Board of Governors

Letter from the Chairman

August 2011

It has been my privilege to work with the Pilgrim School Governing Board and Head of School Mark A. Brooks during this past school year.

This was a busy year for Dr. Brooks as he continues to work tirelessly for Pilgrim School within the larger educational community. He was appointed to an advisory committee of the Ahmanson Foundation and to the board of directors of Mirman School and the Education Committee of the Getty House Foundation. He was also appointed Chair of the Membership Committee of the National Association of Independent Schools.

Some of the year’s highlights included a year-round program of visiting writers and visual artists, who worked in our new Fine Arts Center. Artists brought their own works of art to share, and taught our students new techniques in making art. Writers read from their books, spoke about their work, and answered thoughtful questions from our students. Exposure to writers and artists gives our students unique opportunities to learn new concepts through direct inquiry and conversation.

The Ahmanson Foundation, Tomas Olmos and Dolores Leal, Janet Steeper and Lee and Deborah Walcott generously provided underwriting for our artists and writers.

Financial support from the community is essential to the health of the school. Just a few examples of how hundreds of donors this past year helped Pilgrim School include:

· doubling the size of the scholarship program;

· purchasing new library books;

· begin an elementary science program;

· funding a new cross-country team;

· building a new elevator in the Seaver Building;

· maintaining and upgrading our historic campus.

The Governing Board is committed to the sustainable growth of the school, with a strong commitment to maintaining the sense of community and inclusiveness.

Thank you to those of you who have supported Pilgrim School as donors and volunteers. Your investments of treasure and time are truly appreciated.

Laurence K. Brown, Governing Board Chair