A Letter from the Board of Trustee Co-Chairs, 2022-2024

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Dear Friends,

On behalf of The Chestnut Hill School, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for your generous support of The CHS Fund. Your contributions have had a meaningful impact on our school community during a time of exciting growth and transition.

In the fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, CHS embarked on a significant journey, including the search for a new Head of School. After an extensive search process, we were pleased to welcome Dr. Rod MacNeal, Jr., to the CHS family in July of 2023. Selected from an impressive field of candidates, “Dr. Rod” quickly became known for his data-driven leadership and his belief in the power of one person to make a difference. His commitment to fostering inclusion, social-emotional learning, and academic achievement has already begun to inspire our students and staff alike.

We are also deeply grateful for the steady guidance of Interim Head of School Diana Blazar, whose leadership during this period of transition helped ensure stability and continuity for our community.
Over the past two years, we have experienced a full return to pre-pandemic routines, including the cherished assemblies, athletic contests, performances, and concerts that define life at CHS. We’ve also thoroughly embraced our new guiding principles—kindness, belonging, pursuit of knowledge, and perseverance. These values are visible across our campus and are woven into the daily life of our classrooms and curriculum.

Thanks to Florence DiJohnson’s leadership and our Development Office, we rejuvenated annual giving at CHS, achieving an outstanding total of $491,607 in FY ‘23 and $716,171 in giving for FY ‘24. Contributions to the CHS Annual Fund grew by 17% made possible by 100% participation from our faculty, staff, and board members and 80% participation from current families. Your generosity not only sustains our programs but also builds a stronger foundation for future generations of learners.
We are also excited to have introduced new events aimed at fostering engagement and fellowship within our school and donor communities. Highlights include our Fall Donor Thank You Event, the Spring Dinner on the Lawn, and Club CMR—each an opportunity to celebrate and deepen the connections that make CHS so special.

As we look ahead, we are eager to build on these successes and create new traditions that strengthen the bonds among our current families, alumni, and past families. Your partnership in this journey is invaluable, and we look forward to continuing this meaningful work together.

 

 

With heartfelt thanks,
Steve Kraus
Stefan Karlsson
Co-Presidents, Board of Trustees