A Message from the Head of School

September 27th 2021

Dear Madeira Community,

The new school year has begun, and the Oval is bustling with creative energy! Three hundred and thirty-four eager and enthusiastic students are here on campus. The opening of the year has been a joyously emotional one—coming together in community after an unusual year while we still face the challenges of the pandemic has been a huge lift for our community. I give enormous credit to the faculty and staff who have prioritized student wellness and community-building alongside academic excellence for the year.

As we opened the school, there have been incredible highlights in the past few weeks:

August Institute

At the start of the year, all faculty and staff came together for joyful and intentional professional learning and community development. Workshops and session included:

Framing the year: Imagine. Engage.
Understanding by Design: Tools and approaches to learning
DEIJ professional development with a focus on community building and belonging
Professional boundaries and wholesome relationship development
Curriculum development and mapping
Community stewardship & residential life in the new year
Health & wellness in adult and student communities
“Why I Teach” story sharing
Restorative practices & community building
Safety & security
Global programs, curriculum, and risk management

Student Orientation

Shortly after faculty and staff opened the year, student orientation kicked-off. Events centered on joyful and intentional student community development and cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Opportunities for students included:

Student leader orientation
SWING (Students Welcoming In New Girls) sister welcome and reception
Hikes to Black Pond & Great Falls Park
International family welcome and reception
New student welcome and reception
Zip lining and ropes course – both high ropes and low ropes
Preseason athletics training
"Hidden Greenway” tours
Evening dorm events
Pajama party for all grades
Opening convocation

Strategic Planning for Madeira’s Future

Throughout the 2021-22 school year, Madeira will be engaged in the strategic planning process. Strategic planning is a critical process for institutional health where we will reflect on our mission, vision, and values and the powerful trends that will shape the world in which Madeira operates over the next five or more years. Throughout the process, we will set goals and objectives for the future we want and we will reflect on how we will know we are successful.

While the strategic planning committee is composed of trustees, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents, all community members will be invited to participate in the strategic planning process. We are eager for our students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumnae to come together in creating a shared vision for the future and build alignment and consensus around that future.

How will the Board of Trustees be involved in shaping the plan? The Board of Trustees authorizes the work and convenes the Strategic Planning Committee to conduct the research and analysis, and engage the community. The trustees stay involved through Board retreats in September 2021 and January 2022.

How will parents be involved in shaping the plan? Through small group conversations convened during the Parents' Association meeting on October 19 (Zoom meeting), then another engagement opportunity through a survey to all parents.

How will alumnae be involved in shaping the plan? Through conversation at an upcoming Alumnae Council meeting on November 9 (Zoom meeting), then another engagement opportunity through a survey to all alumnae.

How will students be involved in shaping the plan? Through small group in-person conversations that take place through the Advisory program.

How will faculty and staff be involved in shaping the plan? Through small group in-person conversations that take place in faculty and staff meetings.

All the input from Madeira’s wide community will be considered by the strategic planning committee, and the committee will present the plan to the Board of Trustees at the May 2022 meeting for implementation at the start of the 2022-23 school year.

Advancement Leadership News

I am excited to share the news that Ms. Emily Kasof will be joining the Madeira community as the Chief Advancement Officer beginning January 1, 2022. Ms. Kasof brings over 26 years of advancement expertise across multiple sectors to Madeira. She has honed her craft to 1) ensure institutional mission and vision are aligned to best serve students; 2) build a culture of philanthropy that broadly engages all community members; and 3) centers diversity, equity, and inclusion in her leadership. Ms. Kasof comes to Madeira from the Dalton School where she currently serves as the Chief Advancement Officer. Prior to her time at Dalton, Ms. Kasof served as an advancement leader at Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Columbia University, The New York Public Library, and New York City Ballet.

Ms. Kasof shared the following, “From the moment I watched the Madeira Unexpected video, I knew that Madeira was a magical place. I’m honored and thrilled about serving as Chief Advancement Officer. I will enthusiastically partner with Gretchen and the leadership team, the advancement office, and the Board of Trustees to forward Madeira’s mission of ‘launching women who change the world.’ I’m already feeling like a proud ‘snail’ and I’m excited to meet and get to know every member of the Madeira community.”

During Ms. Kasof’s interview process, she met with Madeira’s advancement team, staff, administrators, and trustees, all of whom were impressed by her depth of knowledge, forward-thinking strategic vision, and ability to guide transition as we continue to move Madeira into the future. Ms. Kasof centers relationships, research, and data in all that she does, and she will bring a deep expertise in alumnae and parent engagement to the School’s successful track record of fundraising.

Ms. Kasof embodies the mission, vision, and core values of Madeira, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the community. I look forward to you meeting her as the new year begins.

Sincerely yours, Gretchen