RE Log Spring 2021

SPRING 2021 Ransom Everglades LOG 3 I also hope that the article introducing the Anti-Racism Task Force created in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the reckoning that followed demonstrates to you our commitment to becoming an anti-racist institution. (See page 30.) The task force has dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy to making sure that our commitment is visible and actualized throughout the school and that every individual in our school is seen, heard and valued. The painful stories shared by Ransom Everglades Black Alumni (reBa) during two town halls last summer were real and deeply affecting, and the reflection that followed has been both professional and personal. I am aware of the privilege in my own life, and I’ve worked to examine my own practices and unconscious biases. We are growing together as a community, and we have accelerated our progress toward creating a culture that is intolerant of any kind of racial discrimination and harassment. Hope appears again in the article about the Tsialas family and their determination to turn an unspeakable tragedy into a positive force for change. Their endowed program for compassionate leadership will fortify our current programming in health and wellness and keep the memory of Antonio Tsialas ’19 alive at Ransom Everglades. How fitting that the Tsialas article is followed by Dean of Studies Greg Cooper’s article illustrating compassionate leadership in action. We see continued leadership from former board chair Andrew L. Ansin ’81 , who with his family offered a $5 million donation match to help us get to the finish line on our REinventing Excellence campaign. Read more on page 49. We are so thankful. As is often the case with these letters, I start with our theme, and then work my way to gratitude. I am so grateful to everyone in this community who supported us through this incomparable year. There is indeed a sense of hope on our campuses. Penny Townsend Head of School In the pages ahead, I see optimism. I see creativity. I see ingenuity. And, of course, I see resilience ... I am so grateful to everyone in this community who supported us through this incomparable year.” “