It was my pleasure to see Upper School students, parents, and faculty together at Back to School Night last week. Here are my remarks to open that evening:

Good evening, and welcome back to school! What does it mean to say "Back to School?" I think the emotions attached to this phrase might vary, depending on who you are and what image the phrase presents to your mind's eye. Perhaps you are a parent, excited to know that, come Monday, your child's days will be filled with new ideas and experiences. Perhaps you are a teacher, excited to get to know the students with whom you'll share this year's academic adventure. Perhaps you are a student, excited to spend your days once again, or for the first time, with your fascinating classmates.

Or not.

Maybe you're sad to see your son or daughter off to high school. Maybe you wish it could be summer all year long. Maybe you're nervous about what's going to be expected of you this year. Or maybe you're feeling all of these feelings at the same time.

Some schools hold a ceremony called Convocation to begin the academic year. Convocation is a ceremony in which the members of a school community come together to confirm their commitment to make the school year a meaningful and memorable one. Perhaps we can all agree that, indeed, we are coming together as one community committed to a shared purpose; namely, to make this as rich an experience for each MPA student as is humanly possible.

And no matter how you're feeling right now, here we are; here we all are, ready and eager for the 2010-11 school year to begin.

Scott Peeler
Upper School Director

Next Week in the Upper School
Friday, September 3 - Grade 9 Retreat (8:30-3:10); All-School Parents Association Meeting (8:30 a.m.)
Monday, September 6 - No Classes, Labor Day
Tuesday, September 7 - Senior Potluck Dinner (6:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, September 8 - Rosh Hashanah begins
Friday, September, 10 - Rosh Hashanah ends; Upper School Parents Association Meeting (8:30 a.m.)