Issue link: https://trevordayschool.uberflip.com/i/1295455
A Letter from the Head of School Dear Trevor Community: is past spring and summer's buzzword has been "unprecedented." In my 40 years as an educator—and in Trevor's 90-year history— very few experiences could legitimately earn that label. But this period through which we are all living is, indeed, unprecedented. In the face of a national health emergency, Trevor seamlessly transitioned from face-to-face relationships driving our teaching—exemplified by common rooms, advisory, and hands-on learning—to creating, within mere days, a new educational approach via virtual conferencing and other digital platforms and resources. e TrevorLINK Distance Learning program not only served us well last spring, but will help us transition into the 2020–21 school year. Coupled with the threat of the 2020 pandemic, multigenerational and BIPOC-led activism has moved us as a nation to acknowledge and resolve the failure of the promise of freedom and dignity for all people. Trevor has recommitted to working together to make this a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We will challenge and change any system that perpetuates racist practices. Any such practices are in opposition to the school's mission and values. One of the key ingredients in any successful educational program is the ability to cope with change—and, in fact, to lead it. To say that I am proud of the tremendous efforts of our faculty, staff, students, parents, and administration to lead change in 2020 is an understatement. When I reflect on the nine decades of history and change upon which this school is built, I am struck by how right our students and parents got it—when, two years ago, they helped us develop the language of our school promise: Ambitious academics. Engaged students. Balanced lives. at's the experience we've been striving to offer our students since three-, four-, and five-year-olds joined e Day School of the Church of the Heavenly Rest in 1930. It's an experience in which students are at the center and valued wholly for their inherent intellect and diverse talents; one in which people are recognized for their voice and insights; one that comprehends the power of deeply engaging students in learning—so that they take their knowledge and skills with them every step of the way— and an experience that respects the passions and relationships that students develop over time, and that makes room for them to change, grow, and flourish. 0 3 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L n S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 is issue of Trevor Magazine not only celebrates our 90th anniversary and the achievements of faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni throughout an anomalous spring—it is also an embodiment of Trevor's promise. Consider Sarah F. '22's description of her U.S. History class collaboration with the venerable Frick Collection, which explores the use of digital art archives—a sophisticated precursor to the work students encounter in the Upper School history department's digital humanities curriculum. And one need look no further than the profiles of our two extraordinary alumnae M.D.s to see the long-term trajectory of learning within Trevor's ambitious academic program, in the hands of our talented and dedicated faculty. In graduating senior Julia Tremba's vignette, celebrating Trevor's 90-year milestone, she writes with such joy about the value Trevor placed on engaging her curiosity and the excitement she felt learning through the lenses of inquiry, creativity, and collaboration. And a feature article honoring a quarter century of Multiple Identities, One World (MIOW) speaks volumes about the genuine power that engaged and informed students wield to educate and change their communities. e capstone of Trevor's promise is to give students the space and wherewithal not only to pursue ambitious academics and engage deeply with material, mentors, and peers—but to do so with a balanced mind, body, and spirit. I was so gratified to read in Dr. Deutsch-Link's profile that Trevor helped teach her how to incorporate learning and work with being a balanced person. And it is heartwarming to know that Trevor students of all ages have participated in meaningful service in 2020—from making reusable grocery tote bags and sending thank-you notes to essential workers and frontline healthcare, to tagging sharks for ecological study. Even during the strictest periods of lockdown, our community continued to look outward for the greater good. As our former Board President Sally Rocker often says, "e world needs more Trevor kids." at's been true for the last 90 years. And I predict it will ring true for the next 90 as well—long after these unprecedented times are over. Scott R. Reisinger