WHY SES: Strength in Community

In my January State of the School video, I addressed that a school is only an institution without the presence of a close-knit community, and this week highlighted that the roses and thorns of life are always made better when shared.

Last night, the Parents Association hosted Pirate Family Bingo Night. Families gathered for an old-fashioned good time, and Pirate mom Cathy Curley tapped into her secret emcee superpower, entertaining all of us with her Bingo calls. It was so great to see students of all ages with their friends and families, vying for the triumphant wins for “X” Marks the Spot, Double Ropes and Walk the Plank.

Now it’s time to look forward to The Trunk Show, an event that supports each and every teacher and student on this campus. In one weekend, the Parents Association is able to raise over $100,000 to fund everything from new classroom furniture, cutting-edge technology enhancements and adventurous, class-bonding field trips. Parent volunteers are crucial to the success of this event, and it’s typically a beautiful weekend on campus. This year, for the first time ever, we are offering childcare to our volunteers, so take a look at your calendar now and click here to join in the fun.

Amid the roses, we do have some thorns that require the love and support of this wonderful community. Earlier in the week, I shared that our Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chair Pete Hengen passed away. Last fall, band students gathered to pay tribute to Pete, part of which included some quotes about his impact not just with his students, but on the entire campus. “He was the best part of my day” was a consistent theme, with words like “magic," “laughter” and “warmth” woven in. Students shared that the Mardi Gras Jazz Picnic is one of their favorite performances, so we’ll be hosting it again on March 4, this time in memory of one of his favorite days on campus. Plan to bring a folding chair and a hungry belly because our community will be sharing jambalaya and the traditional Louisiana boil menu in the sunshine. When we know more about a memorial service, we’ll communicate that to our families and alumni. You may have also heard that Class of 2022 graduate Ellie Schrock lost her parents in the American Airlines accident. This class is blessed with incredibly tight bonds of friendships that thrive today, and her classmates have stepped up in support for a family whose faith is deep and strong. Please keep her in your prayers.

As I look around campus today, it’s a dress-down day for our community to acknowledge Super Bowl weekend, so there’s lots of colorful team pride around us. It’s a fun break from the routine, but more than that, it’s a great moment for us to acknowledge our bonds as a community, and for that, I am so grateful.

Go Pirates!


Stuart