I love the beginning of new school years – a fresh start. For students, whatever happened last school year – great or good or not so good (say grades, for example) – there’s the opportunity – the choice – to re-create a new year.
When we interviewed the incoming Class of 2028, one of our questions was – “What are some academic or social things that did or did not work well for you in middle school, and what would you like to leave behind?”
The question reminds me of U2’s hit song – Beautiful Day.
It’s a beautiful day
Sky falls, you feel like
It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
See the bird with a leaf in her mouth
After the flood, all the colors came out
U2’s frontman Bono said this about the song – “It’s about a man who has lost everything, but finds joy in what he still has.”
And that’s what we have before us – a beautiful day, a new opportunity – a new start with the 24/25 school year. That’s especially true for our students. This is some of what lies before us:
- Fall Sports – August 12
- Faculty/Staff Inservice Week – August 13-16
-
1st Day of School (10th-12th Grades) – August 19
-
1st Day of School (9th Grade) – August 20
And as a Christian school, we also frame our perspective of new beginnings through a Holy Scripture lens. The Prophet Isaiah said this:
Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in badlands.
And Jesus took it even a step further in the Book of Revelation – Look! I’m making everything new.
It is going to be a beautiful day – here’s to that for the 24/25 school year!
Steve O'Neil
Head of School
|