Dear St. Paul's Families,

We have officially wrapped our first day of the school year! The joy around campus, mixed with a few nervous giggles and the sprinkling of a couple of tears, made for a very fulfilling first day. I imagine everyone will sleep more soundly tonight. I know I will!

As I shared in our Opening Chapel, this year's theme is Be Curious. Curiosity is a muscle — one we have to build and flex as we move through the world, not something we simply have or don't. It asks us to listen carefully, to stay open rather than certain. And when we do, curiosity leads somewhere real: understanding, collaboration, new friendships, new opportunities, compassion, growth. It's what allows us to build bridges across differences instead of retreating to opposite ends of them.

Our children are growing up steeped in screens and algorithms. Left unchecked, the world they create narrows us — we settle into our own echo chambers and call it certainty. Curiosity is the counterweight. It asks us to pause, to take a breath, and to lean into "tell me more" before we lean into judgment.

The hopeful future we want for our children depends on their capacity to imagine, to problem-solve, and to collaborate with people who see the world differently than they do. At St. Paul's, that focus on our shared humanity is foundational to who we are. But it can't only live here. As adults, we have to stretch ourselves to embody that same curiosity — because children mirror what they see. It's our responsibility to do this work as we ask it of them.

So as we launch into the 2026–2027 school year, let's stay curious together, and take the time to imagine and build a community of true belonging.

Have a great rest of the week — I look forward to seeing folks at the Class Gatherings this Sunday, August 30, at Roberts Park!

With curiosity and gratitude,
Cheryl