Dear Parents,
I thought I’d give everyone a break from my missives last week, but now it’s time for another update. l write on this gloomy Sunday while looking out the dining room window at some rather disconsolate deer. It’s a bit of a forlorn sight, but I am heartened by the fact that tomorrow will see the return to campus of our Blue and Gold 9th grade students. Hurrah! It was good to see the seniors all on campus last week, and next Monday, March 8, the sophomores and juniors will complete the return to school in Hybrid B of the entire Upper School
COVID Results and Ongoing Safety
Last week, we tested 891 people and had zero positives. The previous week we had one positive. We have now tested 16,179 people since August; 16 students and seven faculty members have tested positive in that time. There have also been students and faculty who have tested positive off-campus. We estimate this number to be 28. The positivity rate since August of 0.14% at school continues to be much lower than in the community, and there is no evidence of on-campus transmission.
We have 150 vaccinated faculty members and continue to support those who have not yet secured vaccination appointments. Nevertheless, with more students on campus, if there should be positive cases, the possibility of on-campus transmission increases. We must continue with strict safety protocols. We cannot bring more students back to school and relax protocols simultaneously. And once again, I ask you to exercise the utmost caution at home and in your community. Please help to keep everyone safe by limiting interactions and by following strict safety protocols.
While we are seeing a significant drop in infections across the country, many experts unfortunately expect to see another surge in late March, mostly connected to the different variants. There is disagreement about the possible surge’s severity, but a high degree of confidence that it will happen. Unless I see significant changes at school in our infection rate or any evidence of on-campus transmission, I will not retreat from offering students the ability to be on campus. As previously announced, we will be testing all students and faculty after spring break and before they are permitted on campus, and I hope that this will be the extent of our required remote learning this year.
Curriculum and Program Committee
Our new Curriculum and Program Committee is up and running. This committee is chaired by Director of Teaching and Learning Lisa Vardi and a senior faculty member, Cathy Campbell, Assistant Head of Upper School. The purpose of the committee is to review the curriculum and program, assess potential major developments or changes, guarantee the integrity of our offerings and ensure that there is balance in the program and in the divisions. It will also safeguard the curriculum’s coherence and cohesion across divisions. We must guarantee smooth transitions for students not only from one grade to the next, but also from one division to the next. In addition to the co-chairs and the division heads, the members of the committee are:
| Topic/Subject Area | Committee Member | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Athletics | Andres Parra | CD |
| College Counseling | Lynn Kittel | US |
| Equity, Inclusion & Justice | Elise Kohan | LS |
| English | Marcie Demers | MS |
| Entrepreneurship | Aimee Narcisenfeld | US |
| Environmental Stewardship | Dana Miller | LS |
| Learning Support | Hannah White | MS |
| Math | Taryn Kittel | US |
| Performing Arts | Michelle Kelly | CD |
| Science | Mark Walter | CD |
| Social-Emotional Learning | Lauren Keller | MS |
| Social Studies | Ben Mosteller | US |
| Tech & Engineering | Matt Zigler | CD |
| Visual Arts | Lindy Russell-Heyman | LS |
| World Languages | Evelyn Beckman | US |
Athletics and Arts
It has been inspiring to see more of our artistic and athletic scholars participating in their activities, albeit within the framework of the significant safety protocols to which they must adhere. Athletes are now practicing twice a week, and we envision a significant spring season. Details will be sent out very soon by our athletic directors, Coach Parra and Coach Lloyd. We also hope to have more significant Middle School activities get going very soon; stay tuned.
Community Surveys - Executive Summary
Surveys were sent some time ago to different constituencies to support the work of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. I am very grateful to the 332 of you who completed the parent survey.
I have reread the survey results and every comment several times. The responses to the surveys were generally affirmative, which is reflected in the weighted scores. It was gratifying to read so many positive comments from long-tenured Bullis parents and those new to the school too. I gained a different understanding of what parents like about Bullis. There were also thoughtful comments about how Bullis could improve. While the executive summary below deals specifically with the individual questions, some of my takeaways include:
Parents Appreciate:
- Caring teachers and administration
- Strong academics, athletics, arts, and learning support
- The facilities
- Diverse student body
- Good communication from the school
- Parents believe that the performance of the school exceeds its community reputation.
