Mourning Together

When I walked into the Upper School faculty meeting this past Tuesday morning, I should not have been surprised by the sense of despair in the room on the heels on a weekend that involved a horrific car crash of one of their colleagues. After making a few comments about empathy and logistics for the week, there were no questions. Ironically, when I visited Upper School History teacher Lucy Pollard for the first time after her accident, I had completely lost my voice. I told her it was appropriate, given that there were no words to ease the reality of what had taken place.

That being said, I left the faculty meeting a bit early and headed to assembly. Our students were already there. I am quite sure many of them were despondent as well, and yet they were still adolescent kids – chatting with each other after a long weekend, catching up on the latest news. While I needed to make some sobering comments in assembly, by lunchtime there was that familiar buzz in the Commons lunchroom. While I certainly know that many of our students are also hurting, I see this as a moment when our adults are quite literally drawing strength from our kids.

These are the moments when Berwick is at its best, as it seemingly can wrap its own arms around itself and embrace all of us simultaneously. The rhythm, routine, and positive sense of growth on this Hilltop can cure many ills in this world. And while I am smart enough to know that our collective sense of shock and loss will take some time to heal, I am more confident then ever that we will get there. The mission of this school is powerful, like an unspoken call to action that gradually pulls all of us back into a sense of focus and growth. More than ever, I have noticed how your children are such an essential part of that purposeful call. We simply could not do it without them.

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Piercing the Bubble

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We often say in the Admissions office that it is hard to truly bottle the Berwick experience for prospective families to understand. Senior Arts Night is one of those magical Berwick moments that is difficult to fully explain. One certainly feels the power of a PK-12 community when kids announce they will be playing the song they last played in the fourth grade talent show. When I spend time with these young adults, I feel such optimism for the future. Last night I was able to sit with some senior parents, some of whom I have known for over a decade. Whether it was hearing their own child sing or a peer sing, it did not take long for the tears to roll. What I have always loved about Senior Arts night is that it never fails to offer surprises – a voice I didn’t know about or an artist that had been working in the shadows. It is a night when I often most appreciate the value of the “whole child” education that we preach on this Hilltop. Beyond the reality that being able to play guitar ...

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