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Can't rain on this parade


While we won’t know for sure for a few more hours, Mr. Hawes tells me that this could be his first rainy Halloween of his entire Berwick career. It also happens to be the first year that our Community Circles celebration was rained out as well. Rest assured that back up plans are in place for the parade, and the ghosts and goblins will prance around the blue gym later today if needed. There is something particularly exhilarating for me in donning an absurd costume once a year and marching in the Halloween parade. I feel a bit like Max in Where the Wild Things Are, donning my wolf outfit and casting magical spells over all of the mystical creatures on the island we know as Berwick Academy.

As Head of School, I have always loved these PK-12 moments, whether they are assemblies or parades. As administrators, we sometimes wonder whether they are meaningful to all of our students. I am quite sure some of them feel boring or staged, despite our most creative and authentic efforts. But two days ago, when I mentioned to my oldest daughter that the parade might be inside, she lit up with concern. As a fourth grader, she just couldn’t fathom that the community circle and Halloween tradition might not be exactly what she expected during her final year in the Lower School. It reminded me that, even when Admin struggles to find programming that works for everyone, these are ultimately moments when Berwick students are truly a part of something bigger than themselves. Our Lower School students look forward to parading their costumes in front of the older kids more than can really be expressed – it is a moment when our younger students truly feel connected and important in building our collective sense of community.

No one told me ten years ago when I signed up for this gig that dressing up for Halloween was going to be part of the arrangement. Since that time I have paraded as a double XL penguin, hot dog, convict, and even as Olaf the snowman. You’ll have to come out today if you want to catch a glimpse of this year’s XXL edition. With this being the last time all three Schneider girls will be in the Berwick parade together, I can truly say that it will be a moment for me to treasure. As my friend Max (the wolf-boy) wisely once said: Let the wild rumpus begin…..

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