SOUTH KENT SCHOOL PARENTS ASSOCIATION
Brian D. Sullivan Chief Officer for External Affairs & Advancement
Thank you for your commitment to South Kent School!
THANK MISSIONYOU!
South Kent School prepares young men to succeed in college and thrive as thoughtful and engaged citizens in a rapidly changing and intensely competitive world.
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The Parents Association plays a critical role in advancing South Kent School’s Mission, helping us build a stronger community and further improve the South Kent experience for all students. This document provides the framework of the Parents Association, individual committees and their objectives, the School calendar, and key contact information. It also includes various ways to stay involved and an explanation of the importance of The South Kent Fund. If you know of other South Kent families interested in this partnership, please let us know. Your engagement and support make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and our community.
TABLE OF CONTENTS South Kent School Parents Association Overview 43 5 – 6 10879 Alumni and Development Team Parents Association Volunteer Responsibilities 2022–2023 Academic Calendar The South Kent Fund Making Your Gift to South Kent School Glossary of Terms Contact Information 2
The Fundraising Committee works closely with the Alumni and Development Team with a focus on achieving 100% parent participation in The South Kent Fund. The committee is composed of parents from every form and plays a critical role in supporting the experience of every South Kent student.
Outreach Committee
Conversations and gatherings with our current parents help demonstrate the warmth and strength of our community.
The Community Engagement Committee's help organizing this event makes it more personal and family-focused.
Parents Association fundraising supports South Kent School by increasing parents’ awareness of philanthropic opportunities. Parental philanthropy and contributions to The South Kent Fund directly affect the work that happens on campus daily.
Gifts to The South Kent Fund ensure that South Kent has flexibility in addressing short-term needs while maintaining the long-term financial stability of the School.
The Outreach Committee works closely with the Admissions Office to provide contact between existing parents and prospective families. The admissions process is competitive for prospective students and South Kent School, with families often choosing between South Kent and another institution. The Outreach Committee communicates with prospective parents via phone and in-person meetings and participates in or hosts regional events for applicants and newly accepted families.
SOUTH KENT SCHOOL PARENTS ASSOCIATION OVERVIEW
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Community Engagement Committee
In addition, community engagement can be as simple and fun as sporting your South Kent School and Cardinal gear out in the community, hosting zoom gatherings for other parents, and sharing ideas about on-campus events. It shows your school spirit and can spark a conversation about why you love South Kent.
Fundraising Committee
Additionally, when current parents represent South Kent at Admissions Fairs, it shows the strength of our community. It gives prospective parents a greater understanding of who we are, what makes South Kent special, and why current parents and their sons chose South Kent School for their education.
The Community Engagement Committee works closely with the Alumni and Development Team to help organize regional events and gatherings to support relationships and build community with other South Kent School families. Events such as Grandparents & Special Friends Day provide a wonderful opportunity for grandparents and special friends to become familiar with your son’s life on campus.
VOLUNTEERASSOCIATIONRESPONSIBILITIES 4
Chief Officer for Constituent
Jennifer Haase Director of Alumni Relations & Data Operations
Carol-Ann Bruen
860-927-3539bruenc@southkentschool.orgx205
Lead by example with your giving. Make a philanthropic gift (or pledge) by December 31 and follow that with participation gifts for South Kent School’s giving day, Prize Day Challenge. Pledge payments must be received by the end of the fiscal year in June. Attend committee meetings. Attend quarterly Parents Association meetings. Take part in volunteer opportunities determined by committees. These may include soliciting fellow parents for The South Kent Fund, outreaching to prospective families, and planning events for your son and his classmates. Encourage other parents to participate in South Kent School events, such as Parents Weekend, social receptions (including Admissions receptions), and more. Support South Kent School staff in specific requests relating to community engagement.
860-927-3539garciag@southkentschool.orgRelationsx254
860-927-3539haasej@southkentschool.orgx206
Chief Officer for External Affairs & 860-927-3539sullivanb@southkentschool.orgAdvancementx209
Brian D. Sullivan
PARENTS
ALUMNI DEVELOPMENTAND TEAM
Director of The South Kent Fund & Parent Relations
Gonzalo Garcia-Pedroso
November19 SAT Parent-Teacher Conferences 27 SUN Students return to campus by 7:30 p.m.
September23 FRI Parent-Teacher Conferences 24 SAT Parent-Teacher Conferences
Student
October18
March20 MON Students return to campus by 7:30 p.m. 21 TUE Quarter 4 begins
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by Orientation 14 FRI Quarter 1 ends after p.m. block Fall Family Weekend Break begins after last commitment 18 FRI Parent-Teacher Conferences
ACADEMIC2022–2023August CALENDAR
21 SUN 22 MON Quarter 1 begins December
RegistrationArrivalfrom
Thanksgiving Break begins after last commitment (campus closed) 3 FRI Quarter 3 ends after p.m. block Spring Vacation begins after last commitment (campus closed) 16 FRI Quarter 2 ends after p.m. block Christmas Vacation begins after last commitment 5
7 TUE Parent-Teacher Conferences 10 FRI Winter Weekend Break begins after last commitment 13 MON Students return to campus by 7:30 p.m.
January8 SUN Christmas Vacation ends Students return to campus by 7:30 p.m. 9 MON Quarter 3 begins
TUE Students return to campus by 7:30 p.m. 19 WED Quarter 2 begins
February6 MON Parent-Teacher Conferences
April22 SAT Parent-Teacher ConferencesMay21 FRI Parent-Teacher Conferences Grandparents & Special Friends Day June11 SUN Alumni Weekend ends 09 FRI Alumni Weekend begins 13 SAT Prize Day Ceremony 12 FRI Quarter 4 ends after p.m. block Underform Awards Class of 2023 Banquet 6
In 2021–2022, The South Kent Fund raised nearly $900,000 from alumni, parents, and friends of South Kent School. We are extremely grateful for the generous philanthropic support from so many, and we continue to strive toward giving levels on par with our peer schools. While many independent boarding schools see parent participation rates near 70%, our peer schools see rates consistently above 80%.
