From the Head of School

Welcome to the 2008–09 Annual Report and thank you to the 3,975 donors who contributed to Loomis Chaffee during the past fiscal year. As I learned in my first year at Loomis Chaffee, the school is fortunate to have such a loyal and vast network of alumni, parents, and friends who help the school to advance its mission, year in and year out. I have enjoyed meeting so many of you in my first year, whether it be here on the Island or in the various pockets of the country that I visited on behalf of the school.

There is no question that this was a fiscally challenging year for most of us, including the school. We cannot thank you enough for sticking with us during these tougher times. Loomis Chaffee is a fantastic educational institution and your investment in our students and faculty makes an immediate impact on their futures and on our increasingly global society. The school is in terrific shape thanks to your continuing support.

Once again, the Annual Report is “online” rather than on paper.  Not only does this save the school money, but it also provides you with the information digitally as more and more of you have been requesting.  As you will note from reviewing the report, the 2008–09 Annual Fund “Honor a Teacher” theme was well-received by many—indeed, one-third of the gifts this year honored our teachers. Thank you again for your support, and I hope to see you this year.

Sheila Culbert