VISION 2O2O BRINGING LATIN’S FUTURE INTO FOCUS
Welcome to the summer edition of the Vision2020 newsletter. This critical nucleus, or silent phase, is the twelve to eighteen month period of time before going public which is dedicated to raising the majority of the goal from our most generous and willing donors. In just twelve months, we have reached over $13 million in gifts and pledges toward our $30 million goal, a successful close to the first fiscal year of the campaign nucleus phase. After nearly seven years, as I prepare to step down from my role as Director of Development at Charlotte Latin School, I am overwhelmed by your generosity and by the choice you have made to go above and beyond for this community. Your willingness to share your time, talent and treasure – specifically over the last year – has placed Vision2020 in the desired position of success. I will miss having the daily opportunities to learn more about your families and will be forever grateful for the opportunity to learn from you. Your feedback made our Case for Support stronger and our fundraising more effective. At the same time, I am very excited for Fredrik Akerblom, who will join Latin as the next Director of Development, to enjoy this privilege. As Fredrik’s wife, Tanja, is from North Carolina, I can think of no better place or culture than Charlotte Latin to reclaim roots as the parents of six children. I would like to extend a special thank you to Tom and Heather Finke, who have risen to the challenge of leading Vision2020 as Campaign Chairs. Not only do they give so much of their time and financial resources, but their thoughtful leadership has been reliable, consistent and unwavering. I would also like to thank Board Chair Jean Davis, Past Chair Eric Lloyd, Development Committee Chair Clay Adams and the entire Development Committee of the board who has put countless hours in to meet with and educate members of our community about Vision2020. Mr. Fletcher Gregory has once again led the facilities planning and financial planning of this campaign in such a way that merits trust and confidence. There are many more people worthy of thanking, but it is my hope and intention that we will recognize them in a special way once we go public, especially and including Mr. McIntosh, Mr. Wall, Mrs. Brock, Mr. Gatoux and, of course, the entire Development Team, who works around the clock to ensure our students and faculty have access to the best resources. Numerous families have shared that the gifts they have committed to Vision2020 are the largest they have ever made. Schools, not unlike other institutions, take time and measure carefully as they develop their own legacies. Charlotte Latin School – an institution of only forty-seven years – is just now developing legacies to complement that of its Founders, to outlive all of us. Although we have a history of giving, it is time, age, awareness and engagement that develop that critical mass of people willing to stretch in a way that shows their vision extends far beyond their own needs and experience. Thank you for changing the tide in recognition of our past, in honor of our present and in preparation for our continued excellence well into the future. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this special moment. Sincerely,
Mary Jane Masonis Director of Development
Campaign Newsletter | Volume 2, Summer 2017
INSIDE THE CAMPAIGN An Interview with Fletcher Gregory, Associate Headmaster and Director of Finance
The Gregory family has been part of the Latin community for many years and involved in a number of areas of School life. Outside of the countless hours spent on the campus through their service, Mary and Fletcher Gregory have also been generous supporters of the School through their gifts. In this interview, Fletcher describes why they have felt compelled to give throughout the years and what excites him most about Vision2020.
Fletcher Gregory, Mary Salem Gregory ’06, Mary Gregory and Fletcher Gregory ’04
Tell us a bit about you and your history at Latin. My title is Associate Headmaster and Director of Finance. I’ve been at Latin for 26 years, the last 21 of those in my current role. I am also a former parent. My children, Fletcher ’04 and Mary Salem ’06, are “Latin Lifers,” attending Latin K-12. My wife, Mary, worked at Latin as a Lower School assistant and lead teacher for 22 years. Some of my children’s best friends are their Latin friends. One of my favorite parts of my role is the ability to interact with people in all departments here at the School. Mary and I are so grateful for our Latin community and the ways in which it has enriched our lives through the relationships we have formed being part of this family. What is significant to note about the Charlotte Latin mission? I believe the most important aspect of our core values is the commitment to excellence. As a parent, my children had a lot of teachers and each one was outstanding. From Mrs. Vandiver in Kindergarten to Dr. Kneidel in AP Biology – they were all high quality educators. As an administrator, I would talk about that commitment to excellence in terms of the School being honest in assessing and addressing its needs. We are not perfect but we are constantly working to be the best we can be. That comes into play when we find an area of need and we do our best to address it appropriately, responsibly and effectively. What makes a Charlotte Latin student special? When we talk to alumni, they always mention how well prepared they were for college. CLS students know how to read, write and study. Equally important, our alumni speak about the character development that is prevalent throughout our K-12 curriculum. Therefore, they are successful in college, and that leads to being well prepared for life after college in the working world and in whatever field they choose. Why do you and Mary choose to support Latin with your gifts? Our children loved their Latin experience. We are a Latin family, through and through, and it is easy to make Latin one of our primary areas to support. Plus, the Latin Fund is essential to the School. We would not be able to do all that we do, to provide the programs that we do, without meaningful contributions to the Latin Fund. It would take a significant increase in tuition to accomplish the same goals. What excites you most about Vision2020 and why did you and Mary decide to support the campaign in this early phase? All of the facilities in the campaign are tied for first in my mind because they are needs and not wants. We have done a lot of work over the last three years to assess needs through the master plan and to get input from the community for what is most important in the next phase of construction. We need all of the facilities projects. But, just as important are the non-facility priorities of the campaign supporting faculty and financial aid, as well as the Latin Fund. It is essential that we have a successful campaign so that we can not only meet the current needs of the School but be as prepared as possible for what lies ahead. The ability to improve and build new facilities is done through donations, and not tuition.
