Japhet School

It’s Always Important to Finish Strong: 5/29/20

We’ve formed quite a team this year — faculty and staff, parents, students, and the Board of Trustees — to ensure that students have had the opportunity to cross the academic finish line during unusual circumstances. With one week to go, we’re sprinting towards the end, but there’s much to do in that short distance!

It’s always important to finish strong — it often requires courage, dedication, stamina, and perseverance. Japhet’s character has shone brightly and will continue to shine through in the many events scheduled this week. I’d like to highlight one of these activities. Primary Class teacher Janet Andersen has a wonderful tradition of offering an annual sleepover for her students in the classroom. For 16 years, her students have attended this event and have enjoyed a night away from home — often the first time for some. This year, due to our building closure, Mrs. Andersn and her students will hold a virtual sleepover, complete with a movie, stories, a magician, snacks, and good sharing of friendships. Thank you Mrs. A for continuing this beloved tradition!

I’m overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for the commitment our entire Japhet Community has expressed during this challenging period. We have always been strong, but somehow even more strength has been expressed in different ways. Thank you parents — it’s difficult to measure just how much effort and devotion you have expressed to partner with us. We’re a fine team — faculty and staff, students, parents, and Board of Trustees. Japhet has a very bright future ahead!

In closing, perhaps Mr. Roger says it best:
“You don’t ever have to do anything sensational for people to love you. When I say ‘It’s you I like,’ I’m talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch … that deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive: LOVE that conquers hate, PEACE that rises triumphant over war, JUSTICE that proves more powerful than greed. I wish you STRENGTH and the GRACE to make those choices which allow you and your neighbor to become the BEST of whoever you are.”

Kerri G. Vizena
Head of School