School Start Eve

There's a certain electricity in the air at Upper Campus. It's the anticipation of students starting school. 

My favorite holiday is Christmas Eve. The anticipation of Christmas morning is palpable. From the time I was a kid, waiting to see what was under the tree to today as a mom, hoping my girls are excited for the gifts I carefully selected--the anticipation is better than the actual celebration. 

Tomorrow will be better than today, because I will actually see my "kids." But the anticipation is still pretty satisfying. The hope of a new year, with new students, new classes, new possibilities awaits. Who will rise to be the valedictorian of the senior class? Which sports will make a deep post-season run? Which teacher will shine in a new assignment? The possibilities are endless tonight.

We have worked tirelessly this summer. From the early days of June putting together the calendar of events and master schedule, to hiring new teachers and creating new courses, to renovating and reinventing our facilities... we have put in the time. Mr. Andrew Lenz, the Director of Educational Planning deserves all the credit in the world for the work he puts in over the summer with the master schedule. Mrs. Diane Schlosser, our super-woman secretary, is relentless in all she does to keep us organized. Mrs. Judi LaPolla, Director of Admissions, is beyond amazing--especially this year with over 100 new admissions to both campuses AND the processing the newly expanded EdChoice scholarship. Mrs. Jillian Phillips, our Director of Communications, is always telling our story in a compelling and engaging way whether it is on our social media outlets or by curating the entire football program. Mr. Mark Komlanc, our Dean of Students, is revising the handbook to try to get the very best out of our students every day. Mrs. Jeanine Bofenkamp and her Dining Hall staff are cleaning and even rolling meatballs for Thursday pasta lunch already. Mr. Al Gregos and all of our coaches who are putting in time over the summer, getting our student-athletes ready to compete. Mr. Bill Lucas, our maintenance man extraordinaire, helping get our facilities ready for the start of a new year, is always on hand to help every project. Mr. Ryan Klingensmith, our IT guy, has deployed dozens of new staff computers, installed a handful of new active panels, and upgraded our internet for the next school year....and the work done at the school is not the only work done in the summer. Teachers have spent their summer taking professional development classes, revamping lesson plans, or prepping for new courses.

Kennedy is special because of these people who put their love into this place. It's a love unlike any other. It's like the love you feel on Christmas morning-- the prepping, the planning, selecting things that you hope are *just right* for for people that you love.

Tonight, we wait. 

Tomorrow is the future. It's the start of the story of the 2023-24 school year. It's just as exciting as Christmas Eve because my Eagles are my Christmas morning.

I can't wait to celebrate with you.