor for me to oversee the fundraising initiatives for Brimmer. I am thrilled with the results and proud of the community effort to support the School. Your dedication to contributing to the Annual Fund this past year is key to the financial health of the School and demonstrates your dedication to the Brimmer community of which we are all an important part. The record of support is extremely important, too, as we reach out to foundations, which look for strength in the percentage of parent and alumni support. As the cost of independent school continues to climb, your contribution bridges the gap in the operating budget; helps us attract and retain the best faculty; keeps our classrooms equipped with the most up-to-date technology; ensures that all
students have a well-rounded program in the academics, arts, and athletics; and attracts a strong and diverse community of educators and learners. The Development Committee and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated parent volunteer team, particularly 2019-2020 Annual Fund Parent Chairs Cindy and Paul Gamble P ’23, ’24 and our Leadership team of Sara and Panos Demeter P ’24, ’27; Howard Leeder P ’15, ’20; and Katie and Joe Terino P ’24, ’29. This leadership group and several additional parent volunteers along with alumni, alumni parents, and grandparent volunteers helped us surpass our goal of $850,000, raising over $975,000. Thank you so much. On behalf of our students, faculty and staff, and the Board of Trustees, I am deeply appreciative for all the contributions and volunteer efforts that make this School thrive and allowed us to once again surpass the Annual Fund goal for 2019-2020. Sincerely,
Kenyon Bissell Grogan ’76 Trustee, Chair of the Development Committee
Brimmer Magazine
Fall 2020
53
ANNUAL REPORT 2019–2020
Priorities 2020 and Beyond presents several challenges to the Brimmer community at large. In response to parts of this strategic plan, we opened this fall with a new Lower School Playground and Outdoor Learning Space where students can explore, play, and learn. This would not have been possible without the support of several committed donors.
