Gray Matters, October 2024
A Joyful Start to the School Year: Reflections from Back to School Night
Over the past month, we have celebrated the new school year with a fantastic picnic, welcomed students and staff at our annual all-school assembly, on Friday, we honored our 8th Grade class at the Dot Assembly (ask your children about that unique tradition), and this past week we welcomed many of you at our Back to School Nights. Thank you for your continued support of our community. Our year is off to a magnificent start.
As I shared at both Back to School Nights, I want to express my gratitude for the people who make our school so special.
Capitol Hill Day School educators are the heart and soul of our community. They are incredibly thoughtful, dedicated, and creative. I hope Wednesday and Thursday allowed you to see their passion and commitment to your children. I am truly blessed to work alongside such inspiring colleagues.
Our students also bring an undeniable energy to our School. They are eager, engaged, and curious learners who keep us on our toes with their kind and generous spirits. The privilege of my job is that any time I need a break, a pick me up, or some inspiration, I head out of my office and wander into any classroom in our School. Your children make me laugh and think; they are simply a joy.
Thank you for entrusting your children to our care. Educators thrive off the trust we receive from our families. It is an honor to educate your children; we are grateful for your partnership.
A special appreciation goes out to our new families. We hope you have already found Capitol Hill Day School to be a warm and welcoming place. We are here to support your transition, and we are thrilled to have you as part of our community.
Two weeks ago, at a conference titled: “Seeking Civility in Uncivil Times: A Conversation About Schools, Pluralism, and Political Discourse,” I spent a day with school leaders from around the country confronting some of the more pressing educational challenges facing school environments today. On the surface, the title of the conference seems to speak to the work of older learners—high school and higher education—and indeed as a participant from an elementary-middle school I was in the minority. However, throughout the day, we grappled with an essential question:
“How do we promote among students curiosity and open-mindedness, build intellectual resilience, and foster in them the willingness to explore—and express—their own convictions and commitments?”
As I reflected on this question, my appreciation for the teaching and learning that happens at Capitol Hill Day School grew deeper. As a school that honors student voice, fosters belonging, emphasizes connection and relationship, and creates an educational environment that encourages wonder, play, intentionality, problem-solving, and critical thinking, we serve a foundational role in facilitating curiosity, open-mindedness, intellectual resilience, and I would add, rigorous academics. Capitol Hill Day School is, without question in my experience, building the foundation for civility, healthy discourse, and positive leadership. At some point in the not-so-distant future, our children will inherit what we've made. The fact that our 239 current students will be out in the world having been educated in this community gives me great hope.
It is with pride and humility that I serve as Head of Capitol Hill Day School. I am grateful for this community, its children, families, and educators. Again, thank you for entrusting your children to our care and for your enduring support. Our year is off to a fabulous start because of this fantastic community.
