sweet sweet end of year

The oldest children graduating. In County Farm Park, lovely location, lovely ceremony, perfect weather. And with the delight of Joanna reading her beautiful poems, descriptive of and to each child. And for me, approaching the first anniversary of my being at this wonderful school, a sweet moment.

Today is also the day after another emotional day for me.

Last fall, I had the opportunity to explore the building for sale at 2203 Platt, with the anticipation that the board of trustees might bid to purchase it. The first time I walked in, it felt perfect! Even with musty smells (it had been unused for several years), papers on the carpets, it didn't matter. The courtyards, the opportunities for building space within interesting walls, the sunlight in unexpected places, the driveway, the landscaping, the woods next door, County Farm Park still available (!), just to the east instead of to the west, safe drop-off space, nooks and crannies inside and outside for explorations -- it was made to be be a school in spite of different prior use.

I returned yesterday to walk through the building again. This time I could hold in my head the suggested schematics created by our incredible architects with the input of ideas from every part of our community. In addition, after a wonderful cleaning day last weekend on the part of volunteer kind parents (thank you, thank you!), the place was sparkling, the floors clean, the counters wiped. And the gorgeous central courtyard, with luscious Japanese maples, flowers in full bloom, the sun bright and inviting. The landscaping surrounding the building was tended to, again, a donation from a generous parent.

It is happening! This will, with the grace of everyone involved, be the beautiful new location for an expanded school, one that will accommodate students through middle school, within a environment that will retain the culture well established from Summers-Knoll's inception and cradled over the past many years by the current head of school and board of trustees.

It is a privilege to be part of this change.