Dear Families,  

My across-the-alley neighbor has a beautiful yellow lab named Teddy. Every day when I walked home from school this summer, Teddy ran to the edge of the roof of my neighbors' garage to greet me. As soon as he recognized me, Teddy dropped a tennis ball or a ball of hard rope for me to pick up and to throw into their yard. Seconds later, Teddy would return to the edge, dropping the ball the again.  

Summer was the perfect time for fetch, as I was never in a hurry, the sun was out,  and Teddy's excitement was contagious. His "insistence" on one more throw was invariably countered with, "Teddy, last one. I have to go back to work." Somehow, he could anticipate that the game was about to end, and he would drop two balls. I would throw them as far as I could and then hurry away. Everyday, the same thing. I looked forward to this special part of my summer day.

"School days" begin this week, and our routines will change suddenly. We will always be in a hurry, the sun won't be as warm, and the strict schedules of organized sports and school work will replace the game of fetch. I get it; it is school time. But, as I return to work, I want to remember the joy of having someone waiting for me, recognizing me, and dropping everything just to spend time with me so I can do the same for our kids.  I hope that every time a five-year-old "insists" that I sit and watch her spell, or a 4th grader invites me, once again, to play tetherball at recess, I patiently take the time. I want to remember my "last one before I go" when I can choose to watch a Middle School Science experiment rather than work on the budget. My work is about catching kid's excitement and letting it be so contagious that it changes our lives. 

I look forward to being on the edge with you, as parents, as the school year begins. The edge where people meet, where special things happen, where joy is created. Summer is almost over, and I am so happy that it is time for you to "drop" your kids back into my life. I pray that summer has been a beautiful time for your family but also that you ready to join your teachers in making everyday a special one here at St. Pat's.

Welcome back and peace,

Chris