October 2008

Dear Friends:

Ordinarily it is a pleasure to write about annual giving. After only a bit of writer's block the anecdotes and memories begin to flow, joining past to present, present to future, boys and teachers to one another, and all of us to the high-spirited enterprise that is St. Bernard's. There is the annual reminder (still true) that no other elementary school boasts such loyal support from its parents, Old Boys, and friends. There is a gentle warning that annual giving is no luxury; it supports the daily operations of the school, about four-fifths of which go to human costs. And usually we try to touch the funny bone, or even the heart. It's easy to find good material with so many wonderful students and teachers carrying on within shouting distance of this office.

But this year things feel a little different. We are in an uncertain time, and whimsy seems out of place. Instead it seems better to face facts and ask you directly for your support. The most important fact is that St. Bernard's, like most independent schools, charges less than what it costs to educate a child. The gap between revenue and operating expenses is approximately $6,000 per boy. As a result we need to ask our friends and families for help to close that gap. Income from the school's endowment is of help, but we always depend on the generosity of the St. Bernard's community to offset the deficit through our annual giving campaign. And we know that for many this may be difficult. Our goal this year is $2,200,000-a bit less than the amount you gave us so generously last year, all of it necessary to maintain our programs and support our boys.

That support is what St. Bernard's offers in return. In unstable times a strong school provides security to its students. The structure, the daily routine of work and play, the confidence that comes from learning and developing good habits of study-these will serve a St. Bernard's boy well in the future, of course. But they will also help him now, because he can see (and feel) that he is well cared for and purposefully engaged. What's more, he is in the company of friends and faculty whom he enjoys and whose influence can last a lifetime.

"The harder I work," said Bernard Shaw, "the more I live." Childhood is not all about hard work, but it is about developing the confidence, knowledge, and self-discipline to deal with difficulty later on. It is also about the pleasure of feeling alive and learning to master some of the challenges of life. We pledge to take the best care we can of our boys-your boys-in good times and bad, and we have never asked for your generous support in vain.

All good wishes for the school year and beyond.

Yours sincerely,

Stuart H. Johnson, III
Headmaster