Pictured above, SA parents surprised faculty and staff throughout the 2020-21 school year with signs of support and other creative gestures of appreciation.
The Defining Partnerships of 2020-21
The defining themes of the 2020-21 school year were gratitude, commitment, and the joy of being together, all of which were made possible by strong partnerships between Salisbury Academy, our parents, and our community. A year of in-person learning has never meant so much to our students and team! Thank you to our partners and, below, read highlights from the school year on the power of partnership at SA.
-Beverly Fowler, Head of School
Parents as Partners
The Towns Family Shares:
"A 'partnership' is the correct term to summarize our past seven years at Salisbury Academy. Our experience with the staff has shown us that they not only want our children to thrive academically, they are invested in their physical, social, and mental health as well. This was never more apparent than during the 2020-2021 school years."
"The leadership team at Salisbury Academy decided to return to school in person and make it as safe as possible for students and staff. The protocols were thoroughly researched and thoughtfully implemented. We were all aware that this was a real life 'experiment.' No one knew if it would be successful for longer than two weeks. This required the staff to go above and beyond their normal duties. Eighteen months later, we are grateful that this amazing partnership has allowed our children to continue to learn in person. Salisbury Academy’s protocols and communication have helped our children grow academically, emotionally, and socially."
"We are thankful every day that the staff at Salisbury Academy rose to the challenge during the past year and a half. While we recognize that it was extremely difficult at times, the benefit to our children is immeasurable. We are confident in the strength of our partnership both now and in the future."
Teachers as Partners
Elizabeth Anderson, Lower School Division Director and Third Grade Teacher Shares:
"When the pandemic started in March 2020, many teachers and schools across the country faced, and are continuing to face, some of their most difficult times. Yes, these times are scary and challenging. That said, as a teacher working at Salisbury Academy, these times are less of a challenge."
"Salisbury Academy allows me to have an equal voice among all staff, parents, and community partnerships. When I first joined the school, I was able to voice what I wanted in a teaching profession. I wanted more of a leadership role, but I wasn’t ready to leave the classroom. For the last 5 years, I have been able to achieve both goals by serving as a division director and a teacher in several grade levels. I love that my role is continually changing to not only meet my needs, but also the needs of the students at Salisbury Academy."
"We are a community that works together as partners at Salisbury Academy. As Helen Keller said, 'Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.' The minute I stepped foot onto the campus of Salisbury Academy, I felt a sense of family. This sense of family relies on trust. There is a feeling of care and commitment to our children, our local community, and one another."
"Salisbury Academy builds amazing relationships among all of our stakeholders. At our school we have common goals, we monitor progress, and we celebrate success. We have made sense of pandemic teaching by working together. From the minute we knew we had to shift from in-person learning, we worked together to move our education platform online. From the minute we knew we could come back face to face, we worked together to make sure our school was safe for our students and staff."
"The last year and a half has been a challenge. At Salisbury Academy, though, these challenges have felt minimized by having a voice in some difficult situations and by having a strong sense of community. Through it all, we continue to provide quality education and maintain fulfilling relationships with our most important stakeholders, our students."
A Quarter Century of Partnership
A key member of Salisbury Academy's founding families, Sandy Jordan celebrated her 25th year at Salisbury Academy in 2020-21. She and her husband, Stan, have been with Salisbury Academy every step of the way, from the moment when founder Georgi Goss first had the vision to open an independent school to the robust program and school community that we have today, almost 30 years later. Sandy's deep connection with, love for, and understanding of children have inspired the curiosity and confidence of hundreds of children over the years and given them an exceptional start on their school journeys.
Other milestones celebrated in 2021:
Beverly Fowler, 15 years*; Jessica Goodman, 10 years; Tracey Baird, 5 years; Jane Current, 5 years; Lizzy Roy, 5 years* (milestones marked with an * were reached in 2019-20 and celebrated in person in 2021).
COMMUNITY AS PARTNERS
Thank You to Nurse Turner and our Partners in Health and Wellness
The 2020-21 school year was unlike any other year and presented unique challenges amidst the great joys of learning and growing together each day. Thanks to Nurse Sonja Turner's ongoing volunteer work with our school and local leadership and in SA classrooms through student education, we reopened for a successful start to the 2020-21 school year in August with strong protocols to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that students entered a safe and healthy learning environment each day.
