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 The
Brown Schools, Inc.
PO Box 90702
Portland, OR 97266
503-705-5730
July 10, 2001
Dear Consultant:
During the past several months the management team of The Brown Schools
has been exploring ways to strengthen the academic and emotional growth services we provide at several of our locations. We want to
provide an update on where we are in this process regarding King George School and Hill Country Place.
The King George School in Vermont is a unique emotional growth boarding
school with an emphasis in the arts. The administrative team at KGS has been working diligently to create a sustainable education and
development model for the children and parents who are in need of our services, and significant progress has been made. Some of the
key elements being employed include:
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A strong administrative team to guide and develop the faculty:
Rae Ann Knopf, Private Education Operations Bob Kantar, Head of School Tracey Sutton, Director of School Operations Paul Chouinard,
Dean of Academics Heather Roeder, Director of Admissions Michael Swiderski, Director of Support Services and Outdoor Recreation
Joyce Dionne, Director of Human Resources and Business Management
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Improved admissions review process initiating progressive individualized
planning
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Training for faculty in counseling and crisis intervention techniques
to strengthen staff's ability to adequately mentor and guide students through difficult situations
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Parent workshops and seminars to assist parents in understanding
the school structure, further their parenting skills, and create a network of support ·
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Outdoor recreation activities and experiences combining academic
study and physical challenge; internship course opportunities for eligible students
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Core academic curriculum and transcript exceeding most college
preparatory requirements.
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Experimental learning emphasizing a wide variety of leadership
opportunities and cultural enrichment experiences
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Defined progression of emotional growth workshops and mentoring
process to compliment the academic work; addition of a work-study, life- coaching phase for students nearing completion of emotional
growth work
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Art Instructors with professional standing to foster incredible
learning and growth for students through various mediums, including drama, photography, studio art, dance and music
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24-hour support and supervision for students, including awake
night staff in both girl and boy dormitories
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Learning differences specialists for fall term (Special Education
certified) to assist students requiring tutoring and additional instruction to overcome learning difficulties
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Clinical and medical support through full time on-staff nursing,
collaboration with local physicians, clinicians, and Brown Schools professionals to provide indicated screening, assessment and
referrals, focused work for students, drug and alcohol education, and support groups
Hill Country Place in Texas is another program of which we are very
proud. This school has grown over the past three years into a very special place offering a sound academic and exceptional emotional
growth curriculum under the leadership of Michael LeBlanc. Our major challenge with Hill Country Place is the need to expand the physical
plant in order to meet your requests of providing this curriculum to a larger number of students.
Based on feedback from and discussions with our staff, former parents,
and the consultant community, we have made the decision to relocate the Hill Country Place program to The King George School campus
in Vermont. We are excited about the opportunities this combination of programs will present. Michael LeBlanc is enthusiastic about
relocating with his students and several of his current staff and assuming a leadership role as Director of Student Development. Rae
Ann, Bob, Michael and others have been working closely to facilitate a smooth transition that will benefit both students and staff.
This move will provide a more expansive location along with an enhanced academic and arts curriculum for Hill Country students, and
it will compliment the King George faculty with clinical expertise and knowledge related to issues commonly experienced by the children
we serve.
We are currently communicating with the students, parents, and consultants
involved in the relocation. The anticipated date of student and staff transfer to Vermont is scheduled for the week of August 6th. This
allows ample time for students to get settled into their new community and prepare for the opening of the academic school year on September
3rd. Parent visits and workshops in August and September will follow.
We invite you to tour The King George School and talk with the staff
and students about the exciting enhancements we are making in many areas. We appreciate your continued support of The King George School
and Hill Country Place. We hope you will call Rae Ann Knopf at 503.705.5730, Bob Kantar at 802.467.1200 or Michael LeBlanc
at 512.288.7140 if you have any questions or suggestions as to how we can make this a smooth and positive transition. To inquire
about making a referral or scheduling a tour for King George School or Hill Country referrals, please call Heather Roeder, Admissions
Director at 802.467.1200 or Michael LeBlanc at 512.288.7140.
Sincerely,
Sherry Thornton Rae
Chief Operating Officer |
Ann Knopf
Vice President, Private Education |
Bob Kantar
Head of King George School |
Michael LeBlanc
Director of Hill Country Place |
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