Dear EWS Community,

As I write, I'm on a plane heading to Connecticut for my 25th college reunion (gulp), after which I'll fly to Israel to meet up with our seniors.  Yesterday, I spoke at both Kallah and Ma'amad & while my presentations weren't identical -- different audiences developmentally require different approaches -- there were some common elements, which is what prompts this email.

Before leaving, I wanted to share a few thoughts with our students as they embark on the final days of the academic year.  I began, of course, by telling a story about my kids -- related to a toothbrush & bar of soap.  Ask them if they remember it & what the underlying message was.

On the more practical side, with final papers coming due and final exams around the corner, I reminded them of the perils of procrastination -- advice that is ironically probably too late for many of them, and admittedly ironic coming from me.  I also reiterated the need for sleep, which the brain relies on to maximize performance -- a fact I learned the hard way after pulling an all-nighter in college before a religious studies exam.  

On the more philosophical side, I suggested an idea that may initially surprise you (as it did them):  Image Matters.  I pointed to Apple, which hasn't actually invented any truly meaningful technology, as an exemplar of this idea.  The genius of former C.E.O. Steve Jobs was, among other things, recognizing that aesthetics influence behavior -- a reality that's relevant for us because of the school uniform (or lack thereof).  Compliance with and enforcement of our dress code have been severely lacking this year -- particularly in the Upper School -- and come next fall, this will change.  In the next few days, the administration will sit with student leaders and representatives from the Parents Association to review (and simplify) the rules so that they're more clear and more easily followed.  Additional information will be forthcoming soon, at which time I'm happy to articulate in greater detail why I believe so strongly in a uniform.  In the mean time, I encourage you to ask your child about my sports analogy, which I used to help them understand my view on this subject.

Finally, in another move that might surprise you, I showed the high schoolers a screen shot from yesterday's New York Times -- specifically, the obituaries.  Reason being, despite the fact that teens are biologically programmed to view themselves as immortal, I think it's valuable for them to consider a point the aforementioned Steve Jobs made in his commencement speech at Stanford last year: that death is not only inevitable, it is the greatest of motivators.  

At various points, we all depart -- Emery/Weiner, college, and yes, this beautiful place called earth.  The question is, what legacy will we leave behind?  Few of the people listed in the Times were famous or wealthy, and yet having read their biographies, I was struck by how rich their lives were.  They committed to causes, followed principles and passions, and cared about the people around them.  None of this will be on your kids' upcoming tests, but I hope you'll find time this weekend to discuss it with them anyway.

Shabbat Shalom.

Stuart