In an earlier letter to the community, Head of School Malcolm Lester announced the launch of the NPS strategic planning process as the school looks ahead to the next half-century of student-centered educational excellence at NPS. As co-chairs of the NPS Strategic Planning Steering Committee, we are excited to share with you progress and next steps on this project that will help write the next chapter in our wonderful school's history.
First, the composition of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee has been finalized. This group will guide the planning process and oversee the development of the NPS Strategic Plan, which will be completed during the 2019-2020 school year. The Steering Committee is comprised of co-chairs Molly Evans and Matt McDonald, Head of School Malcolm Lester, and the following individuals representing current and alumni parents, the Board of Trustees, and faculty and staff: Manuelle Duvall, Megan Finnerty, Kevin Fromer, Katy Harvey, Wray Muoio, Bear Paul, Jeni Reklis, Tisha Schestopol, Brooke Thomas, Michael Toner, Lora Tredway, Robin Westerberg, and James Woodward. We are grateful for the service of these NPS community members, whose expertise and dedication to the school will serve NPS well.
Second, over the past few months, the school's strategic planning consultant, Katherine Whitney, conducted numerous interviews with NPS constituents in order to inform the Steering Committee's work as it develops a vision for the future of the school. These interviews provided the Steering Committee with valuable insights regarding NPS, and built upon initiatives in recent years to gather data and market research in an effort to assess NPS and its opportunities and challenges amidst the local school landscape.
Third, the Steering Committee held a strategic planning retreat shortly before spring break. During the retreat, the Steering Committee reviewed and discussed findings from these various inputs—the recent strategy and positioning study by Art and Science Group, the AIMS (Association of Independent Schools of Maryland and DC) Re-Accreditation process, and the stakeholder interviews conducted by Mrs. Whitney. Additionally, the committee discussed the "DNA" of NPS: the school's values, traits, and characteristics that define our community. This led to a conversation about cherished aspects of NPS that we want to preserve, an exploration of opportunities for change, and an imagining of the NPS of the next five years and beyond.
On Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15, Mrs. Whitney will return to NPS and will host several forums for NPS parents, faculty, and staff, which will be open to all within those groups. These will serve as listening sessions to gather input regarding NPS and its "DNA," as well as your thoughts regarding opportunities and challenges for the school. We will be back in touch soon with specific times and locations of the listening sessions, with the goal to present multiple occasions during those two days for NPS parents and faculty and staff to attend and offer perspectives.
As NPS prepares to embark on its next 50 years, we are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the entire NPS community on the development of the school's next strategic plan. Thank you in advance for sharing your NPS observations and aspirations, and we look forward to seeing you in two weeks at the strategic planning listening sessions.
Sincerely,