Looking Back and Looking Forward
Four
years ago, schools everywhere were tracking the incidence of the H1N1
virus among their students. On the prevention side, the Andover
community adopted the elbow bump to avoid shaking hands and we all
learned to cough or sneeze into our sleeves. To keep parents informed,
we began sending weekly email updates to report how many cases had been
confirmed here on campus. One day it occurred to me that there had to be
something more positive to communicate to parents than how many kids
were being seen in Isham, and that is how the Parent Bulletin was born.
The bulletin was and is our way to stay connected and to highlight
important dates, and I have loved this vehicle for getting to know so
many of you. I wish I had a nickel for every time I met someone who
would say, “Oh, I know you. You are the one who sends us those
newsletters. Thanks for giving us information that we would never get
from our son/daughter.”
In
the same way that the Class of 2013 has been experiencing a series of
“lasts” in their senior year, this is the last time I will address you
through the bulletin. I will remain at Phillips Academy through the
summer, but will have left by the time the new school year begins in
September. Rest assured, even though I will be gone, the Parent Bulletin
will continue.
I
have lived my life rather conservatively, moving from one job to
another over the last 40 years but, for the most part, within the
embrace of Andover. Now, I am striking out on a new adventure, to become
president of the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation. John Palfrey has
been an absolutely wonderful new boss over the past year and I will
eagerly watch from afar (as a past PA parent, three times over) to see
the direction the school takes under his leadership.
Thank
you all for your generosity, good humor, graciousness and gifted
children. There is no greater honor than to have been part of the
extended community that includes faculty, students, staff and parents of
Phillips Academy. The next leg of my life’s journey will be exciting
and will often take me out of my comfort zone; it is the many lessons I
have learned from everyone here that will get me through.
If
it is your tradition, I would appreciate it if you would keep my
husband, Elwin, and me in your prayers. We will stay in touch with the
school and hope to visit from time to time, when we are in the States.
Until we meet again—on one continent or the other—I wish you and your
children every joy and success. – Becky Sykes
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