Welcoming the New Year with Joy and Activity!
Dr. Liz Willis
(This newsletter was composed without the assistance of generative artificial intelligence. But would it be better if it had been?)
Dear Villa,
Are you ready? The Gregorian calendar’s new year has arrived with full force, and the lunar year of the Fire Horse is hot on its heels. I pray that you and yours enjoyed a beautiful holiday season and that you’re eager to step into all of the wonderful adventures that await you during the second academic term. The temperatures are low, but this is no time to hunker down for a long winter’s nap. With all of the intensity of the White Rabbit (did you get to see last week’s Alice in Wonderland production?), we’re leaning into a busy time at Villa: the opening of our new playground this month, State of the School this coming Thursday, and our Reaccreditation Visiting Team arriving next week.
The fun kicks off tomorrow with Spirit Week at Villa Academy! Each year, Villa participates in the nationwide celebration of Catholic Schools Week through fun and festivities tailored to emphasize the uniqueness of our school: its commitment to academic excellence through inquiry-based, whole child “education of the heart.” Each day this week, students will celebrate the special qualities of Villa Academy through themed dress up days, games, and activities, amplifying how joyful and meaningful it is to be a Voyager. See The Weekly or your class rep emails for daily themes (hint: no uniforms!).
Speaking of the uniqueness of our school, this coming Thursday evening, I’ll deliver the annual State of the School address. As committed investors in your child’s education, yes, you do need to attend in person to hear:
- How this year’s focus on academic stretch and challenge is being met through data-based differentiation
- How Villa is (and is not) leaning into the promise (and pitfalls) of generative AI
- How Dr. Marti is vertically integrating Villa’s Science curriculum, K-8
- How Ms. Kaplan’s recent fellowship and travel to the Galapagos is informing her teaching practice
- How Villa prepared a 2024 graduate to thrive in high school at Lakeside
- How the school is responsibly stewarding its finances and its people, including financial reports, tuition comparisons, and faculty/staff retention data
Sounds intriguing? We’ll see you in the Parlor this Thursday at 5:30 PM. I promise, it’ll be worth it.
Sharing this critical information is a key professional responsibility of mine, aligned with holding and maintaining high standards for all we do here at Villa. On February 1st, we will have the opportunity to demonstrate how we fulfill these standards when the NWAIS Visiting Team arrives for our (Re)accreditation process. Over the past two years, Villa faculty and staff have been working diligently to prepare for this visit, engaging in conversation, collecting documentation, and collaboratively drafting a 200-plus page Self-Study report that demonstrates our fulfillment of the standards required of all NWAIS schools. We are truly excited to welcome the team, to share our beloved school with them, and ultimately, to learn from their findings. (Re)accreditation poses a great opportunity to live our commitment to ongoing professional learning, and to providing an exceptional, mission-centered Villa Academy education.
Perhaps this sounds like a lot of work? Well, don’t forget, there are grown-up parties to look forward to! Save the date and secure your tickets for Villa’s biennial gala, Twilight Tides. We’ll wrap ourselves in the warmth of community, raise a glass and a paddle in support of the school, and revel in the joy of being together. Who’s excited?
All my best,
Villa Academy Head of School