Dear Donoho Community,
The school year is well underway. Students are settling in with their studies and activities. Assessments are becoming a part of their daily experiences. Our athletic teams are moving deeper into their seasons, and our art programs are laying the foundation for another great year. The newness is giving way to normalcy at Donoho. But be assured, we are continuing to be forward thinking, assessing our processes and programs, and are determined to offer a top-notch, college-preparatory educational program.
We have recently begun our backward design with math standards, starting with what we expect a Donoho graduate to be able to know and do and build that backwards to the three-year-old program. This will take time to build. However, once it’s complete, we will have rigorous standards in place that ensure students have met certain criteria before moving to the next level. Once we complete math, we will start the same process with other areas.
We have continued to expand the programs offered. Recently, Jacqueline Gaines had twenty-seven students interested in a new marksmanship class. This will be the only class of its kind offered in the county. This is another example of the “Donoho Difference!”
Matt Ford, Dean of Academics, is leading a group consisting of parents, alumni, current students, faculty, and board members to evaluate a mission revision statement. Updates will be ongoing from this group.
We are working hard to put the final touches on our bus routes. As we’ve ventured into this opportunity, we are doing our due diligence to ensure drivers are checked thoroughly, buses are evaluated, cross-over with athletic transportation is logistically worked out, and time frames are accurate. Please understand we will need to have one more meeting with ALL parents considering the bus routes before implementing the program.
I recently made an administrative change at the upper school. Russ Connell will serve as Upper School Director, as well as continuing to serve as an English teacher. This decision was made to better serve all constituents in the community. Russ and Jean serve as the primary contacts in their respective divisions. Please know my door is always open, and I encourage and welcome your feedback.
I will be offering monthly forums starting this month. These forums will be an opportunity for me to meet with lower school and upper school parents separately to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have. I have found these meetings to be extremely beneficial in helping address issues before they become major concerns. I hope you will plan to attend. The first forum is Wednesday, September 24th. I will meet with lower school parents from 5:30pm-6:30pm and upper school parents from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Both meetings will take place in the cafetorium. If you are not able to attend this meeting, I will hold the meetings monthly and adjust days, as not to have them on the same evening each month.
Until next time,
James Hutchins
