Long days make for short weeks and even shorter years. Such could not better describe these past weeks here at BA. Since last sitting down to write to you, we successfully completed our accreditation process and our Board of Trustees announced to our school community that our future location has been finalized: Costa Sur. Both of these achievements are BIG for any school, and that they occur simultaneously, it makes it, well, HUGE. I am proud of all of the work that my colleagues have achieved over these past weeks, because not only has each been involved in a systemic review of our effectiveness as well as anticipating news of the next phase of our school, they have continued to maintain their priorities where we all want them to be: as educators for our children. And so, if you might oblige me, I would like to openly and publicly say to our Elementary teachers, support staff, custodians, and office personnel: THANK YOU.
As I write this, outside my window our Boys SUB 10 soccer team is playing, parents are cheering, and I hear children laughing in the hall. Teachers are in and out of the office, making plans for end-of-year fieldtrips and requesting special supplies for projects, above all for our upcoming International Day Museum. Parents from our PTSO are continuing their amazing arrangements for our Staff Appreciation week and the phone rings often. We are a busy, energetic and positive learning community. Yesterday as she spoke to our staff, Jean Lamb, our director, shared a simple and beautiful thought: when we go, we are taking everything inside with us. Martha Purmalis, our Pre K Program Manager, was sitting by my side and said, “I like that. We are taking everything inside with us.” Change is change, disequilibrium isn’t easy; it’s the dark, scary tunnel that one must go through just like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A new location?!?! I’ve been thinking about it and, quite honestly, have felt at times a bit apprehensive. Then I see the children, their artwork on the wall, Sr. Berselio has come in to help tidy and we chat about how the day has been, the sounds of a goal scored, and Ms. Testa pops in to show me what one of her students wrote today in his personal narrative during Spanish. And I think of the Nike shirt All that you need, you have inside. I’m here for the people, not the place. I’ll go where they go. I hope you will, too.
As I write this, outside my window our Boys SUB 10 soccer team is playing, parents are cheering, and I hear children laughing in the hall. Teachers are in and out of the office, making plans for end-of-year fieldtrips and requesting special supplies for projects, above all for our upcoming International Day Museum. Parents from our PTSO are continuing their amazing arrangements for our Staff Appreciation week and the phone rings often. We are a busy, energetic and positive learning community. Yesterday as she spoke to our staff, Jean Lamb, our director, shared a simple and beautiful thought: when we go, we are taking everything inside with us. Martha Purmalis, our Pre K Program Manager, was sitting by my side and said, “I like that. We are taking everything inside with us.” Change is change, disequilibrium isn’t easy; it’s the dark, scary tunnel that one must go through just like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A new location?!?! I’ve been thinking about it and, quite honestly, have felt at times a bit apprehensive. Then I see the children, their artwork on the wall, Sr. Berselio has come in to help tidy and we chat about how the day has been, the sounds of a goal scored, and Ms. Testa pops in to show me what one of her students wrote today in his personal narrative during Spanish. And I think of the Nike shirt All that you need, you have inside. I’m here for the people, not the place. I’ll go where they go. I hope you will, too.
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