Modus Vivendi Modus Vivendi
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MODUS VIVENDI December 2006 A Publication of The Bear Creek School WHAT DO TH ese ST uden T S HA ve IN Common ? In the fall of 2006, five TBCS students reached new heights. Read about their accomplishments on page 4. Head of School The Birth of Hope, a Confirmation of the Promise, and a Star to Light the Way Like the shepherds and wise men We are a community that sees every that were given a rare and precious challenge as an opportunity to strengthen opportunity, we too have much to and sharpen our focus on scholarship, ponder and celebrate this season. As I faith, and leadership through action. walk the halls and greet the many faces, I am reminded that our students are our We are a generous and compassionate greatest treasures, and as a community community motivated by the eternal we have a tremendous privilege to shape impact of our time, gifts, and talents. By Karen Beman lives now and into the future. The picture Interim Head of School of the manger scene is a reflection Although our role at The Bear Creek of community: Christ at the center, School may differ (teacher, parent, staff, Dear TBCS Community, surrounded by family and supported by or student), each plays a vital role in a cast of many. The Bear Creek School is completing our current day manger scene. One of my favorite Christmas memories that community. We are united in the adventure to follow as a child was watching my Mom the star - and having found the treasure delicately labor over the exact placement We are a community focused on the revealed in the manger, whole-heartedly of every character in the nativity scene. centrality of our Christian faith, willing to journey forward to tell the story and live a From the stable animals to the Magi, be shaped and molded together into His life that is forever changed. each had an important place in proximity image. to the baby Jesus. To her chagrin, As the heavenly host proclaimed, “Glory occasionally under the cloak of darkness, We are a community united by a passion to God in the highest, and on earth peace I would playfully alter the placement of to cultivate the mind and heart – to with whom His favor rests.” each figurine – except the baby Jesus. pursue truth, stretch the boundaries of His location never changed but always our abilities and to have the courage to May your Christmas season be filled remained at the center, commanding the discover and live out our God-intended with complete awe and wonder at the attentiveness that is due the one, true purpose. magnitude of His birth. eternal King. To this day, the sight of the nativity fills me with a deep reverence We are a community that understands and anticipation for the fulfillment of the powerful foundation of a classical His promises that began on that very first education – a formation of the mind that Christmas morning. has produced the greatest thinkers and Karen Beman leaders of the Western World. Interim Head of School Page 2 Modus Vivendi Board of Trustees messaging. The goal of this process was, While we’ve engaged in these strategic again, to think strategically and be very planning exercises on several occasions intentional in the way we describe who we over the years, the Board hasn’t done are and what we’re about. We’re not chang- a very good job in communicating the ing anything about who we are through this conclusions to you. One of our goals process; rather, we’re going to refine the for the year is to do a good job in way we talk about who we are to prospec- communicating and continue to follow tive students and families, as well as to our through on our commitment to be more By Kurt Maass community at large. Look for a new ap- transparent in our processes and decisions. President proach to describing the Bear Creek School message and mission, as well as a new logo, Head Search and Dean Search As we come to the Christmas season and unifying messages and themes, and a brand Our Head Search Committee has been the mid-point of the school year, the Board new website. We’re very excited about these extremely busy working with our recruiting of Trustees is excited to see the positive changes and want to thank all those who consultant Brett Dalton and developing a momentum in our school as we all work participated in this process, including par- comprehensive job description, known in together for the future of TBCS. In this ents; Deb Perry, Ed McCahill, Mike Castle, the business as an “opportunity profile.” issue of Modus I’d like to share some of Sue Diamond, Michelle Richardson, Jamie That profile is complete, and we are those developments with you. Eppenauer, and Julie Herness; faculty/ actively recruiting for this leadership staff Christie Hazeltine, Courtney Robben, position. We’re excited about learning who Strategic Organization Karen Beman, Lisa Dineen, Sherrie Brown, God has out there to lead our school into In the early summer the Board completed Linda Hernandez, Karen Blankenbeckler, the next phase of its life.Our goal is to a special project to review the school’s Linda Hernandez, Tressa Parker, Linda have a candidate selected and on board by organization and reporting structure, and Graham, Sue Sanford; and Trustees Pete July 1, 2007, and, based on the work done ensure that we are aware of and using best Petesch, Bill Binford, Ted Robinson, and so far, we’re confident that we can achieve practices in how we organize and operate Kurt Maass. this goal. our school. We want to be intentional in the way we organize and look at ways in Strategic Planning The Dean of School is a special and unique which we can be very strategic in our think- In November the Board was extremely position at TBCS as it is part teacher, part ing and processes. We engaged the firm active in learning and planning. Several chaplain, part pastor, and part staff. There ISM, based in Delaware, which is a special- Board members attended the Pacific NW are very few institutions that have similar ist in Independent School Management. Association of Independent Schools an- positions, and we’re proceeding with an Their principal consultant spent numerous nual conference in Seattle and had the op- abundance of caution to find just the days with our board, administrative team, portunity to meet and learn best practices right person for TBCS. The Dean Search and faculty, and provided us with solid rec- from other independent school leaders Committee is currently in the process of ommendations for improved efficiency in throughout a 3-state region. The Board interviewing candidates for this position. our operations and structure. We’re in the conducted a special 2-day strategic plan- Please continue to pray for these positions process of implementing those recommen- ning workshop in November facilitated by and to pray for these committees as we dations both now and in future planning as Ian Symmonds. This session, which also move through this process. we look towards a new Head of School.. included administrative leaders, was de- signed to craft a research-based vision for There has been much activity over the Strategic Branding the next five years, and develop key strate- summer and this fall all of which points As was discussed briefly at the State of gic initiatives that live out this vision. We to a great year ahead. We’re committed School Address, a committee comprised made great progress over those two days to excellence in the classroom as well as of board members, administration, faculty and will continue to work on strategic plan- excellence in the Boardroom. We’re excited and parents participated in a research ning in the months ahead. Karen Beman about 2007 and thank each of you for your based project to help to refine our school’s will be driving strategic planning internally great and faithful support of TBCS. messaging and branding. This process was with administration, faculty and staff to facilitated by Ian Symmonds, an expert in gather strong thinking from those groups It’s great to be a Grizzly! independent school strategic branding and as part of the strategic planning process. Modus Vivendi Page 3 News Around Campus Who Are The People Behind Those Test Scores? hat do Gretchen Esau, Alex WHiginbotham, Kyul Ko, Will Sanger, and Brendan Smith have in common? They are all stars of the college testing scene. Kyul and Brendan received perfect 2400 on the three-part SAT test. Gretchen, Alex, Will, and Brendan are all National Merit Semi-Finalists. Gretchen and Will also received a perfect 800 on a section of the SAT. Brendan is a product of a complete TBCS education. He has been at the school since first grade. Brendan found the Latin part of the curriculum to be especially Left to right: Will Sanger, Kyul Ko, Gretchen Esau, Brendan Smith and Alex Higinbotham helpful when taking the verbal section of the SATs. Alex and Will also arrived goals and 4 assists for the season. He is no music, no breaks. She just focuses here in elementary school: Will started in the 3rd highest scorer in Grizzly history. 100% on her homework (and then fourth grade and Alex in sixth. He is a two-time 1st team all-league completes it in record time!). Again, this selection and was named team MVP for is good advice in general. While Kyul and Gretchen didn’t come both the 2005 and 2006 seasons.