For me, starting a new school year is a chance to rethink and redesign. It’s a time to look forward to what lies ahead and to live in the anticipation of a fresh beginning. This year is especially exciting with the upcoming launch of our Strategic Plan and our ISACS reaccreditation.
That excitement was palpable at Wednesday’s Opening Day ceremony. Over 1,100 students—the highest enrollment in USM’s history—gathered with faculty, staff, parents, and friends to celebrate and kick-off the upcoming year together.
The ceremony began with members of the Class of 2014 processing from the School with some of our younger students in senior kindergarten. Carrying blue and gold balloons, they paraded across the traffic circle, the seniors surely proud to be in their final year at USM and the SK students enjoying time with their older peers.
Following welcome remarks from Dick Seesel, President of the Board of Trustees, and myself, our
After a spirited singing of our Alma Mater, Head of Middle School Pamela Nosbusch, USM’s most tenured faculty member, had the privilege of ringing the bell to conclude the ceremony and signify the official start of school.
At that moment, I couldn’t help but again think about how similar the first day of school is to moving into a new house. Students will start to get used to their new classrooms and schedules and those students new to our School will meet their classmates and teachers. Above all, we have the opportunity to begin anew in this wonderful USM community, a community that feels like a home.
