The first week and the exhilaration and energy are like a tide that sweep you along. But those lazier days of summer have left you unused to the sheer adrenalin surge and when the Welcome Picnic finally winds down with the sun setting behind the Shawangunks on Friday you are happy, but tired!
So here are just a few glimpses of those first few days.
First – here they come! By bus, by car by bike!
Then there’s the first day of school activities.
For the lower school it’s settling in and getting to know and feel at home. For middle school it’s learning to live in a whole new community. Last year’s 8th grade are in high school and this is the beginning of integrating the sixth grade into the middle school. And that means lots of talking and doing. the high school took advantage of the great weather for a whole mini field day of fun and friendship and frolic.
The Power of “Yet”
The all-school assembly at the end of the day was an opportunity to share a story. This year it was Peter Reynolds The Dot – almost on target for International Dot Day. If you don’t know this book I recommend it as a simple story about the creative spirit and making your mark.
Vashti thinks she can’t draw. Her teacher helps her know otherwise.
It’s about making your mark and knowing that we all have to begin somewhere.
It’s a growth mindset theme that connects with the power of “Yet”. And the power of “Yet” means adding that word whenever you feel inclined to say (or whenever you hear someone say), “I can’t draw”; “I can’t sing”; “I can’t do math”; “I don’t like science”; “I’m not good at sports”; “I can’t speak in front of a crowd”; “I don’t like to read” and etc.
And a Welcome Back Movie With with Random Highlights from Last Year
Leadership and an Official Opening!
Leadership is not about telling other people what to do but seeing what needs to be done and setting about trying to make that happen. Laurie and Johan Hedlund has exemplified this principle with their involvement over many years – with all kinds of parent volunteer activities in the Parents Association and on the Board of Trustees. Most recently they saw the need for better access to the newly renovated athletic fields.
With the help of their son Erik ’18 they designed, built and installed these wonderful new steps up from the car park. The official ribbon-cutting was on Friday.
Thank you Johan, Laurie and Erik.
And a Picnic on a Glorious September Evening
And the picnic was tons of fun. Food, music, games, fun and time for people to catch up with each other as well as meet new families. It was so much fun that folks didn’t want to leave.
All in all – a pretty excellent first few days. But – the best is yet to come!
