Welcome Back to The Ship!
Last Tuesday, August 12, we welcomed our new faculty and staff to Saint Edward’s. On Thursday, August 14, we invited all employees back to campus. In my opening remarks and welcome speech, I stressed the importance of our mission and vision. I also shared our newly created Profile of the Saint Edward’s Professional. This important document was the result of a collaborative effort across all three divisions, members of our staff and some administrators.
The profile is broken down into three statements. We are:
- Dedicated to Student Success - Saint Edward’s School professionals actively work to support, guide and empower students to reach their full potential - educationally, personally and ultimately, professionally. We foster a culture of excellence where each student thrives.
- Committed to Community Collaboration - Saint Edward’s School professionals are committed to community collaboration; we actively engage with diverse stakeholders to foster inclusive, meaningful partnerships that benefit our school and broader community. We prioritize relationship building, transparency and mutual respect.
- Devoted to Compassionate Professionalism - Saint Edward’s School professionals demonstrate empathy, understanding and a genuine concern for others. We treat colleagues, students and families with respect and courtesy while avoiding judgment and negativity. We have a deep commitment to doing what is right, even when it is not easy.
- Everyone on our campus deserves to be respected.
- We create a culture of constant improvement. We can always improve as individuals, as professionals and as friends.
- Students thrive when expectations are high.
- I believe in honesty, respect, responsibility and excellence.
- I believe in the power of human kindness and generosity of spirit.
- Show up for work, give your best each day.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
- Help whenever you can.
- Mistakes will happen, learn to forgive and move on.
- Have fun, after all, we get to work with kids!
Finally, I shared a poem titled “The Dash” by Linda Ellis.
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears. But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.
For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth. And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.
Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
Everyone associated with Saint Edward’s is important to our School. Our parents and other family members, our students, our teachers, our staff and administration. We are all impacting young lives. You are creating your dash!
This is going to be a great year! Go, Pirates!
Stuart
He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears. But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.
For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth. And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.
Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
Everyone associated with Saint Edward’s is important to our School. Our parents and other family members, our students, our teachers, our staff and administration. We are all impacting young lives. You are creating your dash!
This is going to be a great year! Go, Pirates!
Stuart
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