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Dear NMNS Board,

As you know June 30th is the official end date for the Network. Throughout the transition period I was committed to winding down with the schools foremost in mind. In the end, it has been relatively quiet. Melodie, David, and I have received only a few suggestions from Network school leaders about which resources to secure for future use. To allow them to access these resources, we are keeping the website up until September 1st and from there documents such as the collegial visit and feasibility process, data reports, etc. are readily available. In addition, we have arranged with Mission Measurement to send an Excel workbook to each school with the raw data collected over the years.

As this difficult though necessary decision to close the Network has played out, the importance of the mission of our schools and the determined focus of our school leaders to fulfill this mission has not diminished. During a busy time of year, many of them have been in touch with each other working on what can be the next structure of a relationship for a group of schools which shares this treasured mission. I am confident that those who believe in the value of coming together will benefit by the opportunity of a clean slate; all in fidelity to our great mission, all in dedicated, purposeful partnership.

On the personal side, Melodie has had several academic admin interviews and a few offers for Principal or Assistant Principal positions in her home state of Wisconsin. She is also continuing her doctoral studies at University of Wisconsin, Madison. Many irons in the fire there to no one's surprise. David is pursuing GSP related or school administrative positions in the Wilmington, Philadelphia area, while true to form is always dreaming of the next big thing. As for me, I have just begun to tap into my NYC network. It is the Foundation world that I will be actively pursuing, first and foremost. I would love the opportunity to be on the investment side of non-profit work, to be a strategic partner and assist leaders in plotting and strengthening their course. I am very grateful to have time to give to the search for the next right thing, not to mention time to renew and recharge.

Lastly, I want to thank all of you for your commitment to the NativityMiguel Network of Schools. On my best days, I believe that nothing of what we did is lost. We are and always have been servant leaders and our work with schools sowed seeds that will bear fruit for a very long time to come. This often happens in ways unknown to us. My prayer is that each of you will hold fast to that belief.

I'd like to offer a special word of gratitude and affection for Bill Whitaker for navigating us through this unknown and difficult course. Know that it has been a privilege to partner with all of you in this work. I look forward to our paths crossing in the future.

"The vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment and will not disappoint" (Hab 2:3).

With gratitude,

Mary Claire
Contact information:
Mary Claire Ryan
287 Avenue C, Apt. 10B
New York, NY 10009
917-295-1212
mcryan287@gmail.com<mailto:mcryan287@gmail.com>