Retreat for the Faculty, Staff, and Board Members: Preparing for the School Year

By Jeff Philbrick, Headmaster

Middle August each year is the call to order for the Board members, Staff and Faculty of Jesse Remington High School, as we come together for the annual Preparation Retreat. This year was particularly meaningful as we begin the 35th Anniversary of our great school. 

We opened our day with a devotion from Pastor Steve Baker, bringing meaning to this year’s theme that is fitting to an anniversary year: Psalm 145:4 which calls believers to commend the works of God from one generation to another. Headmaster Philbrick commented that as our oldest alumni are now approaching 50 years of age, we have therefore been able to educate and minister to three generations: X, Millennial and Z. Part of our discussion looked ahead to the Alpha generation and those to follow that will comprise our school in the next 35 years.

During the morning session, we welcomed Dr. Kim Burns, a strategic planning consultant to help us move our strategic plan forward. The current plan we are in is fittingly named “Rare and Beautiful Treasures” which exemplifies how we look at our students and the opportunities ahead.  At lunch we celebrated our 35th year with a “Happy Birthday Jesse” cake! 

In the afternoon session, we welcomed another guest, Carrie Wilson from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, who officially launched our decennial accreditation process. In the near future, we will begin the self study process and contemplate next and best growth steps for the next 10 years of accreditation.  

We concluded the day with prayer and gratitude for God’s faithfulness over the past 35 years and His guidance for the years ahead.