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MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER
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WHEN I REFLECT UPON THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, I AM, QUITE SIMPLY, ASTOUNDED.
One year ago, the administrative team and I convened via Zoom, filled with equal parts optimism and concern. In the weeks leading up to the start of the school year, public schools in the Richmond area and throughout the Commonwealth declared they were not opening for in-person learning. Many of our independent-school peers were adjusting the nature of their in-person offerings or had not yet committed to being in person at all. There was no school-specific guidance from the CDC. There were more questions than answers as to what we might face in attempting to operate a school with more than 1,200 individuals on campus each day amidst a once-in-a-century pandemic. How would school look and feel with onerous COVID restrictions? Would parents choose to send their children in person? Would faculty and staff have the will to come to campus at all? Would our youngest Saints be able to wear masks all day long? How would COVID impact the quality of life, school spirit, and relational nature of our program? And, most importantly, would we be able to maintain in-person teaching and learning for the duration of the school year?
One year later, we now know the answers to these questions. Parents responded in an overwhelming fashion to send their boys to campus. Teachers and staff faced uncertainty head-on and were resolute in their commitment to offer in-person experiences for our boys. The littlest Saints took mask-wearing in stride. And, yes, we fulfilled the entire school year in person. I write to you today, at the conclusion of the 2020–2021 school year, deeply proud of all that we have accomplished as a community. The boys and faculty and staff at St. Christopher’s have
The boys and faculty and staff at St. Christopher’s have not simply survived a school year in a pandemic, they have thrived.
not simply survived a school year in a pandemic, they have thrived. This crisis has brought out the best in St. Christopher’s. Two tangible points of evidence of this renewed strength are our current enrollment position for 2021–2022, with waiting pools in nearly every grade level, and our recent historic Day of Giving, when we shattered records in the number of gifts and dollars raised, while receiving gifts from 89 first-time donors. Perhaps less quantifiable — but no less significant — has been the resilience, grace, and flexibility of our Class of 2021. They will always be remembered, yes, as a “COVID class,” but more for what they have accomplished, against great obstacles, academically, artistically, athletically, and more. Creativity and resourcefulness have been on high display this year, as you will see in the pages of this magazine. Our faculty and staff adapted and created new experiences that will last long after COVID is gone. I hope you are as proud as I am to be a part of this exceptional community. Gratefully,
Mason Lecky
