Communications from the Director
On the Same Page: Aloha to the Laboratory
Schools Community
April 1, 2006
David W. Magill, Director
Picture this: sitting on the beach at Maui's Wailea Point watching
humpback whales breach the surface of a coral blue Pacific… geysers
of white spray punctuating the horizon…behind me a native Hawaiian
plays his baritone ukulele and sings an Elton John classic.
Milton was wrong. Paradise was not lost. I found it in the early
morning on the first day of spring 2006.
Before Lab, I was not familiar with spring vacations. Having time to
refresh oneself for the busiest and most exciting time of the school year
is a new experience that I have come to enjoy. I do hope that your family
has refreshed itself this break as much as mine and, like me, look forward
to our last quarter of the 2005-2006 school year. There is much to celebrate
and anticipate.
- Demand for Admission — The quality of our educational
program remains a real draw for families, and a waiting list of very
qualified applicants continues to grow. We anticipate over 200 new
students in the fall (most of these children are coming to our
pre-school program) with a particularly strong group of entering
ninth-grade students.
- Rites of May (May 18-20) is a tradition that continues to have
meaning for all of our students. It is a labor of love on the part
of parents who create an experience filled with ethnic food and
playful activities celebrating our diversity. The U-High theatre
program will be performing The Madwoman of Chaillot. Our
Middle School's presentation, Bring in the Morning, will be performed
first—April 28,29, and 30. Tickets to both plays will
sell out quickly.
- Speaking of Diversity — If you have not had the chance
to meet our Diversity Consultant, Prexy Nesbitt, please contact my
assistant, Kay Kirkpatrick, at 773-702-3236 to arrange an appointment.
Mr. Nesbitt is here on most Fridays and has been meeting with students,
faculty, parents, and alumni to learn as much as he can about what we
do well what we need to improve. At some point in the
future, he will submit a number of recommendations for us to consider.
- New Faculty — We have signed contracts for two new faculty
members beginning in September (Chinese and seventh grade humanities)
and are well into the process of interviewing for the mathematics,
physics, and German positions. In addition, I am very pleased to
announce that Maureen Ellis will be returning to a kindergarten teaching
position in the fall.
- Connections — The Connections Committee set a new
standard for successful fundraising this year and, as a result,
over 1,200 students will benefit with a new digital world language
laboratory beginning in September. The party held at our neighboring
Graduate School of Business was a real treat, and the generosity of
so many of
you raised approximately $275,000. Special recognition goes to Susan
and Allison Davis for chairing this event and for providing us all
with superior leadership. The opportunity to be with Honorary Co-Chairs,
Michelle and Barack Obama, helped raise the attendance to over 600 people.
Their support, visibility, and hospitality are so very much appreciated.
- Change in University Administration — On March 10,
the Trustees of the University elected Robert Zimmer as the next
President of the University of Chicago. In addition to having spent
most of his career at the University, Bob and his wife Terese are
parents of two recent U-High graduates and will have a
sophomore attending next fall. Bob also understands the governance
of the Laboratory Schools; he served for a number of years as a
member of the Board of Directors. I look forward to working with
our new president as we continue to strengthen our relationship with the
University and move toward a capital campaign to prepare our facilities
for the future.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that I will miss Don Randel as
he leaves Chicago to assume his new position with the Mellon Foundation.
President Randel has been most gracious and supportive of Lab and truly
understands the significance of having a preeminent independent school
associated with this great University.
- Master Plan Study — The administration has been
working closely with architects from Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
to develop a new Master Plan for our campus of school buildings. We
are very grateful for the input given to this process by members of
our faculty, students, parents, and alumni.
The architects are developing cost estimates for several alternative
plans. We expect them shortly. Following their presentation to the
Board of Directors, a consultant (yet to be selected) will be
conducting a "philanthropic market study" to assist us in determining
our development capacity for a major capital campaign. That capacity
added to University contributions and a possible mortgage will determine
the scope of a future project.
As additional information becomes available, we look forward to sharing more details.
Allow me to suggest
an excellent way to learn of school updates and announcements: make
our web site (www.ucls.uchicago.edu) a daily or weekly stop as you are
browsing the web. Consider making it your browser's home page. There is
a great deal of information available to you, and we are always looking
for ways to improve upon what is there. Your suggestions are welcome.
In spite of the temperature, spring has indeed started at Lab. May you
renew your commitment to this unique and historic place of learning.
With best wishes,
David W. Magill
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