"We are the nice school...."

The other morning I dropped the boys off at the spa (and when I say boys I mean the dogs and when I say spa I mean groomer). There was a woman behind the desk I didn’t recognize but that didn’t matter because she recognized my school spirit wear. ”I went there,” she said, “it was the best school. Everyone was so nice.” She looked to be in her mid to late thirties so I figured I might know some of her former teachers. She rattled off the names and I know exactly why she has fond memories - because her former teachers are nice people but it’s more than that. 

When I was hired in 2001 the principal (one of this woman’s former teachers) told me, “Amy, we are the nice school.”  I took it as both a statement of fact and as marching orders. This is who we are - now go be it. I was a bit lost before I started this job but those marching orders focused me and the school community welcomed me with open arms. Nice was an understatement.

I shared my “we are the nice school story” and how great it was to hear this attitude, this prevailing kindness was part of the school's history. But it’s not just the staff, it’s the families. Proof in point? As it turns out, this woman’s dad was active in local politics and I emailed him every year when we had our reading celebration, inviting him to share a favorite book. And every year he responded, “I would be delighted to come and read.” His kids had not attended this school in twenty plus years but their family will always be a part of the school community, just as every family or staff member that have walked the halls.

LIFE IS RANDOM LOVE IS NOTTM