Board chairLast year, the Board of Trustees worked on a long-range plan that outlined some important decisionsabout the future of our school. The consensus was to focus our efforts on enhancing our currentprograms in order to solidify <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Francis</strong>’ position as the best K–8 school in Houston. A Master Planreview of our campus confirmed that the only cost-effective way to achieve this goal was through landacquisition, and our long search for the perfect tract finally paid off in May 2011, whenwe purchased 23 beautiful acres at 2300 South Piney Point Road. Less than two milesfrom our current campus, the property offers amazing possibilities for the future andthe students of <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Francis</strong>. Eventually, it will house three new cottages for our Primary<strong>School</strong>, feature an expansive fieldhouse and two top-flight athletics fields, and accommodate unit studiesfor our students, among other uses.2 <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Francis</strong> <strong>Episcopal</strong> <strong>Day</strong> <strong>School</strong>
During last year’s long-range planning process, we also madethe determination to beautify our Piney Point Campus. I must say,when <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Francis</strong> Wolves put their minds to something, the resultsare compelling. Thanks to the generosity and foresight of severaldonors and the hard work of our wonderful faculty, parents, andtrustees, our campus benefited from the following enhancementsin fiscal year 2011:The Woods Outdoor Classroom opened in March. This beautifulnature showcase features several stations for work and play,and our students and faculty use it daily for experimentation andobservation.We upgraded the Fine Arts Center with a new sound system,sound booth, stage curtains, baby grand piano, spotlights, microphones,and other state-of-the-art equipment.The addition of premium-quality grass and much-neededdrainage, bleachers, and sidewalks transformed our athleticsfield into a safer, cleaner practice and competition space. As abonus, we no longer have to cancel games due to standing water!Improvements to our Primary <strong>School</strong> playground includedthe installation of several new features and updates to existingequipment. Our students are having a blast exploring the newmusical instruments, dinosaur dig, wishing well, water table,playhouse, and more!Our donors have made a signficant difference on our campus,and it’s impossible to overstate the lasting benefits of their generosity.Gifts of time and talent are also indispensible, however,and I want to especially highlight the many volunteers who madea powerful difference at <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Francis</strong> last year. Chief among themare the chairs and volunteers both of the <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Francis</strong> Boots andBling Gala (which grossed an unprecedented $800,000-plus) andof the <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Francis</strong> <strong>Day</strong> Festival (which grossed more than $80,000).Board Chair Bill Montgomery (left) and Rev. <strong>St</strong>uart Bates celebrate the opening of therenovated athletics field.Visit page 18 to read more about Gala chairs Kelli Weinzierl andMaureen Graf and Festival chairs Kelli Cravens and Tammy Morris,who are being honored with the 2011 Outstanding VolunteerAward for their tireless efforts benefiting <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Francis</strong>.Our students also put in countless hours of study and practiceto win or place in several competitions. For example, our JuniorVarsity Blue Boys Basketball Team won the Presbyterian Tournament;ten Middle <strong>School</strong> students medaled in the Junior VisualArts Scholastic Event; and five Lower <strong>School</strong> and Middle <strong>School</strong>continued on page 7<strong>Annual</strong> report <strong>2010–2011</strong> 3
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