What a joy it was to start the 2022-2023 academic year! While the media is reporting turmoil in schools, frazzled teachers, and shortages – I am so fortunate to be presiding over a school that is an exception to all of that. On Monday and Tuesday, the faculty were fully engaged in pre-sessional meetings - eagerly planning, reviewing important safety policies and procedures, and discussing books that we read over the summer in anticipation of the year to come. On Wednesday, we got the year rolling and the positive energy was palpable. During the picnic, a new student complained to his teacher that he wished he did not have to wait five whole days until he got to come back to school.

While all of us are excited to get back, Labor Day is an important day for us all to recognize the value of laborers in our society. My father, now retired, was the President of the American Postal Workers Union. Throughout his years working in the union, he was a strong voice for those that worked at the United States Post Office. Throughout my life, I watched as my father listened to the concerns of his members, fought for their rights, and helped to craft contracts. As such, I was often reminded of the many ways that the toil and labors of others made my life better.

At some point in this final weekend of summer, I hope that we may all take a moment to reflect on how our lives are improved by others. In addition, I hope that we all can take a break from the work in our lives, even for just a moment.