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With the rush of children streaming into the school this morning, and the mixture of pride, happiness and wistfulness on the faces of their parents, the first day of school is always an exciting time for children and the adults who care for them.
Today, with the bright morning sky overhead, 476 children came through our doors (up a couple from last year’s opening). They were greeted by staff who were ready to welcome them, and to get right into the ‘stuff’ of schooling. It gave me pause to consider how staff every year revs up so enthusiastically and so effectively, when – for many of them – this is far from the first time they’ve greeted children at an opening day.
I attribute the staff’s capacity to sincerely be excited about the start of another school year to three main factors:
1) an authentic love of children – the people who work in this school (and I would imagine in many other schools, as well) really do like kids. Having been separated from them for a couple of months acts to help whet their enthusiasm for the engagement that brings great satisfaction to both teacher and student. So when they smiled, shook hands, and said welcome back, it was because the mere sighting of their class brings joy to them
2) conviction that the work they do is critically important – whether it is introducing younger children to academic skills, engaging adolescents in complex and challenging ideas and dialogue, or helping kids find a creative ‘voice’ through art, movement or music, every staff member is convinced that ‘this stuff is important and I can help children succeed’; that translates into teachers’ commitment to their own growth and the growth of the students in their care.
3) membership in a mission-based community - In both campuses, the instructional leaders – Barbara Shea and Paula Rosen gave excellent presentations to assemblies this morning, and they touched on those ideas, practices and beliefs that distinguish a school such as ours – the way we treat each other, the context of the High Holy Days, and the importance of working together as a community. I think this consistent grounding in both our mission and our work together to achieve it is indeed, the ‘secret sauce’ that gives our faculty and staff the added energy to renew them on behalf of our work here.
We all love opening days – perhaps children for different reasons than their parents, and perhaps differently than teachers. But whatever these momentary differences must be, our interests all align around a central task – helping children grow well and working together towards that end. I am so proud of our opening today and the good work of every member of the school community in furthering this sacred task we are called upon to do.
Arnie Zar-Kessler
Head of School
SSDS Greater Boston
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