It has been amazing to be back in school, and it has been a wonderful start to the 2010-2011 school year. Here are just a few highlights of our first week back:

• I’ve gotten lots of "high fives" from Lower School students in the Campus Center.

• On opening day, I saw a new Kindergarten student in tears at the start of the day. Just yesterday, I saw that same student skipping to the playground, laughing with her new friends.

• I see students of all ages taking their work seriously. The seniors in my Vietnam War class are tackling their first paper, and my own fifth-grade daughter has been busy each night working on a book poster project due at the end of the first week of school.

• I caught a glimpse of our Boys Soccer Team in a scrimmage this week, and I was again impressed by the spirit of our students and their good sportsmanship.

• We’ve already had a few parent meetings, inlcuding Upper School Athletics and one for Ninth Grade Parents, and we are gearing up for our Back-to-School nights in all divisions. I am reminded at each of these events of the supportive nature of our parent body, and I am grateful we have families who are so invested in the school.

• We are reluctantly returning to the pace and rhythm of the school year after the lazy summer months. My son began opening day wearing his backpack at 7:15 in the morning as he toasted his waffles. This morning, he got dressed and crawled back into bed because he was so tired. But, when I said, “It’s time to go,” he leaped out of bed and excitedly told me about what he is doing in his class as we walked to school. I love the resiliency of children!

I know all of you have your own stories. I hope everyone enjoys the Labor Day weekend. Catch up on some sleep, and be sure to do something fun!

Mike Davis, Ph.D.

Head of School

Colorado Academy