Dear Families,

If you caught me in the carpool line this morning sporting a heavy winter jacket over a short-sleeved shirt, you witnessed a classic Chicago fashion statement. It is officially Spring in the city! That unpredictable, beautiful season where we carry an ice scraper in one hand and sunglasses in the other.

For me, this time of year is always marked by the return of the Cubs. Like any true fan, I’m bracing for the spring chaos that defines the North Side - a series of mixed messages, hoping for more Ws (wins) than Ls (losses), and good enough weather to stay at the games for all 9 innings.

As I’ve been reflecting this week, I’ve realized that our school year follows a very similar cadence. We are currently navigating a season of "both/ands." It is a welcome but complex time of year, and one that brings a mixed tapestry of feelings.

Our students have reached that sweet spot of the year. They are deeply comfortable in their routines and confident in their classrooms. Yet, that comfort is peppered with the nervous energy of looking ahead. They are envisioning their next school year already, excited for the next steps but also uneasy about the unknown and the weight of increased expectations.

Our holiday calendar also mirrors this emotional polarity. We have just observed the somber, reflective moments of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) and Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism), honoring our history and those we’ve lost. Then, almost in the same breath, we pivot to the vibrant, joyous energy of Yom HaAtzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) today. These shifts are a lot for young minds to hold, but learning to hold them both is part of what defines us.

And perhaps nowhere is this mixed message clearer than with our current 8th graders. They are soaking in their culminating milestones, presently on Tiyul and thinking about the approach of Graduation, while simultaneously grappling with the bittersweet reality of leaving their school home.

Spring at school, much like a Cubs homestand in April, is rarely a straight line. It is a collection of peaks, dips, and everything in between. As we navigate these coming weeks, I want to acknowledge all these moments, the celebratory and the unpredictable alike.

Whether we are wearing coats or t-shirts tomorrow, I’m grateful to be in this season with all of you.

Warmly,
Karen Leavitt