Red & Gray Magazine: Focus on Service Learning - The Fessenden ...

Special AnnouncementFrom the Headmaster & President of the Board of TrusteesDEAR FESSENDEN PARENTS, ALUMNI,AND FRIENDS,I am writing to inform you that I will conclude my career as Headmasterof The Fessenden School in June 2011. As many of you know, I was initiallyappointed Interim Headmaster and accepted the offer to becomestanding headmaster in November 2005. Subsequently, at the beginningof my second year, I committed to serving as the permanent headmasterthrough June 2010, with consideration of continuing through June 2011.I have chosen to fulfill my commitment to Fessenden at the end of nextyear. By giving notice of my departure a year and a half in advance, Ihope to position the school most advantageously as it begins its searchfor my successor.The past four and a half years have been extraordinarily fulfilling forNancy and me, and I am hard-pressed to express satisfactorily my gratitudefor the privilege of being part of this vibrant community. From myfirst opening day on campus in September 2005, I was mesmerized bythe boys’ energy and enthusiasm, beginning at drop-off in the morningand continuing through pick-up at the end of the school day. The twentyfourhour commitment to the boys in the residential sector carries intothe non-residential sphere, creating an ethos of adults caring for andsupporting boys from kindergarten onward.At the heart of any successful school operation is its faculty and staff. Inthis respect I have been blessed with a team of individuals possessing aunique understanding of how boys “tick” and a passion for working withthem to provide the foundation for their personal and academic growth.Fessenden has an enviable blend of experienced and younger faculty andstaff, each one of them indefatigable in their work ethic and commitmentto the boys. To augment the existing faculty who were in place upon myarrival, an exceptionally talented group of new faculty and administratorshave joined them, all of whom are providing leadership and stability thatwill be a huge asset to my successor. In my mind, Fessenden’s commitmentto putting the boys’ needs “front and center” could not be emulatedin another setting.I believe that among the greatest accomplishments during my tenure isthe work of the Board of Trustees, which has provided exceptional governanceof the school. The Trustees have appropriately deferred to me decisionsrelated to the daily operation of the school, yet have always beenthere to lend support when I have needed counsel regarding policy issues.The Board has been generous in every respect, making decisions that arealigned with Fessenden’s mission. There is transparency in the Board’scommunication with the community, and key strategic financial decisionshave put Fessenden in an enviable position today.It has been gratifying and inspiring to participate in the evolution of astrategic plan to meet the future needs of the school in the areas of facultycompensation, financial stability and curriculum development. To mysuccessor, I hope to leave a school that has made significant progress inincreasing its endowment in support of these priorities. As you know, weformally launch our endowment campaign, Character & Community,early next month and I am excited by the opportunity to be part of this endeavorfor the next seventeen months.As I anticipate my remaining service to Fessenden, I am eager to puteverything in place to make my successor’s transition occur seamlessly.Nancy and I look forward to our continuing time with the Fessendencommunity, all of us working creatively, yet never losing sight of Fessenden’soverriding goal — “Bringing Out the Best in Boys.” It has beenand will continue to be an honor and privilege to be associated with thisexceptional community and school.Sincerely,Peter P. DrakeHeadmaster