June 4, 2025
Dear Odyssey Families,
As we prepare to celebrate our Windjammers at graduation and look ahead to the joys of summer, I am reminded of the wonderful accomplishments of our students this year, and of the remarkable journey we’ve shared together here at Odyssey.
From my first days as an Odyssey team member, I was greeted with warmth and open arms. I experienced how joy is an important part of daily classroom and community life. To this day, welcoming the children to Odyssey, watching them grow, and learning of their life after Odyssey successes are the ultimate gifts of my Odyssey journey.
We have had a strong year. We’ve seen students rise to challenges that once felt impossible. We've watched tears give way to confidence, as students who once struggled to read a paragraph now dive joyfully into novels. We’ve witnessed our learners become strong advocates for themselves. We are so very proud of their growth.
As we close out the 2024–25 school year, here are just a few of the highlights that made this year especially memorable:
- We welcomed 41 new families who have already become integral parts of our community.
- Our reaccreditation process with the Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools (AIMS) was a resounding success, affirming how closely our daily work aligns with our mission.
- The Head of School search culminated in the appointment of Dr. Tim Lightman, a dedicated, experienced educator and welcoming relationship-builder, who will begin his tenure on July 1. We’re excited for all that lies ahead under his leadership.
- Students explored and expanded their passions and interests through the spectacular drama production of Alice in Wonderland, meaningful media literacy projects, athletics, and teamwork at the Science Fair.
- We held our second annual Anchored in Learning: Parent Education Night, welcoming over 100 parents and professionals from across Maryland to hear from internationally reputed expert, Dr. Nadine Gaab.
- The Parents’ Association went above and beyond to create countless community-building opportunities, from the Fall Festival to the Holiday Bazaar, and helped make this year’s Bull Roast our most successful ever, raising over $100,000!
- Our educators continued to learn and lead, sharing their expertise at national conferences and even presenting internationally in Greece.
- Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, our $18 million capital campaign, What Begins Here: A Campaign for The Odyssey School, has reached 77% of its goal, and we anticipate breaking ground on our new building, the Carroll Dryden Knott Center, by early 2026.
- We reconnected with over 200 alumni and former faculty during a joyful Alumni Day celebration.
- For the third year in a row, our students, faculty, and parents completed dozens and dozens of acts of service in support of our broader community.
The list could go on and on! But, as always, the most rewarding highlight is witnessing the strong signs of academic and personal growth. We are truly proud of each of our 167 students.
Our students’ growth in skills and strategies is only possible because of our extraordinary team of educators. Their commitment, compassion, and expertise are the heartbeat of everything we do. We honor and extend our deepest appreciation to our faculty members who are moving on to new adventures, including retiring tutor and speech-language pathologist Jane Riley, and instructional assistant Kathy Simmons. We thank them for their service and lasting contributions to our school.
Finally, I invite you to join us this Friday, June 6 at 9 a.m. in the North Garden, as we honor our graduating Windjammers and cheer them on as they step into their next chapter. Graduation is the culmination of how hard work over time always pays off. Our graduates are living proof that what begins here changes everything!
With gratitude,
Marty