Expressing Gratitude at Ellis
I feel quite lucky to have been raised by parents who wanted me and my siblings to learn to feel and express gratitude and to find joy in giving back to others. As an educator, I believe children are happier when they can look beyond their own needs, when they develop empathy for others, and when they find ways to share their own good fortune. This time of year provides many opportunities for us, as parents and teachers, to talk about gratitude with our children, and to find ways for our children to be of service to others.
At Ellis, service opportunities abound all year long. For example, students in grade 8 just raised money for Global Links as part of the grade 8 operetta last week, Upper School Guild regularly serves meals at the East End Cooperative Ministries men's shelter, and starting on November 28, the Lower School will be collecting items on their annual mitten tree to donate to the Salvation Army. I am proud of how empathetic Ellis girls are, and how committed they are to making the world a better place. Our school community is made stronger by their generosity of spirit.
As parents in the Ellis community, I hope you will all take advantage of another kind of opportunity to give back that is coming up on November 28, known as Giving Tuesday. This date is a key one in our annual campaign for the Ellis Fund. If you are new to the independent school world, you may not realize that tuition only covers 75 percent of the cost of educating a girl at Ellis each year. The remaining funds come primarily from the Ellis Fund and are what help us provide your daughters with the amazing opportunities that comprise the Ellis experience, such as:
- Making it possible for students in every grade of the Lower School to have regular classes in music, art, Spanish, technology, and physical education that are coordinated with the outstanding instruction in the core academic subjects.
- Ensuring that all Middle School girls get age-appropriate guidance in developing the study skills that allow them to be successful, independent learners as they move into the Upper School.
- Creating interdisciplinary experiences at every level of the Upper School so that each girl has the chance to work collaboratively in a group to solve complex, real-world problems.
- Providing extensive opportunities for community building and fun at all grade levels through activities such as school-wide family group activities, Middle School House Games, and a multitude of student-run clubs.
- Recruiting outstanding faculty who are not only experts in their fields, but also who care deeply about, and really know, their students.
In this, my first year, as Head of School at Ellis, I would love to aim for the goal of having every family participate in the Ellis Fund, at whatever level is possible for each family. Just as we build a stronger community among Ellis girls by encouraging them to give back to others, we will be a stronger community when we all give as we are able to help Ellis be the very best school it can be for all students.
Envision Her at Ellis
If you're interested in exploring Ellis for your daughter, let's connect! Request information about enrollment, attend one of our upcoming events, or hear about Ellis from those who know it best: our students.
