Annual Report

Dear McGillis Community, 

 

The 2022/2023 school year was full of excitement, renewal, and gratitude as we fully returned to gathering to celebrate many unique traditions at McGillis. All through the year we felt and heard our community’s appreciation for these opportunities to be together—as students, teachers, current families, and alumni families—to build community and experience the best McGillis has to offer. 

 

The year was also marked by significant progress toward our strategic initiatives. We continued the development of our Campus Master Plan as we looked into the future of McGillis and considered how we can evolve to meet the needs of learners today and tomorrow. We made significant progress in collaboration with SAR+ Architects, defining with our community the Master Plan priorities and developing the design to meet our goals. We initiated a study with GG+A, capital campaign planners who help schools determine their philanthropic potential, as we move closer to understanding our community’s capacity to make our vision a reality. 

 

At the beginning of the school year, we opened a new modular building, which provides four classroom spaces for students in The Learning Center. The TLC program has tripled in size since its beginning in the fall of 2020, and we anticipate the demand for this program to continue to grow year over year. While this facility is well-equipped and adorned with a beautiful mural, the modular classroom is a temporary solution as we aim to include all McGillis students inside our beautiful school building.  

 

In September 2022, the Board of Trustees learned of an incredible gift from the estate of Joanne McGillis, who left the School with its first significant endowment in our history. This final act of love culminates three decades of support from both Joanne and her husband, Dick. This endowed gift will live in perpetuity and grow to support teacher compensation, which was a priority near and dear to Joanne’s heart. Joanne was our grandest supporter, and her passion for the School modeled tzedakah—giving to others—for our students and community members. We are inspired by her legacy.  

 

Sadly, on December 3, 2022, our fellow trustee, friend, and long-time champion of McGillis, Hal J. Pos, peacefully passed away with his family by his side. Hal served McGillis in many capacities, including on the Board of Trustees from 2008-2022. Hal was our mentor. He provided historical perspective as he saw tremendous growth and maturity during his time at the School. He believed in our mission and purpose, and his warmth and humor delighted us at every Board meeting. Hal’s legacy will live on through the establishment of The Hal J. Pos Memorial Scholarship. This full-tuition scholarship will be awarded to a student who demonstrates financial need and, like Hal, embodies the values of the School. 

 

We were also excited to hold the second annual TREEkun Olam, which was a great success! Our kehilah (community) planted 39 trees, one for each Family Group, in the 1700 South River Park. This unique service learning experience is an opportunity for our entire school community to come together and practice our values of tzedakah (giving to others), gemilut hasadim (doing good and kind deeds), and tikkun olam (repairing the world).

 

The 2022/2023 school year represented the dedication of our kehilah and confirmed our school’s purpose: to create individuals committed to repairing the world. The legacy gifts we received demonstrated just how much McGillis lives in the hearts of so many in our community. The ways in which we could return to gathering, in service and celebration, were a testament to the unique spirit of The McGillis School. Thank you for all you do to enrich our unique community. 

 

With appreciation,

 

Jim Brewer Head of School Parent of Finn '21 & Lucy '23		Ellen Rossi Chair, Board of Trustees Parent of Aksel '24 & Kai '28	Cory Sinclair Chair Elect Parent of Adam '19 & Violet '26