January Letter from HOS: The Joy of the Journey
Eighth graders support and encourage each other during practice presentations ahead of 8th Grade Arts Night.
We’ve been talking a lot about the tween years and how messy they can be. It’s true, the road through middle school can be bumpy! It’s awkward and uncomfortable, but it is also equally exciting and joyful. These years are also some of the most profound, developmentally. For us, as teachers and parents, the joy of witnessing children come into themselves lies not just in their achievements but even more so in the realization that they are becoming the people they are meant to be. It is truly a gift to bear witness to this growth.
As the 7th and 8th grade themes suggest, over these years, we get hints about who these young people will be and where they will go as they move into adulthood. Children reveal themselves in layers, and this is so very clear here at GUS. Each new experience – whether it's making an announcement at morning meeting, taking the field for the first time in GUS green, taking to the stage, or even speaking Latin – shapes our students into unique individuals. Along the way, we, as parents and teachers, cheer them on from the sidelines, our hearts swelling with pride as they conquer their fears and embrace new challenges. Each success, big and small, is a reminder that growth is not just about reaching new heights but also about the journey itself – the stumbles, the laughter, and the shared experiences that shape who they are and who they will become. Yes, this time might be hard, but it is also magical.
This week was 8th grade Arts Night, an important milestone for the graduating class. Watching how they bravely put themselves out there in their work, in their talks, and on the stage offers a unique thrill – of watching a child blossom into their own person. Suddenly, any trials and tribulations feel so far away. It is these special moments of vulnerability, as they embrace their individuality and sense of self, that truly blow me away. There is no way to bear witness to these moments that define the 8th grade experience and not feel that special GUS magic. Arts Night, Evening with the Graduates, graduation, in these important milestone moments especially, it is impossible not to marvel at the growth. These are the moments when the adults who have loved them find themselves truly breathless, both in awe and delight, at the young people they have become.
Every year, it is remarkable, as they share their white shirt projects, that so much of who they have always been shines through in their work too. We still see that little one with the oversized backpack clutching their lunch box, but we also see how everything they have experienced is now pieced together in a young adult. Innate curiosity, remarkable creativity, and dedication to family and friends, these qualities seem to have blossomed, reminding us that this has been part of their essence all along. Yet, they also have discovered facets of themselves that they didn’t know were there. Perhaps it is expressed in a commitment to social justice or sharing a newfound sense of self, but their talks reveal layers of courage and resilience that, as parents, can take us by surprise, even though they shouldn't. This was the promise GUS made and the hope you entrusted when you enrolled your child. That promise was to hold tight to your child, to keep them safe, and to give them the confidence to explore the vast landscape of who they could become. We promised to partner with you in all efforts to support your child and to help them find success. In these big moments, we are so grateful to share in the joy too.
As the parent of an 8th grader, this year is especially meaningful for me personally. What a joy it has been to see my child magically transformed, just as all those that came before her (including Grace Bertagna!). I am so incredibly proud of how the GUS faculty have come together to shape these young people, and I have a profound sense of gratitude for what GUS has done for my child. It feels as though my heart will burst through my chest, I am so full of love for GUS. It is my hope that during your difficult moments as a parent, you take comfort in knowing that it will be worth it. Come see the White Shirt Projects, talk to the students, chat with other families, and know that everything you hoped would be will be. Have faith in the GUS promise, you will not be sorry. And when it is your turn to bear witness to these special moments, I will be there to squeeze your hand, offer tissues, and share in the joy of a dream realized.
Trust and Go Forward,
The Tartan: January 2025
