Head's Letter

Dear Families,

There are days in schools that pass without fanfare or reason for particular note, and there are others that are marked by the sort of incidental, even accidental circumstance that makes them memorable.  Today, the 100th day of the 2011-12 school year, was a remarkable one for a number of reasons.

We were joined at morning meeting today by Louise McGarvey, a 98-year-old resident of Our Island Home and an annual 100th day visitor to the School.  Louise is always enchanting, entertaining, and truly moving with her wistful recollection, her wise counsel, and her sparkling presence.  At 98, she is more alive than many people of any age, and her visits are powerful reminders to keep our priorities in focus.  Louise spoke of the island she knew growing up and of some of the people who were and are important to her.  She explained the “sailor’s Valentine” and talked about her love of collecting shells.  She sang “Tura Lura Lura” and “Jesus Loves Me,” and when she invited the student body to sing along on the latter, it mattered not a whit for those three minutes that we are not a religious school.  The lower school students returned the favor by singing “Bushel and a Peck” to Louise as a Valentine’s gift, after which she left us with some parting words: “Mind your mums and dads.  Be kind to everyone.  Say hello and ‘I love you’ and try to love everyone.  You never know what sadness or struggle someone might be going through.”

In the closing moments of the meeting, Louise remembered a child she knew from our School who had graduated two years ago.  Someone explained that she was in high school now and doing well.  She turned and said, aside, to that person, “Time sure does go by.”  Indeed.

In a less poignant but equally memorable moment today, I had an informal lunch with the second grade boys.  We talked about boys and girls and some of the inherent differences between the two in terms of how they solve problems and deal with conflict, after which we discussed the general concept of “social skills.”  At one point we found ourselves discussing King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the idea and practice of chivalry.  I gave several mundane examples (holding doors, waiting to sit at the table until all women are seated, etc.), but when I got to the (Valentine’s Day appropriate) example of removing one’s coat and placing it over a puddle so that a young lady might walk across without getting her feet wet, I was met with a fair number of puzzled faces.  One lad finally raised his hand and asked a question that I will remember for a long time: “Dave, would it also be chivalrous just to show her the way around the puddle?”  

Today was also, of course, the first day of visits by the final four head of school candidates selected by the Search Committee.  Our first candidate arrived yesterday afternoon and has negotiated a very full schedule today.  She will meet with parents this evening at 6:30 before she retires for the evening.  Her visit will conclude mid-day tomorrow.  The second of the four candidates will arrive tomorrow afternoon, and the cycle will begin again.

Please attend the parent sessions for the candidates and provide the Search Committee with your feedback.  Your input is absolutely essential to the process, and your participation sends a clear message to your future head of school about the level of commitment and enthusiasm you and your family have for NNS.

On Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m., we will hold an Open House for families interested in admission for the fall.  The event is also appropriate for current families entering pre-school, kindergarten, and/or fifth grade in September, as a good portion of the program will be devoted to providing information about each division and their respective schedules, programs, routines, etc.  Please encourage families whom you think would be well-served by the School to attend.  As you know, word of mouth is our most effective means of spreading the word about our School, and your help in referring great families is invaluable.  Please consider making a phone call or sending an e-mail to a family you know about the Open House.  Thank you!

In the meantime, tomorrow is another day.  I’m looking forward to seeing what it brings.

Best,
 Dave