The end of term faculty meeting is like the typical Thursday evening confab with more time for thorough discussion and rants. Bowls of chocolate bars, licorice twizzlers and other hydrogenized corn syrup products are passed around as we listen, debate and vote on one issue after another for three and a half hours.

Steve started by observing that we don't always appreciate Proctor's uniquenesses. (He's just toured several schools with his 13-year-old daughter, and wishes we could all share this objective perspective.) Ironically, it is this type of faculty meeting--this extraordinary exercise of democracy--that is the germ behind so many of Proctor's unique policies and systems.

The agenda is extensive: how to better schedule parent/teacher conferences over Family Weekends, dogs in buildings (and on playing fields!), faculty children at performances, Instant Messaging.... How do we find time for sophomores' Choices (health & wellness) classes? Our School Leaders, Sarah and Jake, have earned genuine respect of the faculty. Below, Jake points out the irony that a class called "Choices" is mandatory:

Head Search consultants are in attendance to update us on all that has been accomplished (almost 50 applications are being processed,) and outline the weeks ahead. Open discussion was held of the particular qualifications of the right Head of a school with such a unique management style.

Alumnus, former music teacher and current annual fund officer Keith Barrett asks us to protect what we have as consultants Nancy and Hope listen closely.