Palmer Trinity School

First, I am so incredibly thankful that we are healthy as a community, especially as we reach the summer months. While we have had our share of COVID cases and challenges, overall, we stayed safe and well. I never take good health for granted and feel so very blessed in this respect. I am also so grateful for all of you—our entire Palmer Trinity community. Over these last 15 months, we have navigated this crisis admirably, with a clear commitment to our mission. We have come together (albeit, many times virtually) in new and powerful ways. We have pivoted and flexed our ways of thinking and teaching and seemingly mastered the hybrid way of life. While we have certainly adapted our educational model to the pandemic, we did not abandon who we are at our core; a community committed to caring and serving one another, being part of something greater than ourselves, and yes, leading with love. During this most unique year, I think the spirit of Palmer Trinity School has only strengthened. How do I know this? It's simple. I witness incredible moments at our school each and every day, all because of our amazing students and dedicated faculty and staff. I draw great inspiration from the good work being done by each of you, work that is certainly not limited to the classroom. I've seen beautiful artwork, interesting scientific discoveries and stellar athletic and academic feats. I've heard inspiring music, had powerful conversations and watched students get encouraged to raise their voices, cast their vote and help others through their own service projects. I've cheered at virtual pep rallies and student athlete signings, seen quiet moments of reflection on campus and laughed and cried with colleagues. I was privileged to watch another graduation and baccalaureate and the consecration of our sacred Trinity Chapel, a moment we have waited for for nearly 40 years. No amount of quarantine or pause in our daily lives kept any of these amazing things from happening. And while many of us felt frustrated at times or like we lost something this year, I will argue that we gained so much more than we lost. We are stronger. We found new ways to be creative, be diligent problem-solvers and be positive, servant leaders. I sincerely hope you will join me in my optimism, as I firmly believe that, through this challenge, we are discovering inner strengths and capabilities we may never have known otherwise. So, as we head into a more "normal" summer, I do hope you'll take a moment to stop, look around and notice the good and the abundant blessings that surround you. I encourage you to pause, rest and maybe heed the following words from Orin Crain's poem Slow Me Down: Slow Me Down Slow me down, Lord! Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my harried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amidst the confusions of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tensions of my nerves with the soothing music of the singing streams That live in my memory. Help me to know the magical power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking minute vacations of slowing down to look at a flower; To chat with an old friend or to make a new one. Remind me each day that the race is not always won by the swift; That there is more to life than increasing its speed. Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak And know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well. Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep Into the soil of life's enduring values that I may grow toward the stars Of our greater destiny. I wish you all the very best for a healthy, happy and relaxing summer. Stay well. I look forward to seeing you, in person, in August! PAT R I C K R O B E R T S , H E A D O F S C H O O L M E S S A G E F R O M T H E H E A D O F S C H O O L Dear students, teachers, families and friends,

• Cover