settling in

My second week at Summers-Knoll.

Getting my feet wet in multiple areas including the finance committee meeting, budget planning, first payroll, tuition deposits (thank you parents!), setting up new links and the transfer of contact information, working on the employee handbook, and most particularly, enjoying getting to know the camp children and counselors. I've been delighted to meet those of you who have ventured down into the basement to see me in my evolving office; I try to emerge from time to time, as well. With Kim's able assistance, I have started preparing the invoices for the new school year. Please feel free to contact me for any information if you haven't heard from me by next week, or for any other reasons.

pcorbett@summers-knoll.org

It is delightful to be working and listening to the children playing next to County Farm Park; noontime walks are refreshing in this hot weather. I also am entranced by Joanna's beautiful native plant garden and the children's gardens of summer vegetables and flowers. The bee balm is lovely and useful for bee stings - using resources to the fullest. The echinacea also blooming now (and in my own small home garden seen here).

most happy to introduce myself!

~ First blog from Penny Corbett as new business manager of Summers-Knoll ~

I'm delighted to be starting at Summers-Knoll School, and looking forward to meeting all of you in person. I have been living in Ann Arbor since 1986, although I was born and brought up in the Boston area (I do love and miss the ocean!). I lived in Japan for six years, and, later, I directed two non-profit organizations: Exchange Japan, which brought teachers from Japan to the U.S. and Canada for placement in colleges and universities to teach Japanese language in exchange for graduate study; and a continuing program, Darunee Fund, which provides donor scholarships so that rural children in Thailand, Laos and other Asian nations are able to continue their education in their home villages. I have two grown children, and two grandchildren (ages 4 & 7) all of whom give me much delight. Recent work includes business manager at Shaman Drum Bookshop (wonderful store that it was, it is missed) and business manager at Friends School in Detroit, as well as additional experience with financial management, computer networking and computer accounting applications. I am appreciative of this new opportunity in my life and look forward to meeting the entire Summers-Knoll community. Please feel free to drop in and/or contact me by phone or by email. I hope to use this blog to give you current information about the business matters of the school, and would welcome specific questions or topics to explore.