Everything you see above ground at Latin is here because of donated dollars. If you are asked to participate in the campaign, it is your turn to ensure CLS is able to continue its excellence into the future. That is why Mary and I chose to make a pledge to the Vision2020 campaign. These identified projects are needs that the School has recognized in order to be the best it can be.
VISION2020 PRIORITIES AND TIMELINE UPDATE At the March 6 Board of Trustees meeting, members finalized important decisions pertaining to the scope and timeline of Vision2020. Individual contacts for each priority are listed below. For general questions, please contact Emily Pinkerton, Campaign Manager, at 704-846-7292 or emily.pinkerton@charlottelatin.org.
FINAL ATHLETIC PRIORITIES • • •
FINAL ACADEMIC/STUDENT LIFE CAMPUS UPGRADES AND ADDITIONS
New 10,000 square foot (pre-engineered) field house New South Campus practice field New South Campus turf field
•
New 50,000 square foot Upper School (Humanities) and Administrative building
•
New South Campus shelter facility and amenities (viewing area/scoreboard) • Relocation of the tennis center to South Campus
• • •
New permanent Hawks’ Club Extended Day facility New campus parking Student Leadership Center (renovated 100/200 building)
Athletics Questions? Contact David Gatoux, Director of Athletics, at dgatoux@charlottelatin.org.
Facilities Questions? Contact Fletcher Gregory, Associate Headmaster and Director of Finance, at fgregory@charlottelatin.org. Leadership Questions? Contact Ann Thompson Brock ’81, Director of Leadership Development, at abrock01@charlottelatin.org.
FINAL NON-FACILITY PRIORITIES • • •
Faculty Investment Fund Financial Aid Fund Latin Fund
Faculty Investment Fund or Financial Aid Questions? Contact Fletcher Gregory, Associate Headmaster and Director of Finance, at fgregory@charlottelatin.org. Latin Fund Questions? Contact Sally Gray Smith ’82, Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations, at ssmith@charlottelatin.org.
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES People Faculty Investment Fund • Financial Aid • Latin Fund •
37%
63%
Places and Programs • Athletic Facilities Enhancements • Campus Parking • Hawks’ Club Extended Day Facility • Student Leadership Center • Upper School and Administration Building
PROJECT DESIGN: UPPER SCHOOL AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 2018–2019
An outdoor gathering space will be created between the Upper School and Administration Building and the Beck Student Activities Center, providing an option for students to take advantage of pretty days on campus before and after school and during breaks.
The building will house 24 classrooms. Classrooms will be soundproof, solving one of the main issues with the existing buildings. Furniture selection will allow for greater collaboration and flexibility.
Various meeting rooms through an environment that encoura
Open space in the halls will provide a place for students to gather, study and complete work before or after class.
Harkness and conference tables an to inspire creativity
hout the new building will create ages teamwork and discussion.
nd large white boards will be used y and idea-sharing.
The new Upper School and Administration Building will provide a visual “front door” for Latin’s campus. College Counseling and a number of additional administrative offices will relocate to this building.
A lobby area at the entrance of the building will serve as a place for greeting guests. Large windows along the first to second floor stairway will create a bright and welcoming space.
SOUTH CAMPUS CAMPAIGN PROJECTS
Nearly 90% of seventh–twelfth grade students are part of Latin’s 69 athletic teams. 39% of teams use the existing fields, which often causes scheduling challenges and results in late practices, games and occasional cancellations. The athletic enhancements included in Vision2020 will allow for greater flexibility with scheduling practices and games, creating an opportunity for student athletes to be home earlier in the evening to focus on family time, class assignments and rest. Confirmed projects will also solve problems associated with inclement weather, such as easily damaged grass fields and the current lack of shelter space.
