“First day of school! Wake up! Come on. First day of school.“
― Finding Nemo

Welcome and welcome back! It’s great to see you! 

Now that we’re commencing a new school year, what can Keystone students and parents expect? Expect dynamic and enthusiastic teachers to challenge our young people to think critically, write and speak analytically, solve problems, and push themselves to show what they are capable of doing.  Just as importantly, students will be asked to take risks in the arts and athletics and discover facets of their personalities that may not have known were there. We will ask them to think creatively in all fields, whether it’s in the arts, academic fields, in the studio, or on stage. Students will work hard, experience the joy of learning, and move to a higher plane intellectually, artistically, and athletically. This is part of what makes the Keystone experience special.

At the same time, Cobras will be surrounded by peers who will cheer them on, encourage them, and support them when they are down.  Friends, classmates, and schoolmates will have their backs and console them when it’s necessary and appropriate. Students will come to understand that they have many people behind them that want the very best for them.  Children and young adults will comprehend that being members of a community means sharing, engaging in dialogue, disagreeing in a civil manner, and sometimes subverting their own desires for the greater community. It’s that combination of challenge and support that stands at the heart of everything we do at Keystone.  

At times, our students may experience disappointments, disagreements, and conflicts, and that’s ok. They will grow from their temporary setbacks, and learn that they are resilient and strong enough to weather what comes their way.  This is an inevitable part of their growing up and developing a sense of agency and independence.  

Parents will realize the benefits of having their children in a community of families committed to learning and supporting each other in the long and meandering journey of guiding children to adulthood.  Not all Keystone families think the same or hold to the same set of principles, but we all cherish our children, want the very best for them, and wish for them to be challenged and encouraged at every developmental step along the way.  We also commit to the school’s pillars-academic excellence, ethical growth, community involvement, and responsible leadership-and take to heart the Cobra Code core values-creativity, curiosity, empathy, integrity, and service.  We know that the path of growing up is neither linear nor without its bumps along the way, but from these temporary setbacks, our children and teens learn how to be responsible and ethical people who will make the world a better place for themselves and others.  

Having served in education for almost four decades has taught me that schools can be messy places. Educational institutions are in the business of change; your children should be different in May than they were in August. As we all know, though, change at times can be challenging, discomforting, and untidy. But that’s how we grow.  

As faculty and staff members, we realize the vast amount of trust you have placed in us while we work with your children. There is nothing more important to us as parents than the well-being of our children, and those of us who teach, coach, and mentor your children are humbled by your trust. We will do our very best, but we will not be perfect, and we will make mistakes along the way.  

Nevertheless, we will always endeavor to teach your children how to be more effective students, artists, athletes, and ultimately, even better people.  Parents and faculty/staff members may not always agree on what that may look like or the best way to accomplish something;  however, if we enter our conversations from a place of mutual trust and faith in one another’s intentions, we can partner to best serve our students/your children. 

We are thrilled to see our returning students and catch up with what they have been doing for the past three months. Many students attended either day or sleepaway camps.  Others worked  a job, and some students in Upper School served as interns or pursued research. For our youngest Cobras, summer break counts for almost 1/12 of their lifetime, so they will change dramatically from June-August. Even our seniors look more grown up as they begin their final year at Keystone.

Besides, where else in life do we get to turn the page and begin anew once a year? Although we adults may not change that much over a few months, children and young adults come back looking very different.  Perhaps, they’ve sprouted up several inches, altered their hair, or their voice dropped several octaves.  

We have had a summer to enjoy a change of pace, engage in a variety of activities, and grow physically and mentally-we’re ready to start school. Let’s have a great year!