- The response to the pandemic (although several wish we had gone further).
Parent Concerns:
- Rising tuition
- Connections for new students to the school, especially during the pandemic
- Ensure focus on academics
- Ensure athletics remains strong
- More focus on the arts and balance in general
- Need for a more diverse faculty
- Transparency around governance and finances
- Reputation not aligning with reality
- Lower School building
The responses are given a weighted average from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree):
Q. 2. My family feels a strong sense of connection and belonging to the Bullis community.
Weighted Average Lower School 4.20
Weighted Average Middle School 4.09
Weighted Average Upper School 3.74
- Pandemic made feeling connected difficult.
- Bullis families very welcoming, but more can be done for new families, especially this year and more so in the Upper School.
- Teachers are very warm and caring, communications from the Administration helpful.
- “My lack of a strong sense of connection has to do with the current situation (not being able to visit the school, attend functions and performances, or meet people in person), coupled with being new to Bullis. Virtual opportunities and good outreach notwithstanding, it's just a difficult time to try to forge connections.”
Q. 3. Based on my family’s experience, I would proudly recommend Bullis to those outside the Bullis community.
Weighted Average Lower School 4.83
Weighted Average Middle School 4.64
Weighted Average Upper School 4.51
- “We have loved Bullis so far! I would emphasize the small classes, individualization/differentiation, and beautiful facilities!”
- “We really believe Bullis is a place where our son can grow and be successful.”
- For some new families, the verdict is still out since they haven’t been able to get the full Bullis picture yet due to the pandemic.
Q. 4. “Achieving Excellence Through Balance” is a key aspect at Bullis. The School’s current approach toward academics, arts, and athletics is well balanced.
Weighted Average Lower School 4.56
Weighted Average Middle School 4.42
Weighted Average Upper School 4.22
- There could be more focus on academics and arts.
- Some sports don’t get as much attention as others; more developmental work could be done.
- The activities requirement can be tough for students who don’t live close to Bullis.
- “I think the school does an excellent job in giving a well-rounded education. The arts program is fantastic, they offer athletics for all levels of skill and they do a great job preparing kids for college with the advanced courses they provide.”
Q. 5. Diversity and inclusion are core values at Bullis. My family experiences Bullis as a welcoming, respectful, and safe environment.
Weighted Average Lower School 4.69
Weighted Average Middle School 4.64
Weighted Average Upper School 4.44
- Very diverse student and parent body; more diversity needed in faculty.
- Good approach, but more work to be done. Some segregation (also socio-economically) on campus.
- “I appreciate that Bullis has a more diverse student body than other private schools in the area, and I also like the ways in which Bullis has embraced discussion of important D&I topics. Moving forward, it would be interesting for Bullis to think about adding equity to the equation, as well.”
Q. 6. The Signature Programs (Entrepreneurship, Humanities and Global Studies, STEM, and Visual and Performing Arts) enhance my child’s educational experience.
Weighted Average Lower School 4.40
Weighted Average Middle School 4.25
Weighted Average Upper School 4.20
- STEM program is strong but could be enhanced and focused on more.
- Some parents feel their student hasn’t been exposed to the Signature Programs yet (mainly in LS and MS).
- Some families chose Bullis mainly for the Signature Programs.
- “This is one of the reasons we choose Bullis for our kids. We liked the exposure to programs that would further enhance their curiosity about learning and peak interest for future careers. The curriculum is progressive and helps to keep them engaged with learning.”
Q. 7. Providing a high-quality learning support program should be a priority for the school.
Weighted Average Lower School 4.66
Weighted Average Middle School 4.63
Weighted Average Upper School 4.67
- Learning support program very much appreciated by many. More training for faculty.
