A Busy Week with Many Affirmations
Pretty much every week at Colorado Academy is a good week, but some are certainly more eventful than others. So I am counting my blessings and listing some gratitudes this week.
- Last weekend’s Basement Theatre show, Black Comedy, was a hilarious 1960s period piece that gave all the actors a chance to demonstrate their comedic skills and don some outrageous costumes and wigs. I’m grateful to the cast, crew, and director Steve Scherer for brightening my Saturday night.
- Our Turkish exchange students and their math teacher/chaperone departed on Sunday after two wonderful weeks at our school. The five students could not have been more outgoing and gracious, deepening our ties with Uskudar American Academy, our partner school in Istanbul. Thanks and gratitude to the host families and faculty who volunteered their time and attention to be such great hosts. Global coordinator Daniel Lopez orchestrated another outstanding cultural exchange in which we learned yet again that we have much in common with people in other parts of the world.
- Back to the theater I went on Sunday and Monday nights, this time to the Curious Theatre in Denver, where eleven Colorado Academy playwrights debuted their work. The 14-year partnership between CA and Curious has brought many new voices to the stage, allowing our high schoolers to test out their ideas and characters in a safe setting. Curious provides their main stage, along with directors and actors from the Denver metro area, who performed staged readings of the students’ work. Gratitude goes to Dee Covington, the Curious Education Director, and the many great people who help us make this annual event happen.
- While we endured no polar vortex or temperatures in the -30 degree range, we did struggle through a rough morning commute on Monday. I’m grateful that everyone made it in safely and we demonstrated again our Colorado heartiness. We appreciate the fact that our families in the mountain communities make these winter drives on a regular basis with little or no complaining.
- The faculty involved in planning this year’s Freshman Intensive met on Monday to do some serious planning and preparing for their programs coming soon on Feb. 19-22. The line-up of experiences we have planned for students—all connected to the topics of immigration or homelessness—are outstanding. I’m especially grateful that I was able to connect with Murphy Robinson, Colorado Academy class of 2006 and now the Deputy Mayor of Denver. Murphy will be helping my Intensive students learn more about how the city supports its large immigrant population.
- Speaking of alums, I was so proud to see a 2011 graduate, V.J. Brown, interview for the Director of Inclusivity position this week. While articulating his vision of what he would do in the role if hired, V.J. had many affirming things to say about his time at the school. I am grateful that we have graduates who become such amazing adults and who have a passion for doing good in the world.
- Another strong Inclusivity Director candidate came to campus on Thursday and interviewed with multiple constituencies. I’m grateful that she saw the strengths of our community and noted the sometimes under-appreciated wonder of how we function so well as a preK-12 community with students and faculty who are eager to learn and grow.
- That same night, we held our 15th annual Taste of CA event. With great food, colorful clothing and decorations, lively entertainment, and spirited conversation, the large assembled crowd celebrated the many backgrounds and cultures represented in our school community. I am grateful for the dedicated parents who started this event many years back, and the current parents who pulled together a successful program this year.
- I could mention so many more things: the girls Swim Team competing in their regional tournament, the Used Book Sale, the tireless work of the Upper School Admission committee, exciting new contacts and partnerships in the community, cool new offerings in our curriculum for next year, etc.
All of these events—and many more little things throughout the week—reminded me yet again why I am so grateful to be part of such a positive school community.
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