Head of School INNSider: December 2024

Dear SCH Community,

And just like that, it’s December! I hope this note finds you well and full from a Thanksgiving generous in love and spirit—and food. I had planned to put in a solid effort in a 5-mile race early in the morning, but the elements deterred me. I chose instead to hang out with my wife, Davirah, and our now-adult kids before heading to Mom’s in Aston, Delco for dinner. There, we made quick work of our plates and took in some football. Stuffed into the family room and ambling in and out of the kitchen, with all the cross-talk, the conversations were more cacophonous than coherent. Nonetheless, we got our point across—being in each other’s company is essential to our lives. It has been our tradition that Davirah and I cook at home, then eat at Mom’s on Thanksgiving, saving our own grub for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with the kids. Not so this year. For the first time, we chose not to cook, instead enjoying a Center City weekend escape to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Some time-honored traditions are ripe for disruption, on occasion, to pave the way for the new. 

And some are not. One that comes to mind is senior speeches. With the support of a speech advisor, every senior is required to deliver a speech in front of their peers, whether in advisory or at the Upper School assembly. (Recorded speeches are available in the Upper School tile in mySCH.) While some speeches are humorous and lighthearted, and others are serious and solemn, each presentation provides a unique blend of reflection, learning, and growth. Last week, a senior spoke about his first days working at Baker Street Bread Co. on Germantown Avenue. He described how he proudly took the order of a customer who wanted an espresso, only to err in using the machine and have the brew and grinds spray his clothes and face. Confidence shaken, he found himself on dishwasher duty. He then offered an account where he tried to operate the cash register as the line extended beyond the entrance, with babies in carriages crying and customers looking on with regret and impatience. He was inundated. This time, however, he asked for help from a coworker. Sometime later, he recalled, a new worker encountered similar difficulty, and he stepped in to help out. His advice to the newbie: “I was new once. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” The senior later explained how his experience at Baker Street affected his outlook on resilience, adaptability, and leadership. 

With resilience, growth, and self-discovery baked into our enterprise, we aim to inspire curiosity and independent thinking, develop self-knowledge and global awareness, and cultivate our academic and personal potential while preparing to lead lives of positive impact. With the Shaping Our Future framework, we are building on this foundation with a clear vision for the future. The framework is anchored in five key mutually reinforcing priorities that reflect our values and aspirations as a school: Vigorous Academics, Intentional Innovation, Belonging, the Unique SCH Experience, and Expanded Investment in Our Future. These priorities guide our work and ensure we are focused on growth and improvement.

Vigorous Academics, Teaching, and Learning

Previously, I shared that SCH’s developed a set of “Core Competencies” that are designed to create a consistent and comprehensive framework that informs teaching and learning across all divisions. Recognizing that these competencies must be embedded into daily practice, we have engaged in professional development to ensure that our faculty can bring these ideals to life in the classroom. For our Pre-K-6 faculty, we have introduced “Responsive Classroom,” a pedagogical approach emphasizing integrating social-emotional learning with academics. This approach is designed to foster a nurturing classroom environment where students feel valued and are encouraged to collaborate, thus enhancing both individual and collective learning. This piggybacks what faculty heard from renowned experts Jessica Minihan and Lisa Damour, who focused on evidence-based strategies to support students' mental health and academic resilience. Our time with them emphasized our commitment not only to academic growth but to the holistic well-being of our students.

Intentional and Embedded Innovation

Buttressing our commitment to innovation, we have fostered and sustained a culture of experimentation among our faculty and staff. Throughout the summer, numerous faculty members participated in AI-focused workshops and an AI Summit, where they gained hands-on experience exploring the potential of AI in the classroom. These immersive sessions allowed educators to experiment with new ways of integrating AI into their curriculum, from generating creative ideas for interdisciplinary projects to utilizing AI tools for analyzing complex data. This ongoing engagement with AI transforms how we approach problem-solving and innovation across all grade levels, ensuring that SCH remains at the forefront of enhancing learning experiences.

Promoting a bottom-up approach to innovation, we have launched an innovation incubator encouraging faculty and staff agency and ownership. This model encourages faculty and staff to submit proposals for innovative ideas that align with SCH’s mission and values. Through our Innovation Grant Program, microgrants are available to fund initiatives, providing the resources and support needed for faculty and staff to experiment and implement creative solutions. Nearly two dozen faculty and staff applied for microgrants, with their ideas and proposals ranging from outdoor education to human resource management. The innovation incubator expresses our commitment to ensuring that teaching methods and institutional practices continuously evolve in an ever-changing world. 

Engaged Community Committed to Belonging

Just as we think about diversity as a condition of excellence, the same extends to belongingness: students feeling a strong sense of connection to our community is paramount. Our values-based program in Lower School emphasizes character-building through shared experiences. This initiative helps young students develop social and emotional skills that foster kindness, responsibility, and respect. Through everyday interactions, students learn to build strong, supportive relationships, promoting a sense of shared responsibility and connection from an early age.

In the Middle School, grade-specific themes such as empathy and collaboration shape both academic learning and service projects, fostering personal growth and global citizenship. These themes encourage students to think critically about their roles within the school and the wider world, helping them develop both intellectual and social-emotional competencies.

The Unique SCH Story

We continue to be intentional about collecting and sharing stories and insights about what is happening within our community. Refining our messaging has been important, as has enhancing our reach and visibility to various audiences. A cohesive, unified narrative is essential to ensuring that all members of the SCH community can confidently share what makes our school exceptional. We’ve developed tailored messaging, brochures, and digital campaigns that articulate SCH’s values, mission, and innovative approach to education.

Expanded Investment in Our Future

Long-term planning remains core to our ability to thrive as an institution. Staying at the forefront requires meeting evolving needs while ensuring sustainable growth. As you know, several key projects are underway, including the renovation of the Performing Arts Center (“The Rec”), a space that will provide students with state-of-the-art facilities for music, theater, and the visual arts. This project, along with planned upgrades to the Commons, reflects our commitment to providing our students with the resources and environments they need to thrive in every aspect of their education. Fundraising and partnerships with you— the community—play a crucial role in these efforts, ensuring our facilities meet the evolving needs of our community. In the previous edition of INNsider, I also mentioned the Facilities Conditions Assessment (FCA) we commissioned. The FCA offers a multi-year roadmap to guide our campus improvement efforts, particularly those related to deferred maintenance.

I hope these updates show that our school has invested in resilience, growth, and self-discovery with the Shaping Our Future framework. We are meeting the challenges of today while positioning SCH at the forefront of independent education. The world needs our school and its students and graduates, who will catalyze positive change far beyond our walls. 

Until my next update, best wishes for a joyous, healthy holiday season! May the season gift you moments of elevation, insight, pride, and connection.  

Sincerely,

Delvin Dinkins
Head of School