One day over Christmas break, my children and I were playing at the park in our neighborhood. The sun was shining and the opportunity for fun was palpable. Another family arrived, and they had a little boy around my son’s age. Our boys played well together as my daughter and I got into a conversation with the parents of the little boy. We talked about where everyone went to school, and I shared about how much I have enjoyed teaching at TSCS. My daughter jumped in and said how much she likes going here, too. As I listened to her share, it was clear that she was as excited as I was to share about our school. I feel like a broken record as I share that because we have so many students and families saying the same. I am very thankful for the peace, play, and joy that happens at TSCS every day. 

Like everything in life, we must guard and protect the moments of peace, love, and joy. As a teacher at TSCS, I am thankful that I get to help guard and protect these moments for all of our children here. During our faculty colloquium, Cate Gilbert shared a few thoughts about remembering the lovely culture that we have created and how we need to protect it, as well. We want to be wise and thoughtful as we protect the opportunity for our children to be children: to play, to laugh, to pretend, and to wonder. 

Our families believe this and support this as well. After a recent thunderstorm, we came back to campus to very wet ground. Our families sent them to school prepared to play outside with multiple changes of clothes and rain jackets. For the younger children, we sent two changes of clothes. Ha! (Thank you, early childhood and lower school teachers for helping our students change and use their rain-boots.) This gave the children the opportunity to be outside and play in the mud. They enjoyed stepping in it and the students who chose dry ground continued playing basketball, football, climbing trees, and other creative games. The squeals of laughter and joy could be heard around the corner.

Throughout this semester, let's remember the words Jesus spoke, "Let the little children come to me." May we remember to play in the mud, have an adventure, and share in God’s beautiful creation. May you be blessed and filled with joy.