Dear St. Elizabeth's School Community, 

It's hard to wait. Whether it's for the coffee to brew, news about a loved one's medical test results, or your "ship to come in," we are impatient people. This season between Thanksgiving and Winter Break teaches us to practice patience. Between the short days, the numerous commitments, and all the planning that goes into the holidays, it's a busy time—and yet it still seems to take forever to get from the fourth Friday in November to when school lets out for winter break.

But some things are worth waiting for.

Last evening's Holiday Concert was one of those things. It was not just a showcase of talent, but a profound metaphor for the culmination and transformation within each of our students. As our students performed, I was reminded how individual sparks of possibility, when cultivated and given time to grow, can find incandescence. Each note sung and instrument played represented the unique light every child brings to our community. The waiting—the rehearsals, the practice, the preparation—made the performance all the more radiant.

This concert, much like our daily efforts at school, was a celebration of how together we shine even brighter.

A special thank you to Emily Branam and Tory Doerksen for preparing students and orchestrating our students’ performances last night. Thank you as well to our technology crew, Chad Bonaker and Dan Taylor, for ensuring everyone could experience the magic of the evening.

Thanks also to Ben Poulsen, our K-8 Art Teacher, for organizing and showcasing student artwork as part of our celebration. Seeing the joy on students' faces as they found their art beautifully displayed was priceless, another reminder that creative growth, like all meaningful growth, takes time and care.

I want to thank all of our families for their generosity in giving to the Staculty Holiday Fund. Your kindness and thoughtfulness is so appreciated as we head into the holidays. Similarly, thank you to BOOST for the delicious spread of cookies and treats after the concert. A resounding applause to all BOOST members for your unwavering partnership in fostering a warm and inclusive environment. Your support this year showcases your commitment to building a strong connection between home and school. We value your dedication and collaborative spirit.

My heartfelt appreciation to Sodexo for your exceptional commitment to ensuring our safety and maintaining our school building impeccably. Your hard work is noticed, and we all commend your dedication to our community's well-being.

To our esteemed Board of Trustees, thank you for your compassionate leadership during this time of transition and closure. Your steady guidance has been a source of strength for our entire community.

Finally, our outstanding staculty merits my deepest thanks for the love and care infused into every interaction with our students. Your commitment to teaching transcends the curriculum, shaping a nurturing learning environment where growth—both academic and personal—unfolds in its own time.

This season reminds us that waiting isn't passive, it's the space where transformation happens. In the quiet patience of advent, in the careful preparation for celebration, in the daily tending to our students' growth, we witness how beautiful things unfold when given time and attention.

Each of us carries a light that sparks possibilities, contributing to the brilliance of our community. Shine brightly this winter break, wherever you are.

Wishing each of you a joyful and restful holiday season.

Best foot forward,
Adriana Murphy
Head of School