May 15 Letter to Families

Dear Bryn Mawr Families,

Amid recent national news coverage on the issue of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), we are writing to ensure that our community understands why The Bryn Mawr School applied for these federal funds, and knows that our leadership stands firmly united in the decision to accept this financial support.

As we’ve underscored in recent communications, the financial impact of this global pandemic presents serious challenges for nearly all schools, businesses and non-profit organizations across the country, including Bryn Mawr. This spring, we are experiencing the increased cost of distance learning programs and technology, a greater need for financial aid, and a call to directly support families who need immediate financial assistance. At the same time, we are anticipating declines to our major sources of revenue now and in the future, including a potential enrollment drop, reduction in endowment and philanthropic support, and loss of summer program revenue.

When presented with such challenges, it is imperative as a school that we prioritize Bryn Mawr’s mission and people. That is why Bryn Mawr’s Board of Trustees and administration decided to seek federal funding through the PPP. We are grateful that we qualified for the program and received funds that allow us to maintain our support of Bryn Mawr’s more than 200 faculty and staff during this time of great financial uncertainty. The Board of Trustees and school leadership stand together in the decision to support our employees, as intended by the federal program.

We share this update with you to be transparent with the Bryn Mawr community as we monitor the pandemic’s financial impact and plan for our future. Despite the great uncertainty in the world, we have already demonstrated how we can come together and overcome challenges we face. We will continue to rely on the strength of our community in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

Sue Sadler

Head of School

Hadley Hubbard Feiss '82, P'12, '15

Chair, Board of Trustees

Geoff Carey P'18

Treasurer, Board of Trustees

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