As I sat in church this past Sunday listening to Pastor Hilary speak of new beginnings, my mind played back the past two weeks of preparation that I’d been through with the amazing Grace Garden staff. There is so much work that goes into reopening for the new school year, from organizing helpers to clear the rooms in preparation for floor waxing, staff renewing all of our important safety training, scheduling fire and city health inspections, decorating classrooms, and cleaning and reinvigorating our playground… It’s at once exhausting and energizing to see it all come together just in time for the first day of school.

Dropping your child off for their first day of preschool is a mighty milestone for parents, and comes with a solid helping of apprehension, excitement, and pride. Thanks to the summer sessions we offered, and to playdates hosted over the summer for incoming students, many of our newest friends already had a sense of belonging when they arrived at school this morning. Having already met their teachers and explored their classrooms last week, our Grace Garden friends were ready for the challenge of the day and settled in quickly. Sure, there were tears; there always are at preschool! But this, too, is all in a day’s work for the Grace Garden staff.

This long-awaited first day of school has been a festival of new beginnings unto itself. To hear Pastor Randy ask the congregation for prayers and blessings for the Grace Garden staff and families on Sunday, I was reminded once again that one of the biggest strengths of our sweet school is that it is built on a foundation of genuine support and caring at Saint John’s. We are so excited for this new school year and are so grateful for our Saint John’s family.