Happy Holidays

Dear Parents and Students,


As the calendar turns to its final page, we enter the season of giving…and, of course, receiving. Too often, it seems, we focus on the latter piece and spend inordinate time contemplating our own perceived value of gifts that come to us during the holiday season. Economist Thorstein Veblen coined the phrase “conspicuous consumption” to describe the spending habits of a population driven to show others their success through extravagant, often meaningless, purchases and possessions. This time of year always reminds me of Veblen’s perspective and how Madison Avenue marketers would seek to convince us that tidings of comfort and joy come directly through a 50” plasma TV. I try, albeit with mixed results, to focus on the true gifts of the season and what they add to our lives. Gifts such as the family and close friends on whom we can rely for support and affection. Gifts such as good health, job security, and financial stability. Gifts such as a warm home, a full refrigerator, and a life that enriches our existence.

These are large gifts, things that, I think, we can all recognize and appreciate. However, we receive smaller gifts throughout the course of our day which are tremendously important and enrich our experience. For our school this year, there have been several gifts provided to us by our students and staff. Our Theater Guild’s wonderful performance of “Anything Goes”, the success of our fall sports squads and the incredible individual performances we witnessed, the generosity of our staff and students in their Adopt a Family holiday initiative, and in the tremendous musical performances this week by our vocal and instrumental groups. As a school, we have been very blessed with these presents and so many more. As the year progresses, we will be proffered many other enhancements to our daily lives that are ripe with meaning, significance, and depth. These gifts Madison Avenue would dismiss, but we will know make our lives enjoyable. May you and your family receive all the gifts you deserve this holiday season.

Happy Holidays,
Jim Lee