We go away for summer and we learn things about our selves - we tried something new; we had an adventure; we learned something important about our self or someone else.
In short, for the last few months we developed our summer-self.
For me, that person is a little lighter (in many dimensions), a little quicker to laugh, a bit more eager to volunteer or to try something new . . . I like that summer-self; we like our summer selves – that person may feel like the best part of us.
So here’s a challenge to student and adult alike – let’s be fully here, fully present and engaged in our wonderful school, but let’s try to bring your summer selves to school for as long as we can.
I know we can do this because, in many ways, the school-year, is already well upon us and many of us have already come together in the last few weeks – both in celebration and in sadness.
But I love this moment – this all-school assembly - because it is the first time we come together in what I think of as our classroom for community.
Here, we meet weekly – 6th grade thru 12th grade and we live our mission and our values . . . the parts of our school that don’t change no matter the season.
But let me start with a few aspects of our school that have changed since we were together last:
I. What has Changed:
A. Who is new in the room - what has changed?
· Regina Assetta – 9th & 10th grade English
· John Bouton, Interim US Head -
· Darjee Gamtso, B&G, Custodial
· Richard Gaudreault, B&G, bus driver on Merrimack/Hollis route
· Jesse Kimball – 9th & 10th history
· Andrea Stevenson, MS Receptionist
· Alex Vazquez, our new Buildings & Grounds employee
· Rick White, New CFO
II. What has Not Changed
· Our mission
· Our core values: the way we put the mission in motion.
Families: We embrace the family’s role in the life of our day school, celebrating collaboration between home and school.
An example: 10 days from now will be September 11th. We have a three-part plan:
· Meet on Friday, September 9th in small groups, and discuss a few questions (to be provided) and respond to a few prompts.
· Consider these questions with your family over the weekend.
· Monday’s ASA – September 12th – we will gather and listen to each other to see what we have learned.
Individuality: We encourage young people to grow as unique individuals through the discovery of new passions and a love for learning, self-knowledge, critical inquiry and reflection.
iPads: the faculty and staff are beta testing, and you are a part of the process. My hope is that this tool helps us discover new passions and stokes our love for learning.We will approach the process in different ways, as individuals, but we can be united in our desire to help each other discover ways the tool can transform our school.
The adults are learning about how these devices can make us better teachers, better communicators, and perhaps even save some money along the way, whether in e-books or less copying.
So talk to your teacher – offer your expertise and opinion, and let’s have this discussion beginning with our summer selves – the part of us that is open for a challenge, open to new ideas, open for an adventure.
Here’s a final thought from our value of Individuality:
It is the last word – reflection. We practice sitting together, giving ourselves time to think – time for gratitude, time to be aware of our friends and family, time to think of the possibilities of a new year in our remarkable school.
Please join me in a minute of quiet reflection before we move on . . .