NEW PRACTICE FIELD 2018-2019
TENNIS COURTS relocated to the Butler property
Not pictured: A new 10,000 square foot pre-engineered field house near Beck Student Activities Center will serve the needs of our strength and conditioning programming, as well as provide flexible “open” gym space that may be utilized for indoor practice needs for Middle and Upper School students.
SwimMAC
2019-2020
SHELTER FACILITY AND AMENITIES (viewing area, scoreboard, parking)
Provi dence Road
Main Campus
ARTIFICIAL TURF FIELD 2017-2018
2017-2018
PROJECT PHASING 2017–2018
2018–2019
2019–2020
• • • •
•
• • • •
South Campus Shelter Turf Field Parking South Campus Amenities
• •
Upper School and Administration Building New Field Hawks’ Club Extended Day Facility
Student Leadership Center Field House Tennis Courts Parking
PRIORITY SPOTLIGHT:
LEADERSHIP at LATIN
In the fall of 2015, Headmaster Arch McIntosh, Ann Thompson Brock ’81 and a committee of faculty, parents, trustees, administrators and alumni, partnered with the Center for Creative Leadership to create the framework that will support Latin’s student leadership development efforts in years to come. Leadership was an important component of our Founders’ vision for the School in 1970, and continues to be one of the School’s Core Values. The framework, Charlotte Latin Leads with Honor, gives every Charlotte Latin student the opportunity to lead. Ann Brock was recently named the Director of Leadership Development. Prior to this appointment, Ann served as Director of Hawks Quest, Latin’s experiential education program. Brock says, “When I was a student, leadership was focused on traditional roles - members of the Student Council, the lead in the play, or the captain of the varsity team. It is important that we encourage leadership as a lifelong characteristic of our students and promote the concept of everyday leadership as the ideal model. It might not come naturally at first and we should give each and every student the opportunity to try it on.” The leadership development program is not a planned curriculum. Instead, it is an intentional program woven into the Latin culture that will become part of the School’s everyday language. The four focus areas are: Honors Self, Honors Others, Honors Learning and Honors Leading. Students at Latin are expected to make a positive difference at the School and in the community beyond. Through the leadership development program, they will learn life skills such as innovative problem-solving, community building, and trust. Brock reminds her young and adult students, “A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” Discomfort and failure will be embraced and encouraged. Plans for Vision2020 include the renovation of the existing 100/200 building into a Student Leadership Center. In addition to space expansions for the leadership program and Director’s office, this building will dedicate space to existing programs such as Hawks Quest, Speech and Debate, Global Studies and Service Learning– student organizations that currently lack meeting or gathering areas. Through proximity to Charlotte Latin Leads with Honor and fellow student clubs, the Student Leadership Center will encourage collaboration, innovation and creativity. Recognizing the demands of an academically rigorous School environment and the additional commitments of our students to sport, club, or theater, the Student Leadership Center will include food service options after school hours. The Media Center, which recently extended its hours, will remain dedicated to quiet study while the common space in this new building will offer a place to meet, nourish and work together.
“TO LEAD WITH HONOR MEANS TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF EVEN IF OTHERS THINK YOU ARE WRONG.” – FOURTH GRADE STUDENT
LEADERSHIP PILOT PROGRAM:
EIGHTH GRADE PHYSICAL EDUCATION LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ROTATION
A novel concept in leadership development took place on South Campus. Eighth grade students participated in a 13-session rotation and were tasked with building a sustainable fort. Students were provided with landscape flags, twine, safety gloves and a whistle. They were allowed to request three additional items such as a tarp, tape and scissors. The primary goal of this project was for the students to work as a team in groups of 10 to design and build their forts while assuming different daily roles such as weather forecaster, architect, project manager and inventory control. The challenge incorporated concepts of movement, cooperation, competition and a final product. Simple decisions such as choosing a location and design required deliberation, discussion and compromise. The program included daily reflections by the students on successes and failures, opportunities and challenges. Ann Brock notes, “Through this project, the students practiced leadership traits that included listening, collaboration, creating a unified goal, recognition of strengths and weaknesses, good humor, adaptability and resilience.” At the conclusion of each session, the students were rewarded with a celebration in the forts. “Celebrations of this magnitude allowed for fabulous conversations around trust,” said Brock. Mrs. Lamm and other Middle School teachers had the pleasure of touring the forts at the end of each session. They interviewed the students about their process of decision making, allowing for further reflection on the value that leadership played as part of their experience.
