Jamieson Describes NCS's Bright Path to the Future

As Kathleen O'Neill Jamieson began her final State of the School address to the Parents Association as Head of National Cathedral School, she admitted, "I am hardly an objective observer of NCS anymore. I so admire what goes on here, and I am so proud of the community that's here."

 

Her April 10 speech, then, was an opportunity to share that pride with parents as she described some of the ongoing work that fires her enthusiasm for NCS's future path.

 

Much of that work derives, she said, from the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, a "roadmap" for the educators at the school and for her successors.

 

The school's diversity and inclusion education—"among the best in this country," Jamieson said—will continue to be an area of priority. She highlighted the evolution of Diversity Forum into a year-long program built around a theme chosen by students, and she told parents of an Upper School program that combines geography and community service to undertake an on-the-ground examination of D.C. neighborhoods.

 

That sort of experiential learning is also at the heart of efforts to enrich the student experience, she added. NCS is providing more opportunities to hear firsthand from experts on the issues that students are discussing. A recent example of that learning occurred April 11, when the "Global Conversations" series brought to campus five women who work in international affairs.

 

The goal of such work, Jamieson said, is to "incorporate academic fields that the girls are learning about and give them a wonderful field of people to learn from as they grow."

 

NCS is also looking at new opportunities to learn through travel, an effort spearheaded by new Director of Global Programs Melody Fox-Ahmed.

 

The school's health education program will become its own Grade 4-12 department, with a new chair named to guide those classes, Jamieson announced, and a licensed psychologist will oversee the Counseling Department. Together they will continue to offer exceptional opportunities for growth and support.

 

Jamieson described the breadth of the school's environmental initiatives, "everything from looking at the resourcefulness and healthfulness of food offerings to determination of our current carbon footprint and goals to decrease it." NCS is looking at a Close-wide solar-energy initiative, work that is supported by a sophomore after her internship at a solar-power company.

 

And she touched on a project that is about to launch at Woodley North, where Curran Courtyard will be transformed over time into an environmental education space, as originally conceived. Student Government's Green Board representatives and Upper School science teacher Ashley Mattoon will lead a "plant-in" this month. "Don't be surprised when you see a special collection of native plants, compost bins, and an emerging wildlife habitat," Jamieson said.

 

The NCS hackathon, launched through the efforts of Technology Integration Specialist Frances O'Connor, has become a defining event of the school year, one recognized throughout the region by educators, Jamieson said.

 

The Alumnae Office has expanded its reach to include alumnae regional groups that will support relationships among alumnae and maintain alumnae connections to the current generation of students.

 

Jamieson touched on the impending arrival of Interim Head of School Sue Bosland, calling her "a remarkable woman with extraordinary experience. She is drawn to this community for all the right reasons." The faculty have met with Bosland, she added, and "they are very excited about her arrival." In addition, the school's entire administrative team is returning next year, "so there's a lot of stability."

 

She concluded by telling the parents, "Thank you. It's quite a place to live your life, and I'm deeply appreciative of it. The girls you send here are a great blessing."

 

The State of the School meeting also included a presentation by Governing Board Finance Committee Chair Carlos Fierro on NCS's finances and budget for the 2019-2020 school year. Tuition and fees provide most of the school's revenues, he said, adding that growing the school's endowment—a priority of the Strategic Plan—would ease the pressure of tuition increases in future years.