Dear St. E’s Community,

We are nearing the close of 2022, a year filled with memories, learning, friendships, a few obstacles, and many achievements. As we prepare for the upcoming holidays and the brand new year set before us, it’s important to reflect on all that’s happened this year and what we’ve taken from it.

In many ways, 2022 felt like the first real “year” after the pandemic that so deeply affected schools everywhere, including ours. It marked the return of so many wonderful opportunities and events like the Taste of St. E’s, and it sparked so much gratitude for things like seeing our friends’ smiles (oh, did we miss those!), going on field trips, and sharing meals together. 

It’s hard to believe, but at this time last year, masks were required, our kindergarteners had never seen each other's faces before, and field trips were questionable. In contrast, just this Tuesday, our 3rd–5th graders went to Young AmeriTowne and our choir performed at Park Place on Thursday. What a difference a year makes!

For many of our St. E’s students and staculty, school is so much more than just a place to go to each day; it’s a place to feel safe and cared for. This is all to say that at St. Elizabeth’s, our goal is to educate, guide, and help our students become their very best, whatever that may look like. We understand the toll that the last few years have had on our kids, community, and world, and trying to go back to “normal” as if nothing happened is not what we feel is the best solution. Rather, we want to remain a constant support for our students, staculty, parents, and beyond as a place where growth and finding that valuable sense of community take priority. 

Returning to campus gave us back so much more than just in-person learning. I fondly remember practicing my yoga poses with our first graders this fall; thinking about it now, gaining back those spontaneous learning moments—the ones that connect us with our humanity—was such a valuable win. 

As we kick off this time of giving, I ask you to reflect on the notion that it’s the connection that really counts above all else. I’ll share a true story from my own life to illustrate what I’m talking about. When I was a young child, I tried to knit my mom a nose warmer because I knew her nose was always cold. I thought it was the perfect gift for her.

I didn’t quite know how to knit at the tender age of six so you can imagine that the nose warmer looked more like a nose stocking. I couldn’t have been more proud of my creative work, and although the nose stocking wasn’t as attractive as I thought, my mom couldn’t have been happier about my thoughtful gift. Because of my mom's graceful acceptance of my homemade nose warmer, I was overcome by how proud and joyful I felt.  

So I ask you to reflect on what your expectations are for this year, and imagine that they don’t all have to be perfect. Whether we get another mug or another tie, look past the “thing” you are receiving and focus more on how you want to appreciate the joy that comes from giving. 

As we reflect on the past year (or several), we remember our good times and we celebrate our wins, but we especially remember the obstacles we faced and how they prepared us and helped us grow to meet the future.

Best foot forward,

Adriana Murphy
Head of School