Torch - Spring 2018

Advancement & Community Relations

Building Healthy Bodies and Minds By Tony diCosmo

Junior School dining hall overlooking the Burke Brook ravine.

A s a parent, the choice to have your daughter attend Havergal underscores your belief in her future—one of fulfillment that is accomplished through achievement, responsibility and leadership. It also means you share the value that Havergal places on wellness, including physical, social and emotional aspects of a young woman’s development, alongside academic excellence. Our Strategic Plan, Havergal 2020: Our Vision is Limitless , reaffirms our belief in this approach. Spaces that support social and emotional learning, healthy eating, physical education and mental health will be created as part of the planned building enhancements to our campus, which are also supported through our Limitless Campaign . Here are a few examples that illustrate how our philosophy will become ingrained in our infrastructure: • The new dining wing planned for the Junior School and the improvements to the Upper School servery highlight our commitment to providing Havergal students with nutritious, fresh, seasonal meals, bringing new meaning to the phrase “food for thought.” • Renovations to the Junior School gymnasium will help to encourage students to discover the joy of physical activity from a young age, with the opportunity to adopt an active lifestyle, develop healthy habits and gain the confidence that comes from having a strong, healthy body.

We recognize that mental health is intrinsically linked to vitality and well-being. This, too, is reflected in our planned renovations, which incorporate spaces like a meditation room and learning support areas in the Junior School. These new spaces are designed to encourage mindfulness among students and provide them with quiet locations to take an internal pause and regroup. Alternatively, areas such as the learning commons in the Upper School will provide opportunities for collaboration, helping to create a sense of community and foster student voice. Schools across the country are recognizing that greener campuses directly impact students’ health and well-being and are beneficial for learning and development. 1 Many health experts speak to the importance of getting a daily dose of greenery, otherwise known as “vitamin G.” Havergal’s campus is unique in that it is situated on 22 acres of land, including the Burke Brook ravine. An abundance of windows in our new spaces will take maximum advantage of our precious green space, thus creating an environment where Havergal students can flourish and succeed. Our students’ success is also dependent on the vitality of their support team: the broader Havergal community. From parents and Old Girls, to faculty and staff, we are truly grateful for the strength and support of our community through gifts of time and talent, which allow us to be the leading independent girls’ school. At Havergal, we strongly believe that making a philanthropic gift to the school should be a win-win proposition, providing the donor

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