Administrative Update - 05/05/2020

In biblical times, shepherds were needed to guide large flocks of sheep into open pastures for grazing, moving from place to place. They had to keep the sheep from wandering off, from being prey to wild animals, and from thieves. Because sheep needed so much attention, shepherds experienced a nomadic life, separated from society, and devoted to tending to the flock, to the point where, in harsh weather, they even lived in sheltered spaces with the sheep.

In these uncertain times, think about "a shepherd’s life," about someone who guides, remains separated from the rest of society out of devotion to his or her work, and takes pleasure in simple things. During this pandemic, we see and hear about so many examples of "shepherding," from the first responders and healthcare workers, to volunteers who work to provide meals to those in need - people who have taken action and have put others before themselves, much like the shepherd who lives his life for the sheep. We are grateful for these inspiring leaders.  

Within our Archmere community, we have many shepherds who are attentive to the needs of our flock. They lead and guide quietly and unassumingly, doing their part to make sure that the Archmere experience is the best that it can be for our students in this new way in which we are living.

Fee Reimbursements

We are grateful to our parents and students, who remain engaged "remotely," a challenging thing to do, when we would all prefer to congregate and learn together on campus in our beautiful facilities.  Now that we know we will be unable to return to campus through the end of the school year, we will be reimbursing a portion of some applicable fees to students’ families, including transportation fees, art supply fees, dining account balances, and driver’s education fees.  Mr. John Cirillo, Director of Finance, will be sending more detailed information regarding fee reimbursements.

An Archmere "Postgraduate" Gap Year?

In a Sunday, May 3 newspaper article written by Chris Quintana of USA Today, entitled, "College Commitment Day Delayed," he writes, "Roughly 11% of students surveyed by the Strada Education Network said they had cancelled their education plans since the coronavirus outbreak." The article goes on to cite another survey that suggests 12% of those students who have committed to colleges with a deposit had changed their mind, most citing uncertainty about the college experience and changing family economics.  In light of this national trend, we have received inquiries about the possibility of Archmere offering a "postgraduate" or "gap" year as an option for next year.  This is an interesting proposal, since Archmere did have a postgraduate year in the late 1930s and early 1940s.  It was intended to provide students with additional academic enrichment for college success.  The program ended, along with the seventh and eighth grade programs in the 1940s when the curriculum was consolidated to the traditional four-year high school curriculum we have today.  "History repeats itself," the saying goes, and when we compare the period after the Great Depression with the uncertainty of today, perhaps it is a viable consideration.  With that in mind, before we would research the possibility of such a program for next year at Archmere, it would be most helpful to hear from our senior students and families if they would have any interest in such an alternative for next year.  The program might consist of a combination of AP coursework, an internship component, and a service component. This is an unprecedented time, and this is certainly an unprecedented consideration, which is why we will be surveying our seniors and their families to determine initial interest in the coming days.

Online Meeting Platforms and Parent Support Meetings

We applaud our teachers and staff, who have transitioned to a distance learning platform that continues to be developed and enhanced, using innovative technology tools to ensure consistent and meaningful connections with our students. As part of the evaluation process this year, we are asking teachers to reflect on those technologies and distance learning strategies that they have found valuable and would consider integrating into their lesson planning for traditional face-to-face classes, once they resume.  During the last few weeks, I learned how to use I-movie and Photo Booth more effectively, and managing meetings or webinars using "Zoom" will continue to be most helpful.

Our college counseling staff have been creating a number of virtual pieces to celebrate the seniors and "College Decision Month," as many colleges and universities have extended their enrollment deadlines from May 1 to June 1. Although the seniors could not celebrate May 1 on campus this year, our college counseling staff made sure to mark the day with celebratory videos. Other programs are being planned throughout the month for our graduating class.

We used the webinar platform to host our Seventh Grade Open House last Wednesday.  It was a very successful evening, with 127 families registered compared with 90 families who came to campus last year. Clearly, the convenience of an on-line program may have influenced attendance; however, it is encouraging to have received positive feedback from such a large group.  We plan to use that same platform for hosting parent support meetings by class.  Parents will receive more information about dates, times, and format from Father John Zagarella, O.Praem., Director of Guidance in the coming days.

Giving Day, May 20, 2020

I have received notes from alumni and parents of alumni who have been reading our communications and have shared that they are "with us" in thought and prayer.  In addition, they, along with our friends and benefactors, continue to support our work with their gifts to the Archmere Fund.  Rescheduled from its original date of March 20, we are holding a Giving Day on May 20, as a way to give focus to our vital need to meet our Archmere Fund goal of $600,000 by June 30, 2020.  Tuition supports approximately 90% of our operating budget; we need to raise the difference to balance our budget. The need is more acute this year because of the effects of COVID-19 on our fundraising, endowment distribution, and financial assistance requests. As of April 30, we have raised approximately $340,000. With the cancellation of AukMadness and the Garage Sale in March, it will be a greater challenge to reach our goal.  We have received a $25,000 matching challenge gift from an anonymous donor as an incentive to participate in Giving Day. Each new gift made will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of gifts made up to $25,000 on May 20. We hope that many who are in a position to do so, will consider making a gift to Archmere on that day.

Senior Gift Program - "The Class of 2020 Scholarship Fund"

Since 2011, the graduating classes have been making a five-year pledge to underwrite a specific project at Archmere in honor of the graduating class.  Previous classes have helped fund the Technology Center, the refurbishing of the Bowling Alley in the Patio as a Dance/Movement Studio, the outdoor Piazza by the Manor, and other projects.  In years past, when class participation reached a certain percentage, the parent clubs and alumni association matched funds raised with $2,000 gifts from each organization.  In this most unusual year, we want to celebrate our seniors in a special way.  The parent clubs and alumni association will be making initial contributions to establish the Class of 2020 Scholarship Fund, which will be used now to assist Archmere families who are experiencing financial hardship due to the impact of  the COVID-19 virus.  Eventually, the Fund will be endowed to provide financial assistance in perpetuity.  Members of the Class of 2020 will be invited to make a personal gift this year of $20.20 by June 30, 2020. In conversation with the Student Council Senior Class Officers last week, they agreed that this would be an appropriate initiative that the members of the class would appreciate and support.  We will also be sharing a plan with the senior class as to how we will physically acknowledge on campus this timely and impactful gift to Archmere.

Archmere Community End-of-Year Mass on Sunday, May 31

Please plan to join us virtually in prayer to celebrate our community and the end of the school year on Pentecost Sunday.  We will be "streaming" from the Performing Arts Center Theater at Archmere at 10 AM on Sunday morning, May 31. Father John Zagarella, O.Praem. will be the celebrant, and Father Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem. will be the concelebrant.  As I mentioned in my letter last week, on the same day at 2 PM, seniors and their families will begin the parade of cars through campus, stopping to pick up their senior gift boxes.  More details to come about the events of the day.

While the campus is quiet these days, there is a great deal of activity happening within the Archmere community. We are fortunate to have many "shepherds" - parents, students, teachers, staff members, alumni, and friends, leading and guiding the "flock" - each other - out of love and concern, devoted to their work each day. In addition to all of this support that will get us through this challenging time, we know that Christ as the Good Shepherd, guides us, is devoted to us, and is pleased with us in our caring for one another.

Sincerely,
    
Michael A. Marinelli, Ed.D. '76       
Headmaster