Additionally, thank you to Novant Health, the Rowan County Health Department, and the SA Medical Task Force for your guidance in keeping our school community safe.
Partnering in Time-Honored Traditions
Upholding SA School Community Traditions
Grandpersons Day
SA Grandpersons Day 2020, themed, "Even Through the Distance," spoke to the strong connections and love that our SA students share with the grandpeople in their lives and the special ways in which these bonds endure, even when our students and their grandpersons can't be together in person. The virtual event celebrated these bonds and expressed gratitude to the individuals who have meaningful impacts on our students' lives.
Annual traditions such as the See You at the Pole student-led event, Veterans Day Chapel, National Day of Prayer, Christmas sing-alongs, and others endured and took place in innovative and creative ways in 2020-21, connecting students of all grade levels while also giving students unique, new ways to lead and share with their school community.
We've got spirit, yes we do! SA Spirit Week was a shining example of the love for school, humor, and enthusiasm for learning that made our students such excellent partners in success for 2020-21.
Holiday festivities make each season exciting at SA. Whether in the outdoor JK/K Halloween costume parade, a visit from the Easter Bunny for our younger learners, or in the time-honored custom of middle school teachers serving breakfast to students on the day before Christmas break, celebratory events were especially meaningful.
Partnering in Experiential Curriculum
Curriculum Traditions: Second and Sixth Greek Fest
A milestone event in the curriculum journey for all Salisbury Academy students, the second and sixth grade Greek Fest takes both of the class' units on the Greek period and wraps them into an experiential day of student-led learning and discovery. In the 2020-21 event, sixth grade students led learning centers for second grade and utilized video technology to share their demonstrations.
Creatively solving problems as we learn! Eighth grade students completed and presented on two problem-based learning (PBL) projects in which they worked in groups to present solutions to open-ended problems. Pictured here, students designed sustainable communities complete with renewable energy sources and a full model of an eco-house. They then pitched their plans to peers in a town hall meeting. As the second component to the PBL project, students designed a model of a roller coaster for Carowinds while incorporating specific elements. Students tested their models and found the work, power, speed, and kinetic and potential energy of their coasters.
What is an invention that could solve day-to-day inconveniences or larger world problems? And why can it be helpful to get different outcomes than the ones we expect in our experiments? Fourth grade students at Salisbury Academy delved into these questions and more in their Eureka! invention immersion. In the unit, students were encouraged to think big, solve day-to-day and world problems, and embrace failed attempts as an opportunity to innovate.
To further support their learning, students learned about famous inventors and inventions from around the world while paying close attention to the processes that different inventors use.
The outdoors provide a healthy setting in which SA students look forward to learning! The SA Outdoor Space provides an interesting variety of locations that serve as outdoor classrooms. Pictured here, fifth grade students build outlines and utilize descriptive writing to craft their own personal narratives.
Beginning the day with discovery centers in the JK class! Play-based and student-centered learning guides SA early education programming, and social emotional learning serves as another key component to student growth and development.
Partnering in Service
Service is Central to the Salisbury Academy Mission
SA stewardship efforts evolved in response to the pandemic but never stopped! Pictured large, students made several visits to the Community Care Clinic in 2020-21 to clean up and beautify their grounds. Below, see additional examples of community connections and how the passion for service is sparked in our students.
The annual holiday drive to support our friends at Rowan Vocational Opportunities is led enthusiastically by our SA middle-schoolers. While we were unable to hold our annual Christmas party for RVO clients due to health and safety concerns in 2020-21, the organization felt a great, big hug from SA in the form of donated toiletries, household items, and clothing.
Salisbury Academy's PSA (Parents of Salisbury Academy) actively serves the community. Pictured here, PSA representatives pack bags for the Food for Thought program.
SA's students love to make cards for residents of area retirement communities for Valentines Day, Christmas, Veterans Day, or just because!
Whether through Dress Down Day food drives, participation in the Trick or Treat So Others May Eat collection, Food for Thought bag packing, or care package creation for Rowan Helping Ministries clients, SA students, teachers, and families enjoy supporting RHM all year round.
