S P I R I T . M I N D . B O D Y . C O R D E C H O 3 Dear Sacred Heart Family, I recently led a group of American visitors on a tour of the Ring of Kerry, the quintessential tourist experience in Ireland. It takes great courage, resilience, and determination to leave the safety of the valley and zigzag the narrow roads against the onslaught of coaches, motor homes, and high speed cyclists. The reward comes on passing through the pillars of Moll’s Gap to Ladies’ View, where the white knuckled driver can take a pause to celebrate survival and to marvel at the splendor of God’s Creation. Emerging from the zigzag journey of COVID, the whole world acknowledges that life will never again be quite the same as it was before. Presented with a new perspective on how to manage the work-life balance, we are challenged with prioritizing the needs and best interests of the community we serve. Many things have changed at SHA consequent of COVID; responding to needs expressed by the students, the Academy introduced SHA Pause, a bi-weekly time to pause and celebrate survival that is much applauded by the girls. Responding to the changing challenges seen at all levels of education, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart has engaged the education consulting firm Partners In Mission (PIM) to guide us through a strategic planning process. As partners in planning, PIM “values, understands, and embraces the importance of Catholic education and is committed to ensuring its strength and vitality for years to come”. A committee of 28 experienced and dedicated individuals from the SHA community are steering the process. Mindful of the Franciscan Charism and Catholic Identity, the performance of the school is being considered across eight domains: Academics & Technology, Advancement, Enrollment, Facilities & Technology, Governance, Finance, and Student Life. Each domain has a dedicated committee that is reviewing the performance of the schools as it pertains to their particular domain. Despite the residual fatigue and stress left by the COVID pandemic, the SHA community, Sisters, faculty, staff, students, and parents have come forward in force to support the strategic planning process. The first phase of the strategic planning process began in May 2022 with student surveys and will run to the retreat event on December 1, 2022. Over 1,000 participants thus far have provided survey, interview, and round table discussion data that serves to establish the foundation on which we will build the 20222027 Strategic Plan. The love and loyalty expressed by participants and the sense of Sisterhood and belonging shared by students and alumnae fuel this process. In looking for opportunities for growth and development over the coming decades, the SHA community embraces this strategic planning challenge with a global outlook. In June 2022, SHA participated in the International Coalition of Girls Schools triennial Global Forum on Girls’ Education in Boston, Massachusetts. Educators, researchers, authors and advocates for girls and young women across the globe made presentations on, “how to prepare and empower girls to be ethical, globally-minded changemakers who lead with courage, competence and empathy”. It was encouraging to see by comparison that SHA is taking so many of the right steps in mainstream and signature programming to position the school as a leader in girls’ education in Western New York. Moving toward the 150th anniversary of the school, SHA has an advantage by being the first private school in WNY to offer the worldwide acclaimed International Baccalaureate Diploma Program with Diploma and Certificate opportunities for all. In strategic planning surveys completed to date, SHA is recognized by all stakeholders in the SHA community as a college preparatory high school of academic excellence. The challenge before us as a community is to set goals and objectives that will continue to promote growth and development. With courage, resilience, and determination, the SHA community has responded the invitation to embark on the 2022-2027 Strategic Planning Process, and for that we are very grateful. We are grateful to the Sisters of St. Francis and all Board members for sharing their expertise, enthusiasm, commitment and generosity as they continue to steward the Academy. I wish the graduating class of 2022 every happiness and success in their chosen career paths, and I pray that you and your loved ones keep healthy and safe. Sincerely, President, Board of Directors
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTcyNDA=