Dear Parents and Caregivers of 10th graders:
Welcome to sophomore year!
At our opening grade meeting this week I shared a story with the students from my first New York City Marathon in 2017. That year, Shalane Flanagan became the first American woman to win the race in 40 years. It was a highly anticipated effort, and so when the news of her victory spread through the crowd of runners approaching the 59th Street Bridge (a notoriously challenging climb) it gave us all a collective lift. Later that night, long after the sun had vanished and the streets had reopened, Flanagan returned to the finish line to bestow the last medal on the last finisher. It’s a story of three very different runners with very different levels of training, experience, and skill; but we all went the distance and I’m willing to bet we all felt on top of the world when it was over. It was certainly one of the most thrilling days of my life.
As sophomores, our students are just settling into the rhythm of high school; they are finding their optimal challenge points and hopefully recognizing that not everyone’s race is going to look the same. We each have our own training plans and strategies to follow, suited to our individual strengths and needs, and if we’re persistent, then we’re all going to finish together. June of 2026 is closer than you think!
Before I get too carried away, though, I have a few more immediate updates to share. The first week of school is always marked by the fine-tuning of schedules, a feature of the level of student choice our elective program offers. Our “add” period ends on Wednesday 9/20, and the “drop” period ends on Friday 9/29. On Friday 9/22 10th grade students will embark on a trip to one of two outdoor sculpture gardens: Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ or Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, NY. Please keep your fingers crossed for crisp fall weather! Students at each location will enjoy a highlights tour, time to explore the grounds with friends, and a picnic lunch before returning to campus by the end of the school day. Finally, mark your calendars for Back to School Night on Thursday 9/28, live and in person!
Have a wonderful start to the year, everyone.
Emily