SA Alumni as Partners in their Communities
Where were our alumni healthcare workers in the height of the pandemic in 2020-21? See below! (pictured from left to right/top to bottom)
Joy Loeblein Bartsch, a nurse serving her hospital in San Diego, CA; Dr. Carley Drye Bloomfield (pictured right in the photo), an internal medicine resident at Cone Health in Greensboro; Sergeant Robert Anderson, III, a combat medic specialist in the United States Army in the 1st battalion, 17th infantry regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA; Brooke Smith, a physician assistant with Providence Anesthesiology Associates in Charlotte; Spc. Carson Hatchett, a medic in the U.S. Army in Fort Carson, CO; Hannah Coulter Privette, BSN, RN at Brenner Children's Hospital's Neonatal ICU.
Thank you to our alumni healthcare workers for your meaningful contributions as partners in your communities!
SA Alumni Panel for Rising Ninth-Graders
What better way for SA's eighth grade students to prepare for high school than to hear directly from high-school-age Jaguar alumni? Alumni representatives from different area high schools answered questions for SA's eighth grade and covered topics including classes, time management, friendships, and even what's for lunch in high school.
Partners in Sustainability
From deep-dive curriculum units and community education projects on acid rain, carbon footprints, and other environmental topics, to outdoor excursions and nature walks, SA students are empowered and passionate about conservation. Key partners in Salisbury Academy's sustainability journey in 2020-21 included The Pedal Factory as a partner in organizing school community bike rides, Rowan Soil and Water Conservation District for leading a Jaguars Explorers after-school nature club at SA and an Environmental Poster Contest for all Rowan-Salisbury students, and our Catawba College sustainability coordinator intern, Kristina Rogge.
Kristina's contributions over the course of the 2020-21 school year included environmental communication via chapel messages and articles for the school newsletter as well as on-campus lessons and activities such as a "Strange Animal Adaptations" presentation and discussion for sixth grade students. As another highlight from her internship, Kristina worked with fifth grade students to build a self-watering, vertical garden out of recycled materials.
Outdoor Pavilion Adds Outdoor Classroom, Picnic Spot, and Event Space on the SA Playground
An expansion of SA's Outdoor Learning Space and beautiful addition to campus, a new outdoor pavilion was constructed in 2021. Thank you to all who partnered with us and donated to this beautiful and much-enjoyed feature!
Trustees As partners: Welcome New Board Members
Salisbury Academy is pleased to welcome our 2020-21 additions to our Board of Trustees, Will Goodnight and Cheryl van der Poel.
Salisbury Academy Board of Trustees
Traci Williams, Board Chair
Reid Acree, Jr., Vice-Chair
Andrea Ralston, Secretary
Cliff Sorel, Treasurer
Ben Ott, Committee on Trustees
Paul Bardinas
Madison Currin
Diane Fisher
Will Goodnight
George Kluttz
Mark Petty
Ryan Rich
Mark Robertson
Greg Shields
Maria Vandergriff-Avery
Cheryl van der Poel
LaSheka Walker
Whitney Williams
Bryan Wymbs
2020-21 Giving Report
2020-21 Corporate Partners
The investments of Salisbury Academy's Corporate Partners directly support the exceptional educational opportunities, programs, and stewardship at Salisbury Academy. Additionally, Corporate Partner dollars go towards Salisbury Academy's Broyhill Scholarship for Rowan-Salisbury high school students through which high-schoolers are sent to the Broyhill Leadership Camp each summer.
Pictured here, students prepare care packages for Rowan Helping Ministries clients in a classroom service outreach.
Gold Partners
Crescent Construction Services
Silver Partners
Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law
The Lettered Lily Design Studio
Bronze Partners
Accelerate Therapy & Performance
Allergy Partners of Rowan-Salisbury
Carrol Fisher Construction Co.
Central Carolina Insurance Agency
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A.
Godley’s Garden Center & Nursery
Mecklenburg Radiology Associates
Piedmont Plastic and Oral Surgery Center
Thrivent Financial - Chris Fowler
Annual Fund 2020-21
Salisbury Academy families, teachers, and staff came together to contribute more than $108,000 to the SA Annual Fund. In addition to strong support from parents, 100% of faculty and board made gifts to the Annual Fund.
