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True Community

I wanted to take a moment to reach out to each of you in the spirit of our school-wide theme this year "True Community." I have been reminded of the importance of community a lot lately; but none more so than by what I witnessed this week. Saint David's is fortunate, and our boys especially are fortunate, to have a faculty and staff as dedicated, caring and committed as they have. Through pre-dawn car pooling, apartment sharing, incredible flexibility, and an adventurous if not intrepid spirit, our teachers and staff returned the school to a full and comprehensive program this week. The few teachers who couldn't make it in were literally surrounded by water or just unable to arrange for safe or efficient transit from the outer boroughs or suburbs of the city. They all stepped up to cover and support each other. This is a remarkable professional community—a true community in every sense. I can't express easily in words how proud of this faculty and staff I am. In challenging times they have responded to the call and found a way to keep it all moving forward.

As an extended community, we are all just now moving from the shock of Hurricane Sandy to the realization of her incredible impact. Many in our own immediate community were directly affected by Sandy, and many more in our city lost it all. Our community is so caring and responsive. Offers to help and assist have been flooding in. We all know that we have a responsibility to reach out and help with the relief of pain and suffering in ways that make sense. To get us started, the organizers of this year's Skating Party, a great Saint David's tradition--an annual celebration of community--will serve as our relief effort kick-off.

In addition, Monday morning at 8:30 AM in the Smith Room, we will hold a meeting for those interested or able to make it to discuss and coordinate our community's efforts.

Saint David's has also created a Hurricane Sandy Relief Clearinghouse.  It can be accessed through the school's Homepage and through its Facebook page. At the clearinghouse, you can post needs and volunteer opportunities for interested parties.

Inspired by our children's teachers and moved by this community's desire to reach out and support, Saint David's epitomizes her mission's "true community" intent.


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