Dear Heron family:
As we prepare for the summer months, I would like to take a moment to reflect on this extraordinary year by using the words of others, words that have served to inspire me recently.
The first came from educator Rita Pierson. In her Ted Talk, "Every Kid Needs a Champion", Rita focuses on the profound power of human connection, particularly as it relates to supporting our youth. Citing both George Washington Carver "All learning is understanding relationships" and Stephen Covey "Seek first to understand as opposed to being understood", Ms. Pierson makes the case that relationships matter more than almost anything else. I agree.
Next, I came across an article where Nadine Burke Harris, the Surgeon General of California, said the following: "Connected, nurturing, trusted relationships are the #1 antidote to stress." In what has been among the most stressful years any of us have experienced, this statement rings particularly true for the adults and students that are part of the St. Anne's family.
During the celebration of our 19th graduation ceremony, Board of Trustees Vice President and parent Will Robinson P' 22 '24 '29 said the following:
"I want to thank this amazing faculty and staff for everything they did to make this year possible. It was the most difficult year in any of our lifetimes, but you came together and showed up each and every day. You were tired and you showed up. You maybe weren't sure you could face the challenge and yet you showed up, and met it. You lost loved ones and you showed up. You had babies and showed up. You weren't sure when this would end and you showed up. You. Showed. Up, and you made it happen, and we thrived because of you — not just with the results of today and these amazing graduates, but through the process, in the Heron way. You modeled what it meant to live with resilience and hope and commitment to something larger. As a father of three St. Anne's students and a surrogate uncle to many more, on my worst days I go to sleep thinking "thank God for you all, and for this community. Thank God for St. Anne's."
Hear hear, Mr. Robinson. Thank God for St. Anne's and thank God for our students and families.
Finally, during an end of year staff meeting, one of our faculty members, Melissa Meier P' 20, '24 spoke movingly about both the fear she saw in her students' eyes when they first came to school last September and the sadness she saw as they waved goodbye to their friends on the last day of school. "Those babies were crying when they came to us and were crying when they left." Perhaps there is no better anecdote to summarize what has been a profound year for all.
I mention all of these because respectful and trusting relationships between all constituent groups is at our core, and THE most significant factor in our success this year and beyond. Thank you for your support this year. Your faith in us, as well as your input and feedback, were invaluable in allowing us to 'plan and pivot' as necessary throughout the year. As we look ahead to next year, I am confident the best is yet to come.
We will be in touch with additional information in July about what next year will look like in terms of mask requirements, pre-arrival screening, after school activities, athletics, extended care, visitors to campus, and more. Though this summer certainly feels different than last, we will continue to plan for a variety of scenarios and fill important staff positions, all while putting the safety of our families and students at the top of our priority list. We will continue to follow guidelines prescribed by the Centers for Disease Control and the Delaware Division of Public Health. As we prepare for our 20th year, we will continue to work every day to make our founders, families, students, and alumni proud.
For now, take pride in a job well done and for your role in making us all #HeronProud.
Yours sincerely and with gratitude,
Barry