Providing an essential portion of the school’s operating budget, Annual Fund dollars play a vital role in funding the full cost of a Salisbury Academy education for every student. Salisbury Academy extends our deepest gratitude for the generous support of each and every donor.
Many thanks to the cash and in-kind donors who contributed to the construction of the outdoor pavilion. The pavilion is enjoyed daily as an outdoor classroom, picnic area, and event site.
Additionally, Salisbury Academy was awarded the Margaret C. Woodson Grant of $5,000 to be applied to the tuition assistance program.
ANNUAL FUND
HEAD CIRCLE
($5,000 - $9,999)
Digna Freirich
Lane and Jonathan Wallace
Class of 2021 Valedictorian Maggie Antosek shares:
"As I was applying to boarding schools and going through the interview process, I was often asked what it was like going to a smaller school. To this I would always describe it as being part of a family. Although we are going in many different directions, this family support will go with us into the next chapters of our lives and will always find us together... It has been a great privilege to be a part of the SA family."
PATRON CIRCLE
($2,500 - $4,999)
Missie and Greg Alcorn
Anonymous
Carrie and Paul Bardinas
Delaine and Alan Fowler
Patty and Mike Kistner
Amy Wilson and Ben Ott
Traci and Brad Williams
Class of 2021 Salutatorian Lucy Barr shares:
"I’ve been a part of this SA family since I was 3 weeks old, visiting my sister in her kindergarten class. This building and these people will always have a special place in my heart. Every teacher who has taught me has meant something they will never know. To my classmates, I’ve known some of you for ten years, some for one year, and everything in between. No matter what happens in life, I know I will never forget this eighth grade year with you all."
1993 SOCIETY
($1,993 - $2,499)
Cassie Gallimore and Corey Smith
Amy and Will Goodnight
Margaret and Artie Hattaway
Carolyn and Gordon Hurley
Alice and Ryan Rich
FRIEND CIRCLE
($500 - $1,992)
Tina and Reid Acree
Anonymous
Lindsay and Steve Antosek
Amanda and Jody Antosek
Tracey and Adam Baird
Gwin and Matt Barr
Brooke and Casey Baucom
Leslie and Rocky Cabagnot
Lucille Carter
Kimberly and Dennis Chunn
Lisa and Scott Cline
Ashley and Madison Currin
Melanie and Alan Deal
Allison and Mark Doby
Lindsay and Rob Easter
Amanda and Jonathan Faggart
Diane and Luke Fisher
Beverly and Chris Fowler
Libby and Jay Fowler
Darlene and Larry Hand
Belinda Huston
Jessica and Robert Jackson
Crystal and Zack Johnson
Michele Johnson
Sandy and Stan Jordan
Laura and Earle Koontz
Jeanette and Doug Lassiter
Melody and Brian Lee
Alecia and William Lee
Lynn Leonard
Fran and Jason Lescoe
Laura and Brien Lewis
Jeannie and Mark Lins
Linda and Gregory Lusher
Lawrence McDonald
Deborah Morris
Meredith and Bryan Overcash
Kim and Mark Petty
Gladys and David Pinson
Deborah and Dyke Messinger
Sarah and Craig Powers
Andrea and Jeff Ralston
Bonnie and Richard Randall
Annette and Hap Roberts
Virginia and Mark Robertson
Lizzy and TJ Roy
Judy and Mark Roy
Martha and John Schott
Kristin and Greg Shields
Barb and Cliff Sorel
Nichole and Erron Towns
Cheryl van der Poel
Susan and Dem Ward
Meredith and Jonathan Williams
Whitney and Brannon Williams
Anita and David Wilson
Mary and Bryan Wymbs
Lori and Steve Yang
Katie and Gil Zino
Middle School Citizenship Award Recipient Lucas Peffer
In an overwhelming majority, eighth grade students nominated the 2020-21 Citizenship Award recipient, Lucas Peffer. Below are several of the comments written by his peers on their nomination forms:
"Lucas is an amazing person with the biggest heart. He's hard working and helpful. If you ask him for help or advice, he’s always there."
"He lives by all the virtues and does the right thing, even when no one is watching."
