Letter from the Head of School “ What happened last spring was as profound as it was unprecedented. We adapted so quickly because of the strength, resilience, and support of our community. Your commitment and respect for George School are constantly palpable.”
Friends, As we close the books on the 2019-2020 school year, I continue to be grateful and honored at the privilege of serving as the head of school. As this report will attest, George School is blessed with remarkably committed and thoughtful alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends, whose support makes possible the high quality of education we offer our students. This past year testified to the grit and adaptability of the community. The challenges we faced at times were daunting, especially ensuring that we could protect the health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. While it was heartbreaking to have to depart from the traditions so ingrained in a “Senior Spring,” as well as those for alumni planning to return for reunions, George School came together to support and love one another in remarkable and inspirational ways. We made a quick decision, with the endorsement of the George School Board, to move to online teaching while gladly providing a safe haven for our international students who were unable to travel home. Again, I am grateful that so many of you stood up to help. What happened last spring was as profound as it was unprecedented. We adapted so quickly because of the strength, resilience, and support of our community. Your commitment and respect for George School are constantly palpable, as evidenced by your voluntarism,
your expressions of support for our faculty and students, and a surge of giving, both to our George School Fund and for many other purposes—some specifically to support the changes we have had to make to be George School during a health emergency. As you will see highlighted in the report, new endowments have been created for faculty support, including two new distinguished faculty chairs and a summer sabbatical program. The world benefits from George School’s mission and work, and we all enjoy this beautiful campus thanks to the foresight of John M. George and the many other alumni and friends who have strengthened George School for succeeding generations. We are grateful stewards of their trust and strive now, as always, to be a school where students learn to let their lives speak—through academic exploration, spiritual development, and service to humanity. The challenges of this day are new, but our historic commitment as a Friends school is unchanged. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. In friendship,
Sam Houser AN N U AL R EPO RT | 1
