Summary

As the new school arrives, so, too, does our optimism, anticipation, and hope for our children. School is a unique place, one where there is a sense of renewal at the start of each year. This year, especially, is one to which we are all looking forward.

After two years of school looking different, many of the typical activities are returning to normal. Things such as in-person open houses, Back-to-School Nights, large assemblies, and other usual school events are returning as they were.
Admittedly, the past two years have thrown all of us off our rhythm—students, teachers, parents, and community members. We are regaining our rhythm, optimism is high, and this year promises to be an excellent one.

As I reflect on where we have been and what the upcoming year promises to be, I am reminded of the words of poet Gwendolyn Brooks. She once wrote, “We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond.” She offers that we depend on each other; and further, we grow because of each other.

“Magnitude” can be defined as something having great size or great extent. It can also be defined as something having the highest quality or importance. This metaphor, being each other’s magnitude, is instructive.

We, collectively as a district, as a community, as a faculty and staff, as parents, as students, are made greater by each other and built stronger by each other. We are important to each other.

We are each other’s magnitude.

We see fractures in many places currently, especially nation-wide and state-wide. But locally, there is an essentialness to what we do, a genuineness in working with

children, an authenticity in the Solanco community. We know that children that step on the bus the first day of school this year represent the best we all have to offer; they embody the hopes and dreams of each parent.

As we emerge from the challenges of the past two years, we are poised to do just that: be each other’s magnitude. Brooks speaks of interdependency, of needing each other. However, she further speaks of becoming greater because of each other, because of taking the action of building each other. We become better by enabling others to be better.

As we embark on this school year, we focus of enabling students to recognize their enormous potential and committing to inspiring them to reach it. We have seen how resilient students and community are. In fact, in challenging times, it is the act of caring for each other, the act of being compassionate for each other, that builds strength and resilience.

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year, a year of both promise and potential.