FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL

HEAD OF SCHOOL

DIANE BORGMANN

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BEN PECAR

PRESIDENT

HEAD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

JENNIFER WILLIAMS

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

GLENNA LYKENS

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

JAMIE MACDOUGALL

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

DR. SUSAN KARPICKE

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

HOLLY LEE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PATRICK JUDAY

SYCAMORE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

COURTNEY PRYOR

PRESIDENT

DEAR

SYCAMORE FRIENDS,

This year has been an exciting and productive one for Sycamore! We completed our ISACS Self-Study Report, a major accomplishment toward our re-accreditation. September 23-26, an ISACS Visiting Team will be at Sycamore to observe what we’re doing, interview our employees and others, and produce a Visiting Team Report, a report that will mirror our Self-Study Report and lead to our re-accreditation. In addition to our ISACS work, we have planned for the second annual national conference for educators from independent schools with missions to serve gifted kids. Our inaugural conference last June was very successful; this year the dates of the conference are August 2 and 3. We have worked on program development and more innovative uses of our new spaces. Under the direction of Patrick Cauley, we have worked on a Strategic Technology Plan that will direct our technology efforts the next few years. We have had a full agenda!

This spring we saw some long-time faculty retire: Deb Reidy, Jeannie Shull, Joan Rau, and Becky Horton. Those four represent many years and immeasurable impact on hundreds of kids. Sycamore’s greatest strength is people! We invest in educators who are intelligent and creative and who are willing to challenge our thinking and push boundaries of what is possible in an independent school. To that end, we have hired an exemplary group of new faculty to propel us forward.

Our alumni constantly tell us of the influence of Sycamore’s stellar faculty. In this edition, you will read about some older alumni who returned to Sycamore to share their stories, and you’ll also have the pleasure of reading the graduation speeches delivered by three of our newest alumni. I’m always impressed, not only by the academic prowess and articulateness of our alumni, but also by their caring and generous attitudes. I’m proud to see our core character values of respect, moral courage, empathy, and relationships still radiating from our alumni. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

This fall Sycamore will begin its 34th year. The school and all its supporters have accomplished so much in the first 33 years, and there’s only excitement about what is to come. Sycamore’s mission has never wavered, and in that is our strength. After all, this is too good not to be better!

Thanks for your interest in and support of Sycamore! I’m honored to work with amazing colleagues, parents, students, and trustees. Thanks for accompanying us on this journey.

Onward and upward! Best regards,

Diane Borgmann Head of School