“It’s always wonderful coming back, isn’t it?” That was the query from my wonderful assistant, Liz Dempsey, as she and I both returned from our vacations to countless emails, voice mails, regular mail, and other messages. It’s clear that the 2007-08 school year is off and running. Our administrators have already returned and some of our students are back on the fields for pre-season practice. Over the next couple of weeks we will see our faculty return for meetings, and eventually all of our students. Though it takes time to get ready for the start of school, I absolutely love it!

This summer has gone by incredibly fast. As my wife, our kids, and I enjoyed our time, we seemed to have less of it together. It has become clear that as our children have grown a little older, our schedules are dictated much more by them than by us. When four of us headed off to Boston, our oldest son was off to Europe to play soccer with his travel team and, although we still went to Boston and attended a Red Sox game (boy, I hope they and the Phillies can make the playoffs!), it wasn’t the same without everyone there. Similarly, as our son returned home, our daughter went off to field hockey camp. The truth is, I now savor the time when all five of us are together. Realistically, with our oldest off to college in another year, these times will be fewer and farther apart – our family is changing.

Over the years one of the things I have enjoyed most about summer has been the physical growth and general maturation of the kids. This year has been different. Our kids (except perhaps for our youngest) seem to be at their adult sizes. Nevertheless, I have seen growth in them as people. When we have been together I have noticed a qualitative difference in the conversations they are having. While there has been the normal banter among them, there seems to be more substance to their discussions. From oldest to youngest they are actively interested and involved in topics ranging from sports to Harry Potter to world politics in a way that seems more thoughtful and reflective than it has been. The respect and appreciation that they now show for one another is remarkably reinforcing. It has also made me realize that our roles as parents continue to change.

Throughout the summer our kids and I have found ourselves continually frustrated by all the allegations and issues associated with professional sports. At a time when we should be able to enjoy the wonderful accomplishments of talented athletes, we are bombarded with information about steroids and doping in baseball and biking, game fixing and betting in basketball and tennis, and dog fighting and other criminal activity in the NFL. Of course, while these abuses are not new, it’s rare that so much would come to the surface at one time. It makes one skeptical or cynical about individuals’ accomplishments and makes it almost impossible for youngsters to have the same idealistic notion of professional sports that I had growing up. In fact, it makes it more difficult for kids to find the role models who appear to be good people as well as good players.

Fortunately, however, there are a few who stand out. Though we do not know everything about him, Tiger Woods certainly appears to embody all that is good in athletics. He is not only the finest competitor of his time, he is also uniquely generous and thoughtful; moreover, he appears to be a wonderful family man. Similarly, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr., both of whom were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, are well-respected and carry a very positive image in their communities. Here in Philadelphia, one has to applaud the efforts of Donovan McNabb, Ryan Howard, and others who go out of their way to do what they can for the community.

With all the negative preoccupation with sports, the summer brought a more positive phenomenon — the world-wide craze associated with Harry Potter. There has rarely been a character who was so widely followed by such a range of people. I cannot remember any book that was as anticipated as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Can you imagine? It sold over 8 million copies in the first couple of days! People of all ages and backgrounds can be found reading the series, seeing the movies, and talking about the characters. The author, J.K. Rowling, must be a genius! While her imagination speaks for itself, her ability to make her characters real and to have people feel as though they are living those characters’ lives has allowed her to affect people of all ages and backgrounds.

All three of our kids have read the seventh and final book (two of them did it in one day!) at least once, and one of them has read it three times. They can be found talking about it, its implications, and the future. As one of them suggested, “It’s the end of an era!” — one that will be lived and re-lived for generations to come. As the movies of Rowling’s sixth and seventh books are made, interest will peak again. As it happens, good triumphs over evil, and Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and all the others will continue to make risky decisions and live on in the hearts and lives of people of every age for generations to come.

If you are interested in the decisions real leaders have made that influenced this country’s history, you might read Michael Beschloss’s Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America 1789-1989. Beschloss, who was a classmate of mine in college, is among the most renowned presidential historians of our time. The book gives great insights into the lives and idiosyncrasies of a number of our presidents. It is clear that though we have survived, even thrived, through their leadership, they all would have benefited from Harry Potter’s grit, wisdom, insight, and humility. Of course, his wand would have come in handy as well!

As we move into the 2007-08 school year and continue to process the changes in our own families, it’s my hope that good things will surface for all of you and that the new year is one of challenge, fulfillment, accomplishment, and enjoyment. Savor the next couple of weeks with your family. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Warmest regards,

Steven S. Piltch
Head of School