I have not done a lot of blog writing lately. Over the March break, I was pretty intentional about not doing much of anything, but tonight, before we get back to classes this week, I find myself dwelling on a quotation from Richard Wagamese: “Choose moments, then—and let the days take care of themselves”.
There have been so many moments this winter when I realized something special was going on. Off the top of my head, I think about Friday Night Lights, Ted Pope Days, an OFSAA track meet, kRod, sports games, a Dance Showcase, Winter Concert, Winter Carnival, and Lunar New Year. At each of these events – and I bet there are more! – there was a point when I felt this overwhelming sense that the energy of others was lifting my soul. Frankly, I am in awe of the staff and students at our school. Their relentless commitment to safety protocols and creative logistics is matched only by their passion to make the student experience one that includes joy and connection. When I think back on those moments, I am inspired and full of gratitude.
Looking ahead, I am excited for some of the potential future moments this term:
– Gathering in our Chapel, Theatre and Dining Hall. I want to feel the energy of the crowd, squished together, standing room only. And then we will sing, and the building will shake with Sweet Caroline.
– Participating in Gladiator Day and Regatta Day. These are Grove traditions that we have not had for two years, and we need to teach our students what it means to be at LCS! They need to feel this energy.
– Jumping out of my seat at the end of Anything Goes, our spring musical. By golly, these kids deserve it.
– Cheering for our sports teams. I bet some students will lose their voices, and frankly, I hope I lose mine too.
– Designing our Northcote property and farm program. I can’t wait to brainstorm with you what it means to be a leading sustainable school.
– Launching our Access Initiative, and finding amazing students who will be transformed by our school experience.
– Fundraising – yes fundraising! – for our new facilities and programs. I love meeting with parents and alumni about our vision, mission, and values.
– Supporting our students in developing our new All-Gender Housing Model, the second such initiative in Canada.
– Welcoming our alumni for Home to the Grove weekend. After two years of not allowing visitors on campus, I am convinced this will be our largest gathering, ever!
– Speaking under the white tent at our graduation ceremony. We will celebrate this year’s grade 12s and also bring back grads from the past two years. I hope to hug every single one of them!
Of all the moments, what I get most excited about, and I mean I could literally cry tears of joy, is the moment that I hope will come at some point between now and June, when we will finally get to see the full faces of our students and staff. I have seen their eyes, and believe me, I can see smiles behind those masks, but the day that I can walk around the school and see full faces motivates me to get back to another round of debates about safety.
The first time I see those full faces, those full smiling faces, I promise I will pause and hold on to that moment. We have been through two years of a pandemic, and we deserve more moments of joy…of open-mouth, big tooth and gums, ear to ear, squinty eyes, smiling faces. Years from now, I bet we will still be talking about what we felt in that moment.
KeeNote 