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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As we dive into the school year, I want to share the message I gave students at the start of school — a message that resonates with all of us. It’s about how to approach the year ahead and what it takes to make the most of the opportunities that come with it.
Here’s what I told them:
- Be present. These are some of the best years of their lives — years full of discovery, growth, and friendships. I reminded them not to let it all slip by without truly being in the moment.
- Invest in yourself. Their education is a big investment, one you, as parents, have made with sacrifices. I encouraged them to honor that by putting in their best effort, whether it’s academics, sports, or the arts.
- Lead with your values. Leadership isn’t about telling others what to do — it’s about the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. I urged them to lead from a place of integrity.
- Own your journey. Mistakes are part of growing up. What’s important is how they respond to them. I asked them to take responsibility, reflect, and learn as they go.
As parents, you play a critical role in reinforcing these messages. We need your partnership to help guide your children through the demands of the year. Here are two areas where your support is invaluable:
Time Management and Staying Focused
The first wave of deadlines is here, and time management becomes crucial. Here’s how you can help:
- Help them create a homework routine: Encourage your child to start assignments the day they are assigned. Homework should take about 30 minutes per class. If it’s taking significantly longer, they need to check in with their teacher.
- Minimize distractions: Setting up a quiet, dedicated workspace where phones and social media are limited can make all the difference.
- Use Veracross as a tool, not a crutch: All assignments are posted online, but students still benefit from using an analog or digital system to track their work. It’s about building habits that will serve them long-term.
Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars
Our students often want to do it all — clubs, sports, volunteer work — and that’s fantastic, but it’s easy to get spread too thin. Here's how you can support:
- Encourage balance: Help them prioritize what matters most. Remind them that quality is better than quantity. When commitments pile up, it’s okay to say no.
- Be a sounding board: Sometimes, the best thing you can do is listen. Give them space to express frustration, excitement, or stress, and gently guide them back to what’s manageable.
Finally, let’s work together to help our students live out their values. Ask them how they’re leading with kindness and empathy in their daily interactions. Sometimes, it’s those small reflections that spark the biggest growth.
I’m grateful for your continued partnership, and I look forward to seeing how our students thrive this year with the support of a strong parent- and caregiver-school connection.
Best,
Rishi
Rishi Raghunathan
Head of Upper School
Upcoming Events:
- September 16-21: Spirit Week
- September 16, Monday
- September 17, Tuesday
- September 18, Wednesday
- America Day
- Club Fair, 1:10 p.m., BPAC
- September 19, Thursday
- September 20, Friday
- Blue and White Day
- Founders Day
- Homecoming Games, 5 p.m.
- September 21, Saturday
- September 26
- September 27
- Trimester 1 Interims Post
- October 1
- US Parent Coffee, Doerschlag Den, 8:15 a.m.
- US Parent Coffee (virtual) 12 p.m.
- October 11
- No School - Professional Day
- October 14
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