Time with Tony - December 5, 2025

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Annual Fund, whether before or during our very successful Day of Giving on Tuesday. We’re already at 55% of our annual goal, and we’re not even halfway through the year. What a great reflection of our community’s generosity and care for our school.

This stretch between Thanksgiving and Winter Break is always an interesting one in schools. There’s a lot of excitement as students and teachers look ahead to the holidays and time with family. At the same time, there’s some fatigue, too. Teachers have just wrapped up progress reports, students are counting down the days, and for some, this season can stir up deeper emotions, memories of loved ones or distance from family and friends. It’s a mix of joy and reflection, which is part of what makes this time of year somewhat unsettling.

It’s also a good reminder to be gentle with one another. We never really know what someone else might be carrying, so approaching every exchange with kindness and thoughtfulness matters. Earlier this week, after a long day, I sent a quick text to a colleague just to check in. My intention was kind, but what I didn’t think about was that it landed after work hours, right when that person probably needed to unplug. It was a good reminder for me that even well-intentioned communication needs to respect boundaries.

As we move toward Winter Break, I hope we can all take a little extra care with how we communicate. With our students, colleagues, and families. I remember being told early in my teaching life to write that tough email, but hold off on sending it until the next day. More often than not, I’d wake up with a slightly different perspective and send a more thoughtful version.

Our students are always watching and listening. They notice not just our words but our tone, our body language, and the way we handle tough moments. If we can lead with empathy, honesty, and respect, then even in our busiest or most stressful times, we’ll show them what it means to “Let our Lives Speak.”