“...Being American is more than a pride we inherit – it's the past we step into and how we repair it...We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be...If we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy in change, our children’s birthright...So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left...For there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.” - Amanda Gorman
We are all products of our parents. Whether by nurture or nature, I inherited a love of poetry from my mother, a high school English teacher. However, I have never been moved to tears by a poem until I listened to Amanda Gorman, the National Youth Poet Laureate, recite her poem, “The Hill We Climb”, at the 59th Presidential Inauguration. Her words spoke to me as a Jewish American and as a Head of School. We have a sacred job of not only educating our students but of partnering with parents to instil the desire to be the light and repair the world.
These ideals are central to what it means to be part of our Yavneh community. Centered by our Fundamental Beliefs, we strive to move towards what shall be. While it may be comforting to think about returning to an easier time, we must imagine what comes next. And we are very excited about what the future holds for our Yavneh students. While masks will likely be worn much of next year, we plan on offering our vibrant, dual-language, integrated program on campus for all students who are able. We will continue to use some of the online resources that we discovered but the main mode of education will be in-person.
In order to help your planning, the preliminary calendar is attached below and re-enrollment contracts are being sent to inboxes next week. Our annual Open House is next Wednesday, January 27th at 7pm. You’ll have an opportunity to engage in Tu B’Shvat themed activities with current teachers as well as visit future classes.
We look forward to seeing you next week and continuing our Yavneh legacy of teaching children to bring light to the world.
