Head's Weekly Message — Oct. 4, 2019

I hope you have been able to enjoy the lovely nip in the air as we officially begin the beautiful season of autumn. As an east coast transplant, I do miss the lovely colors of the fall leaves (a little bit), but mostly I love our gorgeous Southern California sunshine and mild temperatures. This really is paradise!

Senior parents—I hope that you found Wednesday’s College Information Evening helpful. I know (having been through it three times myself) that this process can be stressful and anxiety-provoking. But it can also be an amazing opportunity for you to enjoy supporting your daughters through a time of deep and self-revelatory discernment. I remember in particular that my husband and I got to know our sons in new ways as we started to really appreciate them for the young adults that they were becoming. And, even though there certainly were challenges along the way, when we remembered to take a deep breath and “let go—let God,” it was a true blessing.

It was also a blessing to see so many of our ninth-grade parents yesterday evening at our Freshman Information Meeting. Like the college process, the transition into high school can be both challenging and wonderfully rewarding. As you heard, we have thought long and hard, in a very intentional way, about how to help our youngest students develop the skills they need for success—academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. We thank you for allowing us to partner with you as we strive to create a learning environment in which our students can thrive as happy, healthy, and confident girls!

To that end, on Thursday we addressed an issue that is of growing concern for us all—vaping. At our all-school assembly we welcomed Jonathan Scott from the organization Miles to Go. Jonathan gave a very thought-provoking and effective presentation on the dangers of e-cigarettes. Please take some time over the weekend to discuss this growing health crisis with your daughters. The Miles to Go Twitter feed is updated frequently with some great resources. Please also take this opportunity to remind them (as we did on Thursday) that Mayfield has a no-tolerance policy when it comes to vaping and the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco at school. Students who are caught vaping on campus will be suspended, and this suspension will be reported during the college process. It is not a risk worth taking.

Today our 9th, 11th, and 12th graders will be processing the information from the assembly during advisory, while our 10th graders participate in their class retreat. I feel so blessed to be able to share this retreat experience with our sophomores. Please hold us all in the Light as we engage more deeply in our Holy Child spiritual journey together.

With Love and Gratitude,

Kate Morin