Mission Moments Blog
Moments That Matter
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I spend my days moving from one BA building to another…I start my day most often in the Primary School – the children are quite young, small in stature, and always delightful. If not there, I begin in Lower School – the children always greet me, and I feel welcomed. They are inquisitive and love to share what is on their minds. Later in the morning, I teach in the Middle School. These scholars are changing, growing, maturing, and being silly all at the same time. I also have a class in the Upper School with seniors. What can I say? They are so grown-up, ready to fly. I see time moving right before my eyes every day as the 4-year-old turns into a college-bound 18-year-old.
Today, I stopped in the Lower School to take in a Level 5 tradition. In the final weeks of the year, each student selects a poem of their choice, memorizes it, and writes an introduction as to why they chose it and which of our five stars it represents for them. Then, at assembly, they recite it before the entire Lower School. It is such a special milestone for these students. My favorite part is watching the parents – they see their child in a very different light. The child grows up right before their eyes.
With that in mind, I decided to share a poem that I think captures the feeling of these parents as they hold their breath while their kids step out into the assembly to begin their recitations.
On Children
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Kahil Gibran
Poetry can convey a message in such an incredible way. I hope you enjoyed it.
What makes our school community truly extraordinary is the unwavering support of our parents. They don't just drop their children off each morning – they become active participants in the beautiful journey of growth and discovery.
During that Level 5 poetry assembly, I watched as parents leaned forward, their faces a mixture of nervousness and pride as their once-shy children spoke with confidence before the entire Lower School. These are the moments when parents truly see their children stepping into themselves, claiming their voice and place in our community.
Our parents understand that education isn't only about academic achievement – it's about nurturing the whole child. When we introduce challenging new concepts in our curriculum, parents partner with us rather than question the difficulty. They recognize that struggle builds resilience and that working through complexity develops determination. They trust our process because they've witnessed the results.
What I appreciate most about our parent community is their willingness to let their children become who they are meant to be. They embody Gibran's wisdom from "On Children" – they are the stable bows from which their children as arrows fly forth. They provide the foundation while allowing their children the freedom to soar.
Our curriculum intentionally creates moments for parents to witness growth. Whether it's Level A students starting to read on their own, the Lower School French pronunciation contest, Middle School mini-economy, or the Seniors' presentations, these milestones allow parents to see their children through fresh eyes. I often hear parents say, "I had no idea they could do that!" as they watch their children exceed expectations.
The beauty of our community lies in this shared commitment – teachers designing meaningful learning experiences, children rising to challenges, and parents supporting the journey with both encouragement and appropriate space for independence. The BA Triangle at work. Together, we're nurturing not just knowledgeable students but confident, determined young people who understand their own capability.
As I move between buildings each day, watching children transform from eager four-year-olds to accomplished eighteen-year-olds ready for college, I'm grateful for the parents who trust us with their most precious gifts. They celebrate each milestone, embrace each new challenge, and most importantly – they let their children become exactly who they are meant to be.