"He deserves the Citizenship Award because he has never said a mean word about anyone. He is always doing what he is supposed to do, is nice to everyone, and always thinks positively."
"Lucas can always make someone smile. He is always gentle and kind to others, even when others are not kind. He is unique and unlike any other, and he never apologizes for being himself."
"He is a good friend, always looks out for someone in need of help or cheering up, always makes people laugh."
"Lucas is a kind, thoughtful, and lively person. He has a happy heart."
JAGUAR CIRCLE
(Up to $499)
Elizabeth and Brandon Alps
Teresa and Sean Anderson
Kathryn and Ben Anderson
Elizabeth and Forrest Anderson
Anonymous
Teen and Brandon Aron
Susan and James Ballard
Shakira and Corey Basinger
Melody and James Baucom
Laura and Daniel Black
Heather and Brad Brady
Elizabeth and Jim Brady
Meredith and Josh Brincefield
Connie and Larry Broadtman
Candace and Ben Brown
Katrina Brown
Allison and Evan Burns
Melanie and Scott Burton
Wendy and Paul Capito
James Carli
Aurora and Jake Casteen
Kathryn and Ken Clifton
Nick Cordasci
Heather and Jimmy Coulter
Tina and Howard Cowan
Jane and Clark Current
Laura and Drew Davis
Bonnie and Reid Davis
Meg and Jay Dees
Ila and Wiley Doby
Debby and Carlon Dufrene
Katie and Kirk Durham
Shannon and Jonathan Ellsworth
Jennifer and Curtis Ethridge
Dana and Matt Evans
Susan and Randall Faggart
Denise and Harry Fink
Nan and Danny Fisher
Tiffany and Ben Flemr
Adrian and Jim Gantt
Jessica and Nick Goodman
Emily and Wes Graham
Nancy and Wilson Graham
Stacye and Daniel Harborth
Laurel and Kevin Harry
Ann and Parker Hatchett
Melissa Heilig
Patti and John Heilig
Brenda Stone
Shanna and Brian Hinson
Julie and John Hlavacek
Karen and Scott Hollar
Sandra and Alan Honbarger
Delores and Richard Imblum
Kathryn Johnson
Teresa and James Johnson
Margaret and George Kluttz
Sarah and Keith Knight
Sara Lee
Abby Lee
Alex and Katelyn Lee
Kristen Leonard
Jo Marie Lescoe
Hannah and Brett Young
Margaret and John Lipe
Christy Lockhart
Sara and Andrew Luepke
Lydia Young
Katie Martin
Shannon and Christopher McCoy
Janeria and Matthew McCullough
Katie and Cory Menees
Mary and Cory Menees
Beth Homan and Sean Meyers
Vincia Miller
Ann and Parker Mills
Susan and Josh Mills
Fran and Gavin Misner
Kirsten and Carlos Montgomery
Penny and Chris Moss
Merry Overholser
Shelley and Jon Palmer
Carole and Jake Parrott
Libby and Harry Partridge
Wanda and Chris Peffer
Gwen and Terry Pendleton
Tracey and David Peoples
Marcia and Randy Reamer
Dana and Rob Robertson
Jody and Clint Robins
Kristen Rocko
Teresa Rowell and Eric Hake
Meredith and Jared Rowland
Kerstin Rudolph and Will Morris
Paula Yost and Peter Schupp
Molly and Chris Shelton
Holly Smith
Cassandra and Kent Smith
Brooke Smith
Katelyn and Timothy Stanton
Sharon and Johnnie Stanton
Kelli and Ryan Starrett
Aaron Stevenson
Mia Stockton
Meredith and Paul Sullivan
Jana and Kurt Thomas
Pamela Thompson
Jenny Thurman
Ashley and Jeffery Townsend
Sonja and Rick Turner
Maria Vandergriff-Avery and Christopher Avery
Amy Vestal
Deborah and Cesar Vilchez
LaSheka and Curtis Walker
David and Sheree Walker
Lauren and Charles Whaley
Mary Lou and Fred Williams
Shen and Tommy Wilson
Amy and Mark Wimmer
Erin Wood
Beth and Paul Woodson
Melissa and Josh Yost
SALISBURY ACADEMY ONLINE AUCTION
Thank you to our hosts, auction donors, and participants in the 2021 Salisbury Academy Online Auction! Beyond the funds raised, the online auction played an important role in building, sustaining, and celebrating the SA community.