“A LEADER PROTECTS THOSE WHO CAN’T PROTECT THEMSELVES. A LEADER IS INCLUSIVE AND ASSURES THAT EVERYONE’S OPINIONS ARE HEARD, NO MATTER WHERE THEY STAND ON THE SOCIAL LADDER.” – ELEVENTH GRADE STUDENT
“A LEADER IS A PERSON WHO UNDERSTANDS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD AND IS NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE WORLD’S IDEA OF PERFECTION.” – EIGHTH GRADE STUDENT
LEADERSHIP PILOT PROGRAM:
SALT
The Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) consists of a non-captain junior and senior representative from each varsity team who meet monthly to discuss how they can best serve as leaders to their respective teams and fellow students. Assistant Athletic Director, Deb Savino, serves as the staff lead for this group and Ann Brock as one of the advisors. SALT student representatives notify the staff leaders in advance of the monthly meeting of agenda items they feel need attention within the Athletics program. This year, examples included reengaging their teammates after a break, addressing teammates who were not “pulling their weight,” approaching coaches respectfully and encouraging other students to support less-attended athletic events. Brock would then create an initiative and train the student leaders on how to lead their peers through implementation of the initiative, thereby taking the first step in leading their teams to solutions. Most importantly, the student athletes learned how to debrief or discuss its application to their respective teams and the School. At the conclusion of the program, several students met with McIntosh, Savino and Brock and expressed the confidence they had gained in addressing their peers through their participation in SALT. Seniors recognized that this will be an advantage as they head off to college in the fall. “This pilot program was incredibly successful and the students involved took it beyond our hopes for what we initially envisioned it could be,” Brock said. “The meetings went from faculty/advisor led to student led before the pilot year concluded. We look forward to continuing this program with a new group of SALT members next year.”
LATIN LEADERSHIP SURVEY During the winter of 2016, the Center for Creative Leadership performed a survey on views of leadership at Charlotte Latin School. The below statistics provide a snapshot of the data collected. More information from this survey of parent, faculty/staff and student feedback will be shared with the School community this fall. •
84% of parents and faculty believe that leadership development should begin before age 11.
•
99.3% of parents and faculty believe that leadership development should begin before age 18.
•
95.3% of parents and faculty believe that leadership development should be offered to ALL young people (not just those interested in leadership development or with high potential).
•
86% of parents and faculty believe that leadership development should be part of every student’s educational experience.
*Faculty includes staff and administrators.
Planned Giving Planned giving is a legacy investment that outlives you and creates a lasting impact for Charlotte Latin students. It is also a way to support the School while enjoying greater tax and financial benefits. We invite anyone interested in discussing an estate gift to contact Sally Smith, Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations, at ssmith@charlottelatin.org or 704-846-7253.
CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP 2016 – 2017
Campaign Chairs Heather and Tom Finke Board of Trustees Jean Davis, BOT Chair, Trustees & Governance Committee Chair Joycelyn Lavelle, Secretary John Norman, Treasurer, Finance & Investments Committee Chair Clay Adams, Development Committee Chair Gary Anderson ’75 Joanne Beam Bill Bowen ’82 Bob Calton Lynn Crutchfield Heather Finke Mike Freno Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe Courtney Hyder Ed Imbrogno Kelly Katterhagen Joy Kenefick Eric Lloyd Coy Monk Denny O’Leary ’90, Marketing & Communications Committee Chair Tiffany Orndorff, Ex Officio, 2016-2017 Parents’ Council President Robert Schleusner Thad Sharrett ’89, Buildings & Grounds Committee Chair Walker Simmons Charles Thies ’90, Ex Officio, 2016-2017 AGB President Mitchell Wickham ’87 Development Committee & Campaign Steering Committee Volunteers Jonathan Halkyard Kari Halkyard Tara Garrity Lebda, Volunteer Campaign Coordinator Trey Tune Campaign Staff Contacts Arch McIntosh, Headmaster Fletcher Gregory, Associate Headmaster & Director of Finance, Main contact for construction Mary Jane Masonis, Director of Development, Main contact for fundraising Sally Smith ’82, Associate Director of Development & Alumni Relations Katie Brown, Director of the Latin Fund Carolyn Parsons, Director of Stewardship Emily Pinkerton, Campaign Manager Vernette Rucker, Director of Gift Accounting & Records Loretta Tuttle, Development & Marketing Associate
Renderings by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting.
VISION 2O2O BRINGING LATIN’S FUTURE INTO FOCUS