Issue link: http://barnesvilleschool.uberflip.com/i/190440
Letter from the Head of School O ne of the great joys I have in this position (in addition to shaking hands with our students at Morning Meeting) is taking the time to give thanks to our generous supporters. Each year I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the Barnesville community, and I find great happiness in knowing that these individuals have taken the time to show their appreciation for this wonderful institution. And though my thank-you notes may not demonstrate the neatest penmanship (I seem to have lost that skill back in the late '80s), nevertheless they are written with care, attention, and the deepest thanks. This Annual Report, filled with hundreds of names, shows the depth of love that this community has for Barnesville. We have accomplished many great things since unveiling our Strategic Vision just a few short years ago. We have created new partnerships with local scientific, arts, and agricultural organizations. We have introduced new technology to the students and the faculty, all with the goal of strengthening students' achievement. We have developed new curricular initiatives to align with the vision for Barnesville as a School of Arts and Sciences. Perhaps most important of all, we have sought to attract, retain, and reward a diverse and outstanding faculty through a concentrated effort to provide meaningful compensation. It is our faculty, after all, that work directly with our students to fully realize the School's Strategic Vision. In order for us to continue to shine, we must be sure to provide our teachers and staff with the necessary resources so that they can create new and exciting lessons that engage our students. This Annual Report catalogs our many supporters, and it shows what we as an institution receive. But what do you, the donor, receive in turn? Of course, you receive the satisfaction of philanthropy, the joy of helping others, and the warm feelings of altruism. But what else? Especially for those donors who are not current parents – what is the return on this investment? Put simply, the return is the opportunity to touch the future. Your gifts, whether they go to support immediate operational needs, or fulfill long-range goals, all make possible a bright and glorious future for Barnesville and its students. You become part of a continuum of donors, and just as their gifts helped to make today possible, yours help to ensure a successful tomorrow. For example, we are blessed with a wonderful gymnasium space and stage for performances – but this space was built years before our current students were even born. Past gifts reach forward in deep and meaningful ways. A gift from the late 20th century thus allows a 1st grader in 2013 to take part in athletic activity on a rainy October day. Your return on your gift is your share in that long-term connection. So I thank you, both for your giving for today, and your giving for the future. You show your faith in our children's future and the future of Barnesville. With deepest appreciation to all our donors, supporters, and contributors, John Huber Head of School Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences 3