- “The middle school learning support and my child's advisor were the key to success in middle school.”
- “Kids all learn differently and that is something Bullis seems to truly understand and excel at supporting.”
Q. 8. My child’s mental health and overall well-being is sufficiently supported and looked after.
Weighted average Lower School 4.45
Weighted Average Middle School 4.28
Weighted Average Upper School 4.08
- Regular check-ins by counselors or advisors would be helpful, especially in the Upper School where more resources might be needed.
- Great and close relationships with teachers help the students.
- “Her teachers seem to be very in-tune with her and touch base on how she is feeling about the pandemic, school, etc. We feel the greatest strength of Bullis for her has been the relationships she has been able to build with her teachers.”
Q. 9. Bullis’ reputation aligns with my family’s own experience at Bullis.
Weighted Average Lower School 4.11
Weighted Average Middle School 4.07
Weighted Average Upper School 3.94
- Bullis is underrated; better than its reputation.
- More community service could be helpful as well as focus on college entries.
- “I think that Bullis' reputation is evolving (getting stronger) and its reputation is not 100% consistent -- our experience surpasses its reputation. I think how Bullis has handled itself in the pandemic will only serve to elevate its reputation.”
- “I am often correcting the community's disconnect with Bullis' reputation and what is actually happening at the school today. Unfortunately, there are still many preconceived notions of a former era of the school. I find the school to be innovative, the faculty to be excellent and engaging, the facilities to be outstanding, the approach is balanced, and it is a great all-around school for my two very different children.”
Q. 10. The campus facilities and buildings enhance my child’s experience.
Weighted Average Lower School 4.69
Weighted Average Middle School 4.68
Weighted Average Upper School 4.58
- Overall wonderful facilities, but “pretty buildings” shouldn’t get too much focus.
- South Hall and North Hall are aging.
- LS and MS facilities not sufficient/appropriate.
- “The facilities are incredible. They allow teachers to engage in the academics, arts, and athletics in hands-on ways, with the resources to achieve whatever their imaginations allow.”
Q. 11. I understand the importance of giving to the Bullis Fund.
Weighted Average Lower School 4.49
Weighted Average Middle School 4.49
Weighted Average Upper School 4.30
- Many love to and are proud to contribute but would like to see where the money goes.
- Participation percentage should be higher.
- Hard to contribute with high tuition.
- “It would be nice if there was more information about where the money is spent. Right now it’s a little vague. I think more people would donate if they believed in the cause and knew where their money was going.”
Q. 12. Are there any further comments or ideas you would like to share?
“Please continue to do what is the right thing by the students and teachers! Really proud how Bullis appropriately took an early stance on getting the kids back to school early.”
“I think that strategically reducing tuition and increasing the academic reputation of Bullis should be the top priorities.”
“Bullis needs to strengthen its marketing as a school w strong academics - the “balance” message is important but I think leads people to believe the academics aren’t strong enough. College counseling is outstanding and should be highlighted as well.”
“I applaud all the work everyone has done to keep our kids in school safely. I don’t know what this year would have been like otherwise. Thank you.”
“We love Bullis! Rising tuition at Bullis has made it difficult to budget. We are blessed to be able to send our son to this great school.”
“I am an alumni of Bullis and have been so pleased with all the recent changes at the school. I feel fortunate that my child can attend a school where his learning needs are supported so well. Bullis has always accepted children with different learning styles and has thrived at being a school where children of all academic levels can excel. It is my greatest hope that Bullis continues on this well-proven trajectory for the future.”
In Conclusion…
I hope this summary was helpful. The survey was certainly helpful for me; thank you very much. As I mentioned, I am looking forward to tomorrow, and more 9th grade students being on campus. I will be out to greet them in the morning. Don’t worry if Freddy is not spotted for a week or so; he will have been dognapped by my daughter. She and her grad school roommates need an affectionate pooch to get them through their mid-terms! Have a good evening.
Warmly,
Christian G. Sullivan
Head of School
