NOW IS THE TIME FOR CAMPUS GROWTH...

KARA GILMORE SHAW

As part of Buckingham Friends School’s commitment to fulfill its mission to all members of its growing community, we have announced plans to adapt and improve our campus and facilities. We will indeed be “stepping forward,” taking a significant step towards a sustainable future, one that will foster further growth.

“As a current parent and an alum, I am excited about our partnership with Centerbrook Architects. I was here for the Arts Center build, which was completed in 1979. Our 8th grade class performed the first play “Arsenic and Old Lace,” directed by Linc Merwin, on the newly dedicated “Peter Barry Stage.” This is an exciting time for everyone affiliated with BFS. I look forward to contributing as a member of the Workshop Committee“ –Andrew Garrett, alumni, current parent, and Board member

Paul Lindenmair, Head of School, started the New Year by announcing that BFS was embarking on a consolidated master facilities planning process, to be completed by April, 2020. This two-phase, comprehensive process will be inclusive of all members of the BFS community. It’s being led by Jim Childress, Principal, and Beth Hedde, Project Manager, of Centerbrook Architects, Centerbrook, Connecticut.

Phase One began on January 15th and 16th with an on-campus visit by Jim and Beth. For two days, they conducted extensive meetings with BFS staff and faculty, the School Board and the Master Facilities Planning Committee to survey and discuss existing campus conditions, as well as future goals and ideas.

As part of this information-gathering phase, Jim and Beth also led a webcam meeting the following week with students from grades 5 to 8.

During this first phase, these talented architects were immersed in BFS culture, witnessing our mission in action firsthand and listening to the voices that comprise BFS.

In late February, Phase Two commenced with two interactive workshops, led by Jim and Beth, that included sixty individuals, representing eight stakeholder groups at

BFS: faculty, students, Board members, current parents, former parents, alumni, Steering Committee members, and members of Buckingham Friends Monthly Meeting.

These workshops, along with two open invitation meetings for parents and community members, will be of key importance in the development of a blueprint plan for the campus revitalization process.

Specific considerations for the workshops included:

• Solutions for the gym and arts buildings;

• Architectural solutions to advance the BFS strategic plan and goals for teaching and learning;

• Understanding the current site and facilities conditions to anticipate potential future campus needs.

In his opening remarks during the first interactive workshop, Paul commented: “We are all the beneficiaries of the stewardship, vision, work, and contributions of former generations of BFS community members.” This notion of leaving a place better than you found it is a truth for all of us who now inhabit and care for this friendly place. Paul concluded, “It is exciting to imagine what the outcome of our collective planning work will be.”

“During Jim and Beth’s first few days of campus visits and meetings we saw their approach in action. The way they engaged the students was specially instructive of how their method of inclusivity works. I can’t wait to participate in the two workshops and to see how these will work to refine their thinking and enhance their creativity. Their goal is the same as ours. Imagine what form it will take in Realizing the Promise of the BFS’s strategic plan.” –Robert Roop Co-Clerk, School Board member, Former parent, member of Master Facilities Planning Steering Committee