Dear Friends,

I hope you had a great summer and are energized by the start of the school year.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to tour the new Tobin Montessori/Darby Vassall Upper School/DHSP Preschool building. It is spectacular! I loved many of the design choices, not only the natural light and new furniture, but also the small group workspaces in hallways and the way eighth graders will see the water and trees of Fresh Pond as they walk in their hallway. I was especially moved by the three gorgeous mosaics, to which the photos here do not do justice. In short, this is a building worthy of our children and community. I encourage you to experience it for yourself the morning of October 18th (rain date 19th), for the formal community celebration.

In other news, the topic constituents are currently most vocal about is the search for our next permanent Superintendent of Schools. From my perspective, this has been neither an ideal process nor the abomination that some are claiming. That is, I pushed for an earlier start to the community engagement period, which the Committee had planned for April. While frustrating that this piece did not begin until June, I do not believe we would have heard different substance a couple of months earlier. 

I am eager to meet the finalists, as I had a role in screening applications (whose names were redacted at that stage) and have not interviewed any candidates yet. I am pleased to have convinced my colleagues to add focused conversations for each of the three finalists with students, caregivers, and staff.

Here’s to a wonderful 2025-26!

In collaboration,

Rachel