“Dr. Piltch, how come everybody goes so fast at this time of year?” 

Last week, when I was reading to one of the Lower School classes, a number of the students talked about the nature of the season. They mentioned their different activities, the people they planned to visit, and the events they were going to attend. While they all had smiles on their faces, they also seemed perplexed about how they were going to do everything they had planned in celebration of the holidays. Of course, the irony of this time of year is that it’s exactly the time of year we should slow down and enjoy each other and instead we speed up to get things done. Because no one has found a way to put more hours into the day, we try to cram more activities into the hours we have. This leads me to wonder whether we really enjoy any of the things we do as much as we should.

Over the last month I have noticed in myself and others the propensity to exchange niceties without ever stopping to appreciate what each other has said. For example, as I walked across the campus last week and said hello to someone, I queried, “How are you doing?” Simultaneously the other person asked me the same question. Interestingly neither of us stopped long enough to answer the question or to worry that we didn’t. Since that time I have come across countless other similar interactions. It’s left me wondering what really is important. Believing as I do that interactions and relationships are the basis of everything we do, I also believe that we must find a way to reinforce their importance and strengthen their bonds.

I’m trying hard to slow myself down and to be there for and with others. When I say “Hello” to people now, I am sure to look them in the eye. While I do not know whether it makes a difference to them, it is making a difference to me. I feel better about it. As I focus on this, I find myself getting fewer things done but what is getting done is done better, which really is what school and life should be about. It’s my hope, as we move into the vacation and holidays, that everyone finds the time to reflect and enjoy others and the season.

It really is a wonderful time of year when we have the opportunity to appreciate the differences and celebrate the common bond of the holidays. One of our Lower School students asked me, “Why do we all celebrate different holidays?” He answered his own question by suggesting that maybe, in addition to celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or any other holiday that has religious overtones, perhaps we could all celebrate a “People Day,” a day when we all come together to be one. His suggestion was thought provoking.

As I listened to our holiday concerts, I was cognizant of the challenge of selecting a repertoire that captures the holidays and celebrates the spirit of the season without offending anyone. It is not an easy challenge. Perhaps we could develop our own spirited song to capture the essence of the time, as well as focusing on our student’s idea of the importance of “people.” Though it is not original, I am reminded of a song, “Up With People!,” that was written in 1965 by Paul and Ralph Colwell to bring us together at a time when the country was besieged by conflicts associated with the Civil Rights Movement and the war in Vietnam. The song implores us to notice, appreciate, celebrate, and enjoy people from all walks of life and backgrounds. As we learn a great deal about the differences and similarities in all of us from the various celebrations, it is the understanding of similarities and appreciation of the differences that bring us together.

Although I have enjoyed the holiday concerts and the holiday season, I look forward to the slower pace of the vacation and celebrations, with the hope that 2005 will bring everyone peace, good health, and happiness. My thoughts and wishes are with you. Happy New Year!

Warmest regards,

Steven S. Piltch
Head of School

P.S. Don’t forget to mark your 2005 calendars! In February, we will be having two Heads’ Forums: an evening one on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:00 p.m. in Riely Theatre and again the next day on Friday, Feb. 11, at 1:00 p.m. in the Beechwood House. Among other things, I will present a Power Point about some aspects of the Strategic Plan, the financial state of the school, and our tuition increase. I hope you will be able to attend one of these sessions.