June 14, 2023
Dear LREI Community,
That’s a wrap! Another school year completed as signified by the 60th and last senior taking his diploma, getting a big hug from the high school principals, a couple of handshakes, and walking across the stage and out into the big wide world – the official end of the 2022-2023 school year!
I am so proud of all of the students for their daily participation, energy, compassion, and growth this year. Not always easy but always worthwhile. I hope you are proud of yourselves, students, and that, parents, you agree with my sentiments. A hug, a pat on the back, a handshake, or a slice of some special end-of-the-school-year- cake is in order.
I am so grateful for the expertise and daily hard work of LREI’s faculty and staff. They are just so committed to our students and to our progressive mission. Working in a school is not an easy way to spend your time, though, as my colleagues know, it is fulfilling and enriching. I am so proud of my colleagues and thankful for all that they offer to our students and families. Thank you, one and all.
Thank you, as well, to LREI’s families. You bring so much to the community. Whether you attend an event from time to time, offer a few thoughts at a parent conversation, or you organize a camping trip for 175 (!), your participation is a hugely important component of our community’s success.
Over the past few weeks I have spent time with people who represent the entire LREI “life cycle” – fours to fourth grade to middle school and high school to our alumni who visited for our annual reunion, at least one of whom graduated from the school in 1939. What I hear from some number of children and adults at all of these stages is about the value of their time in the school, that they feel or felt known and heard, challenged and encouraged, cared for and responsible for others. To hear this from you, from today’s student graduation speakers, and from members of the class of 1963 who credit LREI with much of their adult success is just so gratifying.
I hope your children had a school year as described above and that the coming summer is equally enjoyable and enriching. As sad as the transition from school to summer can be for some, summer is a magical time.
I wish you all the best for the coming break and that your families find times to enjoy all that summer-time brings.
With gratitude,
