New Beginnings, Together: A Message from Jess Rooney, Interim Head of School

Dear Buxton Community,

The sun has been warm and the air cool.  That can only mean one thing: it’s back to school season! We opened the year with an all-school evening walk through the woods followed by a camp fire, s’mores, and nighttime frisbee in the upper soccer field. Our long-time science teacher, Linda, has had students helping her pick apples from our orchard. Sunday’s brunch featured waffles with applesauce as a result. How lucky are we? The marriage of Work Program, the kitchen program, and it takes-a-village mentally yields delicious fruit.

At Buxton, the living environment and our academic and boarding programs are inextricably linked. Returning students transition seamlessly between discussing Virgil in English class to chopping wood with faculty Work Program leads. Meanwhile, our 9th graders, Buxton’s largest class, are finding their bearings. On a 114 acre campus with dozens of buildings and Buxton-specific language like the studs (student lounge), the billy (the billiard room), and The Forge (a student and faculty-built outbuilding at Buxton’s trail head), our new students’ curiosity and moxie inspires all of us.

Our faculty and staff are just as tenacious as our students. With a new schedule that offers longer classes, a dedicated advisory block, extended Work Program hours, a new writing block supporting Junior Thesis, and two all-school movement blocks, Buxton adults are also living the learning. Already in the first week of classes, groups of faculty are planning our annual immersive programs, planning the fall-time play, and providing the care of in loco parentis, which include pharmacy runs for toothpaste, after-dinner jigsaw puzzling, and thoughtful bedcheck reminders. 

Nine weeks into my tenure, I’m reminded every day why I love being a school leader. Visiting classrooms, learning from students, crafting goals, developing strategy, investing in our staff and faculty – this is what makes me tick. Already I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate closely with staff, faculty, our governing board, the BSAA, and BOOP. Together, we’re doing everything in our power to ensure that Buxton’s second century is as strong as its first.

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More soon from our perch on the hill.

Gratefully, 

Jess Rooney

Interim Head of Buxton School