Faculty and Staff Opening Thoughts by Head of School - August 2023

8/12/2023

Welcome back!

As we begin this year, I am reminded of the following:

If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.

– Chinese Proverb

We return today, knowing that our work will have an impact for LIFE…

Welcome Back! So good to be with you…Hope you have had a chance to disconnect…Busy on campus, as mentioned in my letter…A few highlights from the Summer, before we talk about the future…

Annual Fund completion: A record year!

$1, 396, 000M raised

92% parent participation; 100% Board participation; 100% Faculty/Staff participation

Capital Campaign study underway…stay tuned!

Admissions/Enrollment for 2023–24: A record year!

805 students; 170 new students

2% attrition; 98% retention

Projects around campus

Renovated areas, Building 2

Outdoor Learning Area/Gardens/Aqua Lab

Middle School Courtyard, Middle School Entrance

Awnings

Gym Floor/Fields

Welcome to our new Security Team!

*Special thanks to Breakthrough Miami/Summer Camps/Maintenance Team

There is an eternal landscape, a geography of the soul; we search for its outlines all our lives.

—Josephine Hart

And, so, we begin a new year…Filled with eager anticipation, excitement, trying to “soak in” these final Summer days and “ramp up”...

Personally, a wonderful Summer Break! Time this Summer to rest, reflect…Traveled to two very different coasts to be with Family (Seattle/upstate Washington) and to Ponte Vedra Beach…

Early morning ritual for me—wake up with the sun, sit, think, prepare for the upcoming Year…Writing of Goals, brainstorming, etc.

As I had that quiet time each morning, I thought about what I wanted to say to you today…

First, THANK YOU, for choosing (or, being chosen) to do this work. For being part of this profession—this School.

THANK YOU

It takes a special person to do this work…I am now entering my 30th year in independent schools, and my 10th here, at PTS. I couldn’t be more proud of where we are, at this historic time. And, I am JUST as excited as I was 30 years ago. I believe in what we are doing, and in each of you!

It requires your Passion—your Stamina—your Dedication—your Enthusiasm—your Energy—your Drive…But you are up for it!

Thank you for what you will undertake this year…For caring for our students, for caring for one another, and for leading by example.

God asks no man whether he will accept life.

That is not the choice.

You must take it.

The only choice is how.

—Henry Ward Beecher

You are changing lives for the better with your guidance; your leadership; your efforts. You have made that choice, and I believe you have chosen well!

Your choice—to do this work—and to BE HERE—are to be commended! You have chosen well!

Secondly, I hope you’ll remember that we are in this together. While this work can be difficult on many levels, you are supported. You have a Community of Colleagues who surround you.

Pause, take a moment and look around you. This is as good as it gets! Take a moment and recognize the people around you. Introduce yourself to someone new. Say “hello” to an old friend. Or, just wish someone “good luck” as we begin this year.

BREAK/CHAT WITH A FRIEND (New and old)

Finally, you SET THE TONE.

I call on YOU to lead.

I call on YOU to be the BEST PROFESSIONAL you can be.

As we know, we are filled with optimism, and excitement now…In my early morning moments last week, as we all know, and I particularly noticed, the sky, just before dawn, is incredible…

That beauty, and that feeling, is similar to what I feel now…I am ready…I am hoping for a great day…

And, as the sun rises, so does our optimism. I truly love that moment when the sun makes its appearance…

But, as we all know, the “clouds” will roll in periodically…There will be times when the vision is a bit foggy; a bit blurred…Times when an answer is not clear, or a problem may seem too overwhelming…

And, yes, the storm will hit…

Some people bear three kinds of trouble—
the ones they've had, the ones they have,
and the ones they expect to have.

— H. G. Wells

Sometimes unexpectedly, or with a buildup…Maybe a tough situation with a difficult parent; maybe having to “stretch” yourself and work longer than planned; maybe a contentious encounter with a colleague, or a frustration with a decision…Whatever the case, we know that the challenges will come…

And we will adapt.

We’ll dig into our reserves, we’ll lean on each other, and we will walk through whatever the “storm” brings us…

And, we know, too, that the storm will pass…

And, you, and how you carry yourself, will be the difference.

How you step out, lead, and set the positive tone…

I always share our Statement of Commitment, which I will do now, especially for New Faculty and Staff…

And, as you also know, the dusk, the evening arrives, and there is a “natural” time to rest…

We will take time to rest this year. You should do the same. Find those moments when you can gather yourself, and know that our Calendar is set well—we are committed to 185 days…

Regular breaks throughout the year…Take advantage of the Calendar…

But, please know I look to you—how you not only lead your Class, your Office, your Area, but how we “model” at all times (speaking in the lunchroom; not on our phones; dressing up for Chapel, etc.)

It’s going to be an outstanding Year!

Thank you in advance…

For it is OUR YEAR—A YEAR for us to LEAD, and to SET THE TONE!

And, so, I know I have said this regularly for 9 years…

Thank you for your Passion, your Professionalism, and your Positive Attitude.

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