
I selected Purpose as the theme for the 2017-2018 school year, not only because of the role it plays in shaping the school’s values and mission, but also because of the role The Bush School has played in helping our students and graduates find a sense purpose. Social scientists posit that
humans developed a sense of purpose as part of their drive to accomplish big things.
This past year, with your help, we graduated an incredibly resilient class of seniors, connected young students to mentors, challenged our students to take risks in their academic and co-curricular programs, provided robust parent education opportunities, and, day by day, sought to find greatness through acts of goodness.
You will notice that we have re-named our Annual Report Gratitude. Practicing gratitude is an act of giving back. We are grateful to our community for giving to Bush and ensuring that our faculty and staff can build strong programs that inspire our students every day. Your role in the Bush community—as alumni, parents, trustees, and friends—allows the Board, administration, and faculty to help tomorrow’s leaders find their purpose in a challenging and nurturing environment.
This year’s edition of Gratitude illustrates how The Bush School lives its mission through our financial commitments and priorities. In these stories, you will read about volunteers who enrich our programs, the state of philanthropy in the United States, and the innumerable ways your generous support contributes directly to making an impact on the people and programs at The Bush School.
Without the generosity of every member of our community, we would not be able to fulfill our mission: to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities. Every gift of time and treasure, every gathering attended, and every moment taken out of your day to see the humanity in one another enhances the Bush experience. For that, I am most grateful.
It is my pleasure to present the 2017-2018 Bush Annual Report, Gratitude. I hope that you will read through with pride in what we’ve accomplished together and consider how you would like to be involved in our school in the year to come.
On behalf of everyone at Bush, thank you for your support.
With deep gratitude,
Percy L. Abram, Ph.D.
Head of School