Parent Scoop: A New Year of Giving

By Candace and Rich Weeks

Parents’ Fund Committee Co-Chairs

Parents of Matthew Weeks 2008

Welcome to a new year at Cushing! We recently sent a letter to underclass parents, and we would like to take a moment to introduce ourselves. Our names are Candace and Rich Weeks and our son Matthew is a sophomore this year. As experienced volunteers in our community and as strong supporters of Cushing and its values, we were delighted to accept Cushing’s invitation to co-chair the Parents’ Fund Committee this year.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Parents’ Fund Committee, we are a group of parent volunteers dedicated to raising support for Cushing from the parent body. Since tuition does not cover the total cost of educating a student at Cushing, the Parents’ Fund helps bridge this gap and underwrites a wide array of budgeted items such as faculty development, sports teams, arts supplies, student activities and technology support.

Cushing is proud to boast one of the highest parent participation rates amongst its peer schools. Our donations, at any level, demonstrate our support to external donors and also show a strong commitment to our faculty, staff and students. A brochure was included with our letter that we hope will answer some of your questions about the tradition of giving to independent schools.

With a Parents’ Fund goal of $350,000 for 2005-06, we are asking parents to increase their support this year over the generous contributions that were made last year. For those parents whose students are returning to Cushing this year, we hope that you will consider giving the amount suggested in your letter and make your pledge by Fall Family Weekend. For those new to Cushing, you will be receiving a call from a parent volunteer from our first phonathon on November 2 or anytime shortly thereafter. Please take our call and support Cushing at an amount appropriate for you.

Parents of the Class of 2006 have received a letter from Chris Phinney, Chair of the Senior Parent Gift Fund. Every year, the parents of Cushing’s senior class have the opportunity to thank Cushing’s teachers, coaches and staff for their remarkable work and at the same time honor our students for all they have achieved by naming a part of the campus. This year, senior parents have the opportunity to name the penguin sculpture garden in honor of the Class of 2006. Located near the main entrance of the Emily Fisher Landau Center for Visual Arts, the garden features a series of bronze penguins nestled atop medium-sized boulders in habitat form. The actual penguin was designed and sculpted by an alumnus, James Breidenbach ’03, and the mold was sent to the Shidoni Foundry in New Mexico and reproduced into 15 pieces for the installation. In order to name the sculpture garden, we need to raise a minimum of $100,000 from the parents of the Class of 2006. Gifts of any type will count towards our total (including gifts to the Parents’ Fund, Endowment and Targeted contributions) but we will need everyone’s help to reach this goal.

Given the hectic nature of family life these days and the demands on the parent volunteers who will be contacting you, we are trying to consolidate the timeframe for the Parents’ Fund drive this year. It certainly helps to receive payment on pledges as soon as possible, but please know that you have until June 30, 2006 to complete payment on your pledge. For families that like to take care of their business affairs online, you will find instructions for making your donation at www.cushing.org.

In appreciation of your gift, you will receive a 2006 penguin pin, handcrafted by Cushing’s own Director of Visual Arts, Bob Johnson. Please continue the tradition of wearing these pins at Family Weekends and other events, showing your support for Cushing. All those who have committed their pledges by the end of November will be listed in a mailing to the parent body, and updated lists will be included in future mailings and publications throughout the year.

Thank you in advance and we look forward to seeing you at Fall Family Weekend!

P.S. Cushing will be turning to all parents this winter for our support of the endowment portion of the Campaign for Cushing. Earnings from the endowment support the financing of the new science and math building. It would be a tremendous help to have all Parents’ Fund pledges committed before that point. Many thanks.