The South Kent Fund represents the unrestricted dollars donated by members of the South Kent School community that support the operating budget. Apart from tuition, The South Kent Fund is the most important method for funding South Kent School's continued excellence. The greater the support we receive from our families, the more significant impact The South Kent Fund will have on your son’s Withoutexperience.The South Kent Fund, our students would not be able to enjoy the many things we take for granted: weekend trips, classroom supplies, travel for athletics, speakers, PERCH, etc. South Kent relies on gifts from alumni, families, and friends to make up the difference.
Our goal this year is to reach 100% parent participation and raise more than $1,000,000 from our alumni, parents, and friends. We believe these goals are very achievable through strong engagement, enhanced communication, and a continued focus on delivering South Kent’s first-class, student-focused
Financial aid grants to the outstanding students and families who otherwise would not be able to afford the South Kent School experience Other student-focused opportunities
The South Kent Fund allows the School to offer the following:
What is The South Kent Fund?
Parent participation and the overall performance of The South Kent Fund have never been more important to the success of our School.
THE SOUTH KENT FUND 7
The South Kent Fund Goals
A full range of extra-curricular opportunities in athletics, the arts, science, and technology
Exceptional faculty who have professional development opportunities, including pursuing advanced degrees
A unique student experience through activities, clubs, speakers, intramural programs, entertainment, local trips, and weekend activities
Thisexperience.levelof financial support will position South Kent School to further establish itself as the leader in whole-student education. We are grateful for your time, energy, and leadership. Thank you for your willingness to help make South Kent a better place for all of us.
Methods of Payment
860-927-3539haasej@southkentschool.orgx206
Donor-Advised Funds
Matching Gift From Your Employer
Gifts to South Kent School can be made through various methods. Listed below are the most common ways to make a gift to South Kent School. If you do not see the information you need, please contact Jennifer Haase.
Individuals, families, and businesses can make tax-deductible charitable gifts directly from a Donor-Advised Fund. If you have questions about Donor-Advised Funds, please contact Jennifer Haase (contact information above).
860-927-3539haasej@southkentschool.orgx206
Check to see if your employer will match your gift. Please mail your company’s matching gift form to: South Kent School Alumni and Development Team 40 Bulls Bridge Road South Kent, CT 06785
MAKING YOUR GIFT TO
Wire Transfer or Gifts of Stock Please contact Jennifer Haase. Checks Please make checks payable to The South Kent Fund, and mail to: South Kent School Alumni and Development Team 40 Bulls Bridge Road South Kent, CT 06785
SOUTH KENT SCHOOL 8
Credit Card, Venmo, or PayPal
Please visit our secure Giving page: http://southkentschool.org/giving/overview/giving
The South Kent Fund is money raised annually by parents, alumni, and friends of South Kent School that directly supports the operating budget. Donor A donor is a parent, alumnus, or friend who has made a philanthropic gift to South Kent School.
Endowment
Fiscal Year A fiscal year is the start and end dates for the School’s operating budget. South Kent’s fiscal year is July 1 – June 30.
Unrestricted Gift
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
An unrestricted gift is a philanthropic gift made to South Kent School without a restricted designation. The money can be designated by the School to areas where it is most needed.
Centennial Society Hillside PigtailPrefectsHeadmaster’sSpoonerFoundersSocietySocietyHillSocietyCircleSocietySociety $50,000$100,000+$99,999$25,000$49,999$10,000$24,999$5,000$9,999$2,500$4,999$1,000$2,499 9
The endowment is South Kent School’s “savings account.” The endowment is another source of income for South Kent School, but the School can only draw a certain percentage from the endowment each year.
Giving Levels
The South Kent Fund
Giving levels are South Kent’s way of recognizing its donors. We hope that each family will give at the level of their ability.
Contact the Student Success Office with questions or concerns regarding school attendance, student travel, and other non-academic topics.
Health Center: Elizabeth McCarthy, School Nurse 860-927-3539 x healthcenter@southkentschool.org245
Contact the Athletics Office with questions or concerns regarding sports and activities. Business Office: Trisha M. Laundry, Controller 860-927-3539 x laundryt@southkentschool.org213
Athletics Office: Raphael Chillious, Director of Athletics 860-927-3539 x chilliousr@southkentschool.org297
Contact the Business Office with questions or concerns regarding tuition billing and payments. 10
Technical Support: Derek Porter, Director of Technology 860-927-3539 x techhelp@southkentschool.org237
CONTACT INFORMATION
Academic Counseling Office: Lynn Mellis Worthington, Director of Academic Counseling 860-927-3539 x lynnw@southkentschool.org208
If you need immediate assistance after hours, the Administrator on Duty is available by phone.
The School Store has all your South Kent School and Cardinal gear.
Student Success Office: 860-927-3539 x 200
Administrator on Duty: 860-248-5277
Contact the Academic Counseling Office with questions or concerns regarding grades, transcripts, academic testing, course schedules, and other academic topics. School Store: Kim Larkin, School Store Manager 860-927-3539 x larkink@southkentschool.org216
College Counseling: Lindsey Lefevre, Director of College Counseling 860-927-3539 x lefevrel@southkentschool.org250
Contact the Health Center with questions or concerns regarding health forms, medical information, medical transportation, and other health-related topics.
southkentschool.org