Good evening, everyone! I’m Dr. Regina McDuffie, your new Head of School, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you all to another exciting year at The Pegasus School.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you and witnessing firsthand what makes this school so special. I am grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received and look forward to getting to know each of you better as the year progresses.

This community has already impressed me in so many ways. Our mission to inspire bright minds to be confident and compassionate leaders is truly alive in the classrooms, the hallways, and even the playgrounds. I have been thrilled to see all of our students enjoying the new Geisler Family WINGS building, the Osgood Family Library, the Michael Le & Tita Nguyen Family Groves, and the Trautman Family Playground.  

In their classrooms, I’ve seen students dive into learning with enthusiasm—whether they’re exploring various ways to multiply, such as the Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesian methods, participating in a “book tasting,” or engaging in perspective-taking exercises in social studies. They’re not just learning content but also the “why” behind what they’re doing, which is helping them become more thoughtful, curious learners.

We are also mindful of the complexities that come with teaching and learning during an election year. Our goal is to foster open, respectful conversations grounded in our core values—particularly kindness to self and kindness to others. The Pegasus teachers are committed to creating an environment where students feel safe to express themselves, ask questions, and engage in thoughtful dialogue, especially this year as we approach a presidential election where discussions of current events can generate strong opinions.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the future of our school. Last year, the Board of Trustees, in partnership with the consulting group Mission and Data, faculty, parents, and students, embarked on an important journey to shape our future. This process culminated in a strategic plan, which was approved by the Board of Trustees over the summer.

The strategic plan includes five pillars that will guide our work over the next several years which include Belonging at Pegasus, Inspired Learning, Innovative Leaders, Creative Spaces, and Envisioning the Future. All of these goals are fueled by a deep commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and building a strong community with all of you. This year we will begin the action planning process to further our strategic plan goals into actions.  

As I continue to learn more about the unique strengths of this school, one thing is already clear: this is a place where students, teachers, and families work together with a shared purpose. Whether it’s through the strong relationships between students and faculty, the active involvement of our PTO, or the willingness of everyone to step up when needed, this school is truly a community of caring individuals.

I look forward to a wonderful school year filled with learning. Thank you for partnering with us in our mission to inspire our bright students to become confident and compassionate leaders.