A terrific thank you to donors who made online gifts. Your support made a real difference!
Thank You to our Auction Donors
Ashley and Daniel Black
Members of the Board of Trustees Wine and Bourbon Lot Contributions
Heather and Brad Brady
Busby and Webb Orthodontics
Aurora and Jake Casteen
The Currin Family
Kim and Kyle Davis
Allison and Mark Doby
Taylor and Brad Durham
Julie and John Hlavcek
Sara Lee of SISU Home Designs
Leigh Ann Loeblein
Mike Morris
Ben Owen Pottery
Maegan and Bobby Parnell
Sarah and Craig Powers
Provisions Contracting - Jessica and Nick Goodman
Mark and Virginia Robertson
Brent Smith Pottery
Mark Stephenson
Nichole and Erron Towns
Trees and Plants Nursery and Garden Center
Traci and Brad Williams
Shen and Tommy Wilson
Thank You to our Auction Winners
Tracey and Adam Baird
Ashley and Daniel Black
Candace and Ben Brown
Aurora and Jake Casteen
Debbie and Rip Collins
Ashley and Madison Currin
Kim and Kyle Davis
James Davis
Amanda and Jonathan Faggart
Lane Felton
Delaine and Alan Fowler
Emily and Wes Graham
Karen and Scott Hollar
Fran and Jake Lescoe
Kristy and Eric Mallico
Clint Miller
Tammy and Martin Morrison
Andrea and Jeff Ralston
Alice and Ryan Rich
Brooke Smith
Nichole and Erron Towns
Whitney and Brannon Williams
In Loving Memory
Thank you to the families, listed below, who made donations to the Scott Robinson Memorial Fund. Salisbury Academy extends our love and prayers to the Robinson family. Scott was a community leader and avid supporter of Salisbury Academy who served on the Board of Trustees and helped shape Salisbury Academy as a young school. He was a supportive dad and favorite field trip chaperone to Molly (SA Class of 2006) and Miles (SA Class of 2012). Our deepest condolences go out to his family and all who knew him.
Missie and Greg Alcorn
Elizabeth and Don Bergsma
Lynn and Arthur Bolick
Larry Bowden
Renee and Chris Bradshaw
Debbie and Rip Collins
Sandy and Stephen Combs
Michelle and Allen Cook
Nan and Danny Fisher
Jennifer and Ames Flynn
Beverly and Chris Fowler
Garrison Group LLC and Don Garrison
Godley's Garden Center & Nursery
Norma and Charles Goldman
Georgi and Fred Goss
Nan and Charles Graeber
Shari and Bill Graham
Benjamin Greenland
Ann and Parker Hatchett
First Bank Appraisal Department
Anne and David Hoffman
Jayne Hubbard
Carolyn and Gordon Hurley
AJ Hutson
Judy and John Isenhour
Tricia and Lee Johnson
Susan and William Kluttz
Melody and Brian Lee
Katelyn and Alex Lee
Allison Lee and Evan Burns
Abby Lee
Lori Mann
Janet and Robert McCanless
Janet and David McCoy
Carol and Chris McNeely
Myra Pitts
Jane and Mark Ritchie
Salisbury Rowan Association of Realtors, Inc.
Stephen Scroggs
June Showfety
Trudy and Willard Thompson
Barbara Wagoner
Tracy and Jason Walser
Walser Technology Group, Inc.
Suzie and Charlie Walter
Gwen and Bill Webb
Lynn and Paul Wiesler
Janet and Danny Williams
Thank You to our Supporters
Salisbury Academy sincerely appreciates those who generously supported the school in 2020-21. It is also with appreciation that we recognize those businesses, foundations, and community organizations that provide financial support, in-kind donations, and event sponsorships to Salisbury Academy.
The digital edition of the 2020-21 Salisbury Academy Magazine and Giving Report recognizes our donors, both individual and corporate, who made gifts between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Every effort is made to ensure that our donor listings are accurate. If you notice any inaccuracies in your information, please contact the development office at 704-636-3002.
Thank you for your support!